081120 - 0800
Many times I've been asked what the physical effects of CrossFit training have been on my triathlon and running (ultra-running) performance. I think it's about time I talk a little about the incredible increases in my performance that I've realized over the past 16 months since becoming a dedicated CrossFitter.
First let me start off by explaining how I found CF. A friend of mine from beginnertriathlete.com was doing these intense workouts that I was noticing in his blog from day to day. He seemed to think they were fun and challenging. At the time I was a mediocre athlete at best. I worked out, I trained, I raced, but I never really had a specific drive or focus. I was able to say "I do triathlons" and "I've done an Ironman" but not with any real pride. Sure it was great that I finished an Ironman, but did I really try my best? Well at the time I thought so, but as I discovered more about my athletic abilities, I realized, NO, I did NOT try my hardest. I still had a long way to go.
As I followed Steve on his CrossFit workout journey I started to become intrigued by the intensity and wondered if maybe I could attempt a workout like that. I asked him to send me a sample of what he was doing. So, on September 9, 2007, Steve Berlin sent me "The Post-Cert Chipper"...and it's been all uphill from there. I took that workout, cut all the reps in half, and went to the gym to try it out. Seven minutes is all it took, but I was DESTROYED. I lay there on the gym floor panting, sweat pouring from every square inch of my body. I was completely spent. But from that moment on, I was hooked on CrossFit.
Every day I'd look at the CrossFit website, find another workout that sounded interesting, and I'd go to the gym to try it out. For the first month or so, I scaled the workouts to a point that I could handle, just so I could at least get the feeling of what I was supposed to do. I watched videos for hours on end, trying to learn all the new moves. I had a history in bodybuilding, so I knew about some of the lifts...deadlifts, bench presses, pullups, pushups, etc. But some of these new CrossFit-specific moves (sumo deadlift high-pull, thruster, etc.) took some learning to get used to. Of course, then there were the Olympic lifts that I had mostly NO idea how to execute. I watched instructional videos over and over to get the feeling right. Then I'd head to the gym to try them out. It took a while to get the form correct, but when I got it correct, I knew it. I fell in love in Olympic lifting moves. The first time I executed a perfect squat clean, I nearly laughed myself silly...I felt great!
Fast forward about three months. I was pretty proficient in most of the CrossFit moves. By this time I'd already brought my FRAN down from 6:45 to 5:04 and was feeling pretty strong, lean, and fast. My bodyfat had been slashed from 14% to about 10% and was still falling. I was addicted to whey protein powder and lean healthy eating. My training was skyrocketing, my attitude was perpetually positive, and I actually started to feel almost arrogant about the shape I was in. People at the gym would ask me "what is that insanity you just did?" and "how the hell are you not falling over dead after that?". Bodybuilders just stood and watched, when it was usually THEY who would be the ones being watched. Here was a little 150-pound dude deadlifting 225 pounds...not once, or twice, or even 10 times, but 55 times over the course of a workout!!
I've started making my own workouts. Super-intense 20-minute mashups, short burts, run-based workouts, etc. I'm studying to be a personal trainer and will use interval training with my clients who want to achieve a high level of leanness, strength, endurance, power, and speed...all at the same time...CrossFit shows it CAN be done. Tabatas anyone?
Now...how does all this relate to triathlon and running? In December 2006, I attempted my first 50-mile run at Sunmart. That race took 11 hours and 36 minutes. I was next to last in age group, and only 5 people finished after me in the entire race. I was destroyed. I couldn't move my right leg. My hip flexors were so fatigued that, going home that night, I had to physically lift my leg into the car with my arms. I thought I'd never do it again. Enter CrossFit...in December 2007, I reattempted the 50-mile distance. 8 hours, 18 minutes. An improvement of 3 hours and 18 minutes!! 3rd in age group. 29th overall. And not only that, I was walking around, feeling fine for hours on end after the race. I even jogged a bit to cool down after I sat around and rehydrated a bit.
