There's a lot rolling through my mind on this rest-day Monday. Even with a recovery week last week, I had a pretty good weekend of training that left me run down, sore, and HUNGRY today. I try to take it a little lighter on days when I don't train, but today I just can't get enough food in me... AND my body is sore. IM training is finally here, folks.
So, here is just a smattering of thoughts I want to get out:
- I've been riding the bike a good amount. Slightly more than 2011 according to my training logs, but I'm going significantly slower. This is worrisome. I do have to take into account the area I'm riding now compared to 2011, I suppose (2hrs gives me ~2000+ft of vertical gain now as opposed to ~500ft gain in Philly), but I'm ever so slightly worried that I've been doing too much "easy" riding. This week I begin some hill repeats on the bike, so hopefully that will help me develop some power.
- My run has been labored. A lack of winter miles is definitely one cause, and another is without a doubt the brutal winter weather. Saturday I ran 40 minutes off a 2:20 bike and it hurt. My HR started climbing big time over the last 10 minutes or so - I think poor nutrition was to blame for that, though. Sunday I ran 1:05 after an hour ride and it hurt a lot. Temps were in the 30s (which is high compared to what we've had the rest of the winter!) and winds were pushing me on my way out and standing me still on the way back. It just wasn't fun.
- My swim has been (to no one's surprise) inconsistent. I will partially blame the pool I currently use - although it's less than 800m from my door, the chlorine levels are really high and it hurts my skin and throat by the time I get out. Maybe I'm just a wuss...but I think I have some sort of allergy. Nevertheless, my swim is just not going to get as good as I want it to be. And I'm starting to be OK with that.
- My weight is about where it should be. I'm between 150-154 right now. Perhaps a tad heavier than I would really like to be, but that's ok for now. I've been doing more strength training, so I'll blame that - not all the beer drinking I've been doing...
The next 2 weeks are still part of my base phase. The hours will increase, and I hope to get two solid weeks of 14-15 hours under my belt before taking a week to recover on vacation.
Do great work!
Thanks for reading.
PW
