Monday, June 12, 2006

Better

Thanks, everyone for all your supportive comments. I had a much better day on Sunday. I woke up extra early and went grocery shopping so I could give the buns fresh greens before going on my run. Then, I met a group of girls in the Penasquitos Canyon for a 6 mile trail run. It was SO awesome. Everyone was very nice, and we ran at a comfortable pace, which was good b/c the trail was very hilly. We were able to hold a conversation most of the way. Everything was so beautiful--flowers blooming, bunny rabbits, a waterfall, cute mountain bikers... It was also nice and overcast so it wasn't too hot. It put me in such an awesome mood.

I love group workouts. I love getting up early in the morning and getting my workouts over with. The only thing is that I hate when I feel guilty for sleeping in on the days I decide to skip an a.m. workout. But I'm learning. I need to learn how to be consistent and not be so hard on myself. My endurance is definitely improving and I'm coming along nicely. I'm finally training injury-free and building onto my base. God, does that mean I've graduated to "build" phase?

It's hard to know where I stand b/c I always feel like I could be doing more and doing better. I have a hard time following my training plan b/c I usually make it too aggressive. The overtraining suggestion some of you had really hit home. Even though I don't feel like I'm training too much, I know if I don't take time to rest that I will fall into that gray area. Maybe the time off I spend feeling guilty is just that. But the symptoms--mild depression, lethargy, insomnia--all those really hit home. Something to consider. I guess now is when many triathletes start experiencing overtraining since it's about mid-season. I got my Triathlete magazine on Saturday, and it had an awesome article on overtraining. It really spoke to me. So I'm trying to be more forgiving.

The rest of my day was nice too. I got the apartment totally cleaned up and interviewed pet sitter #3. (I'm having a hard time deciding who is the best one.) Jason and I spent most of the day together just talking. We went to the park by our apartment in the evening and played basketball. He spotted me on the monkey bars while I pathetically tried to do pull-ups. Then, I totally freaked him out by flipping off the monkey bars like I used to on the playground as a kid. We walked around the park before coming home and having dinner together. I ended the evening with some weight-lifting before hitting the sack. I slept like a baby for the first time in days. I'm sore today, and it feels good.

9 comments:

Cliff said...

A way i try to de-tri myself from over training is doing some normal stuff.

Yesterday, head over to the beach and play some vball. Oh that was fun.

I do at times feel like i am slacking. Then I add up all the hours I have been doing and it makes it a bit easier.

I think the hardest part is finding a "base" hours per week that fits to your fitness level. But once u find it...slowly increase it and sooner (or later) u will be going crazy hitting 20 hours a week :0 (that is..if u want to train that much per week).

Tammy said...

So, you considered that you might be overtrained while you were running, doing pull-ups, and weight lifting? hehe. Niiiiice. Remember, you don't get stronger by doing a hard workout... you get stronger while recovering from a hard workout. :)

JeffM said...

Sounds like you found some good balance to throw in there. 20 hours a week like Cliff said would be fun.. maybe.

Mike said...

Rachel- glad to hear things are looking up for you!
Re: the guilt over missed am workouts- do what I do, DON'T plan any! ;-) No missed workouts = no guilt.
ok, lame I know....I actually feel guilty because I don't do any workouts in the am....still haven't crossed that bridge this season.

Jenö said...

Glad you're feeling better!

Jack said...

Glady you are feeling better, it's all about finding a balance and listening to your body.

Kewl Nitrox said...

Way to pace yourself. Me on the other hand, I am more concerned about not training enough (try at all) rather than over-training. :D

Barb said...

Sounds like you had a nice day! Don't beat yourself up for having a down day. Your mind and body have to be flexible. You'll get further by doing what feels right, not necesarily what the training schedule says!

qcmier said...

Glad you are feeling better.

Mid season? Must be nice to have 12 months to train and race.