After the “I quit” day I had last weekend, I was determined not have a repeat this weekend. I talked to Coach Monster on Friday, and he helped me realize that all I can do with my IM training…is to take each day as a new day, and take each mile at a time.

That really helped yesterday during a 10-mile treadmill run. Taking 1 mile at a time, that is. There’s not much that can help a 10 mile treadmill run.

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My absolutely FAVORITE power breakfast before long rides now… Gluten-free french toast with almonds, flax oil and honey. With coffee of course. Really awesome.

He also reminded me to “set myself up for success”…. meaning to 1) eat well, 2) get rest, and 3) mentally prepare.  Also a good reminder.  Oftentimes, I eat badly on Friday nights and don’t get enough rest—which leads to terrible weekend workouts. I did much better this time.

Saucony sent me these Virratas to try... review coming soon. I am not able to do minimalist shoes "full time," but I am working them in sometimes. I really loved 'em.
Saucony sent me these Virratas to try… review coming soon. I am not able to do minimalist shoes “full time,” but I am working them in sometimes. I really loved ’em.

Saturday was a long swim and a long run… and I managed both without much incident…other than a nasty blister on the right toe… because I forgot my liquid powder.

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And the weather here in Georgia promised a freezing 25° bike ride with high winds, so I decided to play it smart and ride the trainer. For four hours.

Loaded up on this... well, you know.
Loaded up on this… well, you know.

Just me and Antonia on the trainer. Andy gets to stay in the garage and have a weekend off.

Plus, it’s somewhat symbolic that Antonia and I have the rough tough training rides together. She’s been with me since the beginning.

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The Saint Expert had the kids at Stone Mountain, for a snow day.

He really does get the Saint award for that. Except he drove off with my cycling shoes in the car, and I had to summon him back. Luckily he was not far down the road ….or I’m not sure if my improvisational skills extend to that kind of scenario (riding on a trainer without shoes).

I put myself in a good frame of mind for such a long, boring ride.

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Me… at the beginning of the ride. All smiles. Allllll smiles.

But I tell ya… it was a looooooooong time on the trainer.

Four hours, two potty breaks, two bananas, some cashews and 1/2 of a dark chocolate bar (ooops), along with two episodes of American Horror Story, and endless texts with my SBM friend, Katherine, about Kevin Bacon and Ryan Gosling… well, it was still, long time to be on a bike.

ryan gosling hey girl - hey girl run,bike.swim.i'll be waiting.

Four hours on a bike… and you begin to realize some things, too. You find out things about yourself.

For example, today I realized that I have a really weird crush on Kevin Bacon.  Never really liked the guy before.  Now?  On my bicycle? I love him.  I also really wanted some fried shrimp. No correlation, I don’t think.

Dueling iPads.  SBM friend, Katherine, sent me her picture (on the right)... love it. Aero bars are excellent iPad holders.
Dueling iPads. SBM friend, Katherine, sent me her picture (on the right)… love it. Aero bars are excellent iPad holders.

Then…it’s funny the things you begin to tell yourself after a few hours on a bike trainer (or after a few hours of any long workout).

I say things, ridiculous, like “you can do it….only an hour to go ” or “this really doesn’t hurt.”

But what I like about these ridiculous comments? I see growth. For example, when I first started running, 30 minute anything was hell. Now, I find myself telling myself, you only have 30 minutes remaining.  It’s proof of the progress.

Me right before it was over.
Me right before it was over. I lost 4 pounds on the ride. Ha!

But four hours on a bike trainer? As much as I #suckeditupbuttercup, that was just pure hell.  It was lunacy. It was wonderful, and yet another deposit I made into my Ironman bank.  As Coach Monster says, as long as I am squirreling away meaningful workouts and making swim, bike, run deposits each day… I’ll have enough to withdraw come race day.

I just hope I’m also insured by the FDIC.  🙂

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Have a great week, friends!  Don’t forget to order your SBM 2013 Tech Gear…. it’s only available for a short time.

16 Responses

  1. Way to turn your attitude and thoughts around. I’ll try and channel that as I need to head to the gym for a 10 mile treadmill run. Longest ever was 6. Much too windy here to go outside….. Big dislike. You’re my inspiration today!

  2. Okay, I need the brand of cycling shorts you use. I have not found any that didn’t feel like a chunky pad when I was 13! I keep wearing my tri shorts and can’t get past 1.5 hrs before my bottom is done. Ran 4 mi. Today and had planned on swimming after but had so much stomach cramping I was done. Any recommendations?

  3. Thinking about a trainer……any suggestions, comments and general info would be greatly appreciated – feel free to contact me!

  4. FDIC? As in the Federal Department of Iron Craziness? Four hours on the trainer commands respect! Aren’t you glad you didn’t quit and miss out on that experience? Good post. Glad to see you’re back in the game.

  5. Four hours on a trainer. You are insane. You are a rock star. I don’t think your one or two down-days can trump all your training. In fact, they may be necessary to give you something to come back from and kick ass like you did this weekend.

  6. I have Pearl Izumi CYCLING shorts… big ole thick pad with lots of Aquaphor. Ain’t no shame in the diaper game. 🙂

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  9. I try not to comment too much when I read though old stuff, but you must combine the bike with kevin bacon and watch quicksilver.

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