Lake Tahoe Reflections

Now that the race report is done, it's time for a little reflection on my race at Ironman Lake Tahoe.

I am very proud of myself for finishing a race that was very difficult for me. I am not as happy that quoting seemed like such a viable option for so long on the bike. There are always dark places in an Ironman race (or so I am told) it's unfortunate that my dark place lasted 6 hours during this particular race. I hope that no one takes my report or my personal experience as a negative reflection on this race. Ironman Lake Tahoe is a beautiful venue, it was well run, and I consider myself lucky to have gotten to be involved in the inaugural race. On the other hand this race should not be under estimated, if you want to complete an Ironman and want a challenge this is your race.

In case anyone is considering racing this in the future here is what worked well for me and few things I would do differently if I could.

Things I would do differently in the future:

• Work more on my climbing and descending skills, the bike course is very challenging, and at altitude. It would have been ideal to go out and train on the course. I am a fairly new cyclist and I worked hard this summer but I think I could have used more time. Also I would put more time into strength training to make sure my legs had plenty of strength to get up and over the long climbs.
• Really have my nutrition down before the race. I can't really put my finger on the reason I felt so sick for so long on the bike. I was fine until the first set of climbs then my stomach went into revolt, my mood plummeted and I had a hard time eating anything. Soon after I stopped eating as much my energy started to sag, not surprisingly.
• Take more electrolytes. I was craving salt really badly at the beginning of the run which makes me think I was neglecting my salt on the bike. It was easy to forget about my salts when it was so cold.
• Get my metal game together before the race. I was pretty thrown by the cold and terrible weather the day before and I think it shook my confidence at little.

Things that worked for me:

• My swim training, I felt great on the swim, I sighted well and even was able to draft a little. I decided to wear two swim caps but not a neoprene cap or booties. I was happy and warm enough on the swim.
• When heading to Tahoe I packed every piece of cold weather gear I own and I wore all of it on the bike, I was still cold but I am not sure what else I could have put on.
• Switching to a compact cranks
• Full change in T1 and T2, I can't imagine being wet on the bike or the run.
• Warm clothes on the run instead of a tri kit
• Having great support on the course from my family
• Deciding to never give up. I thought about quoting but I decided that as long as I was physically able I would keep moving forward and eventually I made it to the finish.

Even though my race was more of a challenge for me than I would have liked I still love Ironman, love that I took on this challenging race and look forward to doing it again in the future.  

Ironman Lake Tahoe Race Report – The Run

Ironman Lake Tahoe Race Report – The Run
In case you missed it you can read about Race Prep here the Swim here and the Bike here.

Once I got off the bike I was greeted with very helpful encouraging volunteers. I was very shaky and could barely walk at first, luckily I had support from a very bossy volunteer that rushed me thought T2 like the tent was on fire, she didn’t give me time to consider what I was about to go attempt to do. She helped me get out of all my gear and get back into run clothes. I couldn’t think about what I might want to wear on the run so I just ended up putting everything on, this ended up being another thing that turned out well for me. It feels a bit like there were a lot of happy accidents that helped get me out running the marathon before I had time to think about what I was doing.

I was still feeling pretty horrible and run down the first mile. I hadn’t had a chance to grab anything to eat in transition while being rushed so I was still bonking pretty badly. I told myself to just jog to the first aid station and figure it out from there. My legs started to loosen up a little I couldn’t be believe how tight they were from being so cold and riding for so long (that is the longest I have EVER been on my bike!). I made it to the first aid station and grabbed chicken broth, coke and a cup of chips. They all tasted SO good, I was obviously craving salt and very calorie deficient. After eating everything I started to feel a little better and was motivated to run to the next station, so I could eat more. I did the same thing at the next aid station. And started to feel like I was getting a little full so even though I wanted to keep eating a bunch I figured I would have different issues if I didn’t slow down my consumption. At this point a couple miles in and some food in my stomach I was feeling ok again. At that point I knew that if nothing else went wrong I could finish the race. I also started talking to people again, thanking volunteers and staying in the moment and enjoying the experience of doing an ironman.

