Trying to Keep up!

• On: 01/31/2010 19:21:30

I have been feeling good lately.  I don’t necessarily ‘pop’ out of bed like I did when I was resting over the holidays, but I feel good.  I actually have a renewed Jen Harrison attitude.  Amazing.  But, more about that in a minute.

Last weekend Jerome and I spent 3 days in Tucson – everyone was talking about rain and “cold.”  Let me tell you, my friends, it was 50+ degrees warmer in Tucson than here in Chicago and any day I can even ride my bike OUTSIDE is a good day for me.  So, we had a great time and was able to really relax.  No computer for me or no work and my R&R is accomplished.  We are going again at the end of February, but this time taking the kids!

We have great neighbors in Tucson.  The couple that live in the condo below us are full time residents.  We assumed they were in their mid-50s, but we found out last weekend they were actually our parents’ age – closer to 60-65.  They are super nice and are now empty nesters.  They keep an eye on our condo and she will call me if there is anything weird going on!  I love it.  Last weekend they asked us to come over for dinner on Sunday night and we agreed.  I am sure it is not easy to cook for a couple like Jerome and I…first, Susan doesn’t like to cook plus all they see us do is swim, bike, run, hike…we are NEVER home or sitting down in Tucson!  She ended up making enchiladas, which were fine…very heavy for us, but lovely.  I think I freaked her out though because she put the food down in front of me and the enchiladas took up my entire plate + beans + Rice !  I could not eat that much food in ONE day, let alone one meal.  LOL..so I kindly did say I needed a smaller portion!  I really did not want to waste her food.

Anyway, David, the husband is an Electrical Engineer (retired) and now has a PhD in Psych.  Seriously, besides Philosophy majors, Psych majors are my favorite to have a discussion with.   Just love how their minds work.  As a complete pragmatic thinker, these complex thinkers have me on the edge of my seat.  We discussed religion, politics, TYPE A personalities, etc.  It was refreshing to be free to talk about all of this and feel like you are not judged.  In my opinion, I think people are TOO pent up about all these topics – who cares…?!  We all have different thoughts, opinions and beliefs.  Great…embrace all the differences and move on. 

The most interesting part was David trying to describe me.  I kept referring to myself as a “TYPE A” person..and after he listened to me drone on and on about it all night…he finally said, “you are not type A.”  Jerome shot me a look and I stood in front of him.  Speechless.  What?  If there is a standard TYPE A, it is me.  David proceeded to tell me that while I have those tendencies, a “textbook” Type A is obsessive compulsive and can not live with out that passion in a balanced and peaceful manner.  AHA!!!!!  Ding, ding…and then he said, “Everytime you are here in Tucson – you are relaxed…you are NOT working,…not on any computer….laughing….playing w/ the kids or Jerome….you KNOW how to relax, Jen.”  You are just intense.  (ding, he hit that nail on the head, huh?).

Really?

And, this conversation has stuck with me all week.  You know what?  He is right.  And it made me think about my training this year so far. Granted it is only February 1^st, but I have a new outlook on it all.  After 2009, I was tired and quite honestly, I did not have a super duper year. I was not as consistent as I usually am and I was DEAD at the end of the year.  So, this year I committed to being different.  Doing different things.  OF course I have to swim, bike and run still, but I shifted my focus. For example, this is what I mean :

Swim:  Ok, one of my favs, as all you know, during short course training I usually swim 25k per week.  In longer course training that is more like 20k…so far this year, I am only swimming 3x/week.  That is a HUGE difference for me…that is like nothing and I feel good. You know what the CATCH is for me?  I am going to see if I can swim in my swim meets this winter as fast as I did swimming nearly 40% more.   I am not sure I have to.  So, why?  Instead I can play on Facebook.  So, I have a big meet this coming Sunday.  I do not feel AS fast as I have in years past, but let’s see what that means for Sunday’s times.  I will report back.  I wonder if this “less is more” theory will work for me.  I think I may be surprised.   In a good way.

