A Note-Worthy Workout

Today (my April 21st workout) started out typical. I thought I would bike a little and then run immediately after for at least :45 minutes. The bike was "fine" until the last :20 when I started feeling almost "drugged". I spent the last :10 zoning out at the ground hoping no-one would run me over. When I finished, I knew I had to run immediately or I would never do it. I arrived home, grabbed some water and headed out.
Usually the first :10 is hard, but then it gets easier. Today, not so much. I spent the next :20 minutes contemplating if I should stop at :30. My legs were begging me and I was hot and thirsty.
Enter Ironman Demon who lives on my shoulder when I turn into a whiny little wuss.
At :30 I stopped for a second ( I never stop at the halfway point). I had two choices as far as I was concerned (1) I could run the .5 miles home or (2) turn back for another :30 minutes. I took a large drink of water, stretched my back out, turned and headed for the additional :30. In the back of my mind I kept thinking "this is probably what the last 10 miles of Ironman are going to feel like". "Going to give up are we?" "Um....no!". At :37 and the final large incline of the run, I thought my legs would give out. However, just moments later, I started feeling strong again. With focus and determination, I cruised home having completed :55 - a minor victory in the pursuit of greater things.
Once home I sucked down a bottle of G2 over ice before any condensation could form on the glass. I took a 10-minute shower and immediately consumed about 4 dozen mini pretzels covered in extra crunchy peanut butter. I had eaten a 6-inch sub right before my ride and afterward, before the run, I was starving again. I guess my fuel gauge was on E during the run. Lesson learned.
I am happy I completed the workout. I am content with my success of one more completed day. Me against myself and me against my abilities and inabilities. This is what it is all about - those small victories new and reoccurring.

April 19- April 25

• 4-19-10 - Run 1:30/Swim 4,000 - Back to The O-H-I-O and the first glimpse of sunshine since leaving for Texas. I went on a 1:30 run. My legs felt strong. The swim felt weak, but what can I expect after having taken off almost 2 weeks in the matter of a month. My arms felt like the limp noodles they probably turned into. I am looking forward to new opportunity here as well as in the run.
• 4-20-10 - Bike 1:30/Run :30 - I fixed my first flat tire on the road today. I'm not saying I did it quickly, but I did it all the same. I feared the flat tire - strange I know, but I dreaded the day it would happen (last year when I had a flat tire, I called someone to come get me because I did not have a spare tube on my bike - duh!). It took me a few minutes longer than I would liked, but by changing my own flat tire, on the side of the road, I have officially conquered yet another fear and put that behind me. The bike felt good today. The run felt fine - the only re-occurring issue I have is that my heels are killing me (left one specifically). I have to find a way around this so I don't screw up my feet or ankles.
• 4-21-10 - Bike 1:45/Run :55 - workout described above
• 4-22-10 - Bike 1:30/Swim 4,000 yards - The hilarity of today's ride was only funny looking back at it. I had no intention of riding for time or mph since this is consecutive day #3 on the bike and #4 on my legs. I still put out 100%, but I try to "smell the roses" on these rides. Instead of smelling the roses, I got dust in my eyes, regurgitated pretzel in my throat and pollinated by the many bugs that whacked into me. I honestly had yellow streaks of pollen all over my arms - pretty odd/funny. The swim felt good. Glad I had two days in between and I have been working on my form as well. During the swim though I hit "surreal mode". I had the "I am really going to do this" moment even though I won't know what "this" is exactly until the day of the race.
• 4-23-10 - Swim 4,000 yards - I just swam today. I thought it would be a good idea to give my legs a rest for a bit.
• 4-24-10 - Bike Trainer 3 hours - I felt stronger on the BT (I had to do a bike trainer workout due to the crazy weather). The road certainly whips one into shape pretty quickly as I felt much stronger this trainer workout than in the past after having been on the road.
• 4-25-10 - DAY OFF

Overall, a successful week. I taught myself a few things, learned that I cannot eat pretzels with peanut butter before I bike or I will be re-visited by them shortly into the ride. I understand my motivation better now - I don't need motivation - I have the will and determination to do this thing and do it well. I want this and cannot put my finger on just one reason why - yet.