triathlons do not allow music. you cannot race with music - therefore you cannot train with music. you cannot do anything during training that you cannot do during the race.
training in silence - you hear the sounds of your feet on the pavement, the changing of the gears on the bike, the crunch of leaves under your feet, the sound of your breathing; not only do you feel your heart pounding, but you hear it.
painful at first - the focus is not on the music to motivate your energy anymore, the focus is on you. your energy, your motivation, your momentum, your drive. initially, that transition is almost paralyzing - you cannot imagine how you will possible get through the run or ride - but you do. and it is amazingly inspiring. mental focus, and mental non-focus. your mind can go anywhere or no where. it is up to you, nothing to distract you, it provides an amazing sense of inner peace.
today - 2o mile ride, 1 hour 2o minutes of powerful silence
TRI.
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Did the silence get easier with time? I remember training for my century ride I was totally dependent on it, but the day of the ride did not have it and that was 6 hours of powerful silence.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to get in tune with your body on long periods of exercise - hiking, walking, running, biking, swimming - they all have their rhythms.
yes, it does get easier. i actually enjoy the power it provides; it is amazing what comes into your mind during that time. you tap into your strength, your emotions, your vulnerability - all to then make you stronger. it is like running full force to your weakness only to make it stronger. your mind needs to become your motivator. that is a pretty powerful instrument.
ReplyDeletethanks for your comment, clark.