Runners Block

So this week was tough. I was so tired on Tuesday morning that I decided to take the day off and not use Friday as my off day. That would have worked and been OK had I not forget to pack my running shoes when I left for NOLA-- so that made Tuesday and Wednesday with no workouts. I made up for it on Thursday and took a 6AM spin class that kicked my ass and then Friday I went for a horrible run, Saturday spin, and then Sunday run.

More about my horrible run. On Friday it was like I was running to my demise...I didn't want to do it. I would run, stop, run, stop, walk, argh. I mentioned to Christina my struggle and she thought it would be good to find some motivational phrases or thoughts that I could think about when I wanted to stop running. Today on my run I used them-- one was from the book "Oh the Places You'll Go" from Dr Suess. And old boyfriend of mine gave me this book years ago with pictures of me that he had cut out and placed within the book. It's to this day the best gift I've ever received-- and it was quite motivational. When I wanted to stop running today I just thought to myself...."Oh the Places You'll Go"....and I thought about Naples, my triathlon and pushing myself-- past my mental block of wanting to stop. It worked-----for today at least.

This upcoming week will also be difficult as I'll be in New Orleans Wed, Thurs, Fri, & Sat night's....but I have my plan, have already found spin classes in NOLA and will be sure to pack properly.

Sidenote: What the fuck is wrong with my bike? It's been at the shop since Monday and they can't get my gears/shifters to work. It's a brand new bike...frustrated doesn't begin to cover it.

Week 1-- Training Done.

Today was week 1 of my training plan for my first Olympic Distance Tri in January.

Monday I headed to the pool to swim with a goal to swim 3 400 meters. I WAS HORRIBLE. I couldn't get 50 meters in without needing to come up and breathe. Not sure what's going on here but I immediately changed my workout-- I did 25 meters free-style and then 25 meters backstroke until I had completed my 1200.

Tuesday I worked out with my trainer Brandy for a strength workout-- I ran 1 mile prior to get warmed up. Felt great-- killed it.

Wednesday AM I was in Birmingham and was supposed to do a 3 mile run. I did 2...and I walked some. I didn't have water and I didn't have my armband for my Iphone yet. Poor planning.

Thursday I headed into Nashville and did my first "longish" ride on my new awesome bike. 16 miles felt great-- I averaged about 3:59 per mile....more than a minute per mile less on the same ride that I had done on my hybrid. That being said my bike is making some odd sounds...so I'll be taking it in tomorrow when I get back town tomorrow.

Friday I went on a hike-- about 1.5 hours-- felt good.

Saturday was off-- but decided I would wear a Lily the Mouse mascot outfit around the southern festival of books...and within 10 minutes I was dripping in sweat.

Today I had a short bike ride (8 miles) and then did a mile run/walk.

Next week will involve more travel (NOLA)-- and potentially the chance to re-face the dog that tried to kill me in Cartersville.

On to the next one.

It's been about a week since my first Triathlon and I'm still fighting the same cold. I knew I was going to take about a week off to gather my thoughts, figure out if I wanted to do another one and think about what I needed to do to prepare. Here's what I went through this week:

-Lots of lists
-Lots of fun (date on Monday, out with great friends on Tuesday, interesting work stuff on Wed, dinner with friends on Thurs, fun work event Friday)
-2 personal trainer sessions
-checked out a new gym-- but made the decision to stay with Exhale and increase my spin class regimen and continue to use the city of ATL pool (turns out I like it more than the pool at the Athletic club)
-Made decision to do the next Tri-- Olympic distance- January 12th- Naples, FL
-Got fit and bought a road bike (huge) Love my new bike shop...http://podiumms.com/

I also planned out my training schedule for my next Tri. A couple of things to point out:

1. This is serious shit. I'm going to really have to train hard, dedicate myself to the process, and cut out the bullshit in my life (Tuesday night's that end at 3:30 AM are in the past)
2. I have to keep having some fun---but new types of fun. Fun on bike rides :)
3. I have to eat well pretty much on a super consistent basis. I didn't eat well yesterday and when I went to work out with Brandy I may as well have not been there-- it was pitiful. The food that I put in my body is going to directly effect how well I train and what I get from it.
4. This isn't about weight loss-- it's about the process of getting to this race and killing it. In the meantime if I eat well, fuel right and train hard I will inevitably lose some lbs.
5. I have to get in a better mental place about running. When I was young I loved to run-- and I ran fast--the mental block that I have on running has got to come to an end.
6. I need the right tools. More bike shorts, a garmin watch, another swim suit, a wet suit and eventually new bike shoes.
7. It's important that I de-clutter my life. That means my room, my office, my purse, my car...whatever/everything. I need to not have stupid shit like not finding my keys or in-clarity surrounding whether clothes are dirty or clean bother me.

But just like Jay Z says....I move forward, the only direction...can't be scared to fail, search of perfection.