Monday, June 16, 2008

Mr. How-not-to-do-it

You ever wonder if your purpose is to provide people around you with the perfect example how not to do things? Sometimes I do things in my training that just seem soooopid upon reflection. You know, like the times that you do a hard free weights routine before a hard swim routine. Or maybe when you plan a hard run the day after a day you know you won't get proper hydration. Or when you double up some workouts that just make zero sense? Yeah, I'm that guy. The jury is still out whether or not it makes me tougher by training fatigued, or just compromises my training so it's not as effective as it should be. If you haven't guessed, I'm kinda pissed about my competition results so far in 2008.

As an aside, let me just tell you that you should totally visit despair.com for some comedic motivation to hang on the cubicle or workout area!

So, I did the Tri the Midlands sprint the other day. Though I wasn't where I wanted to be for general swim performance, this was advertised as a 500m swim. I think not! Let's go with 650, just for round numbers' sake. After that I felt I hammered the bike course with a +22mph average pace. And the run course was hilly and somewhat technical. This netted me a 7th (of 25) in my age group and a 37th overall (of 241 men) which is supremely disappointing given how strong I felt during the race. I recognize that not everyone would find this as a negative, but I have a team to represent, and I'm serious about that. In addition, I feel like I should have been better. But I have to reflect on some dumb training as previously referenced.

Thus I usher in the training cycle that will make me a beast during the 2nd half of the 2008 SCTS season. Bring it! This is the year that I decide if long course events are for me, forever enabling or dashing my desires to do a Kona qualification. I'd like to follow in Paul's footsteps, and I'm starting to think long is my thing. Mendy may disagree... ;-)

Thanks to all that have hung with me through the house shopping, training, burnout, parenting, job flux, and general life business that has drawn me away. You guys rock, and it's the reason I don't just delete this stupid part of cyberspace into oblivion. If you want to see freakin' awesome tri performance, check out Chris's blog (a team mate and hero). This dude is super human, and I'm proud to wear the same uniform as him and every member of TYB Racing (soon to have a new website)!

11 comments:

Wes said...

There is an art to training effectively! You are a really good athelete. With the proper training regimen, who knows how far you could go!! See ya this weekend, bro!!

Marathoner in Training said...

I have some supervisors that that would be appropriate for. I wonder if they would take offense to it if I got them the poster for their wall? I realize that you feel that you did not do as well as you would like, but you did beat majority of the competitors, and you did toe the line. I also might not be posting as ofter as I would like, but we all seem to be here when you return. Glad to have your blog to read. Keep it up.

The 311 Boys Mom said...

ahhh, the prodigal tri-blogger returns....

good to have you back....

you're right 7th over all is just an embarrassment......I mean, my last 5K, I was something like SECOND FROM LAST out of like 47/49 in my age group.....

you have a lot to make up, SO MAN UP & GET ON YOUR HORSE!!!!!!!

**the "man up & get on your horse” is the speech I give my kid after he's been [slightly injured, or had his head rocked pretty good] to go back in & finish.**

Also, I forgot to tell you about my excellent parenting skills along with leading in the last runner in a 5K....

Welcome back

Lily on the Road said...

Well, you are allowed to beat yourself up (but not for too long). Oh and I'm one of the ones who happen to think you did really, really well.....

As for putting up with all of your life in general stuff, hey welcome to the club!!! We are all in the Human Race!!!

*hugs to you, Mendy and Ms. Sweetpea* and I'm glad you're back!!

Paul said...

Welcome back!!! we missed ya.

Marcy said...

Welcome back homefries!

Those numbers don't look bad to me. You're just being too hard on yourself ;-)

Erin Leigh said...

I think you did great but wth do I know?? Anyway glad to see a post from you.

I tend to want to double up my work-outs when I am having a really good day and then I am spent the next day, so I can join you in the jackass club.

Kevin said...

Welcome back. Those results are not too shabby. Cant wait to meet you and Mendy this weekend

Eric said...

Wow. I thought I was hard on myself. I think that we've seen an increase in the quality of competition in the SCTS. Seriously, compared to 3 years ago the average times at the races I've done are significantly faster. Each race I set a goal and hit it but it seems like I don't advance in placement in my age-group. It MUST be the level of competition. You ARE fast and ARE performing well...right?

Mendy said...

Had no idea you had a new post until just now. You did great at the tri the midlands, David especially considering your training. I know your disappointed, but just take that feeling to the road when training.

J~Mom said...

Oh yeah, this is so the year for long because 09 is going to bring IMAZ. Remember that. You going to let Javamom beat you to IM? I think not...