Running is not helping my running cause. In fact, it is causing me physical, as well as mental, and emotional pain. Therefore, I have found peace in my previously discussed Plan C...that is if it is revised. My intention now is to not attempt to do any walk training...that seems silly. I know how to walk, and the fitness gains will not outweigh the possible detriment it may cause my Achilles. I've also committed, and perhaps this goes without saying, to not doing any running training, because as I mentioned earlier, running is not helping my running cause.
The revision is not-so-much in my training, as much as in my race plan. My training will consist of swimming, cycling, and rehabbing. The difference in my race plan is that I won't be showing up expecting to simply walk. I will be showing up expecting to be able to walk/run.
I think the two successes I've had this year in attempting to run (Grand Duathlon and Triceratops Triathlon) have shown me that my running fitness seems to still be there on some level, despite my not having been able to specifically train to run. Perhaps my many years of running are allowing for this.
Will this work? I don't know. However, I believe this plan is my best chance, and this gives me the hope I need to keep me positive, calm, and...sane.
My GPS keeps telling me "Recalculating," while I continue to change my route, on the Road to Ironman Louisville, but I'm still looking to go 140.6 miles.
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Monday, June 27, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Mental Toughness
In 2007 I was training for Ironman Wisconsin, and I came across this article in Running Times Magazine. It really struck home as I recalled my previous marathon experience, and I thought I might be able to draw strength from it when I attempted my first Ironman. I revised it a little to be more applicable to triathlon, rather than just running and it goes like this...
The things to pay attention to are those you can do in the now, such as swim stroke, pedal stroke, running stride; being a swimmer; a cyclist; a runner.
Don't worry about reaching the finish line: Focus on the next buoy, the next mile marker, or the next corner, mailbox, or however far you can comfortably imagine.
The only way you can operate is in the moment. if you can put all your energy into that, then you can find that each of those moments lead to good things."
Another quote that I found from the same source is fitting for me, and other injury prone athletes...
"Life gives you only so many races, and I'll take each one I get, make the most of it, and not complain. You never know when you'll get another."
The things to pay attention to are those you can do in the now, such as swim stroke, pedal stroke, running stride; being a swimmer; a cyclist; a runner.
Don't worry about reaching the finish line: Focus on the next buoy, the next mile marker, or the next corner, mailbox, or however far you can comfortably imagine.
The only way you can operate is in the moment. if you can put all your energy into that, then you can find that each of those moments lead to good things."
Another quote that I found from the same source is fitting for me, and other injury prone athletes...
"Life gives you only so many races, and I'll take each one I get, make the most of it, and not complain. You never know when you'll get another."
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Plan C was not in Plans
When I originally registered for Ironman Louisville 2011, it was with a clear vision of Plan A in mind. I would swim about the same time, cycle slightly faster, and run a little faster, to have an overall time which was faster than my 2009 attempt at Ironman Louisville. This net attempt would provide a sub-12-hour effort. I would see an 11 in the portion of my watch which indicates hours, I would raise my glass...of water likely, and smile.
Plan A went out the window. After taking a reasonable amount of time off beginning in October, as the result of Achilles pain, my return to running was met with more Achilles pain. I took measures to resolve this situation, including, but not limited to, more rest, regular icing, mild stretching, self-massage, and finally physical therapy. This was Plan B, which was supposed to get me to be able to run at Ironman Louisville.
This past Wednesday I enjoyed some success at a sprint triathlon. It was exciting, it was entertaining, and is was encouraging. I ran the entire three miles, in what I would consider only dull-pain. However, I believe the adrenaline effect allowed me to only feel dull pain. Looking back, I probably should not have put that kind of run effort down. I took Thursday and Friday off from running. In fact, I took Thursday entirely off. Saturday, I rode 60 miles, and then attempted to run. Within the first 25 yards my Achilles was on fire. I walked back home discouraged. My success from Wednesday was enjoyed, but the encouragement it offered was short lived.
