Week 26

TAPER!!!!!! I finally feel like I am tapering....and it's weird.  I had all this time this weekend. I tried to just rest and relax, but i didn't really know what to do with myself. I feel alright...i usually go into a taper slump where i just feel off, but everything should work out come race day.

btw, there's a hurricane coming. but somehow i think our flight is just right after the problems. So far...still on for wed evening departure. That would suck to be delayed...who knows when we would be able to get out. That would suck. I'm crossing my fingers we keep our flight. Sandy, get over yourself.

Mon 10/22: OFF. Monday beers :)

Tues 10/23: 18 mile bike (1 hour), 3 mile run (26 min).  My race bike was in the shop...and I didn't feel like bothering with my old bike. So...being an exercise physiologist has it's perks. I jumped on one of our metabolic cart bikes (which is a great workout bc you go by watts) and cranked it out.  Of course I got a few beers after the run. Per usual.

Wed 10/24: TRX. Nothing crazy. Got some overtime hours at work. boom.

Thurs 10/25: 3000 yard swim, 11 mile bike (50 min). I got out early at swim practice. Oh the joys of masters swimming. and taper. thanks.

Fri 10/26: 6.2 mile run (56 min), TRX. I opted to do my "long run" earlier than usual just because I could. I kept a steady pace, but no records shattered. It felt weird, but towards the end I was feeling better. Taper slumpin.

Sat 10/27: 32 mile bike (2 hours), 1.5 mile run (14 min), TRX. Shortest weekend long ride in a long time. All this time....what to do. Oh I played some cornhole. gotta get back for winter league...we need our 3rd winners title of course.

Sun 10/28: 14 mile bike (1 hour), TRX. This was actually just me commuting around. I went to swim practice but failed to actually read my emails saying it was earlier than usual. Then i was going to go to practice at 6. then I didn't. I bought a bird hat, some bike tubes, and some goldfish.  And doing laundry. I feel so productive.


Weekly Totals:

3000 yard swim,  75 mile bike (4 hours 50 min), 10.7 mile run (1 hour 36 min), TRX x4 Hat. I thought about doing a list of the crap I have to bring...and my plans. but really...im not that OCD about plans. I have an idea in my head. It won't go perfectly anyways, so why bother stressing over it (nutrition mostly). So, I guess this means this is my last post before the race. I have to say I am more excited than anything at this point. I already put in all the work i could possibly do. It didn't go perfectly, which it never does. but I did the best i could...and now it's time to just have fun. The run is going to hurt a lot (i am not prepared), but such is my life. LETS DO THIS!

Week 25

I just finished drinking a black IPA from 21st amendment. SO GOOD! Recommended. That and SlumBrew. I am branching out my beer tastes...it's part of the training.  First sort of week of Taper. WHY AM I TIRED? probably bc I still worked out for like 5 hours today. Not going to lie...I kind of hit a wall. I'm bored riding 9084903428934 miles every weekend (usually by myself). It's time to RACE. well, by race i mean finish.  good timing on my part.

Here's the week at a glance.

Monday 10/15: OFF. Who wants to do anything on a monday? Come on people.

Tues 10/16: 60 min bike (19 miles), 5.4 mile run (43 min), TRX. I did another run with a visit to the bar again in the middle. I like those. Everyone should do that.

Wed 10/17: TRX. I was going to bike, but then I didn't. Self-coaching is the best way.

Thurs 10/18: 3.4 mile run (29 min), TRX. Again, I was going to swim, but I just didn't feel like it. Can you tell that this is getting old? hahah.

Fri 10/19: OFF. I got a massage. I have a back of rock apparently. ouch

Sat 10/20: 7.1 mile run (1 hour 5 min), TRX, 18 mile bike (1 hour). I started the morning off with the Komen 5k, representing UKE running. We rocked it out (literally) singing/dancing/being ridiculous with so many songs on the course.  Props to the UKE star pattie for bleeding for the race.  After showing the crowd how we have fun.....I headed home to go out for another run...i know. i am a tool. but i needed to do a little more ok?  I'm not sure what I did in between that and the bike, but after I had some slumbrews...aaawww yeah.

TEAM UKE RUNNING!!!!!!

Giant shoe, obviously.

Sun 10/21: 3200 yard swim, 17 mile bike commute (1 hour 30 min), 50 mile bike (3 hours 10 min), 2 mile run (18 min). Phew, despite a "taper"...this was like a 5 hour long workout.  I pretty much was pooped out by the end of the day. Did I mention I hit the wall yet? I rode my old road bike for 30 miles and felt like a giant hippo on wheels. My race bike is getting a tune up.  OMG, thank goodness I don't ride that thing more than 6 miles usually. I am so ready to JUST DO THIS RACE. LETS DO IT. ok, that's all.

