Ironhawk #2

I finally got some miles on my bike this week!  Now I have completed the second one.  One more to reach my goal before school starts.  I should be able to do that....99 miles to go!

today's mileage: 19 miles biking

weekly mileage: 2 miles running; 80 miles biking; 1.5 mile swimming

monthly mileage: 50 miles running; 110 miles biking; 5.25 miles swimming

annual mileage: 347 miles running; 316 miles riding; 8.625 miles swimming

TOTAL mileage: 676


IRONWHAWK #3
running: 52 miles
riding: 13 miles
swimming: 3.825 miles

I love wind; repeat until you believe it!

I pushed myself to a new limit.  I made a record length ride today: 43 miles!  I gave myself a goal, added in an errand that had to be done, and completed it!  It was rough, but I did it and it's done now.  Tomorrow is supposed to be raining and storms so I headed out on a big ride today.  I may be repeating it tomorrow.  We'll see.

The heat wave finally broke so I thought this would be a good day to do a big ride.  I first jumped in the water, had Rachael time me to see how that was going.  Yep, as expected there was no 6 minute finish. I was happy with it though.  I completed the 300m in 7:45.  I'll take that.  8 minutes is my goal so that's ok.  I really think that is more realistic than the 6 minutes I had in the 50 m pool, although I think I do swim better at that pool.

The ride was cooler, but much MUCH windier!  There were 20mph northerly winds.  I decided to go to Webster and combine it with some errands.  It was a good goal, but I could have easily stopped part way because it was quite a challenge.  I knew race day could be equally windy so I kept forging ahead.  I am really really hoping for SE winds race day so that will mean they will be NW.  Poopy.  I really wish I could download my rides and runs.  The ANT on my Garmin has been acting up.  I know on the way home I was flying!  Wow, that felt GREAT!  I was a consistent 2:44ish pace.  Anything less than 3:00 is in the 20s mph.

When I hit 39 miles I felt I was hitting the wall.  All of a sudden I just couldn't go anymore.  I took 2 gels with me, but was really out of gas and couldn't push anymore.  I wasn't dizzy or anything like that, but I was just so exhausted.

Yesterday I went to the tri course and walked the run course.  Hmm, yeah, well, that will be a challenge for me!  It is a very hilly course and only about 1/2 mile is on paved surface.  I slipped and mildly twisted my ankle a couple of times so this could interesting.  The bike course will be ok with one big hill about mile 5.  I can do that.  This will be great! I'm really looking forward to it.  The best part is I will be rotating through my weakest sport to my strongest sport.  YEAH!

Only 6 miles left to complete the next IronHawk!  That will be done soon!

today's mileage: 43 miles biking; 300m swimming

weekly mileage: 2 miles running; 61 miles biking; 1.5 mile swimming

monthly mileage: 50 miles running; 91 miles biking; 5.25 miles swimming

annual mileage: 347 miles running; 297 miles riding; 8.625 miles swimming

TOTAL mileage: 657


IRONWHAWK #2
running: 78 miles
riding: 106 miles
swimming: 6.225 miles

practice tri

This morning was my swimming morning so I headed out early.  With RAGBRAI this week I knew Skunk Cycles wouldn't be terribly busy so I also loaded up the bikes for the free first tune up.  I had a couple hours to burn between swimming and dropping them off so I thought I'd go for a ride before that.  Heck, I'll do all three and see how I respond!  Yep, that's my plan today.

I think I turned a corner on the swimming thing.  I figured out why I get winded breathing - I need to swallow!  OK, Vardotrichic I know that's weird, but I need to swallow.  Obviously I can't swallow under water, but my reflex wants to do so and that's where I panic underwater and can't make it to the end of the pool.  I have done some "torpedos" and realized that I take a long time to breathe.  I tried to combine the two and when my breathing arm comes around for a stroke, I pull back my hip and rest it there like I'm doing a torpedo, but lift my head to breathe a little longer.  This gives me good rotation and breathing time.  I went down and back - 100m - and wasn't horrifically winded.  I think I might be on to something.  I'll have to work on getting faster obviously, but I think it's a start.  I can go longer slower.  ok maybe that's not so good.  Form over time, right?
When I first entered the water this morning I also wanted a more exact time for the 300m to properly seed myself.  So, I got in, went like crazy and did my 300m in 6:10.  That seems crazy fast for me, but I'll try a few more times and see what comes out.  There is a digital clock at the pool that ticks off every second so I'm sure it's accurate, but that still seems crazy fast.  I don't think I can seriously say I'm a 6:00 swimmer on this one.

