If you have a big goal, you have to train. But what do you do if your watch finds the training unproductive?
If you know me a little, you can't deny I'm an absolute numbers freak. I want to be able to analyze everything. For example, I recently bought an extra heart rate belt to measure, among other things, running power and foot landing (I run unbalanced as already expected). But at the same time I love my freedom while running and in fact I use running to escape all the analysis I do at work.
The latter makes that I sometimes have quite a hard time with the current of ‘helpful’ instructions from my Garmin. Ever since February 25th it indicated that I was training unproductively. Strength training, unproductive. 21 km on the beach? Unproductive: more rest is needed. But does the watch know what I'm doing? The 60 km on the Vuurtorentrail I planned also requires a lot and even then I have to continue despite tiredness.
Make sense?
Where last summer I ran 1 or 2 long distances in a weekend – the Suunto never complained – I'm having a hard time to keep up the courage these last couple of weeks. The weather is worthless with cold wind and even colder rain. My diary is full. My work mega busy and stressful. And to top it of, the watch whines.
However, I'm thinking about my race schedule and doubt if the training I'm doing now is at all close to what is needed for Ameland. Even though I've run at least one marathon or ultra every month for the past few months, it feels like it's never enough.
I bribed myself last Saturday. If I would run from Scheveningen to Noordwijk, I was allowed to look at the barefoot shoe store in Noordwijk. But it remained a struggle. The first kilometres I stopped every kilometre. The blood sugars were too low. My laces were loose. My coat – windy – was too warm. My shirt was too warm. My gloves were too warm. The blood sugar was too low again. The sensor was too cold. Needless to say that I didn't take extra kilometers through the dunes, which was actually my intention. Luckily after about 10 kilometres I did get into a rhythm. But as the picture above shows, it didn't go brilliantly.
And the reward? Unfortunately there were no nice models in the shop at that time. Even though I confess, that's why I ordered a different type (Vivobarefoot Stealth III swimrun) at home.
Equipping
I may have trained quite a bit in the past few weeks. Not only in running, but also in crosstraining and strength training. The pressure also seems to be high with Ameland. And I'm allowed to be a bodypaint model with the Efabe, which is quite exciting (something with paintable thongs) and requires some extra abdominal exercises for self-confidence. Maybe my Garmin Fenix was right?
I had another look at the data early this week. What I found worrying: the resting heart rate has risen to over 50, while it is normally around 44-46. So I decided to add some rest days of endurance training.
This morning was the last slightly longer run for Ameland. I really felt like running again. It began a bit strained, but once I got started I would have liked to run on, if it weren't for the agenda.
On some parts it was almost trailing. The mud was so deep and slippery that I could hardly get past it with the Escalante Racers (slippery tread) that sank away and had zero grip. But the legs were strong enough to prevent slipping and the slipping was secretly fun as well.
Be nice
In the end, I think I neglected my body a little bit. Just not giving it enough rest and ignoring signals. The watch was right to complain about that. Without the watch I might have continued to stick my head in the sand. Sometimes it's good if something or someone else points out to you that you have to be kind to yourself.
After this morning's run, I feel a little more secure. And believe it or not, Garmin even said the training was productive. I therefore look towards the tapering period with a little more confidence.
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