I feel like a big heavy anchor today. My swim seened slow. I was real sluggish during the warm-up for the run. I did managed to hit Z5 pace for all three mile intervals which was a good surprise.
Beth - I have felt my aero position all day too
Nemo- Heal fast!
Linda- I really like the new swim sets also
Jim- Keep your chin up were all tired, you will be a fit and ready contender come September
Kate, I've stayed at the Doubletree twice and loved it both times. The walk isn't that far from the start and finish. Only downside is that UW is starting and there are lots of parties going on to and from the Menona Terrace. Nice hotel.
I was feeling prety fortunate that I havent been feeling all the fatigue that many of you have been describing. Well it hit yesterday !! I think all the training at LP, the heavy week of training and the RR this weekend finally caught up with me.
Had trouble getting the legs to turn over yesterday. Ran the first two mile repeats above pace but crashed on the 3rd. Immediatly hit the pool following the run, got the workout in but was a dishrag all afternoon at work, was running on fumes. I think I will take your advice on the easier swim on my next pool session, not feeling the burnout, just some shoulder soreness from the sprint sets. This is the first year I've really followed the swim workouts, I've really only been drilling for the past 2 years because my technique was so poor. In the past 2-3 weeks I've actually started to feel like a swimmer, very anxious to see if that translates into a faster swim time.
A lot easier to push through the fatigue these days knowing that we are in crunch time, and taper ,the race and a whole lot of rest will be here soon !!
@G--that is THE definition of jack nasty. Holy crap. I'm facing somewhat the same tomorrow.
What a crap workout this morning. I have to move things around this week, so the bike/run was up for me. I didn't sleep last night--see below--and got a late start. It was just more time efficient to jump on the CT for 30/30s. Got going and started having some palps (side effect of the thyroid meds). Cooled it until things settled down, which used up time. Once I got into the workout it was fine, then the computer just shut off. Seems I kicked out the power cord, it was running on batteries, and ran out of juice. Got two of the 4 sets in, time was running out so I called it.
Run was good. 35' of nice. Messed up day, but I'm going to leave it at that. A little additional rest after the weekend won't hurt.
OK, peeps I have a real problem on my hands. I can't sleep, night after night, b/c of K's snoring. He would snore on occasion in the past, but this is crushed-sinuses-healing snoring. It's unbelievable. It's in any position he's in. The kids, who sleep through Armageddon, can't share a room with him. They can hear it through closed doors. Ironman notwithstanding, I seriously cannot survive like this. I don't know what to do. There are no extra bedrooms here at the moment, and relegating him to the sofa seems cruel. There is no solution, and this is really, really rough on me. Had to vent.
Good reports from everyone, I haven't been posting too much as of late for a variety of reasons, being on a bike trip all last week with no phone or internet was a big part. In general I fear I'm having a bit of a mid-plan crisis and a lot of self doubt recently. I'm pretty comfortable with my bike fitness and in a good mental place as far as executing, am planning on going out to Madison again for my second RR and really am hoping for good things. I did not do my first RR last weekend however since I was still on Ragbrai, I pushed it back to this weekend and am still debating about going and riding the actual course, it's a ~2.5 hour drive for me from Iowa and I'm kind of road-tripped out at the moment.
In general though, I've spent a lot of time worrying about my swim recently, I swim with masters and during the summer my only pool access is an outdoor pool(s), which happens to be a fantastic pool (50m lanes and lots of them) but with a lot of crappy weather this summer I've missed more swims than I'm comfortable with. I moved my Monday run to this morning due to a very long day on Sunday getting pack and unpacking from my trip and it didn't inspire a ton of confidence in my run either. Was super humid this morning and my 2x1.5 @TPs were more at about 7:00 (and that was even a big struggle) when they should be at about 6:30. I'd blame it on my TSB which was at -47 to -50 for the end of last week straight through the weekend, but that sounds to be the norm for most everyone else too. 6 hour rides don't scare me much anymore these days but I sure am dreading this weeks 2:30 run, I'm really hoping it's all in my head and I can get a very solid LDR in me to get my confidence back.
