Woke up this morning at 6:00 to get some breakfast and be ready for a practice swim at 8:00. Even the practice swims are an organized event. There was check-in and check-out which included a new Gatorade bike bottle, and they had a 1 mile course mapped out with buoys. The water felt great. It wasn’t cold and seemed clean. I had a great swim, felt relaxed and enjoyed swimming with the current although swimming against the current didn’t seem to be a problem either. After the swim Alison and I went to the official athlete briefing where they give you all the information you would need. It was very helpful.
After the meeting, I wanted to get out on the bike so I headed out for a 20-mile ride. It felt good to get back on the bike and except for a weird and painful cramp I got in my left butt check it went well.
Of course this whole time I see other athletes doing other things, and you can’t help but wonder if you’re doing the right thing, but now is not the time to second-guess. So I am just sticking to my plan, ignoring the others and more importantly trying to enjoy myself as much as possible.
Went back to the room, showered and then Alison and I went to lunch. After lunch went back to the room and had a great nap. Woke up, and got ready for the welcome banquet.
The banquet was OK. Met some nice people, the food was alright, but the program was good and really helped get everyone in the mood. It still seems weird that I’m actually here and this is finally going to happen.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday – 8/28/08
I wanted to start to add a little more detail each day I’m here in Kentucky.
So when Alison and I arrived we checked in the hotel and we were so hungry we went down to Fourth Street (the finish line area) to eat lunch. Found a great restaurant with outdoor seating and just started to take in the fact that we were finally here. We went back to the hotel where I went through athlete check-in and got my race information. I was given bib # 970. Volunteers walked us through all the details and gave us our numbers, timing chips and race bags. After that I went to the IOS area to pick up my bike. At first the lady couldn’t find my receipt and I thought they didn’t have my bike and gear, but eventually she found it and I saw my bike for the first time since last Saturday.
We went back to the room, unpacked and organized a little, then I got a call that there was a package waiting for me at the front desk. It was this huge gist basket from Irene Stuart and the Sisters Network. It had fruit, candy, cakes and beer. It was amazing.
Later that night we went to dinner on the top floor of the hotel to a revolving restaurant called Rivue. The food was great and the views of the river were very cool.
After dinner we went back to the room and started to wind down. It was a long day and I needed to get some rest. Two more days til Ironman.
So when Alison and I arrived we checked in the hotel and we were so hungry we went down to Fourth Street (the finish line area) to eat lunch. Found a great restaurant with outdoor seating and just started to take in the fact that we were finally here. We went back to the hotel where I went through athlete check-in and got my race information. I was given bib # 970. Volunteers walked us through all the details and gave us our numbers, timing chips and race bags. After that I went to the IOS area to pick up my bike. At first the lady couldn’t find my receipt and I thought they didn’t have my bike and gear, but eventually she found it and I saw my bike for the first time since last Saturday.
We went back to the room, unpacked and organized a little, then I got a call that there was a package waiting for me at the front desk. It was this huge gist basket from Irene Stuart and the Sisters Network. It had fruit, candy, cakes and beer. It was amazing.
Later that night we went to dinner on the top floor of the hotel to a revolving restaurant called Rivue. The food was great and the views of the river were very cool.
After dinner we went back to the room and started to wind down. It was a long day and I needed to get some rest. Two more days til Ironman.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Training Log - Week 30 – 8/21/08 – 8/27/08
Thursday – 8/21/08
Even though I’ve cut back on my workouts, I still find myself very tired. I went to bed last night at 8:30. I guess my body is trying to catch up on some missed sleep. Anyway, this morning I rode for just an hour at my usual 17-18 mph pace and did some yoga. Felt good. Worked out this “kink” I’ve felt in my right knee the past couple days. [17]
Friday – 8/22/08
This morning I headed back to the pool for a combo swim and run. Felt really good in the pool. I tried to stay relaxed and concentrate on my breathing and imagine myself in the race telling myself to calm down and just settle in for a long swim. I tried to stretch out a bit more than the other day during and after the swim and it made for a better run. I ran at a good pace and felt much better than Tuesday. Feeling good. [4]
Saturday – 8/23/08
Have to take my bike and gear up to Cary to Inside Out Sports for transport to Louisville. It makes it all seem very real! So this morning, I checked and double-checked all my gear. Marking things, making lists and just hoping for the best. I cleaned my bike and drove it all up to IOS. Walked it into the store, dropped it off and left. It was all very boring, and the workers were just like “OK” but inside I was screaming, “Don’t you know how important this is. This is huge. Should we have some kind ceremony or something?” So of course the whole drive home I was wondering if everything was going to be OK with my stuff? Will they take care of it? And as I was driving thinking, man this drive is taking long, I realized the one-way trip was 105 miles, 7 miles short of the 112 I’ll be riding next Sunday. I relaxed, put some classical music on the radio and just drove home picturing the race and being calm.
