Sunday, May 2, 2010

Weeks 1 – 3: the short version

wOw. Time flies when your training. Here is my lame attempt to recount the first three weeks of my Half Iron Training.

Week 1: This isn’t too bad. I love swimming and I love running. What’s a couple of extra spin classes thrown in the week. HA! Fortunately, the plan I’m using starts out with  VERY low volume swimming. As in only 1000m three times a week. I compromised and made the main set 1000m and only a few hundred meters for a warm up/cool down/drills. For me it’s just not feasible to do a solid workout within a 1000m and still get in a proper warm up and cool down. Anyways, week 1 success.

Swim – 3600 meters

Bike – 50 miles + 1:15 spin class

Run – 24 miles

Week 2: Hindsight! Definitely feeling the training volume in week 2.  Respecting the training and pulling back on my running mileage. No need to burn out. I think my heart rate is starting to decline which is something I’ve wanted for a long time! Realized this week that I need to start eating WAY more calories and drinking only water during workouts is not cutting it.  Starting to focus on nutrition. The requirements are quite different from marathon training.

Swim – 4200 meters

Bike – 30 miles + 2 x 1:15 spin classes

Run – 14 miles

 

Week 3: Found PERPETUEM. Love It! Saving grace. Finally getting the hang of all the variation. I can’t wait for next week. Recovery week :)

Swim – 4850 meters

Bike – 62 miles + 1 hour spin class

Run – 18 miles

_____________________________________________

Today I ran in the Tacoma City Half Marathon. I wasn’t racing it, just running it to ‘remember the distance’ a little. There was no expectations, no time goals, no pace pressure, no nerves, no multiple poops (just the standard one), no stress. It was so much fun. I took the time to thank and acknowledge every volunteer and give lots of encouragement to the other runners. I had a great time. It’s something I really need to do more often to remember why I do all this in the first place: Because I Love It!

It was also a good time for me to test out my new love, aka Perpetual. I took my handheld and just sipped on it all the way through the course. I almost took a gel around mile 8, but it was more just to see how the cocktail would mix with a gel. Anybody have any experience with this? Does it cause tummy issues?

I also ran by heart rate (and feel, but mostly heart rate). I kept it in the 150 – 160 (which is Z2 for me – yeah, high. I know.) Anyways, I pushed strong on the hills and then brought my HR back down on the other side. It was actually kind of, like a new game. I also really liked that my garmin screen wasn’t locked on my pace and I could just let it go. I had lots more in the tank after finishing which was part of the goal.

Time - 2:13/10:11 pace (unofficial)/166 ave bpm

17 comments:

Running and living said...

Yay, you are back! Love the tri training. One of the things I love about bike rides is that I get to eat real food during the rides. Love it!

Anne said...

Welcome back!

Wow! You're working hard...good for you. Reading about your fun half-marathon experience made me smile...that's how I would love to experience my first half :)

Jamie said...

Looks like tri training is going good! Yea! And very cool about the half! Glad you were able to have fun and remember why you do what you do :)

Keith said...

I tried perpeteum on the bike once and nearly spewed because it was so gross.

Unknown said...

You sound strong and solid with your training! You'll have to fill us in on what you do regarding your nutrition. I also loved your half marathon story, it made me smile when you talked about encouraging other runners. I think that's a good gauge to whether we're taking this stuff TOO seriously. If we can't take the time to cheer each other on and say thank you then we're too intense about our sport!!

Missy said...

Perpetuem takes like...I will keep it to myself. I can't drink it and it will go bad if you leave it out so never mix up a bottle and leave it on your bike for the next morning (if you have a pre-race bike check in situation). All that protein wrecks me.

Molly said...

oooo, look at your lovely new layout!

Your half sounds like a perfect race, and having energy after? Icing on the cake.

You're rocking your training, I have yet to try the Perpetuem, but I discovered Nuun, and love it.

I have one week until I start my marathon training, getting psyched!!!

Pining for Pinterest said...

How exciting that you are back!!! Way to go on all of your hard work :)

Niki said...

Like the new blog look! Sounds like your tri training is going really well! Makes me want to do a tri! Just need a bike and place to swim, those are kinda important! Haha. Great job on the half!!

Amy said...

Running races for the fun of it and not "racing" are so fun! So much less pressure and you can actually enjoy yourself. Congrats on the awesome run.

PS: Never used perpetuem so I can't help with that but I know tons of folks love it!

ShutUpandRun said...

Glad you got the poop in but didn't have multiples. Never tried the Perpeteum (can't even spell it), just the regular Heed. Seems your training is strong and going well!

Anne said...

:) it's funny because I do try and be a little cautious with my language on my blog (never know if one of my clients might end up reading this). Truth is, I don't say washroom in real life and I don't leave it to the imagination as to what I have to do in that there room ;)

Tara said...

Good lord I'm such a blog slacker. You posted this FOUR days ago and I'm just now reading it.

Belated congrats on your half girl! I would love to do one "for fun" after this damn marathon.

I'm still training for my tri too. Hmm...

X-Country2 said...

Sounds like you're in a great training pattern. Keep it up!

Ali said...

This post is just what I needed. I have been trying to decide if I am going to run a half this weekend. I am leaning towards no, since I am not in race condition. But for fun, I forgot how good that feels.

Christy said...

Kick ass! Maybe I missed this in one of your past posts, but what kind of swim workouts are you doing? Lots of drills? I've never really understood how to read swim workouts. Do you have to rest a lot?

Kristen said...

Looks like you got off to a great start! (sorry, like always I am a little behind on reading but I promise I will always catch up.)

So, I would LOVE to know your nutrition plan. I am struggling in this area. I am more hungry but get fuller faster than I remember from training from CIM. Also, I feel like, minus the bike rides, I am never out running/swimming, etc long enough to take an energy gel, chomps, etc.

Sounds like a fun 1/2 - sometimes just going out and running for fun is the best.