Sunday, April 13, 2008

Another one bites the dust

Down with week 16, and that leaves 4 weeks until the Gulf Coast Triathlon. Am I ready? Hmmm...let's see...

Mentally - yes, bring it on. I can do this, there is no doubt in my mind.

Swim - Ugh...I can swim 1.2 miles...I know that. It's just the uncertainty of the ocean, and the waves, and the getting knocked around by other swimmers. I hope I have a long, straight swim coming up soon in my plan. I have a hang up about doing all these 3,000 - 4,000 yd swims, but they are broken up into shorter sets. There are no shorter sets when you are swimming a loop in the ocean. I like to get the feel of the open water...the 'I'm over a half mile out into the water and the only way back is to keep swimming' feeling. I think it's time to start thinking about pulling out the wetsuit for an open water swim, regardless of how cold the water is.

Bike - Check. Absolutely. I nailed my 3.5 hour ride yesterday. Fought the wind, hammered when it was behind me, ate as I was riding, and managed to take in the 200 calories per hour that I need. I felt great, and I learned some things. I ate fig newtons after the first hour, and then I ate Cliff Shot Blocks the second and third hour. The Shot Blocks really hit the spot, and are easier to eat while riding than Twizzlers. So...out with the Twizzlers, in with the Shot Blocks. I could really tell a difference in how I felt this time, and I think it was because I took in enough calories. Side note: I didn't go do the metric ride yesterday after all. I found out at the last minute that Bo had a baseball scrimmage, and I really did not want to miss it. I slept in and went riding after his scrimmage. It made for a much better ride, knowing that I didn't miss out on anything. I just CANNOT deal with missing out on stuff like that. Can. Not. Mommy first, triathlete second.

Run - I'm not naive enough to think that this part is going to be easy. I will, however, make it. Of course I can run 13 miles. I ran 14 miles Friday and then swam 3600 yds. I did become a little concerned during this run, though, because around mile 10 I felt some fairly significant pain on the backside and slightly to the inside of knee. It was like it was stiff or something. Heather reminded me to kick my ankle up higher and stretch it out as I ran, and I did that, and the pain subsided some - but it never really went away. I got back out to run a couple miles with the boys that night, though, and I could not even jog. Not at all. I iced it before bed and took some Aleve, and it felt better yesterday when I did my 20 minute runoff after my bike ride. Didn't hurt much at all. I think the problem was that I didn't ice it at all Friday after running and swimming. Oh yeah, and these super hawt Zoot triathlon shoes make it all that much better. Seriously, these babies are just too sexy for my feet.

All of this said, I do feel like I could go out today and do the half iron. If I can get a couple of good, strong open water swims in between now and then, I'll really be ready.

It looks like Holly-Jane is in for the Country Music Marathon, despite the injury setbacks. The full 26.2! She completed her 20 miler yesterday and is good to go. Go Holly!

12 comments:

triguyjt said...

you will get that killer or tenacious approach come race day...

you have done the training and you will rock race day...

Anonymous said...

Looks like all systems are go.... your are doing great in your training and should have no problem with the half-iron.

Jumper 2.0 said...

You are going to rock the half-ironman.

You are also going to get a lot of comments about "these babies are just too sexy for my feet".

Are the shoes new? Is that the cause of the pain? They may be good, your body just doing some adjusting.

I am pretty sure that I want to do the Country Music Marathon in 09.

Afternoon Tea With Oranges said...

Actually, I wasn't wearing my "hawt triathlon shoes" when I had the pain. I was wearing my good ol' Brooks. In hindsight, I believe it was due to not stretching properly before I ran...I tend to hurt myself if I don't stretch well before I run.

IronTriTim said...

Love the shoes. Gulf Coast Tri.. Nice chance to acclimatise with PCB for Nov. Good luck.

TJ said...

Sounds like you are ready roll.
Are you tapering for GCT or training right through.

Michele said...

I know you are ready!
You have trained hard and will rock the course.

I think fig newtons are my favorite fuel now. I felt great on my ride using them.

LOVE the shoes. I have got to get some new ones soon. Mine STINK!!

jahowie said...

You will be great!! You put in the training, now go rock that thing!!

Missy said...

Yeah, the bathing suit thing was almost fine. I was really hoping it would work out. Now I just have to figure out Plan B??? Can't believe how close GCT is. Will let you know if we make it out to the lake before - there's a perfect 1.2 mile 'route' at Hamilton Creek.

Cliff said...

I enjoy clif bloks as well. They are awfully expensive but it is always a treat when I have them.

They are becoming my favourite food to eat on my rides/runs.

tri-mama said...

You are so ready! The ocean is really beautiful when you go out further, it shimmers. Just keep stroking and before you know it, you're feet are hitting the sand! Don't think-just do- like the final 10K in a 26.2 (hey I rhymed :-)

Unknown said...

Those are some pretty sassy shoes. I really need to come around here more often. You've always got something going on!