Cory was great support on the run, he brought his bike and leap frogged me often to check in on me and see if I needed anything. He also had a few items in his backpack in case I needed them on the run (gloves, ear covers, gels, head lamp, etc) you aren’t supposed to get outside support during the race but they made it very clear to us that we weren’t getting our special needs bag back and I didn’t want to lose gear that I like. So I broke the rules a bit, sorry Ironman, hope I don’t have to give my shirt back! (lots of people were getting warm gear from family and friends at this race and the officials didn’t say anything, I think they were more worried about people going hypothermic)

The course is pretty scenic for the first few miles as you make your way from Squaw Valley to HW 89 and there is a lot of spectator support so that was nice. I knew I had dug myself a hole on the bike so I was conservative and methodical about the run. I walked every aid station and any hill that was “steep” I made sure to run all downhills, flats and shallow up hills. By the third mile I had settled in for the long-haul. It was nice to see Cory periodically so I could look forward to seeing him and that really broke up the run.

The run is made up of two out and backs with the first significantly longer than the second you run about 17 miles in the first loop and 9 in the second . The most scenic part of the run was the portion that you run on the Truckee River Bike Trail right next to the Truckee River. It was beautiful in this section but also very hard for spectators to get to, so it was pretty quite along there. I did get to see a lot of friends due to the out and backs so it was fun to see how great they were doing and cheer them on a bit.

When I got to the first turn around it was starting to get dark, they had been handing out headlights but had ran out so some runners were out in the complete dark. Cory was able to get down to the trail fairly close after the turn around so I was able to pick up my head lamp, ear warmers and gloves from him. I was still feeling pretty good but the temperatures were starting to drop and I was getting cold again. As I started to get colder my stomach started to feel off again. I tried hard to take in coke and broth every station but that was a challenge, I did take one gel during the race because I wanted the caffeine, I should have taken more.

The volunteers were handing out mylar blankets to runners and people were wearing them as capes and even wrapped around their legs. I was warm enough to go without but I felt so bad for the runners who looked miserable and cold. The volunteers were great, making sure people were ok and handing out steaming cups of chicken broth. It was scary to see people laid out on stretchers being taken off the course because of hypothermia. Around this time I passed a friend of mine who was just wearing a tri-kit she was shivering and looked miserable. I knew Cory had another jacket of mine and some hand warmers so I told her to keep an eye out for him and I would send him back for her. It made me feel good that we might be able to help a little and not just leave her miserable. The rest of loop one trudged on, it was dark so I couldn’t enjoy the view anymore but I did talk a lot to other athletes and everyone was very encouraging. As I got back into the village at Squaw Valley I spotted my parents in the crowd, I knew they had been worried about me so I took a minute to give them hugs and let them know I was alright and would see them at the finish line.

It was a little painful to have to run right by the finish line but turn the other way and head back out into the darkness. I was feeling good that the long loop was done and I knew what I had to do. I stuck to my walk/run plan although my definition of “steep” hill was a little looser at this point. By the time I was heading back for the last time I knew that I was going to make it and was ready to be done, it was getting colder and a mist was coming off the lake that hurt my lungs at every breath. Ironman projected a giant M-dot shaped light on the mountain, I could see it from a couple miles out, it was a great reminder that I just needed to get it done.



Running into the village the last time I started to get the elated, happy, energized feeling, I knew I was almost there and I couldn’t believe I had stuck with it all day. I saw Mike Riley even gave him a high five but just like at Coeur d'Alene I couldn't hear him call me an ironman. Guess I will just have to keep doing these things until I actually hear it! There really is nothing else in the world like the finish line of an Ironman.

This post is already really long so I will save post race and reflections for later. 

Ironman Lake Tahoe Race Report - The Bike

In case you missed it you can read about Race Prep here and the Swim here.

This is the part of the report I wish I could skip, the bike ended up being a little bit of a dark place for me, but I will keep it real that Ironman isn't always 100% sunshine and roses.

