Mini-Bricks

Last night I was too wiped out to write. My first mini-bricks of the season took more out of me than I could have imagined. The purpose of the workout was to help you push through the feeling that your legs are as heavy as a load of bricks when you switch from cycling to running. We did a warm-up loop on the bike and then two or three bike-run loops. I did only two, and I didn’t achieve the negative splits the coaches wanted. Instead of going faster on the second loop, I went slower. But I think my form was a little better, thanks to the coaches’ corrections to my technique.

Obviously, my fitness level and my swimming, cycling, and running skills aren’t where they need to be for Budapest. What to do – give up, muddle through, or dig deep? Although I’ve quit several things in my lifetime, I’m not the “give-up” type. I’m tired of muddling through and not trying my hardest. Guess I’d better figure out how to dig deep and press on.

Getting serious about training will take quite a bit more time than I’ve devoted to it so far this season. I don’t know how people who have families, work full-time jobs, and train for an Ironman can squeeze everything in. I don’t have a family to take care of or even a pet, and my job isn’t quite full-time, so I really have no excuse. I get the same 24 hours a day as everyone else.

It’s time to cut down on some of my less useful activities – watching TV, reading the paper from cover to cover, and wasting time in general. I’d better start checking off the daily training activities the coaches advise us to do. So far this season, I’ve trained in a hit-or-miss fashion. If I got the work done, fine. If I didn’t, so what? No more of that attitude! Just get the work done!

Training log: Two loops of mini-bricks last night and 40 minutes on the bike trainer today. Teaching senior aerobics and strength training doesn’t really count.
Motivation log: I seem to be in “taking stock” mode today, trying to figure out my fitness plan in greater detail. The aquathlon decision will have to wait.