I can't believe it.
Each week, my coach sets weekly goals for me. In my weekly goals for the week, she mentioned that we're in the last week of bike focus, culminating in another bike test.
WHAT?! It feels like we just started, but we've already done run focus/bike focus and now we move into more tri focused workouts (still emphasizing the run might I add).
I'm certainly starting to feel the volume increases. Even though its been subtle, 15 min here and 15 minutes there adds up over the weeks.
I did a little over 4 hours of training this weekend which is the most I've done in quite awhile and a total of 10:15 for the week.
Sunday is always physically tough. It's the end of the week. I'm feeling all the work. Saturday is a longer day. Sunday is a longer day. Yet, mentally it's also the easiest day because I think, "Get through today, and you have a rest day on Monday."
That strategy only works for the next 2 weeks. Then, Monday becomes another training day. That means, I'm enjoying my rest day when I get it because I don't really know what is coming down the pike. I've been a triathlete for awhile. I've been coached for a little while. I know what is coming. Still, I am surprised when I look back at a week and think, "wow, I did that."
Which sort of brings me to my strategy. I typically don't look more than a day or two ahead. I'll look at training volumes by week to get an idea of how I'll need to adjust my own personal schedule, but other than that I focus on the task at hand.
And, I've gotten really good at it. Today my swim was 3 x 1200m. After the hard bike and a long run and a strength training, a 3 x 1200m swim can be daunting. I just take it a 50 at a time and don't think of the next one. I don't think of the one before. I think only of the lap I'm on.
It's a simple strategy, but I know it's hard to do because even at masters, swimmers will see 15 x100's on the board and start moaning.
Take each interval as it is happening. Do the best you can for that interval and move on. When the interval is long (1200m) take it in whatever pieces make you happy.
Take each training day as it happens. Are you riding 10 miles but see a 30 mile ride on your plan in 3 weeks? Don't worry about the 30. Don't think about the 30. Think about the 5 mile run you have today.
"Worry is a downpayment on a problem you may never have."
It might just be an experience thing, for me. If a coach puts a workout on my plan, that means I can do it.
What more do I need?
Now, that doesn't mean it will be easy, but it also doesn't mean that it'll kill me.
So, stop thinking about it and do the workout.
