Imperfect Triathlete

 

What do you do when a really cute outfit catches your eye at the store and then you pick it up off the rack and admire it from top to bottom.  You are ready to go try it on or you are just going to buy it because you experienced a moment of instant love and then you find a tag that reads "IMPERFECT".  You have to scan again to find the flaw.  Do you look at the item in the same way?  Do you put it back on the rack?  Or does your desire to fix it or overlook its flaws prevent you from letting it go?




Surrounded by so much perfection, I am struggling to stay afloat in this community of sculpted bodies that are pushed to their limits.  I am almost perfect in many ways.  I don't drink (unless I am in Wine Country), I don't smoke, and I don't rat my hair (which stands up on its own), but I am flawed (we don't have to go into the gory details).  The way I feel today as a triathlete is inadequate.  The pressure we place on ourselves feels too great to bare at times to get stronger, to get leaner, to get faster, or to go longer.  Today, I question why I did not leave things in there place and just be content with ONE Ironman finish which was very close to MY PERFECT DAY.  How likely will that day ever come again?  Especially from the state my body and mind are in at this moment just 31 weeks away from another 140.6 miles.

I feel lost and falling back in time to a period where awkwardness and trying to become comfortable in one's own skin seems to be overshadowing my progress.  A feeling of panic and insecurity is beginning to set in as I feel like I can no longer catch up.  My body is not reacting to the workload as I would like it to.  Usually when the miles start adding up, my body takes a hint and starts to remold itself.  This feeling extends beyond triathlon and into my daily life.  I am certain others that I see as being perfect on the outside have their own imperfections that they are dealing with on the inside.

All the more reason to finish this mission as this moment in time is just a test to determine if I can overlook the imperfections and push forward.  My body is tired and sore as the foundation is being layed.  Yesterday I decided to take my run on the trails as I think we need to put a leash on intensity when there are still 7 full months of training to go.  I was tested mentally and physically over 10 miles of ups and downs.  It was a fitness test to reveal where I stand and a review in problem solving how to get back home and which path you choose at each intersection.  There were a lot of extended walk breaks with a lot of internal fights to continue.  There were several opportunities to turn back or take a different path.  I wanted to, but I did not surrender.  We take ourselves on many battles during this journey and we may not win each one, but replenishing ammunition, using strategy and tactics, and re-routing as needed can lead to victory.

As the yogis' teach, "accept who you are at this moment".  Embrace the turtle in you and release the outcome.  Place trust in the process and care for yourself each day allowing your wing buds to develop and maybe turtles will fly again.  Striving to be better is admirable, but it is ok to be imperfect.  I am certain perfection comes at a high cost.  Save your money and make enjoyment and satisfaction a priority.  Take the IMPERFECT item home even if ALL SALES ARE FINAL!  You can still get a lot of joy from the item you fell in love with at first sight.  Take it home and make something out of it.

Bipolar: I TRI-ed but I CAN'T GET UP!

This week, I put in almost 11 hours and 85 miles worth of work mostly by increasing my bike mileage and squeezing a hike in at the end of the week.  Although I am happy to be tri-ing again, I was reminded of the extreme highs and lows one experiences during training and it made me think about triathlon as a mood disorder.  I am "high" when I am in motion, but "low" after the effects of the workout wear off.



The high is most likely due to the production of the feel good drugs that are released during endurance work and the low could be the production of waste products that accumulate in the muscles and the shortening of the muscles, making moving hard to do.  I think this could also be referred to as the TRI HANGOVER or TRANGOVER.  What happens in Triathlon should stay in Triathlon! But I can't help but to write about it.


I thought about the people in this community and how I don't fit the typical profile of being lean, light and hyperactive.  There are people who can't get enough of the hippity high and are out there running, swimming, biking, hiking, striking a pose, sprinting, weight lifting, cross fitting, and jumping over fire NON STOP.  I don't know if everyone experiences the Low or if some athletes just choose not to come down.

