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June 16, 2009
Meltdown
I have been on the 70.3 plan for about 16 weeks, from my calculations. It took about 16 weeks for me to have my first meltdown. So I think that is pretty good! I did not feel particularly busted, or tired, or burnt out, until yesterday around 5:30 pm. I think what that means is that it is about time for a taper. The volume on a 14-workout, Mark Allen schedule is pretty intense. I think that especially with a full time, somewhat stressful job, this finally led me to crack a bit. I had been feeling for a few months, especially with working at the bike shop, that I basically run from one thing to the next. I wake up in the morning and run to the gym or out the door for a workout. Then I run to work because I am stressed out about getting there by 8:00. Then I potentially sprint out at lunchtime for another workout. Then after work I dash out for a workout. Then on Saturday I wake up at 6:00 and get something in before work. Then after work I rush back so that I can do something social. If my life was a workout it would be a frantically paced speed workout. And that is tiring! And not really sustainable. So after my meltdown yesterday I finished my swim, did not drive 80 MPH to get home, got some dinner (two things about this: first, I cannot just eat salad for lunch as I think part of my meltdown was due to low blood sugar after a light lunch, and second I think I may be too obsessed with Noodles as the guys was like 'I know I'll start remembering your name really soon'), and took my dinner to the couch and relaxed, and immediately started to feel better. I also went to bed at 9:00 and I did not get up until 6:30. This means I did not do my speed bike workout this morning but I am just going to have to be okay with that and hope that we do not have a tornado tonight! Luckily so far the forecast seems to be agreeable with this approach. I feel like I should also swim tonight but if I don't do it I just don't care. One swim will not make me go faster on Sunday, but if it makes me more stressed out it could make me go slower.
As far as how I am going to mitigate my ridiculous stress level going forward, I have figured out a few things.
First off, I am not going to stress out about my job at the bike shop. I am a perpetual overachiever so I always think I should arrive on time or early and be awesome. Realistically that is stupid. My bike shop boss does not even know what time it is most of the time. If I get there 15 minutes late, it does not reflect on me personally or make me a big slacker.
Second, I am going to say it's okay if I say no to things. I do not need to go to every social event that is ever offered to me.
Third, although this would never happen in practice, in principle I am going to say that if I skip my easy ride and run it is okay. Also, if I cut a swim workout short once in a while, as long as it's not my long swim or my speed swim, that is okay too.
Fourth, even though I want to be awesome in my races, I also want to have fun. If I put too much pressure on myself, not only am I likely to go slower, I won't have fun. I am never going pro, so what is the point if it's not fun!
Wow, I feel better just listing this stuff out. Unfortunately I cannot give anything up right now so I am just going to need to give myself a break!
In random news, due to a new sponsorship for our team I had to measure the circumference of my calves today. They are 14 inches in circumference!! That is what I call FULLY JACKED. Now I think I want to measure my quads, I bet they are over 20.
Posted by barb at June 16, 2009 2:49 PM
Comments
Oh Barb, I'm sure you'll have many, many more meltdowns before it's all over. We all do. :) Either way - err on the side rest!! (easier said than done I know :) I'm so excited for you this weekend - GOOD LUCK!!!
Posted by: Beth at June 16, 2009 6:26 PM
I am sorry you had a crappy afternoon :( I think you identified one culprit-a small lunch! I was a depressed disaster after my jaw accident when my caloric intake was crazy low. Holy irritable!!! And as you may have read I totally death glared (twice) at this kid sitting next to me in class this week b/c he couldn't stop bumping into me!! I may have been a little hungry...
Have a great race this weekend-you have definitely put in the prep time and effort, learned so much, and you are very ready!!!
PS. I am too embarrased to call ths sushi place anymore since they confirmed I am their most frequent customer.
Posted by: Audrey at June 17, 2009 9:39 AM
"One swim will not make me go faster on Sunday, but if it makes me more stressed out it could make me go slower"
Amen, sister. This is one thing I've learned this year is that recovery is key and giving your body the rest/recovery it needs is much better than forcing every single workout upon it when it is telling you otherwise. I cannot believe you have a full time job, plus the part time bike shop job and train full time. It's amazing you made it 16 whole weeks before having a breakdown.
You are awesome and will see awesome results come race time-I admire your conviction but also your ability to pull back when necessary. It's all about the balance.
Posted by: Katie at June 17, 2009 11:29 PM
"One swim will not make me go faster on Sunday, but if it makes me more stressed out it could make me go slower"
Amen, sister. This is one thing I've learned this year is that recovery is key and giving your body the rest/recovery it needs is much better than forcing every single workout upon it when it is telling you otherwise. I cannot believe you have a full time job, plus the part time bike shop job and train full time. It's amazing you made it 16 whole weeks before having a breakdown.
You are awesome and will see awesome results come race time-I admire your conviction but also your ability to pull back when necessary. It's all about the balance.
Posted by: Katie at June 17, 2009 11:29 PM
geez that's the second time I've done that with the double posting-sorry. anyway, P.S. my husband works at Noodles so I'll throw a couple of free noodle bowl coupons your way next time I see you!
Posted by: Katie at June 17, 2009 11:32 PM
Great post Barb (got the name right this time) I really hope you have an unbelievably fun time racing this weekend. You already know you will do your best. Best of luck!!!
Posted by: Steve at June 18, 2009 3:30 PM