Mighty Tired

Well, week 1 (or week 20, depending upon how you look at it) of half iron training is in the books. The training plan Annnn found for me called for 40, 30, and 60 minute runs; 30, 60, and 90 minute bike rides; and three swims of some sort.

So Sunday, I ran four hilly, painful miles. Monday, I had planned to ride but opted out since it was raining. My training plan highly recommends doing your workouts in all weather conditions because you have no control over race day, but I figured I've got another 19 weeks to work through bad weather - so I didn't do anything. Tuesday, I planned to run in the morning before work, but my running partner bailed the night before and it was still raining.

Yeh, going well so far, isn't it?

I felt guilty all day Tuesday so I was determined to run that evening. Unfortunately that meant taking Rainbow along with me. Things started out well, with her biking beside me while I ran. She darted into cul de sacs as I ran by so she could get a little speed. When we got to a nearby lake, she left her bike and we both ran around it. Which meant sprint, stop, walk, complain, repeat. For a mile. By the time we got back to her bike, I was in full self-talk mode, asking for patience. And then the wheels fell off, if you'll excuse the bad pun. The route home included me getting hit a few times by the bike, Rainbow darting into the middle of the road without looking for traffic, riding super slowly in front of me, stopping to scratch her nose, stopping to fix her hair, and finally getting really mad at me for mentioning that it is important to look for cars and taking off for home. There were no endorphins going on whatsoever! But I'm still counting that as four miles easy.

Wednesday morning held more promise. I met my early morning cycling crew which this week consisted of Dave, Richard, Patty, Robert, Kathryn and Georgia. My back tire was leaking air and so the phenominal pit crew of Dave and Patty changed my tube for me at record pace. Then we rode 18 miles. My bike computer stopped working but Georgia's said 17 mph average speed. A good start to the day.

After Tuesday's running debacle, I was motivated to get my butt out of bed Thursday morning. Fortunately Alison could meet me. We ran 3 1/2 miles together and then I ran another 1 1/2, averaging 10:05 min/mi (the only time I wore my Garmin all week).

Friday as a special bonus workout, MightyB and I met early morning for a 22 mile ride, 17.8 mph average pace. Dave joined us and the two of them showed me how much work I have to do as they easily dropped me at a whim. But as always it was great to ride with them.

Today, Richard kindly waited for me to finish with the kids' triathlon to ride mid-day. We rode the Goochland loop and a bonus loop through WC for a total of 24 miles, 17.0 mph average pace. Richard had a flat about half way through and I asked if I could change it for practice, and with a little help - I did it! I'm so proud of myself! Richard wouldn't let me draft nearly enough but otherwise it was a great ride with one of my favorite cycling partners.

So that's three runs and three bikes. Hmmm, feels like I'm missing something. What could it be? I can't seem to think of anything...

Guess I'm doing okay so far.
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Mighty Scared

Last year about this time, I went on a fun girls weekend up to the mountains. We did a little biking, a little eating, a little singing, and a lot of drinking. It was very fun.

Late night, MightyB put on her cool Mighty Man sweatshirt. We all admired the race swag, as well as her ability to do the race. She rhapsodized about the beautiful course, and before long we had all agreed to do it. One day.

About the only smart thing I did that night was say that there was no way I could be prepared for a half by the fall of 2009. (This wisdom even after I broke a plate and tried to set the deck on fire.) 2010! we all agreed. 2010 would be our year for a half iron.

Over the subsequent months, wiser women than I backed out of said race or tried to make cases that either (1) drunken promises don't count or (2) they never really committed or (3) both of the above.

I kept talking a big game.

And then suddenly it was time to put my money where my mouth is.

I'm in no better shape than I was a year ago. I have no training plan nor do I even belong to a gym anymore. And I have yet to mention any of this to my husband.

So of course, I registered.

OMG! What have I done????

It will be fun.... right?!?!?!
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