Feeling Fit, but not fit enough

" Paula, so did your ankle injury seem to bother you during the race?"

"My ankle didnt bother me at all. I think I just dont have the level of fitness I wanted"

Paula Newbie-Fraser commenting to NBC reporter at the finish line after her overall first place finish at 1993 IM World Championships.
Time: 8:58.23

It's hard to believe a sub 9 time for the womens overall champion at Hawaii would feel her fitness isnt what she would like it to be. The thought process in world class athletes just amazes me. One of my former coaches Peter Maher "failed" at his 4th overall finish at the NYC marathon, because he was going for the win. Steve Jones, telling me after a few guinness at Peter's home one night, commenting on his 1984 world record marathon of 2:08.05 that he "got into the crowd" at mile 20 and lost some focus by slapping some hands, and ran nearly a 6 minute mile at that point. Steve, not overly happy in retrospect with his time, realizing he could have been close to breaking 2:07 had he maintained composure the entire race.

I am bringing these situations up not to compare myself, because there is obviously no comparing myself to a pro in the sport, especially at my age of winding down in my events.

However, the characteristic of perceived failure, or perhaps just not quite reaching one's goals is common amongst many athletes, and you dont have to be a world class pro to exhibit this. It's what drives many of us to continue to excel in our sport, and in life.

There are many things in my running and triathlon career of which I can truly call failures. In fact my only real victories in IM competition have been my 2005 IM Kona race and my 2007 IMWA race. Nearly everything else has fallen short of my goal for that event, in all distances.

Dont be afraid to strive for your goals, despite the possibility of failure. You will likely excel in the process...if not physically, then psychologically and emotionally. It's well worth the try.



Last week went well considering the week after my big training week with Mitch Gold and company. Ann seems to have bounced back pretty well and seems to be feeling good. Not really "feeling" good, as any athlete who is mildly over trained will always tell you they feel good. However, Ann does look good to me, and seems to be rolling through the workouts and is more energenic now than even before our big week. So, I think she will be ready on race day. If she doesnt achieve her goals...she wont go down easy. I know her and she has the will equal to many of the world class athletes I've trained with. Just a relentless will to succeed...so, I am not worried on her part.

My left quad was sore going into Saturday's 60 minute TT. I thus slightly favored my quad by about a 10% less pressure on my left. Well, Sunday my left quad felt ok, but it was my right quad that was sore due to the excessive power I used by favoring the left. No matter, both are fine today. A little focal soreness is ok off a big week. Just dont lose control and convert it into an actual injury...personal experience here.

Saturday's 60 min TT at the junction of my Zone 3 and Zone 4 power felt strong. More importantly, my ave heart rate of 117 (top of bike HR zone 1) is a good indicator of my high fitness level, and most importantly, that I am nearly or fully recovered from the big week.

Sunday's 16 mile long run was my 4th long run in 15 days. Cruised first 8 miles at 7:30 pace and the final 8 miles in 7 min pace for a 1:56. More importantly my ave HR for the run of 125 is Zone 1 for me.

So, for this week thus far, 4000 meter swim Monday and rested the legs.
Today tuesday, another 4000 meter swim, of which included 2 x 1000, the second of which was my fastest 1000 in a meter pool to date. As well, the swim was 30 min. after a 30 mile bike with 30 minutes of Z4 intervals. Following my swim, 6 mile run and another small breakthrough in my heart rate. First 3 miles at 7 min pace, ave HR 126 (top of Z1) and final 3 at 6:40 pace, ave HR 131 (mid Z2). Considering cardiac drift from my ride and swim immediately before, zone 2 HR at 6:40 per mile pace is again, a very positive change in my HR so close to the race.

So, the rest of the week involves some more bike intervals, and a final 18 miler Sunday, 2 weeks out.

My weight? Yeah, spent the last 2 weeks eating very carefully...dropped 3 of the 4 pounds I gained at the big camp. Yeah...I gained weight at a big camp as I think the others did too. Too many damn calories....period. Not worried, the hard work is done. I'll easily drop another 2-3 pounds over the next 10 days to get to my race weight 10 days out from race day.

So overall, my fitness has come around at the right time I believe, within a month of race day...not 2-3 months from race day! But, my fitness still doesnt feel as high as it did going into Australia. I think this may be due to my lack of racing for IMAZ. The stimulation you can gain with racing can be very positive, and I think I am at somewhat of a disadvantage without some racing before my big one. Regardless...

Steady as she goes.