Last summer I had my heart set on doing an Olympic triathlon at the end of the summer. June began and the summer looked like a fresh clean slate as it always done. Not having enough time was no excuse. I was not working nor was I taking a class. I had all kinds of time. I began the training regimen and gained confidence in my cycling. I did a few rides with the Salem Bicycle Club. But by August I lost interest and decided to not "tri" a longer triathlon. It was difficult next to impossible to train on our DC/NY trip. I dealt with similar obstacles a few weeks later when we were in Michigan.
This summer is turning into a repeat except I threw out the idea of training for a triathlon much earlier--this past week in fact. I lost motivation but I also considered the things I want out of this summer. I work full time now away from the home during the school year and am trying to complete this early childhood education associate degree. I want quality time with my family this summer.
When I was talking to my brother-in-law in Tennessee, he was sharing the time restraints required to train for an Ironman triathlon. He said he refused to drive places to train. I would have to drive all the way to Silverton to any sort of open water training. The long bicycle rides take place on Saturdays when I want to be with the family.
Last summer we were on sabbatical but I do not feel like I learned the discipline of rest and Sabbath until this summer. I still went to Camp Calvin last summer which was very exhausting. I was still writing for The Banner which I wanted to quit by late July. I was busily searching for an ETM co-leader. Since I did not have one by mid August, I found myself in a tailspin of anxiety. There was much uncertainty about my new job. I knew I had a job but pay, location, practicum location were not determined until mid September. I wanted time to work on guitar and paint. I did not pick up my guitar all summer. I never painted either. I spent quite a bit of time training for a triathlon I never ended up doing anyway. Although it was a wonderful summer, it was a learning experience too.
So now here we are in early July. I don't want to make the financial investment of approximately $125.00 to do a triathlon at the end of the summer. When my heart is not really into it. What I do want to do and what I have wanted to do for a very long time is to run a marathon in Arizona. I have my mind set on the Arizona Rock and Roll Marathon in January. I want to follow Hal Higdon's Marathon 3 program which allows me to bike one day a week and swim one day a week. I plan to bike with the club or by myself until it gets cold out. Then I will switch to Spin Class. I can swim in the outdoor pool or indoor pool until early September. Running is where my passion is. It always has been.
The problem is I don't know if my IT band can handle it. I have been having problems with it for several years. Once I hit around 9 or 10 miles, it acts up. I think I could still swing a half marathon even if I have to be in pain the last few miles. The Rock and Roll would allow me to switch to the half with no consequences. I need to be proactive on doing my physical therapy. My PT said the main problem is my hips are too weak and I am not strengthening them enough. So if I can continue to do my PT, gradually add miles, and take care of my body--I might be able to complete my fifth marathon.
So I have four Pre-weeks before I would actually have to start training for it. I have been exercising off and on since summer began. I have eaten terrible the last few days and not done much exercise since last Wednesday. So it's going to be a slow start...so slow in fact I decided not to exercise today for no good reason. Once I hit my motivation, I think I will be fine. I am just praying I don't deal with the IT band issues. It has been very discouraging once I hit that point.
I am not going run more than six to seven miles the next four weeks. That will allow me to gradually build. The Marathon 3 program is 24 weeks long so it does gradually build to the 20 miles which I would not do until the late fall. In 8 weeks I would need to run 9 miles. That is typically the point I start feeling the pain.
I am going to blog about it so I can track it and also hold myself accountable for doing my PT.
Monday = Rest
Tuesday = Viper. It hurt but I felt like I was working all the running muscles I am supposed to be working!
Wednesday = Ran 4.01 miles. Somehow Map My Run glitched or something happened because I lost my stats. I did run 4 miles at about a 9.50 - 10.00 minute mile pace. I ran with Tracy. We tackled the Jones hill. My glutes are so sore from Viper! I cannot believe how much they hurt. I could barely squat down to pick up the newspaper.
Thursday = Swam 1,000 yards in the outdoor pool. I love swimming laps outside in the summer! My legs STILL hurt from Viper.
Friday = Ran 4 miles with an average pace of around 9:30. I pushed myself pretty hard and felt like I got a good workout. I am liking the idea of focusing on running and not feeling the pressure of triathlon.
Saturday = Intervals at Wendy Kroger Park. The loop at Wendy Kroger is slightly less than a track. It is about 0.18 miles while the track is 0.25. I did about a mile of intervals--one fast lap followed by a recovery lap. Plus I ran to the pool while Hailey biked. I might do intervals at the park instead of the track or not as often as going to the track. It is way more convenient staying close to home.
Sunday = Rest
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