WEEKLY Totals: 

3200 yard swim,  104 mile bike (6 hours 40 min),  17.9 mile run (2 hours 6 min) Not too shabby for a taper week. This week will be even less. Ahhh. One week till I leave. I can't believe it's so soon.  nervous excited nervous excited denial excited nervous ....what? Here's another random pic                                                  Obviously I am a JT-REX. I hunt larabars, burritos, and beer.

Week 24

Last difficult weekend............DONE. see ya later. no more. I am now on my way down the hill. Ok, thanks, finally.  Made it through a rough few weeks of training.

The week.

Mon 10/8: TRX. If you haven't caught on...I don't do much on Mondays. As it should be.

Tues 10/9: 15 mile bike (45 min), 2 mile run (18 min), TRX. Honestly, I was sore still.........that 18 mile run was .............fun. BTW, it's my half bday, so i halfly celebrated.

Wed 10/10: off. unusual for my week. but instead I went to a work type dinner and ate my face off with a bill of ridiculous amounts. I couldn't move I was so full. Wow.

Thurs 10/11: 60 min bike (18 miles), TRX, 2.6 mile run (20 min). I normally swim on these days, but I heard there were hardly any lanes....so I didn't go. This is what I did instead. It doesn't look that exciting.  Wait........oh but it was? I think i divided it with beer in the middle. per usual.

Fri 10/12: off. I ended up cancelling a massage bc i had to work. lame

Sat 10/13: 90 mile bike (4 hours 35 min), 10 mile run (1 hour 33 min). Ok. So the bike was done all INSIDE.  I woke up with the temp being 29 degrees at first....so i decided to at least do 30 miles inside. Then, I got everything ready to ride outside.........rode 1 mile and completely WIMPED out.  My  double socks, double gloves did nothing. I wasn't prepared and I didn't want to get sick.  I have to admit I felt really wimpy, but whatever.  I ended up kicking ass inside and doing way more than intended. Plus, KONA was online.  I was motivated. Inspired. Everything.  90 miles inside training= rubber on my back tire pealing off.  Today I looked at it.....it's gross how the tire gets destroyed. I'm seeing purple stuff. Anyways, the run felt badass....I ran faster than intended.....which is good prep. Beat yourself up a bit before the real deal.

Sun 10/14: 4500 yard swim, TRX, 35 mile bike commute (2 hours 45 min). I will be honest. This Ironman training never really HIT me up until the last week or so. But man, did it hit me this day. I was  planning on biking a little and running easy. I was mid trainer, did some TRX, then passed out on my bed for 2 hours instead of finishing everything.  I then realized that this was a lot of training...and I was not recovered.  I am pleased how far I got without feeling completely exhausted though....but it has been hitting me harder than before.  SMACK.........stop body. And let me tell you, i felt it monday at work............i passed out at my desk multiple times just bc i didn't have enough food in me. Thankfully  that's the hardest training. Now for the easier stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!

TOTALS

4500 yard swim, 158 mile bike (9 hours 5 min), 14.6 mile run (2 hours 11 min), TRX x5 another random iceland pic. bc it was so awesome. I am dancing? I am happy to be close to being done with this race. It's been ridiculous.

Week 23

One word. PHEW. One of the toughest weeks in the books fo....sho. Due to lack of a running plan/playing catch up, I had to do my longest bike and run........in the same weekend. I figure, well I might as well do the longest run of my life on 100+ mile tired bike legs. It will simulate race day better. I think. You know that feeling when you finish something and you can't believe you actually physically could do that? I still feel that way.

Mon 10/1: OFF. Mondays. aren't meant to be much. 

Tues 10/2: 60 min bike (20 miles), 6 mile run (54 min). Ok, so sometimes I get creative with my workouts and I have to say...this is one of my favorites.  I rode on my trainer for 60 min (kind of boring), then ran 3 miles to a bar to meet my coworkers, drank 3 beers, then ran 3 more miles back towards home. You know those people who grab beers during a race and you can't believe they can stomach that? I am one of those people. and proud to be.

Wed 10/3: 65 min bike (22 miles), TRX. Can't remember, but this looks boring.

Thurs 10/4: 3500 yard swim, TRX. Sprint workout. Here I go again trying to pretend I can go fast at swimming.

Fri 10/5: off. I got another massage....it was necessary. I still have like 3 paid for. Win.

