I have had some trouble keeping my motivation up this week. There have been a few major things that have been dropped on me - mostly at work, but also a few personal issues that are distracting as well. One thing I am learning is how important it is to be able to focus 100% while training. If you are not able to fully commit, your training will suffer. It is pretty demoralizing when physically your body is saying "Alright, let's do this", but your mind holds you back. Sara and I discussed some of the mental roadblocks that I have been having and agree that my training should be my release, but that is not the case. It is hard to believe that I at this point considering a week ago I made a mental commitment to do Ironman Louisville in 2010.
Hopefully this will take a turn for the better in the next few days.........
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Sunday, December 28, 2008
A Tri-filled Christmas
My family is obviously catching on that this "triathlon thing" is pretty serious to me. I got some great gifts. The first and most important thing I needed was a new pair of true running shoes. Sara got me a gift certificate to a running store in town. She also got me a subscription to what is becoming my new favorite magazine - Triathlete. My dad got me another extremely valuable training tool - a Heart Rate Monitor with GPS. As I have progressed in my training, I have found most athletes attempt to keep their heart rates in certain areas on certain days. The Garmin will definite help me keep track of this.
Training has been going pretty well. I have taken off a few days during the holidays. After my run of just under 7 miles today, I jumped on the scale to see how much weight I had actually gained during the past week or so and I was happy to see that my training is starting to pay off - I have lost about 4 pounds. I currently weigh 185. My goal is 170-175 by race time. My theory is the less I weigh, the less I have to carry for 70 miles. I also ran on Friday. I had to try out my HRM. It was a short run of only 2.5 miles. My previous training was Christmas Eve. I did about 4.5 miles. As you can see I am really working on my running. My biking has been coming along pretty well too. I had to order another wheel since I now have my trainer. -It is strictly for convenience and not having to take the trainer tire off every time. I have been on the bike about five times now. Each time riding around an hour. I would get in around 20 miles each time.
Work is getting interesting and not in a good way. Unfortunately I am seeing less and less golfers. Hopefully this will change soon. I need people playing so I can continue to have a job. There is only one thing I will not sacrifice for training and that is my family. I know they will always be there for me regardless. I am not saying that I will sacrifice my job for training, but would reschedule my training for a different time if I need to. We'll keep our fingers crossed and see what happens.
Things will just keep moving along one foot at a time.
Training has been going pretty well. I have taken off a few days during the holidays. After my run of just under 7 miles today, I jumped on the scale to see how much weight I had actually gained during the past week or so and I was happy to see that my training is starting to pay off - I have lost about 4 pounds. I currently weigh 185. My goal is 170-175 by race time. My theory is the less I weigh, the less I have to carry for 70 miles. I also ran on Friday. I had to try out my HRM. It was a short run of only 2.5 miles. My previous training was Christmas Eve. I did about 4.5 miles. As you can see I am really working on my running. My biking has been coming along pretty well too. I had to order another wheel since I now have my trainer. -It is strictly for convenience and not having to take the trainer tire off every time. I have been on the bike about five times now. Each time riding around an hour. I would get in around 20 miles each time.
Work is getting interesting and not in a good way. Unfortunately I am seeing less and less golfers. Hopefully this will change soon. I need people playing so I can continue to have a job. There is only one thing I will not sacrifice for training and that is my family. I know they will always be there for me regardless. I am not saying that I will sacrifice my job for training, but would reschedule my training for a different time if I need to. We'll keep our fingers crossed and see what happens.
Things will just keep moving along one foot at a time.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
They are the reason I think.........
My training is going pretty well. I decided to take the day off to prepare for a longer run tomorrow. I'm looking at eight miles or so. I'm starting to look ahead to prepare for a ten mile run in the next couple weeks. I'm excited just thinking about it. That will be a major milestone for me. I plan to get up at sunrise, pack a lunch, and try to make it back before sunset. Sounds like a stretch, but I think I can do it!!!
With the addition of the bike trainer to my training routine, I feel like I am getting stronger. I pedal the entire time without stopping (lately one hour). Normal outdoor rides consist of starting and stopping, occasionally coasting on the downhills, but the way I figure it ~ what am I on? It's a trainer! That means pedal. Coasting will not make me stronger. When on the trainer, I throw in the Ironman World Championships that took place on December 13 in Kona. I watch it to see the amateurs, not the professionals. For the pros, triathlon is their job. They are expected to do well. The amateurs on the other hand are just regular people. They all have different, everyday jobs, but they all have one thing in common ~ they have all made the decision to commit a small portion of their life to achieve something that will stick with them forever - to be an Ironman. Once Bill Reilly says those famous words "You are an Ironman", that is something nobody can ever take that away from you. You will always be an Ironman. The people that do the race have amazing stories~ seventy year old men and women, people with life threatening diseases, people missing portions of their bodies, to name a few. There are times that I have to actually slow down my pace when I see some of the people racing because it is so moving to see these people achieve their goals. They are the reason I think "If they have the heart to do this given their circumstances, why can't I? There is no excuse good enough to justify why I shouldn't do this."
