Feeling Stronger.
I've been working on getting in quality training. Now that I have an official "coach", I have been more focused on getting the right kind of training in. He has pointed out what workouts are key so if work is too hairy / crazy then I can shift some things around.
We met last week to talk about some of my "issues" and he asked me some very interesting questions. His questions were based on my comments in emails to him and information noted in my training log. He pays attention, I like that. Every coach should, but that doesn't mean that they all do. So, he asked me what motivates me to train? When I'm feeling beat down and "behind", what am I behind? Or better yet, who? And you know - it shouldn't matter who is better / faster / ahead of me. It's about me and my goal. And he asked me to try to figure out exactly where my motivation comes from. I need to really think about why I have the desire to complete the Ironman. Once I identify it, I can draw from that to keep me motivated to train and to train hard.
I get in these funks (if you've read any of the other posts - you'd know that) but the funks are usually based on a crappy workout or a string of missed workouts and then I find myself behind where I think I should be at that particular moment in my training. So, that's the question - why? Why do I, Adrian Hasenbauer want to do the Ironman? Part of it is because I think of myself somewhat as an underdog. I don't think that I have ever thought I could do something like this. I don't think that others think I could do something like this (whether or not this is true is a completely different story). I have this "tough / hard - ass" personality, but am I sure of myself all of the time? No. In athletics, I'm not. I want to do something to prove to myself that I can do something great. It's not to prove to anyone else, not even my husband that I can do this - it's for me. It's to show I too can do this event that I have admired so many others for doing. I want to be that person that people cheer for as she crosses the finish line. I want to do something that one day I will show my son and he won't even believe it. Although with all my husband's medals, I won't look like I did anything "great", just that I did it. Hopefully my son will recognize that it was truly hard and I had to really dedicate myself to accomplishing this while working and being a parent!!
I've been training and I've felt really good lately. I had a great run this past weekend. It's getting colder and that makes running a little more enjoyable! I just kept thinking about how beautiful the day was and how lucky I was that I am able to run 10 miles. Some people have such a hard time with walking and here I am running around White Rock Lake just enjoying this peaceful time to myself. It was really nice to have this on my mind rather than the self destructive thoughts that usually run through my mind during a long run!!
Right now I feel like I just might enjoy training for the Ironman. I feel like I'm already in a much better place than where I was last year when I started this whole process. I'm thankful for last year, don't get me wrong. Like I've said before - things happen for a reason. I just needed this extra time to get my base training in, get my mind right and get to the inner layers within myself to find out what it is I need to feel when I cross that line.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
It's been a while.
Since I've posted - since I've worked out. It's frustrating. Work is so busy that I haven't had the chance to get much training in. In the last week I've run 12 miles, biked 0 miles and swam 0 meters. I've been unable to leave the office for lunch or even leave to go home at a normal hour. I hate that I'm off track because it's so hard to get going again. I am going to try to ride my bike tonight, I really need the workout and the stress relief. I've been extremely stressed out at work and it's totally affecting my energy level.
In addition to not working out due to long work hours, I tend to eat worse when I'm stuck inside all day. I buy crap from the vending machine and try to make a lunch out of pop tarts and popcorn. ;(
I hope to get back in the groove of working out and doing things for myself again. I miss my training friends, I miss my bike and I miss the feeling of having finished a great workout.
AHhhhhhhhHHHhhhh GEEEEEEEeeeeeeEEEZZZZzzzzzzZZZZZzz.
Since I've posted - since I've worked out. It's frustrating. Work is so busy that I haven't had the chance to get much training in. In the last week I've run 12 miles, biked 0 miles and swam 0 meters. I've been unable to leave the office for lunch or even leave to go home at a normal hour. I hate that I'm off track because it's so hard to get going again. I am going to try to ride my bike tonight, I really need the workout and the stress relief. I've been extremely stressed out at work and it's totally affecting my energy level.
In addition to not working out due to long work hours, I tend to eat worse when I'm stuck inside all day. I buy crap from the vending machine and try to make a lunch out of pop tarts and popcorn. ;(
I hope to get back in the groove of working out and doing things for myself again. I miss my training friends, I miss my bike and I miss the feeling of having finished a great workout.
