Thursday, June 19, 2008

IMFL training begins, Getting my mind right, I'm not Type A, and Goodluck wishes

The Ironman. It's the ultimate test of endurance, passion, tolerance, and balance for any triathlete. It's our Mt. Everest. It's our Super Bowl. It's our game 7 of the World Series. And we don't even to have to sit in the bleachers and watch. We can participate...we can swim, bike and run right along side of the pros. We get cheered for and get our names called out at the finish line just like the pros. What a thrill. What an opportunity. I've got 20 weeks to get ready. It started Sunday. I'm going through the mental checklist...
- Finished the GCT half iron easily - check
- Kept up the bike mileage and am ready for a century - check
- Got the foot injury all healed up and ready to go - check
- Got the BT training plan in place - check
- Got a good idea of nutrition requirements and how my body reacts - check
- Feeling more confident about the swim - check
- Getting the diet under control - check
- Mentally ready - not so much...

There's no denying it, my mind is not right for this, just yet. It's really not surprising, though, because I am a procrastinator by nature. I hate it, but I am. If I'm a little uncomfortable with something, I will dance around it for a while before I completely jump in. I'll think about other things, and just leave it in the back of my mind until I deem it necessary to get down to business. I did the same thing with Gulf Coast, actually. The first few weeks of that 20 week plan, I dabbled with it instead of taking the plunge. I tested the waters of those long bike rides and brick workouts and very few rest days. That's what I've been doing this week - testing the waters. Good or bad, I'm not sure, but it's something I have to do. I've done most of the workouts listed on the plan for this week, but I am also changing it to allow for the 100 miles on the bike Saturday. I am excited about going 100 miles at the Harpeth River Ride, so that's really what is on my mind, more so than November 1st. Which is okay with me, right now. The century ride is going to be great for my training, and I am coming to realize that I do better by listening to my body and going with the flow, and keeping it fun, rather than trying to be a type A personality who must do everything by the book. Which leads me to...

I'm not Type A.

I almost am. I can be. But inherently, I'm not completely type A. I have spent a lot of time lately meditating about my discontentednesses and my never ending desire to excel and achieve. I want to be the best. I always have, at everything I do. The problem, though, is that when you are a wife, mother, corporate computer programmer, soccer/baseball coach, triathlete, etc. It's not always possible to be the best at all of it. You have to bring in some balance. Some peace and acceptance with doing the best you can in all of it. That is hard for me, but it is necessary. However, it leaves me feeling kind of like a failure at all of it.

It doesn't have to be that way, though. I can sit on a bank with a rod and reel and enjoy a day of catching no fish just as much as anyone. I can paddle my kayak down the river without having to enter an adventure race. I can go for a jog (yes, I said "jog") without having to be the first to finish. I can love you for who you are and not for what you can do for me.

I still don't like to enter a race and not go all out, but, I can do it if I have to. I took a "Type A or B" test online and this was my result:
Results of Your Type A Personality Test


Personality Type
Ruler
Your score = 61 Your score



What does your score mean?

You seem to be in the middle between the Type A and Type B personality. In this case, the middle ground is good. Your attitude to life is more of the "smell the roses" kind and you know how and when to relax. Nonetheless, you realize that picking up a challenge and competing a little bit for your place in the sun can add some spice to your life. The equilibrium is important, so don't let your hostile, aggressive, and competitive alter ego take over too often. Generally, you are easy to be around, and people tend to feel relaxed and comfortable in your presence. Yours is a very healthy attitude towards life.

Had I taken this test a year ago, no doubt I would have been all over the Type A side. But the good thing about life is that if you keep an open mind and observe what's going on around you, you can always learn new things. You can even learn new things about yourself, and you can recall things that you had forgotten. You can change. When I signed up for IMFL,I thought this year would be about rigid workout plans and no holds bard training sessions and the world revolving around me. I was wrong. This year is about training hard and training smart; being passionate when the time is right and relaxing when it's not; it's about mental toughness, but it's also about listening to my body; it's about riding 70 miles in the hot sun and then staying true to my promise of taking the kids to the pool; it's about being grateful for the opportunity I've been given - my health, the support, and the financial means to train for an Ironman, and then it's also about scrapping the 60 min ride or weight session because I have Little League ballgame to attend.

I am not a professional triathlete - I survive the swim; I think I'm fast on the bike, but in comparison to many, I'm not; and I am only an average runner. I have tested the waters of this 20 week IM training plan this week, and I like it. I'm riding 100 miles this weekend, and then taking the kids to see a movie. I'm turning it up a notch next week. And probably another the next week. I'll be ready for Ironman come November 1st - Lana-style.

Now, speaking of Ironman...if you didn't know already, IMCDA is Sunday!! Goodluck to all of my peeps who are toeing the line! If you haven't already, go over to Bigun's blog and check out his list of participants and their numbers, and instructions on how to track them live. You guys rock!!!

10 comments:

Lauren Starks said...

Since I'm volunteered for IMFL, I'm excited to watch you build up to this and the succeed!

Good luck!

Ryan said...

I think it is the fear of Ironman that keeps your training honest. If you start to get to "cocky" about your abilities and start thinking you can cut some of the training out, then Ironman will become a sufferfest instead of a celebration.

The build up is much more difficult then the race!

Good luck

:) said...

I think "Lana-Style" sounds just fine and will work wonderfully!

Go for it and have fun on your century this weekend...

Born To Endure said...

You can do this and YOU WILL..so there..:-) It will be fun..AND i'll be there to race too...yay!

Bethany said...

Good luck on your training. Sounds like you are off to a great start! Looking forward to following your journey...

Jumper 2.0 said...

hehe,

I always joke that I'm a type A-. I think that must be what you are too!

Anonymous said...

I think you have a great attitude about training and family life. It isn't easy being a working mom and an athlete. I think the key is finding a balance and knowing your limits; seems like you got that in check. When you are out there running, biking or swimming you give it all you have and when you are with your family you give them all that you are.

Stay positive, enjoy life and what it throws at you, take time for yourself and the next 20 weeks are going to fly by.

Benson said...

I know it goes without saying but "don't over analyze" too soon. Let your training infuse you. It's OK to let the mind just wander a bit for now. enjoy it and get in your routine. Your mindset and focus will grow along with your training.
Good luck and just be smart. The really dumb stuff comes later...

Wes said...

There's a lot to be said for being left of "A" :-) You'll probably live longer. Busy weekend. We got IM CdA, IM Japan, and IM France... Have a great ride this weekend. You are well on your way to IM...

IronTriTim said...

Training hard, training smart... and having fun. Also following the bt plan.