I seem to be noticing a trend. It appears that I really need to shut down for a short bit after each race. I must stop to take a deep breath, analyze my performance for the pros and cons, get some sleep, heal the muscles and then hop back into training. Physically I am able to get back on the road or in the pool after 1 day of rest but mentally, I feel I need more of a hiatus. After my first race, I was feeling a little down about this. I was worried. Worried that I wouldn't be able to maintain the intensity all summer long and into the next year with an Ironman looming in 2009. However, after Mooseman last week, I accepted my state of mind with peace. I realized that my body wanted to continue pushign through the workouts but my mind wanted a little break. I didn't pour over my training plan every second of the day. I didn't read Triathlete magazine at night, I neglected my blog, I just stopped thinking about it for a while. I did the work, I jsut didnt' think about it to the point of obession. Is this ok? Do you guys do this?
We have had a lot happening around our house in the past week. Things that needed my attention. Last Friday, my husband had oral surgery to remove a cyst in his jaw. It had grown over the past few years. At the appointment, the doctor tried to convince me that he Thought it would benign but we had to be sure. Shit. What if it's not??? It would take 1 week until the results of the biopsy came back. That is too long. Mark was put under general anesthesia and well, the rest of the day was a total mess. I had a doped up husband to get home and care for, 3 little boys coming home from field day at school hungry and tired and very much needing Mom attention, and a meeting with our contractors to choose windows for our addition. It was just a bit much to say the least.
Saturday afternoon my parents and Mark's parents came for an impromptu cookout. It was a good time and nice to share Father's day with My Dad and Mark's as well.
Sunday, despite the fact that it was Father's day, our friend arrived at 8:00 a.m. with a big excavator. As you might imagine, the 3 (ok 4) boys in my house were FIRED UP!!!!! A giant hole was dug in our yard. It took hours and hours and entertained my family quite well for the majority of the day despite the rain. We'll be building a new addition later this summer. It's going to make our house so much nicer for our family of 5. Best of all, Mom is getting a new Master bathroom. Yeah!!!! As years go by and I have 3 teenage boys and their friends in my house, I am going to need my own private bath.
Lots of good stuff like that here in Paris. The kids are in their last week of schoool. There are fields trips, pajama day, ice cream socials, baseball games and concerts. Hard to believe my oldest will soon be a 3rd grader and my little Tommy in first. My baby, my little Nick will be heading to preschool in the fall. Where does the time go?
I have had to step back from all my Tri thoughts/focus a bit lately and focus on my dear family. I am ready to get my mind back in the game now. I will head to Lake Placid one week from tomorrow. I hope I can survive my first 112 mile ride.
Later today I will do a fun track workout. Some run focused time is in order.
'til later....
10 comments:
Best of luck in Lake PLacid! Your boys are adorable :)
great job at the last week! I read your article in triathlete...congrats!!! :)
enjoy the ride in lake placid. Don't feel like you "have to" run afterwards. Just enjoy your first long ride. I had pancakes with my family and karel (who did it with me) after our first 100 mile and if i only knew what was to come. I am glad I just enjoyed the moment and I'm sure you will too!
-marn
First of all, I hope your husband is OK! And, of course we all go thru this!!! I was walking around in a haze all last week too. Feeling like I had done an IRONMAN when I only raced for just over 2.10!!! Pleease. But, Mentally I was fried. ALL my focus and all my energy into a race leaves me tired. And, like you, with all the year -end kid's activities and parties and stuff I felt like I was running around all the time. So, GLAD You enjoyed some R&R, you deserved it. IT will all come back...it always does. And, today I finally got my mojo back and put my TT bike together and rode it and felt great! :) Time....it just takes a little time and allowing ourselves to decompress! :) Jen H.
Good luck on that 112 mile ride! And, I am glad to hear the surgery went well. I completely understand the need to "break away" to re-focus after a race, I think not only our bodies but minds need to recover and we sometimes forget that!
welcome back! :) yay for being in triathlete mag! wishing i was going up to LP with you next week! im heading up 4th of july. let me know how it goes!
I can totally relate! It's so important to have some downtime, find the balance and shift the focus to other parts of life for a bit...it makes you come back re-energized and stronger. have a great time at LP!
Hi Ange!
I need the down time after a race too, and it's mostly mental, not physical. I did my workouts sort of mechanically until last weekend when I got a little fire back. And we are headed to our training weekend tomorrow! I am excited for the century, but uneasy too! Jumping from 65 to over 100 is a little scary! talk soon.
you seem very focused and driven and naturaly inclined for success. mental downtime is exactly what you need. sustainability!
It's good to take some time to do the family thing, not obsess so much on training. It's really hard not to, I know, but sometimes you just have to look the other way, ya know?
Enjoy the 112.
Angie--Chill out!!!! Triathlon is a way for us to challenge ourselves and have fun doing it. There are only so many hours in the day and sometimes things have to be dropped. It sounds you are lucky to have a spouse that is so supportive of your endeavors. You are setting a great example for your children. Just make sure you are there for them when they need you. Don't think you have to do everything by yourself.
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