I've been doing triathlon long enough now to develop a few vices. Some of them worse than others. No matter how hard I try to eliminate my bad habits, it seems I still go wrong somewhere. Here goes my top 10:
1. Not paying attention to nutrition and getting caught up in speed, pace, conversation, and sometimes competition.
2. Rushing out the door on long bike/run days without eating a sufficient breakfast.
3. Skipping lifting 2x a week
4. Neglecting fluid intake on cold days.
5. Opting out of the swim cool down.
6. Kicking with fins when I'm not supposed to.
7. Pulling in the pool when I'm not supposed to.
8. Forgetting post workout nutrition.
9. Hitting the snooze button too many times.
10. Eating dessert because I feel entitled on those long days.
This weekend I made the extra effort to get up early enough Saturday to eat breakfast before my 50 mile bike, 30 min run, and 3000 m swim (vice #2). I knew it was going to be a long morning and I needed a full tank before heading out.
Around mile 40 or so I felt my neck cramping up and a massive headache coming on. Despite my frustration with my physical state, it all made sense when I looked down at my water bottle cage. For the past 2 hours I had taken in less than bottle of my Heed/Sustained energy combo. Dummy! Mental note: you are DEHYDRATED! There was some construction on my usual route and I had to detour a few times. I guess I just got thrown off track. After sucking down some fluid before my run and swim, I felt better within minutes.
Despite my mistakes, it was an amazing workout day with beautiful views of the swamp lands...
And warm enough for shorts on the run.....
Maybe some day I will get it right! I feel like I shouldn't be making these silly mistakes anymore. Am I the only one? What is your triathlon vice?
Is that supposed to be "not peeing in the pool" or "not pulling in the pool"? Just kidding. Seriously though, as a novice athlete I am wondering why it is a vice to skip a cooldown after a long swim. I know others do it, but I don't understand why a cool down is important.
ReplyDeletemy vie is to skip a bike workout and go for a run instead. Runs are just so much easier to squeeze in so if a ride is going to be a pain I happily decide that a run is easier and better than doing nothing.
ReplyDeleteNot stretching!!! Not getting in a yoga workout during grainy and hap hazardly getting in weights and core
ReplyDeleteI never drink enough fluids on the bike! But most of my other vices are the "little" ones: don't stretch daily... don't do my PT exercises religiously now that my injury is better... put off strength training... We put in so many hours training in 3 different sports, it's easy for these seemingly little things to fall by the wayside! But these are the ones that will likely bite me in the butt :-)
ReplyDeleteI can relate to so many of those in your top 10! I think hydrating is my biggest problem, especially in the winter.
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous of you being able to run in shorts! I think it's going to be a high of 12 degrees here tomorrow! Brrr!
I'm with you on the dessert because I think I've earned it (although sometimes we have!), not stretching enough, not sticking with strength training, forgetting post workout nutrition, and definitely hitting the snooze button to many times!
ReplyDeleteAt least you have pinpointed what you need to work on!
Good post!
#10 is a vice? I think it's merely well deserved! I'm a HUGE fan of rewarding the long days.
ReplyDeleteHey girl tried to shoot you an email. It keeps kicking back. Do you have another one?
ReplyDeleteron its heidilaustin@yahoo.com -hope that works
ReplyDeleteI have many of the same triathlon vices and like you I really need to work on them. Somehow I think you will be better at making a change than me!
ReplyDeleteGood to know experienced, successful triathletes have these vices too! haha. Nutrition and hydration are such a struggle for me right now!
ReplyDeleteI am the opposite of SSB, I would skip the run for a bike and my hugest vice is when someone calls and wants to ride, I cant say no, even if I have other things I need to do that day
ReplyDeleteFUN READ! I think a lot of people are guilty of many of these! :) But, drink up! :)
ReplyDeleteMY VICE? I hate to drink protein drinks or recovery drinks after my hard workouts. I am not a fan of liquid drinks....!
AND I am horrible at stretching too!
My list of vices is so much longer... you aren't alone! Good job of at least realizing where you went wrong! I'm jealous of the shorts... 31 is about as warm as it's gotten here and that's too cold for shorts!
ReplyDeleteLook at your cute little legs and a flex! Hey - some of those are mine! You stole them! I have lots H! I think we know that! Hope all is well!
ReplyDeleteToo many vices to list but they are remarkably similar to yours ;)
ReplyDeleteHydrating on cold days is hard for me too. As is post nutrition. I've been drinking 1c skim w/half scoop choc protein lately & definitely feeling better! Good luck working on those vices!
ReplyDeleteYa i am sorta with Jen, the post wko nutrition challenges me and the stretching. Ya know soooo much literature says stretching isnt all that, but at the same time i know i need to do it for certain mm groups.
ReplyDeleteOh and you are supposed to wash the heart rate strap everytime, really???? :) oops. I never do:)
julia- i never wash mine- oops... hahaha nasty
ReplyDelete