Saturday, September 11, 2010

Peaking or Freaking?


Yesterday, while emailing back and forth with Kovas from Midwest Multi-Sport Life, I was complaining that I felt fatigued and hoped I wasn't pushing the training to hard.  Two hours later, I ran 8 miles in 1:03, with means my pace was just under 8 minutes per mile.  I'd usually do this run in 1:05 or 1:06.  I didn't set out to run this fast; it just sort of happened.  And I've never run that far that fast before.

As I posted a few days ago, I recently got an aero wheelset.  I had some spare time today, so I rotated tires around and got everything set up between the two bikes. Then I took the TT bike out for a short ride.  When I got home and had a look at the Garmin, I was surprised to see that I rode a few miles at 27 MPH.  I would have expected 22 or 23, but not 27.  Is it the wheels?  I'm sure that's part of it.  But what's the percentage increase from 21 MPH to 27 MPH - seventeen or eighteen percent?  That kind of increase can't solely come down to equipment, can it?

This kind of stuff has been happening for a few weeks.  Plus I can't forget to throw the beta blockers into the mix.

Quite frankly, I'm a little confused by the mixed messages I'm getting from my body.  Am I peaking?  If I am then it's dumb luck (because my current training program is hardly scientific) and fairly bad timing.  I do have the Long Beach Sprint Triathlon next weekend, but the race I should be peaking for is the Orange County Olympic race on October 10th - It's obviously longer and the course is much harder.

Or is my body just having a bit of a freak out?  Am I physically bi-polar?  How is that I feel like crap one minute and then go bag a PR the next?

I'm not even sure if this is a good problem or a bad problem.  Or even a problem.  When I'm feeling a little "off" I feel tired, not sore or injured.  And obviously I'm finding energy somewhere.

Even if it's not a problem, it's something.  Has anyone had a similar experience or any advice?  Because I'm all ears.

10 comments:

Jennifer said...

Had that happen. Be careful. Relax and be smart that's all and you'll do fine. I pushed my peak, it was fun, but now I have a nagging shin splint from running over-use. It's a drag.

KovasP said...

Enjoy the fact that you're progressing, don't worry about peaking for ANY race, jus enjoy the ride. 27 mph? I do that pretty much every ride, downhill.

Tri-James said...

It is overcompensation – you have put in the work and now with recovery you are seeing the results. That is exactly what is supposed to happen. I call it being Green Goblin like – it feels great – I just wish it would last!

Kelsey: the Blonde Bullet said...

Sounds like a peak to me :)

misszippy said...

Interesting. Maybe it's just that you're starting to reach a new fitness level and you're seeing the bennies?

Pahla said...

I gotta go with Miss Zippy on this one - I think you've been working hard and finally pushed through to a new level. Yay you!
I've had a similar experience with running. It seemed like overnight I got significantly faster and I couldn't point to anything specific that triggered it. But week after week my splits stayed consistent at the new speed, so I've started to trust that I really am this fast now.
Keep up your good work!!

Glenn Jones said...

Consistency man. That's what it's about. Just don't follow my example....

Unknown said...

Don't over-think it! You are reaping the rewards of consistent training and your body is responding accordingly.

Don't worry though you will have a couple of down days too! I do not mean this in a bad way - just that your body has reached a new level and that it will eventually strive for even a higher level. BUT in order to reach this next higher level it will have to be torn down again just so it can come back even stronger.

Just remember this (I have trouble with it) and do not be too hard on yourself when you are having trouble holding a 9:30/mi pace. It is all part of the process - your body will have highs and lows, just try to keep you mind centered.

Now the key is to find the right training plan to prepare for the next peak right at your "A" race!

Lucas R. Tucker said...

I think runs where I perform better than I intended are the most rewarding.

Wish I could give you advice about feeling off. I am still trying to figure things out myself.

Aimee said...

I kind of think the same thing as Mizzippy and the others. I think you've done A LOT of training and now you're maybe reaching a new fitness level. I say enjoy it!

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