8.24.16 Happy Hump Day!

For once I was at it as early as you. Just the only way to get in the workout before school!

4:45 AM 1:05 trainer ride with 8-minute FTP intervals
6:00 AM--25 minute brick run with some tempo stuff

What a way to start the day!

To be honest, my run has been kind of stagnant too. I think I have improved my run fitness in the past year, but guessing I'm no faster in pure run races and actually my fastest HIM run was my first four years ago. I think, to be brutally honest about it, run speed may be the first to go with aging. I really haven't found that any amount of speed work or run focus helps much. I do have a coach now, mainly because, like you, I felt like my training had stagnated, and I was really struggling with the bike. The latter has really been my focus this year, as it's what was keeping me from things like AG podium or qualifying for Worlds.

Prior to getting a coach, I was boring myself with my workouts, never sure if I was pushing myself hard enough or too hard (probably some combo of both), and felt like I kept making the same mistakes over and over again. I don't have those issues anymore. I have certainly worked much harder than I would have had myself do LOL. There are other issues, like how responsive the program has been to my training situation at times, or how much feedback I get (not always as much as I would like) but overall, I think it's worked for me this year and I'll probably continue into next year before making any further decisions. I think it doesn't matter how fast/slow you are--if it matters to you, it's worth it.

Seriously, I'm never going to be a pro or win Kona either, and there's rarely prize $ even for FOP middle-aged ladies. I think last year I got...gasp...two water bottles and a pair of socks! For me, It's something personal having to do with giving up competitive running at age 20, not due to injuries or burnout, but deciding to believe people who told me I didn't have what it took. They may well have been right, and it may well have been the practical and "sensible" thing to do, but still....it's not something I'm proud of. I want to excel at something, even be "world class" or at least do the best I can with what I've got, not sit on my butt and say I'm not even going to try because I didn't win grand prize in the genetic lottery. That's the example I would like to set for my students (if I had them, it would be for my kids). That's why it matters enough to me to do things like get a coach, or get up at 4:XX.

"Nuff philosophical stuff!

Edited by Hot Runner 2016-08-24 8:02 AM

Ahhh I am firmly in goof off mode from Ironman Boulder. But that's almost a month ago so it needs to stop. I got up and put on workout clothes so there will be a workout of some sort today. If it's not storming swimming at 12. If it's stormy then running most likely.

I did my usual 2 minute plank and 22 pushups. Since it was rainy here most of the day, I went to our local YMCA and ran on their indoor track. Ever since my triathlon in July, I've decided to concentrate on speed instead of just distance. For me speed is a nine and a half minute mile. I pumped out 2 miles in just over 20 minutes. I was shooting for 20 minutes and finished in 20:19, but I think I did an extra lap (track is 1/15th of a mile, so it's pretty easy to lose track of where you're at) I've got a 5k run in a week and a half, so I will be trying to run every other day until then.

While I was at the Y I also hit the ab machine and did 3 sets on it. Then it was time for the hot tub. If I had known they had that there, I would have joined years ago.

J White