Monday, July 29, 2013

Ironman Florida Training Week #5 (Yes, I’m Still Alive and Kicking)

You all, I did it.

I was not sure how I would get through this weekend of workouts because it was to total of 8 hours and 50 minutes in two days, which may not seem much to some hard core mothers, but it’s an eternity to me. But, I knew I would do it because I never back down from a challenge (except for that one dare in 8th grade, but that’s another post).

Like I said, you all, I did it.

Saturday was 3 hours of riding (46 miles) followed by a 5 mile run. Sunday was 5 hours of riding, 78 miles, followed by a trip to Denver to watch the Rockies beat the Brewers:

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This week was just over 16 ½ hours of training, my highest volume ever. And, you know what? It wasn’t that bad. I had to scramble a bit, eat lots of stuff on the run and be ultra organized with my time, but I DID IT.

Sunday morning I woke up to cloudy and rainy skies and as I rolled over in bed at 6:00 a.m. I made a confession to Ken:

Me: I need a pep talk. BAD. I don't want to go ride 5 hours by myself.
Ken: You can do it. Get up and go. Just you and the road, baby. (well, he didn’t say “baby” but that’s how I heard it in my head).

Honestly, there was, of course, no question if I would do it. I just needed to turn my attitude around. 5 hours is not something you can easily put into every day terms. I kept thinking it was a like taking a red eye from LA to New York or watching 2+ movies. That seemed along time to be on a damn bike.

I chugged a cup of coffee, fed and walked Heidi and stocked my jersey with 1,000 calories of Honey Stinger Waffles, GUs and raisin bread and peanut butter sandwiches. My water bottles were filled with Power Bar Perform. And, I was off.

I didn’t intend to climb so much, but then this happened – 2,700 feet of gain. I think that middle hill looks like a crazy cat with really pointy ears (and a mohawk?):

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I was hoping to hit 80 miles, but with all that climbing, I fell short.

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So, how did the week stack up?

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Bike 9 hours, 49 minutes - ~163 miles
Run 3 hours, 40 minutes – ~ 21 miles
Swim 3 hours, 7 minutes - ~ 8,200 yards (4.7 miles)

Total: 16 hours, 36 minutes – 188.7 miles

Many of you have asked if I’m doing heart rate training, and YES I am. I will talk more about that in a later post. For now I’m going to bask in the glory of 16 hours and 36 minutes by putting my feet up with a glass of wine and some candy bars. Then tomorrow, I’m up early to hit the pool followed by a run.

This Ironman training shit never ends. I have to say that my Coach ROCKS. She is so supportive of me, but also demanding. I think this makes the best combination. She gets that I have a family and a life outside of training and does her best to not have me compromise that.   She also doesn’t bullshit around. She tells me like it is and doesn’t’ sugar coat. I love that.

That said, we’ve decided I should do a 70.3 race in about a month (September 8) as a prep for IM Florida. I’ve opted for the Harvest Moon Long Course Triathlon, which is in Aurora, Colorado. I love that they cap this race at 600 people, that it’s affordable (only $160) and that there is a Slip ‘n Slide at the end (for those who can still move). So, if you are looking for a long distance race to close out the summer, this could be the one for you.

What’s your next race?

SUAR

PS and last but not least - the winner of the Funny Shirts Giveaway is Megan from the Lyons Share. Email me at beth@shutupandrun.net to claim your prize.

And, for those of you didn’t win, Funny Running Shirts was nice enough to give you all a coupon for 20% off your order, just type in SHUTUPRUN at check out. That means each shirt is about $18.00!

34 comments:

  1. You are a freaking rock star Beth. Ironman training is like having a part time job. I hope you enjoyed that class of wine and candy bars.
    My next race is a sprint triathlon on Aug 10th. Hoping to chick the hubby once again. :D

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  2. You are AMAZING - such an inspiration!

    I'm training for my first half marathon so what you're doing sounds like .... just ridiculously amazing. I'm bowing down to you!

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  3. As the others said, you are such an inspiration!

    I just found your blog last week and thoroughly enjoy reading it. You are hysterical and have my kind of humor.

    I'm training for my 2nd half marathon on 9/22: http://www.adirondackmarathon.org/

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  4. Congrats on getting through such a tough week of training! That's a huge accomplishment in itself!

    My next race is Ragnar Relay in about three weeks.

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  5. I had a 5 hour workout Friday and 3 on Sunday, my biggest weekend yet. I ran 111 miles in July and biked 240 and swam forever. I am doing a half IM, can't imagine what my training will be like when I do a full in 2015. Goofy training starts as soon a triathlon season ends so that means I trade long brick workouts for back to back long run weekends, I must be crazy. I salute you, you are a rockstar.

