I did end up running on the treadmill the other day. I did the Cheetah Fast Runnerval treadmill workout. In my peak Ironman fitness days, I could get throught that workout – just barely, mind you, but I could! This time, I was a total wuss and had to quit early. This is what I wrote in my BT log:
dreadmill run. did “cheetah not so fast”. didn’t have the mental stuff to finish it. but at least I got something in.
When I was done, I went downstairs and my family asked me how my workout went. I replied, “Pretty good, I got it done, but I was dissappointed in my performance. I think I am comparing myself to my Ironman days.”
My teenage daughter replied “But you just did an Ironman!”
The sad truth is that you lose fitness very quickly, and I am nowhere near as fit as I was three months ago.
I can’t imagine how people train for an Ironman while working full time. I’m finding it hard to get in 8 hours a week. No way could I find time to get in nearly 20 hours of training. Major props to all you Iron athletes out there who find ways to get the training in and work full time – and if you have little kids, uber props to you!
It snowed again here in Chapel Hill. Can you believe it? I think this winter can be classified as a mini ice age. I love running in the snow, but once again and having motivational issues in getting my butt in gear. This time, I am recalling something a friend once told me.
Just give the workout 10 minutes. If you still don’t feel like doing it, then you can quit. But most of the time, you will feel like finishing once you start.
I hear you on the comparison to your former self, but rest assured you can’t function at that peak level of fitness for long. The rest and recovery cycle is mandatory if you want to return even stronger next time. And you can still get crazy fit on 8 hours a week for sure…those 20 hours were probably full of long slow aerobic training…intervals like your cheetah workout will help you get back on track pretty quickly!
Good luck!
P