It’s been a little quiet around here, which just means that it’s been busy. But I want to keep up with my training recaps as I document training for my first full Ironman. I missed recapping two weeks ago (which was a pretty good training week!), so here’s last week’s triathlon training recap to get the year off on the right foot.
It was a great week for me, I got in *almost* all the workouts my coach prescribed. I’m feeling great about how the past two weeks went – I’m getting in the groove! It’s a different kind of coaching and training for me – more structured. So here goes.
This is January 2-8 training for Ironman Lake Placid:
Monday: Rest Day. I did it: I rested.
Well, I flew back from Boston, where I had spent a spontaneous weekend with a friend for New Year’s Eve. So I didn’t work out that day, and instead was traveler, then mom of three.
Tuesday: Bike trainer workout – 45 minutes. This was a fantastic early Morning trainer session, which set my day off on the right foot. I used my Wahoo KICKR, which I’m really loving! I’m still getting used to the gadgets and data involved with the new type of Bike Trainer training – it makes it really interesting!
It was a bit of a crazy morning after that, since I now have an early morning meeting on Tuesdays. I was so glad to get the workout done early and have it out of the way.
The kids went back to school that day after a nice long winter break, and they were ready for it!
Wednesday: Run 7 miles with fast intervals. I scheduled my childcare for 6am, assuming I’d hit the road and do my 7 miles outside. I was facing a 12-hour work day – the office day plus evening events – and I knew I had to get it done in the morning.
I was energized.
I was motivated.
But I forgot how pitch dark it is outside at 6am.
I was less energized as I stared outside at the pitch black sky.
I was less motivated as I donned my reflective gear and gloves.
So I spent some time doing chores – putting out the recycling, doing dishes, making coffee for later. Kind of waiting out the sunlight, kind of procrastinating.
But eventually I headed out – it was now or never!
It was still pitch dark.
But boy, was I glad I did that run. The 7 miles felt great! I did my five speedy intervals in there, but faced some hills in the sprinting sections so I just did my best. I ended up disappointed with #5, so I added a 6th for good measure. And before I knew it, 7 miles was done. And it was nice and sunny by the time I got home.
After that I worked all day, plus a concert in the evening and a business meeting over drinks with a colleague after that. A “marathon” day, but a great one.
Thursday: Cycling class. I begged my coach to work the last few Zengo Cycle classes on my package into my training plan. I love cycling classes and missed them as I focus on my bike trainer. It was great energy and just what I needed that day!
Check out my Zengo Cycle Review here!
Friday: Another swim lesson at the SwimBox and a 45-minute run. I have been getting a lot out of my swim lessons with Dominic at the SwimBox, trying to fix some bad swimming habits and become a more efficient swimmer. This was #4 and we worked on my recovery stroke. I feel like progress is made with every lesson, but I still have a ways to go.
Great swim lesson this morning – fixing bad habits. – Repost from @swim_box: Working on hand position with @yousignedupforwhat. Proper hand position ensures that the correct muscles in your back are firing doing your pull, not your shoulders. #triathlontraining #swimming #swimlesson #swimbox #endlesspool #ironmantraining #imlp #swim #trichicks #triathlete
If you can’t see the picture, click here.
Oh, and the coolest thing? After my swim lesson, I did my run on the underwater treadmill. It took a while to get used to, but it was a very cool experience!
I was hooked up to a bungee tether around my waist. It took a few minutes to adjust the tension and test out the treadmill.
I tried to keep good form, while watching Netflix on the TV.
It was hard to get used to keeping good form and running “normally” since it felt so different. But it was pretty cool! I ran for 45 minutes total.
After that I went and worked a really long work day. I finally got home at 10pm, then went out after that. Burning the candle at both ends.
Saturday – Bike 2 hours & 15 minutes. I was tired on Saturday morning from my busy week, and it was snowy and slippery outside. I had to work most of the day at yet another concert, then spent some time with the kids. I knew I had a long bike ride to do so after their bedtime I got on the Wahoo KICKR bike trainer for 2 hours and 15 minutes. I was done just before 11pm and was exhausted.
Sunday: Ran 10 miles in the freezing cold. It was cold. Everything was numb. But it happened.
I think my car said 11 degrees when I parked and met the group I was running with. Brrr! It was a hilly run, and I was thankful for my layers, my hat, and my gloves.
I backed off the pace for a bit for the icy parts, but got in a couple of faster miles when it was clear. It was great to run with others in these conditions!
You can find Cold Weather Running Tips here.
After that I went and worked yet another concert, and this time brought my kids along. They loved the music – a string quartet in a bookstore – and I bought them all books when it was done. I loved the little independent bookstore and exploring all the books!
Then I had a tri girls night with some friends! Note our matching tank tops… from Base Performance.
So it was a crazy busy week with tons of extra concerts and events, along with training 6 days that week.
I’m working towards my goals, and it’s rolling along! So far this week isn’t going quite as successfully, since I’ve had some rough nights with little sleep. I think I’m kind of wiped out from last week, especially with all the extra working hours. I’m also a single mom all week while my ex is at a conference, plus my au pair finished her year so I’m piecing together other childcare.
But every day is a new day and a new chance to make it happen!
How’s your training going – or are you in off-season mode?
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