Smooth as butter

Today was a total workout yin and yang.  My morning started off with a typical 200yd interval swim workout and my times were horrible.  I had no speed and no stroke.  My rhythm was totally off and I could tell as it was a struggle just to get each 200 done.  My arms were flailing around like I was trying to swat mosquitoes at a campground fire.

I got home and started beating my head against a tough work problem which I still can't figure out.  Ugh...it's so close but yet I can't find the solution.  I hate those type of problems.  It soon became time to go hit the pavement with a 90 minute ride at a decent clip followed by a 45 minute run with tempo at the end.

I loaded the bike up with some "throw-away" water bottles to test their use with my bottle cages for the actual Ironman.  If they could survive the major bumps in roads out here, they'll be no problem for the IMC bike course.  I set off for my typical loop and started easy as described by the Going Long book which I'm following for the peak/taper period.  I warmed up the legs and just sat the pace right around half-ironman effort.  I finished, changed real quick and flew out the door for the my run.

The plan was to run my nice out and back 6.3 mile loop.  I'd cruised the first 2 miles, tempo the middle 3.3 and just relax the last mile.  The last mile has that downhill section back to my condo which I always take it easy now after my hamstring injury.  It seems almost no matter how hard I ride for that 90 minutes I always feel good at the start of the run.  I cruised an easy 7:10 first mile.  I really feel like with my racing flats and a perfect day that's the pace I can hold for the entire marathon.  I started the tempo and just clicked off 6:30 miles without too much trouble.  I'm starting to get that running feel back in my body and legs.  It's just being able to cruise without a lot of effort.

I so happy that my run is coming around just in time for the race.  I just need to stay away from any injury. I'm icing every day the key injury areas: foot, hamstring and knees when they feel sore.

On a totally funny note, check out this YouTube video.  It's hilarious.



17 days..