Lately, I'm finding that I'm doing just what is called for on my training plan and nothing extra (perhaps a few extra miles on the bike but not much). A few months ago, I used to do extra on most of my workouts but now I can't find the time and my energy is getting a little lower too. I need to go to bed earlier but can't seem to be mature enough to actually get in the sheets before 10:30 or so.
My right calf has been tight the last few weeks which is disappointing because I thought I had it figured out. My long-ish run on Sunday was a little slow because of it and my speed workout on Thursday consisted of some strides on a grassy hill instead of any real speed work. My 8 mile run this morning felt better than my run on Sunday so hopefully the calf is on the mend- luckily swimming and cycling doesn't seem to bother it at all.
My legs didn't feel exactly fresh when I finished my last recovery week on Sunday but I'm trying to keep things in perspective. My recovery week long run was only 10 miles but I guess 10 miles is still moderately long. Perspective is hard to maintain when I'm in the middle of things (like it is for anyone). Last month I told my office-mate that I only rode for 3 hours on the trainer and he laughed that I said "only"- comparing that to what is ahead, it is only a 3 hour ride. Fortunately, there are a few other IMers that I follow on the internet so it is nice to see that they are going through the same things I am. One guy posted a video of himself trying to walk down the stairs after a long ride (which wasn't very graceful) so that was nice to see. I haven't had any workouts that have put me into the "jello legs" category yet but I know they are coming.
I can't believe it is 2 months from today! I am trying to curb my excitement for the race (although I won't be "racing" but rather competing). I'm also trying to not worry about the things that are beyond my control (weather, flats, etc...) and am instead trying to concentrate on what I can control (training, sleep, nutrition, clothing/equipment). Something that has put me at ease was our final decision to keep our motel room (which is walking distance to transition and start/finish so that I won't have to worry about where I'm sleeping the nights before and the night after the race. Hopefully all will be good but if the motel doesn't work out it is great to know that I have a couple of backup options (Elizabethtown and an RV).
Sounds like I should have around 20 people at IMLP to cheer me on and I couldn't be happier! Thanks all!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
I feel like a kid again...
...I fell asleep at the dinner table last night. Jen was on the treadmill and I was eating pasta with the kids and must have been pretty tired because I heard Cate ask me, "Daddy, what are you making that silly face?" That woke me up and now I realize that I have a funny look on my face when I sleep- oh well.
Today the article about my fundraising and training came out in the paper. Jeff did a nice job. Check it out here.
Today the article about my fundraising and training came out in the paper. Jeff did a nice job. Check it out here.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Getting closer...
Officially, there are 68 days until IMLP and I am still super excited and motivated to train. I'm currently in my last recovery week. When I tell people that I'm in a recovery week they usually think that I get a week off from training (which would kill me), but instead the recovery week lets me ease back a little on the mileage so that I can heal and recuperate before the next round of increasing mileage begins.
This week's schedule calls for 7000 yards of swimming (140 laps in the pool), 85 miles on the bike, and 24 miles running; contrasting that to last week's efforts of 5650 yards in the pool, 125 miles cycling, and 38 miles of running and I should be feeling pretty rested in a few days. As you can see, my pool distances are increasing and I will add a third day in the water soon.
I was surprised to see that this was my last recovery- because I thought I would get one more, but no such luck; my tapers starts four weeks out from the race (and is a pretty strenuous taper, I think) which leaves five weeks to build, build, build. Eventually, when I reach my longest week, I will do 12,725 yards swimming, 190 miles cycling, and 43 miles running- then the taper starts from there. Right now I'm pretty excited to get into the long stuff but I'm sure I will get pretty beat up but at least the end is already in sight.
I'm trying to pay extra attention to my nutrition because I feel like I have to always be eating but want to make sure I'm getting enough protein. I usually do fine with my carbohydrate, fat, salt, etc... but when I review my diet at the end of many days I think I could use another salmon burger here and there. I have taken a liking to a vanilla protein powder (conveniently sold at Wal-Mart) and am trying to remember to mix it with a glass of milk after each round of exercise lasting an hour or more, which, when I think about it now, is every workout this week (with the exception of a running speed workout) and every workout for the next 9.5 weeks. Note to self: buy more protein mix.
It is raining again but the weather is supposed to get sunnier and warmer in the next few days, so I won't have to bundle up as much on the bike. I ran this morning (8 miles) and will swim tonight (80 laps or 4000 yards) but right now I'm thinking about dinner and trying to stay dry (until I get in the pool, of course).
This week's schedule calls for 7000 yards of swimming (140 laps in the pool), 85 miles on the bike, and 24 miles running; contrasting that to last week's efforts of 5650 yards in the pool, 125 miles cycling, and 38 miles of running and I should be feeling pretty rested in a few days. As you can see, my pool distances are increasing and I will add a third day in the water soon.
I was surprised to see that this was my last recovery- because I thought I would get one more, but no such luck; my tapers starts four weeks out from the race (and is a pretty strenuous taper, I think) which leaves five weeks to build, build, build. Eventually, when I reach my longest week, I will do 12,725 yards swimming, 190 miles cycling, and 43 miles running- then the taper starts from there. Right now I'm pretty excited to get into the long stuff but I'm sure I will get pretty beat up but at least the end is already in sight.