Gina- thinking about you out there this morning- be safe!
Linda- Would ear plugs help at all?
Trevor- don't stress about getting out to the Moo course for RR#1- you've had enough logisical travel stuff lately! Give yourself a little mental break! Oh- and I'm feeling a bit under-prepared for the swim too. This is my first year actually doing the EN Workouts in the IM plan (in the past I just swam with a Masters group- 1 hour workouts, approx 2000 meters) and I simply can NOT get the EN workouts done inside 1 hour. It's more like 90 min, and frankly, after 1:15 I'm staring at the clock freaking out that I need to get out of the pool and get to work. I should get into the water sooner to make it really happen, but sleep keeps winning that argument too. So for what it's worth, you are not alone!
Well, my friends, the first of the 2:30 runs is history. I am going to try and be positive about this run even though it was NOT pretty. The easy days are the ones we don't remember, right? I thought of all of you this morning and the goodness you've brought to my life.
When i headed out the door the temp was 78/humidity 88%/dewpoint74. That is thick, steamy, sultry, jack-nasty, etc.. Thank goodness the day is overcast!! With sun I really think that would have been intolerable.
I intentionally slowed my pace by about 10sec/mile with hope that I could hold that pace. First hour was uneventful, ne*t 30 min and I was heading backing in for more water and that made the time pass. Stopped by the house where I had a cooler with ice, new bottles, and some Perform. Splashed my face and back with ice water and put ice down my top. GOOOOOODDDDDD!! Back out for the last hour and it hit me, that WOW I am really hot. By now it looked like someone had hosed me down and my shoes were squishy. Well, I finished it out and the last 10 min was a run/walk session, but I was determined to do the time no matter what.
The good in this is, that I did this run on one of the most humid/hot mornings we have had so far. This is a HUGE mental victory for me as I have always hated intense heat.
WOW- Gina, I don't know if I returned to the house for refills if I woulda gone back out in that heat. I mighta just gone inside to get a little AC and then it woulda been all over!!! Great job, that's a HUGE mental victory!
We all seem to be feeling some anxiety about this and that. I fall prey too, believe me. This is such a huge endeavor. More and more,however, I remind myself that just being able to do this is a gift. Here's my current favorite inspiration to help us keep striving, yet accepting the realities that we face. Alan Robinson, 56-year-old partially paralyzed marathon runner--"Don't be concerned with what you can't do. Work on what you can do - then count your blessings." In the end, this kind of mindset always leads to better results, and contentment that you gave it your all. Onward, peeps.
Gina--just read the run report. You are today's embodiment of the above. So glad you got it done, and the mindset you're in at the end says it all! Just great!
Well, what can i say..... yesterday went for the repeats; never imagined that I can run for 1.5 miles at 8 min-mile pace, let alone the first at 7:41 the second was miserable, I was drenching wet, panting like a crazy dog, but every time i thought about your great RRs from the weekend, and me panting to try a sub 8:00 min mile for 1.5 miles, I just knew I can do it. you peeps, ironically pulled me through that workout, and yes, at 7:55 (under my IP of 8:02!!!!) getting ready for tonights workout good luck training everybody:-) -hb
Welcome, Hasan! One of the things I learned about myself after a season with EN was that I COULD do those intervals/that workout despite feeling so dog tired or having the first 30 minutes of a workout on legs made out of lead.
Gina: I shall be channelling your mojo this Thurs. Way to git'r done, chica! I swear if IMMoo was in a tropical jungle you would be the only one of us still standing at the end! (okay, Marianne too!)
Linda: How about a small, judicious drop of Afrin in each nostril (for Keith) before he goes to sleep?
@Gina- You're my hero. I did the LR yesterday in low humidity, so the run this morning felt like soup in comparison, and it was no where near your level (although last week I had the squishy shoes).
Did Mondays workout today. Ran out of real estate on the run, so did hill repeats to make up for the lack of TP (just a 1/2 mile). Got to the lake and it was W-I-N-D-Y. Ugh! Made myself get in anyway, mainly because I knew I did not have enough time to do the entire workout. Missed just 3x50 at end, so not too much lost. Swallowed a lot of water. I like to think I am building a hardy gut flora when that happens.
