80 Mile lessons

Today was a tough day...I was pumped..i was ready, I was a little nervous about the hills.  There weren't as many hills as I thought or remembered, but on the second loop, they got me good.  I was cramping in the quads, then cramping in the hamstrings, then the adductors, THEN all at once.  At one point I was looking for a place to just "fall over" on the bike because the pain was so excruciating that I just knew I would not make it to the crest of the hill, but I did.  Thanks to Maureen who came to my aid and massaged my quad....every time I stopped it would eventually get better, but it was taking longer and longer for the cramps to go away...you could see the knot of the muscle and then you could see it twitch and I could not straighten or flex the leg...I wanted to quit, I wanted to finish, I wanted to quit, i wanted to finish...and in the end, I made it to 73 miles.  And that was enough for me.

Lessons:
1. I love going fast and working it hard - unfortunately that's NOT how this race is done.
2. I need to still figure out how to get more real nutrition in on the bike. The first 44 miles were great, but as I cramped I was nauseous and dizzy. - not my goal.
3. I need to work the lower gears more...My cadence has definitely picked up, but if I had a power meter on my bike it would probably show that I was way above my FTP, especially on the rolling hills.
4. HOLD BACK, HOLD BACK, HOLD BACK in the beginning.
5. I think that I am so worried about not being able to maintain 15-16mph in Florida that I think I need to do it on the hilly rides.  The first 44 average pace was 15.4mpg, but the second loop brought it back to 13.1.  ugh!!
6. Patience
7. Patience

I didn't cry during the ride, but I was super mad at myself and disappointed.. I want ALL of that 80 miles....(but I did cry when I was talking to my brother about it...weird...just came out of no where)...

So, next week..I'm holding back, i'm going zone 2 in low gears, i'm praying for not so much wind (haha) and 90 miles will be mine!!!!

That's all. I guess every workout you learn something is NEVER a wasted workout...

99 days.............

Ironman Lake Placid is this weekend.  I so wish I could be there to cheer on my friends...even thinking about it makes me have goose bumps....

Only 99 days until IMFL...WHAT?????

looking forward to the ride this weekend.  The weather has broken and we have some cool weather today and tomorrow..hoping that Saturday is just as nice.  80 will be my longest training ride ever!!!  Actually, each ride from here on out will be "my longest."  I'm just liking the way the training is making me feel.  I'm tired, yes, but also invigorated by the accomplishment.

Woo hoo...would I ever do this again...I say "no," but who knows...there's something about the training, the camaraderie of the pain and struggle, the expectation and anticipation...but its HARD on the body...Hard on the mind....and yet..I feel strong!

Random thought, I know....

99 days...

Hot and Humid

Wow...its like week 2 of the first real build session..and I have to day..I'm so happy its NOT 100 degrees outside....but it SURE is humid.....

So far, so good...the ride yesterday (70 miles) was actually pretty good and I felt great when it was done...my legs weren't sore today, just heavy for the run.  Running is coming along..its not fast or pretty, but i'm building the mileage...I"m a little bit behind b/c of the calf injury, but adding each week and trying to run a bit more during the week, even if its only for 30 minutes.

We are supposed to be getting a heat wave this week..so this is an AWESOME week for recovery!!!

Not much to report...just plugging along...getting the miles in....hoping I get to the finish line so I never have to do this again!!!  haha...

Thinking...just thinking...about Ironman 70.3 Mount Tremblant for next year.................................