So it took me a little bit to get back into the groove since returning from my grandma's funeral. And, workouts have felt very difficult. Partly because THEY ARE, at this point in the training, but also because sitting in a car for 25 hours turns out to be pretty darned rough on my body. Noted.
Last week I just jumped back into the workouts. I felt like lead in the pool. My head was in a fog on runs. Weather impeded my workouts and I didn't do great at finding - or asking my coach - for adequate indoor alternatives, I just made up what I thought I could do. And some days were a real struggle to do the workout - I'd procrastinate as long as possible, then rush, and still feel badly. But I did the workouts. I even did the Manitou Incline with RMTC on Thursday last week (that one needs a separate post!) But having other people for workouts makes the workout go better for me, at this phase. I need people. I don't need to talk to them, and hard workouts facilitate that, but I do need to see them. People help me get through the suck, for sure.
The other thing that helped, this week I made out a "chore sheet" that I can check off daily. It includes:
- Complete planned training
- Brush teeth at 8PM
- Get 7+ hours of sleep
- Keep 500-800 calorie deficit - Note for this, sometimes on big workout days it is hard for me to eat back all the calories to get to only a 500 calorie deficit. And some days I can eat right through all the workout calories and then some! Since I'm trying to shed a few pounds before the race, I want to stick to ~500 deficit daily, if my body feels good there. This is really just to track how often I'm there, as I'm training. And to be mindful, because, cookies.
- Alcohol drinks tracking - Note for this, I didn't drink the week before my last tri. I had thought I didn't feel noticeably different, however I was very rested come race day, from getting great sleep all that week, and also, I ended up on the podium. So that's not nothing! I've noticed that some days I feel sluggish training... generally, the days after I have an adult beverage. Therefore, I'm tracking the when and how many.
Incidentally, just making the chore sheet helped me start doing these things a lot more automatically. Since making that list, training and treating my body right hasn't been the fight that it has been upon my return from the east coast. I still get sad about my grandma. I still get brain fog in the middle of workouts. But I'm better at just doing them anyways. I'm making good food choices. I'm getting enough rest. I'm better, day by day...
It also helps to have a supportive spouse, and to see people I like. Yesterday after my big brick workout*, Mr. Scandinavian Mullet brought me a big glass of ice water in my Colorado Triathlon Champion glass. Then we had a nice dinner at our friends' house - seeing people I like really does improve the quality of your life. I'm grateful every day, even if it's hard, especially if it's hard. And so, I carry on, with my sad and grateful heart. I'll be excited again by the time my taper comes up, I'm sure!
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* Yesterday's brick was miserable. 50-mile ride, then a six-mile run with first four miles at "race intensity." We started the ride WAY too late, it was hot and the wind had picked up. Part of the trail was closed for construction and we had to detour a few miles, backtracking and then riding on gravel - not my favorite on a road bike! And of course I forgot how difficult the C-470 trail is heading east from Chatfield - by the time we crossed I-25, I was crying, I didn't want to go uphill anymore and we had to ride out to Jordan Rd! But I got it together. Drank more water, had a caffeine gel, mood greatly improved. It was a sunny day, and I was riding with my love, after all... things looked a lot better (literally, mountain views!) as we rode through Cherry Creek park. We ended up riding almost 55 miles. Then I had to run in the heat. I chose this... but I was mad. And of course I ran "race intensity" like it was a SHORT race, not like I'd be doing for my half IM! So I blew myself up on miles 1-4, and had a hard time with those last 2 miles... but, I got it done and now I know more, and it is unlikely my race will be as tough as yesterday was! That glass of ice water from Patrick was the best thing ever, for a million reasons.
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