Can't seem to get the mojo
Okay, I'll admit it...finally.
I've not had the best of luck getting into the Nov OS schedule. The most I could muster for my bike last night was 2x5' at 250 FTP (trainer). During my peak earlier this year, before IMCDA, I had 330 FTP (outside). Now, I know that inside vs outside is much different, but 80 watts, and I still can't seem to hit the longer intervals. WTH?!?
I have had some..."personal issues" over the last few weeks, which some of you have seen on facebook (my apologies, I shouldn't be airing my dirty laundry like that); and I know my motivation has been less than stellar because of that.
I'm very determined now to get my focus back on and am looking for any advice on how to get the mental six pack.
Go ahead, be brutally honest, as I expect you to be - as I am.
Comments
My best recommendation (particularly if you are having stressful personal issues) is to concentrate on enjoying the sport and not to get too fixated on the numbers. The numbers will follow. The key is to keep motivation high and keep plugging away. If there is a downside to using FTP, VDOT, etc to train I think it is that the numbers can be demoralizing if they don't behave the way you want them to.
Hi there,
That mojo. It comes and goes, doesn't it? Sometimes, I find it useful to remember this triathlon thing is my hobby. And it is a game -- which I play. All this pain cave/suffering/murdering/dead legs talk makes it hard to play sometimes.
I like to put a ridiculously silly song as the first one my biking/running playlist so I remember this. Current fav: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's "Fishin' in the Dark." Other favorites: Rhymefest's "Man in the Mirror" from the Michael Jackson tribute album and Gang of Four's "Natural's Not in It."
"The problem, with leisure, what to do for pleasure."
Hey Scott,
Mojo is a funny (not ha, ha) thing. It's also very individual. Sometimes you need to chill. I'm not on FB, but I think you did mention here about a break up. That's emotional stuff that also bleeds into the physical.
It's also tough to compare your peak outdoor FTP from last year to current intervals on the trainer.
If you can't mentally deal with an FTP test, just get on the bike and do what you can do. The more you work, the easier it'll be to push the watts. Maybe you should just do what you can between now and week 8 and test then.
However, you also wrote about your road trip home. Maybe you just have some fun until Jan and jump into the OS then.
Either way, you'll get plenty of support from this group.
Also, are you doing ToC? I thought I saw you post that you were.
Dave
For me, I just rode and ran with no numbers...no pace...no power. Had to remember how to have fun first, then think about structured training. It will come back, trust me.
I say do what you feel like and what seems like fun: skiing, 'cross, mtb, video games...enjoy the holidays and consider resetting your focus with the Jan OS.
@Dave, I'm trying to do just that. I'm trying to get up to just doing ANYthing (mostly around the 80% IF mark) for 60 minutes nonstop. I'm getting there, but it's taking a while. I usually ramp up pretty rapidly once I'm outside again, but I know focusing inside is more controlled.
And one thing I did learn about the break-up, it's probably better to NOT be on FB.
Yep, since I'm single again I took the plunge on ToC. I'm really looking forward to it, actually.
But I don't want to show up to ToC and not be able to keep up with the big boys! LOL
My first race of 2010 is NOLA70.3 in mid-April, so I know I've got time, but I still want to do well (that's how I have fun).
Scott, You could take all that other advice or just download the Linkin Park/Jay Z mashup and just play it really really really loud...works for me sometimes, hopefully it will tonight as it has been a really long day and I am staring down 2x20 and a run after the kids go to bed tonight.
Also, IIRC you have an ergomo...so 250 watts on the trainer now may actually be more than 330 was outside last summer
{{{{Aw Scott}}}} , you've been through an upheaval. We think we can just shrug that kind of stuff off and just train, but the residual effects can last longer than we expect. It always surprises me how much we can be effected physically by upsets emotionally.
You are an awesome athlete. You've been at this EN game for a long time. You know what's what, and how to get there. You're a bit derailed at the moment--I spent virtually all of 2009 there so I know what you're talking about. What I did was NOT force it--after I tried to force the mojo and that did not work
. If you're at 2x5' at xxx, next time do 6', then 8, then 8 again, then 10, then 10 again, then 12, etc. until you're ready to bounce back into the plan. The watts are what they are--all you can do about that is plug on. Test in a couple of weeks and move on from there. Baby steps. You'll be back, but I know a force fit right now will just make it more painful, and likely prolong the no-mojo agony.
LP
Thought I'd add this below. Just read it on a blog I like, Zen Habits. Thought it applied to a certain degree.