Today I attempted to run again. My goal was to run four continuous miles. It started out like most of my runs as of late. My Achilles was tight, or stiff, or whatever adjective you want to use that suggests that it wasn't quite right. From here it loosened up a bit, followed by mild discomfort, at the level that I've come to get used to. I'm supposed to stop running if there is pain. If you read my previous blog post about pain, you understand this has been a quandary for me. What is pain? Without getting into the whole pain discussion again, I'll simply say, I kept going.
Around 2.5 miles, I started to accept my current reality as might be interpreted by an educated medical professional. I had been running with pain. Not just today, but every day that I attempted to run, but I labeled it "mild discomfort". By 3.25 miles the discomfort, so I called it, became pain, as I would also call it. At this point, I began to recognize my denial. The question at this point was, what am I going to do about it?
My first reaction to my "new circumstances," that weren't new at all, was to swim, bike, and drop out. I would have a DNF, but at least I would have done what I could do. My next response was that I needed to finish. So now what?
Enter Plan C. Right now, Sunday, June 19, 2011, at 5:35 p.m. my current plan is to swim 2.4 mi, bike 112 mi, and then...walk 26.2 miles. It's not cool. It's not sexy. It is a long way from rockin', but it seems to be where I am. I'm not excited about it and I'm not happy about it, but in the spirit of self-preservation and living another day, this is where I am. This won't really make me less of an Ironman, but it will make me a much slower one.
I realize the event is a swim, bike, run event, and in some ways I feel like I am disrespecting the spirit of the race a bit by taking the approaching I'm talking, and it does make me feel reluctant. It will be hard to keep me chin up under these circumstances. In fact, my head is already hanging a bit low. This certainly puts a significant dent in my spirit. Plan C was not even on the radar when I registered in September. There was not Plan C. In fact, there was no Plan B. There was only Plan A, but here I am adapting to Plan C.
The Road to Ironman Louisville has had too many potholes, and now my vehicle needs to go into the shop.
Plan A went out the window. After taking a reasonable amount of time off beginning in October, as the result of Achilles pain, my return to running was met with more Achilles pain. I took measures to resolve this situation, including, but not limited to, more rest, regular icing, mild stretching, self-massage, and finally physical therapy. This was Plan B, which was supposed to get me to be able to run at Ironman Louisville.
This past Wednesday I enjoyed some success at a sprint triathlon. It was exciting, it was entertaining, and is was encouraging. I ran the entire three miles, in what I would consider only dull-pain. However, I believe the adrenaline effect allowed me to only feel dull pain. Looking back, I probably should not have put that kind of run effort down. I took Thursday and Friday off from running. In fact, I took Thursday entirely off. Saturday, I rode 60 miles, and then attempted to run. Within the first 25 yards my Achilles was on fire. I walked back home discouraged. My success from Wednesday was enjoyed, but the encouragement it offered was short lived.
Today I attempted to run again. My goal was to run four continuous miles. It started out like most of my runs as of late. My Achilles was tight, or stiff, or whatever adjective you want to use that suggests that it wasn't quite right. From here it loosened up a bit, followed by mild discomfort, at the level that I've come to get used to. I'm supposed to stop running if there is pain. If you read my previous blog post about pain, you understand this has been a quandary for me. What is pain? Without getting into the whole pain discussion again, I'll simply say, I kept going.
Around 2.5 miles, I started to accept my current reality as might be interpreted by an educated medical professional. I had been running with pain. Not just today, but every day that I attempted to run, but I labeled it "mild discomfort". By 3.25 miles the discomfort, so I called it, became pain, as I would also call it. At this point, I began to recognize my denial. The question at this point was, what am I going to do about it?
My first reaction to my "new circumstances," that weren't new at all, was to swim, bike, and drop out. I would have a DNF, but at least I would have done what I could do. My next response was that I needed to finish. So now what?
