Training update

So I haven't been too inspired to write, but I've loved reading everyone else's posts. Wildflower training weekend was this weekend and I was looking forward to writing about it, but I cut my stay short due to weather. We were supposed to get a cold front and storms, and the idea of camping in foul weather wasn't too exciting to me. 

Fortunately the storm took its sweet time to arrive, so I drove down on Friday, set up camp, enjoyed the campfire and catching up with friends I hadn't seen in a while. Nighttime brought sub-40 degree temps and I slept curled up in a ball with a hat, 3 shirts, 2 pants and 2 socks... still cold. Crazy. Early morning was more of the same, but by 9 am it was actually pretty nice out. So all 100 of us headed out on bikes... half for the long course, half for Olympic. 

The good news on the bike is that I'm liking my new saddle. Still adjusting, but I really think this is a winner. The bad news is that my hill climbing abilities are in the toilet. My speed varied from 30 - 35 MPH descending, but only 4 - 8 MPH ascending. I need to make up 10 minutes on the bike just to be where I was last year, and I've got 5 weeks in which to do it. Ack! 

Post-ride we had lunch, and then it was time for the open water swim. I, along with many others, decided to bail. I was tired of being cold, and I had my eye on the dark clouds lurking on the horizon. So I packed up and drove the 3.5 hours home, most of it in pouring rain. No idea if the storm hit the campsite last night as predicted, but I was cozy and very happy in my own bed. 

Today I ran across the Golden Gate bridge for the first time! It's precisely a 10 mile run from my door to the other side of the bridge. I'd prepared for rain but it turned out to be a lovely day. It was my first 10 mile run in a couple months and it went better than I'd expected. My ART guy is a true magician, and my funky recurring aches and pains decided to stay home for this run. I'm optimistic about finishing the US Half in a couple weeks without it being a total sufferfest. 

With regards to training overall, I realize that I started training 6 weeks later this year than last year so I should be patient with myself. Fortunately my swim is on track and I should do better than last year, which is a pleasant surprise given all my recent shoulder problems. I'm also optimistic about the run. The only leg that's really not going well is the bike. I need to make up 10+ minutes on the bike in the next month -- and that's just to hit last year's times -- and all of that is going to come through building muscle and power on hills.

My leg muscles just feel trashed all the time, and I'm thinking that I'm not getting enough protein. I tend to eat vegetarian but I haven't put a lot of thought into ensuring that I'm getting the right nutrition. I just got home from eating a big steak dinner, and I'm thinking about hiring a nutritionist to get my diet on track. Nothing like an impending race and feeling behind the 8-ball to spark some needed changes!  

 

Comments

[Kristi-randomthoughts.blogspot.com]

First off..a HUGE thank you, HUGE, for recommending that saddle! I hated the last Adamo I tried, but picked up the one you mentioned last week, had my bike guy put it on, and did a 3:30 ride this weekend (on the trainer no less) with *very* little discomfort. And the discomfort I did have was in a place I could tolerate, where it *ahem* wasn't tolerable before. So THANK YOU again!

I work with one of the nutritionists that Liz recommended (Heather Fink) and love her. She not only helped me with every day eating (and losing about 15#), but also with race day nutrition plans for HIM and IM. I highly recommend her.

[Molly]

Sounds like you are making great progress! Liz will have you ready for race day. I totally find when training volume picks up that sometimes I really need a steak to get my iron levels up too!