March 10, 2010

We Now Return to Regularly Scheduled Programming

Well folks, after a couple weeks away I'm going to attempt to get back to my regular posting. Not only have I missed seeing what others are sharing, but I've had some thoughts on my mind that have no other outlet but here so it's time to write.

First, a little update on what I've been up to. I took a break from work and life to rest up and re-connect with myself after the Olympics. I needed it. I trained a steady amount during this time, but also blew off just enough of it to be with friends and feel normal. It worked. By the time I got back into the game I was feeling much more energized and engaged, where before I was a lost cause.

I'm experiencing a new challenge and am curious if other Ironman veterans have felt the same. Last year when I embarked on my Ironman Wisconsin journey, I swore I would give it 110%, that nothing would be compromised. If I was going to do it, I wasn't going to do it half-assed. Everything took a back seat to my training. I missed out on countless social activities, sleep and just general down time. I didn't have a Saturday or Sunday all summer that didn't involve 10+ hours of cumulative training. So as I start down the path to my second and third Ironman races I expected to feel the same... only I don't. I've opted to forego training for social reasons at least once a week for the past several weeks. What's more surprising is that I don't feel guilty at all whereas last year I was riddled with guilt if I missed so much as a 20-minute swim.

It's not that I'm unmotivated, but I don't feel the same pressing urgency to log every mile and minute on the schedule. Could it be because the distance is less of a mystery and therefore less scary? Is it because I was injured and perhaps my drive to go further and do more is lessened? Or could it just be that like so many things in life, shiny newness is always more exciting than tried and true? I really don't know, but I'm curious to see if it lifts as I progress in my training. What I do know for sure is that I have a healthy dose of respect for the Ironman distance and would never go in unprepared. I just might go in a little less prepared than the first time and who knows, I might end up with a better race in the end.

4 comments:

  1. I think it is a little bit of all of those things ... and no, you are not alone.

    I cut my swim 15 minutes short this AM, which I never would have done last year. I realize now what it (IM) takes and feel comfortable trusting myself in knowing if I am doing enough.

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  2. I have to agree with Anne on this. Having finished an IM certainly takes away the mystery of the race. Plus, you know you can "do it" now. Training is hard enough - don't feel bad changing up the routine every now and then!

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  3. I tend to think that it's more the lack of down-time than any lack of excitment or motivation to train/race. Your life seems to have been pretty non-stop since last Fall - not much of a break at all, which I think everyone needs between seasons.
    Heck, we decided to forego an IM in 2010 for just that reason - it's just too much committment (mental and physical) to do every single year.
    Have you considered deferring IMLP until 2011 and forcus instead on IMWI 2010? Might give you a chance to indulge in some more non-tri things for a while and regain that mental edge. Just a thought...

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  4. for me this has been a negative struggle... i used to be good at training but lately (past 7 months or so) i've been so blahhh towards training. so mine is more towards not-really-wanting to vs being more confident. good luck figuring yourself/training motives out!

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