mental toughness

http://www.d3multisport.com/articles/tough.htm

"Another thing that is often over looked, but remains a key to our mental toughness is simply... how do we approach each day. Do we see the the sun behind the clouds; do we accept rain during a 100 mile ride as just being part of the ride to the point of not recognizing it; and do we make the choice to find something positive in every situation. When I was coaching high school track I would have the girls write down something they did well and something they wanted to improve on after each meet. It is to easy to be critical and then miss the positives in what we have accomplished in training and racing. "

I'm really trying work on this part of my training. This week has been tough already. I avoided getting up on Tuesday morning for masters because I felt like I needed to sleep in, that I was somehow rewarding myself because I was having personal problems. Unfortunatley, the whole day I didn't feel more rested or like I gained something from the extra hours of sleep, I felt like I just made a dumb excuse and cheated myself out of a workout I really need. Oh well, this is how we learn. Tomorrow I will do my best to get up at 6 and happily go to the pool and swim the crap out of that workout.

Week In Review (4.9 - 4.15)

Build
Hours: 7
Swim: 5250 yards -2 masters sessions
Bike: 48 miles - 2 rides one long on Saturday in the valley
Run: 13.4 - 4 runs would have liked to go longer yesterday but didn't have the time.

Overall a good week, I did end up taking 2 days off. I was planning on leaving work early on Friday but that didn't happen.
This last weekend was a tough one, personally. I hope to be more consistent this week.

Cross-training

Bowling! My hand is so sore from bowling last night. I'm also slightly hung-over and dehydrated (same thing?). we had a company bowling party last night that included pizza and open-bar. Bad combo.
Oh well, I've been pretty good this week and I plan on going big this weekend.
another thing....WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THE LAKERS???? I try to be a faithful fan, I really do. I sit down and watch the game because I think to myself "this is going to be the game - the one they actually play defense, they acutally get rebounds, they actually get a lead and pull away or at least keep that lead." Well they got the lead, 20 points in the 3rd quarter. I check the score around 8:30pm at the bowling alley. I figure they've got it, how can they not?
Lakers lose, 110 to 118. Kobe scores 50, they still lose. WOW

Music

Albums I've been running to and enjoying thoroughly:
Maximo Park - Our Earthly Pleasures
Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Fujiya Miyagi - Transparent Things
Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?

Week In Review (Recovery)

Last week was for recovery. Here are the numbers:

Total Hours: 5
Swim: 6889 yards (3)
Bike: 22 miles (1)
Run: 7.8 (2)

Combined a swim and run on Saturday. Had a half day from work on Friday so I went on a nice ride. Saturday evening I slept from 6:30pm to about 7:30am the next day. It felt a little strange but I felt great the next day. I guess that's what recovery is about. Time to start it up again this week.

taking it easy this week

I've been taking it relatively easy this week. I am trying a 2 week build then 1 week recovery plan.
I did go to both my masters sessions this week. I gotta say that I've been feeling very slow in the water. I'm not sure if it's a psychological thing or what, but I seem to lose steam faster than I have in the past. I was very discouraged last Tuesday after practice. I went out hard and couldn't keep pace for the duration of the set and go passed by everyone in the lane. I need to pace myself in the water better.
I'll have a chance to pratice the pacing tomorrow. I'm going to swim with T and go for a run directly after. I think we are going to do 1600m then a 5k.
Today is a half day because of Good Friday. I'm looking forward to our church service tonight. I like the somber meditative quality of the service at my church. It makes Easter Sunday that much better.
Going for a long bike ride this afternoon. Happy Easter weekend.

Week In Review (March 3/26 - 4/1)

Time: 7:21
Swim: 4400 yards
Bike: 46.5 miles
Run: 19 miles

Some highlights of this week:
1. My brick on Saturday. Felt 10 times better than last week's brick. I actually felt pretty fast off the bike and had energy left over after the run. That was very encouraging, especially after a tough one last weekend.

2. Sunday longish run with hills. felt really good and held a relatively quick pace, especially considering the hills and a fair amount of warm weather.

This coming week will be a recovery week.