86 Days!

Hard to believe we are down to the double digits until Ironman Louisville! This is a big week. It is week 12 meaning halfway through training. It is also a recovery week which happens every fourth week. The intensity and distances are slightly easier this week to give the body some time to recover.

Thanks to all my friends and family that continue to support me in this journey. You guys are amazing Ironsupporters! I'm realizing you guys are just as invested in this as myself whether you've sent encouraging messages, watched my kids, swam, ran, biked with me and your continual sharing of your excitement with me. It is all greatly appreciated and has helped immensely.

Picture highlights from this past month of training:

I have learned how to change a tire. After having a flat on a group ride, finally got my act together and did it. I practiced at Trikes for Tikes which repairs old bikes and gives them out to the needy.

I took this picture while waiting to join up with some fellow bikers from Louisville Landsharks. I rode 56 miles on the IM course and was so anxious anticipating the hills. I made it through and am looking forward to when I can ride the loop twice. It has been interesting to see how even though Ironman is a race, it is still a community of triathletes with a common goal to finish. There are always people looking for fellow riders to join them out on the course to train together.  

Running one of my favorite routes which has quite of bit of shade. My longest run so far has been 11 miles. I am running 4 minutes and walking a minute during the long runs. I am anticipating doing some form of that during the actual race. I am not looking to break any records, just looking to finish and have fun.

I just had my youngest with me one morning, so I took her on my 40 minute run that I was suppose to do some hill repeats. I thought pushing a stroller up the hills in my neighborhood was good enough! We ended up running to our library to return some books and check out some new ones. We lucked out for their storytime which they had the local firefighters there. Win. Win.

This month has been full of storms. Fortunately it has just interrupted a few training rides.

Glad I wasn't caught out in this hail storm.

My morning run after the hail storm. Perfect temperature and a beautiful sunrise.

Started storming during another training ride in which my dog thought it was best to lay under my bike. Not his best idea.

Took a trip up to visit my parents hoping to ride the country roads where  I grew up , only to have it rain, again. So I got to have another trainer ride in their garage.

Training while our family visited my brother. I almost need another bag with all my training gear when we visit family and friends.  At least  I had some dry sunny weather for a change

A trail run joined by my oldest for part of one of my longer runs. He ran almost 3.5miles with me and it was fun having him along. When he leads us through the trails we never know what we will find. This time we found some red raspberries and a waterfall that cooled us off.

My farthest ride to date - 60 miles. And as fate would have it, on the trainer because yet of another rainstorm this summer. I am okay with all the trainer rides. I have heard too many stories of close calls, accidents while riding the bike. Makes me anxious riding on the road with distracted drivers. Just be safe out there and watch for bicyclists.

 My youngest is helping herself to some of my lunch. A big part of training is nutrition and hydration. I am still trying to figure it out. A part of nutrition is figuring out what will work while running and biking, but also nutrition helps in recovery and preparing for the next workout. So far I like honey stinger chews and waffles along with Tailwind nutrition. But I will still need some real food on race day, but haven't narrowed it done yet. Work in this area is continuing.
 
 
 

 

 

So after 11 weeks of training I have hit over 1000 miles. Hard to believe in just over another 11 weeks I will be tapering, it will be fall and kids will have been back in school. I have found it much more challenging getting in the 2 a day workouts with kids home for the summer. I have learned I do not like working out in the evenings. I  am just too tired to give a good effort in the workouts. This will be interesting to see what happens in race day when I am still racing!

 

The next four  weeks I have three races. I am excited to give my training a test. First up is my first off road triathlon, followed by my first half ironman, and then an Olympic triathlon. The half ironman I just signed up for last week. My training does not call for one until end of August but this fit best into our schedule and nearby. I am hoping to have this as a trial run of my nutrition and clothes.

 

So there's the short and long of it for now. I am still enjoying the training although I do look forward when I can sleep in again. Last year this time a 20 mile bike ride and a 5 mile run were my long distances. Now these are just a warm-up. Slow and steady!

 

Thanks again for all your support. Looking forward to see what the next half of training brings!