About Me

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Austin, Texas, United States
I'll make you laugh, or break my neck trying. This is usually accomplished with daily bouts of swimming, biking and running. A former "chub-a-holic," I got fit and healthy the good old fashioned way and went from a mid-pack athlete to top age group runner and triathlete. I'm a Writer and USAT Level 1 Certified Triathlon Coach. I guess that makes me part Tina Fey and part Jillian Michaels. Visit my coaching site at www.fomotraining.com

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Bonk-o-Rama!



It happens to the best of us and it happened to me yesterday at T3 Spin Class---BONK!


As per usual, I didn't really *want* to go to indoor cycling class last night, but came alive once I arrived. The energy and spirit of these people is simply transforming. Dooley was looking adorable in her green knee socks for St. Patty's Day! And a wave of gratitude overwhelmed me when Jess gave me an amazing gift. The woman had baked me a freaking Engine 2 Sweet Potato Lasagna. See...she can cook and I really can't. I mean...I CAN cook. I just usually choose not to. I let her borrow the book for less than one day and voila! She shows up with a freaking lasagna! How do I love thee??? Let me count the ways...That truly put me in a great mood as I'm constantly uplifted by the kindness and generosity of others...


So, after several humorous technical tire issues, I finally got on my bike thanks to Logan. You'd think after several years of riding that I would at least be able to properly pump up my tire. For whatever reason, I couldn't get the valve on any of the four pumps I tried to hold air. Enter Coach Logan...Problem solved...Ass on bike...


I felt like crap immediately...Legs not turning over at all...even in easy gears. I got off the bike not once, not twice, but at least three times to ease the tension on my trainer...still not working. Coach Mo was calling out cadences and I was nowhere near them...Weird...My heart rate was ok, but my legs were like cement...


I had also had a tough swim that morning and I started putting it together...In a word??
OVERTRAINED...was visibly frustrated and convinced my self to stay on the bike for 45 minutes. Logan could tell...It wasn't easy to hide since I wasn't really pedaling with power. My workouts from the previous days had officially caught up with me. My legs from cycling, running and squatting were officially toast for the day.


Saturday: 15 mile run
Sunday: Computrainer Ride for 3.5 hours, pilates for 30 minutes
Monday: Cross Fit, 2800m Open Water Swim and 7x 1000m Repeats on Hills that evening
Tuesday: AM Swim and PM Spin


After 45 minutes, I got off my bike, threw on my shoes and went for an Ironman shuffle for about 20-25 minutes. Not even a glimpse of the athlete I train to be...Ah well...no biggie...it happens. I'm freakin tired!! It is what it is...



I came back as spin class was finishing just in time to invite some friends over to the house for wine and lasagna!!!!!!!!!!! It was a great night even with the first bonk of the training season!


Some people have asked and I've also wondered too if the "bonk" is a result of not getting enough calories or protein on my recent diet (no meat, chicken, fish or dairy). Honestly, I don't think that is it at all. I'm eating a ton of really hearty food including tofu, veggies, texturized protein, hummus, pastas, brown rice, black bean burgers, etc. Believe me, I'm eating a ton of food. It wasn't fatigue as much as it was simply soreness, if that makes sense.


Speaking of the eating plan, I'm still loving it and have been receiving a few, "You can definitely tell" comments. I "feel" cleaner, but don't notice any visible difference at this point. The real proof and my main goal is to see what happens to my cholesterol numbers at the end of March!


The lovely Jess with me and my lasagna!!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, no -- you ARE human! I was seriously starting to wonder. :) With the diet thing, just make sure that you are not ditching good fats along with the other stuff. Olive oil, nuts or pure nut butters, avacados -- whatever you like that works for you. I normally eat meatless and dairy free, but the fat free just about killed me.

Richard said...

Sounds like you nailed it with your overtraining guess, IMO :) It doesn't hurt to take a day off, ya know? But FWIW, you really showed your true colors when, after all that, you still made it a brick and added a half hour run at the end! I mean, damn, girl!

BTW, how was the lasagna? I haven't gotten around to making it yet, and I keep meaning too...

21stCenturyMom said...

Sounds like fatigue to me. It happens. We are not battery operated Energizer bunnies - we are human and sometimes the machine just needs a rest. I hope you took a whole recovery day because it sounds like you needed it and in my experience a day of recovery lets you come back stronger.