In the Training Trenches

What I've been up to lately... or why my blog posts have been few & far between.

This image basically sums it up:

My life has been spent doing "Swim*Bike*Run*Repeat" for the last month or so. I'm currently 3/4 of the way through my 8 week training program. For those playing at home, that means I'm on Week 6, Day 3 - 15 minutes of swimming and 40 minutes of running. Who would have ever thought I would be running - for 40 minutes straight? Not me, that's who!

Week	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
1	Strength	Run 30 min	Bike 45 Strength	Swim 20 Run 25	Rest	Run 30 min	Swim 30 Run 30
2	Strength	Bike 30 Run 15	Swim 15 Run 30	Run 30 Strength	Rest	Run 35 min	Swim 30 Bike 30
3	Strength	Run 35 min	Bike 50 Strength	Swim 30 Run 20	Rest	Run 40 min	Swim 30 Run 45
4	Strength	Bike 40 Run 10	Swim 30 Run 15	Run 30 Strength	Rest	Run 45 min	All 3 90 min
5	Strength	Run 40 min	Bike 30 Strength	Swim 30 Run 25	Rest	Run 50 min	Swim 30 Run 45
6	Strength	Bike 40 Run 15	Swim 15 Run 40	Run 40 Strength	Rest	Run 55 min	Swim 30 Bike 60
7	Strength	Run 45 min	Bike 40 Strength	Swim 30 Run 30	Rest	Run 60 min	Swim 30 Run 60
8	Strength	Bike 30 Run 30	Swim 30 Run 30	Run 30	Rest	Rest	Triathlon

Many folks have been asking how it's going. That's a tough question.

Training has pushed me harder than I have ever pushed myself before, despite the fact that is only a sprint tri. It's been good. It's been absolutely awful. Some days I revel in the mini goals I've achieved. Some days I curse my body for being so weak and lethargic. I strive for it but haven't always been perfect, both in terms of training regime and nutrition. While doing the 30th lunge in strength class, my muscles are so fatigued that they shake violently. But then, at times, I just feel strong. It's so strange to get to know this new body of mine. I marvel in the things this amazing body can actually do; things I never thought possible. So, you know, that discovery is very cool.

I just hope I'm ready - and pray that I don't die - come Race Day.