Bubble Wrap, Anyone?

Well, general crisis averted.  My foot is healing up well, and I'm back to running at least on pavement without issue.  Trails, not so much as any uneven surface that hits the arch of my foot still really hurts, but I'll take long runs on the pavement for now.

I did have an entire week of cycling the week of the injury.  I logged almost 370 miles in 8 days - by far the most I've ever done in such a period.  Was a good week, and a hard week.  I managed a sad elliptical workout, a short treadmill run, a 2 mile transition run, and a 5 mile easy run that same week.  That last one was awesome because I actually got to run with my son riding his pedal bike (along with Mama riding as well).  He's up for 2 mile jaunts now, and is doing fantastic now that he's learned to use his brakes.

After getting back to some running this week, my coach chimed in that the foot was a good reminder to wrap myself in bubble wrap leading up to Kona.  I certainly continue to feel that the hardest part about having a good race is actually getting to the starting line ready to race - not hurt, ill, or exhausted.  Not at all as easy as it sounds.

This week, cycling mileage was back down to a more reasonable 180miles, and running was up to 32.  I am definitely feeling the season, though.  I'm finding that I'm more tired in general (particularly getting up in the mornings), but at the same time unable to take my naps anymore.  Partially that's a time thing, but partially it's an inability to quiet my mind.  I will park the car, recline the seat, and try to close my eyes for 20-30' prior to getting in the water (yes, this is actually typical for me when training).  But after 15' of my brain just working like the Energizer bunny, I decide I'm not going to sleep, so it's time to head into the water.  The cumulative effects of a year of hard training (leading up to Ironman New Zealand in early March, and now Kona) has tipped past the unsustainable point, and is severely bordering on overtraining.  The dance of knowing when the body is saying, "Enough!" vs when the mind speaks is becoming harder to walk.  Though at the same time, the importance of discerning that difference may well also be fading.  When bordering on overtraining, the mind or the body caving become equally important.  

So tonight's cycling intervals ended up going down the tubes.  They started off okay, but it became clear fairly quickly that they were not going as expected.  No clue if it was mind or body, but performance was lacking.  Bubble wrap came out, and I tried to make the most of it without wrecking myself.  First power goals dropped off, then durations were shortened.  Ultimately, a workout was completed, but perhaps not to the initial expectations.  

I'm trying to become an "Optimalist"  An interesting spin on pessimism/optimism.  Making  the  most  of what you're dealt.  More on  that next time.   Sleep is callling.

Good Training  and  GOOD  NIGHT!