Official Ironman Training! Woo Hoo

Alright -- I've let a little bit of time slip by me.

I'll just say that my pre-training ended successfully with my 100 mile Solvang Century Ride on March 14, 2009. I took my time this year and found the fun in riding again. It was freezing cold, but so beautifully green, I could almost transport myself (in my head) to the Scottish Highlands again. Gorgeous!!

Now, I thought that I had figured it out so that I would have the week after Solvang as a recovery week, and then I would start my official Ironman schedule on March 23. Well, that didn't happen. As I started writing my schedule (yes, can you believe it? This time around I wrote my own training schedule!), I realized that I had calculate incorrectly, and I actually had to start my official schedule on March 17, just 3 days after the big ride. I did it, though, and have successfully completed my first official week of training. Here's what it looked like:

Tuesday = I was supposed to do my long bike today, but my lower back was still pretty sore from Solvang, so I decided I could fit it in on Wednesday morning instead. Today, I did 1 hour of strength training, adaption A.

Wednesday = 55 min run in the morning. My tempo swim of 15oo yds in the afternoon. For those of you that don't know, the tempo swim is designed to make me work on my speed. So I'll do swim intervals with bursts of speed laps, followed by easier laps. It was challenging after the 55 min run in the morning.

Thursday = 45 minutes spinning intervals on my bike on my trainer, followed by 1 hr of strength training, adaption A. (I'll have a post explaining what exercises are part of each adaption.)

Friday = Long swim in the morning -- 2000 yds. (40 laps in a 25 meter pool, OR 80 lengths. I specify a lap as there and back, a length is swimming from one side to the other.)

Saturday = 30 minute run with the Team in Training team. It was another 4 minutes run, 1 minute walk situation -- which is what I've been practicing on my long runs as well. I think I may be using this method during the Ironman. We will see how I progress. In the evening, I did a yoga mini-workout that was focused on stretching for runners.

Sunday = My long bike was supposed to be 2 hours, 45 minutes. I met up with one of my participants after the ride, and helped her figure out her new bike, so I ended up riding for 3 hours, 10 minutes. This was a hard ride -- partially because I was alone for the first 2 hrs, 40 minutes, but also because it was crazy windy at Griffith Park. I find riding against the wind more exhausting than climbing a mountain. The ride also included 2 climbs, the first much longer than the second. I do have to say that I noticed it was much easier than the last time I climbed to Mt. Hollywood. I'm going to say that's because of Solvang. :)

So that was my first week. Mondays are my day off, so I'm reveling in my rest today.

Short-lived Victory

Well, I guess I patted myself on the back too hard on Tuesday because the rest of the week was kind of a flop.

Wednesday = 1500 yd swim
Thursday = 50 minutes of spinning
Friday = 1600 yd swim (I got easily distracted, but needed the laughter so it was okay.)
Saturday = In a class at the Aquarium ALL day long. Should've run when I got home, but didn't, sadly.
Sunday = 20 mile bike ride (This was supposed to be a 56 mile bike ride loaded with climbing, and I was actually looking forward to it (very odd), but there were some complications with the other riders (flat tires, etc...) and it ended with 20 miles.)

Monday = Day off
Tuesday = Day off #2 (WHA?!!?)
Wednesday = I will swim after work today. I promise! Somewhere between 1500 - 2000 yds, depending on when I get out of work.

Oi!

This weekend is Solvang. Completely not ready for it, but I'm looking forward to treating it as fun time. (100 miles of bike riding = fun?? What's happened to me?)

Then I have one week of "recovery" (from what, I'm not sure). The week of March 23, 2009 is week 1 of my official Ironman training schedule. 26 weeks from race day. I need to get to the point where I can embrace this instead of fear it. lol

Wish me luck!

High Five to Myself!

Alright, I know you all have been waiting with bated breath...

I DID IT!!! lol

I ran my 3.75 miles yesterday evening. It's the first time since I started training again that I actually started the week of training on the right day! Woo Hoo!!

I understand this doesn't seem like much, but I need to celebrate the little victories, and this, my friends, is a victory. Baby steps. Little, tiny baby steps.

