No, I haven't gone crazy now that Florida's Standard Winter has returned. Nor am I going to rant about the benefits of barefoot running (although I do enjoy it once a week).
The last few weeks, my Garmin Forerunner 305 has been deployed to another location. Specifically, my brother asked to borrow it so he could compare his HR between different activities and running. And he wanted to know how far he was running, trikking, etc.
I didn't even hesitate because I trained for years with just a watch, followed by a simple HRM. It took a couple of years before I went the GPS route because obsessing about data is just not my thing. I'm more of a "run by feel" girl. The only reason I bought a Garmin was that my Polar HRM died. Much to my shock, it cost the same amount to get an HRM with a lap function as it did to buy a Forerunner with HUNDREDS of options. My technoweenie side won out.
To make a short story long. I bought a Garmin but I didn't really think it would change anything. Been using it for the last year or so.
For the last 2 weeks, I've gone back to running with only my Timex Ironman 50 Lap watch. What a difference! I love running naked. Free of oppressive data. It never occurred to me how obsessed I had become (yeah, I'm a triathlete, we get obsessed easily). How much information affected my attitude. I get so wrapped up in a number that I lose faith in my ability. And I lost touch with the ebb and flow of fast running. The mental aspect of maintaining the effort through the screaming lungs and burning legs. I was a better 5K runner when I was a slower runner because I could conquer the internal committee. Now the internal committee demands constant data.
The Forerunner will be coming home this weekend. There are a couple of pace-based runs on the list. And I will continue to use it. There are times when it's good to have all that information. But there must be balance! From now on I will take one run a week and run naked.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Quote of the day
"If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a closed room with a mosquito". -- African proverb.
Found that from a friend on Facebook.
And so we have another day of workouts. Today it was the second day in a row of 40F "highs" here in central Florida. While I would happily run in these temps, I don't have any cool/cold weather cycling gear. So no biking. And there is no way I'm running across a windy pool deck in these temps. So it's running or CrossFit.
Today's CrossFit workout made me nervous. Barbara is an unrelenting body strength exercise that will make you suffer. Pullups, pushups, sits ups and squats. Didn't think I would even finish but I survived thanks to some scaling (knee push ups, back band pull ups). It was a big confidence booster which led me to....
Sign up for the gym Smackdown in March. You know my love/hate relationship with CrossFit. Love the benefits. Hate the "If you're not first you're last" mentality. Had one of the trainers tell me they would never enter an event unless they could WIN. Okay? Guess I should never get out of bed, then.
Finally they offered a one day event for the masses. Not a competition with another gym. Not a region championships. Sure, there will be winners but it's mostly a chance for all of us to see where we are. So I signed up. Race dates on the calendar totally motivate me. The Smackdown will be my CrossFit race. If I'm still not convinced by March 20, it's time to move on.
Found that from a friend on Facebook.
And so we have another day of workouts. Today it was the second day in a row of 40F "highs" here in central Florida. While I would happily run in these temps, I don't have any cool/cold weather cycling gear. So no biking. And there is no way I'm running across a windy pool deck in these temps. So it's running or CrossFit.
Today's CrossFit workout made me nervous. Barbara is an unrelenting body strength exercise that will make you suffer. Pullups, pushups, sits ups and squats. Didn't think I would even finish but I survived thanks to some scaling (knee push ups, back band pull ups). It was a big confidence booster which led me to....
Sign up for the gym Smackdown in March. You know my love/hate relationship with CrossFit. Love the benefits. Hate the "If you're not first you're last" mentality. Had one of the trainers tell me they would never enter an event unless they could WIN. Okay? Guess I should never get out of bed, then.
Finally they offered a one day event for the masses. Not a competition with another gym. Not a region championships. Sure, there will be winners but it's mostly a chance for all of us to see where we are. So I signed up. Race dates on the calendar totally motivate me. The Smackdown will be my CrossFit race. If I'm still not convinced by March 20, it's time to move on.
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Training Tuesday
One of the big differences between IMFL 2007 and B2B 2009 was my lack of record keeping. It was kinda like my second marathon in that I experienced a "been there, done that" attitude. Not that the ironman didn't scare me but the training regimen was very familiar. I didn't write down most of my training experiences which was a mistake. Even if no one wants to read my drivel, there is a lot of information in these types of posts. My 2007 posts were very valuable to me in 2009. Too bad I didn't realize that until 2010, right? ANYWAY, I will strive keep better records in 2010.
Nothing too exciting today. Met one of my friends for a run in the 35F wind chill temps this morning. We don't mind the temps but we live in Florida. Normally we only need one or two long sleeved t's, one pair of gloves, and a light pair of tights. Two weeks of this is getting a little crazy. I don't have any more cold weather clothing and any weather appropriate technical fabrics are extremely pricey. Now if you want to ride for 7 hours in full sun with a 120 heat index, I'm your girl. Got several tank tops, electrolyte tablets, and types of sunscreen.
30 minute run with Molly followed by CrossFit later in the day. PR'd on the 5K row which was great. Also added to my blister-and-callouses collection by moving to the green band for pullups and giving the rope a few climb attempts. Rope climb FAIL! Much like a true pullup, it will come with time.
