Ironman Training Week 18

13 weeks to go

Week 18 went like this:
Swim: 2 workouts, 1hr 50 min, 4400m
Bike: 3 workouts, 7hr 30min, Saturday ride - 81miles (elevation gain - 2045 ft)
Run: 3 workouts, 2hr 45min, 15.4 miles
Strength: 2 workouts, 30min
Total: 12hr 35min
(bike totals include spin/trainer time, but not spin/trainer distance)

Challenges:
The run after the long ride on Saturday was rough. It was hot (88 degrees) and followed the longest pre-run ride I'd ever done, but I powered through and got in the miles.

Accomplishments:
Did the Tour de Cure for my long ride on Saturday. 81 miles for The American Diabetes Association - what a great event! I felt really strong for the whole thing. I don't know if it was the fact that there were fewer hills than we've been riding lately, or the relatively great weather, or that I was finally back on my carbon frame bike (with the new shifter!), but it was a wonderful ride. Finished 10 minutes faster than last week, and went 10 miles farther - averaged 16.7mph. I'm very happy with that.

Surprises:
Saw a gal riding the Tour who had an Ironman tattoo on her calf. I asked her which IM she had done, and she said Arizona and Coeur d'Alene. Awesome! So I rode with her for awhile and she gave me some inside tips on CDA - it's always so fun to meet people who have done the race before. She confirmed all the things I had heard about the race--good and bad--and made me even more excited to tackle the thing.

Bonus:
Mom and Dad were here through Wednesday morning, and we got so much done - details in an upcoming post!