IM Training Schedule

On a slightly different note (don't worry, I'll report back tomorrow that I DID run tonight), I was just looking at my training schedule and things are kind of working out pretty well. I have Solvang in two weeks (which I am completely not ready for, but will suffer through anyway), then I have one week of recovery, and then it's my first week of Base Training (see how it got capital letters there? That means it's official now.)

So the week of March 23 is Week 1 Base Training. Woot!

Another week bites the dust!

Woo hoo!

One less week to train for IM. lol

Last week, AGAIN, I couldn't seem to get myself started before Wednesday. I don't know what's up with that.

Wed., 2/25 = Run 3 miles in the morning, swim 1500 yds after work.

Thurs., 2/26 = I know I did something this day, but cannot for the life of me remember what it was. lol What can I say? I'm an old lady. The memory is the first thing to go.

Fri., 2/27 = Swim 2000 yds in the morning. This is the longest I've swam in a long time. My shoulder held up alright, but was definitely aching by the end. I need to keep working on stretching that out.

Sat., 2/28 = Rode 37 miles -- up to see the Hollywood sign in Griffith -- pretty good amount of hill climbing -- definitely lots of room for improvement there. I'm still amazed at how fast you lose fitness.

Sun., 3/1 = Nothing sport specific, but walking around Sea World all day has to count for something, right?

This week I am determined to start today, on time. I WILL be doing a run after work today. I WILL run after work. I WILL!

Still raining on my parade??

Alright, so I did good last Wednesday!!

After a very annoying day at work, I headed over to Griffith Park for a 3.5 mile run (4 min run: 1 min walk). After the run, I ate an orange from my mother's tree (yummy) and headed over to Glassell Pool where I hopped in the pool and did a 15oo yd swim workout. It was a perfect way to purge all the stress of the day.

Thursday - 50 minutes spinning on the trainer. I'm not sure why, but lately biking has been bothering my knees more than running. Very strange. Might have to go try and get my bike refit again or something.

Friday - I meant to go swimming today, but walked out of the house without my gear. As I walked to my car, I kept thinking, "hmmm, this load feels light." Didn't realize until about mid-day that I had forgotten it. Senility is great at the age of 31.

Saturday - 40 minute bike ride with the team -- 10 miles. We have some really good riders, and we have some pretty scary ones. It ended up being a good workout for me which was unexpected and nice.

Sunday - I went up to my mom's on Saturday, and was pleasantly suprised that the weather up there was nice and warm. I got all excited about getting in a great small ring flat workout on Sunday morning. Unfortunately, I woke up on Sunday to the sound of rain. Unfortunate for me, but very fortunate for Bakersfield. They need the rain so I shouldn't really complain.

I'm pretty nervous about Solvang at this point. I haven't done a long ride in a very long time. It'll be an interesting day. I just have to find the fun!

I'm not sure why

I can't seem to get myself together before Wednesdays. LOL

I meant to run last night, and got caught up in Biology lectures and homework. I think I'm just overextended right now or something. I'm hoping to leave work early so I can get a run in before I swim. Fingers crossed, my friends. :)

Rained out...

I'm pretty bummed this morning. I had a lovely ride all planned out, and it's POURING out. Grrrr.... Now I will be reduced to riding on my stupid trainer instead (BORING). Ah, well, maybe later in the week I'll be able to get the ride in.

Finishing the week strong-ish!

Well, I managed to not take a day off since Wednesday. Progress is being made. Now I just need to start getting in two workouts a day.

2/11 = I did make it into the pool after work for 1250 yd. My shoulder tightened up again toward the end. I hope it works itself out. I need to get a massage -- one of those really painful ones where they just dig their fingers into you.

2/12 = I squeezed in 30 minutes (about 7/5 miles) on my trainer today. It was a bit of a hectic day, so I'm glad I got it in.

2/13 = Swimming (in Palm Springs with my friend, Heather, who is also training for an Ironman -- Wisconsin) 1000 yds. Nice, light workout.

2/14 = 1.5 mile run with the team. My beginner group is kicking butt and taking no prisoners.

I realize I have to put in a lot of miles of running despite my complete aversion to it. But I think the more I do it (in small doses with slow builds) the easier it should become (in theory). I'm hoping my knees will hold up, but I think if I mix it this time with running on the treadmill and running outdoors, I'll have a better shot.

