Moving forwards is fun, going sideways is not. The past season I didn’t meet my personal sporting goals and that pisses me off. Did I complete all of my races? Yep. Did I have times that many would kill to achieve? Yep. Was I faster than ever? Nope. Why? Well, there were a number of things out of my control…travel overseas for work, a poorly timed cold, a near family health tragedy (Dad is ok now!). So, why am I pissed? Because the things that I can control, I controlled poorly……..
· I got injured when I should have seen it coming and done something before it became too late (wiped out my April training).
· I added miles instead of adding focus. It is so easy to think that ironman is about packing in the miles during training, but the reality is that is not true at all. Sure, the miles are important, but without intensity and workouts focused on form, address physical weaknesses, etc. long miles will make you able to go a long way slowly, and in my case painfully.
· I didn’t use my training tools to their full potential. I have a Computrainer and should have been on it doing key workouts with lab type control instead of battling the rush hour traffic.
· I didn’t maximize my strengths. Some are blessed with speed, some with endurance, and some with an amazing ability to recover quickly. I like to think I have a healthy sprinkling of each, but what I really have is power and the ability to suffer like a bastard on the bike. Since the off season is where you work on weaknesses and the season is when you focus on your strengths and protecting your weaknesses, why was I so worried about my running when I should have been drilling my bike workouts to reduce the suffering on the run?
· I’ve been racing for 21 years! I should know better.
So, what is good about that long list of blaaaach? Well, it is good to know where you went wrong, so you can fix it. 2010 is the first season that I have not moved forward. That won’t happen again. Training starts November 1st. The plan is written. The slate is fresh. I’m not hurt(quite how that is possible I’m not sure since I fell off the ladder cleaning the gutters last weekend – 2nd floor). I’m not sick. I am ready! Let the progress begin!
Jerome
This is the face of suffering…not to be repeated unless the result is a PR.
One of the best parts of the “off season”
