6-19 thru 6-26

Wednesday
Longest day of the year! Happy summer solstice. I felt like this workout was my own personal celebration of the day. Left work at ~5 to get the ride in. As I rode away realized I hadn't really looked at the workout. All I could remember was the 20 minute climb. Later looked and I didn't specifically get in the intervals, but I didn't slack on the ride so hope all is even. I think the 20 minute climb was a little more effort than I should have though. At 10 minutes I was feeling good. At 12 I though I was going to blow up. I got to thinking though. Maybe the road got steeper at 12 minutes. Even a subtle incline my speed would have slowed down and then my effort would have to be harder. So maybe it wasn't me. Regardless, I was blearly eyed at the top. Ooops.
Post ride run was good too. Started out pretty slow and legs were heavy but by the second half I was moving along. Ran back 5 minutes faster than I ran out. Had to add a little extra to get in 30 minutes.

Thursday
This is about 5 minutes post run and I think that this run about killed me. I think I thought " I hate you Elliot" a couple of times. First of all I was not super motivated to do it and feeling tired. I thought if I start running maybe your legs will kick in. I felt like they were detached from my body and I was just out there flailing. I ran the first one fast though, and by the 3rd one was thinking I might be bleary eyed after this and slowed it down a bit. Not much but tried to get my form more organized at least. Was that supposed to hurt so bad? Also, it was really hot. Warmer than it probably has been all spring.

Friday
Met Lawrence at the pool and did the swim. Stayed right on my calculated intervals. Was really tired this day, but the swim was okay anyway. Lawrence filmed me at the end. Need to look at the film. Got some really good food for dinner and went home after the swim. Felt good to sit on the couch, eat well, and get to bed early. Sleep not so good. Really windy outside all night. I think I was a little anxious for the ride the next day and concerned about doing it in the wind. Eventually closed the windows so that I could get some sleep.

Saturday
Met Art and Lawrence for the ride. Running out of good rides from Bozeman. Went up Bridger Canyon over to Wilsall. We rode 75 miles in 4.5 hours. This included some big climbs over Battle Ridge. The 25 mile IM pace was good. Lawrence and I rode together most of the way. For the climbing we didn't push it too much, and coming down the otherside of Battle Ridge was pretty exhilirating. Could go at a pretty high speed without a ton of effort. The wind ended up picking up and we had a pretty good cross wind from Battle Ridge to Wilsall. I think it is good to be out in the elements. Followed nutrition plan the same as last week and I felt great. We stopped at Bohart to refill water and got some cold water. Wow, on a hot day that was a huge pick me up. The ride back to Bozeman was pretty exhilirating too. I think if we could have averaged it we would have gone at least 30. We kept a good clip though. Didn't let the wind push us too much but tried to ride hard.
Post ride run was good. We met at the pond so ran the Tritons triathlon sprint run course. I am feeling really good about my run right now. Once my legs settle in I feel good. Lawrence was really suffering and I kept slowing my pace a little. I hate it when people insist on being one step ahead. I didn't want Lawrence to feel that from me.
We soaked our legs in the pond and then I headed home. Ate something quick and went to dinner with my Mom, Dad, sister and her fiance.
Talked a lot on this day about why we do this. Good soulful ride.

Sunday
Didn't sleep well on Saturday night. The wind really picked up again. The heat and the noise were not good for getting a deep sleep. Feeling tired on Saturday morning. Met Lawrence at pond to swim. Didn't put on sunscreen and later on Sunday evening looked in the mirror. Have a goggle and swim cap sunburn. It looks hilarious. Also my neck was hurting. I think it got sunburned too. Didn't think an hour in the water would do anything. Sun is strong right now. Swim was good. Water was calm (no wind yet). We did 3 laps stopping between laps for a minute or so. Then we did another out an back. Arms were really tired first lap. Think it may be from the wetsuit and how it fits. Then arms felt better. It was really starting to get hot.

Went home and ate then had to go to work to get mice. It was going to be a hot run. Since I was supposed to do flattish I decided I might as well include a little sufferfest and do some long straight roads. Canada is very open and I think can be quite the sufferfest in parts. It can also be hot. I kept thinking this was good physical and mental training. Also, good practice for what to eat.  I drove around the course and stashed a bunch of water then got myself together and started.  Uphill, headwind, and hot for parts. Then downhill and tailwind and hot for other parts. My water was air temperature. I had on a hat, sunglasses and lots of sunscreen so I felt contained but I don't think I have ever sweated so much. This run was hard. I wasn't super comfortable for the 75 minutes of IM pace. I was having lots of ups and downs with the heat but I did it. On the way back I don't think there was much blood in my brain. I couldn't figure out the difference between 60 and 75 minutes. I mapped the run and it looks live a little over 13 miles in about 1:55. Not sure exactly though, I can't figure out that stupid program. I guess I was hoping for a little longer distance, but it was so hot.

Followed IM CDA all day. Had a friend race. I think he kind of fell apart on the run, but finished. My new favorite pro is Heather Wurtele. I want to live in a camper and drive around training and racing. I think that it is very entertaining that I am almost 35 and that is what appeals to me. Not a big house and 3 kids. Anyway, I was almost in tears for he getting DQ'd. It seems like the rules were pretty ambiguous. I am glad she didn't just stop right away. Strong girl and she seems real.

Monday
Drank so much liquid (gatorade and water not beer)last night. Actually feel a little hydrated today. Also, slept pretty well last night despite the heat. So, in general feeling pretty good today despite feeling pretty done over at 6pm last night. It is so wiindy again today and 90+ degrees. Glad to have an easy ride. Might go find some shady trails that are protected from the wind. The canyons around here are great. You can go up Hyalite or Bozeman creek and get out of the wind. Hmm.


Questions: Nutrition. How do the pros do it? When I need to eat I usually sit up, dig through my little bento box or grab a bottle. I usually get passed by a bunch of people I just rode by. Suggestions for eating more efficiently?