Top of the Key

Need to pull through these last few days of being in no man’s land. Soon….direction.

Sometimes you need to have forced rest to…well…rest.

After a few weeks now of increasing swim volume, I’m finally at about my comfort zone. I firmly believe you need to go beyond anything you’ve done to see what’s possible and what’s comfortable to maintain. I now know what my swim volume will look like starting in January. I’ll be starting above what I finished at during the peak of my last Ironman training plan, which was IMAZ ‘08. It’s been well over a year, but lots has changed in my training and experience. I’ve limited the factors that really won’t help me achieve success, there is no substitute for the training…period.

With less than 2 weeks left before I officially start up, I feel recharged and eager to start the process. Just riding on the trainer yesterday got me in the mode to do more. But held back. I need to still enjoy these final few weeks.

“Enjoy the process” will be the goal during 2010 training. I won’t be racing much, which puts all my eggs in one basket, and I’m cool with that. So training will be my focus, day in and day out, soaking it up and enjoying every minute. Which ironically was my specialty in high school sports. I was totally a practice player. Come game time, i just fell to pieces. So back to my roots, but of course come game time, I’ll be ready to race this go around.

It’s now December 10, and I’d normally be a few weeks into ironman training – swim/bike/run. But this year I’m holding off until the first of the year. The last program I was on included almost a full year of IM training and 2 Ironman races. Found out that was too much. I am building up the desire to train hard and often. Haven’t gotten the itch yet to dive in either, so it’s a good sign.

Still been swimming lots, and just this week will start mixing in 2 runs and 2 bikes. Need to get back on track with diet…bye bye nutella.

Another solid masters workout this morning with Tiffany.  One thing I can say for swimming more, you get much more comfortable in the water.  Even if your stroke goes to shit, you build up a numbness to the distractions that normally appear.  I can feel my endurance kicking in just a bit, as we get deeper into the main sets, I’m not slowing down.

A bit boring lately, i know.  But i’ve got nothing else going one besides swimming.  And after seeing the times of IMAZ this past weekend, there is no way I can improve upon my overall times unless I swim better.

Another great week in the pool.  I’ve already attained the yardage I was doing at the peak of training this past year.  Tons and tons of drill and form work.  3 Masters classes per week, swimming 6 of 7 days.  I remember last year when I tried to swim 20k once, I was exhausted and physically aching.  Don’t want that to happen again, so easing it up bit by bit and really soaking up the yards.  I’m learning where alot of my weaknesses are from Jane and Tiffany at Masters, as well as video tape, which never lies.  Just need to keep plugging along.

Got a great surprise visit today as i was walking home from the gym.  See photo below:

Saturday was an awesome day.  Woke up early, got my swim in.  Then Jess and I ran together on the trails.  We set up a route to take us back to our condo where we were showing it to possible renters.  Our townhome is open for rent Dec. 1 if you know of anyone.  We then rode our bikes down to the 29th street mall to see the movie 2012.  Lots of action, good to see on the big screen.  Some apps at Zolo and a cocktail or two. Then back on our bikes home to top off the night at Southern Sun, where Jess and I could not complete one Junior Trivial Pursuit card. We both came close, but just weren’t smart enough.

Sunday I was glued to the computer watching IMAZ.  I knew of a few people racing, and Jeff was racing it as a first time Pro.  I always get sucked into watching these.  But this time, it was all familiar to me, I knew exactly where all the camera shots were coming from.  Perfect day too.  Congrats to everyone who raced.

For me, it’s no racing, just pool time.

Took a day off on Sunday from the pool.  Didn’t plan it, but the weather was too good to pass up.  We spent some time in the snow with the dogs, they loved it.  I’ve been getting in my swim groove on.  Lots of drill work, but also lots of masters classes.  I’m learning a ton about myself in the pool.  It’s a long road to travel, the road in the pool that is.  Gotta pay my dues.  I may not see anything from this off-season training.  Or maybe I’ll see a few minutes.  But most likely, in my mind, sticking with a swim plan for a few years should get me some results.