Top of the Key

Saturday: 2500 yd swim / 125 bike / 8 run

Let me start by saying it was a perfect day out.  So different from last Saturday, both the weather, and my mental state.  Jess was a huge help today, as she has been over the last 2 months, supporting me each and every step.  She swam with me this morning which got me through it.  But it’s cool too to share the daily training thoughts I have with her.   She’s been a pool jogging, swimming fool lately.  She’s committed to working her way back from this injury, and she’ll do it.  Master of self -care!

Rode from the N. Boulder Rec Center up north on 36.  I was going to ride up and down the IMAZ course that Craig mapped out, but as I was approaching the turn off for left-hand canyon, I looked down and saw a little sign, HTFU.  Thanks Mike and Kristina, it has already paid off.  I figured i might as well start climbing, even though IMAZ is not hilly, I wasn’t dressed warm enough, and my legs were toast, I did it anyway.  Jeff rides this route alot, and Tim swears by it as an Ironman ride that must be in your plans.  I rode in the aero position 90% of the time until that big climb up to Ward, feels like i’m grinding away when I get there.  Slow, and slower.  The wind was kicking up big too, and directly into my face, so I was climbing the  steeps, with a head wind, and just enough clothing to keep me warm.  But once I reached the top, it was well worth it.  Just a perfect day up there, not really cold, just windy.  The descents I was holding on for dear life to my drops.  Flatted while flying down St. Vrain at 40mph, always wondered what would happen.  You get control pretty quick, and it’s not as bad as you think.  Continued on the ride down to Lyons, on the IMAZ route stopping at the Hygene store for a GoFast and some of my powerbar.  Rode to Tom Watson, then turned around and did it all over again, back to Lyons.  A total of 70 miles at race pace, then just headed home from Lyons back on the IMAZ course.  I stopped at Tom Watson one final time, at mile 112, looked at my bike computer, and had hit my IMAZ 07 bike time: 5:46.  SWEET!  That was a huge mental lift.  Rode 13 miles home and finished with 125.  I wanted to work the legs today, and see just how they would work on the run.  Over those last 13 miles, I kept thinking about the run, if I should do it, how fast I should go, how many miles do i need to get in, will my legs let me do it?

Finished the ride and switched over  to the run gear.  It was getting dark, Jess made me wear my reflective vest, and i’m glad she did, because it got so dark, so quick.  I ran my usually route, and had planned to stop at home after 5 miles or so and see how i felt.  Insteady, I just kept running.  Kept a pretty good pace, and as I ran under the bridge that leads to our house, about 5.5 miles in, I wanted to stop and take a breath.  Then my mind switched to the thoughts of stopping, and why did I really want to stop.  Was I cramping?  No.  Was I in extreme pain? No.  Did I need water or food?  No.  Bathroom? No.  So really, no good reason to stop.  I figured I won’t be stopping when I race if I want to get my time, so practice that.  I was shocked at how good I felt after the long day on the bike.  Legs were ok, slight stomach issues, but kept working through them while keeping pace.  Both on the bike and run today, I became aware that z3 mileage is mostly mental.  I feel slight discomfort, but i’m not our of breath, and I can hold it.  Especially on the bike.  I was doubting my fitness on the bike a little, but after today, I know I can ride well and run well off the bike.

Overall, a huge confidence builder workout today.  Jess made another delicious meal for me, and we watched the Sox take game 6!  One more to go, the comeback kids.  I rode the bike with no music, 6-1/2 hours of just me and my thoughts.  I passed alot of people outside with their dogs, and it always makes we want to get back home and spend time with my family.  Especially when I see a Golden.  Harry is so sweet, and gentle, and hands down, my best friend.

Do it all again tomorrow…well, not as much.  But enough.  Entering a stabalizer week on Monday.  WELL NEEDED.