Last Long Ride

Yesterday was my last long ride until IM. It was a little under four hours and around 65miles. The best part of the ride is that I got to catch up with some women riders from my bike group that I have hardly ridden with all summer. It was so nice to be out with other riders. I rode my TT bike and did spend some quality time in aero position. I now love my bike. I got a new cassette put on so I have a lot more easier gears to spin with and my seat is breaking in. Or maybe I am just trying to be super positive! It was nice getting to ride with others that were on a road bike and being able to see the difference. I definitely do not want to be stuck on my road bike for 112 miles. I was so hungry that I cut out my t-run. Pancakes do not provide the same nutrition as oatmeal (lesson learned). I also bought new bike shoes a size bigger so that I do not have to deal with any swelling or discomfort on race day. I am feeling totally prepared and ready to race. I have a feeling that taper is going to drag on and on. The good news is that this week is going to be perfect weather and I will get to get outside everyday for training!

Taper and 90-minutes of Heaven

Taper has started and I am starting to feel a little more rested. For the past two weeks I have been desperately trying to get in to get a massage. Sadly, August is the busiest time at work and all of the massages have been booked solid. Today was the day. It started off with a nice Masters Swim at 6am followed by a 90-minute massage using hot stones :)....it felt so good. I could feel all the muscles releasing from the past few weeks of hard work. I just have to get out for a nice 60-minute run now. This weekend is a short 3-hour ride and a brief 90-minute run. This taper is going to feel so good!

So Lucky

Just reminding myself of how lucky I am to live in a place where it so easy to train....and beautiful.

HARD Training Week

This past week of training was labeled as "HARD" in my training program. It actually turned out to be hard and great at the same time. The chunk of the week was very similar to the other weeks with tempo work on the bike and run. This week was a 6-7 hour ride followed by a T-run and a 2-hour run on Sunday.
I decided that if I was going to go that far I would go somewhere beautiful. I left from Elmore at 7AM and ended up to Lake Willoughby. From Willoughby I ended down a beautiful country rode and then down route 16 to Hardwick. If anyone is looking for a smooth rode with a nice shoulder check out Route 16, it was awesome! The ride ended up taking around 6.5 hours and was somewhere around 100 miles. I am unsure of this info because my Garmin died in the middle of the ride. I am trying to embrace all of this available technology but forget about the little things like make sure my battery is charged! I finished feeling strong and ended out for my run. Again, no watch but I was out anywhere from 40-45 minutes.
This morning I headed into Stowe to get in a 2-hour run. I had a freshly charged Garmin and ended up running for 2.05 and completed 11.5 miles. Slow, long run!
The best part of this training week is that it is finally hot! Around 85-90 degrees and I trained through it. I can now say I am prepared for the cold, rain, wind or heat!
Next week is also labeled as "HARD". Can't wait :)

VT Sun Olympic Tri

Yesterday was my final race before Ironman Wisconsin. It was the Vermont Sun Olympic Tri at Lake Dunmore. This was the first triathlon that I ever did in 2004. I had a great race as I was within 3 minutes of my best time ever. I finished in a 2:39 and ran a 55 in the 10k which made me very happy. I first thought that my bike was slow and again blamed it on the bike....but after looking at the splits my bike time ended up being 3 seconds faster then when I set my PB in 2007. I lost time on my swim (just a little and on my run). Not a big deal as I felt strong throughout the race and I can not be happier with how my running is progressing.
Luke did amazing and qualified for the Best of the US race that will be held in Mission Viejo at the end of September. So excited and I get to go along for some needed beach therapy.
The next two weeks will be some hardcore training and then a gradual taper for IM. Reality is starting to sink in. I feel strong and confident.

http://www.coolrunning.com/results/09/vt/Aug9_LakeDu_set1.shtml

Lesson learned!

I have gotten many flat tires since I have started riding. Today was the first time that I have ever gotten one solo. I had no cell service so my only choice was to change it myself. I DID IT! And it didn't take me too long. I was very lucky as the flat was in my front tire but I feel like I could do it for the rear tire as well. This might have been one of my most valuable lessons learned this season!