Sunday, September 19, 2010

Mental Toughness Training

Not sure if I got better with my mental toughness training. I had a less-than stellar week. After last weekends big miles I was in big trouble. I got sick and I was super sore. I didnt sleep well, my nutrition wasn't what it should. I. FELT. HORRIBLE. After a month of good work for me I suppose it was due. I took my advisors advice and stopped playing softball but on tuesday I filled in. It was a stupid idea. It was late and I payed for it. Its funny how your heart and body fight on a long ride or run. They make deals with each other or they talk each other out of things. I wanted nothing more then to sleep in this weekend. I am happy to say that I didnt but I didnt get what I wanted done either. Funny I just read last year at this time and I have the same trouble. This year though it is much bigger miles and faster paces. So I am just chalking it up training toll and this 1/2 Iron distance race training. I need more sleep. I need to eat better. I need to suck it up. Here is how the week went:

Monday-Long interval swim modified to a fast finish. I was scheduled for 1750 but make 1000. It was as fast as I can swim though. Happy with intensity. here are the splits 6:08, 6:08, 5:57, and 6:03. I got pooped that last 250. I was shooting for 5:45 or so.
Tuesday-Was scheduled for rest. Actually softball and learned my lesson. Everything hurt and was sore, lol. Bad idea.
Wednesday-Bike Q. Rest actually.
Thursday-Long swim. REST.
Friday-Rest. REST.
Saturday-4 mile easy run. 4 mile easy run. I was sore and tired but had good pace for a easy run.
Sunday-40 mile bike/8 mile run brick. Exhausted, sore, and not feeling it. Actually 40 miles on the bike and 4 mile run. It was hot and I wasnt willing to push today. My HR reached 121% of max. Hmmm issue? YES. I climbed the sisters though without issue. I did the entire river mountain loop trail. My butt was sore from last week. My legs are tired. My back is sore. MISERABLE. Why do we do this to ourselves again?

Funny all that being said....the thing I think of most is IRONMAN. This feat is daunting. I think about it all the time. I dream about it. I love watching them on TV. I want this poster on my wall. I want to be called IRONMAN. I have a ton of work to do. So far this is working out but boy is it hard. I am so tired. How many years will I commit to this goal? I got talked into to doing a sprint this weekend. I am going to manage my schedule and I am going to make it a all out speed test. How fast can I go? Quote:

“Good work habits help develop an internal toughness and a self-confident attitude that will sustain you through every adversity and temporary discouragement.”
Paul J. Fleyer

I sure hope these are good habits and temporary.

6 comments:

Karl Stutelberg said...

I ran for 11 years before I even attempted a marathon, and 17 years before I did my first ultra event. Before this year I had never run for more than 4 hours. LD50 took me just under 9 hours. Work hard but be patient. Sounds like more sleep and better nutrition will help. Set yourself a bed time and stick to it. I need to practice what I preach I know. You have a lot of work to do in less than two months.

Caratunk Girl said...

Getting up early is much harder for me in the fall than in the summer. The light changes, I hate getting up when it is dark! But it is like ripping off a banddaid, right?

Good luck pursuing your IM dreams...Sometimes you have to jump off the cliff and figure out how to fly on the way down... :) Good luck!! Great week, BTW.

Christi said...

Good luck with your Ironman dreams! I often question my dream but I know that in the end that I will do it! I just have to be strong and keep moving forward. You can do it also!

chris mcpeake said...

Ironman is daunting but just train hard and you will be ready in no time.

Chuck said...

If you are patient and keep plugging away you will one day be an Ironman. Just look at how far you have come in such a short time!

Anonymous said...

This is a very nice post, so informative and interesting. Thanks for sharing such a great post.



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