Ironman Training Week 26

5 weeks to go

Swim: 2 workouts, 2hr 45min, 6100m
Bike: 3 workouts, 10hr 26min, Saturday ride - 100 miles (elev. gain 7,129 ft.)
Run: 4 workouts, 4hr 25min, 23.15miles
Strength: 2 workouts, 30min
Total: 18hr 6min

Challenges:
Bonked hard on Saturday's bike ride. I was up at 3:30am (after a fitful 3 hours of sleep) to get to our ride start by 4:45 and on the road by 5:00. I got behind on my nutrition on the way out of Bartlett (a very hilly stretch that lasts from miles 50-63), and proceeded to hit the metaphorical wall during the next 20 miles. All I could think about during that long, slow slog to the next gas station was an ice cold Mountain Dew. I haven't had a Mountain Dew in 20 years. I downed about 16 ounces whilst standing in the shade and then proceeded down 9-Mile. By the time I got to the bottom, I felt almost human again. Note to self: don't ignore your fueling schedule just because you're going 5mph up an endless hill in the 100-degree heat.

Accomplishments:
Two weeks sugar free... and I have noticed no change whatsoever. Oh well - sticking with it.

Surprises:

kBell gave me a super-awesome gift to commemorate both our many months of training together and this huge challenge we'll be tackling in just a few weeks. Who has the best IM training partner of all time? That would be me. I do.

Bonus:
Got me some of these, because who doesn't need a little more argyle in their life?