Road to IM70.3: 4 Weeks to Go

EAT & SLEEP ALL I WANT?

The past two weeks flew by in a blur.  My training revolved around Tri United 2 on July 1, 2012.  A couple of weeks ago, I was preparing for the race and, last week, I was recovering from it.  Read all about it HERE.

With Tri United 2 done and over with, there was a brief respite from the chaotic training schedule.  I thought I died and went to Couch Potato heaven when I read Coach Andy’s command last week:
1) Eat all you want
2) Stay off your feet

Just as I was about to invite all my friends for an eat-all-you-want steak meal at Mamou, I noticed that Coach Andy had added “in moderation” to the first order.  And, No. 2 didn’t mean training was off; it only meant that I would get a couple of days rest, swim more, bike a bit, and run for only one day.  (I know, I know. One day to run.  How sad is that?    Coach Andy received a whining text from me Friday that I NEEDED to run. Hah!)

Well, I enjoyed the past week.  It was an opportunity for me to slow down and find my bearings.  After chasing after missed workouts, the ticking of the clock as I tried to drop my kids in school early and fetch them on time (lest Li’l Bull Runner snobs me again for picking her up 5 mins. late), and looming work deadlines, I felt like I could finally heave a sigh of relief and breeeeathe.

Breathe I did.  And smile. And laugh.  And celebrate.  And eat all I want (including that thick slice of Smoked Bacon at Chelsea. Yum. Yum.) Then, in the blink of an eye, I find myself here.  It’s Monday.  The last day of my rest day.

THE STORM IS COMING

Coach Andy said that the past week was the “calm before the storm.”  Now that recovery week is over, this only means that the storm comes…TOMORROW.  Aaah, tomorrow, serious, heavy training begins.  This is the week where we load up in preparation for Ironman 70.3 Cebu.

I look at my program for this coming week and I don’t know if I’m going to laugh or cry.  Just reading it makes me sweat.  It’s frightening when you read lines like: “Bike until muscle failure” or “Push hard until you cramp.” I would also love to see “Eat peanut butter like there’s no tomorrow” but perhaps that’s for next week.  For this week, there’s going to be a lot of sweat, muscle tightness, and Suffering with a capital S.

But, I must admit, I’m all for suffering! Hah!  Suffer now then during the race!  That’s my motto.  So, while I’m anxious over the week to come, I’m also looking forward to seeing how far this body can go…especially with the Shiv.  If I can survive this week (and the next), then Ironman 70.3 Cebu should be a celebration of the past month’s sweat and sacrifices.

Happy training to everyone doing Ironman 70.3 Cebu!