Training Week 14: 3/17/08 - 3/23/08

Planned Training
Monday - 3/17/08:
REST DAY
Tuesday - 3/18/08:
AM - Bike = 1 hr 20 min done
PM - none
Wednesday - 3/19/08:
AM - Bike = 30 min done
PM - Run = 15 min, Swim = 1 hr Master's swim done
Thursday - 3/20/08:
AM - Run = 1 hr done
PM - Swim = 45 min Master's swim done
Friday - 3/21/08:
AM - Run = 50 min done
PM - Swim = 1 hr Master's swim done
Saturday - 3/22/08:
AM - Bike = 1 hr, Run = 30 min done
PM - Swim = 1 hr (Udall) done
Sunday - 3/23/08:
AM & PM - Bike = 6.5 hr ride (100 miles) done

Weekly S/B/R Compliance (based on BT training plan):
Swim = 225 min / 225 min = 100%
Bike = 572 min / 530 min = 108%
Run = 187 min / 155min = 121%

Total SBR training time for Week #14 = 16.4 hrs (Highest peak week!)

Monday, 3/17/08 Update:
This week is going to be another 15-16 hr training week. At least it's my last hard training week, and next week the taper starts. Though the first taper week is still 12 hours, so I'm not sure if it's much to look forward to. Why can't taper be "stop training completely and rest?" Or at least "just do one workout a day." But no, it's pretty much the same 2X per day stuff, just without a long bike or run on the weekends. And people say they hate the taper. What kind of freaks hate taper? The less training I can do, the better.

Yep, I am sick and tired of training. This is what happened last time, except last time I would skip out on workouts and not train. I'd look at the training plan like what is on schedule for this week and say "15 min run? Are you kidding me? I'm not messing up running clothes and getting changed just to run 15 min." So a workout like that would be dropped. And eventually it all adds up and at the end of the month you realize you really didn't train much. Not this time. No matter how much I want to stop training right now, I still keep doing it because that's where those 6 minutes could come from. This year I don't have the question in my head of "Did I train enough?" I know I couldn't have trained any more. Well, I could have if I quit my job and stuff, but given the time I had I couldn't have done more. I could have definitely done less. So it's nice to be going to the starting line knowing I've done everything training-wise to get there.

The pool makes me want to cry. Swimming is now my least favorite of the 3 sports. I don't have a favorite. It's more like "which one do I hate least?" I hate biking least, because I get to sit down. But I hate biking a lot if it's more than 4 hours. Running is now second. I used to hate it the most, but oh no, swimming has taken that spot over. I hate the pool, I hate the chlorine/bromine/whatever halogen they're using nowadays smell that is constantly on my skin, and I hate being wet because wet = cold and I hate being cold. I may stop showering because it makes me wet which makes me think of swimming and how much I dislike it. Most of my workouts are Master's swim because I need a group to keep me in the pool. It's not like I talk to anyone there (unless other Tri Girls show up, but I haven't seen any in awhile). It's not like the evening coach is much help. No, I think it's the $40 a month and trying to remember the workout that keeps me going back. All I know is, if I swim on my own, I end up watching the clock until I get to get out.

I've started making my packing lists. Thank goodness for blogs, because I pulled up last year's and copied most of what was on there. I've also ordered more nutrition mix, and started my to-do list of the last things needed before race day. I'll pack everything in grocery bags that are labeled like the race bags (i.e. dry clothes, T1, Bike special needs, T2, Run special needs) and then when I get to the race I'll just transfer everything over to the official bags.

Friday, 3/21/08 Update:
I have survived until Friday! Just a few more short workouts, and a long bike on Sunday, and my last long week of training will be done. Next week the taper begins. I am NOT looking forward to tonight's or tomorrow's swim. 4 straight days with swimming. Are you kidding me? Why do I have to swim so much for the sport that takes the least amount of time to do in the actual race? I've determined that the only reason triathlon has the swim portion is to disorient you and make you as uncomfortable as possible for the bike.

I have mapped out my training schedule for the next 3 weeks. All that means is I take the BT plan and switch the workouts around to fit my schedule. I have also made a detailed race week schedule with just about every hour accounted for Thurs - Sun leading up to the race. Yes, I am that OCD about this. You'll see when I post it here in a few weeks.

Tues - Fri this week was all early morning and late evening workouts. Mostly up at 5AM to get out the door for a run (or on the trainer), and Master's swim at night. I AM SLEEPING IN TOMORROW MORNING! I really need to keep on top of the sleep right now. They say sleep is an important part of taper, so who am I to argue?

For some strange reason, these shorter runs this week have made my legs and feet hurt. They have all been easy, short runs. Yet my legs, knees, and feet are really tired afterwards. Either it's due to last weekend's 3 hr run, or it's part of the winding down. They do say you will feel "bad" during taper, so I'm not sure what "bad" means.