Sunday – 8/24/08
Went to White Lake for an open water swim. Had a really good swim, but got a cramp in my leg that I’ve never felt before. I was very relaxed and felt really at ease the whole time. The water was nice, a bit choppy and the passing boats added to that, but I never felt uncomfortable, and I didn’t get tired at all. I ended up swimming for about 47 minutes and I could have gone longer, but I got this really sharp pain on the upper-inside thigh of my right leg. I have never felt this pain before, and I can’t even really call it a cramp, but it hurt and I felt like I needed to stretch and rub my leg. It almost felt like the blood flow was being restricted. It upset me more than anything, but it wasn’t like my typical foot cramp that I can just shake away. Probably swam a little over a mile [1]
I went to the lake with Bryan, Grady and Adam. These are the men from Pembroke along with Venus, Barry, Steve, Elliot, & Matt and their wives & girlfriends who have created a triathlon club called TRI WARRIORS. They have all been bit by the tri bug and decided to get together and create a club and last night they had a ceremony to wish me well for the race and present me a check for $275 for the fundraiser. They also officially invited Alison and I to join the club. It was extremely nice and the event was very supportive and these guys, who barely know us, really made us feel so welcome and they gave me a great sendoff and boosted me up for the big race. Thank you guys. Last night meant a lot to me! I hope to make you proud.
Monday – 8/25/08
Today I spent some time on the bike and I practiced mounting and dismounting the bike with my shoes already in the pedals. From what I understand it is a long run from the transition area to where you can mount the bike so I will have to run it in my socks, so I wanted to practice this since I have not really done it before. I don’t think I’ll have a problem pulling it off, I may just not be as fast at it as others.
Tuesday – 8/26/08
Got back in the pool for a swim this morning and afterwards ran 3 miles. I really am trying to take it easy this week, and although I may be taking it easier than most athletes during their taper periods, I want to go into the race rested and relaxed and I definitely feel both rested and relaxed. [4]
Wednesday – 8/27/08
Well I didn’t workout (milking this taper thing for all it is worth) but I did get an adjustment and a massage today. And I will say that my weekly adjustments and massages have been one thing that kept me going and feeling well these past 7 months. But the biggest thrill of the day was when I walked into Kiwanis to find the entire room filled with friends wishing me well on the Ironman. Turns out Josh Whitley and Alison planned a surprise party for me and it was truly amazing. They had gifts for me, a cake, and messages wishing me well. It just made me feel so lucky to be in such a supportive community. Thank you Josh & Alison, and all who attended, that was great. Later that night I was surprised by the entire Cherichella family who brought me a framed and personally signed picture of Dick & Rick Hoyt. I couldn’t believe it. The Hoyts are why I started this journey to begin with 6 years ago and to have a picture signed by them to me was the icing on the cake. Thank you Cherichellas! I also got a visit from Dan & Myra Kenney to wish us well and that too meant a lot to me. After awhile I started thinking about the Ironman and I started to freak out a little, but as usual Alison was there to “talk me down” and helped me through my little panic attack. I love you honey!