Trying to read everyone's RR, etc. Just not enough hours in the day right now.
Set out to do the 2 x 1.5 @ TP and then hit the pool for 3000 yds (figured I'd use the run as my warm up and then skip the cool down since it already takes me forever to do these workouts!).
I do the longer run intervals outside of the Y because 2 laps = 1.5 miles and it's flattish. So little warm up and stretched out. Did the first 1.5 @ 7:52 but felt hard. Walked the recovery and set out for round 2. Totally caved at 1/4 mile, walked again, did another 1/4 mile, walked some more. Then totally gave myself the "get your s$*% together" peptalk and did the last mile at 7:37. 5 miles and I was toast. Still wanted to give the swim a shot and man, it was pitiful. Pretty sure I swam at a 45 degree angle and dragged myself through the slowest swim workout of my life!
Just one of those days. Happy that the speed is there, needle is just on empty at the moment. Need to hit the hay early tonight and get back on track!
Did Wed. VO2 max bike and run this morning. Went outside to do the 30/30's for a change, absolutley crushed myself. 30/30's are tough, done on hills with tired legs are even tougher.
Did not wear my Garmin on the run because I couldn't bear to see the pace I would run. Happy to have another tough workout in the books.
Now people at work aren't just asking " are you losing weight" they're now asking " are you tired" Yes and Yes and I'm proud of it. The gaunt tired look won't last forever.
Although fatigue is definately present I'm in a great place mentally, and still always looking forward to the next workout. Hope this attitude keeps up for another few weeks.
I'm doing Timberman sprint a week from Sat. which will help break things up for me and take my mind off of IMOO for about an hour and ten minutes.
After a failed indoor ride about 2 weeks ago, I was actually not too upset when I woke up to T-storms this morning. I was fired up and wanted revenge on my computrainer....
Two weeks ago I hit my outdoor ftp exactly for 40' of FTP work and then did 60' at 85% and preceeded to blow up, basically fall on the floor and sit there for 15 minutes completely exhausted and done. I was determined today would be different.
The workout was 8' - 10' - 14' - 10' - 8' at FTP, I did a quick and very easy warm up and started the first interval. That one went great and was at 1.038 IF. I started the second and about 5 minutes in I was convinced I had gone out to hard and was going to blow up, but I was not about to let the computrainer win twice. I got out of the saddle for about 20 seconds and then finished up the interval at 1.01. 3rd was the longest but actually was not as horrible as the second (i almost said easier but nothing at ftp is ever easy), I came in at 1.03. Forth was 1.03 as well, and the final one I feel apart a little but was able to push hard for the last minute and finsh right at 1.00.
The total ride was 1:18 at 0.94 !!!
I was absolutely thrilled that I beat the computrainer this time and did not give up (well aftrer I cuaght my breath and coudl stand without my legs shaking). Then i realized that it is definitely time for the FTP to be bumped up, which of course just means even more pain and suffering.
According to the WKO charts and recent workouts, my FTP appears to now be in the 290-300 range instead of the 282 it has been since about march. I'm going to try my hardest to break 300 this year, but may have to do a quick test outside on the road bike to pull it off ;-)
Lesson learned attitude is everything. When I am dreading getting on the CT, it kicks my ass...but when I look at it as an opportunity to push myself even harder I can beat it!
Although fatigue is definately present I'm in a great place mentally, and still always looking forward to the next workout. Hope this attitude keeps up for another few weeks.
Life is Good !!!!!!!
That's exactly where I am mentally too. Can't wait to get up in the morning and get going. Can hardly believe it's me. After getting myself together physically, and dealing with Keith's accident, I am just living in the space of what a gift this is. And it is. These weeks, even though the hardest, are sometimes the best. I mean everyone is on fire! Good, bad, or ugly we're all putting our heads down and cranking it out. Those build weeks earlier in the plan are what really suck the life out of me. Hope I stay in this place, b/c it's way better than some other mindsets I've lived in. May it last.
