Transitions

Roo says hi:) and kisses. xxxxxxxx


This weekend has been wonderful. I had a great triple brick workout yesterday, and it was a great break from the normal ride x amount of hours.

Today I had an hour run and a little over an hour swim planned. Lately I have just headed out on my own for the run- kept it easy and uneventful. Last night, though, I decided I would wake up and head to a local 10k to do my run. I miss my friend Gina, and I miss some of the social aspects of my running. Actually, I just miss running period.

For me, the transition to ironman training has been hardest on me in the running aspect of my life. My mileage is much lower than I am used to running, and the speedwork has been replaced by bricks and recovery runs. And, since I am not racing every weekend any more, my speed has been compromised. For those of you that like to run and race, you know that running fast or racing is really something you have to train. It is not necessarily a fitness issue- but sometimes more of a practice issue.

But, since this is my first ironman, and my goal is to finish on two legs rather than a stretcher, the run (especially speedwork) has to make room for the bike. Yes, although my running mileage has been cut in half, I now bike 3-4 times a week instead of 1-2 like I used to. And, I can't imagine any "fast" miles sneaking their way into my ironman marathon, so it will probably be more valuable to me if I am specific and realistic with my training and keep it aerobic and endurance focused.

But, today- just this once ;)- I snuck in a couple of faster miles and also had some time to run with Gina.  By the way, let me just tell you that I have the best friends.  I get way more from Gina than I am sure she gets from me.  She has the best attitude- a real wisdom about life.  She has been struggling with a knee injury that has taken away her ability to really run as fast as she is capable of running.  The great thing about Gina, though, is she realizes that she has to start somewhere, and she refuses to be embarrassed about the slowing of her times.  She would rather race and have some times that do not reflect her true capabilities so she can work towards getting her speed back rather than sit on the sidelines because she doesn't like what the clock says.  

And, isn't that what this is all about anyways?  Being proud of ourselves, rather than beating ourselves up?   I am glad I have such good friends to remind me of this.