Ironman Training: Week 22

9 weeks to go (single digits!)

Swim: 2 workouts, 2hr 25min, 5500m
Bike: 3 workouts, 7hr 55min, Saturday ride - 68miles (elevation gain 3313 feet)
Run: 4 workouts, 3hr 56min, 20.75miles
Strength: 2 workouts, 30min
Total: 14hr 46min

Challenges:
I've been dealing with some back issues for the past couple of weeks thanks to some perhaps overzealous use of my new aerobars.  Said issues made the long bike ride on Saturday pretty miserable, as did the 103 degree temperatures.  Blurg.

Accomplishments:
Hmm... went 37mph tucked down in my aerobars?  I don't know if that's an "accomplishment," but it sure was fun!

Surprises:
It took every ounce of self-discipline I had to get myself in the pool on Friday; just did NOT want to swim.  I knocked out my laps whilst rocking a pretty terrible mood.  Then, with about 500m to go, two people out in the main part of the gym stood at the window and stared at me while I swam.  That pissed me right off for many reasons (You know I can SEE you, right?  That's not a magic window and I'm not here for your entertainment.  See also: bad mood).

And then.  THEN.  While I was working on my last 200m, someone set up a chair at the end of the lane right next to mine.  The perpetrator was nowhere to be seen, but all their stuff was piled up by the chair.  First of all, what the hell?  Why a chair?  Is this Stare at Kristen While She Swims Friday or something?  Secondly, there are five empty lanes!  Why do you need to cozy up right next to mine?  (Again, please remember: terrible mood.)

As I was finishing my last lap, the gentleman who had placed the chair there came and sat down.  And proceeded to remove both of his artificial legs in preparation for his swim.  Surprise!  Oh, you guys.  Who's the world's biggest asshole?  That would be me.  I felt like SUCH a jerk for all of my crappy, stupid internal anger over the past hour.  To top it all off, the guy was so nice.  We chatted for awhile as I gathered up my things, and I left the pool with a much better mindset than when I arrived.  Perspective, people.  It's important.

Bonus:
Help me pick a race jersey!