1. How do you motivate yourself to get work done after trying many things and failing over and over again? (via @ankit_patel)
Motivation is first just about taking that first step — just getting excited about something enough to get started. Then it’s about focusing on enjoying what you’re doing, right now, instead of worrying about how you’re going to get to a destination.
You also need to forget about your failures, or at least the part of them that gets you discouraged. Take away from your failures a lesson about what obstacles stand in your way, and leave behind any bad feelings. Those are in the past. Focus on right now, and how fun the activity is, right now.
Scott,
I can't improve on what they said...
I had a low mojo point on the bike last OS. Got way too caught up in the numbers. Cycling, especially on the trainer, wasn't fun anymore. Just forgive yourself for not living up to your own expectations. It's just a game. Make the most of where you are right now. Season's a long way off.
Good luck.
I can be brutally honest because I have seen you in your underwear!!
Not sure I can be of help but to say "hang in there". Remember why you do triathlons and what makes it fun. Give me one week on the bike with no numbers!! Just go ride the bike to have fun. Ride a favorite loop or run a favorite run. I know when Pops passed that the time on the trainer and the time running were great opportunities for me to get some things right in mi cabeza and not fixate on the numbers. It will come, but it may need a little nudging.
One thing for sure.....
I don't want to see no "muffin top" over the shorts next time we go out on an underpants run!!
Scott,
Remember you don't have to worry about where you are at going to the ToC because the Halligan is going to pull all of us around Cali with a rope anyway.
Hang tough and this fun stuff we do will all work itself out eventually.
As has been said it's all individual. My n=1 experience and my wife and I were having trouble this summer... that stress can be very problematic on work and hobbies like triathlon. I bought a mountain bike and just got out there for some rides. I did not have power at the time so I would suggest the one week without power is a good idea. Just get out and ride.
I can't say I can help with the trainer stuff other than this. I have to be on the trainer to get the intervals in. It was -33 celsius this morning. I know at -40 the fahrenheit and Celsius scales meet. Okay I went to a converter that would be -27,4 this morning. Being outside for a ride is great but 1 hour on the trainer is not bad. Get out when you can and bike, do the runs outside and enjoy.
The TOC should be a cool thing and don't worry about fitness it will be there.
Gordon
I ran my run loop last night, 9 miles around White Rock Lake, as my last long-ish run before White Rock half marathon this coming weekend (The Boyles will be here too!). Although it ended up cool and dark, it was awesome to just get out and run. Yes, I did take my garmin, and tried to keep my pace at my hopeful zones for this weekend, but for the last few miles, I just ripped it up (ended up faster than my z5) - and it felt GREAT! That's what I need to do more of, I know.
Okay, here's the plan for tonight...
Since it's supposed to top out here at no more than mid-30s (no outside riding), I'm going to ride my trainer inside with my itunes blasting my "spin" mix - including the Linkin Park/Jay Z songs. Just try to keep the legs going for 60mins. I will have the PM on the bike, but I'll cover it up with a towel so I can't see it directly. Baby steps, right? Can't go power-free cold turkey.
@Chris G, please don't talk about Fight Club (Ergomo).
@Linda, I'm trying to use this upheaval for my motivation. In my experience, I'm usually more motivated by negative things than by positive. Although, I've never had an experience quite like this - so it's all new to me!
@Brian, just because you can't see it, doesn't mean I don't run around in underwear all the time!
I hope to NEVER have a muffin top.
BTW, I have a GREAT pic of Huddle and I flexing our biceps afterwards. Priceless.
@Trent, while I appreciate you offering up the Halligan for pulling duties, I plan on doing my fair share of the paceline work. Haven't you seen Rich's videos on paceline etiquette? I'm afraid if I don't then he'll kick me in the nutz while I'm on the bike!
I'm not usually a holiday type of person (pretty much the step right below 'bah humbug'), but am looking forward to some unstructured time to get my head back where it should be.
I'm sure some of you will be along the way to cheer me on/up!
Hey Scott,
Looks like everyone took good care of you in this thread! This group has so much collective wisdom and kindness.
I know you say you are sort of a " Bah Humbug" this time of year but with all these nice and helpful responses I can't see you being that way now.
Glad you had a great run last night. Seeing the Boyles will make the race even that much more fun.
Enjoy your ride, blasting music and getting some good quality work in regardless of the numbers. Last year after an injury I lowered my FT and rode at a number I made up. It was doable and when I tested again I was higher than my best ever FT. Go figure. Just keep on keepin on, train, stay fit and lean and your mojo will be back in no time.
I'll meet you at TOC when you ride through my area. Looking forward to it. I'll let you sit on my wheel
so you can keep up.
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