Kona training has been a real roller coaster. One day I feel "great" and the next day I feel "flat and tired". The strange part is that I've been getting more sleep than normal and I still feel weak.
I'm not sure if this is from the recent volume of training or the effects of training for almost 2 years without a break and 3 Ironman's in 6 months
My last break was about 3 weeks in November 2009 and by early December 2009 I was back training for Ironman China. This year, after the NYC marathon in early November, I'm going to take at least two to three months of active recovery.
Yesterday was a prime example, I was exhausted. The upside was I was still able to do my weight training session and the downside was I had no energy by the end of the day to do my bike tempo ride. If it was a moderate bike session, I would have done it. The moderate sessions are of medium importance and can be "mailed in", they are basically recovery rides.
The concern I had was my bike is "so weak" right now that if I do a tempo ride I want it too count. Today I didn't have the energy to go hard and decided to postpone it until tomorrow. Also, giving my groin an extra day to heal from chaffing was an added benefit.
Tonight I craved ice cream and sleep. My first stop was McDonalds for a cone and a chocolate Sunday. After eating it, I passed out on the couch for most of the night. Alice was watching a show about a guy who was attacked by an alligator and it drifted into my dream.
I dreamt I was getting attacked by and alligator and got so startled that at one point I woke up and threw the pillow off me as if it was an alligator on me. Unfortunately, I couldn't get back to sleep after that.
I've also started noticing a yearly trend, come Fall I crave sugary carbohydrates. It's almost like clockwork. Around September or October, I want to go through fast food drive thru's and order ice cream or burgers and fries.
On the expense front, today I ordered a new pair of blue 2XU triathlon shorts off the Internet. None of the local shops had blue ones. After yesterday's run session I'm concerned about the chaffing from the Desoto's. I know my black 2XU's don't chaff because I've done lots of training and 3 Ironmans in them this year.
I needed to order a blue pair of shorts because I'm having a custom "Triathlon Toons" tri jersey made that requires blue shorts to make it look complete. It's part of "my being sponsored by Triathlon Toons" and being able to write off most of my triathlon expenses.
A big concern I have is the shorts and jersey's arriving on time. I'm always nervous when I have to order out of the U.S. because shipping takes longer and Canadian Customs can be a real problem. With 2 weeks until I fly to Kona, I'm hoping I get everything on time.
Finally, a major oversight. I didn't realize that Doru and Miha Sandor did Ironman Muskoka this past weekend. I want to congratulate Doru on his 6:00:03 (bummer about that 4 seconds - 5:59:59 sounds so much better) and to Miha on her 7:52:58.
I'm happy for Miha, at least she got her monies worth and big props on fighting mentally through it to finish. I have more respect for the fighters than the winners. She also bettered her last years time by 10 minutes and Doru didn't crash and get taken away by an ambulance this year. It looks like both set PB's at Muskoka. Nice work.
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9 comments:
Regarding your tiredness - Are you in a taper mode? If yes, seems Mark Allen said being tired is normal. From his/your email/post yesterday: "... once this taper starts their body really starts to LET DOWN in an attempt to store up, which is also good..." Caps added for emphasis. Keep sleeping.
well at least you're adhering to the ice cream and burger part of the program.
Seriously sorry to hear you are so tired.. how about a coupla days off all together? or even like one day off?
Yeah, I think with the volumes and intensity you are doing, it's going to catch up. It's not like training is your only job!
I was at Muskoka as well and have only 'known' Doru through your blog...too bad I didn't know in advance, I would have searched the dude out and had some good chuckles about Training Payne!! He finished a few minutes ahead of me, too!
Rest on.....
the sleeping alligator attacks seem like you got a lot of chemistry in there you need to deal with ... lots
sorry to hear - reading your post I feel you're over training, but will know better
B
Try riding without a computer, or put it in your bike bag or pocket...check it when you get home. I find sometimes it helps just to ride w/o any HR tracking speed.
Also do you use chamois butter? Or udderly smooth? New world has both but udderly can be bought at your local TSC store.
Shaw
Thanks for the props B. Muskoka did not work as planned for Miha and I but in the end we are happy that we finished. I guess that both of us can shave 30 minutes off our time in a good day.
I am curious about your Triathlon Toons plans for Kona. I am going to order a Triathlon Toon, too, but I need first to decide on the picture. It has to be about triathlons and beer and so far I haven’t found the right picture, yet. This year was a very good year for me, especially that I finished my first IM with a better than expected time and I want to capture it in a toon that I am going to frame and hang it on the wall.
B, I guess it's easier to say than it is to do but calm down about the tiredness. Could be stress related, nerves, pressure.
I am sure you are taking vitamins and supplements right? If not I would highly suggest you take at least a standard multi-vitamin. I know before IMLP you had vitamin bottles strewn about your counter haha.
I would just take it easy and get the workouts in when you can. With Kona so close you are not going to build any volume or speed at this point. Just do your best to maintain your current fitness level and recover your body properly. I would also suggest eating some clean proteins or even taking a protein supplement to help rebuild your muscles... just some thoughts.
On another note, now that you are fully recovered from the dreaded "People's Elbow" allow me to share with you what everyone else saw as you were lying on the trampoline crippled in pain...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtjF7XJAciU
Take it easy bud. Have fun this weekend (I know you will).
S, no, not in taper mode yet. Starts in a weeks time. I did find out from Mark it's normal and he said to SLEEP more, I'm trying to be Bryan Van Winkle. hahaha.
A, yes, I got the ice cream part, but I'm slipping on the burger part, although I tried to make up with it on the KFC part. haha.
CH, no kidding, although with the amount of hours I put in, you think it would be. haha. CH what is your name? Send it for me to track and introduce you to other crazy people. hahaha
A, haha, you got that right. Yeah it sounds like overtraining, although I don't think it is, hopefully with a few days off before the race my muscles will bounce back.
S, yeah, I should try that. No I don't use that stuff, I'll have to talk to you more about it on a ride to see how it works. I always thought it makes things messy down there. hahaha.
D, the key word is "you finished", that's ALL that counts and yes, if you didn't do IMLP and were training right up to it, you definitely could shave 30 minutes. However, you have such an good ironman time, you may be a LONG distance racer. Congrats again to Miha, sorry to hear she had a bad day.
M, I think you're going to get your wish, I'm getting to tired to even talk about my tiredness. hahaha. It's definitely not stress, nerves or pressure, I don't feel any, at least not at this point. It's just from an abundance of training. Good advice on taking it easy, I'm almost there. After this weekends race, it should be much easier mentally. I agree on the clean proteins, I just started taking some yesterday. I'm also going to post that "peoples elbow", you're just like the Rock, except not a big, good looking, musclular or rich. But other than that you're the same with the elbow. hahaha.
B
Agree 2XU are the best, the only shorts I use.
One advantage of going to Kona is you'll find all the suppliers there. You can always buy an extra pair their if they don't arrive on time.
Hang in there buddy, you're in the final stretch
J
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