Matt - You're a rockstar dude! Way to put a hurtin' on that machine!
I was confined to the pain cave this morning as well. 18' of 30/30s on the trainer followed by 12' at .8 for 60' at an overall IF just under .8. Then jumped on the treadmill (haven't seen that thing in months!) for 30' of steady tempo running. Didn't feel the greatest but got it done. Actually fell asleep for 10' after recovery drink and strecthing post-workout. Decided to skip my normal Tuesday lunchtime swim and do 30' yoga instead, then proceed to fall asleep gain for 30'! I'm ready to roll on the 2.5 hour run tomorrow morning. It's going to be another hot and humid morning - groundhog day! Check ya on the flip side...
Great job Matt! Really looking forward to watching you on the Kona course (remote and virtual). How are you still holding down a job at this level? Amazing!
Oh Jim - the dreadmill in summer time, nothing worse! Good for you getting it done.
Gina - you win the prize for sheer toughness. Way to go girl.
I got up for the big swim and well, it was raining. Had to swim indoors at the Y instead. Boy, swimming short course yards after much longcourse meters makes you feel like a rockstar!!! A solid night's sleep probably didn't hurt either. 6x400's felt great, really. I've been worried lately that my stroke hasn't felt right, but today I just had 'that feeling', feels good, again, good timing.
Linda- I've worn ear plugs ever since my son was born (he'll be 11 tomorrow), as I'm a pretty light sleeper and I had to learn to fall asleep fast because that darn preemie needed to eat so often!! (OMG, that was 11 years ago, I am ancient!). In any event, can't sleep without them anymore. There are many kinds with different levels of sound proofness. I prefer the heaviest soundproofing possible (sounds like you're underwater, all you can hear is your own breathing, very soothing) but you might want to start with something lighter in case that weirds you out. I have these nifty pink ones and they aren't 'strong' enough for me but you might want to try them. Any Walgreens or CVS, whatever is in your area, will carry them.
Posted By Heather La Freniere on 03 Aug 2010 04:58 PM
(OMG, that was 11 years ago, I am ancient!).
My oldest is 24, and youngest is 17. If you're ancient, I'm decrepit on top of ancient. LOL!!!! What we are, GF, is freakin' awesome. Everyone says plugs, so I'm off to CVS!
Ran at 5:30 a.m. for a 30 min brick hillyrun and although cooler I was literally dripping at the end with sweat drenching me, I had to use a towel a couple of times to wipe dry so that I could get on sunscreen goggles and swimcap for my lake swim!! so off I swim and really not quite in the groove but soon got there and the water felt warm too. 2400.. and then I met Heather for a bike ride where we did 15 miles with 3 x 5 30/30 in them. it felt hot out there! I mean there is "hot" and then there is HOT! she called me later and one hour after we finished the bank sign read 104! okay it was hot and a bit nauseous on upper intensity..! but got it done! and then Heather tells me we did tomorrows bike!! ha! so anyways gonna ride tomorrow at 5:30 as well and do more intervals to catch up with David and crew. I am getting up at 4:30 which sorta hurts when family is up to 10 or later...! I have been running pain free for a week now, and I just slowed down!! the heat helped with that and right now, I am okay with mentally knowing that sub 8:40 pace hurts my quad/ham/glute so anything 9:00 or over is bearable and really my slog jog warm up pace at about 11 and then dipping down to 10:30 and then gets a bit faster until about 8 miles into anything I can pick up the pace!! ha. see I picked the perfect race distance! anyways, when I wonder, and I see an open road with only us two chicks out there riding aero.. and riding hard, I say OH YEAH BABY!! m
Thanks!! my son pointed out that I run with dog and hold leash in right hand and he says I could be aggravating something with all of that.... the dog heels, well anyways, took a break and let DH run with him so that I am not heeling every morning!! smile. I have upped me laying on a roller/tennis ball and last night I did not cry out in pain although had to do some deep breathing! yesterday's massage oth she hit my lower back and I actually did cry out! right in the dimples... what am I doing?? not sure
onwards.... I am biking at 5:30 with David doing IMWI and other souls all out in the dark getting in workouts! a brick run afterwards. In two weeks, I will be getting kids ready for school and unable to make these so I don't care that I rode yesterday!!
