Melissa - Vain Triathlete

After a week of transitioning from the marathon to tri-training, October 8TH - Saturday is designated as the first day of ironman training. Mel and I took to the roads on our tri-bikes.  This day was perfect. It was 48 degrees. Just warm enough to wear my wind jacket and bike pants.  We only averaged 14.5 mph and biked 22 miles. It took me 1 hour and 25 minutes.  This was also the first time I got to use my brand new SRM out on the roads.  That was cool to see my power.   I need to take more pictures. At the end of the ride I met Mel at Blue Moon then she dropped me at my house in her new Nissan.

Here is my conversation with my coach after the marathon from latest to oldest. I agree with you that it really wasn’t in the cards to do more mileage considering where I started from. In my mind:  In 2007 I had very successful marathons. I hardly slowed, very steady pacing. (except for Chicago which was 100 degrees). Then in 2008 I switched over to triathlon.  At first my running improved.  Then, I got hit with the dreaded menopause.  My running declined steadily. I finally got a hold of things just this past May when I went to a Dr. and realized what was going on with my health.  I feel like a new person now. On top of that, doing half irons over the last 2.5 years did not require the mileage I was used to.  So I feel I was de-trained for the marathon.  This is my first since 2007.  I did attempt one in 2010 as you know. But just one over a 3.5 year span. Yes, my half iron performances were dismal in my eyes.  I never once felt good a...

Today is Saturday. I just finished eating 2 huge pancakes with nuts and chocolate chips plus an egg sandwich. Carrie said to eat a huge breakfast, moderate lunch and to taper at dinner.  I especially like the idea of a rather smallish dinner.  In the past I have had huge problems digesting the typical carbo loaded dinner so I'm more than happy to try this new strategy. I am definitely in a good place physically and mentally but my mind does ask: well if you haven't run goal pace a lot how are you going to do that tomorrow? In response to that I tell my mind:  I have run faster than goal pace, at goal pace and a bit slower than goal pace for most of my training. I am very durable.  I am very strong and uninjured.  My mind is in the right place. I have done this several times before.   I am so looking forward to rectifying myself tomorrow. I have not had a really good race in about 3 years. That is a long time. In hind sight I did this to myself....