I did hit double digits on the run, Friday, and so that was good. It was a little rough-going on miles 7 thru 10, but I chalked that up to the fact that I was running in Georgia at 1:30 in the afternoon. Yes, we have had a summer of rain, but the heat finally started a week or so ago. Not that it was as hot as most summers here, but you know, it's all relative. For this summer, it was hot, and who has had a chance to acclimate to that with all the rain we have had?? Not this girl. And no matter how long I'm gone from Canada, the fact remains that my genes don't mix with this crazy heat and humidity, no matter how relative it is.
Saturday, I hoped to hit 50 miles on the bike. I was bound and determined to do it, with just 5 weeks till the race. The first 2 hours were great, I hit my power targets, and then it all went downhill from there. Once again, it was later in the day, and I didn't eat first (I know I know). But still. I barely made it home grinding the pedals around like I was pulling a 300 pound child off the back. Goodness. I just watched that power number drop and drop and drop like a stone thrown into a deep pond. It was disheartening. And I never made fifty. 48.7 and I didn't have an ounce of energy in me to go another 1.3. (Although, I think my Garmin is messed up, it keeps losing a mile or two at the turnarounds).
Then Sunday came, and the brick was not happening. At least not as prescribed. My warmup felt like I was at the end of a loooong ride. There was no power. So I did an easy spin for 45 minutes, and ran 3 off the bike. Was supposed to do 2:15 and 5. Shit happens.
Luckily though, I did end the training weekend on a good note with an added workout - an OWS. (open water swim for the uninitiated). I haven't been in open water since Vegas, and with a race this coming weekend, I knew I had to get out there just to get the first one out of the way. (Remember kids, nothing new on race day!). Klafter agreed to come out with me "just in case" - thanks buddy! (btw Brett was pretty shocked that I managed to get you out there...lol). And so we went out to Mary Alice Park, and swam for 45 minutes. Ok, 30ish of actual swimming. And to my surprise, not a single moment of OW panic. I guess that just goes to show that I really have licked that one but good. I've done enough OWS'ing that it just doesn't phase me anymore. The first loop felt very awkward, though it was pretty wavy, which probably explains it. Second loop felt a lot better. Though surprisingly the Garmin says I was faster on the first one, since that is not how it felt.
Bottom line is, my body is tired. I'm asking it to do a lot just 12 weeks back. I also had a TTZ (triple time zone) trip last week. I'd been home for 5 weeks before that -- the longest I'd been home since last June (yes 2012) -- and so maybe my body forgot how it feels. But I have slept more in the last 4 days than I have in the last 2 weeks. And I don't feel sick, so that's not it. I basically slept almost the whole weekend. Literally. And so I'm listening. Resting up. After all, Muskoka is not my end game. Can't burn myself up like I have before. Slow and steady training wins the race, and I have a long road in front of me. My game plan is different - it's called listening to your body. This is an easy week leading up to an Oly on Saturday, so it's good timing. Next week I can jump back in for the final push.
My delish smoothie tonight: kale, blueberries, plain greek yogurt, coconut water, chia seed, flax, salba, fresh lime, and a little cran juice. And an added bonus - skype chats with my Mum AND my daughter. Great way to end the day!
Our bodies are smart - we just have to learn to listen to the subtle messages (before they become loud screams). So the weekend wasn't quite the confidence booster I had hoped for. As Brett reminded me tonight, so what if I haven't hit the distance on the bike yet...my legs have thousands of miles in them. And he's right. So here's to listening and being smart about training long.
Happy Training
Kat
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