I let life get in the way a bit during Week 6. Then a lot in Week 7. Life got in the way during Week 8, but I made a point not to let it affect my training.
After the long Saturday ride and long Sunday run during Week 5, I started Week 6 off a bit sore. That week’s personal schedule required me to do a workout Monday (normally my day off), so I went to the pool. My pace is a lot better than it has been in years past. I did my first several hundred yards at about 1:45 per 100yd. That’s my goal race pace (for 2.4 miles though).
The renovated aquatic center is finally open! There’s not much difference in the pool, but the locker rooms are much improved (though I still can’t fit my shoes in the Lilliputian lockers!). I didn’t realize until today that the pool I have been using is nearly bathtub temperature. The aquatic center pool is a much better temperature. Only 2-3 more months until the full rec center opens!!
After a mid week lull (life got in the way), the weekend at the end of Week 6 was great. I joined 303 Triathlon for their group workout on Saturday, followed by the broadcast of the 2017 World Championships. The run went well; I hung with the second group. The lead group included two Kona qualifiers, so I don’t feel so bad.
Week 7 was pretty rough. I had a lot going on including getting things wrapped up around the house preparing for an inspection. I only managed one ride, one run, and three swims. I feel like I was able to maintain most of my fitness on the bike and run, and improve a bit in the water. This week was a good reminder of what it will take to keep up with training. Lesson learned.
After the lack of focus during Week 7, I wasn’t going to let that happen again. Week 8 was back to focus. Life got in the way, but I was able to see it coming and still hit all eleven of my workouts this week. My running seems to be steadily improving. I’ve knocked my comfortable 4+ mile pace down to the mid 8-minute range. A few months ago that pace was pretty close to a sprint for me. A low 9-minute mile pace (my race goal) feels fairly pedestrian most of the time now.
The training plan I’m using is set up for 28 weeks, but I had 32 weeks for my training. So I need to repeat a 4-week block at some point. That’s what I’ll be doing for the next four weeks. I’ll be doing a repeat of Weeks 5 to 8, but not missing workouts like last time!
Week 6: 2200yd/1h5m swimming; 70.6mi/4h21m cycling; 10.1mi/1h38m running; 4260 calories
Week 7: 3800yd/2h0m swimming; 15.0mi/1h0m cycling; 7.3mi/1h9m running; 2120 calories
Week 8: 4600yd/1h58m swimming; 65.9mi/4h15m cycling; 16.1mi/2h31m running; 5060 calories
Cumulative: 25,000yd/12h30m swimming; 547.0mi/37h9m cycling; 76.6mi/12h37m running; 33,100 calories