Transition: I wore my sports bra/running shirt swimming again and it felt great.  I went to the van afterwards and put on my bike shorts and they weren't super droopy.  As a matter of fact, the wet felt really good!  I think I need to dry my legs a bit however to more easily get my shorts on.  I think this plan will be just fine.

Bike: I learned one thing today - I HATE riding in Ames!  The sidewalks suck and the streets are not level/smooth.  I felt like I was riding over potholes left and right.  Argh.  Good thing my tune up was after the ride and not before.  I don't like stopping every few minutes, either.  Why on Earth would there be a stop sign at mile 16.71?  Seriously?  Just give me some open road and strong legs!  lol  Even with all the stopping and cautious riding, I was able to keep the pace above 15 mph again.  That includes a strong south wind and exploration of Ada Hayden Park.

Transition: I was tired, but ready to run!

Run: This is a piece of cake!  I really do like the BRicks.  I feel like I have had such good luck with all my events lately that the law of averages might even out in a couple weeks.  Hopefully this keeps going.  I knew I was going to get off the bike fast so I kept thinking s.l.o.w.  I maintained a 9:17 pace, which is the slowest BRick I've done yet.  It felt good.  I really get clomping at the beginning and when that wears off about a mile or so into the run, I feel strong.  I love starting with my weakest sport and head into my strongest one at the end.  I think this will be ok.

Tomorrow, I'm going to walk the run portion and drive the bike portion of the tri.  Hopefully this will give me some good mental preparation!  Oh yeah, I was reading some rules and this tri has put the Athena category much lower than the official rules so I don't feel so badly now.  ;)  I've also lost about 4 pounds so there, Athena!

today's mileage: 2 miles running; 18 miles biking; 2400m swimming

weekly mileage: 2 miles running; 18 miles biking; 1.5 mile swimming

monthly mileage: 50 miles running; 48 miles biking; 5.0625 miles swimming

annual mileage: 347 miles running; 254 miles riding; 8.4375 miles swimming

TOTAL mileage: 614


IRONWHAWK #2
running: 78 miles
riding: 63 miles
swimming: 6.0375 miles

I love BRicks!

They're not so...ick-y.  I really wanted to do a 40-miler today, but I got on my bike and realized that my tires were quite flat!  argh.  All week I had my mind set on going to Webster and back.  I woke up today and decided hmm, maybe I'll go to Williams and back.  I walked out the door and thought, hmmm, maybe I'll go to Roland and back.  So many choices!  Once I got on my bike and left the drive I realized I wasn't going far.  :(  Nope, Casey's couldn't help me with these tires.  Darn it.

Ok so I just went to Ellsworth and back, and then to the Kamrar turn and back - 17 miles.  I have also putzed around town for about 3 miles earlier in the week so I thought I might as well add that to my IronHawk mileage.  The ride went awesome.  My goal for the tri is anything faster than 14mph.  I topped 15mph so I was pleased with that.  I wasn't totally exhausted nor were my thighs completely burning.  Yep, that was a good ride.

Since I am short in my biking mileage I figured I might as well practice another BRick.  Oh man, that felt great!  Last time I did a BRick my Garmin pooped out on me so I had no idea what I was doing.  I felt like crap.  This time I really thought I was dogging it...I looked at my watch.  HOLY CRAP!  I was doing like 8:40 pace!  My legs were definitely still spinning.  This is probably why I felt so winded last time - I WAS winded!  I kept thinking I was so slow and had to keep pushing myself.  I was probably trying to maintain a pace 60-90 seconds faster than I was used to running, more if I calculate how slow I've been running with other people lately.  Yeah, that felt great!

today's mileage: 1 miles running; 17 miles biking

weekly mileage: 1 miles running; 17 miles biking; .1875 miles swimming

monthly mileage: 48 miles running; 30 miles biking; 3.5625 miles swimming

annual mileage: 345 miles running; 236 miles riding; 6.9375 miles swimming

TOTAL mileage: 594


IRONWHAWK #2
running: 76 miles
riding: 45 miles
swimming: 4.5375 miles

cool, humid, hills

Woke up this morning and was met with cool humidity: 63 degrees and 90% humidity.  Not bad for a week of near 100 degrees.