AHhhhhhhhHHHhhhh GEEEEEEEeeeeeeEEEZZZZzzzzzzZZZZZzz.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
New Month, New Training Plan(s)
I haven't posted anything since my Degray Lake post-race celebration. I've been enjoying some much needed time off. Mind you - I didn't take completely "off" from training, I just took it easy. If I didn't feel like riding, I just didn't. I caught up with some friends, ate terribly, went out for drinks one night and just took care of some home stuff. It felt pretty good and by the time last weekend got here, I was ready to start with it again. That's the thing I need to remember, when I get burned out I need to just step back and relax. Everything will come back in time. Of course I need to make sure I know the difference between being burned out versus just being tired.....
Anywho... it's a new month and I've got a new plan. Or set of plans! I have my training schedule from my new coach and I've got my strength training schedule / plan. I started the month out by doing a bike time trial on Saturday, it was pretty cool. I haven't done a TT in so long. I felt pretty strong then we did a recovery ride afterwards to loosen up the legs. Later that day I took a big ol' power nap. Since I napped, I didn't eat lunch and I didn't wake up until 4:30 and it was too late to eat then because dinner would be ruined. Well, that made for a tough run on Sunday. I was really tired and just didn't have the energy or the drive to run long. I only ran for 55:00 or so.... I had to walk a couple of times too because I was so tired. I know it was a nutritional mistake because I wasn't hurting, I was breathing fine and I had plenty to drink. I just didn't have any calories in me from the day before and I didn't eat breakfast before the run.
Monday was Labor Day, it rained and I took the day off. Yesterday I did my first strength training session with Michael. It was tough too! It's funny how you can feel like you're so in shape / strong when it comes to running and biking, etc. but when it comes to this strength training and weights, I'm so out of shape! I was so weak and out of breath. It was kind of embarassing because I was sweating so much and my coordination wasn't the best. I started to feel the soreness setting in last night! Today = HOLY CRAP, my legs are killing me. I got up this morning to run and it hurt so bad to walk down the steps in my garage to get to the car!! I went to the lake and ran and the legs loosened up, which was good. I just can't believe how sore I am - and I'm supposed to do the strength training session again tomorrow, YIKES!
This month is going to be hard simply because I have a new training plan (which includes more running) and I have this strength training stuff that I started as well. I really want to get strong and train to be more efficient. I'm hoping by getting a jump start on my "off season" training that it will make next year a lot better. Training for the Ironman isn't going to be easy even though it is the second time around. I just need to make sure I focus on training smart and staying injury free.
I haven't posted anything since my Degray Lake post-race celebration. I've been enjoying some much needed time off. Mind you - I didn't take completely "off" from training, I just took it easy. If I didn't feel like riding, I just didn't. I caught up with some friends, ate terribly, went out for drinks one night and just took care of some home stuff. It felt pretty good and by the time last weekend got here, I was ready to start with it again. That's the thing I need to remember, when I get burned out I need to just step back and relax. Everything will come back in time. Of course I need to make sure I know the difference between being burned out versus just being tired.....
Anywho... it's a new month and I've got a new plan. Or set of plans! I have my training schedule from my new coach and I've got my strength training schedule / plan. I started the month out by doing a bike time trial on Saturday, it was pretty cool. I haven't done a TT in so long. I felt pretty strong then we did a recovery ride afterwards to loosen up the legs. Later that day I took a big ol' power nap. Since I napped, I didn't eat lunch and I didn't wake up until 4:30 and it was too late to eat then because dinner would be ruined. Well, that made for a tough run on Sunday. I was really tired and just didn't have the energy or the drive to run long. I only ran for 55:00 or so.... I had to walk a couple of times too because I was so tired. I know it was a nutritional mistake because I wasn't hurting, I was breathing fine and I had plenty to drink. I just didn't have any calories in me from the day before and I didn't eat breakfast before the run.
Monday was Labor Day, it rained and I took the day off. Yesterday I did my first strength training session with Michael. It was tough too! It's funny how you can feel like you're so in shape / strong when it comes to running and biking, etc. but when it comes to this strength training and weights, I'm so out of shape! I was so weak and out of breath. It was kind of embarassing because I was sweating so much and my coordination wasn't the best. I started to feel the soreness setting in last night! Today = HOLY CRAP, my legs are killing me. I got up this morning to run and it hurt so bad to walk down the steps in my garage to get to the car!! I went to the lake and ran and the legs loosened up, which was good. I just can't believe how sore I am - and I'm supposed to do the strength training session again tomorrow, YIKES!