I was feeling great leaving the swim, I had a great time for me but more importably I felt great and really enjoyed myself. As I made my way out of the water, up the sand and into T1 I was getting really cold and it was really painful to run on my freezing feet. Kind, amazing, wonderful volunteers helped me get my bag and out of my wetsuit. As I made my way into T1 I ran into a wall of bodies. The tent was FULL of bodies there was NO room, people were making full changes in the doorways and doing whatever the could to find room. I was planning on making a full change so that I could have dry clothes on the bike so I was hoping for a little volunteer help. Ladies you know how hard it can be to get a sports bra on when you are damp, couple that with barley working freezing hands and it is near impossible. I think there was a few issues with transition, partially it was just not a big enough space and partially people were taking longer to warm up so there were just more of us in there at one time. I finally found about a square foot to change (no volunteer, no chair) I got myself as dry as possible changed with the help of a fellow athlete who needed help as well. I got all my layers on, stuffed everything in my bag hoping I didn't forget anything and moved to the exit trying really hard to not step on anyone. I waved at my family, tried to make sure everything was sitting right and took off.

I started out feeling happy but my legs felt stiff and slow. I hoped that I would warm up and start to feel more normal as we went. Unfortunately the course starts with a long, gradual downhill that wasn't helping me warm up. I was chatting with other athletes and trying to settle in.

I felt pretty good through Truckee, saw Cory let him know I was feeling pretty good.

Then things started to get a little shaky. I started to feel a little nauseous on the first climb, that got worse on the second big climb. The one cool part of that loop was getting lapped by the pros on a climb it was awesome to see how great they were doing. I wasn't feeling well and couldn't stomach eating anything so I pushed on hoping that some downhill would help me feel better. I wasn't eating so I was getting a little bonky and slowing down. I was feeling pretty negative and stopped talking to people as much. There was a point that I felt like I was just done, I didn't want to ride my bike anymore. On the second loop I told myself all I had to do was get to Cory then I could quit and not have to do the two big climbs again. I wasn't able to eat anything so I thought my day was done. I got to Cory outside of Truckee pulled over and told him I thought I was done and couldn't eat. He felt horrible for me but was supportive. He made the one comment that kept me going, he said "if you haven't been eating there is no way you will be able to run a marathon". It hit me then that I felt like I COULD run a marathon, I wasn't broken physically, who quits 80 miles into an ironman bike, Not me I thought. I knew I might get pulled from the course but I wouldn't quit as long as I could keep moving. So I told Cory I would do my best to get back up over the big hills and just see how it went, I wasn't happy about it, I was hurting, but I was going to try.

After leaving Cory I did my best to put my head down and keep climbing. I got to the top of Brockway summit and thought I could make it back to Squaw Valley but I would have to push it. I did my best to focus push the last 20 miles. I had never really warmed up and it was starting to cool down again, especially in the valley.

I made it to T2, a little shocked that I had gotten there. I can't really explain what went so wrong on the bike, I had trained for the hills and at elevation so I can only imagine that the cold had something to do with it. But I can't explain why I got so sick and stayed sick from 30 miles into the ride on. Something to figure out for the future.

Up next the Run - promise it gets better!

Ironman Lake Tahoe Race Report - Race Morning and Swim

Because we stayed very close to T1 near Kings Beach I was able to get up a little later at 4am. I had most things ready to go the day before so all I had to do was eat, drink some coffee and get dressed. It was a little crazy to put on a goose down coat, hat, gloves and uggs for a triathlon. The temperatures were in the low 30s. But it was calm and not raining so it looked like the race would go off at the full distance. There were rumors that the race would be softened to 1.2 mile swim, 15 mi bike and 26.2 mile run.

It was pretty crazy in transition and a little difficult to get around for athletes and spectators. I think this small beach area was too small for the number of competitors even with 20% of the field not showing up race morning. I didn't leave any food or liquid on my bike overnight, and I was glad since others had frozen bottles and bars. After loading up my bike I added hand warmers to my bike shoes so they would be nice and warm once I got to transition.

After finishing my prep work it was time to get into my wetsuit, and hand off my stuff to my family. I left my sandals on to walk to the start because the sand was so cold that it hurt my feet. Ironman Lake Tahoe was using the swim Smart Start instead of the mass start. I thought it worked really well. We lined up by predicted finish time and were funneled through the start arch. It went fairly fast but this beach is fairly shallow so it took a little while to wade out deep enough to start swimming.
 
