A Restless Ride

on March 23, 2010
in All Posts

Since my triathlon, I’ve been struggling to get motivated to do the longer, dedicated workouts I need to do for my upcoming races: 

 

  • Crooms Fool Run – 15 Mile Trail Race (April 3)
  • IronGirl – 15K (April 10)
  • Echelon Gran Fondo – Century Bike Ride (May 23)

 

I think I’m suffering from post-race blues.  Does that ever happen to you?  Sometimes, it’s just a letdown after training SO long and hard for something, and then… POOF, it’s over! It’s kind of like a wedding (haha, well then you have marriage!).  :)  But I’ve got to focus on the events coming up in the next two months because they are going to be so much FUN! 

 

Since I’ve got no time to slack off, I set off on a bike ride after work.

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Yeeeehaw!  It was fun to ride again.

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I did 18 miles in 1:19.  A little slow, but not too shabby.

 

Pre-ride fuel included lavas and almond butter:

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And a sesame bar:

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After my ride, I ate another slice of lavas bread while I prepared dinner.

 

Dinner was really fast because it was mostly leftovers.  I had three slices of spinach pide, cabbage, and carrots, plus a mashed sweet potato.

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Pide is so much better than pizza!!

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Dessert was chocolate chip mint ice cream:

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And… I’m off to spend quality time with the pups and do some laundry.  🙂

 

I think one of the things that will help me get motivated for my Century Bike Race is to put together a training plan.  Riding 100 miles seems pretty intimidating and a clear plan will keep me focused.  What can I say, I’m a fan of plans!

{ 63 comments }

 

  • Emily Eats and Exercises March 23, 2010, 9:00 pm

    I love that shadow picture of your bike. Very artsy. 😉
    I’m looking forward to reading about your plan. 100 miles is a lot! Where to you look to get ideas for your training plan. Websites? Books? Friends?
    I’m currently looking for a half marathon plan (my first.) Do you have any suggestions?

    • Caitlin March 23, 2010, 9:01 pm

      i LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE hal hidgon’s running plans (just google it) and then i modify it to work for me and my schedule.

  • Kelly March 23, 2010, 9:07 pm

    I totally agree that a plan is really good to have. I think there are a couple of things that make biking plans harder to develop: #1- there are not a lot out there! and #2- for me it is affected more than other sports by weather- I’d rather run in the rain than bike in the rain, or come into the treadmill, but the stationary bike is not quite the same as biking outside.

  • Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin March 23, 2010, 9:08 pm

    I totally know what you mean about post race blues… its kind of like what next!? but for you, theres so much next. good job getting out there today! 🙂

    I made a casserole tonight because I’ve wanted to make one ever since I saw it on your blog a while back. It turned out great and had NO MEAT! 🙂

  • Whitney @ whitinspired.wordpress.com March 23, 2010, 9:08 pm

    I have no idea what pide is, but it looks so ridiculously good!

  • Jenna March 23, 2010, 9:09 pm

    what exactly is pide?!

    • Caitlin March 23, 2010, 9:10 pm

      a turkish pastry ?

  • Allie (Live Laugh Eat) March 23, 2010, 9:12 pm

    Pide sure LOOKS better than pizza! I think a plan is just what you need…you always seems so motivated for races but you usually have a plan (at least you did for Disney and the tri). Perhaps if you take 2 days off you’re motivation will return? Days off always get me itching to workout again.

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite March 23, 2010, 9:13 pm

    What a colorful dinner 🙂

    I’ve never heard of pide before either?

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg March 23, 2010, 9:13 pm

    I’m not really sure what pide is, but I know I want it. I want to go to there.

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is March 23, 2010, 9:14 pm

    I am a huge fan of plans and lists and programs and anything to make me more organized. They always help me!

  • Julie @ Pickley Pear March 23, 2010, 9:14 pm

    I totally know what you mean about the post-race motivation, or lack of it. Hopefully the nice weather and some good biking will bring it back! Did you mean Pride is better than pizza??

    • Caitlin March 23, 2010, 9:15 pm

      haha no pide! its turkish pastry.

    • Julie @ Pickley Pear March 23, 2010, 9:15 pm

      Ha, never mind, just read that Pide is a turkish pastry!

  • Evan Thomas March 23, 2010, 9:15 pm

    I’d never heard of pide, either. At least I feel normal in that 🙂
    2 of the 6 pints of ice cream I have are chocolate chip mint. I love that flavor!

  • Jenna March 23, 2010, 9:15 pm

    It looks really tasty!!

  • lauren @ Eater not a runner March 23, 2010, 9:18 pm

    I am a big plan maker too 😀 Makes me so much more motivated!!

