Keepin It Fresh

I will admit doing Ironman's in back to back years is a bit tough, you know what you need to do but you just don't want to repeat the same training plan as last year. If you can more power to you but not this guy. With Ironman Arizona not until mid November I think it is particularly hard to keep things in perspective as you set your training plan and try not to compare it to what everyone else is doing. They are training for either IM Wisconsin\Louisville, or halfs IM's in July\August or the Chicago marathon and you are just really picking it up as everyone else is shutting it down.

So what is the solution, mix things up and set some small challenges\races out there that I didn't do last year. I admit I am one of those that likes to have some smaller events set out there to shoot for\train for that fits into the larger picture but provides a smaller goal as you work towards the larger one. That said I have signed up for a few new things that should be fun and keep things fresh.

First is a 100 mile ride and 10K on August 14th, should be fun and different. Interested register here Endurance Ride and Stride

Second is the Peapod Half Madness Half Marathon on Sept 5th, just something different than running around Springbrook or Waterfall Glen. Peapod Half Madness

Last but I am sure there will be more, the Cara Ready to Run 20 Miler on Sept 19th. Cara 20 Miler

I also still have the Pigman Half Ironman on August 22nd as well.

I am also planning on taking a day off of work and heading to Madison for an 80 miler ride some weekday so if anyone is interested let me know, looking at sometime early Sept.

Consistency

The one thing I have learned over the last couple of years is that with me I do not do well without staying consistent when it comes to training. If I take a couple of weeks off from swimming it does more harm than good and I have known that for quite some time. Up until this year I have never realized how much this applies to my running. For July I have have started to build up my mileage as we are now hitting the big month build ups for IMAZ, the good thing is I can really tell that it is starting to pay off. I have been feeling much better on my long runs, had some of my best runs at Water Fall Glen ever (this is kind of my proving ground, it is long and hilly). I have also hit up quite a few very hot lunch time runs to become one with the heat, honestly they suck but are a necessity (I mean you know it is hot out when after 10 minutes in an ice bath following the run you are still sweating).

Yesterday was one of those days that both workouts felt really good, the computrainer class in the morning the legs were just there and I was able to hit some solid numbers that helped the mind a ton. Than at masters last night we had a sold swim set that I was very happy with minus the small problem of my stupid goggles coming off every time we dove off the blocks when doing push outs at the end. I have been swimming mostly just two times a week but need to add in Sundays as well to make sure things continue to improve, who knows maybe even one day I will learn to stick with flip turns and bilateral breathing?

Already got my run in for the day over lunch, hitting up the pool with Landon after work and a 90 minute ride tonight. I forgot how much planning goes into IM training but the more consistent I am the easier it is.

Landon's Birthday

Gone Training

I haven't been updating the blog much, I sit down to do it and something else takes over. For instance listening to how crazy and pathetic Mel Gibson is. It fascinates me that someone hasn't beat the living shit out of him yet.

So anyways I have picked things up quite a bit since Buffalo Springs and have found a good balance in my training, family time and work. I have been putting in quality time in all three sports and finally things are starting to click.

The one smart decision I have made is to not race Racine this weekend as I am finally back into my routine and getting some training volume on the legs. Recovering from a half IM next week would not be ideal right now.

Quick summary of last week,

1. 32 miles running with my best run at Water Fall Glen of the year.
2. 2 masters classes and a 2 mile open water swim
3. 6 days of riding including a 60 mile adventure on my cross bike on Saturday. Not sure on the total milage for the week but was by far the most for the year (maybe exclude TOMRV)
4. Some good times at the neighborhood pool with Landon (he is getting closer to putting his head in the water but not quite there yet)
5. Took my first ice bath ever (was kind of enjoyable and Landon thought it was a riot to throw all the ice in from the freezer, he was brave and stuck a foot in to test it out)

A 5K, Family Pool Time and A Great Cross Ride

Today was great, it started with Lapinski, the Keatings and I running the Warrenville Firecracker 5K. It hurt 5K's always do. A week after Buffalo Springs I didn't know what to expect. I wanted to run a sub 20 but that didn't happen, I ended up at 20:20 still faster than last year so overall pretty happy about that. Amy and Landon came out to watch and once we were done we headed downtown Naperville to walk around and grab some Einsteins, once we got there I could really feel my calves still a bit sore I am guessing from last week.

Once we got home packed up and walked on up to the neighborhood pool, this was actually quite relaxing as playing in the pool and swimming around actually loosened the legs up a bit. Hung out for a couple of hours, manged to get sun burn on my armpits and than home so Amy and Landon could take a nap. I quickly watched the Tour that kicked off today and should be an exciting three weeks, can't wait for the cobbles on Tuesday may make things real interesting.

Since those two were napping I decided to ride the cross bike, I wanted to try some trails so I rode over to Knoch Knolls park and I had no idea where the trails led, I just winged it and rode. What a blast, below is some of the trails I rode.