The swim was by far my favorite part of the day, the water was in the low 60s so chilly but not cold. It was so clear and beautiful, I had a little contact from other swimmers but nothing compared to a mass start.

It was a little hard to sight the first lap given all the mist. It was hard to find the buoys but it was incredible to see so much in the water and the snow capped mountains. As usual the turns were a little slow and people decided to walk the turn to the start of the second lap in the water. I wanted to swim so a popped up to clear a little water out of my goggles then started swimming again. On the second lap the sun came out and the water was even more clear, it was surreal. I tried to take it all in and really enjoyed this swim more than any other race I have ever been in. I found some great feet to follow and was pulled in. I was pretty happy with my swim, no cramps and I felt like I kept it nice and easy. I got out of the water and my feet immediately started to hurt from the freezing sand as I headed towards T1.


Up Next: T1 and the Bike

Ironman Lake Tahoe - Check!

Whew, that was a HARD race! We leave Lake Tahoe today and will take two days to drive home so race reports and details will come later.

I survived what mike Riley called "the harvests Ironman ever" and finished Ironman #2

Already dreaming of my next adventure…….

On the Road to Tahoe

It's go time! This last weekend was full of shopping, prepping, making lists, making piles and packing bags.

I found it challenging to pack for this trip because I am not used to the cool weather that we will have in Tahoe. Which jacket will I wear on race day? Who knows, let's just throw in all of them! The picture above is about a third of the clothes I packed. While my body has had some aches and pains normal to taper I have enjoyed it, I feel like I should hate it but my body and mind was ready for a rest. I enjoyed easier rides.

And some time to enjoy fall treats
PSL!

Today I am excited to start our journey by driving from Denver to a state park near Park City, Utah.

We decided instead of staying in a generic hotel that we would camp for the evening. We really love to camp and haven't gone this year so this was a chance to get at least one night in before it gets too cold. It's about an 8.5 hour drive through the mountains and will be BEAUTIFUL. Tomorrow we will drive another 8.5 hours from Utah to Tahoe.

I imagine this part will be less scenic but we have lots of audio books to keep us entertained. Must go pack up the car, catch you guys in Cali!

Ironman Lake Tahoe – Peak Training Week #1

Last week was my first week in official peak training for Tahoe. My workouts haven’t changed that much, they are just a little longer/harder (10 miles of intervals instead of 6, etc) and weekends are really long to simulate some race fatigue. There will be 4 weeks of peak training then taper, then race day (SO CLOSE!). Week two is actually a bit light compared to some of the others because the semester is staring and I am teaching on Saturday and we are celebrating my dad’s 65^th birthday on Sunday so there is no way I am getting 6+ hour training days in. Big workouts are getting shifted to Mon-Tues of week 3 when I have time off of work so week 3 is going to be extra big. Hopefully I will be able to recap it all here for posterity. Here was Peak week #1:

Monday: Rest Day

Tuesday: 1.5 mile open water swim – it’s now dark at 5:30 at the lake, it’s nice to watch the sunrise but not so fun to swim in the dark.

Running Speed work at the track – standard

Wednesday: First day of Climbing Camp (more on this later, but it’s crazy cool)

Strength training

Thursday: Was supposed to run or swim but my pug was acting sick so I stayed home and did strength training to keep an eye on him. He seems fine, I think he just wanted more attention.

Pm- short run

Friday: 25 mile ride

Saturday: 3 hour bike ride with lots of climbing and strength training

Sunday: 3 hour bike ride followed by a 16 mile run (was supposed to be a 20 mile run but I ran out of fluids early, it was 97 degrees and I was feeling really bad so I cut it short, boo)

This week had a couple challenging days. Sunday included me wrecking my bike, getting stung repeatedly and getting dehydrated. But I tried to just keep going, these hard days make race day easier. I wrapped up the week with 18:41 hours of training.

