Adventures of the Northwest

Ready for the season change...

Last night, while at home and making my famous vegetable salad, I realized I'm ready for the season change. I'm feeling more 'domesticated' right now. I'm ready to slow down. I'm really examining what worked well for me this year, what didn't work well, how much time I should let myself play this fall/winter before starting up training again.

Racing at the Marymoor Velodrome has been fun this year. It has been a great challenge, great learning opportunities, a place for fun, making friends and learning more about myself. I have enjoyed this year tremendously even though it feels different from last year. I think I'm settled in, feel more comfortable, feel more grounded about what it takes and what I have to give as well as what I want. I am a bit disappointed that I did not see better results for this year. I like to push myself beyond my comfort zone, beyond what I mentally feel I can do and handle with pain (without hurting myself), to strive to be stronger, to get past my quitting zone. To give all I can and then some - as much as possible. But I'm tired. Really tired and burnt out. I've trained since last November. I barely took time off. I hit the track semi-hard in March, April and harder in May as I wound up for the racing season. I was really strong in June and felt I was making a lot of progress. I was feeling hard core strong and dedicated. Then, I believe due to many things, I fizzled in July. Now I feel I am making a slow comeback for the last 3 weeks. It's ok.... I'm ready for change.

Jane and I have discussed this at great length. She is feeling the same way. Although, she will have a blast with cyclocross and I will have a blast watching everyone doing cyclocross since it is not my thing - by any means! I had fun watching, cheering, taking pictures and helping take care of everyone during the race season. It will be a lot of fun and something worth looking forward to - for me. Then, afterwards I can come home and do my own workouts and/or go play. I hope Jane will not get burnt out not getting time off but I know she will after cyclocross season is done. *sigh* Balance is the key word for both of us for this upcoming year.

I'm saddened by the fact that I was driving to the track yesterday, to lift my spirits up and get my inner motivation to be out there for the last few weeks and I got a wiff of what smelled like camp fire. *sigh* I haven't camped at all this year! I am bummed. Next year I think I want to be more balanced with other activities, other ways to have fun and not be so focused on track. Take my bike up to Mt. Rainier and ride around Mt. Rainier for the weekend like I did a few summers ago. That was a blast! Or over in eastern Washington to ride out by Roslyn area.

*sigh*... I don't normally look forward to winter. Fall, yes, with the change of the leaves, the fresh fall air, the smell of the leaves and the crinkling under the bike tires or your foot as you walk. Ah yes, fall is gorgeous and I hope to do some small bike rides or go for a drive up in the mountains with tons of scenery to take spectacular pictures. But winter.... I don't know... rain? Darkness? Gloomy and cold days? But it does bring to light winter training, cross-country skiing, working in the gym, curling up to books on a rainy day with hot chocolate, sleeping in on a rainy day and later going for a bike ride in the cold and rain, hanging with friends and family. It will be a good time.

I feel this year really created a good base for me. My coach did a wonderful job working with me and putting together a program to teach my body how to work well within each zone. I think this year may be a bit easier for me and I might be able to do some more 'fun things' even during the season. I think that is key so I don't feel so burnt out again. I also think I'll be volunteering less to help with Monday night racing and/or classes. I love teaching the classes though and don't want to give that up. But I think going to EVERY Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, some Fridays and then training some Saturdays/Sundays is too much. I need to find more balance (on and off the track), fun, cross-training type fun, etc. for next year. I think I can succeed with that. I am more nervous about starting with a new coach, starting to road race and getting my butt handed to me. I am WAY MORE EXCITED to see what potential I have and to see how well my coach can work with me to get me to my goals!

Onward and Upward for next year! I am very excited to continue to see more people out there, to meet the track 'friends' again, train hard, go faster, stronger and just plain ol' have tons of FUN in the SUN! WOOHOOO!!!

posted by Seattlebiker @ 8:54 AM