Seriously.
I need to really start acting like a triathlete. No excuses.
It's been hard to get in anything but running lately. Partly because I feel like, calorie-wise, it's the best bang for the buck. I can sneak in a 5 miler without too much time, and the only gear I need is my shoes (and perhaps the jogging stroller if JayZ is coming with me). Setting up the trainer, pumping the tires, checking the chains, or driving to the pool just takes more time. And it hasn't been happening.
Like, at all.
I hadn't swam since March 23rd until Sunday. I was pretty nervous to see what Rob had in store for us at our Oberlin swim clinic. I thought about wussing out and not going. I mean, what business do I have trying to keep up at a tough swim practice? Sheesh. I was kind of disgusted with myself.
So then I got there and heard we were doing a 20 minute time trial.
Gulp.
Prepare to have booty handed to me on a platter.
The good news is...I did the same as I did last time we did a time trial.
The bad news is....it's April, and I DID THE SAME AS I DID LAST TIME WE DID A TIME TRIAL.
Booooooooooo.
I guess I can at least be happy that I could still do it, and to some extent, I can kind of "wing" the swim. But that's not why I do this sport. I don't do it to "wing it," and I certainly don't do this sport because it's easy.
It's really easy for me to go for a run or a swim, because I'm relatively good at it. I'm not breaking any land-speed records, but it comes pretty easily to me. I can wing it.
There's a big pink elephant in my room right now on a bicycle. And this year, there are no excuses. I need to get better. I have no excuse NOT to get better.
It's easy to do what you like. It takes a tougher chick to admit you are NOT good at something, and then DO IT.
So, it's time. It's time for me to get outside on my bike again. To get dropped for a while. To feel my quads burning as I churn up a hill that everyone's already at the top of, and to blink back a few tears of frustration so no one sees. To swear a little bit under my breath. To remember that yes, I can do this. I might feel worthless and like the worst cyclist in the world, but I'm not. I know in my heart I'm not.
I just have to work at it. That's all.
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10 comments:
If it makes you feel any better, I have not been in the water since IRONMAN IN SEPTEMBER. I'm assuming showers don't count. Lots of circumstances, but now I'm thinking I'm just lazy. Oh, and I'm super excited for our race schedule this year too! It's gonna be so much fun. And yes, I'm bringing Steve along, although as of yet, he's not racing steelhead.
I agree that running is easy to fall back on b/c it doesn't require a lot of overhead time. Biking requires the most. It takes at least a half hour just to get ready to go out!
Definitley try to get to the pool and on the bike--but try to be kind to yourself, too. You're doing awesome. It's harder than hell to fit it all in when there's a little guy involoved.
I'm as guilty as you are for doing the exact same things (not getting to the pool, not getting on my trainer)...and I don't have a newborn at home! Sometimes I think we triathletes take ourselves so seriously that we forget to enjoy just being out there and, as Xt4 said recently, "doing more in a morning than most people do in an entire weekend." So, I'm with Ironmatron...make an effort to get out there more, but be kind to yourself when it just doesn't work out. There will be many more years for intense training. :)
In my experience swimming more than anything suffers for lack of doing it so the fact that you held your time is FABULOUS!
Way to go. I know it isn't what you want and I hear your frustration and you are more than entitled to it but I thought you might like a little reminder that holding, under the circumstances, is very good!
My friend was an avid mountain biker before she had her baby. But like you, she found the time it took to get prepped for a bike ride, took longer than getting a run in. I have no doubt you'll figure out a way to fit it all in.
I could've written this verbatim. Well...except for the JayZ part. Hang in there, darlin'!! You'll be back and better than ever in the saddle in no time.
Don't worry about the bike. It will come in no time. You already know the key component to being an accomplished cyclist...swearing under your breath!!! I do it all the time and I don't think I ever met a hill I didn't get to the top of and name "f" something or other :)
You are so right. Just get in there and do it and all will be good.
Your coach will help a lot. :) I have to admit, however, that I'm with Pharmie on the not swimming much. I love the open water so much that I like to wait until I can swim outside. The ice is gone, so once it warms past 60 I'm in!
The only difference between us right now, it seems, is that you're not ok with winging the swim this season : )
I still have no idea how you're getting in as much as you are. You're a machine!
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