Monthly Summary – January
Here’s January:
Swim: 25,950 yards
Cycling (outdoors): 161.4 miles
Cycling (indoors): 12:40 (hours)
Run: 72.92 miles
Strength Training/Yoga: 8 sessions
Approximate monthly total training/racing time: 47.5 hours
Weight: 167 pounds.
If I forget about what’s going on with my back, the month was a good one. A relatiely high volume of training and I had some solid sessions. I spent a fair amount of time on the bike and I feel like it’s paid off in terms of increased cycling strength and muscular endurance. Given a choice, I’d still rather be out on a long run than on the bike, but there’s no real choice if I’m going to do triathlons! I’ve been swimming twice a week and am making slow, but steady progress in the pool. My running is suffering a little, due to limiting time on my feet because of my back and in order to spend more time on the bike. I’m still comfortable cruising for good long run, but I know that I’m not nearly as fast or as fit as I was this time last year. Last winter, I was out racing nearly every weekend; this year, I’m still trying to decide when (or if) I’ll go out for a race. I’m nervous to push myself/my back until I figure out what’s going on and I’m nervous that I’ll be slow(er than last year). I know that I am and have been training much differently this year, so I shouldn’t be upset about being slower, but it’s still not so easy on the ego. I don’t want to get too rash just yet, but I am beginning to question the wisdom of racing Boston in just about 11 weeks. Not that I couldn’t do it, but rather, should I do it? What effect will training and racing have on my back and on the Ironman? I don’t have to decide anything just yet…
Run – January 29
Distance: 8.37 miles
Time: 1:10
Average heart rate: 152
Treadmill, hill workout (total climb: 550 feet)
Swim – January 30
Distance: 3,100 yards
Time: 1:01
Strength – January 30
Indoor ride – January 31
Time: 1:15
Average heart rate: 126
Run – January 31
Distance: 5.5 miles
Time: 45 minutes
Average heart rate: 136
Course: West Side Highway
Conditions: Chilly (high 30’s), windy, clear
Swim – February 1
Distance: 1,650 yards
Time: 30 minutes
Strength – February 1