My turn to ask a question. How long does it take for strength and conditioning to degrade? Has my conditioning really gone to pot in four weeks even though I’m still putting in 20 to 30 miles a week? Or is it a perception thing?
I am often my worst critic. I know that. It can keep me going when others might be satisfied with where they are at. It also can lead to disappointment when it shouldn’t.
A prime example was last night. I had a cross train session on my schedule. I positioned the ergometer in the garage, fed the cat, dialed up some Phish on my iPod, and started a steady state row. I felt like I was struggling to keep a 2:20 pace (that’s how long it takes to row 500 meters). After 45 minutes I hopped off. My legs were quivering. I was soaked in sweat. My head started spinning. How can that be? Wasn’t it just a few weeks ago that I was invincible?
So I started checking the data. 9200 meters. Average pace of 2:26.7. Hmm. Let’s see here. The last time I rowed this long was… Where’s that Concept2 online log? Hmmm. February 17. Back when I was invincible. Let’s see here. 10000 meters in 48:15 at an average pace of 2:26.00.
My point? Let’s not be so hard on ourselves folks! Perception isn’t always reality. My new philosophy? I start worrying when my mind starts dishing out the complacency.
So clearly you are still invincible! Can't argue with the facts...
ReplyDeleteWell said. I struggle with the same things too.
ReplyDeleteYeah I didn't think your fitness degrades that quickly. I know that for speed like sprinting stuff, you lose that faster than endurance.
ReplyDeletePerception isn't always reality. You can say that again.
ReplyDeleteI always go with the philosophy that the amount of time/days you put into getting to a certain point is how long it will take for you to lose it. So if it takes a month for you to curl 10 reps of 25 lbs, then if you stop doing it for a month, you will be back to the beginning.
ReplyDeleteI also think your muscles have memories of what you put it through in the past so I think they are more tolerant of discomfort when you start working out again after having not worked out in a while.
There is no scientific backing to anything that I've just said so I try not to slack off too long. Although I do remember starting to run again after taking 2 years off and it was a whole lot easier than when I first started running.
I will let you know after my OC HM this weekend. My training for it has been less than stellar since my last HM in Feb.
ReplyDeleteAdrenaline junkies are hard on themselves, no use in denying it!! :) I fear you lost conditioning quickly, evident how flabby my muscles are. Gym, here I come!! Nice job feeding the cat (haha) and getting back to rowing!! Small steps...
ReplyDeleteYou are indeed indestructible, I will call you Glen the Great!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great row! You're certainly still invincible. We're always hardest on ourselves and it seems like perception is a major reason for that. I think my perception is rarely reality.
ReplyDeleteSomething I read ages ago said that if you do nothing for 6 weeks, you've lost most of your muscle conditioning. But then "muscle memory" allows you to regain strength faster than originally.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy not racing or race training because I had overly high expectations of myself, I lost the sense of FUN. It was all about the watch.
It most certainly must be perception because I'd kill to average that pace in a steady state rowing session. And here you are beating yourself up. You should be patting yourself on the back, Glenn.
ReplyDeleteHi Glenn. My son came home from track practice last night and told me about the "talk" the coach gave them before they left...he told them it takes 3+ weeks to get IN to shape...but you can lose almost all of that progress in just 3 days of not working out. This was the "talk" he gave them because they have no practice tonight and he wants them to exercise over the weekend. So....not sure about the validity of that statement......but I bet it is making the kids do some work this weekend!
ReplyDeleteHey....you have dropped your calories so you are going to feel a bit different during workouts until your body adjusts to that. You might want to try to eat 200 or so calories 30-60 minutes before your workout...something that has a good mix of protein, carbs, fat. (almond butter on a chocolate rice cake....or a banana and a handful of almonds....or 3 oz of chicken, a couple carrots, and some toast....) Then definitely eat something within an hour of your workout ending that is protein-rich. (A protein shake, milk with ovaltine, half a turkey sandwich with veggies on it)
When and what you eat can definitely help fuel yor body for the workouts.
we are all our own worst critics. i'm glad you had your log to look back on so you could boost up your beliefs. i definitely wouldn't think that maintenance mileage would = out of shape! less-in-shape, sure maybe, but not all is lost. obviously your erg workout shows you that you are maintaining without losing :)
ReplyDeleteI think what you need is a huge superman tattoo on your chest. NICE work!!!
ReplyDeleteI do think that running transfers to all sorts of places in your body.