Sat 10/6: 103 mile bike (6 hours 20 min). So, I wanted to get creative...considering my other bike rides haven't been new or anything worth talking about. So, I took the commuter rail to Beverly Ma (North Shore about 20 miles), then rode up the coast all the way to New Castle, NH. It was gorgeous out.  After Hampton beach, the views were amazing. I felt good. I was going fast. maybe too fast....something's not right.  I felt so in the zone that it didn't matter.  I stopped to eat a PB&J then turned around to head back.  2 Min into the way back............OMG. HEADWINDS from HELL.  Not just light headwinds, but in your face i want to knock you off your bike headwinds.  Honestly, it didn't occur to me much that I was being pushed the whole way up.  I struggled for about 25 miles in these winds when I finally got a little relief (not much) in Ma. I got back to Beverly and just missed the train. I thought the train was coming in 1 hour, but oh i was wrong. I waited 2 hours to get on a train to go home hahaha. A stranger got me beer and we hung out.  Chipotle on the way home, then I crashed. Ouch.

Beautiful coast of NH...Rye beach to be exact. Tail winds, happy still.

Fall is here :)

Sun 10/7: 18 mile run (2 hours 57 min). Wow, this was the longest by 5 miles for me ever. At mile 8 i couldn't believe still had 8 more miles (i was planning on doing 16ish). The games your mind plays on you during such a long workout is crazy. At one point I was ready to stop, then another my legs felt numb and i felt actually better (weird right). I ended up running faster at the end....but took random walk breaks (bc of this accelerated training i dont want to kill myself). ended up being good. I was sore  yes, but what a runners high.  It's like nothing else!

I just realized that I never did (and won't) do 26.2 miles in one week for my training. hahahha. but hey, as long as i am healthy...whatever.

TOTALS

6900 yard swim, 171 mile bike (10 hours 40 min), 24 mile run (3 hours 51 min), TRX x2 can i just say i am kind of tired? ok, that's all.

Biking in Boston: Fighting the Massholes, Part 1.

                         

Let’s face it. Biking in Boston sucks. The drivers are nuts, the roads are narrow (although I have to admit, they are trying to add bike lanes. PLUS!), and there’s just a lot of people to get in your way. I hate to start this paragraph like this, but I remember the first time I decided to start commuting in Boston very vividly.  Why not save some money, exercise, and get to Citysports (where I worked) probably faster???  Well, lets just say I witnessed an unfortunate accident. None the less,  I decided to not commute by bike after that.

Despite this accident I would rather not describe on a blog, I eventually got hooked on bikes. I now commute over 30 miles a week in Boston and then ride another 100 or so in/around Boston.   I’ve had countless close calls and only one accident involving a car (one involving myself and my bike only haha).  Keep in mind a few things when commuting/riding in the City………

Be aware of EVERYTHING around you.  What’s ahead, what’s to the side, the other side, the lights, the people, etc.  When it’s busy, a car or person can jump out from surprise (or a blind spot).

Don’t wear headphones. I admit sometimes I have them in one ear. I am dumb.

Use lights when it’s dark.  Make yourself known.

Don’t be surprised if you start talking to cars.  And swear a lot. WHAT THE F**K???? USE YOUR BLINKER!!! They probably can’t hear you, but if it makes you feel better do it.

Just because you are in the bike lane doesn’t mean cars don’t think they can join in too.  The ones that float into the bike lane are my favorite (and by favorite I mean I hate them so badly). I’ve actually slapped my hand on cars to let them know…hey you are in a bike lane…and um there’s a bike coming?  Or just use your rearview mirrors better.

Bikers (or cyclists whatever) aren’t perfect either.  I sometimes run lights just so I don’t have to clip out.  But when it comes down to it, we are on a bike.  You in a car. Let’s all just chill out and get along.

Wear a helmet.  Really? You aren’t cool by not wearing one.  You may think so, but you won’t feel it when you hit your head somewhere.  Or wait, you will totally feel it. ouch

Watch out for car doors. When you see a person sitting in a parked car along the street…be extra careful.  Some people are smart and look in their mirrors, but some are not. They might even yell at you after hitting the door…then drive off!

Get comfortable in tight spaces. It takes a little practice riding between parked cars and cars that are stuck in traffic.  But, when you get good at it….you can say….haha suckers….you are in a car stuck in traffic and I am biking faster than you! And not as fat as you!

Clip out early if you aren’t used to clips (if you even use them).  If you don’t need to stop well whatever just clip back in.  At least you were prepared.

Expect to be yelled at. Even by bikers with baskets when you don’t even do anything.  People will yell at you for riding too far in the lane, riding side by side with a friend, or for being ridiculously good looking in spandex.  Embrace it. It’s entertaining. Plus, they are too stressed out about something that’s going to go away in 5 sec.

