2010 Triathlon/Marathon Hangover

So it’s the end of my 2010 racing season.  I’m sure it’s near the end of yours too.  Does anybody else feel lost? Feeling like you don’t have a life anymore? That all the things you sacrificed for training don’t even seem like an option anymore?

I have been feeling this way since I got back from the Chicago Marathon.  Yes, work is still busy and takes up most of my time, but I feel... well, different.  Slightly off.  I have free time.  I could drink wine every night if I wanted to and not feel guilty.  I could go out with friends I haven’t seen.  I could catch up on books, cleaning, laundry, shopping... everything I’ve been neglecting for the past 10 months.  I feel free-er.  But I still feel off.  I am just so used to my structured lifestyle that with so many options I don’t even know what to do with myself.  

My hangover is in two parts.  The mental one described above and the physical one.  I am so afraid that I’m gonna lose all the fitness I’ve earned in the past 10 months.  But I am following strict orders to chill out and it’s ok to gain 5 pounds in the next 2 months.  All that crap is gonna come off once I start “real” training again in January.  So here I am... chillaxing.... and I’M BORED!!!!

On Sunday, I decided to lace up my Asics for the first time since the marathon and go for an easy 4 mile run.  I was curious to see how my legs would feel after two full weeks off from running.  Surprisingly to me, they felt great!  My heart rate was a little high but I think that’s a combo of not eating well the day before (cheeseburger & french fries for lunch and Mexican for dinner) and not running for two weeks.  I did 4 miles in the park and it was gorgeous out. The leaves are starting to turn from green to red and orange and yellow.  It’s so nice and I was reminded how lucky I am.

I was also reminded of something else.... After my 4 mile run, I went biking with Simon and Paul.  Back up to Central Park I went, but this time it was with laughter, conversations and some yelling at tourists.  We did 3 laps and I felt awesome!  My legs weren’t tired and I just enjoyed two sports that I have grown to love.  That felt amazing.  I was thinking that most sprint tri’s are ½ mile swim, 18 mile bike and 5k…. I almost did a sprint tri without realizing it.  Now, I know for you endurance junkies out there, that kind of mileage isn’t much… but for me, in my off season, I thought it was awesome!  In the past 5 years, I have never done that on a whim.  So I was reminded that just knowing I have enough fitness to go out on a Sunday and do my thang without feeling crappy, or working too hard…. That’s golden. And I need to remember that.

Like I said above, I’ve struggled the past two weeks without structured training.  I like structure.  I like planning. I already have 2011 race plan ready to go.  I’m ready to go!  Or I should say my mind is ready to go!  But my body needs a break.  It did enjoy sweating yesterday.  It did enjoy pushing down on the pedals and slipping on my Asics.  But it also knows, that I’m not gonna workout today!  I’m gonna do some laundry, go food shopping, cook dinner, and have a glass of wine while watching the Giant game!  Cheers to the off season!!