Men often become what they believe themselves to be. If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it. But when I believe I can, then I acquire the ability to do it even if I didn’t have it in the beginning.
-Gandhi
I saw this quote on Saturday after my 60 mile bike and thought about how completely this quote encompasses my training this past week.
A few weeks ago, I was worried about my fitness level on the bike. While on the trainer, I was barely able to crank out 13mph. For those that don't know, the 5pm cutoff on the bike allows for a minimum 14mph bike leg during the race. I felt defeated before training had really even stated!
Then I was told that I may be cranking my wheel down too hard against the trainer which may be causing my seemingly sluggish trainer performance. I have always tightened my wheel as tight as I could, mostly because I didn't know any better, but also because a while ago in a spin class, I stood up to spin and my wheel slipped, and I fell forward. Thanks to my clips, I remained on the bike, and not on the ground.
Last week (week 2) was the first time that I rode the trainer with the wheel a bit more loose than in the past. I stated seeing numbers like 16.5-17mph! Needless to say, I was relieved!
Cinco Ranch Lifetime Fitness hosts a 45 mile ride every Saturday morning beginning from the gym. A few of us decided to go out and give it a try. I was impressed with myself when I was able to hold on to the "race" pace group, averaging 22mph for the first 25-30 miles of the ride. But the group was riding in a pace line (which provides a draft zone, allowing for increased speed; drafting is also illegal in triathlon, but not in cycling). I knew I wouldn't be able to hold that pace for the entire 70 miles on my schedule. I also knew that dropping back to another pace group wouldn't do me any good, so I dropped off on my own.
30 miles later, I was averaging 19 mph with no drafting!! I have never before ridden that fast unassisted by wind, drafting, hills or machines!
I ended up dropping the last 10 miles of the ride. I hadn't planned my route well and traffic was heavy, posing a safety hazard. But I had proven to myself that the bike leg of IMCZ is within my grasp.
I guess my point is this...
Nothing worth doing is easy. It may not even be fun at times. And you can't expect to magically perform at the level you expect of yourself overnight. But if you break it down into small successes, even training for an Ironman becomes doable!
Weekly Summary
Swim - 0 yard
Bike - 6h 30m; 111.5 miles
Run - 1h 45m; 10 miles
Total - 8h 15m
Totals
Swim - 0 yd
Bike - 15h 45m;
Run - 9h 10m; 42.45 miles
Total - 24h 55m
-Gandhi
I saw this quote on Saturday after my 60 mile bike and thought about how completely this quote encompasses my training this past week.
A few weeks ago, I was worried about my fitness level on the bike. While on the trainer, I was barely able to crank out 13mph. For those that don't know, the 5pm cutoff on the bike allows for a minimum 14mph bike leg during the race. I felt defeated before training had really even stated!
Then I was told that I may be cranking my wheel down too hard against the trainer which may be causing my seemingly sluggish trainer performance. I have always tightened my wheel as tight as I could, mostly because I didn't know any better, but also because a while ago in a spin class, I stood up to spin and my wheel slipped, and I fell forward. Thanks to my clips, I remained on the bike, and not on the ground.
Last week (week 2) was the first time that I rode the trainer with the wheel a bit more loose than in the past. I stated seeing numbers like 16.5-17mph! Needless to say, I was relieved!
Cinco Ranch Lifetime Fitness hosts a 45 mile ride every Saturday morning beginning from the gym. A few of us decided to go out and give it a try. I was impressed with myself when I was able to hold on to the "race" pace group, averaging 22mph for the first 25-30 miles of the ride. But the group was riding in a pace line (which provides a draft zone, allowing for increased speed; drafting is also illegal in triathlon, but not in cycling). I knew I wouldn't be able to hold that pace for the entire 70 miles on my schedule. I also knew that dropping back to another pace group wouldn't do me any good, so I dropped off on my own.
30 miles later, I was averaging 19 mph with no drafting!! I have never before ridden that fast unassisted by wind, drafting, hills or machines!
I ended up dropping the last 10 miles of the ride. I hadn't planned my route well and traffic was heavy, posing a safety hazard. But I had proven to myself that the bike leg of IMCZ is within my grasp.
I guess my point is this...
Nothing worth doing is easy. It may not even be fun at times. And you can't expect to magically perform at the level you expect of yourself overnight. But if you break it down into small successes, even training for an Ironman becomes doable!
Weekly Summary
Swim - 0 yard
Bike - 6h 30m; 111.5 miles
Run - 1h 45m; 10 miles
Total - 8h 15m
Totals
Swim - 0 yd
Bike - 15h 45m;
Run - 9h 10m; 42.45 miles
Total - 24h 55m
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