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October 30, 2006
Confessions
So I have a bit of a confession to make. I was cranky last night. (no pun intended kranky!) Along with being fed up with school (and being a big baby about it), feeling overwhelmed with all the "stuff" I have to do, etc... I got my workouts and the cloud of doubt rolled in. You see for the first time I think I realized that I may work really, really hard and still not be able to get my pro card. And I started to wonder if I really could do the training and whether I had what it took. I wondered just who exactly I thought I was, thinking I could compete at a high enough level to accomplish the goals I set out to accomplish. Frustrated for sure.
But now with a clearer mind I talked myself out of the tree today. During my swim and then during my run this evening I reassured myself that yes, this is going to be hard. Yes, O and I are going to have to make sacrificies to make this dream come true. Yes, it may be that I work really, really, really hard - harder than I ever have - and I still might not be able to get my pro card. BUT that doesn't mean I shouldn't try anyway. None of that means anything in fact. What I need to do is take one day at a time, one swim, one run, one ride at a time. I need to RELAX and enjoy the ride. I need to trust in my coach, in the training, in myself and my abilities and most of all in the plan God has for me.
I'm sure this won't be the last time I get all high strung and wigged out. I have that tendency. But then I'll remind myself of all the things I need to remind myself of and it will be okay.
One thing's for sure though - Corrado knows just what a gal needs! I appreciate the encouragement for sure (and no, I'm not fishing for more... :)
As for today, well, it was a much better day. I started things off with a swim. I can honestly say that I really like Monday masters swim practices. Yes, it's freezing cold outside, yes it's 5:45 in the morning, yes it's long intervals but it's a great way to start the week off.
AM swim workout:
3600 meters total (900 meters warmup, 300 meters cooldown)
400 meters moderate on 7:30
4x100 on 1:50
400 meters moderate on 7:30
2x200 on 3:30
400 meters moderate on 7:30
1x400
The idea was to pick a "tough" pace to swim for the 100s, 200s and the last 400 and to keep that pace constant. I decided upon 1:30. I knew I'd be able to do the 100s and 200s at 1:30 pace but the 400 was going to be rough. I lead my group which I don't mind other than the fact that that's a lot of serious addition and subtraction at early morning hours. :)
Anyway my 100s were all in 1:28-1:30 and my 200s were in 2:55 and 3 min even. So far so good. My strategy for the 400 was to go through the 200 in a little faster pace so that I had some cushion, the exact strategy I sometimes employ during mile repeats on the track. All was working according to plan until I apparently fell asleep during the next 100 and ended up needing to swim a 1:28 last 100 to finish in 6 minutes even. What's up with that? It was fine though. I'm not saying I didn't have to work hard but I finished in 6 minutes flat. Whew. :)
I rushed home after work to try and get to my favorite trail early enough so that I could get my 10 mile run in before it got pitch dark. I somewhat succeeded - my last mile was moonlit but otherwise all was good. It was a great run. Just me and my iPod and my thoughts. Very theraputic. I ran out to the 5 mile marker in 37:30 and back in 36:30 but because I'm anal and wanted the full 1:15 that I was supposed to do, I added on. :)
And that's that. Such is the life of the rich and famous. :)
Posted by beth at October 30, 2006 7:44 PM
Comments
If anyone has the courage and stamina to accomplish this, you do! I hope you are archiving all of these entries because I see the potential for an excellent book titled "My Climb to the Top: Turning Pro Against All Odds." Stay positive! Hey Thanksgiving is just around the corner.
Posted by: Nadine at October 31, 2006 7:44 AM