Bike:  Ok, no joke here…Last year at this time I was riding a LOT…but, I was trying to get ready for Oceanside 70.3 at the end of March too.  So, in all fairness, I had to bike a lot!   This year, I have reduced my bike frequency AND intensity.  I am really only riding hard 1 day and that is a computrainer class with friends…otherwise, just piddly stuff.  WHY?  My first Triathlon is not until May – end of May!  And my first “A” race is in mid-June.  I think this is best for me. I have retained my fitness and my LT watts are only off 10w-15w…so by the time I can ride outside, that will change in a snap.  And, I think I may be more refreshed come summer.

RUN:  I am running MORE than I did at this time last year.  Ahem, my coach is really a run coach.  However, 2010 is the year of the run for me.  I have shifted my focus to the run this year as I commit to running the Chicago Marathon and get some of my mojo back.  Plus, I love running and I love the pureness of this sport.  So,  I have not quite been doing that much yet, but I will say that I have been running much more than I did last winter and I am loving it…I am racing a ½ Marathon in March and am excited about it.

Strength:  THIS is the major change for me this year.  As I get older, this is soo critical for me (for all of us!).  And, as I write a ton of strength workouts, I really do not like to do them – and I do not do well in my basement b/c I am too close to the computer/Tv to be a good girl.  So, I hired Kate.  I love her.  She is like a breath of fresh air.  I was hesitant to hire anyone, but this was the best decision I have madefor 2010 thus far.  She is NOT tied to Triathlon at all and I love that.  She has her focus and her level of expertise (she is TRX certified, etc) and is honest, tough and smart.  I meet with her twice a week and I look MORE forward to that meeting than I do anything else.  Yep.  I am that serious.  She is worth every expensive penny she charges.  That is what is so great about coaches and trainers…the good ones are WORTH IT ALL.  I happily write those checks!  She is creative.  She makes me do things I would NEVER do by myself.  I am sore.  And, that is a miracle. I am NEVER SORE from Triathlon anymore.  I am doing lateral hip raises in the TRX and I absolutely suck at them.  She easily does them and while I can master everything in the front plane (of course), I suck at the other planes and we are working hard to fix all of this.  I have met with her 13x so far.  And, I have totally noticed a difference in my body composition and my strength.  Big difference and I am – best – LOVING IT.    I was thinking of becoming a professional TRXer..and then she reminded me that she had to spot me on my side planks.  Yep….far from good..but it is refreshing to learn something that I have not done for years and something that is harder for me.  And, she is going to try to get me (I know it) to eat all locally, organic and gluten free.  Not sure she can get me gluten free..but she is a VERY clean eater and it is AGAIN refreshing.  And, she is right!   I eat way too many M&Ms for her taste, but it is all in good fun!  You can check out her site here if you want…tell her to rip me apart and if you live locally, YOU really need to check her out.  I am serious.  I am going to tell her to change her picture on her website though – she is young and the picture does not do her justice..she is much cuter in real life….! J  She loves me. HAHAHA  http://fitforreallife.com/  And, she makes me stretch. I can touch my toes now.  Oh, how far I have come.

New Supplement:  A friend of mine wanted me to try :  Mona Vie.  I probably get X amount of new products on my desk or via email every week – someone wants me to try something all the time.  And, I typically do not like anything.  I am one of those – don’t fix what ain’t broken.  I try to eat well and balanced…but I decided to try Mona Vie about a month ago.  And, guess what?  LOVE IT.  If you want, check it out – I get NO kickbacks on any of this – they are not a sponsor of mine….but I feel better and I really think this product has helped me so far.  I will keep you updated on this as I move thru the season.  http://www.monavie.com

So, I will keep things updated on how the new focus is working for me.  I really think that as I move into my 40s (1 more year) this is absolutely critical for me.  And, after 16 years of Triathlon racing and before that swimming, running, basketball my entire life…I think in order to make gains or keep fitness the same as a Master athlete, all of these little tweaks will be absolutely critical.  I will keep discussing new things I try too – just in case my master readers OR anyone else is interested.   Happy Training!