So, when do you decide to move on?
VERY quick background.....
5 IMs in the bag with a few 70.3s.... Best time was in 2007 with much less training than current years with 2nd best being last year.
Last year did IM Canada where the bike took it's toll on my run and then IM Florida.
This year I just got done last month with the Florida 70.3 (worst race of my life due to the heat and humidity) and I have IM Louisville and then IM Florida.
The reason I am asking for some outside objective opinions is because I am thinking of skipping IM Louisville for several reasons and I need to know if I am just too deep into this to think objectively.
I live in Florida and as such am generally used to some kind of heat but ever since the Florida 70.3 I have been languishing and the heat is weighing on me like a lead blanket. My runs have no power, much slower speed and no motivation. Running this morning at 6am had a "real feel of 94" already. My Saturday rides are ok and generally I am doing between 70-75 miles but am then DONE with the only hopes of the brick run being done on the treadmill indoors. The Sunday rides are half of the prescribed times and I am slogging through them. I haven't felt this beaten before and little things are starting to "tweak" me in my body. My knee, my shoulder, my ITB, etc that just seem like they are right on the edge.
Am I being too sensitive? We all know these things go in cycles and I will probably feel better soon (just like in a race - just get to the next aid station and you feel differently). I need to draw a line in the sand and either push even harder through this and make Louisville happen as my A race and have Florida as a backup or back things down just a little and bag Louisville shifting my A race to Florida.
Any opinions? Insights? Sorry for rambling - just looking for the wisdom of the EN crowds and feel a little lost and unable to make the right decision.
Thanks guys!
Comments
Craig, what jumps out at me is, where's the fun? Sounds like you're continually chasing race results and have dug yourself a deep, deep hole.
Have you taken any considerable downtime during any of these massive training cycles?
I have a lot of ups and downs this year training for IMLP. Many times questioning my desire to do it. For me, there's a direct relation to how I feel physically and my desire to put in the training. If I'm hurt, tired, etc. I wonder why I'm doing it. If I'm feeling good, getting in good workouts, I'm very much looking forward to race day.
I've had to stand down several times this year to get my body where it should be. Then the mind follows.
I couldn't just train to race. I have to do the 'have fun with your fitness' thing or I will implode.
My list of fun with fitness is, ToC, epic rides with friends, bike racing, shorter tris, etc.
Dave
I don't think you're being too sensitive. Your body and mind are telling you to back off and take a rest. This doesn't sound like the 5am whining of "I don't wanna ride" that goes away once the spandex is on and your spinning at your goal watts. It sounds like you need some recovery---ride just to ride (no HRM or PM) and run just to run (no Garmin).
Hope you're feeling better soon!
I can relate in recently facing the same issues. My question that kept coming up was the same that Dave asked - where is the fun? When one finds himself/herself in a deep hole, it can be difficult to dig your way out and the recovery, for me at least was definitely not instantaneous. Each day I would head out for the prescribed training event and trudge through the process. And although my running seemed okay, my bike power numbers got worse and worse. And my brick runs after long rides were death marches.
I was training for my second IM, IM CDA and bailed. And I suppose many will consider that as a sign of weakness, but for me it was disappointing and at the same time, the right decision (luckily I live nearby so there were no hotels/travel plans etc to cancel). Perhaps it was a factor of aging (60 this year), and/or the massive volume increase, or something else.
My conclusion was that I needed to make the right decision for me. I have since backed down to a beginner half IM plan and am beginning to feel good, and am once again looking forward to training and competing. I have some sprint and Olympic distance tris coming up and am considering a summer half IM.
I am slowly finding the spark again and realize that the value and enjoyment of this great sport, for me at least, is not in chalking up IM after IM or marathon after marathon but in continuing to live the life of a happy, healthy endurance athlete and once again thoroughly enjoying the journey.
Take care and good luck as you work your way through these issues. Because as they say, this too shall pass.
