I'm really going nuts. This off-season is never ending. All I want to do is RACE!!!! I feel like it's been so long since I've had the go-ahead to just Go Faaaaaaaast!!!! I am beginning to feel a bit like a caged animal.
I have lived in Maine most of my life. Winter doesn't bother me at all. It's part of the drill here. Spring arrives and we all feel hope. We crave the warm air, the melting snow, the longer days and thoughts of summer. And eventually, we have summer..... a little bit. The grass turns green, the flowers blossom, the lakes are warm enough to swim sans wetsuit, we play at the beach, sleep at camp, wish for it to go on and on. But before we know it, the leaves turn vibrant amazing colors, the air is crisp and refreshing, and the kids go back to school.
Those days also mean the end of Tri season to many of us. My 2009 season ended with a Bang. I celebrated my Ironman year with a long long run down the Queen K to the spectacular and indescribable finish line on Ali'i Drive. Beautiful.
And that was it. Nada. Done. Over. YOU MUST STOP ANGE!
I tell ya...to go from double Ironman training in one summer to zilch...is tough.
After sitting around for way too long feeling bad about the stress fractured foot, I am back. I'm fine. I can run. I can swim. And yes, I bike.
But I really want to race.
I want to go faster.
And yet, I can't. Not yet. It's not time. October to......May? That's too long for me. But it's what I've got.
I was swimming this morning. I was pushing some 250s so hard that my arms were aching. I was celebrating that feeling. I love the feeling of pain that I bring on myself. Pain that is making me stronger. Faster.
My extra long break in running is forcing me to sit back and be patient. I am allowing myself to fully regroup. To regain my fitness one step at a time.
It's hard to be patient. I'm not happy about this. But it is what's right.
And so I wait. And Train. And Plan.
So watch out. When this animal gets loose it's all over.
11 comments:
hey! I did those 250s too! Imagine that! I wouldn't describe my effort like yours though... hahaha!
You are going to have a great, fast season! Really, Jan. is almost over.. it's going to go fast!
Me too....I'd just as soon race you as talk to you. Life is a race! I have been trying to tone it down a bit too...maybe just growl a little less at people, let them see my "softer" side...hahahahah!!!! Bottle up that energy Ange, and cut it loose on race day....hey, maybe you should get yourself some snowshoes and do the winter tri.
I know how you're feeling! Sometimes waiting is the hardest part of training. It will come soon enough though and before you know it you'll be in full swing and wondering how you'll be able to fit everything in!
Oh, can't wait for you to race! It's going to be amazing! Lots of AG wins:)
I've been swimming a lot lately and just loving it. For the first time in a long time...my shoulders hurt at the end of practice. Oh, memories.
you will do just great this year and just be patient with your fitness (which I'm sure is better than you think it is right now). You did the best thing by waiting for your foot to be healed. no use trying to get through workouts..now you can look forward to pushing in workouts :)
way to go ange!!
HA! LOVE IT! That caged animal will be let out very soon....and then all hell will break loose! It is so hard b/c it is only January and it is soo cold...but soon, very soon. Did you see my note in TP regarding 2/14? I am almost leaning towards YES.
:)
I'm feeling caged too and I can't find a race early enough to please me.
Valkyrie Cycles (that's me) is planning a training camp day at Winslow Park on April 10th for any and all to get an early season cycling "race effort" in their log books. Nothing too formal. Two 5.4 miles laps around the Big Indian and South Freeport Road for time. My record from summer 2008 is 28:36and I'm going to try and beat it (although it'll be hard if its cold).
-- Jim
you are gonna tear it up this year!
God help us in AZ--you're going to smoke us all!
Wow you are amped up! That is great because it means the fire is in the belly and when its time to go hard you will go HARD!! Enjoy the process because the race will be here before you know it!
Ange, I totally needed to read your post. I feel that I have not been pushing myself out of my comfort zone with my running lately. I am not neccessarily afraid of the pain in training, but more of taking a risk in racing and failing. Now, you just gave me the kick in the butt to get there.
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