  • Lisa March 23, 2010, 9:26 pm

    I can definitely relate to “post race blues.” I was training for my recent 8k run for most of winter and now that it’s over it’s hard to get motivated to run a lot. My next run isn’t until August. But I am doing a 55 mile bike ride in May, so maybe I’m just getting ready to shift focus for awhile. 🙂

  • Foy Update - Cook. Garden. Write. Repeat. March 23, 2010, 9:28 pm

    Okay so I know what pide is – Turkish flat bread. But what is lavas?

    • Caitlin March 23, 2010, 9:35 pm

      turkish bread!

  • Amanda March 23, 2010, 9:28 pm

    How far in advance do you register for events? I’m always afraid to register too far in advance because I worry that I might get sick or something will come up. But then again .. I hate missing out on the early registration savings because I register a week at the most before an event.

    • Caitlin March 23, 2010, 9:35 pm

      i register pretty far in advance. i’ve lost $$ a few times but most of the time i can do the race. 🙂

  • Heather (Heather's Dish) March 23, 2010, 9:33 pm

    well, you rode 18 miles further than i did today 😉 i bet your body is just tired, but i think that if you listen to it you’ll be fine. you can do it!

  • Lee March 23, 2010, 9:34 pm

    I actually wrote about the same thing earlier this evening. I always feel sort of a post-race letdown.

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog) March 23, 2010, 9:34 pm

    Great work on the ride! I definitely suffer from post race blues – so keep having to find lots of new races to sign up for 🙂

  • Rachel March 23, 2010, 9:48 pm

    Maybe you just need a break mentally and physically? I would focus on the fun aspect – your real goal is to enjoy yourself out there. I am a planner too and find that having a written plan is always a big motivator for me. Just be gentle with yourself. You will be ready.

  • Jenny March 23, 2010, 9:51 pm

    Have a lovely night in with the puppies!

  • Bronwyn March 23, 2010, 9:52 pm

    I like having a plan to. It means less thought involved. It’s now just a part of your schedule. And sometimes that’s the only way to get it done.

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing March 23, 2010, 10:04 pm

    The pide looks soooooo good! YUM!

    I like plans. They are nice 🙂

  • John March 23, 2010, 10:11 pm

    It’s pretty common to have post race blues. Think it was part of my problem 3 years ago as once my HM and OlyTri was done I pretty much was done. This time I have to remember it’s life long. I’m already thinking of signing up for more HM’s to keep me working out all year….getting crazy thoughts now 🙂

  • Matt March 23, 2010, 10:14 pm

    Sometimes after a big race you need a little break. Make sure you aren’t pushing too hard!

  • Wendy March 23, 2010, 10:17 pm

    I’ve never really had post-race blues, but I did have a major meltdown the day after my wedding! And most definitely post-childbirth meltdowns. But those were largely hormone-induced. 🙂

    Good luck with your training!!

  • Kelly March 23, 2010, 10:20 pm

    Great job on getting out there. I know what you mean, after my first race last year, when it was over I was like hmm now what do i do.

  • Sagan March 23, 2010, 10:23 pm

    Great shadow photo!

    I’ve never heard of pide before, but that looks tasty. I’ve always been partial to calzones over pizza 🙂

  • Carolina John March 23, 2010, 10:50 pm

    Yea you have the race. then you are a triathlete! that’s something to be proud of. i have felt the same way, but then I sign up for another race and it’s game on again!

    I just posted my marathon race report from this weekend. fun times i tell ya. now i’m looking forward to kicking off triathlon season.

  • Molly March 23, 2010, 11:02 pm

    I have never heard of pida before.. it looks a whole lot better than pizza. YUM look at all those veggies on it.. I must find me some pida.. where did you get it?! I must have missed that.

    You are so goal/race orientated it is awesome.

  • Vaala March 23, 2010, 11:22 pm

    I like training plans too…they help keep you motivated and on track plus help keep a big event from seeming too daunting.

  • sara March 23, 2010, 11:27 pm

    I get SUCH bad post race blues! It’s so hard to work so long and train so hard and then it’s DONE….!
    Sara

  • Mary March 23, 2010, 11:47 pm

    I feel your post race blues too! I found I felt that way after I finished City of Oaks half marathon in Raleigh in the fall. I am a huge fan of training plans too! I’m currently looking for a good one for chicago marathon in the fall 🙂 good luck with your races and places! ambitious girl!

  • Kate March 24, 2010, 12:27 am

    Pide? Is that a pizza/pie hybrid? I had some mint choco chip ice cream yesterday – yummm!

  • Jalita March 24, 2010, 2:03 am

    I’m not an athlete, but I can relate to how you feel, I think. When I enjoy reading a certain book and then I finish it, I feel accomplished about finishing it, but then again I feel like the fun’s over.. I need to find another good book. Maybe it’s not the same feeling, but that’s what I thought when you wrote the beginning of this entry. I like planning, too! What kind of camera do you have? I can’t imagine carrying my DSLR while exercising or working out. It’s just too big and bulky to bring along.

  • Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] March 24, 2010, 2:14 am

    mmm… where can one find those sesame bars?

