Ironman Arizona: Week 22

Week 22 was a week of babying. Babying my hips, my quads, my psoads, and pretty much everything to ensure that I don’t completely destroy myself. Rolling, sticking, stretching, and icing, over and over again. And you know what…it paid off (shocker, I know). So I have some genius advice for all of my fellow injured athletes out there: if something hurts, STOP DOING WHATEVER IS MAKING IT HURT (oh the wisdom). Take care of your body before, during and after training because the moment you neglect it, it will surely come screaming back.

Here’s a look at week 22:

Mon., 4/30: Swim

I’ll now proclaim on the blog that I’m starting to get really frustrated with my swim pace – it’s nothing near where I want it to be. However, I need to remember that I am brand new to swimming and as I increase distance, my pace may slow as my fitness grows. Patience, grass hopper. Here’s Monday’s workout:

WARM UP:
2 x 100 FORM (10″RI)
4 x (25 DRILL, 25 EASY) 15″RI)
4 x (50K, 25 EASY, 25 BUILD) 15″RI
4 x (25 FIST, 25 BUILD) 15″RI

MAIN SET:
2 x 200 FORM (30″RI)
2 x 50 FAST (20″RI)
2 x 200 FORM (45″RI)
2 x 50 FAST (20″RI)
2 x 300 FORM (45″RI)

COOL DOWN: (I often skip the cool down as I’m short on time)
2 x 50 Non-Freestyle

Tues., 5/1: Crazy Work Day Turned Rest Day

On Monday I was told that I needed to go on a last-minute, overnight trip to Los Angeles for work. What I thought would be a busy day turned into a disaster…let me count the ways:

• I ripped the crotch of my pants while at the airport (I only packed one pair).
• I started freaking out at the fact that I ripped the crotch because my quads are growing by the minute. Enter horrible mind games.
• After landing in LA, I had a cab rush me to the nearest Target so I could swap outfits before heading to my client’s office.
• I rushed in and out of Target, hopped back in a cab, got dropped of and then proceeded to leave my cell phone in the cab.
• My awesome colleague was kind enough to track down the cab and thank God they had the phone back.
• We ended up working until 11, and needless to say, I was pooped.
• P.S. I hate the fact that my blog’s bullet template is stars. I need to change this asap.

Wed., 5/2: Run

Despite it being a chaotic night, the hotel I stayed at in Santa Monica was literally right across the street from the Santa Monica Pier – the same place where Chicken Face and I got engaged. Not only did I want to take a quick trip down memory lane, but I wanted to see how the hip was doing after a week off of running. Thus, I jaunted six slow miles down the boardwalk and through Venice Beach with no hip pain, just some post-run aches. HURRAH!

Thurs., 5/3: Cycle a.m. / Swim p.m.

You guys – SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! What the heck is happening on SMASH?! I think the Ivy/Dev scandal may be contributing to my increased cycling heart rate.

In other, less seventh-gradeish news, I was also able to swim outside (my new favorite thing) for another 800 meter marker. I think it might be  my increased state of happiness when I’m swimming outside, but I shaved almost a minute off of my previous 800 marker. Definitely a boost to my depressed swim-state on Monday.

Fri., 5/4: Swim

More proof: swimming is not sexy.

My hips were still achy after Wednesday’s run and I  wanted to save any running juice I may have had left for Saturday’s brick, so I went back to the outdoor pool for 2,700 meters. An old lady said that I “swim really nicely.” Totally the highlight of my day.

Sat., 5/5: Double Brick

Dun…dun…duuuuuuuuuuuuun! 40 mile ride, 30 minute run, 18 mile ride, 20 minute run.

Overall, it was a really good workout with some good climbing in the first bike leg, some slow and steady running as I babied my hip, and FINALLY loving my aerobars. It was also my first ride with my new tri shoes which took a bit of getting used to, and my new Garmin sensor (the last one broke and I’ve been riding blind for a while).

I did have some trouble along the way as my tire was rubbing against the frame and my back water bottle holder literally flew off and I had to stop and retrieve it, but just some more “firsts” that I’m getting out of the way. On that note, I really need to learn to change my tires.

I’m also ashamed to admit this, but I took my first “official” ice bath ever. I’ve gone in a tub of cold water before, but adding the ice makes it legit. Plus, I need to cool down my awesome sunburn.

Sun., 5/6: Open Water Swim

One baby step at a time, but my re-introduction the open water post-panic attack proved to be successful. You can read all about it here.

Top row: Me, Sima, Kristin, Aron, Courtney, Cate, Alyssa, Beth
Front row: Katie, Jojo, Marjorie (happy birthday!), Layla, Jessica, Karin

Post-swim, I went to meet up with the lovely running ladies for mimosas and brunch. I don’t see them enough…le sigh.

I closed out week 21 with:

9 hours and 14 minutes of training (not much, but getting back into it):
9,077 yards swimming
74 miles cycling
12.3 miles running (stupid hip)

Happy Running!