Not every training session can go down in the books as a GREAT workout. Today is a good example of a less than perfect workout. I woke up this morning feeling a little groggy, so I slept a little bit longer. Since I am a teacher, I have summers off (comp time, really) so my training can fluctuate as needed. If I need to sleep in a little bit I can, as long as I haven't already made a commitment to meet someone for a workout. Since yesterday was the 4th of July, also known as my FAVORITE holiday, I stayed up late with Demetrius. We were able to see fireworks from my backyard, and since my dogs Haro and Bud were terrified of what they thought was the end of the world, it was nice to stay back and be with them, while also getting to enjoy fireworks that neighbors paid for. (Yea for illegal fireworks!)
I'm thinking that part of what was weighing me down today was that last night we picked up food from Cookout. As a vegetarian, my food options at most places is pretty limited. By the time we were ready to eat last night, it was nearing 9 p.m., when most restaurants were closing down for the night. I was most disappointed that both locations of my favorite Mexican restaurant was closed. Cookout was a third place finisher on our list of ideas, but regardless, I still got cheese quesadillas. The problem with eating any type of fast food, or simply going out for that matter, is that it's never as healthy as it could have been if you made it at home. Nutrition has taken a back seat these last couple days, and I wonder if that contributed to my lackluster swim workout.
I'm thinking that part of what was weighing me down today was that last night we picked up food from Cookout. As a vegetarian, my food options at most places is pretty limited. By the time we were ready to eat last night, it was nearing 9 p.m., when most restaurants were closing down for the night. I was most disappointed that both locations of my favorite Mexican restaurant was closed. Cookout was a third place finisher on our list of ideas, but regardless, I still got cheese quesadillas. The problem with eating any type of fast food, or simply going out for that matter, is that it's never as healthy as it could have been if you made it at home. Nutrition has taken a back seat these last couple days, and I wonder if that contributed to my lackluster swim workout.
On the other hand, food might have had nothing to do with it. Ironman training is hard. There is absolutely no other way to accurately describe it. I found myself today saying, "Maybe this is too much... Maybe I should have just done another half... Am I strong enough and disciplined enough for this?" I often joke that the one thing I am really good at is being inconsistent. It's like some days I wake up and I just think "I don't want to do this." Or, "Do I really have to do this workout? Can I do something else instead and call it a good workout? Is this my body's way of saying I need a day off?" Other times, nothing can stop me. But, I know this is all part of the mental game when it comes to Ironman. I have talked with others who go through similar feelings of, "Can I do this? What was I thinking?" We can...
As I drove to the pool this afternoon, I messaged Demetrius and said, "Some days I wish I was only doing a half Ironman. Like today," His response was, "You get it girl!" I took a deep breath and thought, "Yeah, I got this!!" When I got to the pool, only lane 1 was open, which is a bad spot to be in because it's against the wall and the current of the pool pushes you to the side, no matter how hard you try to swim in a straight line. I practiced a new swim technique that the Master Swim coaches taught last week but I was getting frustrated because it's basically changing my entire arm stroke. At one point I thought, "You know what? It's too late to change my entire technique. I can only change one or two things at this point." After a few hundred yards I found myself getting more and more flustered. I kept thinking about what Demetrius said, but the one half of my brain was saying, "You should cut this workout short." I planned to swim 1800 yards so that I could hit a mile. Soon, I began to bargain with myself and I cut it back to 1600 yards. After 900 yards I looked at my watch and thought, "Screw it, I'm done at 1200." Once I hit 1200, I got out of the pool, packed up my stuff and hit the shower. The whole time I was thinking, "What is WRONG with me? Why do I feel this way?"
To be honest, I still don't know the answer to it. Some days you have it, and some days you don't. I have a lot to be proud of from yesterday though... I met a bunch of friends at Goose Creek State Park in Washington, NC and did a run/walk for 4 miles. (Two weeks ago, I injured my right calf which had me only swimming and biking for two weeks. This past Saturday I ran about a half mile or so after a 25 mile bike ride.) I felt really good that I was able to put down 4 miles yesterday, even if it wasn't as fast as I am capable of doing. Once the run was over, I got on my bike, and rode 25 miles with a new group. I only knew about half of the riders in the group, so it was nice be to meet some new people. After the ride, we went back to the park and had a picnic where everyone brought different foods to share. It was a great experience, and one I look forward to again next year. As the evening came to a close, I look back on this year's 4th of July as my most memorable.
Tomorrow is a new day to train for Ironman. And I will be there, ready for the challenge!
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