Bad day at the office!

Bad day at the office!

Generally if I have a day that doesn’t go according to plan I seem to end up writing a blog, I think it helps me reflect and if I can learn why it may have gone wrong it can end up being a better day. Still frustrating and disappointing, but ‘bad’ days are all relative and this is only training.

We all have off days, but I pride myself on consistency in training so is a bigger hit when I don’t perform as I can. It is a case of me working out whether there are genuine reasons, or whether I was weak. Today was a 10,000m time trial and pre session, both last night and this morning, I felt ok. Didn’t have a usual glass of red that often comes my way on a Friday either (perhaps this was the problem lol). I was not expecting to PB, but wanted to hit sub 33.20 (1.40/500m pace) and felt confident enough of this. I even dragged out Row Pro with 3 pace boats – PB, 1.40 and 1.42. They ended up all beating me !!

Row Pro pace boats

So I went off ok from the start and wanted to keep rate at 28. 2 or 3 Km in wasn’t feeling great, but thought it would pass. It didn’t really and was sick (well retching) just before half way.  No idea why as clearly have regularly gone further than this at that pace.Can only summise my brain not wanting to go on. So after a brief pause, I took stock and tried to make up ground by half way. This took a lot of doing as the split had dropped to 1.40.8 by then. I think after pausing and it was clear I wouldn’t then keep that pace till the end. I don’t believe in HD so dropped the rate and saw it home. Slightly faster last km for a bit of self respectability.

So what was the issue as I hate excuses and clearly couldn’t maintain the required pace today?

I have been trying to lean out a bit more recently so there could be an issue of fuel as some of my recent sessions have been a little underpowered (dropped 3kgs in the last 2 weeks). I have been a bit ill and had a bad back yes. But none of those counted today I don’t think. One of those days where in the middle third the brain thinks it is a long way to go at that pace! Bit annoyed with my 10km so will reflect further over the weekend and plan how to move forward again.

Final screenshot

Row Pro analysis

Clearly unhappy with today, but having things to work on means I have a chance to improve further, at least that is what I would tell my clients. Harder to accept that when you are your own coach.  Just have to reflect further and establish what they are… or am I clutching at straws……?