It seems like it's been forever since I've been in Hard Training Mode. With a taper going into the race and now an extended recovery due to my (still) sore legs, it just feels like it's been too long since I've had that post hard workout high that comes from nailing something hard.
But then (thanks to FaceBook) Liz educated me a bit about sloths... and the fact that they come down from their trees once a week to poop... so ok, I'm not exactly like a sloth because I still poop every day.
Anyway, my point is that I'm looking forward to getting this recovery stuff over with so I can get back on it and start training again. I did go to the pool this morning for a whopping 2000M swim. I was going to ride my bike over there, but then (again, thanks to FB) I saw that today is National Running Day, so I forced my poor quads to pound it out for a mile each way to the pool in honor of... I'm not sure what? The joy of running I guess.
Maybe one of these days that joy will come back. I did start to like running this past spring. Now I'm a bit down on it because it didn't seem to like me so much on Saturday, but I'm willing to give it another try this summer/fall.
Anyway, Jen sent me an email yesterday and told me to 'enjoy this week' and then followed it up with a sinister (ha ha). I think she has some long evil stuff in store for me this summer. Bring it. I'm game.
My little brain has been spinning about how I'm going to balance out being a good mom while training for Kona. I think it's going to go just fine. It really helps that I don't have a job outside my home. Here are the positives in my favor:
1. Scott doesn't (usually) have to leave for work until 8:00ish, and he's awesome about it when I get up early and go train. So hypothetically, I could even do long runs during the week if I get out the door early enough. And since the sun comes up pretty early here in the summers, it's not even like o'dark-thirty type training even if I leave at 5:30AM.
2. Moana takes pretty consistent long morning naps. Like 2 1/2 hours long. So if I need a good long trainer ride, no problem.
3. Jenny (bless her heart) told me that she's excited to continue doing our baby trade off days so we can each ride outside during the week. This is especially amazing that she was so gracious in offering this even as she is unable to walk properly from tumbling down the hill on Saturday. And I think I found another mom who wants to trade off with me during the week... my neighbor is training for a couple of long events and has a 2 year old girl... so I may have more opportunites than I even need each week. Niice.
4. Mike and Sandy both qualified to Kona as well so they'll be riding long very consistently on the weekends. I will not be hurting for good fast hard-working training partners this summer. They're everywhere.
5. There are a ton of 'training race' opportunities here all summer long. Not triathlons per say, but lots of ocean swim races and long runs and even a 112 mile bike race in September. I'll be able to practice pacing any way I want to just about every weekend.
All this leaves me really excited to start the Kona build. I'm one of those athletes who loves loves loves the training aspect of our sport... maybe more than racing... it's about the journey for me. When do I get to start??
10 comments:
What a great support system that you have set up for your Kona training! Sounds like you won't have much trouble at all fitting the training in. Plus, it sounds like you LOVE training so you will have a fun summer ahead of you. I am the opposite, I am more than happy to skip the training and go straight to the race.
HA! I am ignoring you on purpose this week!! :) You can start on Monday.....slowly, but starting! SO really enjoy this week!!
This is so exciting. You will find the balance and all of these plans here show that it will work out! : )
sorry, I love the poop metaphor.
Well, we're on the same page. I LOVE the training. Enjoy racing, definitely...but I feel that I get so much more from the journey. Race day is a celebration (a painful one, but a celebration of all the hard work I've put in).
Mwuahahahahaha (evil laugh) - enjoy the OFF week while you can. And I'm totally serious about that. We both know Jen....
Your training set up sounds really great! I have no doubt that you'll pull it off. It will be tough at points - but you've got an INCREDIBLE support system. Yea!!!
Oh, and before I forget - don't get down about the running. You are doing GREAT with your running! It's just one race...and from everything I've read/heard - that was one tough run course! The conditions were brutal - so definitely peg that in your mind. Running is great, and you ARE a great runner! Keep up the super work, happy recovery, and rest up those legs! :)
you are a better woman than I. I think I sometimes like the training...when I have a break through session. But mostly I like the race. Maybe because it proves to me that the training works. I don't know.
I can't believe the sloth actually comes down from the tree to poop. They're more ambitious than I thought!
Sounds like you've got the balancing act all figured out. Have fun training!
I think after my first 70.3 last year, I lasted 2 days before I had to get on my bike and go climb some hills, so I do appreciate that :) But Jen's right - rest up now so you're healthy and ready for the fun later!
Sounds like you've got everything in place for some great Kona training. And I'm with you, I love the training. I love the racing after the race but hate, hate, hate how nervous I get before the race.
I'm already excited to read the Kona race reports.
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