Our first miles was with a friend who has been doing laps around her house in the country!  About a month ago we ran with her and she stopped 2 times in a mile.  This time she only stopped once!  Our pace?  Yeah, well, that was a bout a 19:00 mile.  I think I can walk faster than that.  We'll have to work on that.

After that, Bill and I went out for a run.  I wanted to get some more hills in and alternative running paths to work on the upcoming tri so we headed out to the 3 mile loop of the train overpass and then around the cemetery on the bike path.  I was really working hard on this run for some reason and it was good to have Bill there to pull me along, but managed a 9:37 pace.  I am just hoping for low temps and low humidity on race day.  This is good training for me, right?

OK so I came across a link online to identify your ideal workout heart rate.  Yeah, I put in my age and it said I should be between 114-143.  What?  I'm just getting started with that range!  I think I function best on a run when I'm between 160-167.  I definitely know when I've hit 170 or higher, but that just seemed soooo low for me.  I'll just keep on keeping on.

today's mileage: 4 miles running

weekly mileage: 7 miles running; 10 miles biking; .1875 miles swimming

monthly mileage: 47 miles running; 10 miles biking; 3.5625 miles swimming

annual mileage: 344 miles running; 216 miles riding; 6.9375 miles swimming

TOTAL mileage: 573


IRONWHAWK #2
running:  75 miles
riding: 25 miles
swimming: 4.5375 miles

Practice tri swim

I missed my yummy swim time yesterday.  :(  The past couple of days have been so crazy busy at home and couldn't get on top of it all.  I only got a few hours sleep so I figured it would be better to miss this week and get some sleep.  I am so sad.

Today I decided I needed to practice swimming with clothing and work on my time since I really have no idea how long it will take me to swim 300m.  I am shooting for about 10 minutes  I put my game face on and got in the water.  I submerged myself and didn't feel like a ton of bricks so I took off.  Darn it!  I forgot to look at the clock when I started!  I got to the other side of the pool, but I didn't have my glasses and I was too far away to accurately see the time.  I think I completed in about 9-10 minutes, but that could be very skewed.  I'll have to try again.

I wanted to try swimming by going across the pool using each lane.  I felt surprisingly great at the start!  Things were clicking along.  I felt like I have some good form and I was rotating really well.  My breathing is still not very strong, but I am expecting that.  My plan was to swim "normal" on the way down and then side/breast/back stroke the way back to the other side.  I tried not to stay at one end too long to catch my breath - just keep moving!  I was really winded by the time I got done and even had to talk to myself to get to the end - just a few more meters...GO!

While I didn't really do an immediate jump to the bike, I could tell I'm going to be exhausted.  The staff will be reseeding swimmer after 100m so I may get pulled back, asked to stop to allow someone else to go ahead.  We'll see how this goes.  Just like running, I know I start off way too fast and will fizzle out at the end.  I can have some shoes to step into right after the swim so I can hopefully leave some flipflops to get into on my way to the bike.  I know I'll want to run there and that will tire me out even more.  I have a hard time conserving energy during a race.  I'm sure this will be no different.  Ok, I'm freaking out!

today's mileage: 300m swim

weekly mileage: 3 miles running; 10 miles biking; .1875 miles swimming

monthly mileage: 44 miles running; 10 miles biking; 3.5625 miles swimming

annual mileage: 341 miles running; 216 miles riding; 6.9375 miles swimming

TOTAL mileage: 570


IRONWHAWK #2
running:  72 miles
riding: 25 miles
swimming: 4.5375 miles

Athena

Well, here's my newest midlife crisis creation: I signed up for a sprint triathlon.  I thought this would be a good way to culminate my Iron Hawks that I'm doing this summer.  It's the Camp Courageous Tri in my hometown that benefits handicapped kids.  I thought this would be a great way to complete the summer training!  

Since I am doing a tri, I thought I better practice some BRicks.  So this morning I got up to start BRick #2.  Bill and I did one earlier this year so I was a little prepared mentally for what I was in for.  I knew I had to save my legs a bit for the run without getting completely exhausted on the bike.  The transition went much better than I thought it would.  I only did 10 miles on the bike, but completed a full 5K for the run.

