Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Now What?

I know this is the 'off season'. I had a good (long) triathlon season in 2009 and I achieved many of my goals. Now I'm supposed to be resting and recovering and relaxing and enjoying it all.

But you know what I enjoy? Training.

I really do. I like it. I never really felt like I 'had' to train for anything. I was always psyched up and enjoyed those long and/or hard days. So now that they are over, I find myself asking Now What?

Well, for starters, I know that my body needs some down time to recover from all that I asked it to do this past year. I get that. Consequently, I didn't do much at all last week- just a couple of short easy get out there and move sessions. A total of 3 hours of easy exercise. I know it was what my body needed. But it drove me nuts. After the first few days I started going crazy with the house cleaning. I mean, seriously, I washed the couch cushion covers. I cleaned out drawers and closets that haven't been cleaned out in years. Can I start training again now please???

So I have a couple of new goals. First up! The Waikiki Double RoughWater Swim December 6. I don't know exactly how long it is- something like 4.5 miles I think. I've done it twice so this will be my third time. Last year I did it less than 6 weeks after giving birth to Moana. It's a super fun low key event where everyone has their own paddler/kayaker escort and there are no buoys other than the turn around buoys which makes it an event in ocean navigating just as much as endurance swimming. I sent my entry in today. :)

The week after the RoughWater is the Honolulu Marathon. I'm entered. I have been entered since May, when they opened up the event to Hawaii residents for one week for $35. It was before I qualified for Kona so I didn't know if I'd be doing Kona... I figured I was going to do a marathon this year one way or another, so that was my thought process in sending the entry in when it was cheap. But then I got into Kona so obviously the marathon got put on the back-burner in my mind. I figured I'd make a decision about whether or not I would run it after Ironman, knowing that there was every possibility that I wouldn't have any desire to run a step for several months. But guess what? I want to run. Shocker, I know.

I also know that what my mind wants to do is not necessarily what my body wants to do, so I won't say that I'm 100% committed to the marathon just yet. But I did take a look at the calendar and figured that if I give myself this week as another 'recover from ironman' week and do just a little jogging, I'd have 4 weeks to do a good block of marathon training and then a 2 week taper before the event. So while not ideal, it's possible. And since this is my 5th year living here and I've yet to do the Honolulu Marathon, I think it's time. I think this is the year. I'll likely make the final decision in a couple of weeks after I put in some key run efforts and see how my body is responding.

I know some of you will think I'm crazy, and to you, I offer this... My bike is still packed away in it's bike box. :) Maybe I'll unpack it this week, but I won't ride it until January. I have no fear of losing bike fitness. Shoot, I took 9 months off the bike while I was pregnant and came back stronger than ever. So there you have it. No biking.

12 comments:

Running and living said...

I completely understand how you are feeling. I did not run for the past 3 days (since the marathon) and am going nutty. Go for the marathon. I think you'll do great. Your plan to rest one more week and then go hard for 4 weeks is solid. And you seem excited and mentally charged, so that is great! Good luck, Ana-Maria

GetBackJoJo said...

I'm with Ana-Maria and you--I'm all a fluster without training and I am only 3 days post-marathon. argh!
Honolulu will be fun!!! (I am curious to see if Jen gives you the go ahead... :)
I'm glad to know a woman who raced six weeks post-giving birth. I did that too-. It shows a level of desperation I admire. :)

Rebecca DeWire said...

I definitely don't think you are crazy! I think it is really hard if you are home full time without some type of goal or interest to captivate you. I am so envious that you love training as much as you do, especially the long stuff. I like to run long, but am not a big fan of the long bikes. Good luck at the 4.5mile swim, that sounds awesome.

N.D. said...

You never stop - I totally get it. That is who you are. That is plenty of time for the marathon. Ironman is harder than giving birth (I think) and I had 8 weeks. I think that you will be fine. I remember the ocean swim from last year - it sounds fantastic!

Ange said...

ahhh...a world of swimming and running. Perfecto. I think there should be aquarun races. I am Trying not to complain about not training. I'm getting a little crazy though. I am ok with a break..but not with not moving. It's tough. Clearly, this is why we do what we do. We love it.
Have a blast at those 2 races!!!

cherelli said...

Just do it! Sounds like plenty of time to recover and re-build - and fun to have some goals. I'm sure it'll be nice to drop the bike for a little while... :)

GoBigGreen said...

Michelle! You are KILLIN' me!! Get that bike out and ride just bc you can:) we are sucking the life out of any daylight and dry or above freezing days!!! Ok ok I know . Just made me wish I lived where my trainer and my winter riding boots chemical heaters yadayadayada didn't appear so soon!
You will know about marathon training soon- if you can do it sans injury go for it!

Renee said...

If you run out of drawers to clean out at your house, you can come to mine next. :) Good luck on your swim and marathon!

Teresa said...

I can't even imagaine doing an open water swim right now, let alone in December.

Wow...you have an agenda, but glad you are listening to what your body needs to.

tn

PS...our bikes are still in teh box too and at this point, there is no rush, whatsoever, to get them out!

Alili said...

I, for one, can't wait to read all about it! Sounds fun in a torturous kind of way. :)

Angela and David said...

I remember watching the video of you swimming in that race last year and thinking "This woman is a badass!" You have certainly lived up to my initial impressions of you.

Charisa said...

I like training too. Off-season is always a weird mix and takes a while to get used to. Glad you can do the marathon :)