Monday, August 4, 2014

Who I am not who I was.

Last week was Ironman Lake Placid. While I knew some folks who were racing, there weren't part of my core group of training partners. Since this race conflicts with my family vacation, I decided to not go to Placid nor volunteer and instead spend time with the family.

It was a week of much needed downtime. In fact, I did close to nothing physically taxing. I did take a few extra naps, drank a few extra cheap beers (Rolling Rock for those scoring at home), ate a little too much food and read a good book. For activities, MrsRockstar and I went to Cooperstown and the Baseball Hall of Fame and later in the week saw a minor league baseball game. There was no training even though I brought my bike.

My friends who went to Placid to cheer and volunteer were texting me from Placid and afterward. Some signed up for IMLP2015 but many were trying to get a contingent to give Mont Tremblay 70.3 or some other HIM next summer a try. I realized that given my current condition, body composition and motivation, signing up would be a waste of money.

I wondered if my lack of motivation was a cause or symptom of my lack of training. To answer that question, I sat down and used my USAT-L1 coaching knowledge to craft myself a training plan that could get me to the last tri of the 2014 season, the Cedar Beach Sprint Tri on Columbus Day weekend. I figured if I could follow this plan for the month of August, it would be a good indication if I could give this tri a shot. Even if I'm not, trying to follow the plan would let me learn something about myself.

It isn't a crazy ironman plan but it looks doable. I know I have issues with my Achilles but that's ok. I wrote the plan based on who I am not who I was. The plan started yesterday with a bike ride scheduled. I ran instead and will swap a bike for tomorrow's scheduled run. Tonight, I get in the pool. It is focusing simply on moving most days with scheduled recovery time.

Most importantly, I got on the scale this morning. Yes, I probably have a few extra vacation pounds working their way through my system but my body composition is my biggest (pun intended) challenge. I am the heaviest I can ever recall but want to shoot to lose 2 pounds a week. At that rate I'll be ready to race........... sometime summer 2015.

Or maybe Columbus day 2014. That's who I am.

5 comments:

TriMOEngr said...

Sometimes it is all about having a plan and at least trying to work towards it. Working a hal Higdon plan right now myself. Hang in there.

Al's CL Reviews said...

Working on my marathon training after performing my personal worst and highest weight on a half. I was in way different shape last year, but my plan this year is doable.


You can do this.

Ransick said...

Having a goal always helps. BTW, I like Rolling Rock. It usually has a place in my fridge next to the more full bodied stuff. On vacation I'm drink Juengling since we can't get it in Illinois.

One Crazy Penguin said...

I think one of the hardest things to do as an athlete is to go off of the present athlete that you are. I still struggle with not being the college basketball player that I was. I miss my speed and agility! But I also no longer have the time or desire to workout 20+ hours a week. It's all a trade off.

CautiouslyAudacious said...

Great plan! :-) I can totally relate I'm stuck on who I was and get discouraged. I've been scared to even log back on to my social media sites because I know I'd see all my endurance buddies posting awesome stuff. Glad you are finding your way back I hope to be approaching a similar milestone soon!