It's time! I have taken 6 weeks off from training (well except for two half marathons that I ran and a horrible hundred bike ride). As I come back I always wonder why it was so easy for me to get out of the routine of not training, but a long sluggish road to get back into it. I hope someone else experiences this cause I can't be the only one can I? That is now in the past and it is time to refocus and start preparing for my tri season which will include a few "A" races:
Ironman New Orleans 70.3 in April
Ironman Coeur D'Alene in June
Hy Vee Us Championships in September
I think the hardest thing to do is train in the off season when there aren't any races for months. The first scheduled race I am going to do is at the end of March in Clermont, Florida during the great Clermont Challenge. Earlier in the year than most triathletes but, I am always chomping at the bit by the time March rolls around and I absolutely love the race course down there. I am uber competitive so that helps me focus and anytime I want to take an unscheduled day off I always think about the other athletes out there pushing themselves to kick my butt on race day. I saw a saying on a Nike shirt that I loved, it said,
"I kick my butt today so that I can kick yours tomorrow".
So this week I am easing myself back into the routine and swam on Monday for the first time since October 16. If anyone has taken a substantial time off from the pool and then jumped backed in, you know what I went through- breathing heavy, sore muscles, inefficient swim stroke- ahhhh yes the joys of swimming. Why do you like to swim again Julie? This is my worst of the disciplines so I have to force myself to the pool. Once I am there I am good, but Monday was tough. I swam 50 laps and to my surprise I didn't lose that much speed, just endurance. This will obviously take some time to build that endurance back again.
Yesterday I rode on the spinner bike for an hour. Yep, my legs were wondering what the **** was I doing? I need to get them to have some endurance as Sunday I will begin my group rides back with the Open Road Bicycles (Best Bike shop in Jacksonville) and they aren't going to wait for me if I tell them, "I am sucking wind". I think they actually get enjoyment out of punishing me and making me suffer, but I welcome it because the only way to get better is to ride with people better than yourself. So bring the pain!
Triathlon is 90% mental so if you can persevere through the tough times, when your body is screaming at you to quit then you will make yourself a better athlete. Heck, if you can do this in your everyday life as well, you will make yourself a stronger, more resilient person.
So the pool is calling my name again tomorrow...Yippee - did you sense that sarcasm? Followed by a short 1-2 mile run.
It feels good to be back and I am looking forward to hearing other triathlon stories along the road through next Spring, Summer and Fall. Work hard and enjoy every moment.
PS- I know I have been waiting for the Ironman World Championships to be aired on NBC and they are finally here....Saturday, December 10 at 4:30 PM EST catch the greatest one day event in the world! ENJOY AND BE INSPIRED!