Another example. In 2007, I ran the Gasparilla marathon in Tampa (where I currently reside) and I ran a 3:39...I was ecstatic with that time since only a month before I ran a 4:20 at Disney. I felt great but I thought, I'll never qualify for Boston unless I can take another half hour off my best marathon time. At this point I felt this was impossible. I didn't feel like I could have run ANY faster than I had. I trained more that year, but I didn't feel any fitter. Again...enter CrossFit. I did the running workouts as well as the power workouts. I concentrated on making my legs stronger. As the 2008 Gasparilla marathon approached, I was wary of how I was progressing. I had the 2007 Sunmart 50-miler PR under my belt, and had run a 50K at the end of December in 4:17, easily winning the men's race. But those races were both run at paces of above 8:30 per mile! Was I ready to be able to run 26.2 miles at 7:15 pace or below? I was very nervous. Race day came and sure enough, I blew it away. I ran 6:55 pace for the first 19 miles of the race. My last 7 miles were no slower than 7:15. Overall pace wound up being around 7:07 per mile. It was my CrossFit training that allowed me to run through the pain and keep enduring until I reached my goal. I qualified for Boston and will run the marathon there in April 2009.
What about triathlon you ask?
April 2007....Ironman Arizona...on a scale of 1-10, I'd say IMAZ is around a 6 in difficulty. I trained for and finished that race in 12 hours and 24 minutes. That was before CrossFit...
June 2008...Ironman Coeur d'Alene...let me go ahead and give that one an 8 on the difficulty scale. Bigger hills on the bike, more of them, 59 degree water, and some large hills on the run as well. Better nutrition and solid CrossFit training in addition to my IM training brought my time down to 11:14!! And it felt easier than IMAZ! Sure the hills were difficult, but the race overall went smoother. Biggest difference...the run. At IMAZ, I ran a 4:34 marathon with MUCH walking along the way. At CdA, I ran a 3:38, NEVER walked, and only two people passed me on the run...both were girls (Heather Gollnick and the winner of the F25-29 AG).
November 2008...Ironman Florida...a 5 on the difficulty scale. I did almost ZERO training in the months between the two races...save for (you guessed it) CrossFit, and a few long distance runs and bikes. Only two 100-mile bike rides, and no runs greater than 16 miles. I hardly swam at all. My longest swim set was under 3000 yards. Most of my weekday workouts were an hour or less. CrossFit and some general speedwork were my only power workouts. How did I do at IMFL? 10:27. A 3 minute swim PR (1:12), a 33 minute bike PR (5:38), and again...an insane run...3:26, which is 12 minutes better than at CdA. I had stopped my long IM workouts, but kept up the CrossFit...which makes me believe that CF had everything to do with my increases in performance. And if you look back about a month before the race, you'll see that I went thru that 2-week long depression where I pretty much stopped training altogether, including CrossFit. Bit testament to CrossFit's ability to keep one fit during some downtime.
As of this writing I'm down to 150 pounds, 8.2% bodyfat, I have a 4:06 Fran and I'm planning on going for a sub-3 marathon time and a sub-8-hour 50-mile time soon. I'm signed up for and very excited about attempting the Umstead 100-mile trail run in April.
Of course, let me not forget to mention...NUTRITION WAS A HUGE PART OF THIS!!! Let's not forget that the correct meal/nutrition/supplementation plan is crucial to developing a physique and gaining performance. I ate a very clean diet which included lean meats, fat-free milk, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and MOST importantly, whey protein. It was a staple of my diet, I consumed it as much as four times per day, eating 4 additional whole-food meals as well.
Supplements allow the body to use nutrients efficiently, so I never neglected my multi-vitamin and always used a caffeine-based fat burner or energy pill. Fish Oil, another huge proponent of energy production in the body, was always taken in the morning and at night. I used L-Arginine, Beta-Alanine, and Branch Chain Amino Acids as well. These all help with energy/power production and increase muscle torque and endurance. Co-Q10 and Echinacea also help increase the body's capacity for oxygen consumption (VO2 max.).
SO...there you have it. CrossFit's role in my still-waxing athletic career. I'm still, after four years of competition, getting faster, and plan to continue my climb up the podium. Stay tuned, more to come soon!!
20081113
Back To School Night!
081113 - 1345
Things are underway. I have registered for online personal trainer certification from AFTA. I have registered for a CPR/AED class. I have enrolled in an online ACE-exam review course. I will take lots of tests and learn a lot about myself and exercise science in the next two months. If all is successful, by the end of the year, I will be a certified personal trainer. I will have American Red Cross CPR/AEC certification, ACE personal trainer certification, and AFTA personal trainer certification.
Tonight is my first night of studying...the first night of "school" for me in over 5 years.
