Intensives

[Wahine]

So here it is. Almost 6 AM and still dark. Today will be a huge day if it goes as planned. I don't have a client until 8:45 so I'm heading out for a run before work then hopefully again at lunch.

I've already hit my most mileage ever in a week (34.5 miles). 5.5 today and I've got a little more than 100 for the month of February without out having to take advantage of my bonus day. I want to try for 10 today then I can do 5.5 over the next 2 days to hit 50 miles in one week.

It's all becoming a little surreal. It's also a little scary because I've really shattered some preconceived notions about myself and my training limits. I think that was the point.

It makes me wonder where I'm going.

[Veronica]

Top of your age group at Kona? That sounds like a good place to go.

V.

[Starfish]

Top of your age group at Kona? That sounds like a good place to go. V.

[Wahine]

I like the way you guys dream but I think that might mean quitting my job. That's not going to happen anytime soon.

6.5 uncomfortable miles, well 5.5 then it got better for the last mile. I've hit over 100 miles for Feb. Now to see if I can squeek out another 9 miles to hit 50.

I told my coach that I think I'm losing my mind. He said that minds are over rated.

Oh, the other thing this has done is knock me out of the Athena category. I'm not sure how I feel about that.

[Pika]

Woohooo!
You are doing great- heck- about the athena category- just pull a trick like they do on the biggest loser and drink a few gallons of water before you are weighed! - Just Kidding of course!!!
You'll do great in what ever category you are in!

[Veronica]

Eat some chocolate... or whatever you fancy!

V.

[Wahine]

Right now I feel like I could eat a horse. And I like horses.

I managed another 5 miles at lunch. It actually felt better than the morning workout and was faster at the same heart rate. Go figure.

I e-mailed my coach about all this and how I didn't understand how it was possible to feel so bad at one moment and do so much better the next. He said it was the product of good coaching.

[Veronica]

So does that make it 40 miles this week so far?

V.

[Wahine]

That makes 46 for this week. I'm going for 50 now. I think I have nearly 110 miles for Feb.

Mmmmmmmmm beer tonight. Lots of it. And chocolate. And maybe something deep fried.

[Wahine]

It's done. I logged another 4 miles today.

50 miles, 6 days, about 9 hours and 20 minutes.

About 115 miles for the month of Feb.

I think I need a nap.

[MM_QFC!]

It's done. I logged another 4 miles today.

50 miles, 6 days, about 9 hours and 20 minutes.

About 115 miles for the month of Feb.

I think I need a nap.

Whew, I'm tired just reading that! How 'bout you have a nap and I'll sip a beer in your honor? Here's to you, Yoda...awesome!


MM...

charter member of the Wahine TE groupie club

[Grog]

It's done. I logged another 4 miles today.

50 miles, 6 days, about 9 hours and 20 minutes.

About 115 miles for the month of Feb.

I think I need a nap.

Much awesomeness. Great job!!

[Veronica]

Yipppeee!!! So, how does it feel, knowing you don't suck at running?

V.

[Wahine]

So, just when I thought it was over.

I haven't had the heart to update this thread until today. I was so tired I didn't want to think about the email I got from my coach.

It basically said Good job, blah blah blah, now rest for 3 days and do one more big mileage week. I threw a bit of a fit. My coach took the brunt of it. It was like thinking you've summited a mountain only to find out it's the false summit. Grrrrrr.

But I've had one very restful day with tons of sleep and I'm feeling better this morning. So I'm back at it starting Tuesday. I don't have as much free time next week so I doubt I'll hit another 50 miler, but I'll do what I can. It'll be interesting to see what kind of shpe I'm in for my running biomechanics course next weekend.

[Starfish]

Wow, I can imagine that the idea of another big week so soon must be disheartening, when you're still so tired (and probably wanting to still be celebrating your amazing breakthrough!).

I immediately remembered this story that Chris Carmichael wrote in The Ultimate Ride, about working with Ron Williams, an elite cyclist competing in the Paralympics in track pursuit. The story was about how Carmichael threw "everything but the kitchen sink" at this guy during a 3 week block of training, before the last regeneration period for the games in Sydney.

Carmichael says that during the block, Ron was sometimes just quitting during intervals, and really suffering mentally, because it was the very hardest work he had ever done on the bike. But, that with careful coaching, and with the planned regeneration, his mind and body bounced back, and he went to Sydney and rode faster than he ever had in his life.

The next thing I thought was about my own tiredness this week. Certainly nothing like yours, I know! But, I just finished up a recovery week, and boy did I need it! The past two nights, I have slept nearly 12 hours per night. And, I have been on this recovery week for about 6 days now. I started with a coach a few months ago (and I REALLY trust her). First time for a cycling coach for me. And, I am doing more than I ever have for cycling, volume-wise, and resistance training-wise, at the same time. That will change soon, but I have been tired! I am a little scared of whether or not I can make my goal this year, and if I can handle the volume. But, I trust my coach, and I DO want to improve, so I know I have to push through. But, today is the first time in about a week that I am feeling a little less beat up. The sleep really helps.

I know you are such an experienced athlete...I am not trying to tell you anything you don't know. Just want to encourage you. It seems like no matter what level we are all training at, we cannot get around the notion of having to push through big barriers at times, and it is amazing how our minds want to settle in where we are, and continue to object when we are up against breaking a barrier.

OK - sorry for really long post. You continue to be such an inspiration (to use a cliche, but true). We are all out here rooting for you. Thank you for your honest post!