Testing Limits

I have had a couple long weeks, especially last week and the past two weekends.  Aside from the huge undertaking that is Ironman, work has been crazy busy due to a new position and life seems to have lots going on.  It's hard to keep up.  I have felt like it's all too much, and overwhelmed. 

I've had lots of good things going on, but also just a lot extra that combined with training has proven difficult to manage.  But somehow most of it gets done, with some shuffling and lack of sleep.  Bringing work home and fitting in long workouts doesn't leave much time for much else in life these days.  Maybe that's a little lame, but it is what it is. 

Last week felt like my breaking point, with the weekend being the culmination of two sub-par long workouts.  My last really big bike and run, naturally.  I remember thinking how can I do this?  And then telling myself you are testing your limits, getting through this makes you an Ironman. 

Last weekend was the worst.  I've had some tough long weekend workouts.  But last weekend was hot as hell and extremely humid as early as 5 am.  The 100 miles on the bike were not fantastic on Sat, but the 18 mile run was the worst.  Drenched at 7 am when I went out at 6:30 am I shed some tears along the way and wanted to quit.  But I dug deep and pulled it off. 

The end is in sight...I still can't believe it.  I just kept telling myself that.  I tested the limits with the workouts on mucho tired legs, in the heat, on little sleep, for long endurance, with a crazy work schedule, and little time for anything else in life...and I'm still here! 

I was reminded that you can push your body farther than you think you can, and the mind is what will quit first.  So keep pushing the envelope and see what you can achieve. 

Thanks for sharing partner, and to another friend for the original inspiration.

The past couple weeks looked like this:

Week of 6/11-6/17:
Monday 6/11: 2700 swim, 30 min easy run
Tuesday 6/12: 1:30 threshold ride
Wednesday 6/13: tempo run (4x8:00 min at 7:45 pace)
Thursday 6/14: 2900 swim, 60 min spin
Friday 6/15: OFF
Saturday 6/16: 77 mile long ride
Sunday 6/17: 20 mile long run

Week of 6/18-6/24:
Monday 6/18: 2700 swim
Tuesday 6/19: threshold bike workout
Wednesday 6/20: 1:15 aerobic run
Thursday 6/21: 2400 swim, 1:15 spin
Friday 6/22: OFF
Saturday 6/23: 1:15 aerobic ride, 15 min easy run
Sunday 6/24: Philly Tri Olympic
 
Week of 6/25-7/1:
Monday 6/25: 1:30 ride aerobic
Tuesday 6/26: 2600 swim
Wednesday 6/27: 1:15 aerobic run
Thursday 6/28: 1:15 ride
Friday 6/29: 1500 swim
Saturday 6/30: 100 mile long ride
Sunday 7/1: 18 mile long run

Week of 7/2-7/8:
Monday 7/2: 2900 swim
Tuesday 7/3: 1:15 tempo run (4x8:00 min at 10K pace)
Wednesday 7/4: 2 hour aerobic ride - Happy 4th my schedule said!
Thursday 7/5: OFF
Friday 7/6: 3 hour aerobic ride, 45 min transition run
Saturday 7/7: 2.5 mile open water swim
Sunday 7/8: 14 mile run