It’s time for a Training Update – sheesh, I’m a little behind with these. I’m having a problem lately finding time to write in the evening. I’m getting up early to get in the exercise, then my days are so packed at work, and my commuting traffic is so bad, and my boys (my younger two kids) are not having the best bedtimes. So by the time they’re really asleep it’s after 9pm, and then I’m crashing way earlier than normal. Often falling asleep on the couch with my laptop on my lap while watching playoff hockey.
I’m trying to find a rhythm lately, but I used to have a typical routine and it just seems thrown out of whack. So I’ll give you a quick run-down of the last week and a half of triathlon training for Ironman 70.3 Eagleman. Now that I’m done with my two spring half marathons, I can focus on triathlon training. Eagleman is in just over a month and I’ll be honest, I’m not feeling prepared enough. I have an Olympic distance race in a week and a half, the Columbia Triathlon, and I think I’ll be okay for my goal of using it as a warmup, practicing doing all three sports in a row, working out my fueling, and gauging where I’m at this season.
Training Update Rundown:
Last week I had the Columbia Half Marathon on Sunday, April 26. I swear my race recap is almost done. I’m super thrilled with the race and my half marathon PR on a hilly course, so I can’t wait to finish that up!
Monday I made it to Masters Swimming at 6:30am on sore legs. I got in 2,000 yards, which is typical for me in a Masters session with some warm up laps. I’m in the “slow lane” but we’ve been anything but slow lately – we are a totally different lane from when I started back in the fall.
On Tuesday I took a rest day. My legs were screaming for it, and sometimes I just need a regular morning with the kids and getting ready for work, rather than rushing around to work out. And sometimes I have to put away laundry and do dishes – you know, the stuff that gets ignored during heavy training weeks.
On Wednesday I had my weekly track workout with the LUNA Chix. I was still sore in the quads from Sunday’s race. We did a fun ladder of 200/400/600/800/800/600/400/200, which kept it interesting. I also switched to a fresh pair of shoes now that my race was over. I’ve been experimenting with different shoes this year, but still bought another pair of Brooks Ghost 7 for my next training cycle. I used to wear Stability shoes, but the running store person suggested I was overcorrecting with my custom orthotics and the stability shoes, so I’m running in neutral shoes these days and it’s working out well. I’m wore Mizunos for so long and loved them, so I’d love to try their neutral shoes to compare.
On Thursday I had a strength builder session on the bike trainer. I got up before the kids were up, got the boys’ breakfast all ready, set it out up high where the Great Dane couldn’t reach it, poured their milk, paused a TV show they could both agree on, and thought I was home free to get on the bike.
They all three woke up midway through the workout and I was required to fix lightsabers and mediate fights while pedaling up a pretend hill.
On Friday, I didn’t wake up in time for Masters Swimming, but I did go for a 5 mile run at a nice easy pace. Both the swim and the run were on my training schedule. It’s really hard for me to do two workouts before work, so I considered it a win to get in a solid run, although that left me with only one swim workout all week when I’m supposed to do 2-3.
I wore my awesome pants (review here) since I was tired and the fun color woke me up.
I had a really busy day at work – I was originally going to leave early to pick up my new bike, but there was a parking garage collapse at the Watergate building. I work next door to the Watergate – we had a sold out concert that evening and the roads were all blocked off with emergency vehicles and rescue efforts. So I had a number of emergency meetings, contingency plans, and communications to make. It all worked out smoothly in the end, but I couldn’t leave to get my new bike. I wasn’t scheduled to work the concert so I went home to see the family and have a glass of wine.
Friday night I did a little cross-training – I mean, trying to keep a 3 year old happy while up way late past his bedtime at someone else’s house to avoid a meltdown. The only sad part was that with him on my back, my wine was out of reach.
So Saturday it was a choice – long ride or long run. I didn’t have my new bike yet, so I chose run. And I took my three-year-old with me. On hills. For 10 miles.
Yes, I really did that, I really ran 10 miles with the running stroller and a three year old. I still can’t believe it. I don’t recommend getting in your long run that way, but I felt pretty badass and it was kind of fun. He absolutely loved it and only started squirming in the last mile or two.
As I pushed him up the difficult hills of the soccer fields, I knew that this was what would make me stronger.
On Sunday, I picked up my new bike. More on the bike in another post – it deserves its own post! But suffice to say, it’s awesome. It’s a brand new 2015 Cervelo P2.
My dad and I spent time at the bike shop having it adjusted to me, then drove to Centennial Park where the Columbia Triathlon is held, intending to ride the course. It took a while to get ready to roll and I rode around the park getting used to my gears, riding a tri bike for the first time, my new pedals and cleats. Then my dad had some major allergy issues on our ride.
We only had time for 15 miles before I had to rush home to take the kids to ice skating lessons. So again, I failed at my long ride mileage. And I didn’t make it a brick workout as intended.
But hey, aren’t my new cycling shoes cute?
I felt pretty good after I got used to the triathlon bike, and I felt okay with the hills on the course, which I had been freaked out about. So the 15 mile ride took away a little of my anxiety about the upcoming race and gave me a confidence boost. I need more time on the bike before the race, though.
So that brings me to this week. So far, it’s the same as last week – Masters Swimming on Monday, Tuesday I took a rest day, Wednesday track workout with the LUNA Chix.
And Thursday? That’s today. Right now, I’m in my cycling clothes writing this post at 6:30am, intending to get on my bike. But I still have to switch bikes on the trainer so I can ride my new one, and I hear kids stirring upstairs. So that means you can probably look for me on Instagram later with a late-night cycling selfie. Or maybe I can squeeze it in later this afternoon since I’m taking a half day so I can go to a Mother’s Day Tea at my son’s Pre-K. Should be really cute.
Hope you’re having a great training week! Don’t forget to enter my Champion CSX compression sock giveaway here!
How many days a week do you work out each week?
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