Triathletes are, without question, a tad insane.
I am participating in the 24 Hours of Booty charity event tomorrow afternoon. I’m “only” going to ride for two or three or five hours, though. Oh, but this is after I run a 10k in the morning. And swim. And pick my mom up from the airport.
Coach Monster is going to the ride too… He said he’s “only going to ride for four of five hours”, that his legs are still sore from his half-Ironman (a week ago).
Insane.
I used to think Mountain Goat was crazy for all her “fitness weekends,” where she would go run 12 miles, then do bootcamp. Now I know she’s crazy. But now…. I’m just like her. (Well, about 100 pounds heavier… but still crazy. Analogy shall henceforth apply).
Insane.
On Thursday, I had an 11 mile run on schedule. At mile 3, I fell apart. The bad kind of falling apart too. Crying on the trail, and not from being in awe and in a spirit of Oprah infused gratefulness. But rather, an all-out bawlfest for no apparent reason. No reason other than I can’t do this. I can’t do this race. I can’t. I can’t.
This is the second long run I’ve “blown” in a row. I can’t.
On the way home, I called Coach Monster. I left a blubbering message (he loves me, he really does). He called me back a few hours later. We talked. I climbed down from the roof of the building.
The CM Wisdom:
You are not dying. This is not a big deal – it’s not cancer, it’s not homelessness, it’s not job loss. It’s triathlon, for God’s sake. Enjoy your journey. Stop trying to be what you’re not. Listen to your body. Be who you are, right in this second. Be that person. Be grateful. And give yourself a break.
Oh, the recurring SBM theme:
Give. Yourself. A. Break. [Followed closely by: Put. Down. That. Beer /PeanutButter/ Pizza/ Doughnut/ Reese’sCup…..]
Today the ticker for Miami 70.3 clicked down to 29 days. I went to early morning spin. I was beat up a little at work. I got a haircut and darker color for the Fall.
My mom will be here to hug tomorrow, who will undoubtedly say, Oh. I like you better as a blonde. Let’s take bets…she will, she will. [Unless she reads this, then she’ll say, You need to stop blogging about me.] The Expert returns soon with all his stinky travel laundry. Metaphorical and actual.
Life. Is. Good.
Why do I have a hard time remembering that? To the outsider, it’s so obvious. To me, I’m a mess. Hmmmmm…. I guess, that I am now officially a Triathlete.
That makes me officially insane in the membrane. Have a great weekend everyone!
Shout-out to Mountain Goat, by the way, running a 50k this week. Yes, that is correct 50. And Charlie and Kdog, the Twin Peaks Marathon. And all of the rest of my pals.
Revel in your insanity, enjoy it. YOU need to own it, not let it own you!
Love the hair 🙂
Isn't it funny how your perspective of what might be "too much" training changes as you are in the midst of the IM training plan? What to normal people might seem like an insane amount of activity has become typical. …or maybe we are just insane. It is possible. 🙂
Have fun at the booty ride! Stone Mountain is where I do most of my running, I can't quite picture how that will work on a 5 mile loop if there are a lot of riders. I might have to go by there and check it out. I started to volunteer for it but couldn't make it work.
Well, I quite like your new hair colour 🙂
I think we all need to hear "give yourself a break". For real, right? I have to remember that the things i get upset about not doing 'well' are things I could not do a year or two ago.
I hope you have a fabulous visit with your mom; I'm sure she'll enjoy the time with you guys 🙂