Friday, January 8, 2010

Above The Nadir

Scraaaaatch....

You hear that? It's the sound of me scratching and clawing my way back into triathlon shape.

It's coming back. I can feel it. Little by little, day by day... it's coming back.

Regina made a great comment on that blog I wrote the other day about hitting rock bottom in my training... she reminded me to trust my body. It knows what it can do and what it cannot do... and when it's right for it to come back, it will.

So all week I have been more patient with myself. Wearing my HR monitor and pushing here and there for short periods but not overdoing it at all... just getting out there and being consistent... eating right... sleeping plenty... I've been doing all the things that I know will get me back to where I want to be.

And this morning I got a little glimpse of my old swimmer self. I have always been the Queen of Descending in the pool. I am generally pretty good at knowing my pace, and bringing that pace down as the workout goes on. Lately though that ability has been completely missing as I have not had the stamina to pick up my pace. Instead I would just fall apart and get s.l.o.w.e.r. That was pretty frustrating. But today... today... we swam a 1500 straight, descend the 500's. I got my split for the first 500, dropped the split by 8 seconds for the next 500, and then took another 11 seconds off that for the final 500. AHHHHHHHHH. That's better. Then we did a set of 6 x 200's where the first 100 was blast fast then settle in to a more moderate pace for the final 100. I didn't feel I had it to blast the whole first 100, so I just blasted the first 50 and then settled in to my steady pace for the remaining 150. But you know what? By #4 I was feeling like maybe, just maybe, I could push for the whole 100 without falling apart... so on the 5th one I did... shocked the heck out of Nalani who looked over at the end of that 100 to see me still right next to her. That hasn't happened in, um, several months... She's so cool too- egging me on so in the 6th 200 our first 100 was very fast. Ok, not fast compared to where I was last summer, but I checked my logbook from last January and it was fast compared to that. Phew.

Mama's back. Or at least on my way...

15 comments:

Ange said...

wooohooo!! so fun to feel fast again. good for you. And I agree. trust your body AND give yourself a break! you've been through a Lot!!

Beth said...

YESSSS!! Welcome back! :) (I know, you were never really gone :)

Running and living said...

I had no doubts you'll be back in tip top shape quickly!

Clare said...

i'm excited to do real swim workouts now and know what you're talking about!

N.D. said...

I love descending and building! Glad it is coming back :)

Angela said...

You know you'll get back, you're solid! Take it easy too though.

Regina said...

Aw, shucks, thanks for the nod. I'm not one to say, "I told you so..." ;)

Glad you are feeling it coming back.

RunningMama said...

Our bodies are more resilient than we think!

Anonymous said...

i can hear "Eye of the Tiger" right now!!

GetBackJoJo said...

You kindly didn't tell us how fast those 200s were! You knowy ou'd depress us all with your amazing speed... I'm so glad that you are feeling zippier again..

San said...

Glad to hear you're on your way back.

X-Country2 said...

Told ya so!

Big Daddy Diesel said...

Nice work, I am in the same boat, feeling good to be back on track.

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