Friday, December 18, 2009

Friday 0 miles

My foot is OK, but the plan right now is to rest until ~January 9th or until my body is 100% ready to meet Leadville training at full speed and head on. For over a decade I have taken an end of season break, often times of 4 weeks. I learned this from some of the greatest athletes, from runners to triathletes. Alan Culpepper used to take 2-4 weeks off every year, Mark Allen was the King of resting. Tim Deboom used to take 2 large rest blocks. Even one in August (!) before his intense build to Kona, now that's confidence! I have seen many athletes desperately afraid to lose fitness and every one of them hasn't improved.
My foot isn't broken, but it is stressed and the timing is perfect. I would have continued, foolishly, to press to hold on to fitness. This would have been counter productive. Every year after Kona I would take a 4 week break and come back mentally fresh and 100% healthy which only meant that I could train that much harder. Having my foot 'thing' is maybe the only way I have a shot at running well at Leadville. My guardian angel (and I promise I do have one otherwise I would not be here today) has once again yanked me back from the edge.
And something else I have found to be very true is that with the many years of fitness I have banked, even after 4 weeks of rest I only lose a fraction of it. I'm usually back to a strong level of fitness in as little as 4 weeks.

6 comments:

Brandon Fuller said...

I am going to start a pool taking bets to see how much weight you gain. Hell, I would be up 15. You probably have more discipline.

Matt said...

You're probably not even taking 4 weeks off. You'll be fine, as you say. Rest.

I'm sending you some porter.

Lucho said...

Brandon- Less than 5 pounds, that's how much I'll gain. I've even lost weight during my rest breaks. Calories in calories out...

Matt- We are leaving for a week so if it gets delivered while were gone it will freeze. I appreciate that Matt!

kerrie said...

super G gained close to 20 on his two weeks away even though he was running several HOURS a day. in other words, whatever you do, don't follow his diet plan.

i guess this mean you'll really be ready to party.....

GetBackJoJo said...

but what will you blog about? just kidding... :)

Lucho said...

I'll be lifting weights quite a bit. My body is breaking down because of imbalances and weaknesses. They'll just come right back if I don't correct them. I'll blog about the weight training and the sweetness and awesomeness of my beard.