Weeks 9, 10, and 11

accidental picture in the woods

Officially at that midpoint of training. Three months behind me, a little less than three to go. Actually, the race was three months from last Saturday! Feels good to be getting closer to race day. Gives me more optimism towards training -  light at the end of the tunnel. I haven't missed any workouts, I'm feeling strong in all three sports - still the least strong on the bike but at least I have enjoyed training more with my gorgeous,comfortable and sleek Quintana Roo. 

My confidence is high this time around about training and the race which is surprising - this time last year I was so scared. I feel like now I know what I'm doing. I know what I need in terms of nutrition, hydration, and that the training I'm doing will get me where I need to go. I still have a lot of building to do for a run distance - the most I've run in the last 3 months was 2 1/2 hours, we'll hit at least 3 hours by the end of training, but in terms of ride length, we're getting close to our longest rides and I'm only an hour or two away from how long we'll go.

Weekend days are now taking about 5-6 hours each day. Most weekdays are at least 2 hours of training. I'm hungry all the time. My whole body hurts most days during build weeks. Some days I feel so fatigued, I feel like I can't breathe enough oxygen back into my blood during the day (I'm sure that's mental, but I find myself on calls in the morning after training, having to take really deep breaths to keep going). Despite that, I'm proud of myself for pushing so hard during my weekday workouts. Last year I would talk myself out of really sticking to the workout and modify to what I felt I needed - but this year I'm even pushing on the swim, so I think I'm getting faster across the board.

I've been running on trails on the weekend still. This weekend was 2 hours on the trails on Sunday after my 5 hour ride and 30 minute t-run on Saturday. The way my legs feel the day after the long ride - they're just cashed. They don't want to run. They don't want to climb hills. They don't want to descend hills. I have to keep telling myself "but running is the part I LOVE!" to keep myself going. I talked myself out of hitting the full 2 hours three times on Sunday, but at 86 minutes when I got back to my car, I turned around and ran back into the woods so I'd go home with no regrets - it sucks reflecting on a workout and knowing you didn't hit what you needed.

I feel overall happier this year training. I'm putting less pressure on myself, which in turn is helping me actually dedicate more energy to my training sessions. This year I actually consider myself a triathlete, and I suppose I consider myself an Ironman too, so training for Ironman is more fun, if that makes sense... it's now a part of who I am.


I find myself every week day dreaming about taking weekend unplanned trips or adventures, but I remind myself that soon we can get back to that. Spontaneity, exploring, and travel. Right now I have goals to crush, and this is the process and journey it takes to get there. 


Also - the Bumbershoot lineup came out and Isaac and I already have our 3 day passes. Can't wait!!!