Enter Plan C. Right now, Sunday, June 19, 2011, at 5:35 p.m. my current plan is to swim 2.4 mi, bike 112 mi, and then...walk 26.2 miles. It's not cool. It's not sexy. It is a long way from rockin', but it seems to be where I am. I'm not excited about it and I'm not happy about it, but in the spirit of self-preservation and living another day, this is where I am. This won't really make me less of an Ironman, but it will make me a much slower one.
I realize the event is a swim, bike, run event, and in some ways I feel like I am disrespecting the spirit of the race a bit by taking the approaching I'm talking, and it does make me feel reluctant. It will be hard to keep me chin up under these circumstances. In fact, my head is already hanging a bit low. This certainly puts a significant dent in my spirit. Plan C was not even on the radar when I registered in September. There was not Plan C. In fact, there was no Plan B. There was only Plan A, but here I am adapting to Plan C.
The Road to Ironman Louisville has had too many potholes, and now my vehicle needs to go into the shop.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Rob, you will be an Ironman!
So, I met this guy named Rob prior to the start of the triathlon I did this past Wednesday night. He seemed like a nice guy, which is cool because he was about four inches taller than me, outweighed my by about 75 pounds, and is literally trained to be able to do serious bodily harm if necessary. He's been in martial arts for a long time and has won many competitions. Did I know this going into this conversation? No. If I had, perhaps I wouldn't have been such a jackwagon to begin with. Well, I didn't mean to be a jackwagon, but he just took me off guard, and I gave a response that could have been construed as me being a jackwagon.
The situation went something like this. I was walking back to my van after having picked up my packet, racked my bike, and was going through my mental checklist of what else I needed to do. I was also preoccupied with attempting to casually look like a bad ass, as I checked out everyone else working on their bad ass-ness. My thoughts drifted, but they were something like this...
"That dude is focused. Pumped. He's got to be listening to some rock band that is blaring out a serious heart-pounding, blood-flowin' type of jam in his ear buds. No smile. No hint of a smile. Focus. Intensity. I wonder if I'll beat him?
...Wow, that is a freakin' awsome bike right there. I wonder if I should have gotten that instead of my GURU?
Hey! Your bike is awesome. Oh yeah.
But, look at those wheels.
Yeah, those are nice. Maybe someday.
Should I rent race wheels for Louisville?
Are you going to win?
No.
Then no.
Oh.
You should probably hit the porta-john before there's a line."
Ok, at this point, a guy walks up near me and says something to the effect of, "So, how did it feel after that one?"
Apparently he motioned toward the 140.6 sticker on my van, but I missed it. I was completely thinking he saw me at the Grand Rapids Triathlon, earlier this month, and I was trying to figure out when I saw this guy. I said something profound like, "Huh?"
"Is that your van with the 140.6 sticker on it?"
"Oh, uh, yeah". I was still trying to get my head wrapped around the fact that I was supposed to be talking to somebody other than myself.
"Well, how did you feel afterward?"
Ok, up to this point, I haven't really said anything wrong. I mean, I looked like an incoherent idiot, but at least I hadn't been rude...yet. But then the words came out of my mouth. The words, that without saying them specifically, yelled out, "Hi, am an ass!"
Of course this is not exactly what I said. In response to his question I said, "Tired."
Tired? Really? I couldn't have said, "Fantastic"? "Inspiring"? "Wonderful"? "Enlightening?"
The good news is that I didn't say it in a rude tone. I said it with a smile on my face and with a bit of a sigh, as if reliving my level of tiredness.
Then I realized how awful that must have sounded that I said "tired," and I was embarrassed as I backpeddled in my mind.
He seemed to let it slide, and replied, "It must have been pretty amazing huh?"
Fortunately, I came to my senses.
"Oh, yeah, it was amazing. Very fulfilling."
"I hope to do one someday. This is my first triathlon, then I'm doing a 70.3 in August, and if I don't kill myself, I would like to do an Ironman next year."
"Oh, wow. So, are you doing Steelhead then?"
"Yeah."
"You'll like it. It's a nice race."
"Well, I'll see what I can do."
