Thursday, September 4, 2008

When is it time to say enough is enough?

H & I decided to do our long ride yesterday instead of this Saturday because H is taking a class in "Bike Repair" on Sat. This is really good news because I always have loved handy men and well, bike repair fits that status for sure. I already love my sweet hubby but this just makes him more lovable and we will have free bike repair. No more "Uh, why is my wheel wobbling?" Or, "What is this tool for now?"
How cool..

We really had to pump ourselves up yesterday for the 64 mile ride. In all we averaged over 15 MPH, which is good however, it was tedious I must say. We are both questioning why we are doing this IM training again this year (he did IMCDA training with me). Exhaustion and soreness does not make for good resolve for training. H has always been the one to help me through these times. Now that we are both training for IMAZ, there is a question. Who pushes who when we are both tired? H was ready to throw in the towel yesterday. I had little resistance to this idea, although I knew it was my turn to be the one to encourage this time. I did say Let's give this another few weeks. If it is still no fun, we will pull out of IMAZ. That's it..I said it..We have a choice. It is only a triathlon-not life or death..When it stops being fun, on a consistent basis, it is not worth it. Now I know the prize-The You are an Ironman feeling that H doesn't have or know yet. I realize that in order to IM train, you REALLY have to want this. Past the pain, past the boring long rides, past the irritation, sometimes feeling over trained, soreness, self doubt and all the tired days. It is a kind of stubbornness that is a driving force behind the journey..to get to that one end-You are an Ironman!

I am not sure I have that intractable resolve right now. Will it come back? Not sure..I have never quit on anything that I remember. I got my will power from my mom-some might call it stubborness-never give up-ness. I can't imagine giving up on this...

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Don't give up!!!! At times like this you need to consult your trainer/coach. They are the ones to keep you encouraged when you feel like not going any further.
Take one day at a time. Enjoy the time you get to spend together.

Here is your motivational poem:
when things go wrong as they sometimes will
when the road you're trudging seems all uphill
When the funds are low and debts are high
When you want to smile but you have to sigh
When care is pressing you down a bit
Rest if you must, but don't you quit!
Success is failure, turned inside out
The silver tint to the clouds of doubt
You never can tell how close you are
It may be near when it seems so far
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit
And when thing go wrong, you must not quit!

You go girl!!!!
Love Molly

Steve Stenzel said...

I hear ya! Pharmie and I did IM WI last year, but were were pretty good about getting each other out there. I don't know what to tell you. Hang in there and get in the workouts that you can!!

21stCenturyMom said...

I ride with a woman who is a very accomplished and experienced Iron Athlete and she keeps telling me you have to switch it up. You can't always do the same thing, ride the same pace, run at the same HR, etc. Try substituting some interval training for shorter rides. Try going somewhere and tackling a big hill instead of just putting in the 64 miles. These things shock the body to new places and make you feel different instead of just tired. I think you need that right now. You need to let go of MAO and just go for it! Maybe that will get you excited again. Maybe?

Iron Krista, "The Dog Mom" said...

cudos to you for toughing it out. I had a 4hour ride today (peak ride for half IM).... I was sore, and tired..and really struggled. I've really been trying to push my avg HR up... but I was just DONE. My avg HR was 137, zone 1 for me.

I immediately thought.. THANK GOD I'm not IM training right now!

I wish you luck!

Calyx Meredith said...

You know sometimes "taking it away" by saying we don't have to do this can make you realize how much you do want to do it! I am cheering you both on - whichever way you decide!

Anonymous said...

I'm not worthy to give advice on IM training, but I did read somewhere about losing motivation in training for a big event. One tip that stuck with me was to remind yourself of the things you love about running, biking or swimming and focus on those things when you're training instead of the numbers.

Sometimes just thinking of how much I enjoy being outside when I'm running gets me through.

IronWaddler said...

My friend, Iron Snoopy and her Hubby Moose are facing the exact same challenge. Link into her blog. they both did IMKY lasy year and are doing IMAZ this year. Already they have said they WILL NOT do an IM next year!!

LBTEPA said...

Having the option of not doing it might actually be helpful - b/c it takes the tension off now, and when your mojo sneaks back you'll be able to say 'of course we're not pulling out'

The Stretch Doc said...

Hey its tuff or every1 would do it! We all have to earn that ironman & u and h can do it!! Maybe take a couple days off to recharge. Hang n there! Both of you!

Anonymous said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqjm306fs7I&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz4w5h-aX9c

You;ll regret it if you quit.

Go the Distance!!

Anonymous said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqjm306fs7I&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz4w5h-aX9c

You'll regret it if you quit.

Go the Distance!!

Marci said...

Do what your heart tells you to do! That You are an Ironman feeling is amazing... so hopefully you'll stick to it :)

Susi said...

i agree with most of the comments about trying to stick with it and ride out the tough time. because there are tough times in IM training, as you know.

i also know that there are many many ironman races out there. so not doing IMAZ this year is not the end of the world. you can sign up for another race next year, if you choose.

perhaps a short break from the riggers of the swim/bike/run training will get you back in the swing of things? maybe do something else like hiking or yoga for a short while. then go back to the training and see how you feel.

bottom line, you have to do what you feel is right for you!

S. Baboo said...

Wow, this is a hard one because I can feel what I want to say but don’t know how exactly to convey the idea. Ironman is nothing but a goal that supports a wildly life affirming path. It is not a struggle or suffering or boring. It is not toughness or ruggedness or courage. It is the physical manifestation of your love of life with all its highs and lows and entering into this journey with H is a physical manifestation of your marriage with all its highs and lows. No offense to the earlier comment with the Rocky videos but this is not a “Rocky-esc” fight to capture a win and avoid a loss it is more like a smiling Buddha fully grounded in the joys and sorrows of life. No matter what you do, no matter how tired or sore you feel you can always smile at the thought “this is the process of my life and I am engaging it fully.”

Oh, and if all that doesn’t work for you just think about what a stud H will look like with that M-dot tat ;-)

Seriously, keep at it, take some rest, mix it up, drop the training plans a bit and go by feel for a little. You and H are not going to lose fitness and the change up will probably do you both some good.

Duane said...

And don't forget to throw down some margaritas and get some serious snuggling in with H!

Herself, the GeekGirl said...

What would you tell a client who was having trouble getting through a week of difficult tasks? I'd tell them to "Reward yourself with a special night out when you complete a grueling week of training." Then make sure you take one day a week to relax and nap and just hang out, maybe even with the phones off.
PS: Where'd you take the bike repair class??? Inquiring minds (okay, my mind) want to know!