my 3rd son, a junior is practicing football 7 - 11 every day now.. and yes he comes home whipped from the heat... but with me insisting that he eats and drinks and then he just takes a nap all afternoon! he is recovering probably better than I am! I am not sure how I became that Mom that brings him an aleve, some choc milk and an ice pack! and then calculates when he should eat again.. with this heat, none of us are hungry if we have trained! however, yesterday out of the blue, he is 16, 6', he said to me "Mom, I love you!"........ I can't actually remember the last time he said that. not this year, not last year maybe not the year before I mean like on his own. without me saying "I need to hear something!"... so I guess I will continue bringing him cold drinks and icing down gatorades and freezing Snickers for him...
and this is exactly how moms spoil their sons just to hear "three words"!!! so I pause in this Ironman training in wonder, and I couldn't care a bit about this stuff, as long as I have my sons respect.
and so if you are a man reading this, you need to encourage your sons to say "I love you" to your wife, and if you are married, you need to do the same. We could hear it every day..!!
Comments
Beth - I have felt my aero position all day too
Nemo- Heal fast!
Linda- I really like the new swim sets also
Jim- Keep your chin up were all tired, you will be a fit and ready contender come September
Matt- You are a wealth of information
Kate, I've stayed at the Doubletree twice and loved it both times. The walk isn't that far from the start and finish. Only downside is that UW is starting and there are lots of parties going on to and from the Menona Terrace. Nice hotel.
I was feeling prety fortunate that I havent been feeling all the fatigue that many of you have been describing. Well it hit yesterday !! I think all the training at LP, the heavy week of training and the RR this weekend finally caught up with me.
Had trouble getting the legs to turn over yesterday. Ran the first two mile repeats above pace but crashed on the 3rd. Immediatly hit the pool following the run, got the workout in but was a dishrag all afternoon at work, was running on fumes. I think I will take your advice on the easier swim on my next pool session, not feeling the burnout, just some shoulder soreness from the sprint sets. This is the first year I've really followed the swim workouts, I've really only been drilling for the past 2 years because my technique was so poor. In the past 2-3 weeks I've actually started to feel like a swimmer, very anxious to see if that translates into a faster swim time.
A lot easier to push through the fatigue these days knowing that we are in crunch time, and taper ,the race and a whole lot of rest will be here soon !!
out to run, swim and then bike to beat the heat!! heat index was 108 yesterday.. so I can run in the dark!!
78 degrees, 88% humidity, 74 dewpoint. BWA-HAH-HAH!!! God does have a sense of humour. 2:30 run here I come!!
@G--that is THE definition of jack nasty. Holy crap. I'm facing somewhat the same tomorrow.
What a crap workout this morning. I have to move things around this week, so the bike/run was up for me. I didn't sleep last night--see below--and got a late start. It was just more time efficient to jump on the CT for 30/30s. Got going and started having some palps (side effect of the thyroid meds). Cooled it until things settled down, which used up time. Once I got into the workout it was fine, then the computer just shut off. Seems I kicked out the power cord, it was running on batteries, and ran out of juice. Got two of the 4 sets in, time was running out so I called it.
Run was good. 35' of nice. Messed up day, but I'm going to leave it at that. A little additional rest after the weekend won't hurt.
OK, peeps I have a real problem on my hands. I can't sleep, night after night, b/c of K's snoring. He would snore on occasion in the past, but this is crushed-sinuses-healing snoring. It's unbelievable. It's in any position he's in. The kids, who sleep through Armageddon, can't share a room with him. They can hear it through closed doors. Ironman notwithstanding, I seriously cannot survive like this. I don't know what to do. There are no extra bedrooms here at the moment, and relegating him to the sofa seems cruel. There is no solution, and this is really, really rough on me. Had to vent.