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  6. I have not done harvest moon - but went with my son. that course is HOT... :)

    My son just did a BIG Tri in Columbus ohio- he loved it. competed with some of his iron man winner - heros..

    my next race - childrens hospital half marathon here in ohio.

    thanks for being THAT person that motivates... rock on beth...

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  7. YAY!!!! I have never won anything from a blog - couldn't be more excited! Also, you are amazing and inspiring! I did a 46 mile ride in the heat yesterday after a long run Saturday, and I was pretty wiped ... this puts it into perspective!!

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  8. Amazing! Keep it up!

    And for the record, I'd totally be sold by having a Slip and Slide at the end of any race. haha

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  9. Good gosh. You are a total rock star. I can't wait to read how awesomely your Ironman is going to go.

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  10. Your training schedule is amazing and quite daunting. The fact that you do all you do plus juggle a family etc. I check your blog daily. Such an inspiration.
    I have a "half" planned for the middle of October in Victoria BC and I just signed up for a 10K for the middle of September in Vancouver BC.

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  11. I just want to say that you are AWESOME! I have ALWAYS wanted to do an Ironman but sadly for me I can't swim. I tried swimming on Saturday and it's wasn't pretty. Good luck, I love reading your IM training adventures :)

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  12. You are insane, but amazing. I can't even fathom that level of dedication!!

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  13. I am enjoying following your journey to IM Florida. It's giving me a look at what training would be like when the time comes for me to tackle my first IM. My next race is the Big Cottonwood Marathon on Septmeber 14. Hoping for my second BQ so I can return there next year.

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  14. Training in full force for Tahoe end of Sept. I feel your excitement/pain. No coach...going it alone with a plan from TP. Rode from Superior to Fort Collins (thru Longmont) for last week's long ride. A rare flat course in these parts! I envy you for just signing up! I've been obsessing over this thing for a year!

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  15. That is amazing! Well done Beth - you have just done in your training what I can only imagine doing in my life! That's so awesome.

    I saw a huge sign on a street corner in London the other day: "Please use the toilets provided". I took a pic & thought how you'd appreciate it! I guess Brick Lane has a problem with that :)

    Good luck with the rest of your training.

    Ellie

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  16. Very impressive week of training! Well done.

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  17. Geez you're insanely awesome. It really only shows me that I've got no excuse to not hit the gym, when you have a job, a family, and you know, real life, in addition to the time you spend training. Hero status!

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  18. I don't know how you do it, but keep at it. It's awesome!

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  19. The thought of all your training wears me out. I am doing a sprint triathlon on August 24, that is long enough for me. I don't feel ready for it, but I will finish it. Just might not begin the time I want. Keep up awesome work on the training.

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    1. Best of luck, let me know how it goes!! My first tri was a sprint and it took me forever and I thought I was going to die. Not kidding.

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  20. Well done!
    Hey, what kind of watch is that?

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    Replies
    1. Garmin 210. GREAT watch. Can use for both cycling and running. Mine also has the heart rate monitor.

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    2. How do you track your open water swims? Thanks for the help!

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  21. I totally agree with everyone else! You are and AMAZING inspiration! I had a hard enough time talking myself into things while marathon training and now I have to do another to redeem myself. Way to go!!!

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  22. My next race is Boulder 70.3. I keep hoping to bump into SUAR, but no such luck. All the amazing pics you post, I thought I'd have to give Colorado a TRI :)

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    Replies
    1. Such a great race, my one and only 70.3 Best of luck, sorry I won't be there!

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  23. We went to the Lake Placid Ironman to spectate and support two friends who completed the event on July 28th. It was amazing! I was in awe of the human machines. You came to mind several times. Best of luck training and completing Ironman Florida!

    My next "official" race will be my first full marathon -- Corning Wineglass in NY.

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  24. My next race is Boulder 70.3, but I will probably do Harvest Moon if my friend gets her act together and registers. I did it last year and while the bike was not the most exciting ever, Lance always puts on a great race. And sometimes I'm up for 5 hour rides, let me know, for real.

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  25. Your commitment is amazing; really inspiring. I'm trying to work up the courage to do my second marathon!

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  26. firstly, I'm pretty sure thats not a cat. I see Batman.

    Also, it's sad how excited I got when I saw you have the same watch as me!

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  27. What a great week of training -- you are such an inspiration! Reading about everyone's triathlon training is making me want to give it a try, which is saying a lot considering that I broke my arm the first time I ever tried to ride clipped in. :)

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  28. Ok, so you have the same gps watch as me. I've never worn it for more than a 3 hour run. How long does it last fully charged for you? I am doing a marathon, my first full, in October and I'm hoping it will last up to 6 hours.

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  29. I am just in awe...such an inspiration! I haven't done my first marathon yet (hoping next year!) but I'm hoping I'll be able to attempt a du or triathlon one day.

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  30. Good Work!! Well Done you did your best and proof yourself. I think we should must have take a part in this type of training for a better improvement.

    Personal Training Gold Coast

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