Still a little out of sorts, and with my mind on getting to the porta-john and taking care of other business, I started walking away, and said something like, "You'll be fine," over my shoulder.
"I hope so."
After our first exchange, I took care of what I had to do, then went back and laid down in the grass to relax for awhile. As I stared at the inside of my hat, which I had put over my face, and I realized he said this was going to be his first triathlon. FIRST EVER!
I thought, "You weren't very nice to that guy."
"I wasn't awful."
"No, but, come on. You weren't terribly giving either."
"Yeah, but..."
"It's his first triathlon. Do you remember your first triathlon?"
"Of course I remember."
"Well, he must have a million questions, and you shrugged him off."
"That's not cool. I need to see if he's all set. Sheesh!"
At this point, I got up from my comfortable spot and walked over to where he was sitting in his truck. I said,
"Hey, did you say this is your first triathlon? As in ever?"
"Yeah."
"Well, do you have any questions?"
He looked at me like, "Well, yeah, kind of."
"Come on over and have a seat, and ask away."
I started by asking him about his athletic background, his preparations so far, and so forth. As it turned out he had only had his full-wetsuit on to try it on, and he had not yet swum in open water. I gave him some "what you might expect" type words of wisdom and we talked some more. He asked me some questions, but mostly he seemed well prepared, and well preped by some other athletes he had been training with.
I was so glad I didn't let this slide. Now that I am officially and old man in the sport, I have a bigger responsibility to provide more insight to the tri newbies of the world. Be patient if you are not where I am yet. You can be a card carrying member once you have been doing the sport a long time and you reach the 40-44 age group.
Anyway, I felt a whole lot better. I got a second chance at not being a jackwagan. He did catch me off guard, but this is no excuse. It was good to talk to an Ironman in the making. From our conversation, I am confident that he has what it takes to be a darn good one as well.
Rob...nice meeting you. It won't be long and you will hear the words, at whatever event you choose to cover the 140.6 miles, "Rob, you are an Ironman!" You might even think of that guy with the GU hat that sat down and chatted with you at your first event, and then you might sit down with some other newbie at his or her first event one day.
Peace.
The situation went something like this. I was walking back to my van after having picked up my packet, racked my bike, and was going through my mental checklist of what else I needed to do. I was also preoccupied with attempting to casually look like a bad ass, as I checked out everyone else working on their bad ass-ness. My thoughts drifted, but they were something like this...
"That dude is focused. Pumped. He's got to be listening to some rock band that is blaring out a serious heart-pounding, blood-flowin' type of jam in his ear buds. No smile. No hint of a smile. Focus. Intensity. I wonder if I'll beat him?
...Wow, that is a freakin' awsome bike right there. I wonder if I should have gotten that instead of my GURU?
Hey! Your bike is awesome. Oh yeah.
But, look at those wheels.
Yeah, those are nice. Maybe someday.
Should I rent race wheels for Louisville?
Are you going to win?
No.
Then no.
Oh.
You should probably hit the porta-john before there's a line."
Ok, at this point, a guy walks up near me and says something to the effect of, "So, how did it feel after that one?"
Apparently he motioned toward the 140.6 sticker on my van, but I missed it. I was completely thinking he saw me at the Grand Rapids Triathlon, earlier this month, and I was trying to figure out when I saw this guy. I said something profound like, "Huh?"
"Is that your van with the 140.6 sticker on it?"
"Oh, uh, yeah". I was still trying to get my head wrapped around the fact that I was supposed to be talking to somebody other than myself.
"Well, how did you feel afterward?"
Ok, up to this point, I haven't really said anything wrong. I mean, I looked like an incoherent idiot, but at least I hadn't been rude...yet. But then the words came out of my mouth. The words, that without saying them specifically, yelled out, "Hi, am an ass!"
Of course this is not exactly what I said. In response to his question I said, "Tired."
Tired? Really? I couldn't have said, "Fantastic"? "Inspiring"? "Wonderful"? "Enlightening?"