You may be overtrained and/or haven't quite made a complete heat adaptation. I've always heard that it takes 2 weeks to get there, but my experience is that it takes 2 MONTHS for complete adaptation. The heat only starts rising in May and the summer heat comes in June...that's when I really struggle. The weather in July and Aug is just as bad but I find that I can take the heat and humidity much better then...although there is NO way you can hit targets on a bad day compared to a low humidity day. I'm constantly adjusting my plan for actual weather. Last week we had 3 days when the wind came in from the North and East (= low humidity) vs the Caribbean (= wet blanket) and I was able to hammer and recover quickly. Keep on eye on the 7 day forecast and change plans accordingly.
My advice: Assume you are overtrained and back off significantly for 1 full week, then get right back to it. Re-assess your heat adaptation after the 4th. If you feel OK, I would keep Louisville as the"A" race. With the oil still spewing and tar balls now starting to show up on PCB, WTC will either have to pull the plug on IMFL or have an alternate swim in St Andrews Bay. After Louisville, you need a significant 2 week break before starting on IMFL. By then, the status of IMFL should be clear and you may decide to bag that race.
Assuming your not just totally burnt out (which is actually a pretty big assumption), then I think Paul makes a really good point here. In addition, while IMLou is usually a sweat feast, last year it was amazingly cool- meanwhile you guys in Canada suffered. You just never know what the weather will be for an IM, and trying to plan based on weather forecasts 4 months out is pretty crazy.
Back to my first point though- sounds to me like you may be a little burnt out mentally (and perhaps physically too). A week long stand down from all things triathlon (and I mean everything- no forum, no plans, no biking, no online shopping for fuel, etc) along with some quality time with family & friends might be in order.
Devil's advocate here...
Why two IMs in a row? What does that prove? Can't be fun to give up your life training for all that.
Why the rush to cram so much training and racing year in and year out? With any luck it's a long life, and there will be plenty of time, motive, and opportunity to race and race some more. The races will be here next year, and the year after that, and the year after that....
Rich will also tell you that chasing peak performance with your schedule ain't gonna happen. You are living the "Ironman lifestyle," not planning training and peak racing for top performance. That's fine if you're loving it, and that's your goal, but it sounds like what you're doing is counterproductive to what you really would feel gratified achieving.
Personally, I KNOW taking a week here or a week there--given all that's come before for you--is not going to restore you. You need a break. Look into your heart. If bagging Lou feels like a huge relief, go with it, don't second guess it, revel in the downtime. Knock out FL in November, and take next year OFF from Ironman. Recharge. Race short for fun. This is all a game, and it seems like it's taken up a very large space in your life from which you could use some relief. Some of us have been there, and know all the warning signs.
Good luck with your decision!
However, I'm in complete agreement with Linda on why would you do 2 in short succession. However, there are people who thrive on repeats...e.g., Joe Bonness who kicks ack in typically in 3 IMs and WTC 70.3 between Sep and Nov. From what I know of his training he races very little until the summer then builds for the fall on slought. I wish I were that strong. But if one week off doesn't restore you, then Linda is probably right. One week off for me and I NEED to get back out there before I go crazy.
Paul, I wasn't questioning what you do, as you seem to thrive. I was responding to Craig, and asking him to dig deep for answers. I've been competing as long as you have, and I understand about consistency and hard work. Good on you for continuing at such a high level for so long. But in reading the post, I see this this very personal Craig's List. He writes:
So to Craig--re-read what you wrote. Sit down and think about whether this is a passing phase, or something more systemic. Then make a clear, informed decision on what's best for you now and long term. No one can tell you what that is, but I've been that list, and no good comes from pushing too deep into that dark hole.
Excellent advice from all, especially Linda.
My bottomline: if it's fun, do it. If it's not fun, don't do it.
Now, I recognized that the training isn't always "fun." It's almost never fun after Week X of your program...that's why it's called Ironman training. I get that and, usually with temporary funks aside I can get past that, ride it out, take a break, whatever. I don't expect the training to be unicorns and fairies.
But if you look at race day and that day doesn't sound fun to you...just bail. It's not worth it. In my experience, very, very few people can make a good experience out of the day when they go into it already on the "eh, not so much" bubble. Mile 16+ of a day like that is just a shitty place to be.
