***I noticed that Google has installed some stuff on this blog, feel free to ignore it, I’m not sure what it is and didn’t ask them to put it there.
“You must do the things you think you cannot do”
- Eleanor Roosevelt
I thought of that quote a couple times this week. In the past 7 days I was in 3 states, logged over 18 hours of training, and even had a 4 hour stint in the dentist chair. While on my way to swim at 4:45am one morning I thought to myself, “If I’m worried about not waking up when the ferry docks, how am I going to make my flip turns?”. It all worked out though, it’s like my body new when it was ok to, “check out” and when it was time to train.
Thankfully I have only one more trip that I know of, then its straight, uninterrupted training through the middle of May.
This past week I did a Lactate Threshold Test for running and also pushed distance on the bike and added some more time in the weight room. Surprisingly though, I feel great. I anticipated a tough week with the travel and really planned for it. I ate well, slept well and didn’t sweat the small stuff. You know, to a certain degree your body cant tell the difference between physical and mental stress? If you have constant stress in your life, like a demanding job, then your body’s stress system is almost always on. Now you add training for an endurance event on top of that, and well, if you’re not careful, you will feel constantly wiped out, because even when you're resting physically, your body is reacting to the mental stress. I have found that the best way to handle this is to make a commitment to leave the job where it belongs, in the office. Easy to say, harder to do. In the end though, is harping about your day to your loved ones going to make the day you had any better? No, just gotta let it go. Occasionally though, I will admit that Rob has to give me, “the look” that reminds me to actually let it go. I have noticed a big difference in my energy level since I have been able to, “step away from the black berry” and my day and clear my mind.
This week’s recap:
Swimming: I loved my swim workouts this week. They were all higher yardage with speed, my favorite kind. I’m anxious though for late spring to arrive so I can throw on the wetsuit and hop in Lake Washington.
Biking: I rode 3 times this week. Once on the rollers, once mountain biking and a 4:30 road bike. All were fun and the longer rides are getting more comfortable. For our long ride this week we rode about 67 miles in which we climbed around 5,000ft. These long and hilly rides should really help prepare me for the mountain passes I will be riding for Ultraman.
Running: I really mixed it up this week with one run near work, one on the treadmill and one long (2:15) trail run. As usual, the trail run was my favorite, we have gotten a lot of rain so its super green with lots of mud puddles.
Weight training: I’m in a different phase of weight training, pushing harder weights and using more free weights.
5 ½ Months out….
Now I will begin to plan the logistics for race day. For example, the water bottles. I will have the following drinks in the support vehicle: Perpetuem, Nuun, Water, Coke, and Gatorade. I plan to color code the water bottles as follows:
Perpetuem: Purple
Nuun: Blue
Water: White
Coke: Clear
Gatorade: Green
So I will spend this week hunting down various colored water bottles. Next week I will begin building a first aid box.
I am officially entering my 3rd month of Ultraman training. Crazy to think I only have about 5 ½ months left, seems like only yesterday that I sealed the envelope and sent off my application. I imagine that I may get a little nervous as the time gets nearer, but that’s what you guys are for! I have installed a counter on this blog, and every time I notice that someone has opened the page, it gives me a push. You guys are the best and you’re support means everything to me, Thanks so much.
Next weeks blog may be a little late because between daylight savings, and flying to Germany and the UK, I imagine I’ll be a bit off on my timing.
Have a great week!
Beth
Beth, love your blog and admire your dedication! Have a few training questions if you don't mind: when are you doing your long runs, during the week before work or afterwards? When do you fit in weights? I am working on getting a workable season plan together around my work schedule and looking for ideas.
ReplyDeletethanks!
Hi Laura,
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading! I do my long runs and rides on the weekend. I also swim on my long run days and my long rides are approaching 5 hours so I wouldn't have too much time during the work day. Also, I have had it work best that way because the long workouts just requires more energy and I find it best to not have to focus on work stuff during the same day. I do my weight training 2 days a week, tuesday and thursday actually. I always have a run or a bike scheduled on the same day. I do the bike or run first and then follow with weight training, sometimes its back to back and sometimes there are a few hours in between. Be sure to give yourself some down time, one day off a week would be good. Have you signed up for any races yet? Good luck with your training, feel free to contact me with any questions!
Happy Training!
Beth