This week will be a challenge to get everything in as it’s back to school for my students and we have family coming to stay with us, wish me luck, under 5 weeks to go!!!

Peak Training

Whew - the blog has been neglected a bit lately, I have been training a lot, and trying to get into the mountains as much as possible while getting ready for Tahoe. \

Going to try to get back to blogging a little more regularly because even though I am losing sleep I am having a lot of fun!!!

Ironman Lake Tahoe Training – 10 weeks to go

WOW, just 2 months from today is race day, time is FLYING! This week went ok for my knee it’s just been a challenge to fit everything in! Last week was bigger than the week before and this coming week will be 20+ hours (wish me luck) then a mini taper before Boulder 70.3. Here is how last week shaped up:

Monday: Early morning swim 2,500m

Hip strengthening exercises in the evening, I am supposed to do these every day and that has been a GIANT fail, I must get better at this for my physical health!

Tuesday: 70 minute spin class

PM: Standard track session

Wednesday: 24 mile ride with hill climbs

PM: Strength Training

Thursday: Open Water Swim Clinic and strength training

Friday : Planned Rest day

Saturday: Unplanned rest day (was supposed to swim but our dog Bailey was sick and needed to go to the vet). After Bailey felt better we ran some errands, and went to a first birthday party.

Sunday: 100 mile ride with hills and 20 minute t-run. This was my longest ride since Ironman CdA last year and only my third time riding over 100 miles. It went much smoother than last year. On the other hand last year I rode the century the day after a 25k trail race so maybe it’s not a great comparison.

This week added up to just 16 hrs and 15 minutes, a little less then I was hoping given the unplanned rest day. Also running was dismal last week with less than 10 miles. This week will have a lot more running and a lot more hills!

How did your week look?

Ironman Lake Tahoe - 11 Weeks To Go

On my training schedule coach started listing weeks left to go, made my heart skip a beat or two! This week was hopefully the last lightish week modified for my knee injury, hoping to be back at it strong next week! So here is the quick and dirty of how last week went down:

Monday: 30 mile ride after work
Tuesday: Speed work at the track

Wednesday: 90 minute spin class
pm: Strength

Thursday: am- run

pm- Strength

Friday: Open water swim

Saturday: "longish" run at 9,000+ elevation

Sunday: Longest swim since IMCDA 2.4 miles open water, felt pretty good, then hill repeats on the bike (didn't feel so good)

Closed the week with 13.5 hours training. I expect that to increase a lot next week hoping for the best! How was your week?

Double Digits

I can't believe that I am now less than 100 days away from Ironman Lake Tahoe

Source

Time is flying, and I am ready for a summer of big training and hopefully a lot of focus! First triathlon of the season is less than two weeks from now and I am excited to FINALLY get this season rolling.

What are your big races coming up?

Ironman Lake Tahoe – Week 23

Wow, week 23 flew by! Here is what training looked like:

Monday: Rest, I meant to do yoga or something but I was exhausted from traveling and had to catch up at work

Tuesday: am: first open water swim of the season!

Wednesday: am 80 min trainer ride
pm: strength training

Thursday: Tempo Run
pm: strength training
Friday: Trainer Ride

pm: Strength Train

Saturday: 60 mile ride to watch mom compete in her first triathlon, she did amazing!

We were meant to do a 6 mile run off the bike but Cory got a flat and we arrived too late to run

Sunday: 1.2 mile open water swim (felt ok but not great) then was supposed to run 10 miles but my knee has been hurting (SH!T) so we went for a 5 mile hike instead.

Total ~ 16 hours would have liked a little more running and a little less pain. I am worried about my knee but I am going to do what I can to avoid a full blown injury and keep trucking through that I can

Ironman Lake Tahoe – Week 20

I can’t believe it’s week 20 already, about 125 days until Ironman Lake Tahoe! So far training has been fun, a little sporadic and light hearted. I have a work trip coming up this week that will disrupt training so my plan is to do what I can now and really start focused training when I am back on June 3^rd. Here is how last week shaped up:

Monday: 12 mile easy run before work

PM: a MUCH needed massage!

