Plugging Right Along....

Have you ever had an experience out on what seemed to be an ordinary run/bike/swim that turned out to be totally different? That happened to me this morning. Out for a straight forward 6 mile run. I decided I would go for the first six of the Silverman course. It turned out to be a walk down memory lane from last year. I remembered people, sights, sounds, smells, and feelings. Today was the first time I have been on that course since last year. Has that happened to anyone? It was surreal. It seemed so fresh, so present. There was not a soul in sight yet I remember passing the amputee on the top of stephanie, I remember Jennifer passing me looking like death warmed over, I remember walking a TON, I remember looking for Judy and not seeing her, I remember where the aid stations were and what they had and how bad I wanted whatever they were selling, I remember hearing the crowd reacting to finishers, I remember telling myself it is only 1/2 mile GEEET GOOOOOIIIING, I remember overcome with emotion to see the finish and to know I was going to finish, I was able to use that as fuel today. Not for today. For this whole experience. I wasnt sure until that moment that I was going to do it. Today I ran the same course some 30-45 min faster than that day. Sure there was no bike or swim this morning but I am a totally different athlete. I am competing at a different level for me. Sure it will not blow any doors off but I dont care about that. What does shaving off an hour and a half in a half Iron distance triathlon say about a person? That seems logical to me, I can do it. I finished my second building block and began a recovery block in the last week. I would rate this block a B+. I got all my workouts in, with no issues, and I am getting stronger with each discipline. Here is how it went.

Monday-Long swim. My goal was to swim 2000 meters in 250 meter blocks in 6:30 or better. I averaged 6:23, each lap at 5:55, 6:28, 6:30, 6:25, 6:28, 6:34, 6:27, and 6:21. For a total of 51:11. I am able to go faster longer with a few details. Head deep in the water, full arm push, and high elbows. I felt very strong.

Tuesday-Short run. Watch died. 4 miles with the wife. I was back in less than 40 min with small cool down outside. Must have been 9-930 pace.

Wednesday-Weight training.

Thursday-Swapped days off with friday. REST

Friday-Running intervals. 1 mile warm up, 3 X 4 min, 1-1.5 mile cool down. Overall 4.88 miles in 49 min total. I had trouble keeping the interval pace for 4 min. After 3 min I went down hill. The on ave speeds were 8:24, 8:53, and 9:03. I also chose a hillier course. Overall I became a stronger runner. Marks end of block. Rest block to ensue.

Saturday- Recovery long ride. 30 miles towards Red Rock. Ave 16 mph, with a head wind for the first 15 miles (out and back). Art and Julie went along.

Sunday (today)-Recovery long run. The first 6 miles of the Silverman run course. This is a course that I tried to run all last year to train and I never was able to do it without walking. Did it today with a blast from the past around every corner without walking. Total 6.01 miles in 1:02. My 10K PR was just a few minutes faster. That course is no where near as hard as this one. For the race, the first half is harder than the second half and If I can hold this pace I will shave 45 min off last years run time. That would be awesome. I thought about my favorite quote of all time this whole run. I was out the door by 5:15 and running at 5:30 not another runner out there. QUOTE:

"Champions are made when no one is watching."

I think a lot about what next year will be compared to right now. What If this is my crowning achievement, what if I crush next year I am going to crush this year? JUST WHAT AM I CAPABLE OF?