Week 2 - Enjoying the Taper! - Can an Average Runner Become an IRONMAN?

Sunday – Chicago Triathlon was fun! See more here.

Swim 17:40
Transition 1: 7:53 (includes approximately ½ mile jog)
Bike: 54:29
Transition 2: 3:37
Run: 27:55 = 1:51:31 minutes

Monday – Off. Got a massage!

Tuesday – Swim session: Warm-Up: 250 continuous, Main: 200, 2 x 100, 200, 2 x 100, 200 (200s at RPE 4, 100s at RPE 7 to 8). This felt quick and easy. Took about 40 minutes.

Bike 60 minutes in cycling room at gym. Warm-Up: 10 minute RPE 3, 40 minute RPE 7. Cool Down: 10 minute RPE 3. I just tried to push the effort in the middle some. = 100 minutes

Wednesday – 90 minutes of cycling, did a 60-minute class in the middle of this. Did some intervals and hills and at end of class did different components in quick succession. Fun class. Feeling strong. = 90 minutes

Thursday – Off. Travelled without any workout clothes. It was great! Didn’t pack workout clothes, no water bottle, no running shoes, no gels, didn’t search for a nearby lap pool, don’t even give a shit if the hotel has a fitness center!

Friday – 40 minute run. Outside, great temp. Strides every 5, starting at 10 minutes. Run went by quick. = 40 minutes

Saturday – Amy came with me to the gym! Met at 6:30am , got 2 lanes in the pool and I swam 45 minutes continuous. I was jealous of her variety in the next lane as I saw her kicking and varying it up.

Then to cycling room. 8am to 9am class. Instructor comes in and says he’s do the longest hill he’s ever done in a class. Sorry Amy! And he said it was in honor of Amy Riley doing Ironman Wisconsin the next weekend. Yay! Cheers for me! (I eat this stuff up!) He also mentioned it was my first Ironman on one of the toughest Ironman (IM) courses. Whew!

A gal in the glass showed me her IM water bottle. I gave her a thumbs up. What I should’ve and could’ve said was, “I’ve seen your Ironman water bottle and I’ve been jealous of it for quite some time!”

Enjoyed the class. Walked Amy out afterwards and returned for the 9:15 to 10am class. Then added on to get to 3 hours. It’s nice to notice that the cycling classes full and easier than it once was.

Feeling humbled by the support and enthusiasm of my friends and family.

The countdown is on and I certainly feel it. It’s amazing to me that other are tuned in as well. = 225 minutes

TOTAL = 555 minutes = 9.25 hours