Sport is a constant learning process; no matter your age or experience there is always something new to learn. I don’t have a ton of years under my belt, nor do I have a ton of experience. Needless to say I have a LOT to learn and this is a good thing.
One thing I have learned from my Buffalo Springs race is that I don’t know how to make it HURT on the run. I prepared mentally to deal with the stomach cramps I have experienced in past races, but I was not ready to deal with the pain of racing hard during the run.
Let me begin with a positive… I am learning to put myself out there during the swim and as I have described in previous race reports, I line up with the front group and within the first 400m I seem to watch them pull way out ahead of me. That hasn’t stopped me from lining up with the faster ladies and each race I become more comfortable out there in the washing machine (as I like to refer to it). As I become a stronger, more efficient swimmer I will be able to stay with the front group.
The bike is my strongest… right now. While I think the bike is an important part of triathlon, I believe the race is all about the run (at least this is where I fall apart – right now). Sure I can put 5, 10 or even 20 minutes on girls in my AG during an IM bike, but if I can’t run, then it doesn’t matter. And you know what? When I age up next year I won’t be putting any time on girls during the bike. That’s what’s so freakin’ cool about this sport – you get better as you get older!!! I LOVE that!
Okay so besides the fact that we get better with age… Where does this leave me? It leaves me on the run and learning how to put it all out there. At the moment I don’t believe I understand what the word HURT means – sure, sure I work hard, harder than the normal American who thinks a 2 mile hike is a workout, but that’s not what I am talking about. And, sure I have had workouts where I felt like I was going to throw up, but I don’t reach that point often enough to really and I mean really understand what HURT means!
The next 7 weeks or really 5-6 weeks have a purpose. That purpose is to learn what HURT means. I want to know the definition, I want to have it memorized, I want every part of my body to know it and search for it come August 30th.
Easy week is over as of tomorrow morning. The real work begins and I have saved up all my motivation from Buffalo Springs and am ready to unleash it over the next 7 weeks!!!
Bring it on!!!!!!!!!!
Poop Cake
11 hours ago
5 comments:
Oh I totally know what you mean! I can be dying onthe swim but can always push through another interval that'll make my feet numb. And I'd cough up a lung on the bike before I'd get dropped on a training ride... But running? If it hurts, I slow down. Or at least, I used to. Jen is teaching me to run hard and make it hurt and then KEEP GOING.
Best of luck with your upcoming training!!
YES, great attitude again ER! It will come, it is a process and the most patient and dedicated win! :)
I came across your blog through Jen's. She's my coach as well. I feel your pain about Buffalo Springs. I missed a Kona slot at Eagleman by one place. A woman in my AG group was second overall leaving me with the AG win but no Kona spot. I am going for it one more time this weekend in RI.
Once you learn to hurt on the run, you'll love it. There's just something so pure about it. I'm a runner so I'll trade you learning to hurt on the run for learning to hurt in the swim.
I love this blog! I'm with Angela - I've been a runner since I was about 13 and spent years learning how to hurt in running races. But the swim? I do well in a pool but I get in open water where things get rough and I...back off. UGH! We will learn how to "hurt" though Elizabeth...patience is key. Here's to hurting! (oh that sounds not fun... :)
Enjoy the IMC training :)
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