No Rest for the Wicked

Er, or something like that.

After Galveston’s 70.3, I decided it was time to take a Break with a capital B.  My focus over the last two months has been cycling long, lots of swimming, some yoga again and very little running.  Yes, I did speedwork at the track every Tuesday, but I haven’t run over eleven miles since my 70.3. 

And it was wonderful.

Did I miss running long?  Nope.  Every Saturday I’d wake up and give myself the choice, run long or short? And I always chose short.  I needed the break both physically and mentally.  Swimming, being on my bike, those are all work but so much fun!  (and don’t wear my body down quite so much)  I’ve enjoyed racing shorter distances (triathlon,  5K) and riding long (100 miles where I nearly threw my bike in a creek.)  But I’m feeling the need to get back to what I know best.  Racing.  Really racing.  And for me to race, it has got to be on foot.

Chicago is on my Must Race list, and I figure 2012 is the year to go for it.  I had a great experience last fall at Marine Corps and I’m hopeful I can not only recreate that experience, but improve my time.  Significantly.

Marathon training officially began June 18. Printed is my pink and green training program, chock full of workouts once again.  Oh yeah, I’ll be racing my next 70.3 just a few weeks after Chicago so it’s both marathon and triathlon training.  My eyes glaze over only a little bit and my heart races slightly when I see all those boxes and two a day workouts.  The intensity and volume ramp up very quickly in this training cycle.  That TPG, she don’t mess around. 

And it’s not just my discipline specific training that is getting an overhaul.  I’m not a scientist, nor do I play one on tv, but I go faster when I’m leaner.  (that isn’t the only factor skinny does not equal fast) I’ll be honest, getting to racing weight isn’t easy but it’s just a few pounds and if that means getting my eating super clean, well, that’s a good thing.  My crew and I are all pouring over the Feed Zone cookbook, written by the chef and nutritionist for a professional cycling team.  I’m looking forward to cramming my cake hole full of nutritious FUEL.  I love how I feel when I’m eating really well! 

I'm finally back on the stick with yoga.  It makes me strong and keeps me centered, mentally.  It’s the perfect activity recovery for me; I love sweating it out for 90 minutes in silence.  And I love the muscles and flexibility it creates!  Yoga makes me a stronger athlete.  Plain and simple. 

Finally, sleep.  So important for a tired body and yet, I get very little.  I’m really making this a priority this summer – TPG has GOT to start sleeping on a regular basis.  (and I’m sure my friends who deal with grumpasaurus me would agree!) It’s time that my body realizes just who is in charge and that includes slumber.  Insomnia, it is so ON. 

Pretty much everything is in place.  I just  misplaced my motivation for a little while.  But it's coming back.  Maybe it was the extended off season.  Maybe it is the siren song of my, as Erik called it, stealth bomber bike luring me to ride long instead of run.  


But slowly, I'm finding it.  One track workout, one tempo run, one LSD at a time.  


I better, because these 26.2 miles aren't going to run themselves!


What do you do when you lose motivation?  Tips, tricks?