Thursday – 8/28/08
WOW! It’s here. Travel day. No turning back now. We left NC at 8:00AM and arrived in KY at 11:30 (btw/ NO time change) and it has been non-stop since then. Check in hotel, eat lunch, grocery shopping, athlete check-in, picked up bike and gear, walked around expo, dinner and finally here I am. It’s twelve hours since the time we left NC and I’m sitting in the host hotel for the 2008 Louisville Iornman updating my blog. It’s a bit surreal. More details later.
Even though I’ve cut back on my workouts, I still find myself very tired. I went to bed last night at 8:30. I guess my body is trying to catch up on some missed sleep. Anyway, this morning I rode for just an hour at my usual 17-18 mph pace and did some yoga. Felt good. Worked out this “kink” I’ve felt in my right knee the past couple days. [17]
Friday – 8/22/08
This morning I headed back to the pool for a combo swim and run. Felt really good in the pool. I tried to stay relaxed and concentrate on my breathing and imagine myself in the race telling myself to calm down and just settle in for a long swim. I tried to stretch out a bit more than the other day during and after the swim and it made for a better run. I ran at a good pace and felt much better than Tuesday. Feeling good. [4]
Saturday – 8/23/08
Have to take my bike and gear up to Cary to Inside Out Sports for transport to Louisville. It makes it all seem very real! So this morning, I checked and double-checked all my gear. Marking things, making lists and just hoping for the best. I cleaned my bike and drove it all up to IOS. Walked it into the store, dropped it off and left. It was all very boring, and the workers were just like “OK” but inside I was screaming, “Don’t you know how important this is. This is huge. Should we have some kind ceremony or something?” So of course the whole drive home I was wondering if everything was going to be OK with my stuff? Will they take care of it? And as I was driving thinking, man this drive is taking long, I realized the one-way trip was 105 miles, 7 miles short of the 112 I’ll be riding next Sunday. I relaxed, put some classical music on the radio and just drove home picturing the race and being calm.
Sunday – 8/24/08
Went to White Lake for an open water swim. Had a really good swim, but got a cramp in my leg that I’ve never felt before. I was very relaxed and felt really at ease the whole time. The water was nice, a bit choppy and the passing boats added to that, but I never felt uncomfortable, and I didn’t get tired at all. I ended up swimming for about 47 minutes and I could have gone longer, but I got this really sharp pain on the upper-inside thigh of my right leg. I have never felt this pain before, and I can’t even really call it a cramp, but it hurt and I felt like I needed to stretch and rub my leg. It almost felt like the blood flow was being restricted. It upset me more than anything, but it wasn’t like my typical foot cramp that I can just shake away. Probably swam a little over a mile [1]
I went to the lake with Bryan, Grady and Adam. These are the men from Pembroke along with Venus, Barry, Steve, Elliot, & Matt and their wives & girlfriends who have created a triathlon club called TRI WARRIORS. They have all been bit by the tri bug and decided to get together and create a club and last night they had a ceremony to wish me well for the race and present me a check for $275 for the fundraiser. They also officially invited Alison and I to join the club. It was extremely nice and the event was very supportive and these guys, who barely know us, really made us feel so welcome and they gave me a great sendoff and boosted me up for the big race. Thank you guys. Last night meant a lot to me! I hope to make you proud.
Monday – 8/25/08
Today I spent some time on the bike and I practiced mounting and dismounting the bike with my shoes already in the pedals. From what I understand it is a long run from the transition area to where you can mount the bike so I will have to run it in my socks, so I wanted to practice this since I have not really done it before. I don’t think I’ll have a problem pulling it off, I may just not be as fast at it as others.
