Monday, January 4, 2010

Welcome to 2010!

If I never eat another Christmas Cookie, well, that’s okay.

However, I doubt that I’ll never swim another 200, let alone a Master’s swim workout comprised of 10 X 200. That would just be too much.

It WOULD just so happen (on my first day back at Masters Swimming since Ironman Hawaii back in October), that I would end up with a main set that would make even my former I’m-training-for-Ironman-and-therefore-just-bring-it-on fitness level pause for thought.

Repeats of 100s I can handle. They are hard, but they’re over relatively quickly. And anything above 300, I have the luxury of switching into my “cruise” mode: just hold tempo and swim like the fish you’re trying to emulate.

But 200s… Those are just, plain…awful.

I think I’m forgetting something, though. Oh yes…

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hello 2010! Greetings Friends! I hope the New Year (new decade – oh wow!) has greeted you well and with much happiness. And warmth! Can’t forget about that one…especially for all you snowy-cold-weather-type-people trapped in the doldrums of winter.

Blech.

Can I just say that I DON’T KNOW HOW YOU DO IT! (Statement, not a questions).

Seriously.

My last day in Minnesota, the temperature never went above Zero Degrees Fahrenheit. Zero degrees! And while running (outside) the previous day, it was One Degree. And no, that single degree didn’t even warrant an “s”. How depressing.

I tell you, after flying back to San Diego 59 degrees never felt so good.

But enough about that.

Did I mention Happy New Year?

2010 is looking to be an exciting one, with many adventures, good times, and changes-for-the-better on the horizon. I’m excited about racing, absolutely stoked that I’m not racing Ironman, and will do my best to keep things fun and in perspective. (Ahem. I can neither confirm nor deny if that was a New Year’s Resolution).

Today also marked my return to training in earnest – and by that I mean 1) following Jen’s schedule to the ‘T’ (even if it involves cruel and unusual forms of punishment dubbed “Triathlon Testing”) 2) updating my Training Peaks account (so Coach Jen can follow along while I rant and rave about the ghastliness of testing. Four-letter words are included at no extra charge) and 3) returning to “Normal (aka “Healthy”) Eating”.

Like I said before, I think I’ve developed an aversion to Christmas Cookies. And I know that its bad bad bad when Nathaniel complains that his thighs feel fat.

Knock me over with a feather: My husband just uttered four words that I NEVER thought I would hear. “My thighs feel fat.”

Welcome to my World.

But looking back, I have no regrets and wouldn’t change a thing. Time with my family over the holiday season was the best yet, and I’m grateful for the memories and moments. In the past, I’ve been intent on completing Every. Single. Workout. On. My. Schedule. (Even if it meant hopping on the trainer for a 3-hour ride at 4 am before Church and then running long in the afternoon. Yuck).

Instead this year, it was very laid back – I ran almost every day, let myself eat and drink whatever I wanted, and didn’t sweat the small stuff.

Wow.

Woa.

If it takes me nearly burning out from two Ironmans in one year to come to that conclusion, then sign me up again.

Just kidding.

Seriously.

No Ironman for 2010. Or 2011. After that…we’ll see. (But not likely).

But in all reality, I’m happy to be training again in earnest – even if it means suffering through a separate swim, bike, run assessment, and really looking forward to the 2010 season. I’m sure the decibel level in our condo will be on par to an airliner as I curse the end of my 30 minute bike test. But that’s tomorrow…. As for 2010 - It should be a good one, filled with short(er) races and good times. Who is excited?

Me, me, pick me!

Let's all come along!

Happy New Year to ALL!

22 comments:

D said...

No more Christmas cookies? Ever?!? I feel like I don't even know you anymore.

Molly said...

Confession: I never had a single Christmas cookie.

I hear you on the 200s - my least favorite distance of all in swimming.

Welcome back!!!

ADC said...

Happy New Year and welcome back home - we've missed you.

Anonymous said...

Welcome Back Girl.

Anonymous said...

Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!

Missy said...

Thank you for not being the only person on the planet that doesn't miss 'ironman.' I mean, it's great but...there's just so much other fun stuff to do;)

Happy New Year.

Pedergraham said...

Hi Marit and welcome back. I am puzzled about the anonymous post above that says you have more originality now than before. How can the amount of originality on a blog about one person's life ebb and flow?

Anyway, good for you on those 200s... The only thing worse than 10 x 200 is 20 x 200!

Kim said...

Marit, happy new year! 2010 is our year to dominate shorter courses! Screw IMs! I'm excited to read your journey this year.

Heidi Austin, PT, DPT said...

happy 2010! all this ironman talk has me scared~ what am i getting myself into??? I'm headed back to the frozen north as we speak and yes you are right - I don't know how I'm going to do it! welcome back to san diego and enjoy the sunshine and warm weather.

Maria said...

I second the hate for 200s they were my least favorite distance to race at, I never quite got them down. Enjoy your nice weather out in Cali, meanwhile I'm still stuck in single digits in the Midwest!
Kudos to you for running outside in this shiznit!

Beth said...

Yesterday at masters we did 10x250. I didn't think it sounded too bad but you are so right - it was some evil combination of swimming hard (because they weren't long repeats) but also swimming long (because a 250 really isn't like swimming a 100 hard either). Ouch! :)

Anyway - welcome back and happy new year to you too Marit!! :)

Angela and David said...

Welcome back. Hope the test went well. I tested this morning and came super close to just quitting after 20 minutes. Ick.

Trigirlpink said...

Ironman is overrated :-(
Cookies are underrated :-)

jennabul said...

200s Fly would be even worse. I hope they were freestyle. Congrats on being home and making a concerted effort to relax on your holiday. Sounds like it worked!

Rebecca DeWire said...

Even though Scott and I didn't complete our IMs like planned this year, we both came to the conclusion that IM can be overrated. Enjoy your IM free year :)

Charisa said...

Glad you had a great Christmas!

ojs said...

I hear you on the Christmas cookie front! Also, you now feel some of my excitement for coming out for Foot Lockers beyond just the race. 59 is a great temperature for someone coming from the north!!!!

Good luck on your start to your 2010 training with coach Jen!

Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete said...

I know how you feel about the x-mas cookies! I feel like people are cleaning out their fridge and giving me goods. Someone gave me fudge two days ago. I graciously accepted it, but seriously, I know what they were doing. They wanted to get it out of the house. Now, I have to eat it. Welcome back to training!! ;)

Teresa said...

Welcome back and Happy New Year....cookies and ALL!

tn

GoBigGreen said...

We are back in the freeze tommorrow!
I need my swim partner for my test but as you know it's 100's! Yea!
Your blog is great bc it is you!
Happy new year!

Mer! said...

Laughing at Nate's comment.....I think Dave said something like that the other day!!!

2010 will ROCK!!

OH, FYI: the poster above who wrote that about your blog being more "interesting" wrote the EXACT SAME THING ON Jen N.'s blog in her last post---go ahead and check it out....obviously this person knows nothing about writing--since YOU my friend are the wittiest and smartest!!!

HUGS and again..sorry about dinner..I totally brain farted..d'ohhhhh!

Runner Leana said...

Happy 2010 Marit!!!