Officially Standing Down from Long Course in 2010!
I've been struggling to make a decision on this for a couple of weeks now, and as I was running around the lake Tuesday night, I made my final call...no long course tris for me this year. As many of you know, I've had a tough year personally with the death of both my wife's parents in the last 6 months. We were very close to them, and losing them has been very hard on our family. In addition, my company went through a CEO transition this year, and my boss was the inside candidate, so that created lots of additional stress. The good news is that my boss got the top job, he's now the CEO. The bad news is that my boss is now the CEO, so expectations have risen accordingly.
I ran Boston a few weeks ago with my best friend on sponsor's exemptions, and ever since I've had a really hard time getting my mojo going, especially on the bike. Given work and family demands, I just can't bring myself to head out on the 3-4 hour rides I need to do for the HIM plan I lined myself up for. In retrospect, I think the combination of biting off more than I could chew physically and dealing with the challenges life throws at all of us has put me in a place where the right thing is to double down on my wife and kids, reduce total training volume, and enjoy the summer.
As I ran around the lake the other night, I initially got down on myself for bagging on my goals after a great OS. The more I thought about it though, the more I realized that I had a pretty great year, and it's no surprise I need a break. So, without further ado, I'd like to thank all of you for the support, encouragement, and fun I've had over the last 12 months. Here's a quick rundown on the highlights of my year:
- Top 92 out of >2000 in a half-marathon...my first ever race at the distance in ~1:37
- My first ever podium in a triathlon - 3rd place in 40-44 AG in the Hoot Lake Sprint Triathlon
- First ever stand-alone marathon in ~3:54...way over goal, but great learning experience and top 30% performance
- Sub 1:50 half-marathon wearing a suit and tie after a week in bed with H1N1 - it was a Halloween race, and Noodle and I ran it together "in costume"
- First ever cross-country ski race, 33K in one of the most competitive ski races in the country - passed almost everyone in my wave and 2 of the waves in front of me. Didn't quite make it into top half, but I'll make it next year
- Hit highest ever indoor FT @ 243 watts
- Ran 42:47 10K, a 2:00+ PR
- Ran 20:37 5K, a :12 PR
- Swam 17:06 1000K TT, a 1:20 PR (that was today!)
All in all, I have to say it was a great year. In addition to the quantitative results, I also got to take swim lessons from a succesful Channel swimmer with Noodle, got to rock the OS with the Nov OS group, got to ride GMR with Coach Rich over spring break, and I got to watch a bunch of folks compete at IMWI with a group of great teammates. SO...thanks to all of you for the support, encouragement, and energy this year. I'm not leaving the team or anything, but I wanted to share my thoughts with all of you since you've been a great source of support over a year of incredible highs and lows, and it was important for me to share my thoughts with you. So THANKS! With any luck I'll be toeing the line at IMUSA next summer. Looking forward to living vicariously through all of you over the summer!
Oh yeah, does anyone know how to get the OS plan to start over. I'm gunning for a top 10 at Hoot Lake this summer, and I need to find some additional bike and run speed in order to get there!
Comments
Bill:
I know EXACTLY how you feel. I don't have all the other stress you have had, but my older brother died in October and it really changed some things for me. The month prior I was on fire with my training, bumping my FTP up regularly, raising my vDot and making Tom Glynn cry like a little baby on our rides (O.K., not crying but I was giving him a run for his money). I was ready to kill November OS and march hard to IM SG.
Then on October 22 I got the call that my older brother had died. The next day I was in San Diego taking care of business as the now older brother should. That week in SD was brutal, but I did train a bit and one day I paced my sister for her first ever 16 mile run. We called them "Bereavement Miles." She was training for her first marathon. I got back home for the start of November OS and I was hosed mentally, physically, emotionally, etc. I spent the next month starting and stopping OS. Then decided to throttle back in December to "get my head on straight." Jumped into January OS and after 2+ weeks I bailed. Then the next week walked away from EN and training all together.
Bottom line, I just didn't have the mojo/strength/will/whatever to get to the start line at IM SG. Period.
It was a very hard decision because I have a good friend in Tom Glynn and we were going to kill it at IM SG. We train together, have dinner with the wives and kids, do volunteer stuff together, etc. and I felt like I was letting him down. But Tom understood. He is a good guy.
Long story short . . . after ~4 months off I feel reenergized I rejoined EN this past weekend and like you I am not going 140.6 in 2010. I have my eye on a 70.3 in September, but it will be "just for fun" I am looking at a couple of Oly's but not gonna try and kill it like you aim to. Just gonna do my best and have fun. Walking away from Ironman was the best thing I could have done for myself.
I know this decision was tough for you and if I am any indication . . . . stepping back is a very good decision.
John
You made the right decision, sometimes we put to much pressure on ourselves for something that is suppose to be fun. I bet if you enter some smaller races you will crush it because you took all the pressure of yourselve.
Good Luck
I think you just go to "Training PlanCentral" under the Training tab, and play with the three drop down menus there. To get the OS to start over, try setting the end date 20 weeks out.
Sounds like a good decision to take a respite after a rather robust year.
You did have a great year! I am doing exaclty the same this year as well. I may do 2 Oly's and a few sprints just for fun! It's been great to not have sch a structured focus and it turns out I'm making gains. Go figure! IMWI next year for me!
I'm pretty much using the OS as my guide but adding a bit of volume to it (if I feel like it).
You have been through A LOT; personally and professionally. Emotional and mental stress can wreak havoc on the physical body. I don't think we folks who push our physical bodies time and time again often take the time to realize that and let our whole selves rest. And I mean rest PERIOD.
Do what feels like it fits in your life right now physically and embrace that. You have accomplished many things in sport over the last year, and they are not likely to be your last set of accomplishments in that realm. But trying to push them now when you know you need a break will only lead to frustration and more anguish.
It is really tough to walk away from this stuff, I think, but I think those who can assess where they are and turn their focus when necessary have a discipline and a sense of self that we should all work toward.
Enjoy not racing long! And enjoy filling those extra hours in your days!
I am also on the Bill and John plan this year for the right reasons. Bill, those are some inspiring, motivating accomplishments you share with the team. Thank you. My A race this year is a 70.3 in October......
Have fun. Smile. Your EN family is here for you:-)
CC