As I’ve disclosed early on, I’ve been working with a coach during these last six months. It’s been an amazing experience. I’ve learned so much about training, fueling, hydration, the psychological aspect of an endurance event like this as well as confirming the many instincts I have, as a coach myself. Without a doubt, it was the best decision I made once I decided to pursue this goal.
Every week, Kathryn will email me my workouts. I have a system for saving them onto my iPhone so I can review them multiple times a day as I plan for each upcoming workout. I try to stay as focused as possible on the present day and maybe one day ahead so I can be prepared. If I think or look too far ahead, I get very anxious and lose focus. It’s very hard for me to do this, because I like to know what the future has in store for me, even if it’s just a few days away.
For the past 5 days, from Friday, July 11-Tuesday, July 15, I biked 190 miles, ran 90 minutes, and swam 30 minutes. As you might imagine, I was hoping that I would get a bit of a break. Instead, I looked ahead and saw that in 2 days, I would have to embark on a 2:20 minute run.
Ugh!
I was feeling like I needed a reward for all that I endured. But alas, that was not the case. I did have a short swim (1200 yards) on Wednesday. I guess that was my “easy” day.
I flopped on the bed and said to Leland, “I’m done, I don’t know if I can do this anymore!” After mumbling something about how he thought I should get more rest, he sweetly touched my arm and reminded me how this training is not just physical, but also mental. He reminded me that there have been other times that I’ve felt like this during the past six months and this is what I’ll look back on when I’m working my way through race day.
As usual, he is right.
“One day at a time.” Anything more and I might just lose it!