    • Caitlin March 24, 2010, 8:06 am

      another blogger gave them to me – they are from world market

  • Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) March 24, 2010, 2:26 am

    Loving that veggie-licious dinner. What a fun tasting plate! 😀

  • D March 24, 2010, 4:06 am

    in response to your recent post about the reader to was trying to get her boyfriend to stop smoking, i had posted that i was trying (and have been trying constantly) to get my boyfriend to shape up, eat right and stop making excuses. i had tried EVERY trick in the book, from the nice and supportive to total bribery, but has now signed up for a 10k! i did a race last year and at the end of it he told me that he would run it with me next year. he hasnt run a damned mile in that time (im obviously bitter), but i honestly thought this day would NEVER come. he’s now basing a training plan off C25K and im soooo exicted!

    • Caitlin March 24, 2010, 8:07 am

      awesome!!!!!!!!!! what motivated him to do it??

      • D March 24, 2010, 8:56 am

        i have no idea! i mentioned wanting to do the race myself, and he totally jumped on the bandwagon and was signed up before i was. he’s been asking me about healthy foods and stuff as well, and went (by himself…LOL) to my favourite veggie cafe for lunch the other day rather than eating the usual crap. you should do a post on how you and the husband manage your different healthy lifestyles together. its hard work! lol.

        • Caitlin March 24, 2010, 9:01 am

          how awesome! i think i’m going to ask the husband to photograph his food for the day actually.

  • Freya @ Brit Chick Runs March 24, 2010, 4:12 am

    When I was doing lots of competing I found it hard to stay motivated occasionally – I found that if I said ‘fine I’ll take a mini break from it’, then I watched someone else do it (videos or whatever), my mojo would come back very fast! It’s like you want what you can’t have hehe 🙂 Maybe you d just need a break, mental or physical?

    • Caitlin March 24, 2010, 8:08 am

      well i kind of took that break last week, and honestly, unless i want to SUCK at these races (or injure myself or drop out) i need to get gong. but i’ll try watching some of my old youtube clips! good idea.

  • Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun) March 24, 2010, 7:18 am

    How you feel about races sounds simiar to how I felt when I used to do theater, after closing night. Of course, the run of a play is a lot longer than the run of…well, a 26k run…however, the feeling afterwards is similar. It’s like giving birth, and the only baby you have to keep is the memory (and possibly a race number or costume).

    That lavas bread looks so chewy, fluffy and scrumptious!

  • Jennifer March 24, 2010, 7:34 am

    I definitely understand where you are coming from. I trained for a half-marathon and got up to the suggested 10 mile run goal so that I would know for sure that I could complete a 1/2. I was so excited and ready to sign up for my race because I was finally prepared. But I realized that I messed up my knee on that last 10 miles and the next time I ran I could barely do 2 miles. After some rest, my knee is getting better, but the motivation that was once there to do a 1/2 has slacked off a lot.

  • Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) March 24, 2010, 7:56 am

    Planning is so helpful…I love planning and schedules! :mrgreen:

    Sometimes a couple days off can do the trick too. I get burnout sometimes after being dedicated to something for so long…it’s only natural! Taking a couple days to do nothing leaves me restless and stir crazy to the point where I can’t *wait* to do something. 😉

  • Heather @ Side of Sneakers March 24, 2010, 8:00 am

    I find it SO hard to go for that first workout after a big race..it’s like, “What am I working for?!” Sometimes it’s nice not to have a training plan, but I usually sign up for something else haha

  • Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly March 24, 2010, 8:27 am

    I agree training schedules work best for me!!

  • Michele March 24, 2010, 9:28 am

    Did you make that spinach pide? It looks delicious! Please share your secrets!

    • Caitlin March 24, 2010, 9:31 am

      naw it was leftovers from dinner on monday 🙁

  • Jes March 24, 2010, 10:16 am

    What is pide?? It looks delicious!

  • Tina March 24, 2010, 10:19 am

    I was worried I was going to feel post-competition blues after my fitness competition this past November since I was putting so much time into training. Oddly though, I felt so so relieved. It was taking up way too much time from my family and I was glad to have some time for myself back. I didn’t like HAVING to workout. So now I am relieved to workout for myself again and just have pleasure in it. I think its different if youre into races though because you have a concrete goal you can work towards like improving your time or distance. Fitness competitions are purely the judges personal preference so you never know whats going to happen no matter how hard you work. It makes it a lot less fulfilling to pour your heart and soul into something and never really have concrete evidence that it was worth it or that you improved. I wonder if that even makes any sense and sorry for rambling.

    • Caitlin March 24, 2010, 10:21 am

      that definitely makes sense! you are pretty bad ass for doing a fitness competition.

  • whitney March 25, 2010, 8:41 pm

    what brand ice cream do you buy?

    • Caitlin March 25, 2010, 8:47 pm

      breyers

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