Feeling Good

I’m on day 4 of another training week and I’ve only missed one workout so far. I was looking back through my Training Peaks account, and it looks like I was doing really well for the first four weeks, and that it was only during weeks 5-8 I was experiencing some major slacking. In hindsight, I think it may have been a combination of the unseasonably cooler, overcast weather (it’s amazing how much this affects my mood), some possible burnout due to going from only minor training to a pretty significant jump in a short amount of time, coupled with that short-lived (thank goodness) stint of depression that seemingly came out of nowhere – and for no reason. But… once again, since meeting with the coach and getting back into the saddle (literally and figuratively), I’m feeling good about this race.

Muncie (host city to my first Half Ironman) is only three weeks from tomorrow, and as of right now I’m feeling fairly good about it. As I’ve stated before, that open water swim at Freeman Lake a few weeks ago really helped with my confidence in the water – at least, the confidence in being able to complete the mileage without completely bonking. And with a handful of 50ish+ mile bike rides under my belt, I’m also pretty confident that I can pull that sucker off as well. However, although the run alone wouldn’t normally be bothersome for me, the fact that I probably won’t even begin that third leg until around noon in one of the hottest months in the mid-west AFTER completing a swim and a bike, well….. let’s just say I am a bit nervous about it. I went out earlier this week for a five mile run at 3:30 p.m. thinking it might do me some good to acclimate to the heat in order to prepare. It wasn’t pretty. It’s never pretty trying to trudge along breathing in thick, humid air with the sun beating down on you. This should be an experience.

One thing that IS bothering me is my left knee and calf. I’ve had little aches and pains off and on in different areas of my body during my training, but this discomfort has been pretty consistent for about a week now. I first noticed it after my last bike ride 6 days ago, but fortunately it didn’t give me much trouble on that two hour run the following day. It wasn’t until I started getting back out on Tuesday (three days ago) that it popped up again and has been REALLY bothersome since. To the point that I walked my 50 minute run session today because I didn’t want to aggravate it prior to the 2:15 run I have to do tomorrow. The 4.5 hour bike in a few days definitely has me a bit concerned as well, as I don’t have my second bike fit for another five days, and don’t meet with the physical therapist for a week. Hopefully the pain is just a matter of a slightly different bike fit. If not, then perhaps the PT can shed some light and give me some good news on a diagnosis and prognosis. Now that I’ve rededicated myself to the training, the last thing I want is for it to be hampered by some physical ailments.

Overall, I’m definitely physically tired most days, although not to the point of exhaustion. The mental aspect of it all is getting better, and I can say that making myself get out and do the training sessions feels better than the guilt I’ve been experiencing when missing them this past month. My longer training sessions bring about thoughts regarding whether or not I will do this again – dedicate so much time and energy to a grueling race that lasts less than a day. At this point, I honestly don’t know. Having never done an Ironman it’s hard to know beforehand if all of this effort is worth it in the end. It’s definitely a commitment, and I’ve always heard that the training itself is the hardest part. To that, I would have to agree. However, I once said I would never do another half-marathon again and yet look where I am – ten years later and 27 13.1 milers deep. Never say never I guess. Of course, ask me again on October 12th. Although you may get a different answer if you wait until November.