Adventures of the Northwest

Track training is like sucking a shake through a coffee stirring straw!

Man! Sunday's workout was difficult. I don't know why but it was. I was having a hard time catching my breath. I wasn't feeling 100% over the last couple weeks but I was having a real hard time find energy. Maybe the gluten/wheat free diet is not giving me as much of the right carbs or nutrients I need. Maybe I'm not as in good of a shape as I thought with all this training since November. I am not sure. It scares me.... I'm hoping I'll be ok. I'm hoping I can build strength.

I do know that I am able to do several jumps and efforts at speeds that are higher than last year. I am having a difficult time keeping the turbo jets on through at the end. I don't know if it is mental defeat or just physical need to push.

We did a 30 lap warm-up going about 25 mph at the end. I made it to about 26 or 27... my right hand was completely asleep. I went to switch hand positions after my last pull ,where I didn't go back into the paceline, and almost slid down track as my right hand didn't want to hold onto the handle bar. :( We broke up in groups and did some jump efforts. These felt good but Jane and Jill still pulled away from me. I'm frustrated about that but I know 'sprinting' is not my thing. I need to push myself though... I need to keep building strength on it and keep getting better. The groups did a 10 lap pursuit that I sat out on. Then they did one more that I participated in. At some point, due to a group passing us, I had to pull 2.5 full laps. I felt ok but was really tired. We then talked a bit, changed out Jane's cog to be smaller so she could spin more, and then we did some great 'cool down laps' which became more like pursuit laps. I held in there as long as I could. About 2 laps before I pulled off, I was feeling a lot of strain on my left leg mostly. The leg where I feel my ham/quads were either pulled or severely tight from my short run/walk the day before. My legs were fatiguing but it felt good. I finally decided to pull off after my pull. John and Jill went another 5 laps afterwards. They were pushing hard. I need to do that too.

I really appreciate Jill, Jane, John and Hyun giving me all their feedback, support and knowledge. I needed that. I need support right now. I'm not feeling confident. They said right now is going to suck. It's going to be hard to push myself for the endurance, the strength and speed. I hope I won't be sucking wind too terribly out there this year and that I can get my strength, speed and nutrition in check for a successful - and fun - track season.

Everyone's talking about the Tuesday fast track training sessions. I can't do it this week but I hope to do it for the next couple weeks. Maybe that will help me build up some strength. Last week they did 60 laps and ramped it up to 30 mph. That would definitely push beyond my threshold.... I think I need something like that. Maybe the class on Saturday and track training on Sunday will get me stronger too. We will see..... I'm nervous and scared at the same time....

posted by Seattlebiker @ 8:52 AM