Nothing too exciting today. Met one of my friends for a run in the 35F wind chill temps this morning. We don't mind the temps but we live in Florida. Normally we only need one or two long sleeved t's, one pair of gloves, and a light pair of tights. Two weeks of this is getting a little crazy. I don't have any more cold weather clothing and any weather appropriate technical fabrics are extremely pricey. Now if you want to ride for 7 hours in full sun with a 120 heat index, I'm your girl. Got several tank tops, electrolyte tablets, and types of sunscreen.
30 minute run with Molly followed by CrossFit later in the day. PR'd on the 5K row which was great. Also added to my blister-and-callouses collection by moving to the green band for pullups and giving the rope a few climb attempts. Rope climb FAIL! Much like a true pullup, it will come with time.
Crossfit musings
"And to think I could be in a Power Pump class right now." - spoken by yours truly as I stare down the bar for yet another snatch.
But I've never been very good at the standard gym scene. Off for another day of running and CrossFit.
But I've never been very good at the standard gym scene. Off for another day of running and CrossFit.
Monday, January 04, 2010
Off to a good start
A new triathlete couple visited over the New Year's weekend and it was wonderful to have active-minded people in the house. When you ask "want to run long on Sunday?" no one looks at you like you set a forest fire. The more the merrier!
And so 2010 is off to a strong start. One of my goals since October has been to transition from being an "online" athlete to a "real life" athlete with an online presence. For many years my training partners have been on the internet. They helped me reached my major athletic goals as well as creat new crazy goals. I've met great people. But at this point in my athletic development, hopefully going from mid-pack to Boston, I need real people. Online athletic forums don't meet you at the Snell Isle bridge in the cold wind on a Sunday morning. They never stand next to you in the weight room cheering "you GOT this lift go!" Many forums are "hot headed" with people spewing venom instead of using their brain. I don't have time for negative energy. In order to qualify for the Boston marathon before I'm 40, I need the encouragement of fellow athletes on the roads with me. Armchair quarterbacks are a waste of my time.
To accomplish this goal, I've severely restricted my online forum participation. So far so good. I've had time to blog (more subtle than online forums), do more prep for the classes I teach, look for more jobs, and join group workouts several times a week. After much encouragement, I've started helping a few friends plan their racing season. If this small scale experiment succeeds, I'll pursue coaching certification through USAT or RRCA this year. It's been a wild ride so far. Not sure I'm cut out to be a coach but I've learned a lot.
ONWARD!
And so 2010 is off to a strong start. One of my goals since October has been to transition from being an "online" athlete to a "real life" athlete with an online presence. For many years my training partners have been on the internet. They helped me reached my major athletic goals as well as creat new crazy goals. I've met great people. But at this point in my athletic development, hopefully going from mid-pack to Boston, I need real people. Online athletic forums don't meet you at the Snell Isle bridge in the cold wind on a Sunday morning. They never stand next to you in the weight room cheering "you GOT this lift go!" Many forums are "hot headed" with people spewing venom instead of using their brain. I don't have time for negative energy. In order to qualify for the Boston marathon before I'm 40, I need the encouragement of fellow athletes on the roads with me. Armchair quarterbacks are a waste of my time.
To accomplish this goal, I've severely restricted my online forum participation. So far so good. I've had time to blog (more subtle than online forums), do more prep for the classes I teach, look for more jobs, and join group workouts several times a week. After much encouragement, I've started helping a few friends plan their racing season. If this small scale experiment succeeds, I'll pursue coaching certification through USAT or RRCA this year. It's been a wild ride so far. Not sure I'm cut out to be a coach but I've learned a lot.
ONWARD!
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Happy New Year!
Welcome to 2010. A new decade. I have to say I'm not a big fan of New Year's resolutions anymore. Mostly because I have a problem getting all excited about something new only to fizzle out as the year goes on. As exciting as the new idea may be, there are weeks and weeks of daily effort that make those visions a reality.
Still, the new year is a natural time to think about the events of 2009 and look forward to 2010. 2009 was the best of times and the worst of times. Unemployment sucked and my sweet baboo and I survived some tough financial times. But the year ended on a high note. Along the way I found a job that I love, even if it's only part time. Underemployed is 100% better than unemployed. And I threw off the last shadows of 2008 by, once again, forging my body into an ironman-race shape. It's hard to remember that at this time last year, I was unable to run, unable to walk distances without a limp due to a hip flexor injury. 2009 was a year of transformation.
Today starts with a simple focus: carry the momentum of 2009 into 2010. Take the vision of life in my head and make it a reality. It's journey, rather than a specific destination, that involves balance and contentment mixed with the spice of life.
Happy New Year to all of you!
Still, the new year is a natural time to think about the events of 2009 and look forward to 2010. 2009 was the best of times and the worst of times. Unemployment sucked and my sweet baboo and I survived some tough financial times. But the year ended on a high note. Along the way I found a job that I love, even if it's only part time. Underemployed is 100% better than unemployed. And I threw off the last shadows of 2008 by, once again, forging my body into an ironman-race shape. It's hard to remember that at this time last year, I was unable to run, unable to walk distances without a limp due to a hip flexor injury. 2009 was a year of transformation.
Today starts with a simple focus: carry the momentum of 2009 into 2010. Take the vision of life in my head and make it a reality. It's journey, rather than a specific destination, that involves balance and contentment mixed with the spice of life.
Happy New Year to all of you!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)