Tuesday: 2600 m swim (had to miss track because I had a work event in the evening)

Wednesday: am strength training
PM: 80 minute trainer ride

Thursday: yoga with the pug

PM: Maters Swim: 3100 yds

Friday: 4.5 mile tempo run
PM: Friday night climb 28 miles

Saturday: 80 mile ride (no big climbs) with a 15 min t-run. This ride felt great, I finally feel like I am making some progress on the bike

Sunday: 6.5 mile hilly trail run

Total ~ 17.5 hrs training. I would have liked to have gotten in one more swim and one more strength session last week but BBQ plans trumped even open water swim. I am so excited that it’s officially triathlon season. Lots of friends racing and an Ironman to follow almost every weekend makes me happy.

What did your week look like?

Ironman Lake Tahoe Week 13

Another week down - this week was ok from a training perspective, I was feeling a little under the weather so each session was a bit of a challenge. Also it was spring break here in Denver so it was an extra busy week at work with early mornings and late evenings at work.The big fail was that I didn't get in the pool once, I kept meaning to and then wither sussed out pushed it off. That really can't happen anymore, must be more consistent in swimming, and all disciplines. It's officially Spring and the pre-season winter safety is now gone. But it's a new month with a clean slate and a chance to go from doing ok to going great! I am now looking at the start of race season starting this weekend with Boulder Half Marathon.

Here's a look at week 13:

Monday: Yoga and indoor spin, lots of snow still on the ground

Tuesday: Yoga (legs still tight from the weekend) and track practice the track had a little lush and I left with a few new blisters on my toes

Wednesday: 90 minute trainer ride (lots of indoor riding this week) and strength training

Thursday: 80 minute trainer ride, also this was my first bike commute to work of the year, shameful that it took this long!

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 56 mile ride in Boulder, so nice to be outside!! Topped off with a 5 mile ride with my parents and a 3.5 mile transition run, this was my fist t-run of the season and I could really feel it. I have had a few of these on the schedule but haven't been able to make it work before because of weather.

Sunday: 8.5 mile run, I would like to have run further but I am trying to keep my milage in check this early in the season

Total: 13ish hours of training and feeling ready for more

Ironman Lake Tahoe Picture Recon

While I was "studying" last night I started googling information about IMLT, I had been getting very nervous about the amount of climbing there would be on the bike. After scoping out the elevation profile carefully I compared it to the IMCDA profile since that is my best frame of reference . It looks like Tahoe has less than 1000 feet more than CdA. Tahoe will definitely be difficult but I had it in my head that it was going to be twice as hard.

As I was trolling around the internet I found a blog called IM Tahoe Live written by a triathlete who lives in Tahoe. This site has amazing information about the race! He has loaded videos of the swim area, and the bike and run course. Plus tons of photos and information about the race.

Photo pf the bike path that the run will be on [Source]

I had fun checking out all the information I could find, the one downside was that I was getting so excited about the trip and race that once it was time to go to bed I felt too ramped up to sleep. Thankfully it didn't take to long to wind down and fall asleep. 

Anyone else so looking forward to races that aren't until this summer, or in my case fall?!?

Ironman Lake Tahoe Training Week 3

Training for the week 1/14

This week looks much like that last two, with the major different of a 3.5 hour bike ride on Sunday. I really hope I can go outside and ride a REAL bike. If I can't get outside I will have to try not to go crazy inside. I am happy to run outside:

But riding outside is another story, time to man up!

Monday: Yoga

6 mile run (optional)

Tuesday: 3200 swim

90 minute interval run

Wednesday: 70 minute spin

60 minute strength

Thursday: 6 mile run

2750 m swim

Friday:  75 minute spin class

60 minute strength

Saturday: 12 mile run

Sunday: 3.5 hour bike ride (If I can get outside I will try to go for my favorite 60 mile loop)

60 minute strength

Approx: 18 hours

Anyone racing this week?

Ironman Lake Tahoe Training Week 2

I was excited to hear this weekend that one of my favorite pro triathletes is starting to offer coaching to all level of triathletes. Beth is a pretty kick ass athlete and still works as a school psychology, major props to her.

