Thursday 2/7/08 4.5 miles Easy

Not much to say about this run. Which is perfect for an easy day. 40 min in the wind with TP. My hr stayed in zone 1 for most of the run. This represents an improvement for me. This is the first time that I have been able to run in zone one and still feel like I am running.

There is a lot to say about another thing this run represents. (I'm going to ramble on a little here. This is the first time I've tried to put these thoughts into writing) This run marks an improvement in my training. For years, I've been in the trap of always running a little too fast on my easy days and a little to slow on my hard days. This will make you fit. I got really good at going the same speed. And I could hold that same speed for a pretty long time. But that's not what this season is about. I know I can cover the distances of my races. I've accomplished that goal.

This season is about making the shift (borrowed from MC's blog). I'm not interested in just covering the distance anymore. I am by no means taking anything away from that goal. Covering the distance of an Olympic, 1/2 IM or IM is a challenging and rewarding goal. But for me, my passion and focus is to cover that distance in less time.

Driving to my swim this morning (I'm posting this on Friday, (1000m pure form work), I was thinking, "11hrs", "sub 11hrs", "1 hr swim, 5:45 bike, 4hr run. I was all caught up in the time goal. Focused on the numbers. I've thought this way for years. All of my energy focused on a number. Here is were my "shift" will happen...the number, the goal finish time, is no longer my focus. I will let go of this. A finish time is too dependant on factors that are outside of my control. The temperature, the wind, a flat tire, all of these things and more are out of my control. My "Shift" will be to make choices, concerning the things I can control, that will lead me to becoming the best triathlete I can be. The best I can be has never been determined. I'm not there now, and thinking about it, I probably never will be the best I can be. I don't mean this in a limiting way. I mean the exact opposite. The beauty of triathlon, of endurnace sports, is that the potental is unlimited. There are always opportunities to improve and grow. So back to the focus for my year.

My Tenets:

1. Control the things I can. I can control my diet, my rest & sleep, the care of my gear, my workouts, my focus. Everyday, ask myself "what can I do today to make me a better athlete?"
2. Maintain a balance in life. Work, family, friendships, fitness. Part of being the best athlete I can be is being a balanced human being.
3. Enjoy the process of becoming the best triathlete I can be. "Commitment to the Process", "Commitment to the Commitment" will lead me to all those number type goals. It may very well lead me further past those goals than I can imagine. "Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated, day in and day out" - Robert Collier