Well hello and happy off-season everyone! (Except for that strange breed they call road cyclists, but they wouldn't deign to read the blog of a triathlete anyway)
I hope everyone is enjoying the chance to relax a bit and not worry about packing the car with bikes, tri suits, running shoes, helmets and energy drinks every weekend.
I certainly have enjoyed a good and much-needed break since the last race of my season, Devonport ITU on March 11.
It is the first proper break I have taken in over a year. I knew I needed it desperately because I had lost the passion and excitement I usually have for racing and training for the sport that I love.
My plan was to take two weeks off - typical triathlete thinking that any longer and I would lose too much fitness - but at the end of the two weeks I still didn't feel like getting back into training, and figured that if I forced myself to do it anyway, I might burn myself out for good and ultimately end up quitting the sport. Plus I like to do what I do because I enjoy it not because I feel like I have to!
As the weeks went on and the date got closer to my next race (more on that later) and I got more out of shape and more content with my new life of eating, working and partying as opposed to eating, working and training, I began to worry and wonder if I would ever feel like training again.
I'm relieved to say that, hence this blog, today it came back (by 'it', I mean my desire to go out and smash myself early in the morning til late at night, in the dark, cold, rain, whatever, to watch what I eat and have no social life, to think about heart rates and cadence and thresholds and intervals 24/7, and force my tired and grumpy self upon family, friends and colleagues).
And wouldn't you know it, it started at a bike race!! The irony!
I went out to the vets race today and rode the opposite way round the course (on my way home unfortunately because I had to WORK - YUCK!!) so I got to see all the riders happily racing away while I enjoyed the sun and the tailwind, which made my legs feel a bit better than the crap they have been for the last week or so, and I remembered why I love my sport and the lifestyle it gives me and why I need to train hard - so I can become a professional and get to do this day in and day out! So that when others are sitting at work like I am right now, staring out the window wistfully at the sunshine, I'll be out there feeling the breeze on my face, soaking up the sun on my skin, feeling the power of my legs and the air in my lungs... and checking my watch in case my heart rate goes above 140 when I'm doing four and-a-half minute k's.
So tomorrow, training for YEPPOON IRONMAN 70.3 starts in earnest. Two months or so of base aerobic training, get back into the gym, then start to build up some strength before about 6 weeks of intense race prep and then taper for the August 19 race.
But this time, things are going to be different. Funnily enough my main goal for this year is nothing race-related at all. It is... Balance. My goal is to balance my life between work, training and socialising, instead of the single-minded approach I have employed in the past. Apparently it doesn't kill you to have a couple of beers after work, or eat icecream for dessert (maybe just not a whole tub of cookies and cream ;) ), or skip a training session when you're tired (yep it's news to me too!!)
I'll also be aiming to get a bit more variety into my training to help keep me interested and trying new things. I'm absolutely petrified about this, but I might even have a crack at an open road cycling race this winter. Oh, that scares me. But I think it's good to do things that scare you! Starting riding with the BC bunch scared me at first, but now it's all good, I can hang on even when my legs feel like total crap.
Of course those of you who know me well will know there is a fair bit of other stuff going on in my life at the moment which inevitably will affect my training to some degree, but hopefully I can keep interference to a minimum and focus on what I need to do to get me where I want to go.
The 2012 plan is to get a good base in for Yeppoon and just do that as a 'try it and see' kind of race, then really focus on being race-ready for a half Ironman later in the year, such as Port Macquarie in October. The main challenge I face is being able to pay the exorbitant entry fees, as by the time I save up the money entries have usually closed!
I am hoping that if I can get some solid results in these two races I will be able to apply for my professional licence and begin racing as a pro in 2013.
I am ready to launch myself into season 2012-2013, bring it on!!! I can't wait to see what challenges, opportunities and complete changes of direction the rest of this year brings - if it's anything like the first four months, it's going to be one hell of a rollercoaster - but thankfully I think ultimately that rollercoaster is on its way up!
Thanks for reading and I hope to have something more concrete and exciting to report soon :)
Holly's 2012 Race Calendar:
Bishopsbourne 8km run April 21
Sidmouth Gutbuster 12km run April 28
Campbell Town-Bicheno road race May 12
City to Casino 11km run May 20
Lilydale Lope (defending champion) 16.6km run May 26
Launceston 10 10km run June 17
Westbury 12km run June 30
Scottsdale to Bridport Half Marathon (defending fastest female) July 14
George Town 10km run July 28
Bishopsbourne 15.2km run August 11
Yeppoon Half Ironman (first ever half ironman triathlon) August 19
Ross Marathon (defending champion) September 2
Hillwood 10km run September 8
Freycinet Challenge bike TT October 6-7
Triple Tops 19.7km trail run November 20
Port McQuarie Half Ironman (target race) October 28
Tassie Tri Season starts!!!
