We all need reminding (none more than me, I sometimes think) that not every day can be great, and certainly not better than the last. Training just isn't always linear in an improving pace/speed value tangent. But I do believe firmly that it's important to push hard on those days that you just aren't as fast, or the miles just aren't coming along as easily.
Variables? Well, the fueling, rest, recovery from last workout, and preparation certainly play huge roles. If you have not put (the right) fuel in your body, you can't expect to do as well as you hoped, and probably shouldn't push yourself to attempt your goal. That's just reality: a car doesn't go as fast on no or low-grade gasoline. Neither do athletes. Likewise if you did nothing to come down from your last hard workout and did nothing to come up for the current workout, there is no right to expect excellent results. It may happen, but it will be the exception as opposed to the norm.
Such is the case today for me. I'm not sure the percentages of the above factors, but I know fuel was a huge portion. I drilled this morning (after sleeping less than I would have preferred) in the reserves, and afterwards decided it was far too nice a day to not ride...and run. Now, keep in mind that I plan to do a publicity ride tomorrow morning with a local Pro 1/2 race team, of which a friend of mine is a member. I hope to do the 66 mile, but may do the 35 mile ride.
Anyway, around 2pm I set off on the bike after preparing my "transition area". I was doing pretty well, but I was becoming progressively gassed on the hills. This route has several short, steep hills on the way out, and lots of long shallow hills on the way in. As I found, the return was more taxing for me without appropriate fueling prior. I did okay, but was spent for the run, and my pace was WAY off my norm, by about 1 min/mile. Anyway, the stats:
Bike: 20.92 miles in 1:00:28 @ 20.76mph (on my tri bike)
poky 1:23 trans
Run: 2.4 miles in 17.55 @ 7:28/mile
What did I learn? If I don't prepare, I'm gonna suffer, and I shouldn't give myself a hard time. Just learn from it, press on, and do a better job next time. We will have good days, we will have bad days. It just happens, and none of the people reading my blog have the luxury of tailoring each day around their athletic endeavors, like a pro athlete would. And life sure happens. Often!
Take care, all, and have a great weekend! I'm fitten' to raise up and get my movie on. :-)
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17 comments:
Well your bad day looks pretty darn good to me! :>) But I know, if it wasn't good it wasn't good. I really think we need bad days to experience the really good days. Next one will be better! You always inspire us, even on your "bad" days.
When you have a sec can you tell me when or if to taper. *gulp* less then one month to go until I do this tri thing. :>)
What? Frozen pizza and Twinkies aren't appropriate fuel? No wonder I feel like poo all the time :P I'm a work in progress . . .
Just out of curiosity what is considered a "good" transitional time? Well, for you I mean. 1:23 doesn't seem bad to me but you tri people always loose me with your numbers and mumbo jumbo tri talk :P
Even your "bad" day look good to me :-) Don't be too hard on yourself ;-)
Giddy up! Learn. Move on! FIDO! Can't wait to see you Sunday!
I agree with Java Mom, if your "bad" day means 7:30 miles, well, sign me up!
Hope the ride today went well!
Marcy, a good transition is under 1 minute, with the exception of when you have to pull a wetsuit off also. Just changing shoes and racking the bike should take :40-:55 when things go well.
And just to make sure I get the point out there, I'm not so much complaining about my times/pace, but rather sharing the reality of the ups and downs of training. Many of us get discouraged at "negative" progress, but there are just so many other factors that play in.
Very true, not every workout goes the way you want. The variables change each time and not all of them are within your control. Some of them can't even be identified. So, good job getting through it and better luck with the next workout.
Soooooo you mean Pumpkin Ale isn't proper fuel? Dang it.
I couldn't get my clothes off in under 1 minute unless there was something that involved "happy ending" :P
I still that it's all good :-)
ROFLMAO at Marcy!
I agree with Lisa though. If it weren't for the bad runs, rides, etc., then we wouldn't get so amped up over the good ones! Way to push on!
I read your words and I want to believe them. Even when we know what caused us to bonk during a training workout this still does not stop us from beating ourselves up. So are you saying you are going to forgive yourself? Please tell me how you do this!! Is cold beer involved??
I would take your slowest pace anyday!!
OFFICE.... counting the days!!!
Well, cold beer is involved. Perhaps even Pumpkin Ale, Paul! But then starts the cycle for the next time... LOL!!
Hey David! -- The 5k is the Susan Koman Race for the Cure. Last year the course was on the Greenville Tech campus, this year it's on the ICAR campus? -- I haven't been there yet, but I like to run this one for the cause, you know. But still hope to run it fairly fast also.
Your training is going so well, and it's good to see you not beating yourself up, and seeing that it can't just always be good times out there training.
LOL David...my Dh was like those glasses do not look like you. Hey, they felt comfy and they said Ironman on them. LOL!!! I will lose them in two weeks so it's not like it matters anyway. They I will be back to stealing his again.
Thanks for the advice, I have used gels but none of that other stuff. I think I will save the electrolyte stuff for long rides and runs. Do you use the electrolyte stuff? I didn't even know what it was.
That should say "Then I will be back to stealing his".
Hang in there, David!!
I am having some crappy-ass runs these days (mentally, at least), so I understand that some days just suck more than others. I can't wait for the good days to return. :-(
Hey, dude. I've been a bad blogger friend, but it sounds like you're up and about -- glad to hear it! Sorry to hear that workout didn't go well, but I'm sure things have improved since then.
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