I did my first Half Marathon this past Sunday...since February 2007. 4 years. WOW!Honestly, I crossed that finish line this year and felt fantastic versus 2007. How is it different? I have been doing CrossFit since 2008 and have seen a change in my body, that I would never have seen with triathlon/marathon training.
I started CrossFit in 2008, when I mentally did not want to do a type of triathlon training. (See posts earlier). I didn't want to sit on my bike for 2 hours or run for 60 minutes. I wanted to workout and not think what I was doing...I just wanted to do.
I started doing CrossFit, mostly at BodyArmor (http://www.bodyarmorsa.com/), 2x's a week...then 3x's a week, then 4x's a week, while on the Paleo Diet/Zone Diet. I did everything I could CrossFit...cause I was addicted. I even became CrossFit Level I certified. I figured along with my USA Triathlon Level I cert...how great it would be to be able to work with my athletes and get them strong as well.
I have been loving the people that I have met, the competition everyday and the way my body had changed. But I started also missing the same thing in triathlons...I missed hanging with my friends that I have known for 10 years, I missed racing when my husband was racing and I missed being outside and loving the road under my feet and the water against my skin.
So, I decided to sign up for 70.3 Ironman in April in Galveston in November. I went pretty hard with CrossFit for a good 2 1/2 months and got SUPER strong. I decided I wanted to do the 3M about a month out from the event, so I worked my way up on my runs. My workouts consist of 3 CrossFits, 1 swim, 2 bikes (1 60' and then 1 longer bike) and 3 runs. GEES...I was pooped but stayed with it. If I cut something out...it was CrossFit. My longest run before the 3M was an 1:15...only 8.5 miles...I was slow that day :)
Sunday, January 30th came around and I told myself that I would do about 2 hours for the Half. I honestly did not know where I would be. It was a humid day but not too bad...a bit of mist. About 95% of my races, I don't wear a watch...the time is what it is and there is nothing I can do about it but just do my best. But, I did wear a watch to see what my splits were for my 1st Half in 4 years. I was starting with 7:40, 7:55, 8:03, etc and I started thinking..."OH NO, I am going to fast." Well, I told myself just to go with it and off I went. I clocked a 1:44 this year versus a 1:54 in 2007 and felt fantastic and was averaging 7:58/mile for the 13.1 run. (I did have some stomach issues at mile 10 and 11, so honestly my chip time was a 1:47 but I managed and I am trying to figure that out. If I didn't have the watch...it wouldn't have matter what it was!)
Long story, short...it is OK to get out of your routine now and again. Try something different...who knows...maybe it will change your body, your mind and your life. I know CrossFit did that with mine!
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