Two Weeks To Go - One More Week Of Hard Training

Just back from the pool. Had a non-stop 1 hour and 15 minute swim. Was feeling very fast. Was feeling very buoyant. Cutting through the water was effortless. A solid swim. When I got to the pool there was one person in the slow lane and 2 in the medium lane. I was alone in the fast lane. For the last 45 minutes it was just me and the lifeguard and she was looking very bored. But I made her stay right till the bitter end.

As I look forward to the race, I find myself looking back at the last year of my life spent preparing for the race. My journey to the start line has seen many sacrifices and significant self discovery. Many lessons have been learned and questions answered. Perhaps the most significant has been to control that little voice in the mind that pops up when things get tough. That little voice that is very convincing and can get very loud. Its that little voice that tells you to quit. Quit the workout early........quit the diet.........quit when it gets too hard....Not today my friend.....not any day.........I was reminded how far I have come once again on Monday night. After a good weekend of training I was on the couch last Monday night and that little voice was telling me to blow off the run. It was very loud and very convincing.....the last thing I wanted to do was to go for a run. BUT I peeled myself off the couch and had a 10k run at race pace. Its days like last Monday that I will draw on when I am suffering in the last k's of the run on race day. Real change can only happen when you have control of what goes on between your ears.

So the Smashfest is two weeks from today. This week will be another full week of training up to and including Sunday night. Then I will still be doing things but at a more relaxed pace. The last week before the race is called a taper week. I still do stuff but much less distance/time and the effort/work rate is less as well.

Will be heading up to Deerhurst on Friday Sept 11.

I am ready to race.

BW

A Solid Saturday & Sunday

Saturday - Went over to the pool for 11:00 am to Noon lane swimming. Feeling fast. For the last half hour it was just me and the lifeguard at the pool. Came home and went for a 12.5K run.

Sunday - Made plans for an early morning ride with Danger. Did not feel like getting out of bed. Hauled myself up and had a bite to eat and we headed out. Neither of us felt much like getting moving. Once we got going it was ok. Legs felt a little tired from the run yesterday. Once we got rolling it was good. Was a few k's away from home and we had gone about 96K so I went around my neighbourhood until the speedo clicked over 100ks. A good long ride on tired legs.....that is what makes you stronger. Early to bed last night and got a good 8 hour sleep.

Still feeling a little sluggish today. Could have used a few more hours in the rack. Less than 3 weeks to go now.

I am keeping the pedal to the medal.

Someone Doesn't Want Me To Swim This Week

I think there is a swim conspiracy against me. On Monday I headed over the the Courtice pool for some lane swimming. The plan was 1 hour of swimming and a 30 minute run. I thought there were too many cars in the parking lot when I got there...something is up. Because of the heat alert they were offering a free public swim until 9:00 pm. Pool was packed. Headed home. Went for a 12K run.

Tuesday night I had a family gathering to go to. Plan was to zip home after work and get an hour on the trainer. Was late getting out of work. OK this thing probably won't go that late, so maybe when I get home........ Was like a cat on a hot tin roof at the family gathering. Watching the clock tick away. When it got past 10 I realized there would not be a workout today. Bummed!!!

Wednesday - 12k run...all good.

Thursday - Plan was to swim 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm and then 30 minute run. Turned on the news at 6ish....tornado warnings. Come on. So I figured at worst maybe I get swimming and the power goes out and they kick me out with free passes again. Not even close. So the storm is pounding and the we lose power around 7:45pm. Stayed out until 11:15pm. So can't swim and can't use the treadmill.....the thought of riding the trainer and taking a flashlight with me did cross my mind...but I didn't do that. So NOTHING again.

Friday - This is my usual rest day and I have plans tonight...so not sure I am able to fit anything in.

A disappointing week for sure. Have to make up for it with a big Saturday and Sunday.

Just 22 days left!!!

I am sure I did not over train this week.

BW

26 Days And Counting

Oh yea!!!!!! The countdown is in days now...not weeks. The closer it gets the more ready I feel. Did not get out for a ride on Friday..some unexpected stuff came up and life got in the way, so it was my usual Friday rest day.