Expect to be honked at.  People are just jealous you are biking and they aren’t.  It’s okay.

Don’t be dumb.  If there’s a red light and traffic crossing, DO NOT GO. DUH.  I’ve watched bikers just think they rule the road and cut off cars who DO actually have the right away.  Don’t be stupid. You do not rule the road if you are a douche. You only rule the road when you are awesome.

Wave to other cyclists/bikers. Be friendly and overly excited to see someone else out there.  It puts a smile on faces.  Plus we have to stick together, yo.

Offer help if you see someone on the side of the road (with a bike….and maybe other people).  Once I stopped out of exhaustion to rest and someone asked me if I was okay.  It was heartfelt. But I was fine.

Bring a debit car and ID. You never know when you might stop at a bar for beer. Oh, and so people can identify you if you get into an accident. But the first is more important.

Massholes will always be massholes. Be ready for anything.

Oh, and watch out for potholes. and don't carry an umbrella. 

Don't be like this guy.

Most important, have fun.  You get places quicker and get some good exercise in. 

Yay biking!

Week 22

This is it...5 more weeks to go (well now I am technically 1 month).  Time to make magic happen!  This was a rough week in terms of training (and other things I won't mention here). But ended up being a great week....and I am starting to actually think this might go.........sort of well? WHAT?

Also, I'm having crazy thoughts of getting another bike. YES I KNOW i have 3 bikes already. But bikes are FUN and AWESOME. I kind of thought I'd take a year off/do fun random races next year. But I made vegas....which means I have to pretend im super suuurious again (we all know that's not really true). but having a sick tri bike would make me look really fast/cool, therefore I would automatically become cooler/faster. Obviously. Not sure. I spend all my money on bikes as it is.

The week!

Mon 9/24:  Off. I have successfully continued my training to include sunday/mon/tues at the bar. or some combination of. It's really adding to my training, i think. no, seriously.

Tues 9/25: 21 mile bike (65 min), 3 mile run (24 miles). Back in business. The 3 miler was sort of quick and felt good. I was really surprised. I hit the bar after. I know...I am awesome.

Wed 9/26: 22 mile bike (70 min), TRX. The weather in Boston this week=crappy.  I also learned that I am tearing my tire up on the trainer. it's starting to smell like rubber in my room ..........yum? not really. Note to self.......put new tire on before race.

Thurs 9/27: 4 mile run (36 min), 3800 yard swim. Starting to feel more comfortable back running.  Hey it's 4 miles more than before but 22 miles less..........damn. Btw, i totally go to sprint workouts consistently. It's like i am pretending I can sprint? HAHA!  I also almost got hit by cars way too many times.  I am uncomfortable.

Fri 9/28: Off. I got a massage. this is a trend you will notice...i have a ton of already paid for from when i broke myself and never went. SCORE! Then I obviously did nothing Friday night. per usual.

Sat 9/29: 74 mile bike (4 hours 30 min), 10 mile run (1 hour 40 min), TRX. This was definitely one of the tougher workouts I've done thus far.  The weather seriously sucked, but I definitely can't go 70-80 miles on my trainer. So I split it up.  Did 36 on the trainer then 38 outside with a friend.  I have to say riding when it's damp, wet, sort of rainy kind of stinks.  My feet went numb and cold....then on my run they stayed numb for another 4 miles.  I also did not decide to do my run after until halfway through the bike. So, basically I didn't prepare...I didn't eat much. I also was covered in black rubber bc i had to change my tube quickly before going out for the 2nd part of the ride.  My tube has lasted over 2500 miles...that's unbelievable. I only had to change it bc i broke the valve and couldn't pump it up.  That's impressive.  Go awesome tube.  The 10 miles was weird...considering i havent ran.  I purposely walked every 3...but finished. Legs sore, but no pain. GOOD!

Sun 9/30: 5400 yard swim, TRX, 34 mile bike commute (3 hours 15 min). 5400 yards???? That's the most I've done in ages.  Solid workout though. I was surprised how much i commuted this week too. that's cool. I was toast. then i had some beers.

WEEKLY TOTAL

9200 yard swim,  151 mile bike (10 hours), 17 mile run (2 hours 45 min), TRX x4

TOUGH week ahead my friends. Long weekend of training...the longest run of my life and longest ride of my life. Thank you thank you thank you to my awesome friends for the encouragement, making fun of me, and just posting random shit to FB.  Everything is helpful. I found this old pic...and made me LOL. literally. UC DAVIS!!!!!!!!!!