Sunday, August 29, 2010

Moments of "Inception"

(The new header picture is a pic I took on our ride at the Red Rock loop just outside Las Vegas, NV.)

If you havent seen the movie "inception" it is a movie that takes place mostly in the mind. It is about how a team of people plant an idea or decision in a persons mind for another persons benefit. In a series of conversations with my good buddy Karl I had an experience that reminded me of that movie. It actually was just what I needed. My training so far had been moving so well I needed a check. The conversation was basically about how as a coach or athlete you are trying to walk that line of how intense is appropriate intensity. Too easy and there isnt enough training effect and too much and you run the risk of injury or bonking. Karl planted the seed and I tried to walk the fine line. I wondered at every minute if I was giving enough. As fitness changes and perception of what youare doing changes do you give enough? I have had some experience with crashing and I have had the experience that I held back too much. What would I do today? Here is my week.

Monday-Rest Extra day off during recovery block
Tuesday-Swim. I met my new Marathon Bar Buddy at dinner tonight. I swam 800 meters secondary to time.
Wednesday-Bike Quality, Hill repeats. I was able to ride longer on my repeat hill. I did 5 repeats and consistently traveled longer I just wish I had my watch charged.
Thursday-Hopefully this is NOT where my silverman build up went awry. I had a 4 mile easy run scheduled but I decided to stay in bed. Doenst sound too bad right?
Friday-Woke up to take yesterdays run. My inception moment begins. Here I am so recovered and out for an "easy" run. I think to myself I have some in the tank, lets go. I had it a tempo run. First mile 9:29, 9:15, 8:54, and 9:12. Now doesnt sound that fast but the last 2 miles were up a small to moderate hill. So I pegged it. I was sore and tired all Friday. Had a great run but quads were thrashed.
Saturday-I had a 20 mile/4 mile run planned. With a group forming of about 9 of us it turned into other things with thrashed legs. 26 miles and not just any miles. The Red Rock loop. Here is the post of the first ride at the loop. 26 miles, Ave speed 16 mph, max speed
42 mph. Reached 134% if my max HR. Hmm might have to rethink what I posted as my max HR. 2000 foot elevation gain. Not too mention there were parts with gnarly wind. It was a challenging ride. The transition was slow and we spent some talking and enjoying ourselves. Then the run. I planned for a 4 mile easy run today but turned into 5 mile super hard run. Might be the hardest run/hike I have done. I need to go back and do this run recovered and fresh. LOTS OF CLIMBING. Even though it was more hike than run and more walk than run I definitely got stronger today. Very loose footing, some rocky some sandy gravel. It was tough and frustrating. Grind it out. I had awhile of the old Ron. What am I doing out here? This is too hard for me. I am not fit enough for this. But I fought through it and I am stronger for it. I pushed it when I had nothing left. I got stronger today. I am sore today and tired.
Sunday-Long OWS. No data except 1000 meters. Super windy and hella choppy but not anything like Oxnard. Good swim though to recover from a tough workout yesterday.


I am happy to have another Marathon Bar sponsored athlete in town. She is quite the skilled cyclist and came out with us for a tough brick. Here is me and Jen at Red Rock. Hopefully she will be racing here in town soon and I am looking forward to watching her race and train with us! Welcome Jen! Quote:

We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.
Buddha

7 comments:

Karl Stutelberg said...

Ron, I am always looking out for you, you know that. And I see it from a different perspective. I hope my suggestions help plan future training blocks, even if it just makes you think about the alternative or the present a different way.

So here is my take on this past week of yours. Did your easy run turned tempo run hurt your brick the next day? I know the course out there well enough to know that running "the loop" is tough. You said your quads were "thrashed" after friday. Seems to me that the brick was the important workout this weekend. Make sure you take it easy on easy days when you have a big workout planned, even if you feel good that day. Remember it is as much about recovering from the workout (adapting) as much as it is about the workout.

I know its hard to hold back when you feel great! Keep up the good work! Can't wait to see how Silverman goes this year.

Karl Stutelberg said...

By the way, love the new header picture!

Jon said...

Wow! INCREDIBLE header picture!

Christi said...

I love the pic and the quote!

Big Daddy Diesel said...

I am starting to see your team pop up in my events, I like the uni's

Ulyana said...

That's some great training, Ron! And I love the quote, too :)

Tina @GottaRunNow said...

Beautiful header picture! I ran 16 miles on the Red Rock Loop a couple of years ago when I was visiting NV. Windy and more hills than I'm used to, but what a beautiful place!