This month is going to be hard simply because I have a new training plan (which includes more running) and I have this strength training stuff that I started as well. I really want to get strong and train to be more efficient. I'm hoping by getting a jump start on my "off season" training that it will make next year a lot better. Training for the Ironman isn't going to be easy even though it is the second time around. I just need to make sure I focus on training smart and staying injury free.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
It's a wrap.
Woo Hoo! I am officially "done" with the 2006 triathlon season. It's been a long year, a good year - but long. I was really looking forward to getting through this last race so I could take some much needed time off. In fact, I was planning on riding the HHH100 next weekend, but you know what? I don't think so! The only reason I was going to do that is so I could get 100 miles in... and why? So I could do that before I take time off? What's the point?
We just got home from Arkansas, did the Degray Lake Iron Mountain Man / Half IM distance race. Damn, was that hard?! It was H-O-T!! I felt really good during the swim and bike (even rode conservatively) but when it came to the run... that was a different story. Big surprise, right? I'm just not a good runner. I'm really not a good runner when it's a ka-jillion degrees outside. It took the first four miles to get my legs under me. It really took everything I had not to quit. I felt SO BAD those first few miles. It totally sucked. I walked so much. My head was killing me, my foot was cramping - it was hot. WAAAHHHHH!!!!!
I kept telling myself that it was my last race, let's finish this with a bang. Don't DNF the last race.... you'll have that to think about for the rest of the year.... Somehow, things just came together for me. I started feeling good, could have been those oranges I ate at one of the aid stations. Whatever it was, it worked. The second loop of the run was pretty damn good! I finished strong and actually placed 1st in my age group. Of course there were only like five people total in my AG, but hey, I'll take the win!! I can't control who shows up to these races, right? Gimme my trophy! :)
This morning I got up and went back to the race site, I did a relay for the sprint triathlon. Lucky me, I only had to do the swim! I got in the water early, had to stretch it out.... I'm so glad I did, too. My body was sooooo stiff. I had a pretty good swim and it was really fun to see all the people out there doing the race. Lots of newbies, which is always great. I really love to see people getting into this sport.
All in all, had a good weekend, feel good about the race season and feel even better that it's over! What am I going to do with my free time? HA! I'm not quitting, people!! I'm just going to take it easy for a couple of weeks before I get on the Ironman training wagon. I'll start my weight / strength training this week or next and start working on technique and skills to help me next year. But for now, it's time to recharge!
:)
Woo Hoo! I am officially "done" with the 2006 triathlon season. It's been a long year, a good year - but long. I was really looking forward to getting through this last race so I could take some much needed time off. In fact, I was planning on riding the HHH100 next weekend, but you know what? I don't think so! The only reason I was going to do that is so I could get 100 miles in... and why? So I could do that before I take time off? What's the point?
We just got home from Arkansas, did the Degray Lake Iron Mountain Man / Half IM distance race. Damn, was that hard?! It was H-O-T!! I felt really good during the swim and bike (even rode conservatively) but when it came to the run... that was a different story. Big surprise, right? I'm just not a good runner. I'm really not a good runner when it's a ka-jillion degrees outside. It took the first four miles to get my legs under me. It really took everything I had not to quit. I felt SO BAD those first few miles. It totally sucked. I walked so much. My head was killing me, my foot was cramping - it was hot. WAAAHHHHH!!!!!
I kept telling myself that it was my last race, let's finish this with a bang. Don't DNF the last race.... you'll have that to think about for the rest of the year.... Somehow, things just came together for me. I started feeling good, could have been those oranges I ate at one of the aid stations. Whatever it was, it worked. The second loop of the run was pretty damn good! I finished strong and actually placed 1st in my age group. Of course there were only like five people total in my AG, but hey, I'll take the win!! I can't control who shows up to these races, right? Gimme my trophy! :)
This morning I got up and went back to the race site, I did a relay for the sprint triathlon. Lucky me, I only had to do the swim! I got in the water early, had to stretch it out.... I'm so glad I did, too. My body was sooooo stiff. I had a pretty good swim and it was really fun to see all the people out there doing the race. Lots of newbies, which is always great. I really love to see people getting into this sport.