My goal is to have a good enough client base AND a good enough part time trainer job with a fitness establishment to be able to leave my dreaded engineering job and either work full time in a gym/fitness center with clients on the side, or full time with clients in my own personal training business. The latter probably won't happen immediately, I'm probably gonna need about a year to establish myself enough. Luckily, because I have the support of my other half, I will be able to keep my fees low enough to be competitive as I build my business.
My next step will be to become a certified running coach with the RRCA (Road Running Coaches Association) and move into professional running.
I am very excited about things on the horizon. It's about time I got a kick in the pants (i.e. my dreaded engineering job cutting my pay by 40%) to do something that I've wanted for a long time but was never forced to do.
Personal training school...here I come!
Things are underway. I have registered for online personal trainer certification from AFTA. I have registered for a CPR/AED class. I have enrolled in an online ACE-exam review course. I will take lots of tests and learn a lot about myself and exercise science in the next two months. If all is successful, by the end of the year, I will be a certified personal trainer. I will have American Red Cross CPR/AEC certification, ACE personal trainer certification, and AFTA personal trainer certification.
Tonight is my first night of studying...the first night of "school" for me in over 5 years.
My goal is to have a good enough client base AND a good enough part time trainer job with a fitness establishment to be able to leave my dreaded engineering job and either work full time in a gym/fitness center with clients on the side, or full time with clients in my own personal training business. The latter probably won't happen immediately, I'm probably gonna need about a year to establish myself enough. Luckily, because I have the support of my other half, I will be able to keep my fees low enough to be competitive as I build my business.
My next step will be to become a certified running coach with the RRCA (Road Running Coaches Association) and move into professional running.
I am very excited about things on the horizon. It's about time I got a kick in the pants (i.e. my dreaded engineering job cutting my pay by 40%) to do something that I've wanted for a long time but was never forced to do.
Personal training school...here I come!
20081106
On The Road To Umstead
081106 - 1400
Well, it's been a few weeks since I've been here and shared thoughts, but I'm happy to say that things are much better. Ironman is over, my stress from training has dropped, and I'm ready to tackle some running!
Unfortunately, job stress has me a bit crazed. Bigtime pay cuts are forcing me to all but cancel my 2009 racing season, other than the races I'm already registered for. But that stuff notwithstanding, I'm ready to give it my all to get ready to conquer the Umstead 100 on 090404.
Next on my list is a 50K run up in Georgia which I almost won last year. I expect that I should be able to come out victorious this year, and I have a chance to break the course record if I try hard enough. We'll see what the conditions bring. No expectations just yet. I'm ready though. I'm excited. And I'm feeling really happy. That's what matters most, even though I'm looking at some pretty hard financial times. Changes there are in the works too.
Well, it's been a few weeks since I've been here and shared thoughts, but I'm happy to say that things are much better. Ironman is over, my stress from training has dropped, and I'm ready to tackle some running!
Unfortunately, job stress has me a bit crazed. Bigtime pay cuts are forcing me to all but cancel my 2009 racing season, other than the races I'm already registered for. But that stuff notwithstanding, I'm ready to give it my all to get ready to conquer the Umstead 100 on 090404.
Next on my list is a 50K run up in Georgia which I almost won last year. I expect that I should be able to come out victorious this year, and I have a chance to break the course record if I try hard enough. We'll see what the conditions bring. No expectations just yet. I'm ready though. I'm excited. And I'm feeling really happy. That's what matters most, even though I'm looking at some pretty hard financial times. Changes there are in the works too.
20081020
The Changes Have Been Made!
MO081020 - 0930
Well, it's been a few weeks, and I'm happy to say that things have really improved. I had to make some changes in my diet, supplement schedule, and general outlook, but things are really much better.
Last weekend, I went up to DC to visit my friend Haley, who I hadn't seen in a long time...more than two years. We had a blast. And I ran the Baltimore Marathon while I was there. It was a tough course, but I ran a 3:10 on almost no training. So it really brought up my confidence level. With that renewed confidence, I was able to get through the final week of Ironman training and now I'm in taper. So now I can relax, do the workouts, I can even do CrossFit this week, and then get to race day on November 1 without going crazy.
I feel so much better. I have to admit though, whether it's psychosomatic or not, going back on the Lipo-6X fat burner and the Vitrix mass-builder really helped me stabilize. The Lipo-6X is supposed to affect the seratonin levels in the brain and act like an anti-depressant and mood-enhancer, so if it does, it's working. I've been more positive and happier ever since day 2 of being back on it. Does that mean I'm physically dependent on it? Well...maybe...but isn't that what I'd be to the prescription anti-depressants? I'd rather take something that helps my bodyfat percentage stay low AND helps me stay happy...without a prescription or doctor to deal with.
