building up before breaking through

Winter is the time to build your body and get comfortable with those long distances. It isn't easy.

Yesterday I ran 9 miles followed by a 50+ mile bike ride. I was really, really, really tired. But I know from experience, that if I pushed myself through even at a snail pace, I will be strong in the spring.

It's harder now. In previous years, a workout like this would have been a rewarding experience, just having finished it; braved the elements, did the distance, etc. Now it seems like a minor accomplishment compared to workouts I've been able to do. I try not to think like this. I try to enjoy the slow build, knowing my body and mind are getting stronger again, but it is hard.

Breakthrough workouts are not important for me right now. I had one last week, when I did a 6 mile tempo run at 6:20 pace. It felt good to push myself through this workout and the benefits were evident in subsequent workouts.

But I have to be careful - I know from experience that doing too many of this type of break-through workout without the long slow endurance runs and rides is simply building on a soft foundation and will lead to injury and burnout.

What do you think?