Sunday, February 12, 2012

Working On My PhD: Making Adjustments

The essence of good research is flexibility and adaptability.-Unknown

Last year I stated in this post that I was taking a new approach to my training after a few seasons of injury and frustration. This edition I will treat as both a "research update" as well as a rolling out of some fairly big changes to the current/ongoing project of becoming a better, sounder, and happier athlete. As an aside, I appreciate all the positive feedback and ongoing readership of the aforementioned post originally written in October '11.

Before I go any further, let's address my little white elephant first: I have not run on the road or track since the last weekend in January. I have a lower leg injury: presenting like a stress reaction/tendonitis type issue. I have had to make the tough call to pull out of The Woodlands Half Marathon, of which I was seeded highly. I had moments of frustration and anger at my body for once again not holding up to it's end of the deal. I cried only once, briefly. I questioned my ability and durability.

It's perfectly normal and natural to get the emotion out of the way for these things and then focus on the task at hand. 4-6 weeks no impact for the 4th time in just 3 years has left me re-thinking things. Why do I keep having trouble getting through training cycles? That plan to address I will touch on shortly but I'm actually getting a lot out of this short hiatus from running. Because I've been around this block once before and I know the wheels will roll again.

The present solution: cross training and rest. After sleeping and putting the legs up basically all last weekend, here's this week's totals (in hours):

Bike: 4:10:00 (indoor and outdoor)
Swim: 2 mi.
Pool Run: 3:00:00
Weights: 50:00

Some initial observations have been surprising. I don't feel the least bit slovenly and out of shape-actually quite the opposite. I am liking the new muscles that have replaced areas that I admit I wasn't too happy about and I feel pretty lean and fit overall (disclaimer: just because I'm a trained pro. in this area doesn't exempt me from this as many girls have to work hard on this) .

As for the things I feel like I succeeded on from the original design in the first "Working on my PhD" post:

  1. Definitely made a lot of progress on approaching running with a process-focused perspective. While not perfect, I believe I made a lot of headway with letting things go over the past few months. I did a decent job not over-personalizing paces and race times. 
  2. I also was very regular with my supplementation, flexibility work, and ICE BATHS.
  3. Rest between workouts and pacing on easy runs I was fairly successful on until my travel schedule picked up and I may have perhaps over-condensed my weekly runs. 
  4. I found a nutrition plan that I felt worked-mostly PowerBar product.
  5. Most of the time, I had fun. That is the ultimate purpose, right?
Adjustments to original design:

Now with all these items being said; after several conversations with my coach and friends, and a few weeks of research and reflection, I have made the decision to make a shift : I am going to devote at least a year to a triathlon focus. I have read up on the success rates of former runners such as Jesse Thomas and Sean Jefferson who have dealt with similar issues as myself. While I'm a runner at heart, my lower legs don't seem to tolerate the work and mileage needed to succeed at the stage I aspire to. I'm confident in the ability of my cardiovascular system and last summer's fairly successful debut  gives me reason to think that there's a LOT of potential for me in multisport. Besides, I don't just love to run- I love all sports and just working out in general! My new prospectus for adding these 'variables' will involve the following approach:

Materials and Procedure:

Swim: I find that after just working as a sport psyc consultant for several swim teams I have learned a considerable amount about good technique and already feel more comfortable in the water. It's amazing what observing and asking a few questions can do. The swim was a weak area last year, and a process goal is to keep improving my technique, especially the kick and begin to approach the swim like a swimmer. 

Bike: I'm not the biggest tri-gear buff there is (as I tried on an aero helmet in the shop yesterday and started laughing out loud at myself), but I will likely do a couple low-cost modifications to 'Tessa (my bike's name, for those wondering) in aerobars and more comfortable saddle. I plan on doing at least 3 rides per week with an emphasis on variety and getting the distance up. I think I took to the bike naturally, averaging 21.9 without anything fancy on the bike in last year's sprint tri. I also joined The Woodlands Cycling Club recently-helping me to cycle like a cyclist. 

