September Numbers

Swim - 4.9 miles
Bike - 112.0 miles
Run - 119.5 miles

With Ironman last month, I'm not expecting much more this year in the way of cycling miles. I would like to maintain some weekly swimming but my primary concern is to get back to logging running miles like there's no tomorrow. I've some grand running plans for 2011 that require me to start compiling a large mileage base now. The keyword for my future running will be "long". I'm fortunate that the word "trail" isn't far behind. More on that later.

What Happened to August?

I mean, I remember seeing it on my calenders every day. And I know I was busy doing all kinds of things. I just don't seem to see any mention here of the month taking place save for the previous post with my mileage totals.

I think I burnt out, is what happened. July was a great training month and I had hopes of continuing that through August as well. I did OK, but not what I was hoping for. I lost interest in both training volume and in recording my efforts. I kept to my big training days on the weekend just fine, but the days in between I would find myself either unmotivated to get out the door, or just wanting to relax at home. I think I've done enough training to get me to the finish line. Unfortunately just getting to the finish line isn't what I had in mind a year ago when I registered for this thing.

I had some good training sessions last month including:

-5 Speedwork sessions
-Swims of 1.2, 1.25, 2.0, and 2.5 miles
-Long rides of 54, 88 and 116 miles (the 116 being a one-way ride to C-bus)
-Long runs of half marathon length
-Running in the heat
-Running while tired
-2 brick workouts
-1 half iron training triathlon (more on that in a separate post)
-and 4 rides on my new Felt tri bike (more on that in a separate post)

I hope they will be enough. I know I'm starting to self-doubt a bit now that race day is 10 days away, but I didn't stick with my training schedule very well.

The other day I came across a quote, possibly used by another blogger, and I don't recall to whom it is attributed, but whenever I start self-doubting my preparedness I try to think of it and it helps a little: "You go to war with the army you have, not the army you wished you had, or the army you might have had." (Or something like that) Now, I don't equate competing in a sporting event to be anything remotely similar to what our nation's soldiers are doing for us in our name, but it makes sense to me, right now, in my situation.

I'm ready for the swim. I won't be setting any speed records, but I am capable of beating the cut-off. Ditto for the bike. With the new ride I'm more confident, comfortable, and faster than before. Although I haven't been training the run as much as I would like, I'm hoping all the early season mileage and ultras will help me finish in decent shape.

July Numbers

Numbers for July:

Swim - 8.1 miles
Bike - 375.14 miles
Run - 108.62 miles

Again my running mileage is taking a hit in order for me to spend more time in the saddle. I've missed a few long runs in order to get in some long rides. And time is pretty tight, of course, which makes getting everything done that I would like to very hard. I'm happy with the totals for the month. July and August are the big months with big workouts and it's showing.

I still need to jot down my thoughts about volunteering at Burning River last weekend, but I'm getting ready for the longest training ride on my schedule before Ironman this morning. I'm needing 110 miles today. I'm not worried about the distance, it's only 10 more miles than the ride I did a couple weeks ago. I'm more concerned with the course. I'll be riding a point to point, unsupported, solo ride from home to central Ohio. I have the route all mapped out so I hope it goes well!

April 2010 Numbers

Swim - 8.5 miles

Bike - 14.48 miles

Run - 101.54 miles

Not the greatest numbers, but considering I was dealing with injuries, not bad. Well, I shouldn't say that. The swimming numbers I'm ecstatic about! My weakest event and I devoted some serious time toward working on it. I've been feeling better in the water than any time last year. The bike is laughable though. I mean, really? Not even 15 miles? That's just wrong. I need to work on that. The run takes care of itself, so I'm not worried.

Still working on my Boston race review. This thing is so BIG! It's taking much of what little time I have to work on. But I'll keep going.

January Re-Cap

Since I'm encountering Technical Difficulties trying to make a post about my run yesterday, I think I will go ahead and re-cap January's numbers. Let's get right to them:

Swim: 1.25 miles
Bike: 181.37 miles
Run: 57.43 miles

As I'm having problems with the run right now, I really made an effort to get on the bike trainer and log miles in January. I had no official goal distance, but the 200 mile mark crossed my mind a couple times, and I could have hit it had I been a little bit more motivated. But still, 181 is the most trainer miles I've ever logged in one month, and quite possibly could be the most cycling miles period!

My swimming distance was from one visit to the pool. Totally mental. I just have had no desire to go up to the Rec. and get in the water with it being as cold as it has been here. I get shivers just thinking about it! I'm going to have to make more of an effort to swim in February.

Running? What can I say. It hurts right now and is not fun. Although my ankles didn't bother me on yesterday's run, my feet and my right knee did. I'm hoping it's just bugs getting worked out of the system. I'm systematically working through different shoes in the hopes of finding something that feels better. IF the shoes are the problem! I'm not all that convinced that's the case. Time will tell!