Intensives

[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!

[Wahine]

Thank you so much for that Starfish. It is very helpful.

[Grog]

That sounds a bit like a trainer I had many years ago:

"OK everyone just 10 more push ups..." (or sit ups, reps of anything)

and then, when you're done the 10:

"Let's do five more!!"

Sometimes I'd just crash on my face at that stage.

But you're not that kind of girl. You'll just gracefully bounce back.

You're awesome. Keep going!

[Wahine]

Thanks Grog.

So I've been emailing my Coach all weekend. It's sort of like going through the stages of grieving. First there was the denial email - "I can't/won't do that." Then the bargaining email - "Maybe I can do 35 or 40 miles if..." then the acceptence email. In this email I apologized for being whiney and reassured him that the blood of stubborn Scotts runs in my veins and that I would put the effort in, that the only way I was not going to make this happen would be if I truly physically failed trying, not because I had mentally failed.

And here was his answer:

What I appreciate is your willingness. ***** was just saying how hard it is for her to train with other people because they're unwilling to do what it takes to be better. This is working for you in ways that you can't even imagine.

"To know the self is to forget the self. To forget the self is to be enlightened by the ten thousand things." ....or ten thousand miles, whichever comes first!

So there it is. One more day of rest and here I go again.

[kelownagirl]

That post made me smile.

[Wahine]

Alright. I slogged through a total of 12 miles today. 3 separate runs. Before work 6, at lunch 3.5 and at the track after work 2.5. I'm tired and ready for bed. I can't believe I have another week of this. Well 5 days if I can help it.

I ran into my coach at a restaurant tonight. He laughed and said something about me being a former shadow of myself. My clothes are getting a little baggy.

Well off to bed with me.