Triathlon training (weeks 1 + 2): Sick & Tipping Over

I’m about halfway through my triathlon training plan, enroute to my third Tri ever, another Ramblin’ Rose.

I found this plan with an internet search for 6 week triathlon plans.  Plan found here.

(Race reports for 2012 and 2016 here).

Since biking is most definitely my weakness, I liked this plan because it had very specific workouts, complete with zones, and features 2 bikes, 2 runs, and 2 swims for most weeks.  I’ve only been running, so I have some ground to make up for both swimming and biking.

After the 4^th of July 5K, I told myself I’d take a week of rest, and only do some easy bikes with my dad.  I say “easy” but in reality, my old demons came back, and these were mentally challenging.  It’s amazing what the mind can do.  After my bike crash in 2012, I didn’t get on a bike again for maybe 3-4 years? (yes, YEARS).  But last year I rode a bit in preparation for the Ramblin’ Rose, and everything was fine.

Side note: I just looked at last  year’s training calendar, and my total distance biked was 18 miles in the 4 weeks leading up to the Ramblin’ Rose tri.  So far on this plan, I’ve done 20+ miles each week.  At least I did something, LOL!  Should be able to drop some minutes off the bike time!

I even bought a glorious new Trek Madone 5 series with electronic shifters, to make me fall in love with biking again.

Yet, somehow, taking the winter and spring off from riding left me all scared-y cat again:

As my dad and brother both looked at me like I was crazy when I voiced my fear, I thought… What was I scared of… exactly?

Obviously crashing but also: Hitting gravel, taking a turn too hard, getting hit by a car, accidentally running into something or someone, you name it—my mind was going overboard.  The pain of a crash will do this, I suppose.  Even 5 years later.  I’m still so thankful to Karen and Marcia for helping me through that day!

Thankfully my dad was patient with me, took me to the local bike trail the first time, then to a desolate country road.  He gave me lots of tips, and plenty of encouragement.  It really built my confidence.  Thanks Dad!

Anyways, here’s an update on how it’s going!

Week 1 (July 10 – July 16):

After visiting my family in PA for the 4^th of July week, I came back feeling… tired.  Even though we didn’t do much as far as vacation activities (only a day trip to the water park, and a family picnic/baby shower), the nearly 600 mile drive back was rough, and we both had to go to work the next day.  By Wednesday I felt a tickle in my throat, which reached the point of the dreaded “I can barely swallow” by Saturday.  I took the whole weekend off to rest, drank some Run Fast, Eat Slow mineral broth and a ton of electrolytes (nuun) and felt about 80-90% on Monday.  Not the way I wanted to start my training plan, but only a minor setback.

Workout Totals (I’ll spare you all the details, unless you really want to know!):

Monday: 800 yard swim (first swim in 2.5 months!)

Tuesday: 10.7 mile bike

Wednesday: 3.2 mile run

Thursday: 9.3 mile bike

Friday: 1000 yard swim

Sat & Sun: REST (sick)

Week 2 (July 17 – 23)

I finally felt better, so Tuesday of this week, I headed back out for a moderate bike ride.  Ironically, I had looked for my gloves in the garage, and came up short.  So I went without ☹

I had a great ride, and came back home at 9.9 miles.  Always one to be anal and OCD, I circled the cul-de-sac to get to an even 10.  Then I had a mini crash on the bike.  Uggghhhhh not again!

Actually, it wasn’t a true crash.  I tipped over.  Apparently this is common among newbies who aren’t used to clipping in and out.  I was coming into the driveway, and trying to practice unclipping my shoes from the bike.  Gabe came outside.  He was mad at me for going without him, so he was fussing big time.

I was a tad frazzled/distracted, and unclipped my right foot (normally I do my left), and being off balance, tipped over to my left, unable to get my left foot out in time.  I landed hard on my leg and hand (and scuffed up my shoes & bike in the process).  Ticked off and bleeding, I started yelling and threw my helmet (very mature, I know).

Javi and Asher were outside too, so the whole family saw the unfortunate incident.  I went in the house, washed the blood off my hand, and cried on the couch (it was painful and I was very frustrated/embarrassed).  Javi had to leave for work, so both boys were looking at me like “What’s up with Mom?”  Finally Gabe said, “Do you want some ice?”  and Asher said “You gotta be careful on your bike!” or something cute like that.  I have such sweet boys.

So Gabe brought me an ice pack for my hand, and Asher gave me hugs and kisses.  My palm bruised, but the cut portion healed in a few days.  In the shower, I washed some gravel out of the one inch circular gash on my knee, which was very painful.  I’ve put Neosporin on it for the last 9 days, and it’s all pink but nearly healed up.  Yay! Just in time for the Spartan race this weekend 🙂  Also on the bright side, really glad I didn’t crash harder.  Even a tip-over is quite painful.

Workout Totals:

Monday: 1.5 mile run (eased back into it after sickness)

Tuesday: 10 mile bike and a tip-over

Wednesday: REST, naturally

Thursday: 650 yard swim (only had 15 minutes)

Friday: 2.6 mile run

Saturday: 12 mile bike at spin class

Sunday: 5 miles run with Gabe biking next to me, at Salem Lake

Stay tuned for more tri training, and my Spartan race report!

Thank you for catching up on the blog 🙂