First Big Training Weekend in the Books...

I had big plans this past weekend for training, and I'm happy to say I actually followed through with them.

This past week was the beginning of a new training cycle for me - prep for a half-ironman in October and the JFK 50-miler in November (fingers crossed that I get in - registration opens FRIDAY!). I went back and forth on the best way to train for both events at once, and think I have come up with a plan that will work for me. All of the 50-mile training plans I looked at had back-to-back long runs on the weekend. Unfortunately, I need to be putting in a long ride on Saturdays in prep for the half-ironman, and unless I quit my job, there really isn't another day in the week that I could fit it in. I thought about doing my long ride Saturday and then back-to-back long runs Sunday and Monday, but then decided that would be overdoing it. In the end, I decided I would use a similar approach to how I trained for my Ironman. Saturdays will my a long brick workout (40+ mile ride, followed by a 6+ mile run), and then Sundays will be my long run days. I figure time on my feet is time on my feet - whether it's running or biking. I am not looking to break records at either of these events, so I think this plan will work the best for me.

Anyway - back to the weekend. Dan would like for me to let everyone know that I am super cool and went to bed before 9 pm both Friday and Saturday nights. Guess I wasn't much of a fun date. However, I did pop out of bed at 6 am both mornings, which meant I got my workouts out of the way before it got unbearably hot.

Saturday my goal was to ride 40 miles, run 5. I didn't have anyone to ride with this weekend, so I headed out to Lake Pflugerville to ride solo. I rode 3 x 14 mile loops of the Lake P tri course. And while doing 3 loops solo is BORING, I wanted a route without any stoplights so I could minimize my stops on the bike. I stopped once after loop 2 to use the rest room, and that was it. This was my longest ride since October, and while my butt started hurting on the last loop, I made it. I ended up with 42 miles total on the bike. After my ride, I ran 2 x 3 mile loops around the lake for a total of 6 miles. I was home before Noon and then went to see Bridesmaid's with Dan (funny movie by the way).

Sunday was my long run. I planned for 16 miles - an out and back route from my house to Berry Creek. I like this route because there is a small park at the turn around where I can use the rest room, get water and take my Gu. Again, I got an early start so beat the oppressive heat that would come later in the day. This ended up being a really strong run for me. I ran comfortably and ended up with 16 miles at an 8:12 pace. Much faster than I expected. I swear the biking is helping my running.

I was pretty cooked after my run. I had thought about trying to get in an open water swim after my run, but immediately dismissed it. Instead, I took a shower, put my PJ's back on, and laid on the couch for 4 hours watching reality tv with my dogs while Dan was golfing.

It ended up being a pretty good training week for me. I missed a ride (Thursday night) but other than that hit all of my workouts and ended up with 6 runs, 3 swims (2 open water) and 2 rides. I really need to get at least one more ride (or a spin class) in during the week, but this is a good start. If only I could take afternoon naps at my desk...