just like that, poof, i don’t care about the ironman anymore.
i don’t understand this feeling–it’s as if i could care less if i even go to the race, despite all of the hard work i put in.
it’s been hard to sleep, and i can hardly look at my running shoes without rolling my eyes.
it’s funny, i don’t understand how this could be–i have worked my ass off, and now, i don’t give a shit?
what gives?
is this normal?
more importantly, what do i do about it?
kitty
No worries. Put the gear away from a few days, and do the other stuff in your life has been neglected…in 48 hours you’ll mentally be ready to put down a PB and rip up the course!
I had the EXACT same feeling the two weeks leading up to Lake Placid…its when all the training starts to catch up, you’re tired, you don’t want to see that damn bike anymore, and you really don’t want to do the race. I was there!
Fortunately, driving up and being in the city for a couple of days prior, all the butterflies started. I was more freaked out seeing all the M-dot tattoos and “kona finisher” apparel I kept seeing…but honestly, the volunteers and spectators were so awesome.
You’ll love it, I promise. Even during the race!
dev, seriously–i just had 2 days off. and coming out of a rest week last week!
Go out for a nice lunch…somewhere full of screaming kids…then come back on here and tell us that you don’t want to ride or run…
My guess is that you just finished enjoying your rest week and are now staring at two high volume peak weeks. Now is not the time for an extended rest break. Now is the time to SBR every chance you get. Peak training volume is very rarely something you look forward to and get excited about.
Harden the F@*% UP!!!
really? i’m beginning to think i’m a lost cause.
there is a history of me doing this–work my ass off, then suddenly don’t give a shit. whatever the problem is, i’d really like to get over it. (but alas the problem is ME…lol, so how do i get over that?)
yeah, yeah, harden the fuck up, and stuff.
I think firstly the fact that you had 2 days off may not help. 2 days off is “hard” on your body, and therefore your mind, to digest being used to do something pretty much every day…
Secondly, there are days where we simply do not feel like it (and it also applies to work, day-to-day life, relationship, etc…) and that is ok… just relax and take it easy (which does not mean off)
Cheers,
Fred.
I really love to train and the more the better. That said, I know that I am ready for an IM when I’m fed up of training and just don’t feel like heading out. Just do a few extra easy days and watch an old race video or two and you’ll be back in the groove.
i am like a see saw sometimes! someone cut my head off.
ok, i will go to the ride tonight; it may only be 40 miles. at this point i’m just going to focus on one day at a time, otherwise it is just too overwhelming. (i know, i know, one day at a time is a good practice regardless).
I AM A CRAZY PERSON
Haven’t done an IM , but this sounds like a pretty normal stress response to an impending big event - think how many people stop looking forward to their wedding weeks/days before.
Like a lot of people say, rest is probably good. You may want to think about varying some of your workouts. You have probably been running/riding the same routes for months now. Pick some place different - go see some nice scenery. Make it a bit of fun. Also, now is the time to start running your race in your head. Make it your perfect race, you know pr’s in all three - a sub 10 time - whatever. See yourself crossing that finish line happy and proud. Do this as you are trying to fall asleep so you feel good about the race, rather than wound up about it.
Besides, you have a duty to your pug to make him proud.
Every day … just show up and do it. Whatever it says on the schedule. Like you do with going to work, etc.
Some days you just don’t feel like it but you do it anyway and it gets better.
If you have lots of days like that, though, maybe you’d be happier doing something else? I can’t imagine doing IM if I didn’t enjoy bigger volume training weeks!
Hopefully, you REALLY like just DOING at least one of the 3 sports:
If you REALLY Like to open water swim, just put on the wetsuit and go for a swim - don’t call it Ironman training, dont’t bring the watch - just swim until you are tired.
If you REALLY Like to ride your bike, just fill up the water bottles, bring the credit card - and go for a long ride - likewise, don’t call it a training ride - just ride until your are 1/2 way tired and turn around. Look at the hills, the cows, anything but don’t call it training.
If you REALLY Like to run, just put on your shoes, and go run. Don’t train, just play.
I REALLY Like to ride, so I have this mountain ride that has alot of hills. I take my trusty road bike and we just ride. Lately, I have begun to tolerate trail running, mostly because there is this mountain open space park right by my house. It is just fantastic to run on single track trail in the mountains.
HTH
DB
well Miranda, that’s just what is so weird! i have been “little miss loves to train”, and then poof…suddenly i don’t give a shit. and i mean, not even one little ounce of care. strange!
so i’ll take everybody’s advice. ride with my team tonight and maybe not even take a watch. or unclip the mileage thing from my bike, see what that does.
anyway, thanks for talking me through this melt-down (although i still think it’s highly likely i’m straight up nuts).
i’ve experienced this. i’ve done 8 IMs, one a year for the last 8 years.
don’t stop. don’t take more than 2 days off unless you are hurt.
push through, put it on auto pilot and keep going. log the hours.
try to find some challenge in each workout.
don’t pull back now, the problem is mental not physical so get over it,
it will pass and you will be stronger for it.
come mile 20 on the run, you’ll be running past all those walking.
been there, done that. In fact, that is pretty much the theme for this whole season.
Take a day or two off, then either sign up for a local sprint. Nothing sparks the desire to train like missing the podium by 13 seconds.
Welcome to IM training…now you get it eh? You just found the 5th sport…after the 4th (nutrition)
i’m just telling myself, it’s a beautiful day, summer will be over and i’ll wish for the sunshine, it will be fun to ride with the team, blah blah blah.
maybe if i fake it; eventually i will believe it. lol.
had the same problem about 6 weeks out—had just finished a half IM (did very well there) and the thought of all that training still to do was weighing heavy on my mind. I whined to my husband about how much I missed time with family, blah blah blah and was hoping he would say “that’s ok honey, you can quit–we’ll be happy to see more of you”. No way. Basically he said HTFU in a nice way. I pushed on. Can’t think of anything that really “worked” to bring back the motivation, but one day it was back. Drive on.