Long Week

It has been a long week of training since my last post. I have biked 96 miles, swam 2,250 yards, and run 23 miles. My legs and I am tired. The Rev3 half Ironman is about a month and a half away and although I feel fitter I am still worried about being able to complete the very challenging course in the heat.

I am getting better at enduring the bike rides. This weeks long ride was 50 miles and I did it a little faster than I had been doing the long rides just over 15 miles per hour. I would still like to be faster but I guess I cant have everything.

The long runs also seem "easier" about 11 miles every weekend for the long run, its funny the long runs seem to go faster and feel better that the 60 minute Monday runs I have not figured out why this is though.

And the swimming..... well I guess I'm just lucky enough to be a descent swimmer so I am not having as much of a hard time with that.

So there it is, I will keep training for the Rev3 on July 10 and hope that it all goes well. In a couple of weeks I will be doing a Sprint, the Blue Lake Sprint to practice my transitions and see how my fitness is doing.

Drinking Coke on a Bike Ride?

Since I have been suffering so much on the training for the bike portion of the Rev3 Half Ironman I have been trying to do some research on some things I can do to help that situation. I came across a couple of forums that suggested drinking coke with out the fizz towards the end of the ride to give a little boost of energy. I like soda, so I thought I would give it a try.

On Saturday I went on a 60 mile bike ride (it took me about 4hrs 12minutes) and I brought some coke with me in addition to water and Honey Stinger Gels. At around 30 miles I felt my energy levels dropping so I started sipping on the coke, I think it gave me a bit of a stomach ache but at the same time I feel like it actually gave me a little bit of a boost. I am not sure if it was psychological I will try it again next week when I have to ride 50 miles but I am almost certain it helped me. Enjoy the picture I took while on the ride!

Now off to a 40 minute run and 40 minute strength training. Yes an easy day!

Road ID Slim

I have always liked Road ID after years of use during swim bike run it was time to get a new Road ID. At the recent Beaver Freezer Triathlon I got some coupons for $2 off a Road ID product so I decided this was my chance to get a new Road ID and save some money. I looked at the many different options that this great company offers and that is when I came across the Road ID Slim.

The Road ID Slim caught my attention because I felt I was going to be able to use a Road ID have all my information available but not have something too bulky on my wrist. It is also the least expensive option at only $15.99. I ordered it and and just a few days later I had my brand new Road ID Slim the shipping was so fast! I really like this option and recommend it to people who want to wear he ID at all times and want something just a little smaller. Below is the description from the actual RoadID website.

The name speaks for itself. The Wrist ID Slim is the slimmest (or smallest) ID in our lineup. This pint-size fella may be diminutive in stature, but he is jam-packed with peace of mind. The Wrist ID Slim is worn by some top athletes, but this great ID is also perfect for kids. With its stylish and comfortable silicone band, you will be tempted to make a lifestyle statement and wear it 24/7. Like all our ID products, The Wrist ID Slim can be laser engraved with your emergency contact information and is available in both Original and Interactive versions. There are seven different colors to choose from. You (and your kids) will love wearing The Wrist ID Slim.

X-Small: fits wrists smaller than 6" (152mm)
Small/Medium: fits wrists 6" - 7" (152mm - 180mm)
Large: fits wrists 7" - 8" (180mm - 202mm)

Half Ironman Training swims

If you have been reading this blog you will know that I have been having some trouble with the bike riding portion of my training for the Portland Rev3 Half Ironman. What I am not having problems with is the swim training, it is actually going great.

I am not super fast but I can do the distance and I do not feel like the world is coming to an end when I am done with the distance so basically the total opposite feeling I am getting when riding the bike. I have been doing the half ironman distance (1.2 miles) in about 33 minutes, as I said not really fast but pretty good in my estimation.

The one thing I find hard with the swim though is counting, counting, counting, counting, lap after lap, it is so hard for me to keep track and stay focused. Anyone know any tricks or is this one of those things that are just the way they are?

Monday Monday Monday

Today is Monday which means that I had a bad run. Every Monday I have a bad run its not that I have bad attitude about it I start out feeling positive but for some reason once I get going my pace is always slower than it usually is and I can never get a good rhythm.

Today was no exception, I set out on a 60 min run and I suffered though the whole thing. I ended up covering 7 miles but never felt good about it while I was doing it. I wonder if it has something to do with Sunday being my rest day? Maybe it takes me a couple days to get back in? I am not sure but I wish I knew why Monday morning run was so hard!

On the training schedule for tomorrow 2hour ride and and a lot of swimming. Rev3 Half Ironman is only 2 months away!