Day 7 of "10 Days of Rest"

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Two reflections today.

1.   I’m pretty certain the biggest lesson I will learn from this resting period is that triathletes need to cross train their cross training.

2.   This feels similar to a vacation that’s running short on time.  The difference being, I’m a little anxious to get back to work.

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It’s hard to be 100% sure, but I think I felt better today than I have in quite some time.  I’m mainly talking physically and I really think it has a lot to do with my mountain biking venture yesterday.

Aside from my legs feeling strong and alive again for the first time in a while, my body felt noticeably “whole.”  I don’t want to labor the mountain bike thing, but it really does bring your upper body into play and there is just more variety in your muscle exertion.

On the trails it’s not uncommon to be nearly stopped before exploding to get you through an obstacle.  On the road, it’s more or less one speed, which of course is the whole point of triathlon, but I’m lobbying for more well rounded workouts.

Day 10 will be here before I know it and, if nothing else, this rest has rekindled a little fire for workouts.  It actually started after four or five days, so for those of you who feel burned out, but gun shy about taking 10 days, a short week off may be what the doctor, or better yet, spiritual shaman ordered.

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How Much Ironman Training Do We Need?

Our coach sent a text last Monday and told us our training schedule was posted for the following week.  He said something like, “and you might wanna check it cause it’s rough.”

I took a deep breath and clicked on the workout schedule.  Other than a short message, it was blank.  He’s basically given us the week off, which couldn’t have come at a better time.  I was running into a wall. 

And so it begins. 

He said we’ve been working very hard and are ahead of schedule.  We should take a week to regroup and mentally prepare for what’s ahead.  Walk the dog, go hiking, sleep in . . . whatever it takes to get our mind right for the grueling road that lies in front of us. 

We also have our first triathlon of the year next weekend.  It’s a short Sprint in Murfreesboro, TN and the Fab 5 +1 will all be racing. 

The ADP is a 300 meter swim, 10 mile bike, and 5k.  Even though it’s short, I’m getting a little anxious about the race.  Not because of the distance, but that for the first time I will actually be attempting to “sprint” much of this distance.  There doesn’t appear to be much room for error and I have set my goal at 1 hour and ten minutes.  (I’m hoping my previously discussed transition prowess bodes well in the Boro).

Anyway, there’s a good chance I may be blogging more than ever this week and the topics could take a great departure from the almighty Ironman.  Gardening, hammock hanging, above ground pools . . . nothing’s off limits.  So, please sit back and enjoy this prescribed week of laziness with me.