Tuesday, October 16, 2012

FOMT "Fear of Missing Training"

Over the past week and a half I've been having a rough time and have been pretty stressed. My stress?

FOMT
#FOMT
"Fear of Missing Training"

Definition: A common phenomenon experienced when one is training their butt off for a race and they experience illness and therefore are no longer able to train. The worry about missing training causes additional stress and sometimes can worsen or prolong the illness.

This stressor can be worsened if it happens right before a taper and causes one to miss the last big week and weekend of training.

I apologize if this comes across as whiney but I'm starting to freak out a bit.  Last weekend I was pretty stoked as I completed a 115 mile bike, 8 mile T-run, and a subsequent 20-miler the next day with 3 descending timed miles around 7:30 pace. This was by far the most epic training weekend of my life! I felt so ready to tackle IMFL!

Knowing the likelihood of illness while 140.6 training increases exponentially, I have been on top of my nutrition. I've been drinking green smoothies daily, taking my vitamins, taking amino acids, eating clean, and even drinking Emergen-C every time I felt a little worn out. I also have ben pretty consistent with getting to bed early and taking weekend naps.

What happened then? It is that time of year... And really I guess the weekend's training just broke me. So while trying not to freak out, I've tried to shift focus. I traded my weekends training for:

1. A pedi

2. Decorating for Fall

3. Making Fall Wreaths (Don't Laugh)


4. Spending time with those I've been neglecting:


5. And of course lots of rest, healthy eating, fluids, and vitamins

I haven't completely taken time off from the S-B-R. I've squeezed in some short easy workouts here and there. And ultimately I think that is the problem. The cycle has been: 1: off day 2: feel better 3: workout 4: feel worse. To stop the cycle I've taken today off from both work and exercise.  Yesterday was the icing on the cake. I woke up at 5 to "TRY" to do my long run. After a few miles with HR in the 150's while running 9:30's, I threw in the towel and headed home. After the 8 mile sluggish run and a crazy day filled work day with lots of patients, I felt like crap again last night.

Please learn from my lesson my fellow triathletes. When sick, take LOTS of time off with no working out until you feel 110%. Don't do what I did. It only prolongs the funk. Hopefully after today, I will be back on the train. If not I might really start to freak out....



9 comments:

  1. I suffer from the same ailment.
    it's soooo hard to take the time to heal and recover. we "know" this but to put it into play is sooo hard!!

    feel better soon girl!

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  2. I am pacing the Saint Louis marathon this weekend, and after an injury I haven't even been able to run myself for almost 2 weeks. My legs feel better but I also feel fat and sluggish.... Should be an interesting marathon! Good luck in FL!

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  3. aww - get better soon, it's so hard to take time off - I predict an awesome race for you!

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  4. SHEESH!! That does sound nerve-racking.

    Hope you kick the illness.

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  5. It's like Chloe wrote her post for you!

    You know you've put in the work and seen results already this season...you are going to kick so much butt at IMFL!

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  6. Oh been there, done that. I wish I could say I'm smart enough to not do it again but that's probably not the case! Anyway, I know you will be JUST FINE come race day Heidi. It all happens for a reason! Rest up and heal up and get ready to kick some BUTT!!

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  7. Is that fall ornament an Entemann's chocolate donut in disguise? If so, this may be more serious than we though. If not, it is jut a phase.

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  8. I think we ALL suffer from FOMT and are always too eager to get back to training- I've been there!

    You're in such awesome shape, plus you already have one 140.6 under your belt this year, so I'm sure the missed training won't matter. Hope you're feeling better!

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  9. It's scary when you think you'll lose fitness if you take some time off, when in reality you'll hurt yourself more by NOT taking the time off.

    Breathe...

    You got this Heidi! You are going to kick ass in two weeks! Until then... take care of yourself!!!

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