All in all, had a good weekend, feel good about the race season and feel even better that it's over! What am I going to do with my free time? HA! I'm not quitting, people!! I'm just going to take it easy for a couple of weeks before I get on the Ironman training wagon. I'll start my weight / strength training this week or next and start working on technique and skills to help me next year. But for now, it's time to recharge!
:)
Monday, August 14, 2006
Less than a week.
Five days actually, before the Degray Half. Am I prepared? Not really. Am I excited? Not so much. Am I scared? Kind of! Why am I doing it? Good question. I want to see where I am with a longer race. I am using this as a gauge for my Ironman training. Is that sick or what? Well, at least I got a free entry!!
I am just tired of training. It's also been HOT as SHIT in Dallas. Who wants to train at the ass crack 'o' dawn every morning? If you don't you can feel the heat coming up from the ground and I swear, if I run any slower my shoes will literally melt to the pavement!! Imagine what it's like when you step in a big pile of chewed bubble gum.... that's what my shoes would look like if I ran after work! I haven't been swimming as much as I'd like. Let's face it, I haven't been taking this race seriously. I decided it would be a training day, and well that was it. If I didn't feel like swimming - I just didn't! This may bite me in the ass on Saturday.... I'm a little nervous. I did go to the pool today and the thought entered my head "what if I had to DNF during the swim?!!" Oh geez, I can get through this. It just seems funny that I haven't been too worried about this race. I remember when I trained for my first and second halves.... I really focused on my workouts, my peak weekend and my taper. I've kind of made up my own training schedule (which of course fluctuates based on how tired / bored I get), but now I'm just kind of winging it. Again, training day. I just need to keep telling myself that. Training day, training day, training day. Long training day.
So, I've got the rest of the week - then race day. Then the next weekend is HHH100. Then I get to rest!! Woo HOOOOO!! Party time!! I can NOT wait to take some serious time off. I need a break. I am thinking about taking some time off work too. Just to spend quality time at home getting my stuff in order. I'm just burned out on everything right now. Work has been extrememly busy and stressful for the past couple of weeks. I knew it would be - I just didn't expect to feel so down in the dumps. Literally, I've felt like I could just start crying at work for the past several days. I just need to get through this busy time. It doesn't seem to ever be at the right times - if I'm busy at work it just happens to coincide with a busy training schedule - then something has to give. Why can't I have the busy work week when I'm not training for a race?? Why can't I be near my peak training when work is slow? Oh yeah, Murphy's Law. Right.
It doesn't matter anyways. Who cares how long it takes me to finish the race? At least I'm doing them, dammit. Too bad I spent a small fortune for my bike though. That alone makes me feel like I really should try! Why would I invest in a piece of equipment, then not use it to it's full potential? Poor LeTigre. He needs to run fast. I'm going to work the bike this weekend. I love my LeTigre. I just hope me and LeTigre click next year! I guess we hadn't established a good relationship during the Ironman training this time around. With the multiple chain breaks, then the dreaded crash. I thought LeTigre was a lemon. Maybe he just needs to be tamed.
Okay - this is really going off the deep end....
Need to get rest. This is the taper week, less is more when it comes to workouts, quality not quantity. BUT - more is more when it comes to sleep. and I need some!
night night, little tiger.
Five days actually, before the Degray Half. Am I prepared? Not really. Am I excited? Not so much. Am I scared? Kind of! Why am I doing it? Good question. I want to see where I am with a longer race. I am using this as a gauge for my Ironman training. Is that sick or what? Well, at least I got a free entry!!