Now let's see if I can keep up the work this coming week!

Rain... sigh (who am I kidding? Lazy... sigh)

Thursday, 2/5 = 2 mile run. Intervals. I was pretty proud of myself for doing this workout because I REALLY REALLY didn't want to. I procrastinated (I'm a professional procrastinator), and then FINALLY around 9:30pm I tugged on my workout clothes, knee braces, etc... and hit the treadmill. Lite ab work and lots of stretching afterwards.

Friday, 2/6 = I had all the intentions in the world to swim that day, but it was pouring all day long. Now, normally I like swimming in the rain, but this was POURING and it was cold. Should I have done something else instead? Of course! Did I? Absolutely not. Such a bum.

Saturday, 2/7 = 1.5 mi run (approx.) This was our first run with the new Summer TNT team. I took the beginners out for a run 4 (minutes), walk 1 (minute) session that went a little over a half an hour. They did very well. It was the most that a lot of them had ever run, and they pushed themselves in a good way.
After practice, I went to visit my momma. We played Wii Sports for 2 hours. Now, I know what you're thinking... it's a video game, not a workout. But seriously, when you get into it, and actually swing, punch, dodge, bowl, etc... like you're really doing it, you get a workout. :)

Sunday, 2/8 = Had planned on a good 2 hour ride along the trail in Bakersfield, but again was thwarted by the rain and the cold. It wasn't pouring, though, so I probably should have gone anyways. When I have a short amount of time with my mom, I tend to not want to spend it riding my bike without her. Next time, though, I'll get my butt in gear earlier so I can go while she's at church.

Monday and Tuesday = LAZY BONES JONES! No excuses, I didn't do it.

Wed, 2/11 = I started the day out right with a 2.5 mi run (4:1). I'm going to the pool after work so I can get in a swim before coaching the team. I'll probably get in at least 1500 (I hope).

So that's that for now. More to come soon.

It feels like a year!

And it's been over half of one!

WOW - how time flies. Well, to sum up Ironman Coeur d'Alene... I finished!!! It took me 15 hours and 41 minutes to do so, but I crossed the finish line and didn't even go to the medical tent afterwards. I had some nutrition issues on the race that kept me from performing my best. I crossed the finish lines with blisters that pretty much covered the balls of my feet. Maybe I'll post some pics for you. haha

And here's the funny part.... I did the race, and I completed both of my goals (to finish and to have fun), so one would think that I'd be happy with myself. Within 10 minutes of crossing the finish line, I thought "I can do better than that." I mean, seriously? What is wrong with me? Can't even enjoy that victory for more than 10 minutes?? No, I did enjoy the victory. And it warmed my heart to receive an email from Evan's mom telling me that they stayed up to watch me cross the finish line online. It warmed my heart to read all the text messages and emails that my friends sent to me during the race. I was proud. I was happy I finished. I guess it's a good thing that I have high expectations for myself.

SO, the result of my thinking "I can do better" is that I signed up for ANOTHER Ironman! I lost my mind... AGAIN. I am registered for Ironman Canada on August 30, 2009. It is the second hardest official Ironman Series Ironman in North America (Lake Placid in NY is considered the 1st.) I know, I know. What am I thinking? I'm thinking that it's supposed to be BEAUTIFUL!! If I'm going to be putting forth all that effort, I might as well have something to look at while I'm doing it!

So, my training has just officially started this first week of February (one month late due to a lengthy bronchitis infection). I'm going to try to do a MUCH better job at blogging the progress of this Ironman. I have about 6 or 7 more weeks of prep training before I start my official base training.

So far this week:

Sunday, Feb. 1 = 31 mile bike ride (complete with a fall and road rash)
Tuesday, Feb. 3 = 3 hours of rollerskating (I KNOW it's not one of the sports, but I need a fun day!)
Wednesday, Feb. 4 = 1200 yd. in the pool (left shoulder is REALLY tight. I have to work on that.)

I'll be back with the rest of this week later on. I'll also try to post the nifty bike route elevation map that my friend and co-triathlete, Felix found.