week 12

I'm 12 weeks into my training program. I read forward to the summer months to get a sense of the training ahead. The workouts I've been writing about barely scratch the surface. We're planning a vacation in July - a week when I'm supposed to do workouts like 8 Mile Hill run one day, then a 2 mile open water swim, then 20 mile run marathon pace, then 6 hours on the bike followed by a 10 mile run. Big time effort, and dedication, and commitment. There's no other way to do it I suppose. I need more time.

Last September I drove to Wisconsin to sign-up for this event. Ironman is growing in popularity. It sold out within hours. I stood in line, and at times laid shivering, on a concrete sidewalk for 5 hours just to get in. Craziness. This whole thing is just a childhood dream I've always had and can't shake. I've always been drawn to endurance events.

I got the boys settled in tonight, reviewed the homework, hit dinner, cleaned up, then rode my trainer for 45 minutes. More high output work - 15 min warmup, 2X Single leg drill, 8 minutes L3, 2 min L2, 1 min L5, 2 min L2, 1 min L5, etc. My sister came to visit a few weeks ago and moved the fan that I use while riding. Now I always forget it, until I'm dripping wet and ready to die from exhaustion. I pushed it hard tonight, to the limits of my pain threshold. Cycling recovery is always faster than swimming recovery. I only felt 'sick' for a few minutes. Again, 'sick' = lactic acid build up. It's something that experience helps cope with I think.

I saw my first crocus a few days ago. Pure beauty. Day light savings time has weakened my morning motivation. I was close to seeing the sunrise near the end of my morning run, and now it's pure black again.