Long!

I can't decide if I ONLY have two months to go or if I STILL have 2 months to go until I'm in Arizona for the Ironman. Part of me is ready for it to get here, but part of me knows that I still have a lot of work to do.

My long rides are getting really long.  Actually, my runs and my swims are getting longer too.  Jeneen has been joining me for part of my long rides.  We've been riding a 25 mile loop.  It's nice because there are no stop lights and little traffic.  I can park my car at a ball park and use it as an aide station.  The downside of this route is that there is a lot of chip seal and it's a nice little drive from my house.

Yesterday I rode 100 miles.  It was a good, yet very long, ride.  I've only done this one other time, and it was two years ago.  Last time I did it there were aide stations every 10 miles that felt more like little parties.   One aide station even had snow cones and a band!!  When I finished the ride there was a big banner, music, beer, and someone there to take your picture.  I didn't have any of this yesterday, but I realize now that I didn't need it.  Two years ago I had some rough moments during that ride.  There were even some tears, but at the end of the ride I was completely elated!  For weeks I was on cloud nine!  Yesterday I didn't have those moments of weakness.  I did get tired, but I didn't cry!    As I finished up, I rode quietly into a parking lot, packed up my bike, and headed home.  I felt a different kind of satisfaction. 

I was able to use the day to try to work out my nutrition.  As I've mentioned before, I LOVE to eat, and training makes me hungry.  You would think that I would have no trouble getting in the 200 calories/hour I need on the bike, but it is hard. Earlier in the week I popped into the Tri Shop and asked for help selecting nutrition.  I told them that I needed whatever had the most calories!  I had never put those words together before.  My mouth tingled a bit. I left with a variety of my favorite bars, waffles, gummies, and gels.  I also picked the same sports drink that will be served on the Ironman course.  It has a more calories than what I was using before.  By the end of the ride I was still 200 calories short of my goal.  I bet if I were sitting at home watching television I could have easily taken in those calories.

As far as nutrition goes,  I had better luck on my run today.  I only needed about 150 calories/hr.  By the end of my 2 hr. and 15 minute run, I had consumed 400 calories.  My stomach handled it very well.  Overall, I had a great run.  My pace is still not fast, but it is improving.  We had great weather...temperatures in the 60's and a light drizzle.  I LOVED it! I ended up running 13.5 miles. I've never run more than 13.1 so this was a new record for me.  My coach has me doing a 5 minute run/1 minute walk combo.  It's working great!

My legs were rewarded this afternoon with a one hour massage at an actual spa!  They loved it. I think this might have to be a regular part of my Sunday...at least until Ironman.

Next weekend I'll be doing the full aquabike race at Redman.  It's a 2.4 mile swim and 112 mile bike ride.  It's just like the Ironman, but without the run.  I'll get to take another crack at my nutrition.  After my race I'll run out on the course for a while to see how my legs are feeling.  I've heard great things about this race, so I'm pretty excited.  

"Champions aren't made in gyms.  Champions are made from something they have inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision...they have to have the skill and the will.  But the will must be stronger than the skill." ~ Mohammad Ali