So, I'm now a week and a half in to 1/2 Ironman training. It is going pretty well so far - at least on the weekends. I still need to figure out how to juggle everything during the week, but I'm getting there!
Last weekend I did a 14 mile bike ride with the family, followed by a (slow) 1.2 mile swim. The swim took me just over an hour, which is fine considering it was only half crawlstroke and half breaststroke. My goal for the HIM swim is <50>
This weekend, I did a 24 mile bike ride - I think that's the longest I've ever ridden. It was great! My wrists were a little sore and my butt was sore - gotta wrap my handlebars and get some padded bike shorts - but aside from that it felt really good. I followed the bike ride with a 1/2 mile swim (still only about 66% crawlstroke) in 25 minutes.
Yesterday, I did my "long run" for the week around Green Lake - a little over 6 miles. It felt really good!
I'm a bit sore today, so will aim for some yoga and maybe go for a quick spin at the gym later in the evening. Tomorrow (assuming the weather holds, which it looks like it actually might this week) is first open water swim practice of the year at Beaver Lake! I hope it's not too cold, as I still don't have a wetsuit yet!
In other news - just working, hanging out with friends, trying to get things organized and find a balance. It's definitely a process adjusting to life after college!
Also, only 2 1/2 weeks til the Seattle Rock N Roll 1/2!
Great workouts!!!! I need to learn how to do breast stroke - does it help you rest a little during the tri swim? All of my tri training has been front crawl and that really tires you out.
ReplyDeleteI grew up doing breaststroke, it's what I swam when I swam competitively, so I am still relatively newer to breaststroke. It is a super relaxing stroke and definitely less tiring than crawlstroke. I've only done breaststroke in a race once (although I might if I need a break at any point during the HIM swim - better to do breaststroke for a bit than drown!!) - at the start of Danskin, to give me a chance to catch my breath, find my place in the crowd of people, and warm up a bit. It's definitely a safer "resting stroke" than backstroke, and more efficient than sidestroke (or doggy paddle haha!)
ReplyDeleteEr, I meant newer to crawlstroke, haha. I actually just learned to breathe on both sides this year!
ReplyDeleteGirlfriend - 3 words... PADDED BIKE SHORTS!!! And wear them comando!! Take it from an Auntie who has ridden many a mile on a bike and so wishes she learned these lessons sooner!! If not, the blisters do heal, but they are painful in the process... just sayin'... :)
ReplyDeleteYowch... I definitely don't want blisters there!!!
ReplyDeleteHey Shannon!
ReplyDeleteMy little sis did the STP a few years ago and found out the hard way why all the other cyclists wore gloves. Her fingers were numb for a week! Just a suggestion. Although you won't be riding over 150 miles during the 1/2 ironman. :P
Tricia - Yeah, I actually just used bike gloves for the first time this past weekend and they helped so much!! And no, definitely won't be going 150 miles anytime soon! :O
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