So it’s the first full week of my off season and I am
struggling. I have been training 5-6
days a week for months and now I do not have a plan or a race to plan for and I
am worried that I will slide backwards and all my hard work will
disappear. Now the logical part of my
brain knows that is a load of crap but the illogical part of me is
worried. I worry that if I am not
running 5 times for more than 40K a week my weight will creep back on and I
will lose my fitness. This is worse than
a taper week because at the end of it I know I don't have a race to look forward to…now
I have…nothing.
It’s not like I am sitting on the couch and eating bonbons
but it feels different and I do not like it.
I like a plan, a sense of purpose and I guess I need a direction to be
pointed in. I am running 3 times a week
as a group leader and I have an indoor cycling class once a week starting
Monday but it does not feel like it is enough.
I signed up for a half marathon in May as part of Team Diabetes,
something I have wanted to do for a long time but May is so far away and it’s
too early to start training for it.
Two years ago, I would have been happy to do nothing
athletic but not now, now it’s like an addiction and when I do not get my fix,
I get crazy. It’s all about balance and
I cannot go too far to one extreme or the other; I need to take these next few
months to regain my balance. I still
need a plan but not a training plan, a different plan. I want to fine tune my running technique, improve
my strength and flexibility and loose that last 15 lbs. Its funny how much I have changed, that fat
girl happy to sit on the side lines is gone for good and I do not miss her. I like the fit girl I have become, the one
that follows her dreams, inspires other to follow theirs and who won’t ever
give up.
May is not too far away for me! Knowing Tough Mudder is in less than 6 months has kept me going. I am viewing the winter as a change in focus too. All summer I worked hard to get to my goal of running 5k. Now I am focusing on making my upper body and core ready for those massive hills and obstacles, progressing, challenging myself to do things like run early, run in the cold, do that class at the gym that scares me. It all works to make me stronger. I think you are right where you need to be! Now that you are fit, you can challenge yourself to do things, like a winter sport, or doing some crazy exercise challenges (like fire hydrants LOL). You may find if you vary it up, take some time to "play" the restless feeling of being far off from a goal will go away. At least that is the philosophy I am using to get through this winter! I'm using my new body to experience things I want to do, all with the idea to get stronger while having a blast. :)
ReplyDeleteI am just like you! If I don't have a plan, I start to freak out! Sounds like you are doing just fine now! Good luck on your half marathon! It will be here before you know it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, still work in progress but it's coming together. Who knew this would be so hard.
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