I wanted to get a few hills in the run as I knew I would have a giant hill on the tri.  So, I got off the bike and went to the highway to climb the hill east of town.  When I got to the top, I turned around and came back.  The hill was a bit hard to climb as my heart was racing so I stopped and walked the last few hundred feet.  That was the worst of it so I'll have to work on that hill a bit more.  I then went to the bike path, running as much as possible on grass, rock/gravel, and other nontraditional surfaces since I think most of the tri run will be trail running, my least favorite.  This will probably slow me down, but I'm determined to conquer it the best I can.  I just hope I have a "curb crew" scattered throughout the course to keep me going.

The weather this morning again was cool, but high humidity.  I tried to get out early to beat the heat - forecasted to be 97 again today.  Yes, I was a bit dehydrated, but I drank about 25oz of beverage.  For time, I had a bit of a problem.  I'm glad it happened today and not the day of the tri!  I got satellite signal pretty quickly, but then all of a sudden it said it was processing route or something like that.  It was locked up and I couldn't get it to cancel.  I do the whole BRick solo, completely solo.  I had no idea how fast I was going to how far I was going.  It was a bit odd.  I had to use www.runningmap.com to find the mileage when I got home.  Finally I got it to reset.

Big realization:  When I signed up for the tri, there was an Athena category.  If you weigh over a certain weight, can be an "Athena".  ugh, I fit into this category.  Hmm, looking at the times from last year, I could win that category!  I just couldn't do it.  It's not about the times for me anyway.  The worst part is knowing that I am obese when it comes to fitness!  This is very disheartening.  While I know I am somewhere between obese and needing to shed a few pounds, this was like a slap in the face.  I'll get it...

today's mileage: 3 miles running; 10 miles biking

weekly mileage: 3 miles running; 10 miles biking

monthly mileage: 44 miles running; 10 miles biking; 3.375 miles swimming

annual mileage: 341 miles running; 216 miles riding; 6.75 miles swimming

TOTAL mileage: 570


IRONWHAWK #2
running:  72 miles
riding: 25 miles
swimming: 4.35 miles

New Record

Today I reached a new record in about 3 months - 15 miles!  It was nice to be in the mid teens again.

A friend had contacted me earlier in the week and wanted to run.  She is training for a marathon and her long run day is on Sunday.  She has been struggling with the long runs so I said I would run with her.  It was a very slow run for me, but a good one.  I really think I could have completed the marathon today!  I was tired, but got through the middle miles and still a lot in me.

The temps were nice and cool this morning (upper 60s), but the humidity was 100%.  I was afraid we would run into some fog as the temperatures rose with the sun.  Fortunately, it did not.  YEAH.  My partner was getting a little tired and I think she really pushed herself, especially toward the end, but we both made it!  I love to see people go farther than they ever thought possible.

today's mileage: 20 miles running

weekly mileage: 20 miles running; 1.5625 miles swimming

monthly mileage: 41 miles running; 3.375 miles swimming

annual mileage: 338 miles running; 206 miles riding; 6.75 miles swimming

TOTAL mileage: 557


IRONWHAWK #2
running:  69 miles
riding: 15 miles
swimming: 4.35 miles

I don't wanna

I tried to drum up some interesting for an Ethanol Loop last night before I went to bed, but no one bit on it.  This morning I was sooooo sleepy I just wanted to keep sleeping and not get up and run.  Bill finally got me out of bed and we headed out with Rachael without much stretching.  uuuuuugh, I really don't want to be out here.

As we turned to go north toward Ethanol, I noticed a deer bouncing through the ditch near the field.  Then we realized the sunrise to the right.  OK, I'm glad I'm out of bed now.

Later I got a text from my friend who said she overslept but still managed to get 4 miles in before heading out to work.  Hopefully she enjoyed the morning run as much as I did!

today's mileage: 5 miles running

weekly mileage: 5 miles running; 1.5625 miles swimming

monthly mileage: 26 miles running; 3.375 miles swimming

annual mileage: 323 miles running; 206 miles riding; 6.75 miles swimming

TOTAL mileage: 542


IRONWHAWK #2
running:  54 miles
riding: 15 miles
swimming: 4.35 miles

Bad math

Yep, my math skills are really shinning again.  #oops  This morning I realized yesterday I posted the correct number of laps, but forgot to take into account that the laps were only half as long!  Now I need even more math to make up for my error!  I really did 1000m and not 2000 meters yesterday.  However, today I completed 2000 meters so I'm posting the reverse for today and yesterday.

