Top of the Key

I’ve been dedicating a mantra to each week, the last few because I seem to get lost on what specifically to focus on.  So this week was finish strong, and today, I didn’t do so well.  I woke up at 4am, on the trainer at 5, and rode until it warmed up…or, at least until it was warmer.  I’ve been watching this show on Animal Planet in the mornings called Sunrise Earth.  Search for that on the link.  It comes on at 5am, and all they do is place a camera in the wilderness somewhere, or under the sea (today was manatees), and there is no talking, just the natural sounds of the water, or the birds chirping, whatever, but for some reason, I’m really drawn to it.  Maybe because it’s 5am and not too many people are up, and it they are, they’re probably bustling around trying to get ready for work.

After that show is over, i put the tv on espn, and muted it, listened to my iPod and got fired up for the workout ahead.  80 mile bike to 18 mile run.  Biggest brick by far.  After 25 miles on the trainer, headed out to feel the cold, because I like torture.  It rain, hailed, wind was gusting out of the north I think for once, so the return ride home was fast.  Cold at times, warm others.  Pushed through it and got back home in pretty good shape.

Headed out for the run.  And on these z3 runs, usually off the bike, i like to really simulate what racing will be on race day.  No iPod, no food i won’t have with me on the course, a nice steep hill to tackle, and it’s got to be a loop, because most races have loops.  This post would have totally been different had I stopped after the first loop.  6.5 miles complete, and I feel dam good.  Out for the next loop, this time stripped a few layers, not a good idea.  Hid under a tree when it started to rain and hail again.  No gloves, no jacket, idiot!  Got back home, another 6.5 down.  Now 2 left in the main set, and i’m starting to feel a little dizzy…what’s up with that?  I’ve been drinking gatorade, water, etc… Oh well, head on out for the last 2, remember, FINISH STRONG.  Ran my usual one loop around the block, cramping began.  Then the dizziness got worse.  Looped by the house, but mentally wanted to finish that last mile of z3 because if I went home, i wasn’t going to leave again.  Ran past the house, hurting more now than ever today, stomach on the fritz, but legs felt fine.  Out and back to wrap up that last mile, got home…and crashed.  Layed on the floor, some slight spinning going on…just didn’t know what to do with myself.  And with Jess not home, I hate to continue to push scenarios like this…so I stopped.  15 of the 18 miles.   Although I didn’t get it all in, and technically I didn’t finish strong because I came up short, I was happy that I pushed it on those final 2 miles.

Took about 1-1/2 hours to actually be able to eat something, a nice spicy green chile burritto from Caffe Sole.  Now I’m able to drink some water, putting down some yogurt and granola…I am not too happy with the situation I put myself in today.  It could have been avoided, and this is the 2nd time this training season that it’s happened.  Need to really pay close attention to the fluid intake, and maybe even go overboard once just to know what my limits are.

That’s it for the brick, biggest one done.  Did the biggest run 2 weeks ago…all that’s left is the 150 miler next week.  Thinking about heading up to Estes, then to Winter Park.  Craig W does a ride up that way, I’ll have to map it out to see what’s possible.

Now, back to recovery…