I sometimes think that if I write with confidence, or if I write that I am becoming more confident in my training, its like the confidence drains from me onto my computer and I am left on empty.  Just after I wrote last week was solid, this week was crap.

Not all of it was crap, but my tests were crap.  I was already a bit shaken by an argument with my son (for another post), and when it came time for my bike FTP (Functional Threshold Power) test on Thursday I was feeling drained.

Cynthia and I did the test with Andreas at the Ultrabikex Studio.  We did a warm up and then our instructions were to go as hard as we could for ten miles.  From the get go I was falling behind. I couldn’t find my groove, my strength and much less my speed.  My heart rate was through the roof, and next to me was a very focused and determined Cynthia, looking down and kicking butt.  By mile seven I was out of breath and kept saying “I can’t”, a massive wave of negativity hit me over the head.  It wasn’t that I couldn’t finish the test, but I couldn’t bring my power numbers up to where I thought they could be.  I was disappointed but a good kick in the butt keeps me humble.  I took it in stride.

On Friday, I had my swim test.  Same concept: all out for 500 yards.  As I was warming up, I realized I left my watch at home.  I did not do it on purpose, if you know me you know that if my head were not attached I would leave that behind as well.  I devised a plan to use the pool clock to figure out my time except that the pool watch was broken.  I could’ve chosen to do the test another day but I had fretted over this test all night so by golly I was going to get it done.  Fortunately, the nice lifeguard took my time.  I didn’t do great, but I didn’t do awful.

Saturday was the run test.  And that one was royally bad.  So bad I didn’t do it.  The goal was to run six miles as fast as you can.  After the warm up, I realized my legs weren’t really moving.  I took a 40mg caffeine gel, the type of gel I take when I need a major push, and not even that would get me moving.  It was so hot, and so humid the mental struggle was even greater than what my legs were going through.  I finally decided to forgo the test but not the workout.  And though disappointed for not finishing the test, I did feel proud that I finished what was on my training plan and chalked it off to mental practice. I need lot’s of that.

Fortunately Sunday brought good news for me.  I rode 85 miles with a friend from the GEICO Road Safety Bike Tour.  I rode the way I like to ride – hard but steady in a zone where my heart is not about to jump off my chest.  A pace that is a bit tough to keep, but that with some work I can keep for a very long time.  That ride saved me from being both shaken AND stirred.

To review here went my week:

Monday: SWIM.  1.5 mile open water swim

Tuesday: DAY OFF. Life got in the way ….

Wednesday: RUN. “Easyish” 45 minute run

Thursday: BIKE. Crappy FTP test

Friday: SWIM. Rather crappy swim test

Saturday: RUN. Seriously crappy run test

Sunday: BIKE. A redeeming 85 miles

12 weeks down, 11 to go.  How was your training week?