After my lesson this week I had something new to work on for my Wednesday swim.  I was excited to see how my mind had gotten this figured out.  I got to Furman and realized I forgot my lap-counting rocks!!  After a mild heart attack, I decided to just use 10 pennies I had in the van.  Not my preference, but it worked.  My parents were coming to our house today to celebrate 3 birthdays this week!  Between all this chaos, I think I may have been distracted since I didn't have the best swim and often focused on what needed to be done outside of swimming.  I also think I'm getting a little panicked for a triathlon I'm thinking of doing a few weeks.

I was really going to focus on the rotation and NOT using the kick board today.  I got in the water and did a few laps.  I should have known it wasn't going to be a good day.  My breathing was a little crazy and I often felt like I was gasping for air.  Maybe I should have taken an allergy pill before leaving home today.

During the warm up I used the kick board just to get a feel for the water again.  I was exhausted and couldn't get to the other end of the pool!  I finally decided to do my torpedo drills that Vardotrichic showed me.  I love that drill, but feel so clumsy in the water.  I can't swim a straight line and have to keep my head above water for what seems like an eternity to get air.  I did get a nice mild burn in my calves going 50m instead of just 25m on my own, without fins so I know I was doing it right.

Once I turned back to the regular swim stroke again, I realized I was sinking during the breathing part of the rotation.  Once I flipped back to horizontal I popped back out on top of the water.  It almost became comical.  At first I remembered Vardotrichic telling me that I needed to kick harder to stay afloat so I tried that and became very exhausted.  Before she left she asked how things were going and we talked about this and she suggested opening my chest/shoulders.  I spent the next 20 mins trying to figure that out so I don't know if it really helped or not.

Since breathing became an issue again, I started doing some bobbing, similar to a breast stroke, to force myself to take short, but big breaths, and then return my face to the water.  It seems that I have no problem breathing doing that, but can't seem to get enough air to continue with the crawl all the way across the pool.  I put the fins on a few times for the torpedo, but still struggled to breath out the side.  I really thought about my hips.  Someday I'll get this all working together, but I really feel like I'm running out of time fast!

today's mileage: 1000m swimming

weekly mileage: 3 miles running; 1.5625 miles swimming

monthly mileage: 21 miles running; 3.375 miles swimming

annual mileage: 318 miles running; 206 miles riding; 6.75 miles swimming

TOTAL mileage: 537


IRONWHAWK #2
running:  49 miles
riding: 15 miles
swimming: 4.35 miles

Negative Splits

I got up at about 6:00 this morning with the intent to go running.  I sat on the couch trying to talk to myself out of it but at the same time talk myself off the couch.  I checked the weather.  60 degrees and 95% humidity.  About then, a quote from the book's author, Karny, came to mind:  You always regret not going for a run because you feel awful, but you always feel great after a run and never regret it.  OK fine.  I'll put my clothes on and go.

I started off and remembered how great it felt running with the Vardos because they started slow, like a 10:28 pace and within a 1/4-1/2 mile were up to running pace.  That felt amazing.  As much as I really want to do that every run, I am so excited to go out to run that I always start too fast and it takes great will power to start slow.

After about a tenth of a mile I looked at my watch.  9:14!!! WHAT?!  I can't keep this pace.  I need to slow down.  About .76 miles I looked at my watch again.  9:14.  Geez, I'm still maintaining that pace.  I should really slow down or I won't be able to finish the 3 miles.  It was all I could do to keep going.  I really just wanted to stop and walk, but again Karny was in my head telling me to keep going.

Mile 2 passed. 9:12  Seriously?!  I'm getting faster.  How can this be?  At this rate, I'll be at 9:10 for the last mile.  OK, my mind is screaming stop, but my body is screaming go!  My mind says you feel like crap and should stop.  I even heard some crows overhead saying, "CAW CAW, look at that roadkill down there, CAW CAW!"  I pushed forward. 2.6 miles @9:00 min pace.  By the time I turned the corner at Casey's and was almost done, I noticed I finished with a 9:02 final pace.  That felt great!  Karny was right.

