Training for the A-Race While Living the Human Race

By Cari Junge

A few weeks ago I settled into my groove on a beautifully sunny and quiet morning in the outdoor 50-meter with the pool nearly to myself. This is a rare occasion at a County facility so I was that much happier I got up early to go. It’s funny how un-natural it is for me to gift myself the critical release mechanisms that make the most difference.  No matter how many times I feel that ‘ahhhh’ moment, reinforcing what I know to be as important for me as brushing my teeth, the training methods that produce the greatest gains are not always 1^st on my schedule.

You can think, ‘So what? You went out for a swim workout, probably on your training plan, just another to-do like every other posted for the week’.  Well, I’ve come to realize that there are moments during the monotony that can leave lasting progression (neuro, psycho, physio, etc…) and I am never ever the same, far beyond the structure on my plan.  I went for a swim early morning, which is big for me as some of you know, since for many years my training in the pool has been far from rewarding.  I had lost the drive to robotically use my arms and legs to glide from one end to the other over and over- which for some is the definition of insanity, especially during periods when my technique purely sucked (no laughing John!).

My Life-Type is something that changes often, with the seasons, the stars and my life cycle. From years of study in Feng Shui and Ayurveda, I’ve developed some unique systems for driving the success of an athlete, whether in life or sport. Through this abstract process, we can gain an understanding of and an appreciation for our Mind-Type (Behavior | Emotion Profile), our Body-Type (Physique | Chemistry) and our Sport-Type (Fitness | Mechanics), as well as many other qualities that relate.

That day I had my workout protocol in my mind and props with me, ready to put in a solid training session with a race approaching. Once I felt how peaceful the environment was for me as I settled into stroke, my workout structure gradually turned improv, like the meandering stream my mind tends towards naturally. How valuable would that session be, given my current swim fitness? For that matter, should I care?

It’s taken decades for me, personally, to align my natural way with my Mind.Body.Sport-Type, while still battling wounds of poor past performances. It’s taken this long to resolve the concept for structuring training to best meet my psycho-physiology, my lifestyle and my goals. I’ve finally learned to gain foresight into what may arise as an A-race beyond my Multi-Sport event calendar, where I will likely be exerting physically, mentally and all the other ‘ally-ies’. Some of the Life-Races take on the systems usage of an Ironman or longer, requiring a 24 to 48-month training plan, and even a solid 4 to 52-week transition period to rejuvenate.

That’s me today, hundreds of races including 8 Ironman-distance triathlons later. I have finally accepted that first and foremost, I’m a Life-Athlete, say versus a Tri-Athlete, and I need my training plan for Sport to layer on top of that for Life, if and when it can. I benefit in life-changing ways after a peaceful improvised swim in a beautifully sunny and quiet 50-meter pool like I do from an Epsom Salt soak after a hard brick workout.  I’m OK- I think- managing my passion to feel the way my soul fires sprinting down the chute for an Ironman finish, not knowing if or when I’ll get the opportunity to love that way again.

The SWEAT of the Matter is that, who knows. You just may be facing similar conditions as me, in your toughest race this cycle, your Human Race, I call ‘Life’.  (thanks to Jason Bateman in the movie ‘The Switch’ for this incredible concept).

As a leader in performance coaching, it’s my duty to support the Life-Athlete (namely myself) in recognizing who, what, where, when, why and how. Fitting an IM into the toughest period of your training cycle is not wise. It’s like racing a sprint-distance tri when peaking volume for long-course. Different energy systems, strategies and loads can be highly detrimental if not timed appropriately.

It’s also my duty to support you authentically, as I do myself. With that commitment, live by the mantra a friend shared when I was in need, ‘Flow before you Force’ (thanks GH). It took a while for me to live by it but now I do innately as I did that day in the pool. By simply letting go or flowing, my mind gave my body the freedom to move naturally. And I now, in this moment get why I can feel that therapeutic sensation inside, from such an uneventful experience that has hopefully provided some incite for you and your training. Thanks, again, for letting me SWEAT on you. Time to take a shower!

Please join me next week when I share with you the impact clutter or chaos in our environment can have when order is needed for an optimal performance and healthy lifestyle.

Cari Junge

Nutrition & Therapy Director

www.utahsportsandwellness.com