23 is my favorite number.
I’ve basically stopped doing any intervals at this point. I might get one in. Honestly, I just don’t have the energy, doing them isn’t going to make or break my race, and its not worth the risk of injury.
Monday swim/run. 60 minute swim/2500 yards. Typically I go to Danny Jones to swim in the larger pool on Mondays but the weather was calling for a chance of storms in the afternoon. Rather than risk getting rained out (I wouldn’t have, of course) I did my swim in the morning. 60 minute run/6.25 miles/9:47 average/73 degrees. I actually split this and did 2.6 pushing the stroller, came back to shower and get my massage, then come home and finished the rest on the treadmill, so then there was another shower.
Another thing Ironman training requires is lots of showers.
Tuesday ride. 61 minute ride/18.3 miles/17.8 MPH/72 degrees
Wednesday run/ride. 60 minute run/5.8 miles/10:15 average/who knows the temp. My run didn’t get transferred to the Garmin site somehow. But it is in my watch, so it still counts. 45 minute ride/13.14 miles/17.4 mph/88 degrees. This one got squeezed in between work and picking the twins up from daycare, which I did with 10 minutes to spare. I should add my neighbor saw me leaving for both the 6am run and 5pm bike ride, and probably thinks I’m certifiable. He’d be right.
Thursday swim. 60 minute swim/2800 yards. The plan here was to meet a group for a lake swim in Moncks Corner, but the weather looked iffy thanks to the oncoming Tropical Storm, and so it got canceled. My parents had the kids anyway so I hit the pool. I did 100 yards before Tammie got there, and stopped to realize I had finished it much more quickly than usual. I figured it was a fluke. After chatting awhile I started again, and finished 1350 yards in less time than it took me to swim 1300 yards just last week. Not only that, but it felt easier, smoother and much more comfortable. I took another break and did another 1350, this time 20 seconds faster than before! Something is clicking! FINALLY!
Now, to be fair, I’m still slow, just not as slow.
Friday rest day. Most of the state of South Carolina shut down for Hurricane Hermine, which ended up doing almost nothing.
In all seriousness, I was more than relieved nothing ended up happening, and plenty in Florida were affected, so I’m not trying to be an ass hole here.
Saturday long ride. 5 hour ride/87 miles/17.4 mph/65 (!!) degrees. We basically took the same route as last week, just a bit more slowly and turned around a bit sooner.
2 super long rides down.
Sunday long run 2 hour run/11.5 miles/10:16 average/68 degrees – You guys, when this is over, all I want is a nice, short, recovered and FAST run. I never thought I’d hear myself say that I was craving a nice fast 5k but man am I ever.
On the plus side, we saw goats.
BAAAAAAAAAA
Total Time: 12 hours 50 minutes
Distance Traveled: 144.5 miles.
Training Thoughts: I want a nice, cool, fast run. I want to know what recovered feels like. Rest? What is rest? I’m tired and I’m taking a cutback week next week.
Hooray 7 weeks to go! ( celebration )
Holy shit 7 weeks to go! (panic)
Journey To the Finish Line 
September 7, 2016 at 10:23 pm
I honestly feel bad complaining about my cumilative fatigue-d legs because of all the posts I see from you and Tammie (I follow her on Strava). Your training is like a legit part-time job between all the hours and showers… I can’t believe we’re 7 weeks out from the Ironman because it seems like just yesterday you switched to the full and we were doing easy HR runs around the SHS area.
BTW, Nexton Cocoa Cup 5K registration is open… flat and fast… lots of recovery time in there. Hoodie.
September 8, 2016 at 6:24 am
Yes im planning to run nexton! And dont feel bad complaining we are all training for different things 🙂
September 7, 2016 at 11:32 pm
i am enjoying your training recaps. Good for you for taking the plunge and going for ironwoman status. Wow in 7 weeks you’ll check the box! Maybe it’s too hard to say right now, but do you think it’s the intense regimen of the training schedule or contemplation of the actual ironman experience that motivates you? Do you think you’ll do another one?
September 8, 2016 at 6:26 am
The ironman experience mostly, though there is some challenge in finding time for all the workouts so a little of both. I feel like its a one and done right now, buti said that about my first marathon too and now ive rn 5….
September 8, 2016 at 6:27 am
Oy sorry for the typos
September 8, 2016 at 12:33 pm
Wow, 7 weeks! Half the accomplishment of an Ironman (or any long distance race) is all the training you do beforehand. You’re being very disciplined and committed! Glad you’re seeing some payoff. It’ll be worth it!
September 8, 2016 at 12:35 pm
You arent kidding. I think its more than half the battle! And thank you!