In general though, I've spent a lot of time worrying about my swim recently, I swim with masters and during the summer my only pool access is an outdoor pool(s), which happens to be a fantastic pool (50m lanes and lots of them) but with a lot of crappy weather this summer I've missed more swims than I'm comfortable with. I moved my Monday run to this morning due to a very long day on Sunday getting pack and unpacking from my trip and it didn't inspire a ton of confidence in my run either. Was super humid this morning and my 2x1.5 @TPs were more at about 7:00 (and that was even a big struggle) when they should be at about 6:30. I'd blame it on my TSB which was at -47 to -50 for the end of last week straight through the weekend, but that sounds to be the norm for most everyone else too. 6 hour rides don't scare me much anymore these days but I sure am dreading this weeks 2:30 run, I'm really hoping it's all in my head and I can get a very solid LDR in me to get my confidence back.
Linda- Would ear plugs help at all?
Trevor- don't stress about getting out to the Moo course for RR#1- you've had enough logisical travel stuff lately! Give yourself a little mental break! Oh- and I'm feeling a bit under-prepared for the swim too. This is my first year actually doing the EN Workouts in the IM plan (in the past I just swam with a Masters group- 1 hour workouts, approx 2000 meters) and I simply can NOT get the EN workouts done inside 1 hour. It's more like 90 min, and frankly, after 1:15 I'm staring at the clock freaking out that I need to get out of the pool and get to work. I should get into the water sooner to make it really happen, but sleep keeps winning that argument too. So for what it's worth, you are not alone!
Well, my friends, the first of the 2:30 runs is history. I am going to try and be positive about this run even though it was NOT pretty. The easy days are the ones we don't remember, right? I thought of all of you this morning and the goodness you've brought to my life.
When i headed out the door the temp was 78/humidity 88%/dewpoint74. That is thick, steamy, sultry, jack-nasty, etc.. Thank goodness the day is overcast!! With sun I really think that would have been intolerable.
I intentionally slowed my pace by about 10sec/mile with hope that I could hold that pace. First hour was uneventful, ne*t 30 min and I was heading backing in for more water and that made the time pass. Stopped by the house where I had a cooler with ice, new bottles, and some Perform. Splashed my face and back with ice water and put ice down my top. GOOOOOODDDDDD!! Back out for the last hour and it hit me, that WOW I am really hot. By now it looked like someone had hosed me down and my shoes were squishy. Well, I finished it out and the last 10 min was a run/walk session, but I was determined to do the time no matter what.
The good in this is, that I did this run on one of the most humid/hot mornings we have had so far. This is a HUGE mental victory for me as I have always hated intense heat.
One step closer!!
We all seem to be feeling some anxiety about this and that. I fall prey too, believe me. This is such a huge endeavor. More and more,however, I remind myself that just being able to do this is a gift. Here's my current favorite inspiration to help us keep striving, yet accepting the realities that we face. Alan Robinson, 56-year-old partially paralyzed marathon runner--"Don't be concerned with what you can't do. Work on what you can do - then count your blessings." In the end, this kind of mindset always leads to better results, and contentment that you gave it your all. Onward, peeps.
Gina--just read the run report. You are today's embodiment of the above. So glad you got it done, and the mindset you're in at the end says it all! Just great!
what can i say.....
yesterday went for the repeats; never imagined that I can run for 1.5 miles at 8 min-mile pace, let alone the first at 7:41
the second was miserable, I was drenching wet, panting like a crazy dog, but every time i thought about your great RRs from the weekend, and me panting to try a sub 8:00 min mile for 1.5 miles, I just knew I can do it. you peeps, ironically pulled me through that workout, and yes, at 7:55 (under my IP of 8:02!!!!) getting ready for tonights workout
good luck training everybody:-)
-hb
Gina-way to finish 2.5 hours in such heat!!! you are inspiring...will think of you thursday am
Hasan-wow, sounds like u rocked those intervals!! way to push yourself and get it done. sounds like it is hot everywhere!! glad though, it is summer!
Linda-I'm with Nemo on the ear plugs. I use them a lot, especially when I need to sleep and my boys are playing the music a tich too loud
Swim done. nuff said.