Perhaps, I am so at the beginning of reaching a base level to JUMP HIGHER and this is just the lonely dirt road one has to take to maintain a high longer or maybe I am just a mere mortal that has occasional highs followed by lows.  When I figure it out, maybe I won't have to take 3 hour naps after 3 hour workouts.

Looking ahead, I am excited to be pointing my vessel (body) in the right direction with the following weeks filled with lots of adventures.  In the next 12 weeks there are races, rides, and hikes planned to build a strong base for the next Ironman Adventure in September.  It will not be without lows, but I am most certainly looking forward to the high moments along the way and their after glow.

This weekend, I felt as though I was outside of my body watching my friends pedal far in front of me and thinking about what it is going to take to get my mind to join my body and how to tune up my engine and what it will feel like when everything is in sync again.

I am weaning from physical therapy and ready to add some more strength and flexibility onto the schedule to get stronger.  My first race of the season is in 8 weeks.  I crave the feeling of freedom and flight for 3 hours at the Marquee Olympic Distance triathlon.  So time to push past the pain, soreness, and fatigue and climb the next peak even if it requires more ups and downs to get there.  I am also excited to add more hiking to my schedule to prepare for a Grand Canyon adventure with my family.  I think this will add strength and power to my stride as well as provide mental clarity for what lies ahead.

Last night I was reminded about turning 50 with style, dignity and class as I attended a friend's 50th birthday party and the question circulated around the room about "what are you going to do for your 50th" and I was reminded why I signed up for the next big race as a birthday gift to myself.  So I better peel myself off the couch and GO SHOPPING for all the parts needed to put on a great show!

The Frugal Triathlete: Balancing the Budget

                    
Why did you start to TRI?  Back in the day when I got hooked on running and went on a marathon binge, if someone asked me why I felt the need to run 26.2 miles, I would reply because "I CAN".  Then when I spent a number of years trying to get back into shape and was unable to run because of chronic pain, those words became even more meaningful.  I would swim because it was something I could do without a lot of discomfort.  I remember meeting a triathlete at the pool who told me he had suffered years of back pain and had surgery and was able to rise again and compete and become an Ironman.  He had given me the gift of hope that day.  I finally invested in a road bike and I started cross training.  I initially was falling in love with cycling and would sprinkle it was running here and there.  Swimming was always my GO TO sport to fill in the gaps for fitness and recovery.  I quickly discovered if I changed the activity each day, my body was tolerating an increase in activity and fitness level.  I was just so happy to be in motion again.  One of my secret powers is being a SHAPE SHIFTER and cross training would surely help me enjoy a healthier life.  Maybe I would be an Ironman some day too.   Instead of asking WHY tri, the question turned into WHY NOT?

I signed up for my first Sprint triathlon which quickly turned into an Olympic, and so and so on as most Ironman stories go.   Then, I joined a team, hired a coach, and the spending spree began.  What went from my original motto of "fitness for free" turned into a year long "buy your way to the finish line".  For those that don't know what it costs to do an Ironman on top of blood, sweat and tears, the sport can easily tap into your retirement account.  Spend it now as you never know if you are going to get to later!

• Ironman Race Entry: 600-800 non refundable paid in full in advance
• Race fees:  Training Races en route to Ironman: ave 100-200 per race depending on distance
• Travel Expenses:  gas, airfare, car rental, hotel, food, bike transport
• EQUIPMENT
• Bike: bike, tire, tubes, CO2 cartridges, lights, helmet, shoes, pedals, nutrition, hydration, water bottles, maintenance and tune ups, socks, bike clothes, gloves, winter and rain gear, sunglasses
• Running: road shoes, trail shoes, socks, hydration system, running clothes, hat, 
• Swimming:  wet suit, swim suits, caps, goggles, training tools
• Weight Training and Yoga:  Mat, Balls, Straps, Blocks, Weights, Resistance Cords
• Transition Bags, Towels, Race Belts, Trisuits
• Coaching:  Monthly Training Plans, Membership Fees, Sport Specific Coaching for Bike, Run, Swim, Nutrition, Sports psychologist, Training Camps, Workshops
• Medical Expenses:  doctor visits, therapy, massage
• Other

A triathlete easily spends 10 grande a year to get the to finish line of an Ironman.  However, after the first time, I made some changes and decided to prioritize these expenses.  I feel like I am the frugal triathlete as my peers are quick to spend top dollar on the latest and greatest bike, wetsuit, races and coaching plan as I sit back and watch the exchange of currency.  I still occasionally overindulge, but if you need to, I do believe you can balance your triathlon budget.  Here are the things I am trying this year to lower my costs.

