I am a planner, a control freak and pretty much an altogether un-spontaneous sort of girl most of the time. But lately, circumstances are conspiring against my well-laid plans. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, I’m sure it’s good for me to jump right through when a window of opportunity opens up.
WoO #1: The Hubs’ weekend training schedule has officially reached “insane” levels, so I decided to re-arrange my long runs to other days. I don’t like leaving the kids alone for too long and I feel Mom Guilt about both of us training so hard and ignoring them. This week that meant I ran 10 miles bright and early on a Monday morning. Even after a weekend of celebratory eating, I cranked out a spectacular 8:08 pace. Where did that speed come from? I have no clue, but I’m not complaining. Next week’s long run will likely be on Monday as well, and then after that it’ll depend on what my work schedule looks like. I guess I’ll run when the WoO opens.
WoO #2: Just this morning, The Hubs decided to race an Olympic distance tri this weekend. It’s the right time in his plan to do a tune-up race and his schedule called for a swim, bike and run this weekend near Oly distances. It was a total WoO to jump into a race, but can I tell you how professionally jealous I am about this? He’s at a level of fitness and training right now where he can just randomly say, “Hey, I’m gonna do an Oly this weekend. For fun.” Must be nice (she grumbles in a totally loving and supportive way).
WoO #3: Oh, yeah, speaking of last minute racing additions, I’ve added another race to my schedule later this month! I have the tri bug so bad right now and just enough wiggle room in my marathon training schedule that I had to go for it. I don’t want all this tri-fitness to go to waste, right? This Sprint distance is the same swim (.5 mile), but a slightly longer bike (20 miles) and a slightly longer run (4 miles) – just the challenge I didn’t even know I was looking for!
WoO #4: This one is actually about how easy it is for a WoO to slam shut in your face. I worked a mid-morning shift today, which meant I didn’t have enough time to swim before I went to work, but by the time I got home I was hungry for lunch. What to do, swim or eat? I chose the “swim” option because if I ate first, it would be another hour before I got in the pool and there were other things I needed to do this afternoon…blah, blah, blah. WRONG choice! I don’t even think you could call today’s swim mediocre, it was so bad. I had no form, no focus and barely enough energy to finish the distance (1000 meters). I need to take advantage of that tiny WoO and eat a snack on my way home from work to fuel a pre-lunch workout. Lesson learned.
What windows of opportunity have opened up for you lately? Did you take advantage of them or let ‘em slip by?
LMC says
If there was a WoO for me recently, I am sure that I closed it as soon as it opened. I’m slow picking up on these things. 🙂 I think your WoOs are all pretty cool! Way to go with that speedy run and your next swim will be better, not to worry!
ajh says
I guess my WoO is riding my bike while I’m letting my heel rest. And I am totally loving the bike!
Laurie says
The last couple of days, I’ve enjoyed some WoOs that made it possible for me to get in some nice afternoon running.
Great job with the super speedy long run! Way to be supportive of your super fit husband… even if it is in a somewhat grumbly jealous way 🙂
Regina says
my WoO was signing up for a 5k this month so that I had a race this month…I may live to regret it…I know it is short, but my coach will have me run to the death.
Laura says
Hello! Recently stumbled on your blog and can’t resist commenting on this post. What an incredibly fit family you have! Congrats on the speedy run! My WoO: I just signed up for a 1/2 marathon tonight (which will be much more of a stretch for me than you!). Eek!
Johann says
Nice post! My WoO at the moment is running lots of trail races. Not so long ago I would not have thought that I would become such a serious trail runner. It was all road for me but the WoO opened my eyes.
Aimee (I Tri To Be Me) says
Those are some great WoOs! Good luck to your husband this weekend at the Olympic! Let’s see, I just finished my Half Ironman, so I have a WoO now to revamp my marathon training. 🙂
Jon says
Never heard of the term “WoO” before, but I like it! I have taken 2 WoO’s this season and any more is pushing it beyond realism. Sometimes I gotta say that another race will do more harm than good, especially when the A+++ race of the year is only a week away. My current mantra is “stick to the plan….stick to the plan…..”
Amanda - RunToTheFinish says
ohhh i am so a planner too that I could totally relate..it’s important to put our tendancies aside sometimes and just let life take it’s course!
i have a cool triathlon necklace giveaway going on you might like, so kinda cool I found your blog today while clicking around!