Thursday, September 04, 2008

Gearing up for another big weekend

The past three weeks of training have been very important to me. I put them together using beginnertriathlete.com's Ironman-distance plan, Bigun's expert advice, and my own gut feelings about what I can do and what I should do to prepare myself physically, mentally, and emotionally for Ironman Florida. The mid-week load was more than I am used to, but it wasn't anything that I couldn't do with a little discipline and determination. The weekend stuff is the meat of the plan. I am coming upon the 3rd weekend of out these 3 hard back-to-back-to-back weeks, and if I pull it all off, I'll get my first ever 200 mile bike week.

Let's take inventory:

Physical: I can tell that I am tired, but I am not falling asleep every time sit still, either. I have plenty of energy. I can tell that my body is changing and that my muscles are working hard. I can see the difference, and I can feel the difference. I am craving protein instead of carbs, believe it or not, and chocolate milk and peach-banana protein smoothies have been my friend. I have somehow fought off a hip-flexor strain that was coming on strong a couple of weeks ago, and I am pretty sure that I am 100% injury-free right now. I am taking my kids' Flintstones vitatmins religiously, in addition to Vitamin-B-Complex, Fish Oil, and Glucosemine. I have been kind to myself in the early mornings this week, and slept in a few days - getting in my workouts bikes and runs at lunch and my swims in the evenings. Since Bo has swimteam and Briar has football on Tuesdays and Thursdays, this has not caused me to sacrifice any time with them, which is important to me.

I did miss an hour long recovery run this week on Labor Day, but oh well. We were camping and it was worth it. I've had two hour long rides with Holly at lunch this week, and 2 swims. I ran 7.23 miles worth of "Jail Hill" repeats yesterday. Tomorrow (Friday), I'll ride 60 miles and then do a 30 minute run. Saturday, I'll ride the Elk River 100 miles also followed by a 30 minute run. And then I'll have a cold Michelobe Ultra...provided they save one for me. The next week will be a recovery week.

Mental: Mentally, I am way better than I thought I would be. I am enjoying this. I'm loving it, actually. I'm not dreading these 100 miles, I'm looking forward to them. I enjoy the "journey" type of feeling I get from it. Like, it's not just an all out, ride as hard as you can for 20 miles kinda thing. It's like, pack up all the food you can find, fill up all your bottles, and bring along some extra money because you're gonna need more. Set out for a different county, or three, and enjoy the beauty that you are riding through. Push the pace here and there, hammer up a hill here and there, and imagine what it's going to feel like on Nov.1st. The good thing is that so far, these 100 milers have not really interfered with my family affairs, other than getting to wake up my boys on Saturday morning and fix them breakfast. Yeah, they're kinda giving me a hard time about it, but I promise to make it up to them. I think it's okay to give Mommy her way for a few weeks for something like this. Some may disagree...but then that's why opinions are like assholes, right?

Emotional: Right on target. I am calm, cool and collected about this thing. I am not letting the fact that I was totally spent after last Friday's 100 mile ride and couldn't have run a step bother me. I did get up the next morning run 18 miles, and felt surprisingly well. So I figure it's all got a purpose in what I am doing right now...I don't need to be able to take off and run a marathon right now after a 100 mile ride because the race is still 57 days out (according to Ryan, my counter-downer). Come Nov.1st, I'll run that marathon...after my 112 mile bike. I will. Emotionally, I am fine. It's funny to me how I can really buckle down and reign myself in when I need to. Despite all that's going on around me, and things that ordinarily might send my head a spinnin', I know that's not an option right now...and I'm keeping my feet firmly on the ground. And on the pedals. The swim...well, I'm enjoying my swims lately, and that's serious progress for me. I feel good in the water, and I feel confident that I can swim 1.2 miles, run back down the beach to the start, and then swim another 1.2 miles. All the fighting and kicking in between doesn't concern me...I'm a better fighter than swimmer anyways.

So, there you have it...one step at a time...one mile at a time...we're on the road to Ironman.

8 comments:

Trisaratops said...

AWESOME, Lana! You sound like you're right on target--body, mind, and soul. You and Michele are seriously my heroes. I'm coming to both of you for lessons when I try to repeat in 8 years or so.... :)

Race morning will be here before you know it, and that day will just be the icing on the cake. You're already handling the hardest part of Ironman right now, and just remember that.

So excited for you guys!

Michele said...

You are doing awesome. I had no doubt you would take the bull by the horns.
Glad to hear you have your mental game in check.
Sure wish you were doing HOW this weekend instead, would be great to ride with you.
Keep it up girl!!!

Anonymous said...

Lana, you are amazing! Keep working hard and enjoy your the recovery week that is approaching. I am sure having a great supporting family also helps out.

Great job!

Missy said...

I thought of you yesterday...when I got up at 3:30 to get in my long run!!! Barf, oh well, it's over and there's football to be had this weekend. I'll be taking a multi county loop tomorrow as well. Maybe we'll run into each other.

Cliff said...

Lana,

Great to hear that you are keeping strong and healthy...when u talk about taking your kid's vitmains...i just crack up..i can see it right now "no vitamins for you, your mom needs it for IM" :P

Keep it up.and keep it easy...i love IM training b/c evreything is so low HR :)...i can go for on and on and on..and on..

IronTriTim said...

Great to see its all coming together Lana. The big day is in sight. Before you know it we'll be in taper.

Eric said...

Nothing wrong with getting your way for a few weeks.

Darrell said...

Sounds like you got it all covered. Keep up the good work.

I like the new car, too.