I have taken my recovery from IM to heart. With another IM on the calendar for next year, I am in no rush to get back to structured training. However, after a long pow-wow with my coach, we have mapped out the way to Lake Placid, and this includes racing a HIM in October. After three weeks of pretty close to nothing, I got the next two weeks in my inbox and I'm excited and motivated and looking forward to see how my Ironman fitness translates to trying to make it HURT over 70.3 miles.
But I have a confession.
During my three weeks of recovery, I remembered how much I really like TO DO NOTHING.
I LOVE sitting on the couch, playing mindless computer games and watching mind-numbing TV. I can get home from work at 5:30, sit down on the couch, and be perfectly content with not moving except for dinner. Tuesday, in fact, I couldn't even be bothered with cooking, so I made a smoothie for dinner. Ironman gave me an awesome excuse to be a hermit, to go to bed before the sun went down, and to turn down invitations to happy hour and trivia with friends. 'I have to swim' and 'I have to get up early' were built in excuses. HIM training this fall isn't going to consist of super high hours, doubles or lots of miles - it's more about learning how to make it hurt - but I find myself wishing I had my 'Ironman training' excuse.
This morning I set my alarm for 5:45. I had a brick I had to get done so I can join colleagues for a happy hour that has been planned for weeks. During IM training, I did most of my longer bricks at Hains in the evenings. It cuts off the crappy trail riding I have to do before I get to Hains, and allows for an extra 2 hours of sleep. I debated for 15 minutes before getting up and out the door - it would just be so much easier to do it after work. But I forced myself up, knowing once I'm out the door I love morning workouts. And of course, I loved my ride (cool weather, amazing sunrise, I LOVE fall riding) and watchless, speedy run.
And now, at 3:30pm, I am looking for any excuse to NOT go to happy hour. I just want to go home. To my couch. And watch the Voice.
But I have a confession.
During my three weeks of recovery, I remembered how much I really like TO DO NOTHING.
I LOVE sitting on the couch, playing mindless computer games and watching mind-numbing TV. I can get home from work at 5:30, sit down on the couch, and be perfectly content with not moving except for dinner. Tuesday, in fact, I couldn't even be bothered with cooking, so I made a smoothie for dinner. Ironman gave me an awesome excuse to be a hermit, to go to bed before the sun went down, and to turn down invitations to happy hour and trivia with friends. 'I have to swim' and 'I have to get up early' were built in excuses. HIM training this fall isn't going to consist of super high hours, doubles or lots of miles - it's more about learning how to make it hurt - but I find myself wishing I had my 'Ironman training' excuse.
This morning I set my alarm for 5:45. I had a brick I had to get done so I can join colleagues for a happy hour that has been planned for weeks. During IM training, I did most of my longer bricks at Hains in the evenings. It cuts off the crappy trail riding I have to do before I get to Hains, and allows for an extra 2 hours of sleep. I debated for 15 minutes before getting up and out the door - it would just be so much easier to do it after work. But I forced myself up, knowing once I'm out the door I love morning workouts. And of course, I loved my ride (cool weather, amazing sunrise, I LOVE fall riding) and watchless, speedy run.
And now, at 3:30pm, I am looking for any excuse to NOT go to happy hour. I just want to go home. To my couch. And watch the Voice.
I hear you!! Ironman training or not, I kind of like the hermit life. It's easy. And so lovely to go to bed early.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back to society......and reality!
ReplyDelete