Once Ironman is over, I'll have my biggest running season EVER to conquer. THIS, I'm looking foward to. No transitions, no wetsuits, no bike equipment. Just me, my running shoes, and my Marathon Maniacs jersey. Oh...and shorts too...I only run ONE naked 5K per year. :)
It feels good to be back. I hated feeling like the world was dark around me. This is much better.
Well, it's been a few weeks, and I'm happy to say that things have really improved. I had to make some changes in my diet, supplement schedule, and general outlook, but things are really much better.
Last weekend, I went up to DC to visit my friend Haley, who I hadn't seen in a long time...more than two years. We had a blast. And I ran the Baltimore Marathon while I was there. It was a tough course, but I ran a 3:10 on almost no training. So it really brought up my confidence level. With that renewed confidence, I was able to get through the final week of Ironman training and now I'm in taper. So now I can relax, do the workouts, I can even do CrossFit this week, and then get to race day on November 1 without going crazy.
I feel so much better. I have to admit though, whether it's psychosomatic or not, going back on the Lipo-6X fat burner and the Vitrix mass-builder really helped me stabilize. The Lipo-6X is supposed to affect the seratonin levels in the brain and act like an anti-depressant and mood-enhancer, so if it does, it's working. I've been more positive and happier ever since day 2 of being back on it. Does that mean I'm physically dependent on it? Well...maybe...but isn't that what I'd be to the prescription anti-depressants? I'd rather take something that helps my bodyfat percentage stay low AND helps me stay happy...without a prescription or doctor to deal with.
Once Ironman is over, I'll have my biggest running season EVER to conquer. THIS, I'm looking foward to. No transitions, no wetsuits, no bike equipment. Just me, my running shoes, and my Marathon Maniacs jersey. Oh...and shorts too...I only run ONE naked 5K per year. :)
It feels good to be back. I hated feeling like the world was dark around me. This is much better.
20081008
It's A Start
081008 - 0830
I woke up at 0600 this morning. And I got out of bed. I didn't press snooze for 2 hours. I didn't press it for 1 hour. OK, I did press it once, but I got out of bed once it rang again.
Last night when I went to bed I decided that I'd wear a bunch of compression stuff to keep my body straight and immobile during the night. I thought it might have a bearing on how well I slept and how my back and legs felt in the morning. So I wore compression socks on my feet, compression sleeves on my lower legs, compression shorts for my thighs, and a neoprene compression belt for my back/obliques. I haven't had such a quality sleep session in a LONG time. When I woke up this morning, my body felt refreshed and new. The compression stuff must have squeezed out some toxins cuz when I got up, I think I peed enough to make a new lake in Tampa. I've been upping my water intake lately, hoping to flush out whatever negative chemicals are floating around in my blood. It looks like it's working because today I feel better than I have in more than 10 days. I think this is finally starting to lift.
Today, I'll be receiving my shipment of Lipo-6X and Vitrix. So hopefully by tonight I'll be on my way back to being old happy funny self again. Plus, after the marathon this weekend, I'll probably be high on endorphins again, and ready to attack the last few weeks of IM training with a smile. I'm looking forward to the change in attitude VERY much.
I woke up at 0600 this morning. And I got out of bed. I didn't press snooze for 2 hours. I didn't press it for 1 hour. OK, I did press it once, but I got out of bed once it rang again.
Last night when I went to bed I decided that I'd wear a bunch of compression stuff to keep my body straight and immobile during the night. I thought it might have a bearing on how well I slept and how my back and legs felt in the morning. So I wore compression socks on my feet, compression sleeves on my lower legs, compression shorts for my thighs, and a neoprene compression belt for my back/obliques. I haven't had such a quality sleep session in a LONG time. When I woke up this morning, my body felt refreshed and new. The compression stuff must have squeezed out some toxins cuz when I got up, I think I peed enough to make a new lake in Tampa. I've been upping my water intake lately, hoping to flush out whatever negative chemicals are floating around in my blood. It looks like it's working because today I feel better than I have in more than 10 days. I think this is finally starting to lift.
