Endurance - how long is that going to take?

I'm not the most patient girl in the world. If I go 2.5 miles on the treadmill a week ago, I don't think I should ever go less than that again - well, unless it is intentional. I don't want my time to ever be less than it was the last time.

Apparently that is unrealistic.

I got on the treadmill - and struggled. I was so frustrated. I forced myself to go a mile. My lower legs were not happy. So, I went to the bike. I sent a text to my guy and said, 'I just SUCKED on the treadmill'. He responded right away. Thankfully. He talked me through it: asking what sucked about it & told me I cannot go all out every day. Take it down a notch.

I tried to do just that. I got on the bike but my legs felt good spinning. SO spin I did. I was on a limited time so I kept my cadence up. I did notice my avg mph was a little higher yesterday than it had been. BUT I have to keep remembering that may not be the case tomorrow. A hard lesson for me to accept.

My guy kept in contact with me for a bit. That really helped. I know he cares. I asked him if it is hard to not go full-bore all the time. His reply was 'yes.it is hard to let yourself slow down.' But I have to remember I am very new to this. It's early in the process. He said to take it easy on pace. Build endurance now, speed later.

I'm inpatient. He must have sensed that and my frustration.

He sent me this: The exhiliration of true speed and effort is earned on the back of long, boring hour after hour of endurance.

Endurance apparently takes hour after hour after hour after hour after hour...

Today is a Five-Minute Day

I've read about this 'rule'.

The rule is: if you don't feel like doing your workout just go for five minutes. Who can't go for five minutes? Chances are once I'm geared up and out doing something for five minutes - it will soon turn into 30 minutes.

There are times when it does not. But those times are not often. By the time I get going and get dressed. I'm in. I start thinking about my goals and what will happen if I don't go that day. I try and figure out when I would make it up. By the time I have that figured out...my workout is on. My head is back in the game. The idea is not rationalization. I can't go at the five thinking...oh I will just eat less today...I will work out twice tomorrow...I will take today off instead of Saturday. Nope. I can't do it that way.

But as my coach told me if it isn't fun - don't do it - not that activity, not that day. Okay so 'fun' may be a little over-stated. Maybe not. dictionary.com defines fun as: something that provides mirth or amusement

It could be argued that my running form is amusing or sweating like a really big football lineman is amusing or how my face gets as red as a beet is amusing.

Fun is also defined as: enjoyment.

I do have fun when I am training. I like it when the sweat is dripping in my eyes. I even like it when people look at me as if I am going to collapse. (my face gets really really red) It's okay. It's fun to persevere. It's fun to go 1 minute longer. It's fun to go a bit faster. Fortunately if one discipline doesn't seem fun that day...I have others to choose from!

Fun is amusing. Fun is enjoyment. Fun is good.

I think I've talked myself right out of this being a five-minute day. I'm going to have fun.

This little piggy went to market...

Who would have thought that my biggest struggle would be EATING ENOUGH!?

I know the 3 meals and 2 snacks rule. Even eating 5 times a day I just am struggling to get in the right number of calories. I suppose I could do what I used to do and get all kinds of calories! I think that one Rally's meal I love...nearly 1000 calories.

But my quest is for health and fitness. Rally's does not further me in that effort.

I registered on sparkpeople.com. A free site you can log your food intake and your activities. It *yelled* at me today. I did not have enough calories. So I grabbed a lite yogurt to add to my lunch. I feel like I ate all afternoon...like a piggy

I even went to the market after work -

Coach...

I enlisted the help from someone that I respect and admire very much. He is incredibly busy but he is taking time to help me, to teach me, to guide me, and to coach me.

I knew last June that I wanted to do this tri. A couple times I would start working out and doing something other than cycle. I had not talked to my friend in awhile and was hoping that he could help me. So I asked him. And he said yes.

He set me on my path to building fitness. He actually did that the day I met him. I doubt he knows that. It was a chance meeting in another city. I was inspired. That was the day I decided I wanted to be better.

I am excited for the next year but I have asked a lot. I told him I want to be an athlete. A cyclist. A triathlete. He certainly has his work cut out for him. I will do the work. I will. I want to. But I need him to help me, to teach me, to guide me, and to coach me.

In case you are reading Alberto...thank you. This is helping me more than you know.

(I need to go stretch now...part of the plan that is his and the work that is mine)

The battle will be daily...

In reference to my previous post...

I did lose the morning battle. I'm not sure why but I was very tired. The positive thing about losing the morning battle is that I have all day to win the daily battle.

My gym bag is in the car. I will be going directly to the Y after work. Biking, treadmilling, and weighting (legs). My swim days have been moved to Tue and Thur this week...and possibly Sat. That battle remains to be won. I have a bit of a scheduling conflict that day though. Perhaps this will be a 2-day swim week.

I'm also adding Yoga to the mix. A couple times at home.

The weekend went alright. Sort of. Okay, not that alright but not horrendous either.

Today's battle I will end up winning. Tomorrow? I plan to win that one too.