Check out her site for Reve Endurance if I didn't already have a coach that I loved working with I would totally sign up in a heart beat!

After being kicked in the head this weekend by a virus I am taking full advantage of todays rest day. I am hopeful that I will be recovered enough to get all the rest of my training on the schedule in for the rest of the week. This week looks a lot like last week. I think this will be the recipe for my base building phase that will make up the bulk of my training. Coach defines Base Building as:
The BASE BUILDING PHASE is used to build the aerobic capacity. Although
longer duration workouts at slower pace and intensity are predominant, there
will be some training that will test your anaerobic base. Specific emphasis will
be placed upon each discipline (swim, bike, or run). Depending upon when
you begin your training schedule and your level of fitness, the Base Building
Phase generally makes up the bulk of your training schedule

So this is 'hopefully' what my week will look like (pending not getting any sicker)
Monday: Yoga + hip and core exercises
Tuesday: Distance focus swim 3200 yd
6 mile fartlek run
Wednesday: 90 min spin class
Yoga/Pilates Class
Thursday: 60’ progression Run
Swim: 2700 yds
Friday: 90 min spin class

Strength session

Saturday: 2.5 hour bike ride (snow forecasted, hello trainer)

Sunday: 15 mile run

Strength Session

Weekly Total: ~17 hrs

Other things I need to focus on this week is setting myself up for success for the rest of the semester (starting next week and ending mid May). I have been trying to get back into a routine with work and training. Now I need to make sure that I am as organized as I can be now because free time will be extremely limited once classes start. What does your week look like?

Ironman Lake Tahoe Training Week 1!!!

Good morning everyone, today was my first day to wake up back at 4:20am, it was a little painful after a week and a half vacation from work and super early alarms. It will get easier as the week goes on but it's always a little bit of a shock. It's already Wednesday (whaaaaaat?) but I thought I would list this weeks workouts since it's my first week in base training for Ironman Lake Tahoe. I have a long way to go so it's time to get after it!


Monday: 2000 m swim with short transition to 2 hour bike ride brick
Tuesday: 13.2 mile run
Wednesday: 90 min spin class
Yoga/Pilates Class
Thursday: 60’ Tempo Run
Swim: 2900 yds
Friday: 75 minute spin  
Strength session
Saturday:
Swim/Bike Brick:Swim – 2500 yds, short transition 75’ on a spin bike
Sunday: 14 mile endurance run
Strength Session

This week in workouts 2

I really enjoyed my time off work to focus on school and training, but now it's back to reality. Last week I saw a lot of this:

This:

And This:

This week I will be putting in my time at work but also putting in the time training. When coach sent me this week's plan I was surprised to see doubles that weren't just strength. I thought I had a couple more months before those kicked in but I guess he thought I should get after at and secretly I kind of love it. It's a big week for me as I try to wrap up school for the semester so an extra challenge I have given myself is no tv. I need to be extra productive with my time and it's easy to get sucked into watching my favorite shows.

Here is the plan for the week:

Monday: 60 minute yoga and strength

Tuesday: am- 75 min spin class

pm- 90 min interval run

Wednesday: am- 90 min spin class

pm- 60 min yoga

Thursday: 6 mile easy run

pm- 2750 m swim

Friday: am- 90 min spin

pm- 30 min strength

Saturday: 18 mile trail run

Sunday: 3200 m swim and 60 minute strength

What does your week look like?

One Year From Today

September is one of my favorites months and unfortunately it is flying by! I spent last week learning all about my field of work that I am passionate about and have a LOT of fun (meaning lots of dinners out, drinks and little training)

Good thing I don't have any A races for a while but it's time to get back on it since exactly one year from today I will be having a blast competing in Ironman Lake Tahoe. I love that it is on the first day of fall.

Source

As for fall, this is my favorite time of year to run, nice crisp temperature, not too cold, no lingering ice like there is in the spring. The turning leaves make it especially fun to run and ride in the mountains. Time is short before we start getting snow in the mountains and even here in the city so I need to make a quick list of all the things I wold like to get done before winter settles in.

I have been having some fun on pinterest

Anyone out there sad to see summer go?