 

1. I joined a Triathlon Club in lieu of a private club/team cost 80 dollars per year.
2. I decreased the total number of races that I am entering or I attend my club meetings and hope to win free entry to events (awesome perk of my tri club as they have supported me in several races over the past year).  I volunteer at races that I do not enter to still feel a part of the local tri community and to give back.
3. I am waiting until my ship sinks to replace my wetsuit (beside I love my starter wetsuit, it has NEVER failed me and as superstition has it I am afraid I will lose my super powers in the water if I make a change).
4. I take advantage of discounts offered on race entries, travel, equipment discounts (another perk of belonging to a tri club are sponsor discounts)
5. Purchase tubes and nutrition products in bulk 
6. Attend as many FREE CLINICS offered by local coaches and clubs
7. Free online training programs and books (I love Joe Friel and Training Peaks)
8. Sports Specific Coaching:  I seek out coaching for individual sports who are highly experienced coaches to maximize my time and money spent in this area.  Shop around for the coach the best fits your needs and budget.
9. GO PRO:  Self Coaching and including the family in the process:  Will be having my son film me with his GO PRO and analyze my own technique or share that with my coaches.
10.  Buy lottery Tickets!

I might be frugal, but if I do live to see my retirement, it will be nice to still have some money in the bank.  Besides, I have a kid to send to college and my husband joined in the craziness and is racing on his bike this year too (luckily he only has one sport to pay for).

Putting the budget triathlon training to the test this week.  Having my schedule planned out on Training Peaks has helped me get back on track.  It is very cool software that allows me to develop my own plan and hold myself accountable and track my progress.  I enjoy working with my coach very much (MYSELF).  I enjoy the freedom and flexibility.  This is not the way to go for everyone, but having the schedule written out on training peaks feels very similar to a coach sending you a plan.  This week I completed all but one of my workouts (and the day is still young).  I increased to 3 workouts in all 3 disciplines this week and am slowly recouping my lost base.  I am still the SHAPE SHIFTER and hoping to get my fitness back to a level that I can shift in the right direction.  My neck is improving and continuing with therapy for a few more weeks.  There is still a lot of building to do in strength, flexibility and power.

In closing, I am thankful for the people around me every day as doing a training plan on your own is one thing, but being surrounded by others for support is a necessary component to success.  It is amazing to belong to a triathlon club and be in  a sport where you make new friends every week.  My TRI life is RICH even if it is on a budget!!!!!!  I am ONE wealthy triathlete!
                    

Double Trouble: Week of Two's

Not much to report this week, but it seemed to be the week of twos:  2 bike rides, 2 swims, 2 runs and 2 hikes, and 2 teams playing football (though it only seemed like 1 team playing)!  I guess an uneventful week is positive news.  My therapy went well this week, however, Monday is the day where the week catches up to me and the weekend of training, causes all my muscles to shorten back up.  I even tried yoga this weekend to try and elongate my shortened muscles and work on regaining symmetry in my body.

Between my workouts, therapy and yoga class, there are many obvious areas screaming out at me where I need a lot of work and it is back to basics to work on strength and flexibility.  I don't think an Ironman at age 50 is going to work without focusing on these areas this year, especially with the whiplash injury.  The other area is going to be massage which I will turn to once I finish with my physical therapy.

Though I hoped to be further along in my training at this point, I am glad I still have time to work on building a stronger foundation before ramping things up.  My goals may have to be modified as far as PRs go to getting to the start line healthy and strong.

Just like in the Superbowl last night, the losing team must hold their heads up high, evaluate what went wrong, rest and recoup and move on to next season.  If we are lucky, there will be another chance to try again!