I love it when Liz tells me that certain workouts are "key" workouts for the week. Because then I really focus and give it my all. Yesterday was one of those workouts.
It was a long run, building from zone 1 up to zone 4. Very strong run to prepare for Rage in two weeks.
I've spent little time in zones 3 and 4 this season, so I'm not very comfortable there. Even though I can get there, just like anyone else can, I don't go very often. Tony and I started at Veteran's Memorial Park, because he wanted to measure a different proposed route for a new 5k that's going to be held here in the fall. I like going to the park cause it's nice there and we run from my house a lot so the variety is good.
The warm up was typical -- I felt a bit creaky from buildup of the week's workouts and the negative voices were whining in my head. Once I started building up into zone 2 though, they left. Never to return. Zone 2, to 3, to 4 all felt very strong and fast! And also uncomfortable (well the latter part of the zone 3 work and zone 4 were uncomfortable).
I'm one of those athletes that Liz has to push to push herself. To put it another way, Liz does not have to coach me around taking it easy or recovering well. I totally have those down!!!!
Where I need help is pushing myself into an uncomfortable place and staying there longer. Because I do want to get faster. So this year I'm working on walking that line between pushing myself and also accepting where I am (in other words not beating myself up).
And this year, God willing, I will complete two half irons with no mechanical difficulties. So it will be be against myself, the course, and whatever the weather dishes out! Oh and two brand new courses to boot! My time goals for these races may be a little ambitious, but I'm going for them anyway. Which takes us right back to pushing pushing PUSHING when it counts!
I'll keep you updated on that . . . . .
I've had a breakthrough in my new business. I've produced my first white paper! That's right! I've always wanted to be a writer and for the last six months I've been gearing up toward launching my white paper writing business. At times it has felt slow and arduous and I've felt impatient and frustrated. However, I'm learning to manage those thoughts and emotions much like managing the negative mean voices that show up during training.
In fact I've concluded that building my new business is a lot like training and racing. It takes so many of the same traits that I've overlapped the two in my mind. Which is good because Silverman was the linchpin! The turning point! The event that made me realize that I CAN DO THIS. So they are forever intertwined for me.
More on my business later. It's coming along at the right pace and I am no longer overwhelmed by balancing work, training and the rest of my life. I took four weeks of reduced training volume to manage those issues and now I'm back baby! Although continued persistent management will be necessary to keep balanced . . . . .
Oh and BEST to Izaac who is doing Oceanside today!!! GO IZAAC!!!!!!!!!!!
7 comments:
I am SOOOO over the moon excited and proud of you with your new venture. Awesome!!! And yah, I get the pushing beyond your comfort level. I've had a fear of injury associated with it, so I have to push myself back into this by working on being consistent with my workouts as they are written. I'll get to the heavy stuff later in the season ;)
Stef!! I so know where you are coming from!! I made staying in Zones 1 and 2 an ART as I trained for Ironman. You could not bribe me to get out of them!!! LOL... This year I want to get faster too, and that means becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable. I wish us both success!
Congrats on the great strides in your business. It should be fairly obvious now. You can DO anything!!
:-)
I can't wait to find out what my zones really are! I have a feeling I am right there with you in 1 and 2 though!
Good point about the key workouts. I need to ask my coach about identifying mine because right now they're all key to me and I get frustrated when I can't do them all as well as I'd like.
And like Sarah, I've had some injuries the past couple years that have made me fearful of going too hard. But I'm also someone who just dislikes pushing myself physically to discomfort often (which is why I prefer marathons :-). But at least the injuries are not really an issue any more so no more excuses. I'm there with ya on the pushing!
Congrats on the white paper!! I find a lot of useful things from training/racing can be applied to other aspects of life.
Woo hoo! Stef, that is a FANTASTIC milestone in your new business! I'm so excited for you. Everything you said resonates with me. The more "serious" I get with my training the more it reflects in other aspects of my life. (I put the quotation marks b/c it's not the exact word I mean. I can't find the right word though. It's part focus, part balance, part having fun with it, you know?)
And Rage is in two week? Yikes! Winter is over and time is starting to speed up. :D
Very cool about your new business. Keep up the good work and I'm sure you are going to be successful.
You have earned going the entire 2009 season without a mechanical, that's for sure!
YOU CAN DO THIS! :) Love it!
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