Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Starting Fresh

I am so behind on blogging that if i had to try and update you all since the last time i blogged ( last Oct ) i would end up writing a book, "and no ones got time for that". So i figured the only way to make this happen is to start 2013's blogging fresh and focused on the future. This happens to be the exact same way i am approaching my training this year. I am forgetting old times, paces, wattage and just working with what i have now and trying to better it.

I realized the first week of the year after taking a long and needed off season break, that if i was going to compare my current, just coming off a break fitness to last year, i would be setting myself up for disappointment and frustration.

So instead of focusing on last years numbers,I am starting fresh. I am focusing only on my current fitness and making sure i improve a little each week, not alot, just a little. If i push too hard too soon, injury and exhaustion comes a knocking and the no 1 goal is to stay clear of that this season (which will be a first).So now, instead of thinking, "Man, last year i was doing my mile repeats at X pace, i am so much slower right now - i suck", I am now thinking, "sweet, my mile repeats of 5 sec faster per mile than last week - i am awesome." A much better place to be. And it has helped my training a ton. Mentally i am a completely different athlete, able to get through workouts that seemed way to daunting last year. Why ? My Expectations of myself are different. All i have control over is my own improvement, and that is all i am focused on, instead of comparing myself to where i need to be and the athletes i will be competing against. Try it - Training wil become way more fun.

5 comments:

  1. Good plan, in my opinion. We are, or at least, have been, so similar in our approach to training. I keep records that I like to compare with present accomplishment. My biggest demon is volume. For some reason, I think that each year, I should be doing more volume than the next..crazy, I know.
    But your emphasis on what is here and now will probably continue to bless you. I like that scripure..I think it is in Hebrews....something like laying aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets us and run the race that is set before us...Just run the race that is before you. Do the training set before you. Compare yourself with what is before you...thanks for the post and sorry I wrote a rewrite of Moby Dick but ...my problem is volume, remember : ) God bless
    marvin

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  3. Hello Natasha,
    Just a quick message to ask if you would be interested in a ‘mutual’ following on twitter. I am currently following you now and am awaiting for your follow-back. (#FYI I do RT’s ‘anytime’ for all #Triathletes #Cyclists #UltraRunners #Marathoners #FitnessProfessionals who follow me on Twitter and have something important they want mentioned for support…)

    All the very best to you & yours for 2013 & beyond Natasha. Look forward to hearing from you…

    Darin
    twitter.com/DarinArmstrong
    #TeamLIVESTRONG

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  4. I want to run faster than David, Fred, Jesse, & Franz, and when I don't I know I need to run faster!! :) All tongue in cheek of course - the mentality you espouse above is critical...it's always one small step forwards no matter what the obstacle, that is how human nature overcomes all obstacles.

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  5. Just saw all the comments above now. should probably check em sooner :) thanks for responses and just followed you Darin :)

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