Ironman Arizona: Week 40 & 41

As much as I’m frustrated right now, I’m still sticking to the plan – even if that plan is modified. And thanks to my lapse in blogging, I have a few weekly recaps to catch up on (which seems to be the trend as of late). So here goes:

Week 40:

Mon., 9/3: Swim

3,100 meter swim. My swims now all officially start with 3s. It’s funny, I remember the day that I would have a 1,200 meter workout and would be winded and starving afterwards. Looks like things in the swimming department are moving forward.

Tues., 9/4: Swim & Trainer Ride

Somewhere in the low 3,000s at Masters (I can never remember what I did by the time I have to log it) and an hour and 15 on the trainer to begin working my knee. My trainer rides aren’t intense workouts, but rather the “increase to zone three on the commercials” variety.

Wed., 9/5: Rest

Thurs., 9/6: Swim & Elliptical/Run

Another Masters swim where I don’t know the exact distance. My brain is incapable of remembering things that happen at 5 a.m. Later that evening was a small elliptical and run combo.

Fri., 9/7: Trainer Ride

More time on the trainer with the infamous TV workout, but the highlight of the evening was seeing some of my friends that I haven’t seen in ages and a grown-up slumber party with these lovely ladies:

Sat., 9/8: Long Ride & Transition Run

Three bears and a pig farm for 50 miles! This is the ride where I felt back on top of the world – little did I know that things were going to change quickly. The rides are always followed by a run to help train your legs to transition from cycling to running.

Sun., 9/9: Run

Sunday was a gem because I not only went running – but with Chicken Face! We kept it slow and steady, but I was happy to be back out on my feet.

Week 41:

Mon., 9/10: Unintentional Rest

I fought the bed and the…bed won.

Tues., 9/11: Swim & Run

3k+ meters at Masters and the moon was out when we started AND finished. This doesn’t seem right. Also, another run – 4.2 miles this time. Building up!

Wed., 9/12: Rest

Thurs., 9/13: Swim & Cycle

3k+ meters at Masters and another TV cycling workout. Noticing a pattern?

Fri., 9/14: Run

I’ll admit, this one was a jump and probably why my knee threw a fit on Saturday. I was supposed to try an easy eight miles as my long run, but I ran with some friends and you know how that goes. You get caught up in the conversation, the pace and the distance, and next thing you know I ran a little over 9 miles and my knees were not happy campers.

Sat., 9/15: Swim & Cycle

Oh the day that I almost threw the towel in. ~2,800+ yards open water swimming and then the 25, turned 64 miles cycling complete with two Olympic pools full of tears.

My recovery look is so hot right now. Sweet tan lines.

But more importantly…

LOLA’S THIRD BIRTHDAY!!! She partied so hard.

Sun., 9/16: Rest

More Lola. This time in her custom birthday dress that my aunt made her for her first birthday.

This face makes everything ok.

Week 40:
10 hours and 39 minutes of training:
10,061 yards swimming
80 miles cycling
12.2 miles running

Week 41:
9 hours and 28 minutes of training:
9,623.8 yards swimming
79 miles cycling
13.5 miles running

Happy Running!