Hardest Part of My 2012 Season: Not Training
I have had quite a run over the past year, with tons of great results and almost as many personal bests...but I have run into a problem...my body isn't keeping up with my goals. So it's time to implement Plan B, break the glass and pull the lever, emergency-stand-down-time.
That's right...two weeks off to rejuventate for a final end-of-season Ironman Kona push.
My year started with a two-week break post Kona into the November OutSeason. I pushed through there to set a personal best in a February Half Marathon as well as new all-time high on my threshold power on the bike.
Then it was right into training for Texas where I set a new lifetime best (9:27). I took two weeks off but then rode pretty long (and hard) at our Ironman Lake Placid Rally.
I was beat up, so I took two more lighter weeks before I jumped into the Patriot Half Iron and went 4:32 for ninth overall (report here).
So I took a few light days again, but two weeks later I jumped into the second annual FuelBelt ShootOut Ride...this year was 127 miles and I was doing well until I missed the final selection at about mile 105, suffering and cramping all the way back home.
So here I am about 12 weeks out from Kona and feeling really bad. I am in shape, for sure, but I am hurting.
My hips are tight. My adductors are tighter. My resting pulse is still in the mid-40s (usually mid-30s) and I simply can't get enough sleep at night.
I talk about my ability to recover being my competitive advantage, so it's time to put that to work. Starting today, 7/2/13, I will be taking two weeks off from biking and running. I have the option to swim but will be cautious there as well. Instead, I will focus on daily stretching and core work to get some strength back as I rest up.
Doing the right thing isn't always about doing the easiest thing...but I have to do this if I want to have a solid finish to my year.
Wish me luck!!!
Comments
Maybe some serious TdF TV time? Or a tag along kid carrier for the back of an old bike? And some family walks?
We need you sharp in October.
Time for yoga and maybe some "Game of Thrones"?
http://www.thecrystallinematrix.com/
So you are being smart by recognising where you are and recommending some high quality rest. It would be a pity if you didn't give yourself every chance to finish your season off well.
BTW, I thought you had excellent reasons for racing the Patriot Half Iron, despite your lead up to it.
Good luck with the rest of your season.
Coach P - Smart move. Get rested now. I also suggest you get your mind off triathlons (maybe kinda hard for you since it is your job, but try anyway) for a week or two as well. Read a novel, go to a comedy club and laugh alot, play all day with your kidsin the park, go tubing in a river and just float along with the current, take your watch off for a whole week & don't worry about the time, go to the beach and build a sand castle, throw a big BBQ party at your house & invite all your friends, tend to your garden, surprise your wife with something she'd like. Just have some non-tri stuff "fun", whatever that is for you and your family. You'll be physically and mentally ready to rock training again in a few weeks.
Oh man... kudos to you on making the smart (and right!) choice... I know how hard that must be and hope you find plenty to keep you occupied and sane cuz I know when I don't train I am not pleasant to be around.... my oldest son will say to me 'Mom - you haven't worked out today have you? Go for a run!"
But seriously... thx for sharing this - I think we all need to hear that more is not necessarily better and that sometimes you just have to listen to your body and take that break... see ya on the flip side even stronger and faster!
Sleep / eat / work / eat / work / beer / watch the Wire / work
That's my plan for you
And see my email (or txt, I forget) about your season next year.
Coach P
This is a great reminder to all the rest and recovery are key to a long season, especially when pushing as hard as you do. Use the time to get in some stretching and roller work. I recall that one of your goals was to stretch to help that lower back on your P3.
Gordon
Sending you lots of good vibes for your two weeks of REST!!
Joanna
Good luck, Coach P!! Enjoy the time off and come back strong! You're gonna finish your season like a ROCK STAR!!
@ Steven - hmmm, I like my pain cave in a sick sort of way.