I am just tired of training. It's also been HOT as SHIT in Dallas. Who wants to train at the ass crack 'o' dawn every morning? If you don't you can feel the heat coming up from the ground and I swear, if I run any slower my shoes will literally melt to the pavement!! Imagine what it's like when you step in a big pile of chewed bubble gum.... that's what my shoes would look like if I ran after work! I haven't been swimming as much as I'd like. Let's face it, I haven't been taking this race seriously. I decided it would be a training day, and well that was it. If I didn't feel like swimming - I just didn't! This may bite me in the ass on Saturday.... I'm a little nervous. I did go to the pool today and the thought entered my head "what if I had to DNF during the swim?!!" Oh geez, I can get through this. It just seems funny that I haven't been too worried about this race. I remember when I trained for my first and second halves.... I really focused on my workouts, my peak weekend and my taper. I've kind of made up my own training schedule (which of course fluctuates based on how tired / bored I get), but now I'm just kind of winging it. Again, training day. I just need to keep telling myself that. Training day, training day, training day. Long training day.
So, I've got the rest of the week - then race day. Then the next weekend is HHH100. Then I get to rest!! Woo HOOOOO!! Party time!! I can NOT wait to take some serious time off. I need a break. I am thinking about taking some time off work too. Just to spend quality time at home getting my stuff in order. I'm just burned out on everything right now. Work has been extrememly busy and stressful for the past couple of weeks. I knew it would be - I just didn't expect to feel so down in the dumps. Literally, I've felt like I could just start crying at work for the past several days. I just need to get through this busy time. It doesn't seem to ever be at the right times - if I'm busy at work it just happens to coincide with a busy training schedule - then something has to give. Why can't I have the busy work week when I'm not training for a race?? Why can't I be near my peak training when work is slow? Oh yeah, Murphy's Law. Right.
It doesn't matter anyways. Who cares how long it takes me to finish the race? At least I'm doing them, dammit. Too bad I spent a small fortune for my bike though. That alone makes me feel like I really should try! Why would I invest in a piece of equipment, then not use it to it's full potential? Poor LeTigre. He needs to run fast. I'm going to work the bike this weekend. I love my LeTigre. I just hope me and LeTigre click next year! I guess we hadn't established a good relationship during the Ironman training this time around. With the multiple chain breaks, then the dreaded crash. I thought LeTigre was a lemon. Maybe he just needs to be tamed.
Okay - this is really going off the deep end....
Need to get rest. This is the taper week, less is more when it comes to workouts, quality not quantity. BUT - more is more when it comes to sleep. and I need some!
night night, little tiger.
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Good Weekend of workouts....
Friday = Off - was tired from a very busy and stressful week of work, needed the rest.
Saturday = rode 40 miles. This was a short ride and it felt super easy. It was nice to be done with a workout so quickly! I rode w/ Stephanie and it was a great, relaxing ride. Later I got a much needed massage. My legs and butt were SO SORE from my three workouts on Wednesday (early morning run, resistance test / training at Baylor, hill ride in the evening) followed up by a challenging run on Thursday morning which included guess what? More hills! The massage felt good plus Donald always stretches my legs out too, which is most helpful.
Sunday = 13 mile run. I actually felt really good on this run. I was expecting the last couple of miles to hurt but I was fine. I have been taking more endurolytes lately, and I think this is really helping on the longer bike rides and runs during this crazy ass heat.
I'm two weeks out from the Degray half. I'm going into this purely as a training day, not a racing day. I just need to see where I am physically and mentally for a longer event. This should be a good check point for me. Whatever my problems are during the race, I'll have plenty of time to address and work on them for the next year in my Ironman preparations. I just hope that it's not a total disaster! A year isn't THAT long!!
For now, I'm feeling pretty good about training, I'm not completely burned out but I'm getting antzy for some time off!! I've got Degray, then Hotter 'n' Hell - then we're done for a while! Woooooo Hooooooo!!!! I can work on the house! I can get a pedicure that will last longer than one week!
happy training.
Friday = Off - was tired from a very busy and stressful week of work, needed the rest.
Saturday = rode 40 miles. This was a short ride and it felt super easy. It was nice to be done with a workout so quickly! I rode w/ Stephanie and it was a great, relaxing ride. Later I got a much needed massage. My legs and butt were SO SORE from my three workouts on Wednesday (early morning run, resistance test / training at Baylor, hill ride in the evening) followed up by a challenging run on Thursday morning which included guess what? More hills! The massage felt good plus Donald always stretches my legs out too, which is most helpful.
