I have heard and read about the post season or the post Ironman blues, but never experienced it. I think I was close to experiencing it, but thankfully had the mind to take preventive measures. The blues are when you hit depression due to lack to motivation to train. The season's over and suddenly there's no goal in sight. There's a bunch of extra time on your hands, that you don't know what to do with. Luckily I didn't have the last problem. My work and fam keeps be busy enough. Finding time to train was actually a challenge and took a lot of compromise on part of my wife to make it work. However, there's one factor that plays a major role in the onset of the blues, and that is weight gain. It is not just the extra pounds, but the insulin and the high blood sugar that makes you feel fat, lazy and void of energy, and I absolutely hate that feeling.
I am signed up to race San Jose Rock N Roll on Oct 6, but that may have been a bad idea considering the fact that my ITB is not in a very good shape and that my body is still recovering from the IM. Coach wasn't exactly happy either when he found out about it. I sign up for races as they provide the much needed motivation to train and keep off those extra pounds. The fact that I love racing, the community, the atmosphere and everything about it, is just an added bonus. Now that I will most likely not race until next year, I was facing the challenge of a missing challenge. For a few days I struggled to get out of bed and get in that workout. In hindsight, I shouldn't have been working out and should've rested my tired ass. I have already put on a few pounds since the IM and my body has started craving for those evil processed carbs. To control the situation, I have decided to do what works for me - set a goal. What would be a better goal than the (commercial) holy grail of fitness - six pack abs.
Yes, I am not kidding. Two things that are essential to get a six pack are a) watching the diet, and b) working out the core. These two things were on my tri training regimen as well. So regardless of the goal, they will result in a leaner me with a stronger core. I am trying out a few new things so that I will have fun doing it:
I am signed up to race San Jose Rock N Roll on Oct 6, but that may have been a bad idea considering the fact that my ITB is not in a very good shape and that my body is still recovering from the IM. Coach wasn't exactly happy either when he found out about it. I sign up for races as they provide the much needed motivation to train and keep off those extra pounds. The fact that I love racing, the community, the atmosphere and everything about it, is just an added bonus. Now that I will most likely not race until next year, I was facing the challenge of a missing challenge. For a few days I struggled to get out of bed and get in that workout. In hindsight, I shouldn't have been working out and should've rested my tired ass. I have already put on a few pounds since the IM and my body has started craving for those evil processed carbs. To control the situation, I have decided to do what works for me - set a goal. What would be a better goal than the (commercial) holy grail of fitness - six pack abs.
Yes, I am not kidding. Two things that are essential to get a six pack are a) watching the diet, and b) working out the core. These two things were on my tri training regimen as well. So regardless of the goal, they will result in a leaner me with a stronger core. I am trying out a few new things so that I will have fun doing it:
- A sculpting and abs class where I get to do TV-style aerobics to the beats of pop music. Don't underestimate this class, it's hard!
- Swimming lessons to improve my technique. Small changes in technique have already shown big gains during IM Louisville, so I will continue working on that. Plus I love swimming, so it's double win.
- Put in some work on the core and ITB strengthening while watching TV. Also, will make our couch last longer as I will be sitting less on it.
- Revive the Strava PR bashing rides on the weekends. These will be relatively short rides targeting one popular Strava segment each weekend.
- I time myself when I go to grab a lunch burrito from a Google cafe, and everyday try to beat or come close to my previous time. I found I can do this only by making a beeline to the burrito stall and back to my desk, thus skipping the desserts.
- Doing runs and noon trainer rides with the group is fun, and will try to keep at it. Setting power goals for the bike will help getting my power numbers up for next season.
Although I won't come even close to getting a six pack, I will be happy if I can race Oceanside 70.3 next year in the TriForce speedo.