With the addition of the bike trainer to my training routine, I feel like I am getting stronger. I pedal the entire time without stopping (lately one hour). Normal outdoor rides consist of starting and stopping, occasionally coasting on the downhills, but the way I figure it ~ what am I on? It's a trainer! That means pedal. Coasting will not make me stronger. When on the trainer, I throw in the Ironman World Championships that took place on December 13 in Kona. I watch it to see the amateurs, not the professionals. For the pros, triathlon is their job. They are expected to do well. The amateurs on the other hand are just regular people. They all have different, everyday jobs, but they all have one thing in common ~ they have all made the decision to commit a small portion of their life to achieve something that will stick with them forever - to be an Ironman. Once Bill Reilly says those famous words "You are an Ironman", that is something nobody can ever take that away from you. You will always be an Ironman. The people that do the race have amazing stories~ seventy year old men and women, people with life threatening diseases, people missing portions of their bodies, to name a few. There are times that I have to actually slow down my pace when I see some of the people racing because it is so moving to see these people achieve their goals. They are the reason I think "If they have the heart to do this given their circumstances, why can't I? There is no excuse good enough to justify why I shouldn't do this."
Friday, December 12, 2008
No more excuses about missing a day...
Here it is, my new toy. The Kurt Kinetic Road Machine. I ordered the trainer on Monday and got it on Wednesday and jumped right on it. I did two quick workouts. It will take some getting used to. I need to get a "trainer tire" for my bike as little pieces of my current road tire are shooting all over wall behind me. I will say - it is boring. I need to find something to make the time go by a little faster. Unfortunately I don't watch much TV. Maybe I'll have to buy a couple Ironman DVD's to keep my focus on my end goal.
Monday, December 8, 2008
GOT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I ran my personal best distance ever and continuous time running!!! I ran 9.25 miles. I had to check the calendar when I finished to make sure it was still Monday because it felt like it took me a full day to finish, but I did it in 1 hr 32 minutes. I really tried to slow down my pace to make it the full 9 miles and it worked! I will say, the last hill about killed me! Woo hoo!! Now it's time to inhale my Peanut Butter and Banana sandwiches, stretch some more, take and shower, then a nap!
Going for my PR today
I have had a headache for the past three days that just wouldn't quit. It has finally subsided. I am feeling pretty good today and going for my pr for distance running. I'm going for 9 miles. Rode for the first time in a couple weeks yesterday. Made it just under 20 miles. I just could not take it with my helmet on and my head pounding.
I've been able to train pretty regularly the past week or so and am looking to keep it up. I think I might buy a bike trainer today. It was really cold riding yesterday, especially on the downhills. My cyclometer showed me getting up to 38 mph on a couple downhill sections! What a windchill!!!
I've been able to train pretty regularly the past week or so and am looking to keep it up. I think I might buy a bike trainer today. It was really cold riding yesterday, especially on the downhills. My cyclometer showed me getting up to 38 mph on a couple downhill sections! What a windchill!!!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Typical winter holiday training
My training has been kind of sporadic lately. I have not missed consecutive days, but have taken some days off in between sessions. I finally finished putting down the tile in my laundry room that I have been working on since May. It is a killer on the hamstrings!!! I actually had to take off a day here and there because they were so tight. The bike has been my weakest and most under trained area. Since it rained on Monday, I was not able to get in a ride. I am looking to get a trainer to allow me to work inside during inclement weather. I have a pretty strong lower body so I don't think I'll miss too much by limiting my biking for now. My main area of concentration right now is swimming. I have been working quite a bit on my breathing technique. I have developed some left shoulder pain since I only breath on the right side. After doing some research, I found that alternating my breathing should help this. After working on it during my past two swim sessions, I am getting more comfortable with it. During my second session, my swim times have actually decreased, but I feel expend more energy while getting used to it. My last session was 1500m in 27 minutes. Not too bad. As far as running goes, I am looking for a good half marathon plan. I am going to try to work out doing a half marry race in February in Myrtle Beach. The course is flat and should be a good test for my first race. My runs have been pretty good. I am looking to increase my frequency. My past few runs included Monday (an easy 4 miles in 40 minutes) and Thanksgiving day I ran about 6 1/2 miles. Both felt pretty good. No real issues. Sunday or Monday I might shoot for another 8 mile day. Things are looking good. Sometimes it is difficult to stay motivated since my "A" race is 10 months away. I have to keep the long term goal in the back of my mind and the short term goals as my main focus. Let's go run!!
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