I can honestly say that nothing has gone according to planned this year. Starting with losing my job as of January 1st. Granted, that was a blessing in disguise, and I enjoyed being able to take a step back, look at my life, and decide what is truly important.
But this is a fitness blog, so let's keep focused. I thought the time off would give me extra training time. And it did, to a degree. Then, in early spring I found out that the Epic 250K, my "A Race" was cancelled. Suddenly I was without a goal race. I floundered. I decided to make it The Summer to Race With My Friends, and started lining up events throughout the summer. Seemed like a good idea at the time. It would be a run heavy schedule, but fun, and with variety. A persistent, nagging cough that was exacerbated by breathing the humid, chlorine laden air at the pool kept me from logging as much time in the water as I had hoped, but my running and cycling were still on track.
I approached running carefully and cautiously, opting for shorter, focused running versus long, pavement pounding, joint crushing runs. I ran every third day, trying to keep injury free. I kept my runs to 3-1/2 miles or so, which seemed to be the magic number to avoid IT band issues, or patella pain. I avoided pavement, sticking to trails and tracks. I flirted with Runner's Knee, but managed to keep it at arm's length. Until the Mount Hood Scramble. Other than the Freedom 5K I have been unable to run since the Scramble. My knee made me miss a 10K I was registered for, and have had several highlighted races come and go without being able to participate. I don't know if I will be able to run another race this season.
I was cycling heavily from early on, since that is the best approach to long course triathlon. Especially for someone with running difficulties. "Swim Smart, Bike Strong, Run Tough." I was cycling nearly every day, until the Scramble. I have only just in the last few days been able to spin for 30-35 minutes without pain. Now to build up slowly, and carefully.
With most of my normal cardio, and leg work out of the schedule for a while, it has allowed me to switch focus a bit. I am back in the pool regularly again, swimming 1-1/2 miles or so, often doing the tougher individual medley set (2 laps breast stroke, back stroke, freestyle, repeat for 1+ mile). I have increased my upper body strength training and core work so I am getting a bit of the She-Hulk definition in my shoulders and back. All with an eye to increasing my swim strength, and improving my core stability which helps improve all aspects of triathlon. I have been focusing my leg work on hip and glute strength and flexibility, both of which will help prevent future injuries (I hope), as well as increase running and cycling strength and endurance.
So, training has taken a 180 from where I was last year. All racing events are in a holding pattern while my knee decides to stop being so angry. I will say, I'm glad I hadn't paid the entry fee for the half-Iron I want to do in September, my consolation race, since I can't do the event I really want. My weight has stayed steady, I am on track with my nutrition, even if I do eat dark chocolate almost every evening (if I didn't, I wouldn't be able to maintain my weight). I am definitely not where I thought I would be at this point in the season, but I am in a good place because I am making it be so. And I am at a good point for base building for next year.
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