The good news is that I didn't say it in a rude tone. I said it with a smile on my face and with a bit of a sigh, as if reliving my level of tiredness.
Then I realized how awful that must have sounded that I said "tired," and I was embarrassed as I backpeddled in my mind.
He seemed to let it slide, and replied, "It must have been pretty amazing huh?"
Fortunately, I came to my senses.
"Oh, yeah, it was amazing. Very fulfilling."
"I hope to do one someday. This is my first triathlon, then I'm doing a 70.3 in August, and if I don't kill myself, I would like to do an Ironman next year."
"Oh, wow. So, are you doing Steelhead then?"
"Yeah."
"You'll like it. It's a nice race."
"Well, I'll see what I can do."
Still a little out of sorts, and with my mind on getting to the porta-john and taking care of other business, I started walking away, and said something like, "You'll be fine," over my shoulder.
"I hope so."
After our first exchange, I took care of what I had to do, then went back and laid down in the grass to relax for awhile. As I stared at the inside of my hat, which I had put over my face, and I realized he said this was going to be his first triathlon. FIRST EVER!
I thought, "You weren't very nice to that guy."
"I wasn't awful."
"No, but, come on. You weren't terribly giving either."
"Yeah, but..."
"It's his first triathlon. Do you remember your first triathlon?"
"Of course I remember."
"Well, he must have a million questions, and you shrugged him off."
"That's not cool. I need to see if he's all set. Sheesh!"
At this point, I got up from my comfortable spot and walked over to where he was sitting in his truck. I said,
"Hey, did you say this is your first triathlon? As in ever?"
"Yeah."
"Well, do you have any questions?"
He looked at me like, "Well, yeah, kind of."
"Come on over and have a seat, and ask away."
I started by asking him about his athletic background, his preparations so far, and so forth. As it turned out he had only had his full-wetsuit on to try it on, and he had not yet swum in open water. I gave him some "what you might expect" type words of wisdom and we talked some more. He asked me some questions, but mostly he seemed well prepared, and well preped by some other athletes he had been training with.
I was so glad I didn't let this slide. Now that I am officially and old man in the sport, I have a bigger responsibility to provide more insight to the tri newbies of the world. Be patient if you are not where I am yet. You can be a card carrying member once you have been doing the sport a long time and you reach the 40-44 age group.
Anyway, I felt a whole lot better. I got a second chance at not being a jackwagan. He did catch me off guard, but this is no excuse. It was good to talk to an Ironman in the making. From our conversation, I am confident that he has what it takes to be a darn good one as well.
Rob...nice meeting you. It won't be long and you will hear the words, at whatever event you choose to cover the 140.6 miles, "Rob, you are an Ironman!" You might even think of that guy with the GU hat that sat down and chatted with you at your first event, and then you might sit down with some other newbie at his or her first event one day.
Peace.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Cautious is an Understatement
If I were to tell you I am cautious, those that know me, will immediately tell you this is an understatement. So, when I threw caution to the wind yesterday, it was a bit of a surprise. However, the writing was on the wall. Literally, the post on my blog wall regarding losing patience spoke volumes regarding the decision I made yesterday, to override my walk/run protocol for my comeback, and simply run.
My run started just as planned, but plans change. I walked two minutes, and then I ran three minutes. The goal was to do this three times out, and repeat the process on the way back. However, when I reached a little over 1.25 miles, I determined that I needed to challenge my Achilles more. I needed to let it try to break up the scar tissue. After all, when I researched Astym Treatment, it claimed that patients should continue doing what they love doing. Well, I love running. So, I adjusted my plan and committed to running the entire way back from 1.5 miles with no walking breaks. It seemed to go just fine. I would like to say it went great, but it wasn't. I still had discomfort, and occasionally pain. Nothing sharp, but more like hot spots around my ankle that came and went. For the most part, it never got any better or worse than when I was running three minutes, so I didn't stop or let up. I finished the 1.5 miles in 9:30-something. My last mile was 6:26. It felt good emotionally to be moving like that without stopping. I could tell my Achilles was aggrivated, but it wasn't awful, and it didn't inhibit my abilty to walk normally. In fact, right after this, I mowed half my lawn (the other half was done the night before...I wasn't slackin'). I think this helped loosen it up without the intensity of running.