Tuesday – 8/26/08
Got back in the pool for a swim this morning and afterwards ran 3 miles. I really am trying to take it easy this week, and although I may be taking it easier than most athletes during their taper periods, I want to go into the race rested and relaxed and I definitely feel both rested and relaxed. [4]
Wednesday – 8/27/08
Well I didn’t workout (milking this taper thing for all it is worth) but I did get an adjustment and a massage today. And I will say that my weekly adjustments and massages have been one thing that kept me going and feeling well these past 7 months. But the biggest thrill of the day was when I walked into Kiwanis to find the entire room filled with friends wishing me well on the Ironman. Turns out Josh Whitley and Alison planned a surprise party for me and it was truly amazing. They had gifts for me, a cake, and messages wishing me well. It just made me feel so lucky to be in such a supportive community. Thank you Josh & Alison, and all who attended, that was great. Later that night I was surprised by the entire Cherichella family who brought me a framed and personally signed picture of Dick & Rick Hoyt. I couldn’t believe it. The Hoyts are why I started this journey to begin with 6 years ago and to have a picture signed by them to me was the icing on the cake. Thank you Cherichellas! I also got a visit from Dan & Myra Kenney to wish us well and that too meant a lot to me. After awhile I started thinking about the Ironman and I started to freak out a little, but as usual Alison was there to “talk me down” and helped me through my little panic attack. I love you honey!
Thursday – 8/28/08
WOW! It’s here. Travel day. No turning back now. We left NC at 8:00AM and arrived in KY at 11:30 (btw/ NO time change) and it has been non-stop since then. Check in hotel, eat lunch, grocery shopping, athlete check-in, picked up bike and gear, walked around expo, dinner and finally here I am. It’s twelve hours since the time we left NC and I’m sitting in the host hotel for the 2008 Louisville Iornman updating my blog. It’s a bit surreal. More details later.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Training Log - Week 29 – 8/14/08 – 8/20/08
Thursday – 8/14/08
AM: My mind seems to be working against me. Even though I feel like I’m getting enough sleep and I’m pretty well rested, I find it harder to get out of bed and always get in a good workout. And some days are harder than others. Today was one of those days. I went to the track for my normal Thursday interval training by I just couldn’t get my mind in it. I ended up walking a mile, jogging one, sprint intervals for one, and walking another with some stadium stairs. Plus I got in a really good stretch. So even though I did 4 miles, they were kind of junk miles. [4]
PM: Had a great ride. Met up with the usual suspects (plus a few more) and was able to maintain about 18-20 mph for 40 miles. It’s starting to get dark a bit sooner now, so I need to invest in some lights and reflective gear, plus it cuts down our rides a bit. I tried to stay in front or away from others, so as not to draft as much as I could. I tried to attack the hills and a few straight a ways as well. [40]
Friday – 8/15/08
Even though the pool finally opened, I slept in. I shouldn’t have, but we’re talking about going out to White lake on Sunday for an open water swim, so I had that in the back of my mind and figured that would make up for it.
Saturday – 8/16/08
Great workout today. My last extended workout before Louisville. My taper begins tomorrow. Went up to Ft. Bragg one last time with Bo and we rode 58. I feel more and more comfortable on the hills. Afterwards I ran for an hour. Six miles at an easy 10 min/mi pace. The temperature was much cooler than two weeks ago, so I was not as hot, but I only wanted to run an hour. Felt really good. I’m so excited and ready to go. [64]
Sunday – 8/17/08
Rest
Monday – 8/18/08
Rest. Light Yoga.
Tuesday – 8/19/08
Went to the pool this morning for some drills and freestyle, then hit the road for a short three-mile run at a good pace. My right knee was bothering me, but I’m sure its my arthritis due to all of the moisture in the air. Believe it or not I felt tired after the run. Maybe too much rest the past two days. [4]
Wednesday – 8/20/08
Tapering is kind of weird. I feel like I’m slacking off, but as I have read, it is better to go into a race over rested and under trained, then over trained and under rested. I feel like I will be going in well trained and well rested. This morning I just jumped on the trainer and rode for an hour. [17]
AM: My mind seems to be working against me. Even though I feel like I’m getting enough sleep and I’m pretty well rested, I find it harder to get out of bed and always get in a good workout. And some days are harder than others. Today was one of those days. I went to the track for my normal Thursday interval training by I just couldn’t get my mind in it. I ended up walking a mile, jogging one, sprint intervals for one, and walking another with some stadium stairs. Plus I got in a really good stretch. So even though I did 4 miles, they were kind of junk miles. [4]
PM: Had a great ride. Met up with the usual suspects (plus a few more) and was able to maintain about 18-20 mph for 40 miles. It’s starting to get dark a bit sooner now, so I need to invest in some lights and reflective gear, plus it cuts down our rides a bit. I tried to stay in front or away from others, so as not to draft as much as I could. I tried to attack the hills and a few straight a ways as well. [40]
Friday – 8/15/08
Even though the pool finally opened, I slept in. I shouldn’t have, but we’re talking about going out to White lake on Sunday for an open water swim, so I had that in the back of my mind and figured that would make up for it.