If that's where you think you'll be, racing just to punch the clock, it's better to back off, regroup, and try to get the mojo back by your late season race. Doesn't come back? So what...it's a game. Find something fun in it and do that. If you can't find something fun in it, do something else.
Again...this is all just a game
You and I have a lot of history together, and I know how hard you work at everything from sport to family to work. If you are having doubts, your hobby is the last place you should think about "sucking it up." Feel free to pick up that phone...
P
Primum non nocere - First, do no harm. While it does sound like an incipient case of overtraining, Craig, you should also make sure you haven't triggered some medical issue which is feeding your change in motivation and performance. A visit to your doctor for some screening tests like thyroid or mono, etc could at least check that problem off the list. (This message brought to you by your friendly neighborhood physician.)
Second, without an over riding goal, either short or long term, none of us could get the training done for multiple long course tris over several years. If you can't answer the question, Why?, then don't continue. If you do have a good solid internal reason for pressing on to IM Lou, then I agree with Nemo and Tucker: a week OFF will show you the way. If you're still not ready to go after a week's sabbatical, then shut it down until you are chomping at the bit.
WOW - Thanks everyone for all of your great insights and most importantly your hearts! I wrote the original post two days ago from the airport heading out of town. I literally just got back to the house, gave my wife a nice smooch, the kids a kiss on the head as they lay sleeping, got to the computer to read these responses and can honestly say that I am VERY moved.
I agree with what everyone is saying and I am still evaluating what I am going to do. So far, one forced day off due to work starting at six and it looks like a midnight catnap
. The fun comes from completing things - conquering things - doing the tough stuff in life (both physically and beyond) - going to new places and experiencing new things.
Part of it comes back to the secret fear thread. Part of my fear in skipping IMLou, etc is fear of giving up when I could have pushed through (everytime I have in the past I have been happy I did), not wanting to give up on something I had been previously looking forward to doing (I have already had to give up my annual church mission trip to the mountains of Peru and don't want to feel the loss of another big thing down the drain), not wanting to skip IMLou just to find out that this whole oil mess is going to potentially cancel IMFL (based on what we're seeing it really could have an effect), and not wanting to be a poor role-model to my kids that do get encouraged by the races and lifestyle I am a part of (my daughter just did her first Ironkids Tri right before my 70.3). The other side to it is just like Rich said, "It's a game" and all of this stuff is pretty silly in the grand scheme of things.
I've certainly dealt with injuries and the mental game that can play with all of us but I really need to find a way to determine if I am overtrained or this impact of slower times/lower power/iron blanket feeling is just as aspect of Central Florida living and I will get accustomed, etc. I want to train, I love to run and ride and while I don't love the intervals when I am in the middle of them
I love accomplishing them at the end. What I don't love is the feeling that I have no freedom because I am going to be clobbered by this thick air and scorching sun much less poor performance or lack of improvement.
You all gave me great advice as if you were good friends and beyond that of normal teammates - thank you! We're often in this quest together and I hope that just having this discussion will also help someone else out there fighting some of the same, hopefully VERY short-term, demons.
Hi Craig,
Heaven knows I can feel exactly where you're coming from.
A few other thoughts...one practical, one esoteric.
Like Al said, go get checked physically. I went hypothyroid seemingly out of the blue, and it just wrecked me. Couldn't finish workouts, I was so slow, so tired, etc. I could not figure out what was going on. When people would say "get a checkup," I was always, "yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm fine." This turned out to be something real for me, it threw me for a loop and a half. I'm still not back to where I was, but at least it's something I can manage. IOW, it really could be something off with you physically.
Part of it comes back to the secret fear thread. Part of my fear in skipping IMLou, etc is fear of giving up when I could have pushed through (everytime I have in the past I have been happy I did), not wanting to give up on something I had been previously looking forward to doing
Sometimes the Buddhist notion of embracing the paradox helps me sort through feelings like you express above. At times, what seems to be the easy way out (i.e. cutting back training, not doing Lou or FL) is, paradoxically, the harder choice to make. Remember, there is strength and character in knowing one's limitations and respecting them, living to fight stronger another day. OTOH, you may come out of this moving forward with clarity. It's good either way.
Good luck with the back and forth!