Days / hrs / mins Until Ironman CDA

236 days 6 hrs 36 mins 18 secs
33 weeks 5 days

I'm tired

The training program is kicking my butt. I woke up very tired and thought about moving some workouts around. Then I figured that I need to follow the plan as is.

So I ran .75 hours this morning and will ride 2.0 hours tonight.

Yesterday I swam for 1 hour. Biked to nowhere for 1.5 hours.

In between the two workouts yesterday I 1) worked 8 hours and 2) hiked up SolVista with the dogs. The problem with the hike was that by the time I got to the top of the mountain, clouds - thunder - lightening came in. I had to run straight down the mountain for safety and now my quads are killing me; and, I'm tired.

But I'm sticking to the plan no matter what. Tomorrow is (what the plan calls) a mid-week respite and I have the day off from work. Life is good.

Week Ending 10/19/08 Update

Hours Should Have Put In: 11.9
Actual Hours: 5.25

I was sick this week. This week is #16 and next week is #15; 13.9 hours. I'm ready for it. I'm healthy and committed.

I'll see you in a week to see if I did it. Stay tuned.

Week 18 (10/6-10/12) Update

I write this as I listen to "Dream Catch Me" which is forever the theme song to my ole friend Bold's post Ironman life. For some reason, I listen to it over and over and dream of Ironman. I haven't talked to Bold in a while, I miss him. Anyway, I'm listening to this song as I prepare an update on my pre-Ironman Training Plan - Week 18.
Here are the stats:
Should have trained for 7.9 hours
What I did: 6.25 hours.

I missed 4 works outs: 1 swim and 3 bike.

I've been holding out for good weather to bike with my aerobars. I got one ride in and it was great. I was sore for about 3 hours after the ride but the next day there was no soreness in my shoulders or back.

I really wanted to bike today but last night it snowed and this morning the temperature didn't get warmer than 30. I thought it might warm up during the day and I could bike at high noon. Nope, no luck. As of tonight at 7:05 MT my bike is firmly in its trainer looking out the window to the sage and snow-filled hills looking west; my naturally inclined direction. I think it would hurt my neck too much to watch TV while riding. I'm going to make a playlist and ride with music.

This week calls for 3 days in a row of swimming. I like it. I've discovered the sauna at the Y and it gives me something to look forward to after a swim.

All is good here in northern Colorado. I'm figuring everything out. KL out.

I’m reading The Triathlete’s Guide to Mental Training and I’m on the Ironman Preparation and Racing chapter. The section on Expense is the scariest and funniest:

Swim $600
Bike $2700
Run $300
Travel $1,000
Intense suffering for 10 to 17 Hours – Priceless

"These expenses will be offset somewhat by money you would ordinarily spend in other areas during your Ironman training; during periods of high-volume training, you’ll be spending most of your time sleeping, eating, training, and working. You may save money by not going to restaurants, bars, movies ….you may save money on dating because you won’t have the time or energy to date, and few people will want to date someone who spends so much time training."

I ran today

I ran for the first time in 3 weeks. I felt great. I think the last month of mountain biking has helped my overall stamina. A one hour run; half in the morning darkness.

I start back on my Ironman pre-training plan. Back in the pool and back on the road bike (at least until it snows).

That's all I really have to report today. Life is good; training is good; everything is good.