Ironman Training Week 17

14 weeks to go

Week 17 went like this:
Swim: 2 workouts, 1hr 55min, 4400m
Bike: 3 workouts, 7hr 15min, Saturday ride - 71miles (elevation gain - 3240 ft)
Run: 4 workouts, 3hr 43min, 21.6 miles
Strength: 2 workouts, 30min
Total: 13hr 23min
(bike totals include spin/trainer time, but not spin/trainer distance)

Challenges:
I would like to redact last week's complaint about the wind. Because, you guys. THE WIND. Just gust after gust of soul-sucking, strength-depleting wind on Saturday. I wanted to curl up in the fetal position on the side of the road and weep softly whilst rocking myself from side to side when I was about halfway up one of the 9-mile hills we rode. But I didn't. Worst. Ride. Ever.

Accomplishments:
I got in all of my training even though I had (and continue to have) houseguests (usually a great way to talk myself out of working out).

Surprises:
Sunday dawned rainy, windy, and cold (my parents brought their Midwestern weather with them, I guess), but I forced myself out of the house for my scheduled 2 hour and 10 minute run. I thought I'd cover maybe 12 miles in the time allotted. Well, 2 hours and 10 minutes into my AMAZING, rain-soaked run, I'd covered about 12.4 miles and thought, "hey, that's almost a half marathon." So I kept running, and 8 minutes later I had beat my fastest official half marathon time by 13 minutes without even trying. Surprise! Best. Run. Ever.

Bonus:
The Abbey Normal seasonal ale at BJ's Brewhouse is delicious. As are the shrimp tacos. Yum.