Saturday – 8/16/08
Great workout today. My last extended workout before Louisville. My taper begins tomorrow. Went up to Ft. Bragg one last time with Bo and we rode 58. I feel more and more comfortable on the hills. Afterwards I ran for an hour. Six miles at an easy 10 min/mi pace. The temperature was much cooler than two weeks ago, so I was not as hot, but I only wanted to run an hour. Felt really good. I’m so excited and ready to go. [64]
Sunday – 8/17/08
Rest
Monday – 8/18/08
Rest. Light Yoga.
Tuesday – 8/19/08
Went to the pool this morning for some drills and freestyle, then hit the road for a short three-mile run at a good pace. My right knee was bothering me, but I’m sure its my arthritis due to all of the moisture in the air. Believe it or not I felt tired after the run. Maybe too much rest the past two days. [4]
Wednesday – 8/20/08
Tapering is kind of weird. I feel like I’m slacking off, but as I have read, it is better to go into a race over rested and under trained, then over trained and under rested. I feel like I will be going in well trained and well rested. This morning I just jumped on the trainer and rode for an hour. [17]
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Training Log - Week 28 – 8/7/08 – 8/13/08
Thursday – 8/7/08
AM: Went to the track this morning for some interval training, including some speed work and stadium stairs. [5]
PM: Alison and I went close to 4 years without a flat and now we get them all the time, which makes me think that I have no idea how to change one and I’m doing something wrong. I actually got another flat last night, on the trainer. What’s that all about? I wanted to ride 30 miles, but I only got 23 before I had to stop. Didn’t feel like dealing with it, so I called it a night. [23]
Friday – 8/8/08
Taking the day off, big day tomorrow.
Saturday – 8/9/08
So close! I wanted to get 100 miles today, but poor “road management” on my part had me come up two miles short. I could have gone up and down the streets in my neighborhood, but that would have been a pain, so I settled for 98. My longest ride ever. Afterwards I had a nice 7 mile run. I felt great. I settled into a nice pace, I was relaxed and just zoned out. I think I will be able to have a great run when I get off the bike if I just relax and run my pace. Overall, it was a good day. [105]
Sunday – 8/10/08
Recovery and rest. I felt good this morning. No pains. Not sore. Well rested.
Monday – 8/11/08
20 days and counting. My semi-taper begins this week. I am eliminating all weight lifting for the rest of my training. I will still do some core work, stretching and very light weights to work on range of motion, but no heavy lifting. I will still have one more long run and ride and I will try to get an open water swim. After this week, I will begin the last two weeks of my full taper. I walked this morning, then swam for an hour. [2]
Tuesday – 8/12/08
AM: Went for a nice and easy 7 mile run at about a 10 min/mile pace so I could get a hour long run. [7]
PM: Another good bike ride on the Pembroke bike route. Had a tail-wind the whole way there and maintained 20 mph or so, but had to fight it on the way back. I need to stop wearing these gel shorts Bob gave me. They just don’t seem comfortable. Finished 27 miles in 1:15, about 10 mins faster then I did the route last week. [27]
Wednesday – 8/13/08
AM: Man, was I tired this morning. I slept so hard I did not want to move when the alarm went off. I almost talked myself into sleeping in, but eventually reality of how many days left before the race sunk in and off I was. The pool in Lumberton still closed so I drove to Red Springs. Walked a mile and ended up having a really good swim workout. [2]
AM: Went to the track this morning for some interval training, including some speed work and stadium stairs. [5]
PM: Alison and I went close to 4 years without a flat and now we get them all the time, which makes me think that I have no idea how to change one and I’m doing something wrong. I actually got another flat last night, on the trainer. What’s that all about? I wanted to ride 30 miles, but I only got 23 before I had to stop. Didn’t feel like dealing with it, so I called it a night. [23]
Friday – 8/8/08
Taking the day off, big day tomorrow.
