Nervous before Big Training Days (And they're ALL big training days)
Hi All,
I am a newbie to EN but not to running/racing and triathlons. I always used to get nervous the night before long runs when training for marathons and before a long and difficult ride. The longer triathlons races...yeah, I got the jitters with those, too.
But I'm finding I am nervous before almost all of the HIM Intermediate workouts. I will say I am working so much harder now than I have in a very long time in training and that these Zone 4 and 5 rides and runs are kicking my butt! 
I love it, but, man, is it uncomfortable. I am REALLY hoping that you all are right and that Work Works! (My husband, on the other hand, says that I'm nervous because "you're a type A personality".)
I know I have the mental toughness because, to me, so much of this (90%. Dare I say?) is mental. But, today, for the first time, after that hard friggin' run.....I almost cried. There, I said it!
Anyone else out there feel the same way? Just need a little mental pep talk. I hope I don't hear crickets......
Thanks for listening,
Anna
Comments
I'm sure you'll get a ton of responses. My two cents is to make sure that you find a zone that will leave you feeling rewarded and motivated to return. With the exception of time trials, I shoot to meet the prescribed objectives of each training session without completely emptying the tank. Leave just enough there so that you feel you could have done at least a little more. And take recovery just as seriously as the workout. With the big picture in mind you should look to improve over time. Keep knocking them down this way and you'll feel like you're building on something that's already great and not constantly broken.
- Arun
I'm also new to EN ( started in november ) and triathlon. When I was doing heavy running training I got to the point where i was so stressed about nailing the paces and intervals i couldn't sleep the night before a heavy morning workout. It got pretty bad.
I also find the EN workouts pretty tough. What I have learned from the wise people here that helps is to not treat the workouts as something to win or lose. It's perfectly fine to approach the workouts as ' today I'm just going to try my best'. And more often then not you will do just fine. Just remember that if a workout doesn't go well, or if you need to skip one, it doesn't mean you failed, because the workout is only the means toward the end which is your race. That's why the paces and FTP zones have high and low ranges. If you need to, it's ok to aim for the lower range of the FTP or HR zone or a few seconds off your pace on the first running interval and go from there. That's what works for me.
The workouts are hard, but there is a lot of success here. You don't have to 'win' every workout and its ok to make a workout more low key or even skip one if you need to.
You can always reach out to other members and the coaches if you need help organizing or adjusting workouts and that can help lessen the stress as well! Good luck!
Hey Anna,
The workouts are tough and they test you both physcially and mentally, but ... they work. I still get nervous about my test days, but it's an excited nervous if that makes sense. I'm stoked to see how or if I've improved. So far it's always been an improvement.
Stick with it, you will see results and it will become more routine...I won't say easier, cause we are always trying to improve. Make sure you are getting enough sleep and you will be fine!!
Jennifer
"Half this game is 90% mental." - Yogi Berra
Hi Anna -- I'm fairly new to EN too, as a matter of fact, today is my 6-month-anniversary
. Like you, I've been doing triathlons and other endurance stuff for a long time too, but this is all very different, and for me too the transition hasn't been easy. The workouts are challenging mentally and physically, and I think at time I do over-think and -analyze what I'm doing ... I think a bit of nervousness before a long/hard workout/race is not a bad thing - it shows that you're focused and take the effort you're about to demand of your body and mind seriously. What we do is hard, especially when trying to balance training w/ a gazillion other things in life and you gotta respect that. Take your time, you'll find your groove. And like someone else said, don't stress over every little workout, some days you have it, some you don't. If there's a trend over time, then it might be time to make some adjustments by adding more rest or modifying intensity, but at the end of the day, this is a hobby (for me at least!), and it's supposed to make you happy 
Hi Anna,
Welcome to the Haus! I am also new...since January. This definitely takes getting used to. Like the others I am just doing my best to follow the plan but it doesn't always work. As our wise coach Rich said to me when I needed to take 2 weeks off for personal reasons, "It's all just a game." I keep thinking of that. THere is no perfect training formula. If we get most of the training done in most of the Zones we'll be just fine for our races. Have fun out there!
But any one workout is not going to change a race performance. So logically nothing to stress about.
In other words, if you felt no apprehension whatsoever, then you would know that you had set the bar too low.
My own approach - I take it one step at a time. First, I get out there for the workout of the day with the plan in my head. Then, I focus on the warm-up. When it's interval time, I focus on one interval at a time. If it's a long interval, I break it down. A mile is four quarters, which I run as "pace, pace, build, race." If I totally hit the wall or have pre-injury warning symptoms (sore hip flexors, a tight calf muscle..), then I adjust my plan and build in more recovery activities and rest. Some days I doubt I can make the intervals and then I find I'm able to. Some days I doubt I can make the intervals and I find I needed more rest. Some days I cruise through my intervals. In all cases, the sun sets and rises again and I get another opportunity.
Great discussion, thanks for all of the input! My notes:
Thanks, all, for your responses. Needed a little bit of perspective.
You know, it probably doesn't help that I am still riding on the trainer. Ggrrrr! There has only been one day of 60+ degree weather as opposed to last year; by now we had 20+ days of 60 degree weather. Think it's getting to me a little bit, too.
The ability to check in with like-minded tri folks is rea
son alone to love EN. Thanks again. 