Today, I'll be receiving my shipment of Lipo-6X and Vitrix. So hopefully by tonight I'll be on my way back to being old happy funny self again. Plus, after the marathon this weekend, I'll probably be high on endorphins again, and ready to attack the last few weeks of IM training with a smile. I'm looking forward to the change in attitude VERY much.
20081007
Turning the Corner...Slowly
081007 - 1035
OK dammit. I made a decision. I'm sick and tired of this effing depression. I know now what's causing it and I know how to fix it. Jess is right. I self-medicate. And when I'm not working out or doing SOMETHING that raises my testosterone level and my endorphin production, I'm down in the dumps.
But, unlike my original thinking in this matter, Zoloft is NOT the answer. I refuse to have to rely on a prescription drug that causes my brain to function differently. It makes me...NOT me. I AM an intense person, I AM excited about my athletics, I AM happy that I can keep up an insane energy level. Zoloft will take that away and make me flat. I do NOT want to be uninteresting and boring like I was when I was on Zoloft 4 years ago. I pride myself on my sometimes-over-the-top personality, its what makes me so unique among my friends. I refuse to have that taken away from me by a mind-altering drug. I want to feel good about myself, not just be content to NOT be sad. That's not how I want to live.
So...I have decided to re-order my supplements. Lipo-6X (because it has a mood-lifting complex in it) and Vitrix, the herbal T-booster I used last month (it's herbal, not chemical, so it's totally legal) and it will kick up my T-levels so I won't be depressed anymore. It was stupid of me to just come off of them like this...I should have known I'd be thrown down in the dumps. I've ordered it and it should be shipped today, and be here tomorrow. I should be back to my happy funny Q self by the weekend. This had BETTER work.
I just think this is a better idea than going on a drug that I will have to take perpetually. If I can get away with something that's easily ordered over the internet, and relatively cheaper than having a monthly prescription and doctors to pay for, then I'm all for it. If after a week or so, I still feel crappy, then the Zoloft MIGHT be the only option. But I'm pretty sure I'll find that I'm better.
I am confident that this decision will help me turn the corner on this depression and by next week, be ready to attack my peak training week for IMFL and then stay intense and fit for the taper weeks leading up to the race.
OK dammit. I made a decision. I'm sick and tired of this effing depression. I know now what's causing it and I know how to fix it. Jess is right. I self-medicate. And when I'm not working out or doing SOMETHING that raises my testosterone level and my endorphin production, I'm down in the dumps.
But, unlike my original thinking in this matter, Zoloft is NOT the answer. I refuse to have to rely on a prescription drug that causes my brain to function differently. It makes me...NOT me. I AM an intense person, I AM excited about my athletics, I AM happy that I can keep up an insane energy level. Zoloft will take that away and make me flat. I do NOT want to be uninteresting and boring like I was when I was on Zoloft 4 years ago. I pride myself on my sometimes-over-the-top personality, its what makes me so unique among my friends. I refuse to have that taken away from me by a mind-altering drug. I want to feel good about myself, not just be content to NOT be sad. That's not how I want to live.
So...I have decided to re-order my supplements. Lipo-6X (because it has a mood-lifting complex in it) and Vitrix, the herbal T-booster I used last month (it's herbal, not chemical, so it's totally legal) and it will kick up my T-levels so I won't be depressed anymore. It was stupid of me to just come off of them like this...I should have known I'd be thrown down in the dumps. I've ordered it and it should be shipped today, and be here tomorrow. I should be back to my happy funny Q self by the weekend. This had BETTER work.
I just think this is a better idea than going on a drug that I will have to take perpetually. If I can get away with something that's easily ordered over the internet, and relatively cheaper than having a monthly prescription and doctors to pay for, then I'm all for it. If after a week or so, I still feel crappy, then the Zoloft MIGHT be the only option. But I'm pretty sure I'll find that I'm better.
I am confident that this decision will help me turn the corner on this depression and by next week, be ready to attack my peak training week for IMFL and then stay intense and fit for the taper weeks leading up to the race.
20081001
HTFU?
081001 - 1155
No. That isn't the idea.
Snap out of it? No. It's not that simple. This isn't just a mood swing. I'm depressed. Like "I hate triathlon" depressed. Not just "oh boy I'm tired". So I can't just one day be unhappy and the next day just decide I'm fine.
There needs to be a progression here. What I've decided to do as a start to help me climb this wall I've hit is to take a few days off and forget about triathlon, forget about my 8.2% bodyfat, forget about my 4:06 Fran. I have decided that putting myself into a "regular" lifestyle for a few days will make me realize how much I love triathlon. Then I can start up again, knowing that I have a career in a sport that is enjoyable, not joyless or stressful.