Friday I ran three miles. Ok, not all at once. I walked at the mile and two mile points. It seemed to go as well as when I ran 1.5. Not great, but not any worse. So, my plan now is so try the same thing again tomorrow. If that goes well, I'll continue to increase my mileage, but all the while walking at each mile.
Wednesday I have race scheduled. It's a sprint triathlon, which ends with a 5k, and I want to be able to run the 5k. I don't care if I run it slowly, but I want to run it. My decision to run broken up miles, instead of broken up minutes was in part, due to this fact. However, the bigger, more obvious factor is that Ironman Louisville is on the horizon, and the horizon is not moving, and it is not going to wait for me.
I'm looking for hope and hoping I find it.
My run started just as planned, but plans change. I walked two minutes, and then I ran three minutes. The goal was to do this three times out, and repeat the process on the way back. However, when I reached a little over 1.25 miles, I determined that I needed to challenge my Achilles more. I needed to let it try to break up the scar tissue. After all, when I researched Astym Treatment, it claimed that patients should continue doing what they love doing. Well, I love running. So, I adjusted my plan and committed to running the entire way back from 1.5 miles with no walking breaks. It seemed to go just fine. I would like to say it went great, but it wasn't. I still had discomfort, and occasionally pain. Nothing sharp, but more like hot spots around my ankle that came and went. For the most part, it never got any better or worse than when I was running three minutes, so I didn't stop or let up. I finished the 1.5 miles in 9:30-something. My last mile was 6:26. It felt good emotionally to be moving like that without stopping. I could tell my Achilles was aggrivated, but it wasn't awful, and it didn't inhibit my abilty to walk normally. In fact, right after this, I mowed half my lawn (the other half was done the night before...I wasn't slackin'). I think this helped loosen it up without the intensity of running.
Friday I ran three miles. Ok, not all at once. I walked at the mile and two mile points. It seemed to go as well as when I ran 1.5. Not great, but not any worse. So, my plan now is so try the same thing again tomorrow. If that goes well, I'll continue to increase my mileage, but all the while walking at each mile.
Wednesday I have race scheduled. It's a sprint triathlon, which ends with a 5k, and I want to be able to run the 5k. I don't care if I run it slowly, but I want to run it. My decision to run broken up miles, instead of broken up minutes was in part, due to this fact. However, the bigger, more obvious factor is that Ironman Louisville is on the horizon, and the horizon is not moving, and it is not going to wait for me.
I'm looking for hope and hoping I find it.
Friday, June 3, 2011
The Road to Ironman Louisville, Journey Update
So, where am I?
I'm continuing to enjoy my swimming workouts, but my allergies are not making it easy on me. I actually had to stop and sneeze during my swim yesterday. This doesn't happen in the pool, but in open water. However, since my seasonal allergies have kicked in, I haven't been to the pool, so who knows?
I worked my way up to 3,500 yards in the pool, but have shifted gears to open water and I am up to 2,000+. My intention is to build from here and get to doing a handful of swims that are 2.4 miles by August. Most of my swims will be anywhere from 0.5 miles to 1.2 miles, with one long swim per week. So far, so good.
Cycling is going well. I have had several weeks in a row with 100+ miles per week. I hope to build upon this with several middle distance rides mid-week, such as 20-40 miles, and do a long ride each week. My latest long ride, which was this past weekend was 88 miles. This week my long ride will drop to 56 miles at the 1/2 Iron distance triathlon I'm doing, and then go back to 80+ the following week.
The biggest X-factor is my running and I am continuing physical therapy with my fingers crossed. I "ran" on Wednesday, when I walked 2min/jogged 2min.x4, for a total of 8 minutes jogging. I'm calling it a mile of jogging. It went well with minimal Achilles discomfort, which came in the last 2-min. jogging segment. So, although it doesn't feel all the way strong, I'm feeling encouraged.
