I'm wiped out

I was so slow on my brick run that I got into the show and there was a bug in my hair just hanging out. I have no idea how long he was there for the ride and then the run. The bike totally destroyed my legs today. It was my longest ride of the year so far.

My nutrition wasn't adequate. I still need to work on finding out the best plan. I started getting full and just lethargic towards the 3 hour mark. I thought I might just puke on the side of the road.

So how did the workout day start...I got up and decided I would run to and from the pool to save gas. Gas prices are over $3.50. OUCH!! I just did some form work at the pool but I may have had a breakthrough on my stroke. I decided to roll my hips a little on each stroke to use them as leverage for the pull. It worked awesome. I'm not sure if that's the right way to do it but I keep reading that rolling a little and using your hips and lats for the pull rather than just your shoulder is better. I'll continue to refine. I ran easily on the way home.

I had the bike loaded with 5 bottles. 4 bottles of 300 calorie Infinit and 1 bottle of water. A 5 hour endurance ride was on the schedule with easy 30 minute brick run. I started out the ride and felt fine. I was staying easy and practicing pacing which will be crucial in the Ironman. I got 2 hours out and there was a little convenience store so I bought a water and reloaded. That's when the wind just picked up. I had 30 more minutes to head out and by bad luck it was with a massive tailwind. At the turnaround I had rode 49 miles which was just under a 20mph average. The headwind on the way back was killing me. It took me 45 minutes to get back to the store and I knew I was going to be in trouble.

I had switched to water with some clif bar, clif shot blocks, and power gels. I think this screwed up my stomach because I was having stomach troubles and my legs were going south in a hurry. I was starting to doubt that I could make it back. This is all good because I'm sure this kind of self doubt will happen in the Ironman. I tried to focus on just turning over the pedals and hoping it would get better. It was off and on the rest of the way back.

I got off the bike and was relieved but usually this translates into a nice fast run but that wasn't the case. I was planning on trying Coke during the run to see how the stomach would respond. I found out half way through the run with a nice side stitch that Coke isn't the way to go. I was probably doing 8 minute pace and it was a struggle. Definitely wouldn't have been able to run a marathon.

All in all I know I need more training because the bike course is going to be harder at Canada than what I rode today. I still need to find the magic nutrition potion. In two weeks I have a major hard 3 and half hour ride with 60 minute tempo brick run. This will show me if I'm ready for that half on May 18th. I just need to find my bike legs.

I'm just sitting and my stomach is so screwed up I'm just trying to drink carbs since I really don't feel like solid food. I guess if it was easy the Ironman wouldn't be a challenge. It's going to be a beast!

4 months 5 days...