Peaks & Valleys!!!

Overall I had a GREAT week training last week. Very full and busy, heavy volume(at least from the perspective of a guy with legs that look like they have spent the last 5 years in a wheelchair)and a little speed work mixed in as well. Week consisted of 2 swim days, 2 hard spin classes, 1 weight training workout, 3 runs counting a 13 mile run on Saturday, and a long 80 mile bike up in Cartersville on Sunday followed by a 3 mile transition run. Overall I felt very good, I stayed with the group for the entire ride, which is always an achievement for me. They took it easy on me, but it still was faster than I am used to, so it was definitely pushing the envelope as far as my "comfort" zone was concerned. I am also especially proud to say that I took a total of ZERO turns pulling at the front and was happily sitting on the wheels of Tony, Debra and Jerome for the ENTIRE ride!!...AND...I didn't feel the LEAST bit bad about it!!

So after the weekend, I was feeling good, confidence is building, enjoyed a rest day yesterday and came into spin class this morning "ready to go". I promptly was brought back to reality by having probably the worst day I've had in ...well..a long time!! 1 x 40 tempo class with my target heart rate for the day...165...I struggled to maintain above 152 and NEVER was able to get higher than like 156...THE ENTIRE FUCKING CLASS!!! WOW...and was MISERABLE. I looked SO bad I think Tony actually felt sorry for me because he really didn't even say anything!

So much for confidence...always good to get a full dose of reality!!

OUCH!!...What was I saying about feeling good??!!!

Just under 5 months until race day!! Unfortunately after bragging in my last post about how good I was feeling...I just got my ASS totally handed to me by doing two ATS spin classes in a row!!! A 6 am class and then I had the pleasure of staying/(being invited to stay) for an "additional" hour of fun..FUCK!!!!Can't even walk!! Definitely procrastinating doing any work for sure...I might just go home and sleep!!

Well...So Much for Easter!!

I know, I know...I am a SICK bastard!! Hey, it really wasn't even my joke. I am however the sicko who got off my bike and took the picture!! I cannot WAIT to be a dad!!:) So, anyway...back to Ironman training. Great weekend training, after a relatively hard week as well. I can say with absolute certainty and clarity...Talking about training for an Ironman is WAY more glamorous than actually training for an Ironman. This revelation occurred to me quite suddenly on Thursday morning as I was running, after my 6 am spin class, in the rain with the outside temperature at 45 degrees, through the hills at Chastain park!! Amazing right...how these thoughts just suddenly come to me...I'll just never understand fully...!!

Nice fast 11 mile run on Saturday. I was especially pleased after a long night partying at Park Tavern watching Ed Roland(Collective Soul) and Kevin Griffen's (Better than Ezra) acoustic show Friday night!! Followed by a very nice 70 mile bike in Chasland on Sunday morning with my 2 new Favorite riders!! Burt and Debra!!! I feel really good at this point. To be honest maybe too good??? I am 5 months out from race day and feel absolutely ahead of schedule...sooooooo....I guess time will tell. Hopefully I can stay healthy and not make a total ass of myself at the race!

I have signed up for John Tanner on April 30th and plan to do Peachtree International on May 14th as well. Haven't decided which half ironman to do. I'm currently wavering between Macon, Boise, or Kansas City...although I will probably avoid traveling to Kansas if I can help it!!

Congrats to Kebby Holden...what a FUCKING stud!!!! Winning her age group at Oceanside and qualifying for Kona her first race of the year!!! Awesome job!! Great motivation. I used your performance for run motivation on Saturday so....THANKS!!!