Week 7 of base building for races next year

After coming off a small cutback week, I was pumped to keep chugging along with training. I knew this week would be super chill due to a reduced work week + some fun events we had planned. But, as the week went on I started getting a dry cough which was not fun and started impeding workouts- plus I knew to back off a bit to not over do it and let myself recover properly.


Monday: 15 mile cycle
Tuesday: 6 mile run
Wednesday: 15 mile cycle
Thursday: 11 mile cycle
Friday: 15 mile cycle, 2 mile run
Saturday: 4 mile run, 2000 yard swim
Sunday: 8 mile cycle

Total: 77 miles, 6:27

Swim: 2000 yards, 41:55
Run: 12 miles, 1:33
Cycle: 64 miles, 4:12

Goals for this week:

Now that i've delayed writing this post for a few days, my only goal for this week is to get over the bad cold/sinus shit i've acquired. Saturday I attempted some running 400's and had to bail because it just felt like way too much effort for the pace. I did go swimming afterwards and noticed my endurance was shot. I couldn't go more than 150 yards at a time without coughing. So yeah, getting over this crud is #1 on my list- unless hot baths and coughing equates to PRs and 6 pack abs... *

Snapshots:

Thanksgiving morning I made some cinnamon buns. Absolutely not from scratch, but delicious none the less.

Wednesday was "date night" and we went to Trenchermen. It was delicious as always. We finished the night at Violet Hour.

Saturday I went swimming. L told me that it would be good for my lungs. All was good for the most part unless I went over 100 yards at a time or if I inhaled some water. I only had one coughing fit due to a combo of water inhalation plus the sinus issue. *

The rest of the weekend was spent chillin. We went to some bars and randomly ran into some good people we know. I love how things like that just seem to happen here in Chicago.
*And at the time all I had was a dry intermittent cough. No fever, no real sickness otherwise I wouldn't have gone to the gym or pool because it's a dick move to go to public places like gyms when you're clearly sick. 

-Xaarlin

Week 6 of base building for races next year

This was my first cutback week in a while, and first rest day in a long time- 21 days to be exact! I dont think i've gone that long without a rest day ever. Some of the runs and cycling during the past few weeks were super easy- like pup runs- but I am always analyzing how I feel to avoid over training and would take rest days if necessary, yada yada yada. 

I couldnt have planned a better week for a cutback than this past week. And I cant even take credit for purposely making this a cutback, it just happened all serendipity and shit. Which does remind me that I really ought to sit down and write out an outline of base training so I can be more focused and more efficient as the days grow closer to actual training. 

Workouts:

Monday: 7 miles cycle

Tuesday: **REST**

Wednesday: 14 miles cycle

Thursday: 5 mile run

Friday: 12 mile cycle, 3 mile run

Saturday: 14 mile cycle, 3 mile beer run

Sunday: 18 mile cycle

Total: 76 miles for 6:10 duration

Swim: goose egg

Bike: 65 miles, 4:16

Run: 11 miles, 1:33

Weights: 20 min

Goals for next week:

• Plan out my training for at least the next 2 months. A rough sketch outline is acceptable.
• Incorporate some cycling drills into my trainer sessions.
• Ride the trainer since I neglected it last week.
• Swim because I neglected it last week and didnt feel like riding my bike in a storm.
• Continue to work on nutrition during hour + workouts. 

Snapshots:

We went to FOBAB (Festival of wood and barrel aged beers) Friday evening and got to see the first snow fall. yay...

We had so many amazing beers that had come into contact with wood or a barrel at some point. I had 21+ beers that were all super unique and delicious which is what I enjoy most about craft beer. 
Saturday we had our South Loop Beer run! 7 of us plus CB went out in the snow and ran from bar to bar and had beer.
The snow was so pretty, until the next morning when it turned to black ice. {sad face}
We had such a fun time running in the snow and drinking beer a some of our favorite South Loop bars/breweries- like Kasey's, Vice District, First Draft and Villains.

-Xaarlin

Week 5 of base building for races next year

300 days until my next goal race- seems like an eternity and also not enough time. When I started this cycle or (base building for base building for this cycle) I assumed swimming and cycling would be my biggest challenges to get to the finish. After 5 weeks of base, I'm feeling much more confident in my swim abilities even after just 2 times in the pool. I took a year off from swimming after my triathlon in 2014, but pretty much picked up where I left off once I started swimming again a few weeks ago. Once I am able to get my shit together and manage my time better I'll go to the pool 2x a week. The cycling which is nearly 80% of the race is now going to take more of my focus. I have a nice trainer but have a very difficult time staying on my bike with it more than 20 min (I get so hot!)- although I almost made it 1:30 while watching the Ironman Kona broadcast on Saturday. I go back and forth about these races- from feeling really excited to seriously questioning why I decided to do this in the first place.. (a post for another day) But I always return to being pumped about the challenges ahead for me. I had a "stress" dream about the IM last night- I was all set to do a half IM and because of weather they changed the course to a Full at the last minute And instead of being upset, I was ecstatic and had a blast during the race.


Workouts:

Monday: 17 miles cycled

Tuesday: 6 mile run

Wednesday: AM- 5 miles cycle (Trainer) PM 4 miles cycle (trainer)

Thursday: 12 miles cycled, 2 mile run

Friday: 8 miles cycle (trainer)

Saturday: 4 mile run, 2 mile cycle (to-from the pool), 1800 yard swim, 18 mile cycle (trainer)

Sunday: 4 mile pup run

Total: 83 miles for 7:37 duration

Swim: 1800 yards, 38:00

Bike: 66 miles, 4:36

Run: 16 miles, 2:22.28 


Goals for this week:

• Check the weather and ride outside if possible.
• Speed workouts for running and cycling (also cycling drills). 
• More focused swim workouts.

Snapshots:

The owl head hat returned this past week since it was super windy and cold.

I swam for the 2nd time and felt really really good. Im sure it's because of the sweet sugar skull cap.
My view during the IM Kona broadcast. ALL THE FEELS.
Went to see Spectre with Vicky Saturday evening and had a blast!

Took the Churro dog for a 4 mile run around Northerly Island on Sunday. It was 50+ degrees and absolutely gorgeous out! I regret not taking him earlier and also fitting in a bike ride, but I know I shouldn't increase my workouts too much too fast because burnout/overtraining is no fun.


-Xaarlin