Thursday, August 29, 2013

Disjointed Post-IM Thoughts


Between traveling up to Boston last weekend, working through some day-long meetings, and preparing for the deluge of work coming my way in September, I haven’t had a chance to finish writing up my IM Mont Tremblant race report.

But I DO have time to write up some disjointed thoughts about the Ironman aftermath. Here you go.

  • In the past year, I’ve trained for, and raced, a half marathon, a marathon, a half ironman, and an ironman, without getting injured. No compromised or missed workouts because of injury, no aches or pains that I couldn’t handle with a little foam rolling or ice. This is a testament to some combination of the resiliency of my body and the quality of my coach’s training plan. My guess is that it’s mostly the latter.
  • Now, however, my right knee is acting up. On one hand, it’s great timing, since I’m only registered for one more race this season (Nation’s Tri, an Olympic distance race, in 10 days). On the other hand, really? Why now, after taking FOUR WHOLE DAYS OFF LAST WEEK?
  • It’s still not all that bad. I just have some pulling on the patella. The only workout it has impacted so far was a tempo-style run yesterday, when I had to stop during warm up to stretch it out for 5 minutes and then finished the rest of the workout.
  • I got home from the race 10 days ago. My time trial bike is still in my car. This photo essentially sums up how I have felt about that bike all season.





  • I have, however, gotten on my road bike a ton since getting back. Once for a workout, and several times for bike commuting. Because I often have to look presentable for my job and meet with important people outside our office, it’s difficult to bike commute regularly. But then Metro announced that they might basically be shutting down the red line for two months, and I decided that I HAVE HAD IT with Metro and am sporting a 20-lb backpack and my Trek Lexa daily. We’ll see how long this lasts.
  • For no good reason, I bought a SMASH cycling jersey that looks just like the tri top I wore for IM Mont Tremblant. Then I found out that Rachel ordered the same one. TWIN TIME (if you ignore the fact that she’s much, much smaller than me with darker hair).
  • I haven’t done a timed workout since a run on August 11 (if you discount the Ironman). Leading up to race day, I didn’t want to freak out over numbers. Since race day, I haven’t wanted to know how slow I am, but realize that eventually I need some metrics to track my training. I meant to time yesterday’s tempo run, but my Garmin got turned on in my bag and the battery drained.
  • There were also plans to look at the clock during this morning’s swim workout, but I can only deal with so much bad news in one week, so that didn’t happen.
  • In the spirit of not jumping right back into the grind of long-course triathlon training, tomorrow, I am going to try pilates. I expect that this will be hysterical for all involved. I would say that I hope I don’t like it, because it could be an expensive habit, but, it’s not like I spend money on, oh, furniture or clothing.
  • I still might not go get my time trial bike out of my car tonight. It sounds like too much effort.
  • If I do go get my bike out of my car, that might even prompt me going to the lobby to pick up my mail for the first time in over two weeks. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, here.

20 comments:

  1. Oh! I'm excited to hear what you think about Pilates! I'm hoping to get back to it (like, actual classes, not my own at-home workouts) soon!

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    1. Oh man, I am ashamed of my overuse of exclamation points in that last comment.

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    2. It's OK. We'll give you a pass. This time.

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  2. Good luck!!! WHOO HOOO... Did you decide about Miami?

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    1. I'm probably out for Miami - long story, probably deserves its own post, but I have some health issues I need to focus on solving this fall.

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  3. the red line article made me want to pull my hair out. the red line can't be any worse.

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  4. I hope your knee is just an issue and nothing too serious. I'll never understand injuries (as cliche as that sounds). Good luck in your last race of the training cycle though!

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  5. As a former red-line dweller, wow.

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    1. I KNOW. I mean...TONS of people rely on that. They can't fix it with shuttle buses between Grosvener and Tenleytown. Me and my bike, we're going to be friends.

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  6. Now that you have the shorts, we need to find a race to do together soon in our twin kits! #ragejinx

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  7. Wait, I have a Trek Lexa--did we just become twins/best friends?

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    1. Were we NOT twins/best friends before???

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    2. Wait, *I* have a Lexa too! Lexa party!

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  8. Well, perhaps the rest has caused some stiffness in the knee? I hope it's just that anyway.

    Can I add myself to the list of people trying to convince you to do an Ultra, having seen your recent Tweet?

    xxx

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    1. Sure, go ahead and jump on that train. More people for my coach to be angry with.

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  9. I was going to say something about the awesome top that you were rocking in the photos! I've been a huge fan of the Smash tri kit that I got for the "season" and have thought about going for the cycling stuff too.

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  10. Have you tried one of those patella straps? I was skeptical, but I got one this summer, and it actually works. It lifts the kneecap off whatever it's incorrectly tracking against...I am a big fan of mine.

    Do an ultra!! They're fun! :)

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    1. Interesting...my hope is that this goes away ASAP, if it doesn't, I'll give that a try. Thanks!

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  11. I know it's not really the takeaway, but I am fascinated by your bike living in your car. How big is your car? Where do you park? I literally do not even leave mine on my car for one minute if I forget something inside without locking it up.

    I did pilates on vacation. It was torturous. I'd rather do a 20 mile run any day. Curious to hear your thoughts!

    That "having to look presentable" crap prevents me from bike commuting too. That, and the fear of my bike being stolen.

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    1. I have an outback, so it lies flat in the back no problem. I park in a secured garage...and cover my bike with a dark blanket. That, with the tinted back windows, makes it basically impossible to tell there is a bike in there.

      It helps that I also haven't DRIVEN my car since 8/19.

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