Saturday – 8/9/08
So close! I wanted to get 100 miles today, but poor “road management” on my part had me come up two miles short. I could have gone up and down the streets in my neighborhood, but that would have been a pain, so I settled for 98. My longest ride ever. Afterwards I had a nice 7 mile run. I felt great. I settled into a nice pace, I was relaxed and just zoned out. I think I will be able to have a great run when I get off the bike if I just relax and run my pace. Overall, it was a good day. [105]
Sunday – 8/10/08
Recovery and rest. I felt good this morning. No pains. Not sore. Well rested.
Monday – 8/11/08
20 days and counting. My semi-taper begins this week. I am eliminating all weight lifting for the rest of my training. I will still do some core work, stretching and very light weights to work on range of motion, but no heavy lifting. I will still have one more long run and ride and I will try to get an open water swim. After this week, I will begin the last two weeks of my full taper. I walked this morning, then swam for an hour. [2]
Tuesday – 8/12/08
AM: Went for a nice and easy 7 mile run at about a 10 min/mile pace so I could get a hour long run. [7]
PM: Another good bike ride on the Pembroke bike route. Had a tail-wind the whole way there and maintained 20 mph or so, but had to fight it on the way back. I need to stop wearing these gel shorts Bob gave me. They just don’t seem comfortable. Finished 27 miles in 1:15, about 10 mins faster then I did the route last week. [27]
Wednesday – 8/13/08
AM: Man, was I tired this morning. I slept so hard I did not want to move when the alarm went off. I almost talked myself into sleeping in, but eventually reality of how many days left before the race sunk in and off I was. The pool in Lumberton still closed so I drove to Red Springs. Walked a mile and ended up having a really good swim workout. [2]
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Training Log - Week 27 – 7/31/08 – 8/6/08
Wednesday – 7/30/08
PM: Alison has been away since Friday, so I decided not to go to the gym so we could spend more time together.
Thursday – 7/31/08
WOW! One month to go!
AM: Went to the track for some interval training and speed work. [6]
PM: I may have lost my mojo. The second I pulled into my driveway last night a storm came through. I was glad that it hit early enough that I didn’t get everything ready to meet the guys for our Thursday night ride, but of course that meant that I had to ride the trainer. And after my experience Tuesday on the trainer in the HOT garage, Alison suggested I bring it inside. So with the AC, ceiling fan and a portable fan blowing I was at least hoping for a somewhat cooler ride, and for the most part it was. However, I just couldn’t get my head in the game. I wanted to try and mimic our great Thursday rides so I wanted to push myself for a good 2 hours (or more) but after an hour I once again mentally checked out. That’s two trainer workouts in a row where I just can’t seem to get motivated. Not good. Not sure what it is, or if this will hurt me in the long run, but it kind of put me a bad mood and put pressure on to have a really good brick workout this weekend. [17]
Friday – 8/1/08
AM: So far, a good start to the weekend. Walked a mile to warm up, had a good stretch. Lifted for an hour and then worked some drills and swam for a mile. [2]
Saturday – 8/2/08
Early this morning I met up with Bryan, Venus, Barry and Nick and we headed up to Ft. Bragg to hi those hills again. We did 58 miles in 3:15 (wheel time) which is pretty good considering how bad some of those hills are, and I felt great. It was hot, but I had the right nutrition and hydration and I wasn’t feeling fatigued at all. Afterwards we set out for a run, and by this time it was close to noon and getting real hot. I ended up running 7 miles in about an hour. I wanted to do more, but the heat was getting to me. But once again, I was very happy with my overall conditioning and my recovery. Enjoyed a nice ice bath when I got home. [65]
Sunday – 8/3/08
Rest and recovery. Felt great this morning. Very happy!
