This week was a challenge, just overall I had a bad week in every possible way .. but I managed to get all my training in despite the setbacks, and actually I don’t feel too terrible today after finishing up the week and heading into the recovery day.
Its strange, but in observing myself over the past few weeks, I can sure tell that its triathlon training season once again. This time of year seems to bring out some of the strange things that are common among people who are dedicated to a sport the way I am. I decided to jot down the things that I felt were odd that i’m finding in life these days:
- There seems to be more and more arguments in the house between my wife and I about who is using who’s razor
- My bike has taken its permanent storage spot in the living room (it actually looks good in the living room, despite what others in the house may think)
- I have really bad tan lines on my arms and wrists from my bike shirt, running shirt, my Garmin 910xt and my RoadID. I also have strange tan lines on my legs from my cycling socks and then my running socks … i’ve been referred to as “looking like a zebra.” (thanks)
- I’ve noticed that i’m getting permanent raccoon eyes from my swim goggles not to mention the chaffed spot on my nose from the nose piece rubbing against it.
- There are multiple laundry baskets once again, one for regular clothes and one for workout clothes.
- I’ve had both of my bikes in for spring maintenance at the local bike store already this year, but neither of my cars have been serviced since last year.
- One of my daily websites I visit is the USGS report for Blue Marsh Lake which displays what the current lake temperature is (because I do have to get in the water sometime before May 5th)
- I go to bed earlier than my daughter (who is 12)
This lead to me want to go out and search for the ever famous “You know you’re a triathlete when …” type of lists out there on the web. I had written one for “You know you’re a runner when …” several years ago, which was actually quite popular. The best list I could find was here, it was pretty good list, I fit right into most of those behaviors.
Anyway, i’m really here to talk training, not that silly stuff. Here is a quick recap of my wild week (oh, btw I got the Garmin 910xt this week, all my workouts are online now, nice!):
- Monday – OFF
- Tuesday – 60 minute bike on the trainer – I hate the trainer, but I did it.
- Wednesday – 1950m swim, 5.25 mile run – nice workout, felt strong
- Thursday – 20.5 miles on the bike
- Friday – 2300m swim, 4.5 mile run
- Saturday – 38 miles on the bike
- Sunday – 1650m swim , 8.15 mile run
Totals: 142min swim (5950m), 155min run (18.25 miles), 262min bike (79 miles)
Total: 559 minutes
The week was going okay until Thursday when I had to work late, so I couldn’t get the full 95 minute ride in, I had to cut it short since it got dark. I was dead tired after the ride, but drug my butt out of bed at 4:30am on Friday morning to get my long swim in. Thankfully I took the afternoon off on Friday, and got an easy run in before heading home and out for dinner.
I was worried that I wouldn’t make my training minutes up from Thursday, but that ended up not being a problem after Saturday. I really needed to disconnect from the world, so I decided to pack up the tri-bike and head out to Lake Nockamixon to ride the Quakerman bike course. I modified it a bit to avoid the killer hill, so I rode it out and back instead. The plan was to do around 30 miles, but I missed the turn back Mountain View Road on the way back. I was cruising along so hard I hadn’t even realized it until I noticed all the schools and softball games that I didn’t remember seeing on the way out. Thankfully I turned around at the right time because I was really heading out in the boondocks … regardless I got back on course and ended up with 38+ miles instead, which made up for my lost time on Thursday. Like last week, I had almost one major crash moment … I almost hit a dead raccoon on the side of the road, I had to pull up from aero suddenly and didn’t grab the brake in time, thankfully I caught my balance in time to not wipe-out. Damn raccoon.
One thing I noticed though during that long ride, and especially after I had stopped to find out where I was, was how uncomfortable my body was after riding that long. My back was sore, I actually had trouble getting into the aero position until I loosened it up again. I decided that I need to get a professional fitting for my bike. If I was in this much discomfort after 38 miles, I still have another 18 miles to ride for IMRI in July… I can’t imagine how I would feel then, oh, and I need to run a half marathon after the ride too (small details).
When I logged my training today, I noticed that a recovery week is within my sights.. just two more weeks of building before I get to recover a bit. I’m thinking i’ll need it by then because i’m quite sore and tired already. The one positive is that my weight is holding steady at 191, hasn’t really moved in 3 weeks despite the added calories from fueling before and during my workouts. I’m finding that i’m turning about 75% vegetarian right now, not eating quite as much meat, but I feel great. One of these weeks i’ll explain my diet, its complicated… Another task for my off-day tomorrow is to find yet another massage therapist for my sports massages. Joannie is leaving the place I get them now, not sure if they’ll have a replacement. I think i’ll just work through HPC to get them now, they’re a little pricey, but well worth it..
I think thats plenty for now, off to rest and prepare for week 5 of training.