Racking Up the Miles and Counting Down the Days

You know it's serious training time when you just don't have time to blog, meet with friends, or simply just to shop for groceries.  Excuse me for my absence from blogging, but I've been racking up the miles on the road, on the treadmill and even in the pool.

For the last 5 weekends I have rode 100+ miles--whether it be on one day or two consecutive days for each weekend.  I've had several long runs consisting of 13-15 miles each as well as several long swims of 2.4 miles (that's 76 laps in a 25 meter pool).  Those are my long workouts, on the other days of the week I usually squeezing in brick workouts after a full day's work.

I know that THIS, all THIS training, is what it is all about when reaching for such a lofty goal.  With less than 3 weeks to go, I'm tired physically and mentally.  It's starting to show.  It's harder to keep focused and moving lately.  The cold weather is getting to me, the constant wind is wearing me down, my muscles ache, ... I simply want to rest.

Luckily, this coming week's training will back down a slight bit in preparation for my Race Rehearsal #2.  I completed Race Rehearsal #1 last weekend which consisted of a 2.4 mi swim in the pool on Friday, and a 112 mile bike ride followed by a 6 mile run on Saturday.  The cold and wind in the Chicago area has been brutal lately.  That 112 mile ride was one of the most miserable rides I've ever rode.  The temperature was in the high twentys and into the mid- thirties; the wind was torturous.  Some how, some way I managed to reach inside myself and find the will and strength to finish.

I know I can and I will get through my training.  But for the next 3 weeks, I also need to find a way to refresh my mind, body and spirit so that I will be ready come race day. 

Splashing, pedaling, dashing and counting down the days to race day.