Swam 2000 meters this afternoon during a lesson with the Vardos again.  I learned how to roll to breathe.  Gotta swing my hips!  Afterwards I got back in the van with the kids and felt extremely nauseous.  I drove a little and then stopped to just sit and rest.  I had a few giant sneezes and continued on.  I finished driving home and now am just sitting on the couch - nauseous.  :(

today's mileage: 3 miles running; 2000m swimming

weekly mileage: 3 miles running; 1.25 miles swimming

monthly mileage: 21 miles running; 3.0625 miles swimming

annual mileage: 318 miles running; 206 miles riding; 6.4375 miles swimming

TOTAL mileage: 537


IRONWHAWK #2
running:  49 miles
riding: 15 miles
swimming: 4.0375 miles

Team Vardo

I was invited to run with the Vardos this morning.  How exciting!  With my 9 miles yesterday, I completed 15 in 24 hours, and 18 for the week.  This feels good to be out again.  I'm having a great week of workouts, just wish it could always be like this.

The heat index was quite high again today with continued advisories.   When I stepped out the back door to go to Ames it felt mildly cool so I was excited for that.  By the time we were done running, I had sweat dripping off my elbows!  I think that is the most I've ever sweat.  The humidity was really high so that made us sweat.  A lot.

I got to run with a variety of people and it was a great change of pace for me - just what I needed.  I also ran with Mr Vardotrichic, who is fun to listen to.  I love being with a group of people who are all so encouraging and welcoming.  Everyone had a place and everyone felt important.  It was like race day!  Bonus: water in the middle of the run and fruit at the end of the run.  Wow, wasn't expecting that one.  I love the vardos!

today's mileage: 6 miles running

weekly mileage: 18 miles running; 1600m swimming

monthly mileage: 18 miles running; 1.8125 miles swimming

annual mileage: 315 miles running; 206 miles riding; 5.1875 miles swimming

TOTAL mileage: 534


IRONWHAWK #2
running:  46 miles
riding: 15 miles
swimming: 2.7875 miles

Solo clinics

At the beginning of each week I post the weekly events for the Iron Hawk Challange.  Little did I know how insanely HOT it would be this week.  I knew it would be a warm week so I was so very glad that I decided to start the runs early this week.

So, at 5:30 I got Rachael up and we headed out on an Ethanol Loop.  We ran past the school first to see if anyone was there.  Nope.  We passed along and headed out of town.  I was having a great run.  The mile was the hardest, but I just kept thinking about what I was reading in my book, 50/50 by Dean Karnazes and kept going.

Rachael had a hard finish so told her to stay at home and I'd finish the last 2 runs.  I went to school and walked around for a few minutes and then took off.  I got about 2 blocks from school and someone was driving up to school and stopped to ask if she could join me.  Of course!  I thought I wouldn't have anyone today because of the heat.  I turned around at met her at school.  We completed 2.5 miles.

Once that was done, I ran past school again to see if anyone was there and it was as dead as before so I just ran around the circle drive and kept going for the last mile.  While I had one taker, it was really a solo run this morning.

In one chapter, Dean talks about doing a "runabout".  It's similar to a walkabout in Australia, but it's running instead.  He goes out for 24 hours with no direction nor route in mind, just a phone and a credit card, maybe some fluids.  He suggests running, walking, jogging, anything, just keep moving one foot in front of the other!  He was on a 200-mile run once and at mile 168 sat alongside the road and didn't think he could take another step!  What!?  How do you go 168 miles and not be able to finish another 32?  He eventually did, but it's good to know even the top runners struggle.  These were the thoughts that I used to keep going today and it felt great!  I'm sure a 2 week hiatus helped, too.  

today's mileage: 9 miles running

weekly mileage: 9 miles running; 1600m swimming

monthly mileage: 12 miles running; 1.8125 miles swimming

annual mileage: 309 miles running; 206 miles riding; 5.1875 miles swimming

TOTAL mileage: 528


IRONWHAWK #2
running:  40 miles
riding: 15 miles
swimming: 2.7875 miles

Could it be....?

Could I really be getting this swimming thing down?  I was so excited about this swim today that I almost called Vardotrichic.  It felt so great!  A few weeks ago I couldn't even breathe, today I swam the complete length of Furman, and could have gone farther!  It was a great feeling.

Yesterday's swim was kinda weird.  I don't like having my students watch me swim.  I felt like I was starting over, but yet making progress.  Today I was in a "private" pool where no one knows me so I was uninhibited.  I felt very relaxed and the breathing just took care of itself.

