What if I can't get my RR #2 done???

ht001

I'm totally at the end of my rope training wise. In 2 IMs and 7 HIMs I've NEVER been to this depth of the doldrums WRT getting the key workouts done. Granted I know that IMSG is an early race (my bad for picking one so early), and also granted I have and have had a hell of a lot going on in my life and this is my first EN styile IM build....but I'm so totally fried. Here I am, having done 1:10 of what is supposed to be my race sim and I'm back home. It is just now 40 degrees outside, and it is windy. Layered to the hilt and uncomfortable I headed out and tried to HTFU, but honestly I'm beyond my toughness reserves! I'm trying to muster the interest to get the bike on the trainer to finish the 5 hours, and get the run in, but I'm really wondering if I'm going to benefit from any of it if this is the way I'm feeling. This sucks.

dhalligan

Hey O!  You've had a tough go of it this year.  If it were me, I'd just chalk it up to I've done what I can do, let the chips fall where they may.

I may be in a very similar situation for Lake Placid in regards to running.  I'm just getting back to running after being injured and my long run is 4 miles.    2 years ago when I did LP, I was at at least 1:45 for long runs, but it is what it is and I made a commitment to myself that I wouldn't stress out over it.

If I could offer anything to make you feel better, it would be that you've done a lot of hard work over the last several months.  The ingredients are in the mix, let the cake bake, and see how you do at IMSG.  You may do well, you may not.  We'll still love you just the same.

Dave

Bill McKinney

I'm pretty much with Dave. Your mental state on race day is likely to be really different, so going out feeling the way you do wouldn't be much of a simulation anyway. I would definitely NOT get on the trainer for 5 hours. I'd take a couple days off, see how you feel and maybe give it a go next weekend or shorten it up. Maybe do some riding or running without a watch, powermeter, GPS, etc. just for fun. Hang in there!

Kitboo

No, you will not benefit from getting on the trainer for 5 hours. Getting rest today will.
IIFC from your last RR, the main issue was getting in more calories. I remember your pacing was just fine. If you've been practicing getting in more calories on the long rides, then no biggie on missing this last RR. If not, then just one long ride to practice is all you'll need.
Time to stand down. In fact, I wouldn't be in contact with anything triathlon for the rest of the day. Get a big cup of hot chocolate and read some John Muir.

Kristen_Olson

I agree with what everyone else said! 

Do you remember how good you felt after your first race sim?  How powerful and confident?  Well, guess what?  Work works!  You still have it, you have been working hard....today was just not your day.  Let it go.  You still have a few long rides left to fine-tune anything you still have doubts about.    You have your plan of how race day should go, you have the power to execute those plans, and you are going to kick some serious St. George ass on race day!

Linda Patch

Hi O,

Do I even need to type out what I'm going to say? You know what it is.

Re-read what you wrote and tell me what you should do? How is 5 hours on the trainer going to change any of that? One thing that pains me is how the plan has become such a depotic dictator in your life. The sooner you can see it as a template with soft, moveable edges the better/happer/more empowered you will be. It's done. Work a taper plan a little hard for the next week, then let it go and be done. You will be SO much better for it come race day. I know you don't really believe that, and would rather follow this stuff to the letter. Again, re-read what you wrote. All your answers are right there. If you rest and get to feeling 100%--and you will if you bring it down NOW--you will have a fantastic race day. That I know for sure. If not, I'm afraid you'll be short-changing your dedication, your talent, and all your hard work. Hay in the barn. Less is more. Zen, baby. Now more than ever.

{{{Hugs.}}} Always. You have been through the wringer, and we know it.

ht001

After my emotional dump on you all I hit the shower, downed some pasta and some dark chocolate, laid on the couch to read....and then promptly slept for over an hour. LP you are so right...I know (and knew) what I need right now. It is not 6 hours of "check the box" riding. While in the shower I did think back to my previous RR and remembered that at that time, I told myself that I will not only start, but I will finish this race. Based on that recollection, I'm OK. I have also gained the perspective of something positive, because I didn't slay myself on a slog of a ride today I will be able to go out tomorrow and do a final long run which I hadn't been able to fit in this week due to work commitments. So there is that. Ultimately I have gotten a lot better at flexing the plans, and I've been OK with my self-made mods. I think today I just pushed and pushed and pushed to get out the door because what I hadn't done was applied that same logic to the Race Simulation days. I was treating those like "Exam" days or major milestones and therefore non-flexible. So I think that's what got me into trouble. The fact that I was crying before I even went out the door was my first clue that I should have bagged today....I continue to learn, at least...and that's part of this journey, I guess.

I really really needed the support from the haus. Can't wait to get the regular season underway so I can repay the favor!

Simon

Is there a "Like" button on this forum? If so, I'd like to click it right now ; )

Olivia, I think we have all felt that way in the weeks leading up to a race...with the need to sign up for these things so far in advance, it's impossible to know what our life commitments, physical health or priorities will look like a year into the future. I think you have the right attitude...when our hobbies start to keep us up at night, they cease to be worthwhile. After all, triathlon is supposed to be our outlet for stress, not the source of it, right? = ) I'm looking forward to some dark chocolate and reading after IMSG as well!

Gordon Cherwoniak

Olivia,

Your already fine with this but I'll add my support to your decision.  There is no way a 5 hour trainer ride would have helped.  Rest up, regroup and continue on.  Is this optimal no, but this is life.  You got one RR in and move on. 

Gordon

hodag91

Hi Olivia,
Don't have much to add, but I am glad you decided to bag the ride; I caught this thread yesterday when I was struggling to get myself to go out for the last 3 hours ABP ride (I am a week behind, have my final RR next weekend) and I was looking for some mojo in the haus. I just felt tired mentally and physically. After ready this thread I decided to be like you and bagged the ride. Felt much better today, had my best TP run since before the crash. Thanks for posting and helping me decide to bag the ride, I still have a hard time letting go of THE PLAN sometime...
Can't wait to meet you and the rest of the gang in a few weeks!
Wei