Training comes in multiples phases, but there’s one thing that’s for sure: peak training is a beast worth noting. The key identifiers of which are easy to spot and are sure to make any outsider question how you make it as a functioning human being. Perhaps I should wear a big sign around my neck that says, “I’M IN PEAK TRAINING. DON’T JUDGE ME!” Or maybe I could provide a list of essential indicators for anyone in said state.
You know you’re in peak Ironman training when…
- Your racer back tan line could be mistaken for a whale tail tattoo.
- Piles of laundry are now considered your interior décor.
- You go through at least three changes of clothing per day, with your work attire being the least important.
- You’re so tired of eating that you actually like the idea of intravenous feeding.
- This is day 39 that you’ve worn your hair in “top knot.”
- You start to wonder what people do with a full 48 hours of free time on the weekend.
- You questioned your coach multiple times asking, “Are you SURE this is humanly possible?”
- You have a perma-ring of broken hair all around your head from the swim cap. I call it the “Halo Effect.”
- Your wrists feel naked when you don’t have your Garmin strapped on. Good thing you have a tan line to comfort you.
- Date night is watching old episodes of “Arrested Development” and staying up way too late: 10 p.m.
- You’re 16-year-old acne has all reappeared, strategically where your bike helmet and straps hit your face.
- Heels are the equivalent of ancient torture mechanisms.
- You no longer feel awkward training with old men every weekend.
- The complete disarray of your home makes you worried that the “Hoarders” film crew might show up on your doorstep.
- Your dog no longer wants to play, but just waits to lick the sweat off of your feet.
- You train solo so often that carrying on conversations with yourself for six hours straight is no longer a problem.
- “Hurts so good” is your favorite phrase. So is, “SCREW YOU, HEAT!”
- Your pinky has gone numb from being in aero too long.
- “Hangry” is your most frequented emotion.
- Falling asleep at dinner is NBD. You’ll wake up in 15 minutes and eat again anyways.
- Trips to the chiropractor are the most social interaction that you get.
- You start to see the “blue line” in your sleep.
- When Training Peaks or Gamin Connect bugs out, you better pray no one else is in the room.
- You plan your work attire based on if you can wear compression sleeves underneath.
- Your foam roller is the closest thing you have to a BFF right now.
- Water bottles. EVERYWHERE!
- Salt caps seem to be falling out of the sky…or just every pocket.
- You feel like you could eat dinner with Michael Phelps and totally keep up.
- Helmets, heart rate straps and wet suits can all be found draped and drying from any shower or sink ledge. No space is safe.
- Your car’s stench of sweat and lake goop is enough to never let another soul inside your vehicle.
And you love every last minute of it.
Any others to add to the list?
Happy Running!
I usually have a collection of shoes by the front door: sneakers, sandals, another pair of sneakers, SPD clipped bike shoes, Look clip bike shoes.
Your list really strikes a cord. But this is fun, right?
I’d add this: when my husband stops asking what’s for dinner. What I eat before a 3 hour evening workout is never exciting and is often repeated.
It’s all pretty spot on!! 😀
Ha, this is awesome!
Sometimes I debate internally whether or not it’s appropriate to take naps at work when I’m in peak training. Just 15 minutes?
I also get sick of showering…and think to myself..”what is the point, I’m just working out again in xxx hours”
Definitely hit the nail on the dog spot – my dogs don’t even try to hang out anymore, they just go straight to licking every spot of bare skin on my body. Mmmm salty!
is there another hair style besides top knot? because i wouldn’t know. also my favorite line is, take it to the hurt tank! cheers to peak training 🙂
Hahaha my favorite is “You feel like you could eat dinner with Michael Phelps and totally keep up” – so true, I could put food down like a champ during IM training!
You can add – when you actually do make it to a social situation such as a party or dinner, you find the nearest couch and lie down on it. I remember going to my grandma’s house for mother’s day last year and just laying on the couch, exhausted., hoping people would come to me to talk.
Ummm THANK YOU for #11!! Haha every morning I keep wondering why I’m breaking out so much lately. This makes so much sense, I can’t believe I didn’t think of it!
Love this whole list. So true! Especially the water bottles…you should see my kitchen right now!
I’ve definitely not trained as intensely as you ever (!), but I totally agree with #12– I pretty much stopped wearing heels when I started running more, and today I had to wear them for a work event and they are NOT helping with the soreness from spinning class last night!
These are too funny! I love “hangry”. Sounds super intense though. I don’t know how you do it! Finding Time enough to get all my runs in is one thing, but biking and swimming?!
Awesome!! Totally true!
All I ever want to do is train, eat, sleep, repeat!
Hahaha! These are excellent.
I’ve never trained for an IM, but peak training includes these moments around here:
Husband stops asking “When will you be home?” and instead just says, “See you…sometime….eventually? Maybe at the finish line?”
Your moans and groans in yoga class are distracting to the other students. Pigeon pose? Seriously? Do you KNOW how my hips feel right now?
The key to staying awake for work is…moving. Better pray no one assigns you a tedious computer task.
Oh! I almost forget: You can’t open a bag, purse, drawer, or glove compartment without having a stray “spare” pair of underwear pop out.
You totally hit it! I always laugh at how many showers and change of clothes I do in a day! My laundery pile is all workout clothes.