Gina: I shall be channelling your mojo this Thurs. Way to git'r done, chica! I swear if IMMoo was in a tropical jungle you would be the only one of us still standing at the end! (okay, Marianne too!)
Linda: How about a small, judicious drop of Afrin in each nostril (for Keith) before he goes to sleep?
@Gina- You're my hero. I did the LR yesterday in low humidity, so the run this morning felt like soup in comparison, and it was no where near your level (although last week I had the squishy shoes).
Did Mondays workout today. Ran out of real estate on the run, so did hill repeats to make up for the lack of TP (just a 1/2 mile). Got to the lake and it was W-I-N-D-Y. Ugh! Made myself get in anyway, mainly because I knew I did not have enough time to do the entire workout. Missed just 3x50 at end, so not too much lost. Swallowed a lot of water. I like to think I am building a hardy gut flora when that happens.
Trying to read everyone's RR, etc. Just not enough hours in the day right now.
I really dragged in the pool today. I'm thankful for no run today. Looking forward to the bike tomorrow.
Great job Gina-That was a tough run
Good job on the repeats Hasan
Great advice Linda
Set out to do the 2 x 1.5 @ TP and then hit the pool for 3000 yds (figured I'd use the run as my warm up and then skip the cool down since it already takes me forever to do these workouts!).
I do the longer run intervals outside of the Y because 2 laps = 1.5 miles and it's flattish. So little warm up and stretched out. Did the first 1.5 @ 7:52 but felt hard. Walked the recovery and set out for round 2. Totally caved at 1/4 mile, walked again, did another 1/4 mile, walked some more. Then totally gave myself the "get your s$*% together" peptalk and did the last mile at 7:37. 5 miles and I was toast. Still wanted to give the swim a shot and man, it was pitiful. Pretty sure I swam at a 45 degree angle and dragged myself through the slowest swim workout of my life!
Just one of those days. Happy that the speed is there, needle is just on empty at the moment. Need to hit the hay early tonight and get back on track!
Did Wed. VO2 max bike and run this morning. Went outside to do the 30/30's for a change, absolutley crushed myself. 30/30's are tough, done on hills with tired legs are even tougher.
Did not wear my Garmin on the run because I couldn't bear to see the pace I would run. Happy to have another tough workout in the books.
Now people at work aren't just asking " are you losing weight" they're now asking " are you tired" Yes and Yes and I'm proud of it. The gaunt tired look won't last forever.
Although fatigue is definately present I'm in a great place mentally, and still always looking forward to the next workout. Hope this attitude keeps up for another few weeks.
I'm doing Timberman sprint a week from Sat. which will help break things up for me and take my mind off of IMOO for about an hour and ten minutes.
Life is Good !!!!!!!
Two weeks ago I hit my outdoor ftp exactly for 40' of FTP work and then did 60' at 85% and preceeded to blow up, basically fall on the floor and sit there for 15 minutes completely exhausted and done. I was determined today would be different.
The workout was 8' - 10' - 14' - 10' - 8' at FTP, I did a quick and very easy warm up and started the first interval. That one went great and was at 1.038 IF. I started the second and about 5 minutes in I was convinced I had gone out to hard and was going to blow up, but I was not about to let the computrainer win twice. I got out of the saddle for about 20 seconds and then finished up the interval at 1.01. 3rd was the longest but actually was not as horrible as the second (i almost said easier but nothing at ftp is ever easy), I came in at 1.03. Forth was 1.03 as well, and the final one I feel apart a little but was able to push hard for the last minute and finsh right at 1.00.
The total ride was 1:18 at 0.94 !!!
I was absolutely thrilled that I beat the computrainer this time and did not give up (well aftrer I cuaght my breath and coudl stand without my legs shaking). Then i realized that it is definitely time for the FTP to be bumped up, which of course just means even more pain and suffering.
According to the WKO charts and recent workouts, my FTP appears to now be in the 290-300 range instead of the 282 it has been since about march. I'm going to try my hardest to break 300 this year, but may have to do a quick test outside on the road bike to pull it off ;-)
Lesson learned attitude is everything. When I am dreading getting on the CT, it kicks my ass...but when I look at it as an opportunity to push myself even harder I can beat it!