Sunday is the Grand Rapids Triathlon, which is a 1/2 Iron distance. I registered for it a long time ago. My intention at this point is to swim, bike, and drop-out. I hate to operate this way, but I don't want to impede the progress I've made with my Achilles, at a race that is intended to be a training day anyway.
June 15th is the Triceratops Triathlon; a is a sprint distance event with the run being 5k. I'm hoping I can walk/jog...fake...my way through that event, but I'll have to see how my progress is at that time. Again, this is a training event, so kickin' butt and taking names is not a priority by any means. I registered for this event quite early as well, so I'll still make a showing of some kind. After this I don't have any events leading up to Ironman Louisville that I paid for. The Duncan Lake Triathlon is an event of my own making, put on by me, where I am the only participant. This will also allow me to change the date if needed...which I have done once already. I moved it from late July, to early August. I think I can win it!
This is where I am right now. I'm both encouraged and discouraged, but that is the beauty of triathlon. It allows for alternatives. If I was exclusively a runner, I would be rather depressed. As a triathlete, I am only discouraged, but still hopeful.
The Road to Ironman Louisville continues to be traveled and the journey is still one I am enjoying. There are still questions to be answered, with the biggest one being, "Will I be ready for the run come race day?" Time will tell.
I'm continuing to enjoy my swimming workouts, but my allergies are not making it easy on me. I actually had to stop and sneeze during my swim yesterday. This doesn't happen in the pool, but in open water. However, since my seasonal allergies have kicked in, I haven't been to the pool, so who knows?
I worked my way up to 3,500 yards in the pool, but have shifted gears to open water and I am up to 2,000+. My intention is to build from here and get to doing a handful of swims that are 2.4 miles by August. Most of my swims will be anywhere from 0.5 miles to 1.2 miles, with one long swim per week. So far, so good.
Cycling is going well. I have had several weeks in a row with 100+ miles per week. I hope to build upon this with several middle distance rides mid-week, such as 20-40 miles, and do a long ride each week. My latest long ride, which was this past weekend was 88 miles. This week my long ride will drop to 56 miles at the 1/2 Iron distance triathlon I'm doing, and then go back to 80+ the following week.
The biggest X-factor is my running and I am continuing physical therapy with my fingers crossed. I "ran" on Wednesday, when I walked 2min/jogged 2min.x4, for a total of 8 minutes jogging. I'm calling it a mile of jogging. It went well with minimal Achilles discomfort, which came in the last 2-min. jogging segment. So, although it doesn't feel all the way strong, I'm feeling encouraged.
Sunday is the Grand Rapids Triathlon, which is a 1/2 Iron distance. I registered for it a long time ago. My intention at this point is to swim, bike, and drop-out. I hate to operate this way, but I don't want to impede the progress I've made with my Achilles, at a race that is intended to be a training day anyway.
June 15th is the Triceratops Triathlon; a is a sprint distance event with the run being 5k. I'm hoping I can walk/jog...fake...my way through that event, but I'll have to see how my progress is at that time. Again, this is a training event, so kickin' butt and taking names is not a priority by any means. I registered for this event quite early as well, so I'll still make a showing of some kind. After this I don't have any events leading up to Ironman Louisville that I paid for. The Duncan Lake Triathlon is an event of my own making, put on by me, where I am the only participant. This will also allow me to change the date if needed...which I have done once already. I moved it from late July, to early August. I think I can win it!
This is where I am right now. I'm both encouraged and discouraged, but that is the beauty of triathlon. It allows for alternatives. If I was exclusively a runner, I would be rather depressed. As a triathlete, I am only discouraged, but still hopeful.
The Road to Ironman Louisville continues to be traveled and the journey is still one I am enjoying. There are still questions to be answered, with the biggest one being, "Will I be ready for the run come race day?" Time will tell.
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