I'm trying to pay extra attention to my nutrition because I feel like I have to always be eating but want to make sure I'm getting enough protein. I usually do fine with my carbohydrate, fat, salt, etc... but when I review my diet at the end of many days I think I could use another salmon burger here and there. I have taken a liking to a vanilla protein powder (conveniently sold at Wal-Mart) and am trying to remember to mix it with a glass of milk after each round of exercise lasting an hour or more, which, when I think about it now, is every workout this week (with the exception of a running speed workout) and every workout for the next 9.5 weeks. Note to self: buy more protein mix.
It is raining again but the weather is supposed to get sunnier and warmer in the next few days, so I won't have to bundle up as much on the bike. I ran this morning (8 miles) and will swim tonight (80 laps or 4000 yards) but right now I'm thinking about dinner and trying to stay dry (until I get in the pool, of course).
Sunday, May 16, 2010
quickie
Last recovery week coming up for Ironman Lake Placid! Ran 15mi on Saturday and rode 60mi and 5mi run today. Feelin' the flow. 70 days to go.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Starting to get a little tired
Well, I'm feeling like I'm training for an Ironman this week. I'm trying to get more sleep and have been moving my workouts to the afternoons when possible so that I can sleep until 6 instead of getting up somewhere around 4:45. I think so of the longer, more intense workouts lately are taking longer to recover from. I'm looking forward to a fairly relaxing weekend when we only have a garage sale to contend with.
The weather still hasn't been cooperating- yesterday I ran in the morning in a typical winter outfit- hat, mittens, windbreaker top and bottoms... The weather is supposed to improve as we go into this weekend which will be much welcomed. Today's high temperature is forecast to be 48 and I'm going to ride 30 miles, with some speedwork, on my bike (then a swim later). We have really had a pretty great spring for training so I can't complain too much. Also this afternoon, a reporter from the Democrat and Chronicle (D&C if you're a cool Rochesterian) is coming to the house to take some pictures so that he can put an article in the paper next week. Fundraising is up near $2500!
The weather still hasn't been cooperating- yesterday I ran in the morning in a typical winter outfit- hat, mittens, windbreaker top and bottoms... The weather is supposed to improve as we go into this weekend which will be much welcomed. Today's high temperature is forecast to be 48 and I'm going to ride 30 miles, with some speedwork, on my bike (then a swim later). We have really had a pretty great spring for training so I can't complain too much. Also this afternoon, a reporter from the Democrat and Chronicle (D&C if you're a cool Rochesterian) is coming to the house to take some pictures so that he can put an article in the paper next week. Fundraising is up near $2500!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Happy Mothers' Day
As I've said, Jen makes my training possible by getting up with the kids when I'm out training in the morning, during the day by washing my smelly clothes, and at night by making dinner...you get the picture: she makes our home function. My mom took the same care of me when I was growing up and I thought I could still here her yelling my name when I was running this morning. Happy Mothers' Day to all moms!
Speaking of my morning run, it wasn't the nicest morning to be out there. I think I made the smart decision and headed into the wind/snow/hail for seven miles and then turned around to have it at my back for the last seven. This way I didn't catch a chill by heading into the wind when I was sweaty from running with it. My eyes froze shut a couple of times and but the hail was worse and more painful. Anyway, I'm glad to have it done and "under my belt" because the conditions for the IM will most likely be better so I can look back at today and know I've run in worse conditions.
Yesterday I did a brick workout, which is when you do two disciplines back-to-back. I did a bike-run brick where I rode 50 miles and then did a two mile run. I knew it was going to be a windy day but was shocked when I got up at 5:30 to find fairly calm conditions, so I hoped on my bike an headed west (where I knew the wind would eventually come from). My ride back was pretty fast because the wind was about 25mph sustained by the time I arrived back home. Later in the day we went to Jake's graduation from UB (congrats!) and felt some big gusts and found that our power had gone out for a period of time while we were gone.
Hopefully the weather will be better this week. Next weekend is our garage sale on Saturday.
Happy 10th Birthday WILL!
Speaking of my morning run, it wasn't the nicest morning to be out there. I think I made the smart decision and headed into the wind/snow/hail for seven miles and then turned around to have it at my back for the last seven. This way I didn't catch a chill by heading into the wind when I was sweaty from running with it. My eyes froze shut a couple of times and but the hail was worse and more painful. Anyway, I'm glad to have it done and "under my belt" because the conditions for the IM will most likely be better so I can look back at today and know I've run in worse conditions.
Yesterday I did a brick workout, which is when you do two disciplines back-to-back. I did a bike-run brick where I rode 50 miles and then did a two mile run. I knew it was going to be a windy day but was shocked when I got up at 5:30 to find fairly calm conditions, so I hoped on my bike an headed west (where I knew the wind would eventually come from). My ride back was pretty fast because the wind was about 25mph sustained by the time I arrived back home. Later in the day we went to Jake's graduation from UB (congrats!) and felt some big gusts and found that our power had gone out for a period of time while we were gone.
Hopefully the weather will be better this week. Next weekend is our garage sale on Saturday.
Happy 10th Birthday WILL!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
I'm short on time!
I am feeling pretty well but the miles are starting to catch up with me a little. The daily schedule seems to be increasing greatly as we get farther into spring- soccer games for the kids, mowing the lawn (stop growing, already!), parties, graduations, end of the school year stuff... Anyway, here is a picture I took with my phone (not too shabby, phone!) when I did a 15-mile run on Sunday morning while opening the cottage. It was taken just as the sun was peeking over the clouds and fog and includes a cow or two who don't seem to have seen a runner before.
News 10 NBC did a nice job covering the fundraising and training
Check out the story and video. They did a great job.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
