Feb 8, 2010

Siempre parece imposible hasta que se hace.

Here we go.

Today starts the first cycle of Half Ironman training for 2010. Or as my friend Dave would call it: pre-Ironman training. Evil Mr. Potter. I totally drank the kool-aid! (Note: It tastes good. Go for it... take a sip!)


As all good training programs go, mine starts with a rest day. Obviously this is to ease you into the regimented pseudo-craziness which is sure to follow.

Alternately, it could be to give you a chance to wrap your head around what you are about to embark on.

I prefer the later to the former.

I am looking over the plan which I have chosen to follow (Matt F.'s Level 5 plan). It is indeed the very same plan I started last year. Note how I say "started" and not the more expected "followed". This is the very same plan which I had a complete meltdown trying to follow.

Somehow the two-a-days from day one were challenging but at some point they became unmanageable. Could have been the mental place I was in last year, or it could have been the fact that I had about zero confidence in myself.

Challenging training plan + low self-confidence + zero mental or emotional stability = FAIL

Fail as to completion of the plan and scheduled race, but success in being able to move past all that crazy stuff and realize that had I had just a single iota of confidence in myself as a runner or triathlete, I would have toed the line race morning to become a Half Ironman finisher... not an Aquabike finisher.

Amazing how one little ingredient means the difference between cookies and hockey pucks. I prefer cookies, but end up with hockey pucks all too often.


So now as I sit here at work (shhhhh) looking over the training plan it seems.... manageable.

I do not fear not making every single training session. I did very well in my Aquabike given the amount (lack thereof) of training I had under my belt. I expect to see some MIA diays on my schedule. I am not happy about this or going into the plan looking for non-compliance.

I am just being realistic. Two weeks of US travel followed by 2 weeks of China travel, followed by a race or two and then more international (Mexico) travel. Not necessarily the prime canvas for painting the perfect picture of training plan compliance.

What this does provide is a background for an opportunity to practice my new mantra... consistency is king and choose base over build when having to make a choice.

2010 will be the year of travel and choices in training, however I know that if I follow my plan 90% of the time, opting for base building running and swimming when I am forced to deviate due to travel or other life obligations and focus on making every weekend count in endurance and long brick work, then I am looking at the following.

Challenging training plan + fluidity + confidence = SUCCESS!

And that my friends means cookies, not hockey pucks.

Siempre parece imposible hasta que se hace, mi amigos.

3 comments:

TNTcoach Ken said...

Wow, a plan that starts with a rest day, I can handle that.

MNFirefly said...

Awesome!!

prashant said...

its amazing
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