Monday – 8/4/08
Pool closed again! I’m really frustrated with the pool at the fitness center. Now is not the right time to be having these problems. need to have alternative plan. Ended up walking and lifting. [1]
Tuesday – 8/5/08
AM: Got in a long run this morning. It was 80 degrees at 5:00 so it was a hot one, but I had a good run. I started easy and picked up the pace about half way through. I felt good. Not sore or fatigued. I ran 12 miles in 1:53 so just above a 9 min/mile pace. One bad thing is a long run like that before work cuts down on my recovery time, so I usually feel it the rest of the day. Sore feet and heavy legs. [12]
PM: Even though it was very hot today, I really wanted to get outside for a ride. Partly because it is just as hot in the garage where my trainer is set up, and my last two workouts on the trainer have been a bit lack-luster. So I decided to ride the bike route into Pembroke and back. It was a nice ride. Plenty of room on the road, I had a tail wind almost the entire ride home and the wind was a bit of a relief from the heat. [27]
Wednesday – 8/6/08
AM: Had to drive to Red Springs this morning to swim so I decided to also do my core workout. [2]
PM: Alison has been away since Friday, so I decided not to go to the gym so we could spend more time together.
Thursday – 7/31/08
WOW! One month to go!
AM: Went to the track for some interval training and speed work. [6]
PM: I may have lost my mojo. The second I pulled into my driveway last night a storm came through. I was glad that it hit early enough that I didn’t get everything ready to meet the guys for our Thursday night ride, but of course that meant that I had to ride the trainer. And after my experience Tuesday on the trainer in the HOT garage, Alison suggested I bring it inside. So with the AC, ceiling fan and a portable fan blowing I was at least hoping for a somewhat cooler ride, and for the most part it was. However, I just couldn’t get my head in the game. I wanted to try and mimic our great Thursday rides so I wanted to push myself for a good 2 hours (or more) but after an hour I once again mentally checked out. That’s two trainer workouts in a row where I just can’t seem to get motivated. Not good. Not sure what it is, or if this will hurt me in the long run, but it kind of put me a bad mood and put pressure on to have a really good brick workout this weekend. [17]
Friday – 8/1/08
AM: So far, a good start to the weekend. Walked a mile to warm up, had a good stretch. Lifted for an hour and then worked some drills and swam for a mile. [2]
Saturday – 8/2/08
Early this morning I met up with Bryan, Venus, Barry and Nick and we headed up to Ft. Bragg to hi those hills again. We did 58 miles in 3:15 (wheel time) which is pretty good considering how bad some of those hills are, and I felt great. It was hot, but I had the right nutrition and hydration and I wasn’t feeling fatigued at all. Afterwards we set out for a run, and by this time it was close to noon and getting real hot. I ended up running 7 miles in about an hour. I wanted to do more, but the heat was getting to me. But once again, I was very happy with my overall conditioning and my recovery. Enjoyed a nice ice bath when I got home. [65]
Sunday – 8/3/08
Rest and recovery. Felt great this morning. Very happy!
Monday – 8/4/08
Pool closed again! I’m really frustrated with the pool at the fitness center. Now is not the right time to be having these problems. need to have alternative plan. Ended up walking and lifting. [1]
Tuesday – 8/5/08
AM: Got in a long run this morning. It was 80 degrees at 5:00 so it was a hot one, but I had a good run. I started easy and picked up the pace about half way through. I felt good. Not sore or fatigued. I ran 12 miles in 1:53 so just above a 9 min/mile pace. One bad thing is a long run like that before work cuts down on my recovery time, so I usually feel it the rest of the day. Sore feet and heavy legs. [12]
PM: Even though it was very hot today, I really wanted to get outside for a ride. Partly because it is just as hot in the garage where my trainer is set up, and my last two workouts on the trainer have been a bit lack-luster. So I decided to ride the bike route into Pembroke and back. It was a nice ride. Plenty of room on the road, I had a tail wind almost the entire ride home and the wind was a bit of a relief from the heat. [27]
Wednesday – 8/6/08
AM: Had to drive to Red Springs this morning to swim so I decided to also do my core workout. [2]
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