power of my thoughts...life and training

Last week I wrote all about pushing through.  Well, this week I wasn’t able to push through, I allowed by thoughts to get in my way and stop me from training on some days and give up on myself when I did train.  

On Thursday we did a field test to get our heart rate data.  We had a 1.5 mile warm to lower Woodlawn Park and then we ran a 1 mile loop with climbs and down hills as fast as we could go.  The first loop was hard, my lungs were burning and my legs were heavy by the time I got to the finish.  As I was taking my 5 minute rest I was thinking about my discomfort, burning lungs, heavy legs and sore throat caused by gasping for air.  During the rest I said aloud that I can’t do another loop.  I was doomed to fail on the second loop (dope slap) I verbally announced to myself that I couldn’t do another loop at the same pace.  I took off for my second lap.  The downhill was good but once I came to the dog park and saw the hill I slowed down and told myself that I can’t do this and then I had another conversation that I could gain control if I changed my thoughts.  I didn’t listen to the later voice.  I walked part of the climb and even some of the flats.   I finished but not at the same pace as the first lap and I know I gave up on myself.

On Saturday we ran from Newport Beach to Sky Country at Cougar Mountain.  I was scheduled to run 8 miles, up hill.  Of course I had my training buddy with me, Maddie dog.  I was tired for this run and let my head convince me that walking a little was okay.  I came up with a simple solution to my desire to walk that required no thinking for me; put Maddie on her leash attached to my waist and let her pull me.  Maddie can run a lot longer and faster than me.  During my run I had a lot of time to think; I realized that I need to get my thoughts about my training in check, if I allow myself to be defeated during training I am doomed to fail on my races, any race, not just Ironman Canada. 

Maddie after a hard weekend of running

Today come of the CL gang rode at Seattle Multi-sport center on compu-trainers.  We had all our stats on a BIG screen so we could see all of our data while we rode watts, speed, etc. and we watched Breaking Away as we pedaled along the Ironman Lake Placid course.   I was tired when I started this ride but I stayed focused most of the time and hit my goal, to keep my average watts above 100 for 2 hours.  I hit my goal and I did not give up, I pushed and didn’t even think about my pain etc.  I thought about finishing strong.  I was able to push myself when my body might have wanted to take it easy. 

This week was a lesson in the power of my thoughts.   The power of my thoughts not only impede on training but on life too.

139 days....pushing through

This week was about pushing through discomfort while working out. We started up with our Tuesday night core class and for some reason all the squats to warm up and then all the squats and crab walks with bands really got to my legs. I was sore! 

I pushed through my track workout at a slightly slower pace on Thursday because i was still sore from the tuesday night workout.  I think  I could have gone the faster pacer if I would have eaten a snack before the track workout. I powered through and kept my focus, it was a mental workout for me.

Friday morning I swam 3000 yards with coach at la fitness. I made myself eat breakfast at 5:30 AM so would have energy for my swim. I felt a little slower, most likely because I did a hard track workout less than 12 hours before my swim workout. Once again I focused and pushed through the workout.  I really like swimming :-).

Saturday morning was beautiful! What a great morning to run through really hilly Laurelhurst with tired, sore legs. I was happy to be able to enjoy the run and push through thanks to my running buddy maddie.

Later in the day we went to the UW to see the cherry blossoms with some friends who are new to the Seattle area. What a glorious day to show someone the beautiful views on the UW campus. It has been a really long time since I was on campus; I was really pleased that I was able to remember how to get around. There were so many people at the quad looking at the cheery blossoms. Saturday was a very long and fun day.....I was asleep by 9 or so until our neighbor decided that his band should play at 11:30 PM.

Sunday, Easter morning, we went on bike ride. Once again we had beautiful weather. We did 2 loops of Mercer Island; we went one direction the first loop and then went the other direction on the second loop.

i will be covering a tattoo that i am not fond of with this little bird.



Mollie, my mom's little dog

Another week of training completed and new lessons learned. I have the ability to focus and push through and I am enjoying the process.

146 days and counting

146 days of training remaining and this past week i did very little training.  i never understand exactly why i blow off my training sometimes, i don't typically feel better if i skip a workout.  the only pattern i noticed this past week was that i did not have the best diet and i was REALLY hungry when i got home.  when i am really hungry it is hard for me to get motivated to work out. 

this coming week my goal is to complete my workouts and eat well, no crappy, bad for me food, especially in the afternoon.

This week was fun, we had a house guest for a couple of nights, miss georgia.  one of the biggest differences between a lab and poodles is the way they eat.  we have to beg our dogs to eat and i had to force georgia to slow down.....man, i don't think she even chews her food.

My mom had to put her little rescue dog molly down this week.  molly was a mix of some sort and she weighed nearly 5 pounds.  molly was a sweet little dog who really helped my mom recover from her invasive back surgery.  molly spent her last few days at the prestigious the barkley pet hotel and hospital. molly was a rescue from a wealthy family who rescues small and large animals, all vet bills for molly were covered by the foundation.  she was a funny little girl and she is missed by my mom.