Here's my reasoning. I didn't go to Provincetown this year. I didn't go to GayDays at Disney. I didn't go to St. Pete Pride. Why? I don't know. But I do know that every year I do something to celebrate my "difference" in life, and this year I did not. This made me upset and caused me to long for a "recharge of my pride". As of yet, I have not had this. But the same goes true for my love of triathlon. I think that if I'm away from it, and I don't have it for a while, I will start to long for it, and I will start training again with fervor. Even if it is only for the last 4 weeks before the race.
Next weekend, I will be in Baltimore for the UnderArmor Baltimore Marathon. I'm looking forward to this race, not only because I love running marathons, but I get to see a friend of mine I haven't seen in over two years. She's in the army, and lucky for me, she was stationed in DC recently, so at her request (read begging day in and day out) I decided to hit Baltimore for my fall marathon (since I missed the registration for Marine Corps Marathon...grrr). It works out better anyway, since MCM would be 6 days before Ironman Florida.
Tonight, I skipped my bike/run workout. Tomorrow, I will skip my bike/run workout. Friday, I MIGHT skip my swim depending on how I feel. 3 days off is probably all I will want to take, but I might just take all of them. We'll see what happens. Right now I'm feeling confident that my strategy will work.
My friend Sue (she's a doctor, so I trust her judgment) took me to dinner tonight and told me that I just need to start incorporating rest days into my schedule. In the past two years, I've probably taken about 20 rest days total. 20...out of 730 days. Isn't that crazy when you think about it? And 10 of those days were one week rests after Ironman races. Actually, I only rested THREE DAYS after my first Ironman...am I addicted or what?
Anyway, the point is...after a few days' rest I'm willing to bet that I'll be back and better than ever. At least I hope I will. It's so hard to be positive right now. But I'm working hard.
No. That isn't the idea.
Snap out of it? No. It's not that simple. This isn't just a mood swing. I'm depressed. Like "I hate triathlon" depressed. Not just "oh boy I'm tired". So I can't just one day be unhappy and the next day just decide I'm fine.
There needs to be a progression here. What I've decided to do as a start to help me climb this wall I've hit is to take a few days off and forget about triathlon, forget about my 8.2% bodyfat, forget about my 4:06 Fran. I have decided that putting myself into a "regular" lifestyle for a few days will make me realize how much I love triathlon. Then I can start up again, knowing that I have a career in a sport that is enjoyable, not joyless or stressful.
Here's my reasoning. I didn't go to Provincetown this year. I didn't go to GayDays at Disney. I didn't go to St. Pete Pride. Why? I don't know. But I do know that every year I do something to celebrate my "difference" in life, and this year I did not. This made me upset and caused me to long for a "recharge of my pride". As of yet, I have not had this. But the same goes true for my love of triathlon. I think that if I'm away from it, and I don't have it for a while, I will start to long for it, and I will start training again with fervor. Even if it is only for the last 4 weeks before the race.
Next weekend, I will be in Baltimore for the UnderArmor Baltimore Marathon. I'm looking forward to this race, not only because I love running marathons, but I get to see a friend of mine I haven't seen in over two years. She's in the army, and lucky for me, she was stationed in DC recently, so at her request (read begging day in and day out) I decided to hit Baltimore for my fall marathon (since I missed the registration for Marine Corps Marathon...grrr). It works out better anyway, since MCM would be 6 days before Ironman Florida.
Tonight, I skipped my bike/run workout. Tomorrow, I will skip my bike/run workout. Friday, I MIGHT skip my swim depending on how I feel. 3 days off is probably all I will want to take, but I might just take all of them. We'll see what happens. Right now I'm feeling confident that my strategy will work.
My friend Sue (she's a doctor, so I trust her judgment) took me to dinner tonight and told me that I just need to start incorporating rest days into my schedule. In the past two years, I've probably taken about 20 rest days total. 20...out of 730 days. Isn't that crazy when you think about it? And 10 of those days were one week rests after Ironman races. Actually, I only rested THREE DAYS after my first Ironman...am I addicted or what?
Anyway, the point is...after a few days' rest I'm willing to bet that I'll be back and better than ever. At least I hope I will. It's so hard to be positive right now. But I'm working hard.
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