Let it Snow - or Not!

One thing has become perfectly clear since training for an Ironman, there is a great deal of running involved in this whole training process - duh! And the involvement of running still holds true when the sky decides to drop a record 21 inches of snow onto all of the perfectly clear running paths. This second week of February proved to be quite a challenge. The snow was starting to use its powers against me and not in a good way.

February 8 - February 14

• February 8 - Swim 4,000 yards/Run 1 Hour - I had another good workout. I can tell my legs are getting stronger and yet my swim seems to have leveled out. I may try implementing some sprint work into my swim workouts. If I see improvement over the next few months, I will keep it in the training. If I don't see improvement, forget about sprints (ha ha ha) (work smarter, not harder - does this quote apply to Ironman training?).

• February 9 - DAY OFF
  
• February 10 - Swim 4,000 yards/Bike 2 Hours (trainer) - Aside from the BORING trainer workout, the day was a success. Nothing significant to report.


• February 11 - Swim 4,000 yards/Bike 1.5 Hours (trainer) - today I chose to put sprints into my swim workout and I felt like a real swimmer for the first time in over a decade (aging myself here). The only difference, coach Shoenfelt wasn't screaming at me at the end of each lap to stop putting my feet on the bottom of the pool (not that I ever did that in high school to make my swims easier). It wasn't a bad day overall, but I know tomorrow I will be running and will be running quite hard. So, I don't want to use all my leg power and not have any for the "Extreme Friday" training day.


• February 12 - This is the day I have dubbed "Extreme Friday" - Extreme Friday is the day I train with an Ironman. Nervous doesn't begin to describe what I feel now that I know what I am getting into. All of the areas I would deem "runner accessible" are now covered in a ton of snow. Regardless of my fear, that is why I go. I want to conquer those fears and succeed while making myself stronger - although quite sore the following day.


• February 13 - Debi's "House of Pain" - Due to the cold and the amount of snow, Ironman Debi has opened her house to a multitude of bike trainers and "Ironmen" and "Ironman hopefuls"). Saturdays are always an interesting day as we all torture ourselves for 2 hours of pure training torture via DVD. However, after the session is complete, the best part of Debi's House of Pain is stuffing my face with breakfast. I have grown to love that "I just kicked the crap out of myself and now my belly is full" feeling. It has become an odd and yet wonderful addition to my day.


• February 14 - Run 1:20 (in the snow) - Today was a prime example of "no pain no gain". I woke up this morning feeling the effects of the run on the 12th. My thigh muscles were tight and extremely sore! I stretched for an hour before embarking out for the moderate/difficult run and was surprised to find that while running I felt fine (excluding any decline in elevation or incline). After the run, however, I went back to being wobbly and my legs felt stiff.
  Those who have discussed Ironman as a head game are correct. I now know what my body is capable of. I could barely walk before the run today and yet I ran. What does that truly say about the human condition and what we are capable of doing when we use our minds toward increasing physical power instead of tearing ourselves down with that same power.
  
  I learned a great deal about myself this week. Despite my fear of training in unfamiliar conditions and better yet, training with someone whose capabilities far exceed mine, I faced those fears and feel as though I came out ahead mentally. I hope that it doesn't snow in Louisville in August, but one can never be too certain about anything and must prepare for everything.