Confidence Building

I am in my 1st build period of my training plan.  I have dropped volume and I have been increasing intensity.  It's been quite fantastic.  When I lined up in my corral for the ATL 1/2 Marathon my thought was "Why am I in this corral, I don't deserve to be up here."  I had feelings of inadequacy.  My result from the 1/2 didn't help to prove me wrong either.  I needed to build and gain confidence in my run, my swimming had been getting better and my cycling was on par, I needed to know that my running was going to be ok as well.

1 mile in and full of joy to see DC Tri Club friend!

The Cherry Blossom 10-miler last Sunday gave me a great confidence boost.  I PR'd my 10-mile time with a 1:21:25 finish time.  I look forward to another 10-miler so I can break to 1:20:00 barrier.  I ran this race with no nutrition, because I forgot to take any gels to DC with me, and an abnormal pre-race dinner.  I am very simple and methodical and eat the same dinner pre-race or pre-brick workout everytime.  The race was even better because I got to visit with my family and friends from DC.  Seeing cheering friends along the course definitely me a boost.

Wonderful view during my sunrise run.

I know my speed work, the tempo runs, and the long runs are paying off.  I need to stay focused and not add junk miles in an effort to get better even faster.  Not only is my confidence in my running improving but I have pushed the limits in my swim and bike workouts this week and broken barriers I didn't really think I would anytime soon.  Ironman training is a physical, mental and emotional roller coaster.  One day I am pumped up and confident in my ability to do well at Ironman while the next day might leave me feeling inadequate to complete the distance and considering abandoning my time goals and just focusing on finishing.  I know that the training will pay off.  My body will do the work and my body will perform on August 26, just as it has been conditioned to.

Post PR's for the Finneren crew!

The focus right now and the need for the confidence in the run is Collegiate National Championships on April 21, in Tuscaloosa, AL.  I will start the season off on April 14 with an Oly Tri in Greensboro NC followed by a Duathlon on the 15th in Cartersville, GA.  It may not be the best periodization method but I need the race day efforts to prepare me for the 21st.  The week between will be spent packing, working out, feeling fresh and healthy, and hanging out with family and friends.  I have one week left of Clinical Internship III at PT Solutions in Acworth, GA.  I have met remarkable people, learned more than I thought I was capable of learning in 14 weeks, and have formed some great friendships but with that being said I am ready to be done working 40 hours/week...for free.

In other news, I made a decision and my weekend in DC reaffirmed that it was the right decision.  I will be moving back to DC in a little over 2 weeks.  I will join back with DC Tri Master's Swim program, have 2 awesome roommates in Chinatown, train my butt off, eat FroYo, hang out with my brother, and rollerblade at Hains Point.  At this time in my life it's the right decision for me and I couldn't be more excited to get back.