I love-Hate This.
The reason you haven't heard from me in weeks is because.....5am training sessions, that's why. I've been going to sleep at what can only be classified as a small child's bedtime to make sure I've got the energy to make it through the day. Add family duties and that pesky day job, I have not had a ton of time for posting (or "Kenny Bloggins" as my wife calls it)
So what do these super early sessions entail? The schedule shifts a little each week, so some are spinning and swimming, but the majority of our super early sessions end up being running. I've noticed an interesting trend in my thought process regarding these runs.
THE NIGHT BEFORE Each EARLY RUN:
I love these morning runs. Quiet and cool...the city is still asleep so I have the roads all to myself...such a great way to start the day. Maybe I'll go to bed at like 4pm so I'll have even more energy to beat last week's 6 mile time. LET'S DO THIS!
During Each Early run session:
Six miles before 6am – OMG why am I even doing this? Why am I breathing so hard?...I should be breezing through these by now....I must really suck at running. Also, these hill sprints are the spawn of satan – remind me to punch Rance at the next crosswalk for convincing me to do this.
Read those paragraphs in a loop and you now have a full understanding of my training bipolar-ness.
Starbucks parking lot, post-5am run. At this point, these rocks are more alive than I am.
So What's The Deal?
So why does my brain reset the night before each early morning run – going from loathe to love? It could be the wine with dinner. But it's probably because I'm most nervous about the run for Kiawah. Let me explain...
The six mile run is not the issue. The issue is how much effort it seems to take for me to complete a six mile run at a decent pace. I'm concerned that if a fast-paced six mile run under normal circumstances is tough, then a six mile run after swimming .75 miles and biking for 25 miles is going to be impossible...or I'll be so slow, they'll close up the race before I make it to the finish line. And this is causing me some stress.
So I study the metrics from my weekly runs like a hawk – looking for places where I can improve. That means each week, I've got new opportunities to try and advance my running game from the week before (faster pace, longer distance...fewer heart attacks). And with each running advance I make, my stress about the race declines just a bit. And less stress motivates me to do weird things....like totally gloss over the fact that my alarm will be going off at 4:45am to run. FOUR FOURTY FIVE AM.
This is what being a data geek looks like: comparing the stats on my new Apple Watch to my trusty Garmin Fenix 3 watch after a run.
Lessons Learned
I'll just have to live with this training bipolar-ness. It might be a strange way to self-motivate, but I think it might be working. I knocked out a 6.25 mile run this morning at my fastest pace yet: 8:10 per mile. Woot!
My "yay, that was a good run" face