That's getting you close to 5w/kg....
WOWZERRRSSSS!!
That's exactly where I am mentally too. Can't wait to get up in the morning and get going. Can hardly believe it's me.
After getting myself together physically, and dealing with Keith's accident, I am just living in the space of what a gift this is. And it is. These weeks, even though the hardest, are sometimes the best. I mean everyone is on fire! Good, bad, or ugly we're all putting our heads down and cranking it out. Those build weeks earlier in the plan are what really suck the life out of me. Hope I stay in this place, b/c it's way better than some other mindsets I've lived in. May it last. 
I was confined to the pain cave this morning as well. 18' of 30/30s on the trainer followed by 12' at .8 for 60' at an overall IF just under .8. Then jumped on the treadmill (haven't seen that thing in months!) for 30' of steady tempo running. Didn't feel the greatest but got it done. Actually fell asleep for 10' after recovery drink and strecthing post-workout. Decided to skip my normal Tuesday lunchtime swim and do 30' yoga instead, then proceed to fall asleep gain for 30'! I'm ready to roll on the 2.5 hour run tomorrow morning. It's going to be another hot and humid morning - groundhog day! Check ya on the flip side...
Oh Jim - the dreadmill in summer time, nothing worse! Good for you getting it done.
Gina - you win the prize for sheer toughness. Way to go girl.
I got up for the big swim and well, it was raining. Had to swim indoors at the Y instead. Boy, swimming short course yards after much longcourse meters makes you feel like a rockstar!!! A solid night's sleep probably didn't hurt either. 6x400's felt great, really. I've been worried lately that my stroke hasn't felt right, but today I just had 'that feeling', feels good, again, good timing.
Linda- I've worn ear plugs ever since my son was born (he'll be 11 tomorrow), as I'm a pretty light sleeper and I had to learn to fall asleep fast because that darn preemie needed to eat so often!! (OMG, that was 11 years ago, I am ancient!). In any event, can't sleep without them anymore. There are many kinds with different levels of sound proofness. I prefer the heaviest soundproofing possible (sounds like you're underwater, all you can hear is your own breathing, very soothing) but you might want to start with something lighter in case that weirds you out. I have these nifty pink ones and they aren't 'strong' enough for me but you might want to try them. Any Walgreens or CVS, whatever is in your area, will carry them.
My oldest is 24, and youngest is 17. If you're ancient, I'm decrepit on top of ancient. LOL!!!!
What we are, GF, is freakin' awesome. Everyone says plugs, so I'm off to CVS!
Jim- Way to get it done on the trainer and the dread. I have a hard time looking in my pain cave at those devices since the offseason.
Marianne- Way to tough out the heat & it's awesome that your pain free
Heather- Great job in the pool
onwards.... I am biking at 5:30 with David doing IMWI and other souls all out in the dark getting in workouts! a brick run afterwards. In two weeks, I will be getting kids ready for school and unable to make these so I don't care that I rode yesterday!!
my 3rd son, a junior is practicing football 7 - 11 every day now.. and yes he comes home whipped from the heat... but with me insisting that he eats and drinks and then he just takes a nap all afternoon! he is recovering probably better than I am! I am not sure how I became that Mom that brings him an aleve, some choc milk and an ice pack! and then calculates when he should eat again.. with this heat, none of us are hungry if we have trained! however, yesterday out of the blue, he is 16, 6', he said to me "Mom, I love you!"........ I can't actually remember the last time he said that. not this year, not last year maybe not the year before I mean like on his own. without me saying "I need to hear something!"... so I guess I will continue bringing him cold drinks and icing down gatorades and freezing Snickers for him...
and this is exactly how moms spoil their sons just to hear "three words"!!! so I pause in this Ironman training in wonder, and I couldn't care a bit about this stuff, as long as I have my sons respect.
and so if you are a man reading this, you need to encourage your sons to say "I love you" to your wife, and if you are married, you need to do the same. We could hear it every day..!!
m