Duathlon This Weekend!

Sunday, April 11, 2009

8:00 am

2 mile run-15 mile bike-2 mile run

The weather in Memphis is perfect!  Memphis in May is right around the corner, and it is time to get some race speed back into those winter legs.  Come and race the Los Locos Duathlon this weekend!  

Click here to register.  

So my blog has started censoring me.  I wrote a longish post on a frustrating track experience, only to have the post magically removed the next day by my computer.  You are all fortunately spared from a nice rant.  Well, kind of.    

But- and I quote Jack Daniels:  

Remember to have a purpose for every training session.  Ask yourself, " What system do I hope to improve by doing this workout?" and "what am I really trying to accomplish."  

I feel frustrated when this cannot be answered for me at track workouts.  Running all out, every Tuesday, with no rhyme or reason to pace or rest intervals makes absolutely no sense to me- or Jack Daniels, either.    

And, I don't think your "performance" at a track workout should have any correlation to your character...or your "guts".  I don't have less "guts" because I don't choose to go as hard as I possibly can at every single track workout.  I go to track to work on specific pieces of my running and fitness, and my goal does not always match the goal of the person next to me, and nor should my pace.  

"Guts" is in quotes because I was told that if I had guts I would run my hardest at track regardless of current fitness, rest intervals, upcoming race goals, knee rehab, etc.  

So, whatever.  

Those sort of character challenges never really motivate me.  I already know exactly what I am made of, and it doesn't get proven to others in one-shot practice.  

If nothing else, it infuriated me enough to re-read all of my books and research and remind me to stay the course.  The thing is, for the most part, I know what I should be doing out there.  It is just that 80% of the other runners out there are not doing it.  They are positive splitting the workouts, running way beyond their race day capabilities week after week, and having no earthly idea if they are improving VO2 max, speed, or lactate threshold.   

And hey, if it works for them and they improve- great!  It just doesn't work for me.  

Problem solved.  Running is fun, running is good.  The race is only against yourself.  

I am happily entering my newest sinus infection.  Just 1 more day of work, 2 weddings, 1 Los Locos Duathlon (working, not participating), and 3 workouts to go for the week.  I hope I make it!

Ride Into Spring

The early morning thunderstorms led to beautiful skies for the Ride Into Spring.  

And just like last week, I almost missed the big event when my alarm did not go off in the morning.  I knew I was in big trouble when I saw sunlight coming through the curtains.  I sprang out of bed with a big "S#!t!"  It was 7:20- the ride started at 8:00- I live nowhere near the ride- and I was not registered.  

I would like to take this moment to interject Dave- husband extraordinaire.  I often have teammates and friends ask if Dave rides/runs/etc.  It may  come across that he is not athletic or does not care about my athletic pursuits, as few people in the triathlon world have met or know Dave.  In truth, he is extremely athletic- and an amazing athlete.  He just chooses to continue to play soccer while he is still good.  (And I taunt him and tell him he will become a runner/triathlete when he gets too old to be good on the soccer pitch).  He is also supportive of my "hobby"- as evidence by his assistance this morning in getting my bike/bag in the car while I tried to hurry and get dressed and make the ride.  He could have stayed asleep, but he said he knew I would be disappointed if I missed the ride so he got up to pack my bike.  What a sweetheart.  

Anyhoo- made the ride.  I opted to do the 75 mile ride- why?  I have only ridden outside 5 times or so this year, and no more than 35 miles.  I was smart enough to NOT try to get out with the fast guys or follow my teammates towards a sure death.  I rode with Barbara and looked for a group that was riding at a consistently steady pace.  I found one and had a GREAT ride.  

Just a couple of weeks ago, I made the comment to Laura that I wanted to have more opportunities to do long rides at a steady, aerobic pace.  It seems that anytime I get with a group for a long ride, there is always that person pushing the pace in the first 5 miles unnecessarily,  another person that refuses to ride steady, another person that races the ride at the same pace as their last sprint tri, etc.....By the time I am halfway through a long ride, I am tired and grumpy from expending so much energy keeping up with the craziness.  

Today I was determined to get in a long, aerobic ride.  It was tough at times simply because I have not ridden that long, and I did have to work hard at times.  I had to pick and choose when I needed to stay with certain riders, and when it wasn't worth it.  But, I noticed that I enjoyed the day more than I have on so many other rides.  It was gorgeous outside!  I felt good the whole time.  I got to ride with Barbara and catch up on some chatting with her.  I still finished with a respectable mph avg for 77 miles- and have the rest of my day to enjoy!

Spring is underway!