RUN: It's a no-brainer that I plan on running like a runner. Passing people right and left on the last discipline feels pretty empowering. I imagine my mileage will not go much over 35-40 in peak season, but I have had some decent racing success before with the lower mileage plan. If all goes right, I will be slowly re-incorporating this part in the next 2 or so weeks. If it takes longer, than it takes longer...

Another benefit of tri training is that if something goes awry in one discipline, it can be just a small derailment instead of the screeching halt I have experienced in the past. I just keep training on the others. Regarding the body image comment I alluded to earlier-while still present, it does seem a bit dialed back in tri culture-being more muscular and perhaps a couple pounds heavier resulting is actually a good thing and gives you more power. I also think the active recovery aspect is exactly what I need. 

Races:
Right now, the only confirmed is the Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Tri in June. I plan on moving to the Olympic Distance (1500 swim, 32 mi. bike, 10k run) in the late summer/early fall, and am thinking of perhaps going for 70.3 New Orleans in April 2013. Of course, there will be some running races in there, but I have yet to choose any yet.

In the meantime, while I let the left leg heal, I'm building a strong cycle and swim base.  So there we have it-a true work in progress and a new experiment. Will this be successful? I'm not sure, but will keep you all updated as I look forward to changing things and approach multisport confidently. This is going to be fun!





Stay the course.

10 comments:

Dan said...

Dollar for dollar, the aero helmet gives you the most advantage for the lowest cost. (Though, I still don't own one myself). Aero bars can take some getting used to, and they can be awkward on a road bike, but they definitely help.

Show those multi-sport athletes how a runner at heart does it!

L.A. Runner said...

You are an amazing athlete; this includes ALl sports. Sunny skies are ahead. You will find much happiness in this, too. I can't wait to watch all of your successes. Love you bunches, friend! I can't wait to see you in just a few weeks!

Girl In Motion said...

Wow! Talk about making lemonade out of a slight lemon. I'm so proud of you and think it's a fantastic idea to shift focus. You will ROCK Tri's, I am positive about this.

Meanwhile, I'm SO sorry you're in this mess to begin with, what a damn downer to have it happen again. But seriously, it might be the best thing that ever happened to you. Stay that course, baby, it's going to be a fascinating and fun one, I'm sure. :)

Ana-Maria RunTriLive said...

I made a similar move a couple of years ago after 2 SFs. I learned how to swim, got a bike, and did a few tris including 2 HIMs. I honestly believe that the swimming and biking have helped my running. I've learned a lot about tri training, so let me know if you have any questions. I placed well but was never as competitive in tris (unless they were small and short) as I am in running. I found running off the bike at the HM distance to be very much dependent on bike fitness, much more than on running fitness.
Good luck, and feel better

Jill said...

I have no doubt you will thrive at with the triathlon - as you did with running and it's going to give your body - and soul - the time it needs to heal! I can't wait to hear all around your adventures!!! :)

misszippy said...

I really, really admire how you have turned this into a positive. It is NOT easy to do, I know. I have no doubt that the triathlon training will be good for you. I went 8 years with no injuries whatsoever while training as a triathlete. The last five years, which I have spent devoted to running (w/ a little cross training thrown in) has resulted in injury upon injury for me. So I think you are onto something. And maybe I should follow your lead!

Markus Spartacus said...

I hope that legs heals up. This sounds like a pretty smart decision, obviously one not made lightly. Like everyone else, I'm positive you're going to really excel at tris!

K said...

This is great stuff, A!! So proud of you!

Richard said...

I'm inspired by your positive attitude in the wake of adversity. There is no doubt in my mind that you will be successful in triathlons as you move forward and take that positive attitude with you. I wandered into doing triathlons in the wake of injury recovery a few years ago and loved it so much.

I look forward to seeing you out of the tri course one day and to reading about your continuing adventurs here.

Raina said...

Took me a few reads, Adrienne. You have put a lot of thought into this decision!

You are such a great example of how to take individual strengths and talents and develop them it into something exceptional.

There is no question that you are capable of great road racing on a relatively lower-mileage schedule- and the other sports will continue to improve with practice.

I am excited to see where this journey takes you!