Saturday - Very hot....so I waited until afternoon to get out and ride. Makes no sense...but had stuff to do in the morning. Scorching close to 40C with the humidity. Wanted to get in a 100K ride. Loaded up with 3 water bottles. Somewhere along the way one launch off my XLAB. So down to 2. Could feel the heat. Ride was harder and slower than usual. Stopped at a store in Newcastle for a few litres of Gatorade. That was just what the DR. ordered. Have learned to always have at least $10 with me on rides. Stopped at a friends place in Bowmanville for water after that. Still a good ride....just over 85K with a 28.6 average. But wanted to go longer. Ran out of time.

Sunday - Feeling good. Hit the treadmill for a run. Ankle feeling good. Went for a 12K run. Going to start and go to about 15K for the runs. Running is soooooooo boring. At least when you ride you pay attention to the road...cars...pot holes......at least I have the iPod to keep me slightly distracted. But not on race day.

Not sure what I am feeling like tonight. Maybe hit the pool for lane swimming and have a 30 minute run or ride afterwards.

I am feeling lean.

BW

Less Than A Month Now......

It is getting really close. Four weeks and 2 days until the smashfest. Had a good indoor ride the other night. Danger broke out the rollers and rode beside me in the basement. High tempo...high cadence....good workout. Sad that it is starting to get dark earlier in the night. Summer is drawing to a close and its barely here.

Went for a run last night. 10K on the treadmill.

Now that the weather is nice the weekend rides are going to be very nice. Going to stretch it this weekend and get in a 120Kish ride.

Trying to get out of work early today for a ride.

I am ramping it up.

BW

What A Light Show

Sunday night I hit the pool for a planned 1 hour 15 minute session of swimming. Got there and only 3 people in the pool. Had the medium lane all to myself. Nice. An hour and 10 minutes in the power went out....big storm....so the lifeguard told us we had to vacate. Got a free pass out of the deal. Swimming was good. Felt fast....cutting through the water like a hot knife through butter. I was kicking a little more than usual to give the ankle a workout so that must have been it. Got home and was going to go for a spin on the trainer, but watched the lightning instead. I have seen some whopper storms, but never seen a light show like Sunday night.

Monday - What to do...what to do.........Decided it was time to test the ankle for a run. Hit the treadmill. Was not sure what I was going to do. Started with the treadmill set for an easy 6 minute km. After the first two K's the ankle was a little sore...but manageable. Decided to leave it at 6 minute K's and stayed on for my usual 10k run. Took longer than usual but finished up and did some stretching.

Today my ankle is a little sore, but it should be fine. Get a cup......

I am running again.

BW

Ankle Test - Passed

The ankle is doing well. Went out for a 72K ride yesterday. The weather was iffy so I had to cut it a bit short. Was planning for a 100k day. But was good to get out anyways. I had the pedal to the metal the whole way. Maintained a 29.6K average speed for the ride. Good deal. Almost went for a run when I got home. I think the ankle is ready to be tested. Maybe today I will hit the treadmill since it looks to be another rainy weekend day. Going to hit the pool for some lane swimming tonight.

Iam in the zone.

BW

Serious Ankle Injury Averted...I Think

Back to work after two fantastic weeks off. While we were away camping I was walking out of the trailer with an armload of things and somehow did not navigate the last step. My left ankle took the brunt of it. Heard a big pop and then down I went.....yard sale.....stuff all over the place. My first thought was that I had broken it since it hurt so bad. But after a few minutes I was able to walk gingerly. This was last Thursday. Have taken it easy since. Rode the indoor trainer for 45 minutes last night. The last 20 was at a good pace. Felt ok....though still sore. On one hand I am pissed that I got an injury with just under 6 weeks to go.....But I am more thankful that it should not be too serious and I can still race. What a fluke...nothing to do with training.

My plan was to really push it for the next 4 weeks. So I will have to see what I am able to do. I will not run until it feels much better. So that may mean lots of bike time and swim time. I am going to be very conservative with this as I don't want to jeopardize being able to finish my 1st Ironman.

I am pressing forward.

BW