Its a long one....

Well, I haven't posted here in way too long.  Its not that training hasn't been eventful, its just that life has been busy and I just haven't made communicating here a priority.  So, lets get an update. 

• 21 weeks till race day (man, time is flying)
• Week 18 of training - distance week
• Swim is up to 2800 yards
• Biking is up to 2 hours for long rides
• Running I will hit 6 miles this week

Helene says she wants to wrap my apartment in bubble wrap since Katie and I seem to have hit a point where one of us is always either sick or injured!  I recently strained my right arm cleaning (moving a box in my closet) and have been having minor ulnar nerve pain through my shoulder and down my arm.  I have been icing, saw my chiropractor this morning, and am supposed to ease into the workouts that use those muscles (ie yoga.... no planks for me tonight!).  Running and biking are fine and good as long as I keep my arm relaxed in proper form on the bike bars!  I headed to the pool after my appointment today and did my long swim.  I didn't pull hard, but it was a long slow day anyway so I just settled in a rhythm and swam (and swam and swam some more).... it was a really good swim.  ALL bilateral breathing and very comfortable.  My time turned out to be really good too!  I checked mileage when I got to a computer today too and 2800 yards is 1.59 miles!  :)

Its been a little tough to stay on task with everything the last few weeks.  I think I get overwhelmed with the magnitude of what I am training for.... what I have been accomplishing.  Helene has said that we have a break coming next month at some point before things kick into high gear for the last few months before our race.  Training is a very daily thing and there have been weeks recently where I have not had what feels like a good training day.  Days get rough and training feels HARD.  Like my recent 40 minute time trial on the bike.  I couldn't keep my cadence (pedal strokes per minute) up to save my life.  I worked really hard but my legs felt like I was slogging through concrete.  Then a week later I was at the winter training center (WTF) and did a speed session with the group... cadence was in the mid 90's and in a hard gear.... why is that?  Who knows, but on those tough days it can get pretty frustrating.  I know what I want my body to do, but it doesn't always co-operate.

This weekend I had my first longer brick session... We did an hour speed bike session at the WTF and then I had to get out and run 4 miles right after while everyone else did their cool down session.  Once I got outside the WTF I ran away from the mall.  I also tried a gel and managed to eat 1/2 of it!  I was so hungry and the one I had with me (GU Blueberry Pom. Roctane) actually didn't make me gag.  I don't know if it was because I knew I needed the nutrition to run, or if the texture and taste of it was more palatable... regardless, I downed 1/2 and then drank from my water bottle before stashing it behind some bushes so I wouldn't have to do my whole run holding it.  My watch was set for indoor workouts so I didn't end up having distance or speed, but I had run around there often enough that I knew I ran at least the four miles I was supposed to do. 

It was weird because about 1.5 miles into my run I thought... Hey, this feels pretty good!  It was the perfect temperature to run and I felt good.  My left calf was tight the first mile from getting off the bike and then running right away, but that loosened as I knew it would and I felt good my whole run!  Helene would kill me if she found that I paused long enough to pick up spare change along the run... BUT in my defense it wasn't just a penny it was a penny, two nickles and a quarter all in one spot!  Ha ha! 

Anyway, there is my update!  There are many weeks ahead... ups and downs are sure to be included and I am looking forward to continuing my journey.  70.3 here I come!

Goggles On my friends!