I tried to not rely on the board as much today and really focused on getting a smooth breathing sequence.  I think I got it, on both sides.  I am still definitely stronger on the right side, but I watch my arm come out of the water on the left and breathe in as it comes toward the top of the swing.  In an earlier post I mentioned that it works best to feel the back of my head rotate into the water.  I was conscious of this and I think that is the key to making this all work.

By the end of the swim, I was able to alternate side with breathing!  Vardotrichic suggested a 3-stroke breathing sequence.  I don't quite have that, so I just breathe a few times on one side and then glide a little longer and then make the next stroke on the opposite side.  It's probably not ideal, but it is progress.  I'm getting ready for another lesson if you're up for it, Vardo!

My goal was to complete 1200m so that I could complete the next IronHawk swim portion.    I really wanted to go a full 2 miles, but I figured it was going so well I didn't want to push my luck.  Besides, I had to go potty really badly so I got out of the water after an hour.  Once I completed my goal, I decided I would complete an hour of swimming, however far that took me.

Some reflection on my slump:  I am reading a book about a guy who did 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days.  He talks about the differences between men and women running, and their motives for running.  My first 2 years of marathon training I was running with someone and we were able to  hold each other accountable.  I have done a few runs with other people here and there, but mostly running has been on my own.  I think I need a consistent running partner, a mini running group.  This is the social component of my life that I need.  I love to run, but really like a partner.  I don't have a consistent one right now.

today's mileage: 1600m swimming

weekly mileage: 1600m swimming

monthly mileage: 3 miles running; 1.8125 miles swimming

annual mileage: 300 miles running; 206 miles riding; 5.1875 miles swimming

TOTAL mileage: 519


IRONWHAWK #2
running:  31 miles
riding: 15 miles
swimming: 2.7875 miles

Return of heat

The 2-week hiatus meets heat stroke!  There is a heat advisory forecasted for today starting around 7 this morning lasting until late Saturday!  This is not a good week to be outdoors trying to complete Ironman distances.  #sigh

When I went to bed last night I was going to get up early and beat the heat to go out for an Ethanol Loop (5 miles).  I was too comfy in bed and didn't want to get up.  Bill got up and when I opened my eyes he had his running clothes on!!  WTH?  He talked about doing a short bike ride so I asked what he was doing and he said he was going for a run.  I charged the Garmin so I said, "Wait!  I'll go with you."  That was the motivation I needed!  I drug myself out of bed and put some clothes on.  It wasn't too hot and even a very light, cool breeze from the south.  We completed 3 miles.  It's not what I wanted, but I was dripping with sweat as if I completed a full marathon.

I wanted to get back in the water again, too, so I swallowed some pride and went to the Jewell pool.  The water felt great!  I tried a number of things in the water today.  I am questioning if I'm really breathing again or not.  The pool here is only 25m so I felt like was making the motions, but not really taking a breath, like the first time Vardotrichic watched me.  So, I started holding the kick board and blowing out, lifting my head straight up to breathe and then back in the water.  This made me realize that the arm motions wear me out!  I felt like I could get from one end of the pool to the other easily without being worn out and breathing well.  However, once I put the arm motions back in, I am pooped at the other side of the pool.  Ideas vardo?  Having said this, I think I am making progress.  I threw out the kick board a couple times and tried to go alone and it seemed to work!  When I got tired, my arms came down prematurely, but I think I'm making progress!  I also discovered that I am more efficient (?faster?) when I pull my arms straight down through the water.  I don't know how else to describe whatever I'm doing when they are not straight down, but they aren't.

Although I am completing some good events and mileage with the IronHawk, I feel like I am in a real slump with running.  I have the desire, but it seems to not be working this year.  I have had difficulty ever since the accident completing mid and long runs.  I can complete them, just not running the whole thing.  I even went to the library and got a couple of books on marathoning and triathloning.  I'm hoping that helps to spark my drive again.

today's mileage: 3 miles running; 1300m swimming

weekly mileage: 3 miles running; 1300m swimming

monthly mileage: 3 miles running; .8125 miles swimming

annual mileage: 300 miles running; 206 miles riding; 4.1875 miles swimming

TOTAL mileage: 519


IRONWHAWK #2
running:  31 miles
riding: 15 miles
swimming: 1.7875 miles