Monday, July 06, 2009

I Moved

We moved over the weekend into our new place and am so happy! We started Friday by finishing packing and loading everything onto our truck. Since we couldn't get into the new place until Sunday we decided to spend a homeless 36 hours at the cabin.

While at the cabin I decided to do an open water swim and survived 10 minutes, maybe 15. I panicked and thought I was going to drown or get eaten by the large fishies in the lake. I'm stupid. Maybe I went too fast, but I had to stop. My tweaked my wrist while moving and the swim didn't help. I sat and sulked for 3 hours after this and decided not to do the Hagg Lake tri this coming weekend. Then I think I talked myself back into doing it but only "for fun." Then I think I decided that these races cannot be fun and the only way I could walk away feeling good was to not worry about finish time/performance. Who can do that though? Hopefully me. I have completed approx 33% of my workouts over the last month. And the last two months about 66% of my workouts. I'm not in good shape anymore and I can feel it.

I did a 6 mile trail run later on in the day that was so-so. More negative thoughts about racing and performance. I briefly considered throwing in the towel on training for the Portland marathon (October 3rd) and on training anymore all together. I doubt I'll go that far, but honestly my mind isn't made up on this weekend's race. There is a lot of crap that I have to do to get ready (buy wetsuit, laces, actually go to the race, etc.). I'd really rather be on a hike or setting up my new house.

Yesterday we moved everything into our place. It is so fun and exciting and all I want to do is unpack and get everything put together. We slept like rocks in our new bedroom - dead from the day and no outside noise. It was awesome.

So....anyone have thoughts and want to weigh in? Am I a huge pussy if I don't do the race? What about if I do the race but take it really easy?

10 comments:

Zach said...

You can do eet!!

Looking forward to seeing the new place. Have you completed the most important new house purchase; the bbq?

Amy - the gazelle said...

so new house = housewarming right? :)

you are a pussy no matter what you do. ha! no! I jest.

you train super hard, so it's not surprising that your body needed a break for awhile. I think you should go do the tri- but try to keep your super/uber competitive nature at bay & just have fun. :)

Let me know when you want me to come over & break ground on the new garden!

Alisa said...

I'm gonna be the voice of decent here, I think you should sit the Tri out. Not b/c you can't do, you're in better shape that 90% (probably more) of people around but b/c you don't want to hit burn out. I'm sensing you're semi headed in that direction. You don't want to end the Tri season (assuming you don't have other races planned) upset with the sport. That is, in my opinion of course.

Amy's right, you do train really hard and push your body, sometimes it (along with your mental training) need a break.

Can't wait to see your new house!

Keith said...

There are times when you think about blowing off a workout or a race, as in, there is genuine debate in your mind. I usually suggest having a go at it and seeing how it turns out. Unless I can talk myself into believing it's a safety issue.

Then there are times when you know deep inside that you aren't going to do it. Everything else is noise in your head looking for rationalization or excuses. Don't go. End of story. If you need a break, take it, and you'll be happy, sooner.

My thinking on this is that if you listen to your body's hints, and pay attention, and act on them, your chance of injuring yourself go way down. Because if your body wants you to take a break, eventually it will force you to, and that's likely to be painful and more long term than what you'd like.

kristen said...

I can almost guarantee your next OWS will be better. It seems like your swim is the only one your struggling with anyways. Do one more before you make your final decision about the race. Even at your worst - your legs will still kick AG ass.

Sarah said...

I want to quit too. I'm there with ya. Sometimes it's just all a little too much. I think either decision will be OK. Just do what seems most fun :)

J said...

Congrats on moving! Its so exciting!

I would say if you are not feeling the race then dont do it. I was having the same feelings about the HM i was going to run in Sept and now i have a running buddy so it has gotten me motivated but without that i dont know how motivated i would be!

Aron said...

Um hello girl, you guys bought a house and are getting married SOON! I can't imagine being in marathon training during all of that. Although it might keep you sane, it also might make you insane? There will be lots of other marathons if you don't feel up to this one because not having the heart during training is not fun... might as well wait until you can completely devote to it and actually want to? Just my thoughts :) if you do decide to do it I know you will rock it too!! good luck deciding girlie :)

ShirleyPerly said...

I'm a very competitive person by nature but many of my races are just for fun or training races. That way I don't put too much pressure on myself and burnout.

If you can find the fun in doing a race while not being at your best, then do it. If not, pass. There'll always be more races you can do when the time is right, that's for sure.

Good luck!

Marathon Maritza said...

Oooh I love the new blog header!!! Sorry I've slacked on reading. Here are my comments in bullet points:

- congrats on moving and the new house! I'm so excited for you.

- I missed seeing you last weekend and can't wait to see you in Sept!

- You are not a pussy. Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?

- You can DO IT!

- Ann Arbor is a whore.

- Love ya!!!!