The (mental) games we play

#flystyle

One of the things I am really working on this year is my mental game.  Getting faster requires breaking that mental barrier.

I find I struggle most mentally when I am doing speedwork.  Sometimes I haven't even started speedwork and I'm already psyching myself out.

Last nights speed workout called for 4 x 1 mile repeats at 7:50-7:55 pace.  I had done 1/2 mile repeats two weeks before at that pace and it was hard.

Already doing my warm up, I was psyching myself out.  "My legs feel stiff."  "I am really tired."

You know the drill.

But this time, I decided to do something different.  You know when you hit ice when driving they say to steer into the slide?  Okay, I haven't really driven in 10 years, but I feel like I remember that saying.

Anyway, that's what I decided to do on my repeats yesterday.  I slide into the negative thoughts (just a little, I didn't give myself an out for the workout completely).  I gave myself a little leeway during the first one.  I told myself just to do my best and then I could go from there.

The first one was a little tough, but because I had no pressure on myself for that first one, I loosened up quickly.  And my pace picked up.  In the end, I was able to finish the first mile at 7:54.

From there, the remaining three weren't as mentally challenging.  I knew I could do it, even when originally it had seemed impossible.

I completed my remaining three mile repeats at 7:53. 7:51 and 7:46, getting faster with each one.

I am not sure if I will use this way of thinking all the time, but if it helped me with this speed workout, that works for me! 

What do you do to get over the mental hurdle?

So its been a while....

Yea, so I'm a bad blogger. And apparently people actually read this (I'm serious - who knew?). And I'm sorry to the people who I told I would update this a while ago. Clearly, I did not. Oops. So to make up for that, this will be a longer then usual post (I'll try to re-cap what I can from the last 2 weeks).

The official pictures from the Philly Tri are up! Check them out at the link below:

http://www.asiorders.com/view_event.asp?EVENTID=32064

My bib number was 629. There are some pictures that are not me (not sure how they ended up in there), but the rest look pretty good.

I did my first long ride over the GW Bridge on the 28th. Meet the team in the park and then headed up. We rode over the bridge and along 9W to Piermont and back. Did a total of 48 miles, my longest ride to date. I felt good during the ride, but I am sooo not a fan of riding over the GW. I've run over it before and was fine with that, but riding over it was whole different experience. I kept having visions of me falling of the bridge. But, I took it slow and made it out and back. And hopefully the next time I do it, it won't be so terrifying.

That Sunday (6/29), I did a long run with the team, which went well despite it being ungodly hot out. I also went for a short, easy swim.

Monday's are rapidly becoming one of my favorite days of the week since they tend to be recovery days. I did some stretching and used the foam roller (I am still pretty inflexible/tight despite all my efforts).

Tuesday was our speed workout. We did a tempo run that mimicked the course of the NYC Triathlon (which is next weekend). I'm not doing the tri this year because of a family wedding, but it is good practice since I am planning on doing it next year.

The rest of the week I did strength training, 2 rides, a brick, and lots of swimming. I felt like I was becoming a fish by the end of the week. I also did a long-ish run on Sunday morning. As it was the 4th, I was able to be lazy and catch up on my sleep (well, some of the days I did). Monday (7/7) was another recovery day.

This week has been a lower volume week, but the intensity has definitely been higher. Tuesday night I did a 30-minute time trial. Wednesday I did a strength workout. Thursday morning I did a ride in the park. I had a really good ride - felt really comfortable and strong on the bike. I can finally feel the strength workout paying off - Harlem Hill was easier to do then usual.

Today I am doing a time trial in the pool, tomorrow one on the bike and Sunday another running time trial.

Busy Week

I've had a busy week and half of training. Both Tuesdays I had running. We've been working on speed work, which just wipes me out for the next day. I went for a ride on both Wednesdays (yay!) and did a brick both Thursday AMs. The bricks are getting a little easy each week - I think it depends on how recovered I am from the run. This past Tuesdays run was a little tough, so my legs are still tired. Last Saturday I did a 36 mile bike ride and a 9 mile run on Sunday.

Monday was a really interesting day. I did a bike assessment with my coach. They put your bike on a trainer which is attached to a computer and the computer controls the resistance (so it can make it harder simulating hills, etc). The reason we did it was to analyse my leg strength and spin. I did a course of Central Park. It was definitely weird to be biking and not moving. But definitely worth it.

Tuesday Night Workout

Had a great speed workout last night. We did 800 meter (1/2 mile) repeats. We did the 800 at 85-90% and then an 800 meter recovery. We did 4 of these total (4 miles). Had a good workout. See below for my times:

85-90% Recovery
3.29.95 5.05.98
3.45.95 4.44.92
3.41.12 5.02.75
3.40.71 5.02.89 (also cooldown) + 2.07.16

Total time: 36.41.12 - 8.37 overall pace