Monday 1:15 hour Bike Hill Workout (morning); 2450 yard swim of drills and speed work (afternoon)
Tuesday 45 minute Fartlek run
Wednesday 1:45 hour brick workout (1:15- bike; 30 min run)
Thursday 1:30 hour foundation bike (moderate aerobic pace)
Friday 3:15 hour long bike
Saturday 1:40 hour long run; 2500 endurance swim
Sunday Rest day
Felt a lot more motivated this week. Woke up no later than 4:30 am every weekday in order to get the workouts in. Of course, this meant going to bed no later than 9:30 pm every night. I went to bed at 8:30 am on Thursday night in order to wake up at 3:30 am to get my 3:15 hour long bike in BEFORE work. I think my short daily doses of watching the Tour de France have really helped. To see what those guys are capable of over such incredible distances and hill climbs, gives me a LOT to work toward.
My bike is coming along nicely. I am pushing a bigger race gear than a month ago at a lower aerobic intensity. On the run, however, I still find it difficult to stay in the moderate aerobic range at any distance over the 1 hour mark. On the shorter runs, I’ve seen a difference. Guess I’ll need to stay patient, stay hydrated (I’m losing 3 lbs of water weight on most runs), and slow down as needed.
I have some IT band soreness after yesterday’s long run and my right calf cramped badly at the end of my long swim. The swim cramp is explained by the fact I lost so much fluid (electrolytes) on the run, but my IT band hasn’t bothered me for months. I’m icing it and taking some anti-inflammatory meds in an effort to get it down ASAP. I need to get back to doing my leg strength and stability exercises, which I’ve let slip since beginning this new program.
I’ve been thinking a lot this past week about the sacrifice this kind of training takes (if you do it with commitment and consistency). And while I may be losing a few hours of TV every night or a relaxed morning coffee in the mornings, the true sacrifice is made by those closest to you. It’s my wife who has to take and pick up the kids from school and do more around the house because I’m out on yet another swim, bike, or run. And when your wife has her own full-time job, this makes it even a bigger family commitment. I’m very fortunate to have a spouse who is my partner in achieving this dream. Thank you, Jennifer. You can be assured I’ll be thinking about you a lot during my grueling hours in the Arizona desert. I love you!
Make it a great week and Kia Kaha!
No comments:
Post a Comment