Ironman Arizona: Week 27

Greetings from my dining room table!

I usually blog during my BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) commute (hence the typos), but today a three-alarm fire completely shutdown all East Bay access to San Francisco. Battling traffic might be just as insane as attempting to walk into the city, so I’m continuing my work from home streak. The good news: I might actually make it to the pool on time tonight.

Now let’s reminisce about all things week 27, shall we?

Mon., 6/4: Swim

Pool time! For some reason, I’m noticing that my paces are actually faster in the open water. WHAT THE?! I don’t know why, but I’ll take it. Here is Monday’s workout:

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

MAIN SET:
400 NEG. SPLIT (20"RI)
200 MODERATE (20"RI)
400 NEG. SPLIT (20"RI)
200 MODERATE (20"RI)
400 NEG. SPLIT

Tues., 6/5: Bike

This week was not only E3, the big video game conference, but an exciting event my team and I were planning for Adobe. Thus, this week was all sorts of crazy, including little sleep, bad food and new schedules. I reorganized my entire week to ensure I still got my workouts in and still managed a hectic week. An hour and 10 on the bike was all I could squeeze in.

Wed., 6/6: Rest

Did I mention it was E3?

Thurs., 6/7: Rest

Did I mention the Adobe event?

Fri., 6/8: Run/Core

By the time Friday rolled around I was about to unravel if I didn’t start sweating stat. I was lucky enough to get to stay at the gorgeous Hotel Vitale for my Adobe work event, which is located right along the Embarcadero. However, I had an interval run on tap and needed a treadmill to track a few things.

Given that I now judge hotel rooms based on their gym I’m sad to report that Hotel Vitale’s gym was sub-par. The damn thing kept stopping and I finally said forget it in a fit of frustration. What am I doing on a treadmill anyways when I have the Embarcadero right next door? Instead, I headed out to enjoy one of the most gorgeous mornings I’ve seen in the city for a while. I think there was a reason the treadmill was acting up.

The rest of the day was spent with some amazing bloggers for a program I’m working on and then heading to the De Young Museum for the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit. I won’t give away why it’s so amazing – but just go. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Sat., 6/9: Mini-Triathlon

Looking at the schedule and seeing a full swim, bike, run on tap was a bit daunting at first – I was in no mood and I would have likely paid someone to take my place. But of course, I dragged my sorry butt out of bed to join the team for a 2300 meter swim, 2 hour ride and 30 minute run.

As I made my way into the water to do my furthest open water swim yet, everything in me wanted to turn around. It was the first time that I told myself, “I’m just too tired.” Pushing those thoughts aside, I started to swim and of course, a hint of anxiety came on as I thought I might literally fall asleep in the water and drown.

The funny thing is, I didn’t drown. Who’d-a-thunk-it. I just kept moving my little arms and fluttering my feet, and before you knew it, I finished my longest open water swim yet!

With a boost of confidence in my back pocket, I made my way to the bike. Nothing too eventful here, other that learning that I’m absolutely no help when it comes to changing flats.

What’s that, new friend? You have a flat? Sure I’ll stop and wait, but I might just stare at you aimlessly and eat while you do all the hard work. I’m such a savvy cyclist.

I closed the day with a roughly 30 minute run and that pessimistic girl for earlier that morning was long gone.

Sun., 6/10: Run

 
In an attempt to make-up the workout I missed during the week, I got a late start and headed out for a 10 mile run during the early afternoon. Not only did I pick the world’s most uneventful out and back route, but I was also greeted by 81 degree temperatures. Dear God the heat was awful! As much as I complained about it, Coach Paul reminded me that it’s good training for Vineman. Ugh – not encouraging, Paul. (Yes, this is my first world, completely unnecessary heat rant. I’ll get over it).

Despite the crazy week that was, I’m happy that I managed to reorganize my life to still fit everything in. Apparently, when there’s a will, there’s a way.

I closed out week 27 with:

7 hours and 21 minutes of training:
4,567 yards swimming
46.7 miles cycling
20 miles running
15 minutes strength training

Happy Running!