Sunday = 13 mile run. I actually felt really good on this run. I was expecting the last couple of miles to hurt but I was fine. I have been taking more endurolytes lately, and I think this is really helping on the longer bike rides and runs during this crazy ass heat.
I'm two weeks out from the Degray half. I'm going into this purely as a training day, not a racing day. I just need to see where I am physically and mentally for a longer event. This should be a good check point for me. Whatever my problems are during the race, I'll have plenty of time to address and work on them for the next year in my Ironman preparations. I just hope that it's not a total disaster! A year isn't THAT long!!
For now, I'm feeling pretty good about training, I'm not completely burned out but I'm getting antzy for some time off!! I've got Degray, then Hotter 'n' Hell - then we're done for a while! Woooooo Hooooooo!!!! I can work on the house! I can get a pedicure that will last longer than one week!
happy training.
Friday, July 28, 2006
Respect.
I may have completely lost any amount of respect that I had from my coworkers today. The creative department at my office (I'm in advertising, there's the "account team" and "creative team") all went out for a little "retreat" or team bonding or whatever you want to call it. We took the entire day off work and drove up to Lake Texoma to have some fun. Texoma is about an hour and a half north of Dallas. Me and a coworker rode together and we get there a little early. We're the first ones there... I'm a little excited because I love the lake! I love to ski and just relax by the water. The boat we were going to be spending the afternoon on was super nice - it had two bedrooms! I've never been on a boat this big before. Definitely not made for skiing but more for relaxing.
We're waiting for the others to arrive and the whole time I'm sitting on this boat in the slip at the dock and thinking "maybe I should get in and do a quick OWS workout". The water was nice and calm and not too hot. 20 minutes goes by and we're still waiting on the stragglers. I'm getting a little anxious. I don't sit and wait very well. If I'm at a lake I'm supposed to be riding on a boat or skiing - or swimming dammit!!
Finally everyone arrives, we all head out to this cove with a sandy beach area. We set up a picnic area and we're ready to chill. Even have a couple of coolers of beer. I don't want to be a total dud, so I have a beer. I'm still thinking about how calm the water is. I brought my swim suit, cap and goggles just in case I had time for a swim... I just couldn't take any longer. I suited up and got ready to go. I was embarrased because I thought my coworkers would think I'm a big ol' dork. You know, they don't understand us crazy triathletes. I decided that it didn't matter and went out anyways. It was a great swim too. I swam for about 25 minutes and got a decent workout in. Not too long though because I was a little self conscious about swimming with my coworkers around!! Luckily it's Friday so by the time Monday morning rolls around maybe they'll forget.
I may have completely lost any amount of respect that I had from my coworkers today. The creative department at my office (I'm in advertising, there's the "account team" and "creative team") all went out for a little "retreat" or team bonding or whatever you want to call it. We took the entire day off work and drove up to Lake Texoma to have some fun. Texoma is about an hour and a half north of Dallas. Me and a coworker rode together and we get there a little early. We're the first ones there... I'm a little excited because I love the lake! I love to ski and just relax by the water. The boat we were going to be spending the afternoon on was super nice - it had two bedrooms! I've never been on a boat this big before. Definitely not made for skiing but more for relaxing.
We're waiting for the others to arrive and the whole time I'm sitting on this boat in the slip at the dock and thinking "maybe I should get in and do a quick OWS workout". The water was nice and calm and not too hot. 20 minutes goes by and we're still waiting on the stragglers. I'm getting a little anxious. I don't sit and wait very well. If I'm at a lake I'm supposed to be riding on a boat or skiing - or swimming dammit!!
Finally everyone arrives, we all head out to this cove with a sandy beach area. We set up a picnic area and we're ready to chill. Even have a couple of coolers of beer. I don't want to be a total dud, so I have a beer. I'm still thinking about how calm the water is. I brought my swim suit, cap and goggles just in case I had time for a swim... I just couldn't take any longer. I suited up and got ready to go. I was embarrased because I thought my coworkers would think I'm a big ol' dork. You know, they don't understand us crazy triathletes. I decided that it didn't matter and went out anyways. It was a great swim too. I swam for about 25 minutes and got a decent workout in. Not too long though because I was a little self conscious about swimming with my coworkers around!! Luckily it's Friday so by the time Monday morning rolls around maybe they'll forget.
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