Slowly Returning To Normal!

 

After what seemed like an eternity, things returned to normal (somewhat) this past week. While I am not at the mileage that I was hitting prior to the start of the eye issue, at least I was able to bike and run this week. I took one more week off from swimming, at least until I was cleared by my retina doctor. While it is constant in the back of mind, the eye seems to be responding well to the last procedure except for the fact that it is not tracking correctly. The doctors are a bit baffled by it but believe it should return to normal but as they continually inform me, controlling the pain I was in was the main concern. The red in the eye is beginning to clear, so hopefully in a few days I will be able to stop wearing sunglasses inside and outside.

This past week I was able to run three times in addition to five quality bike rides. The bike rides have been on the indoor trainer but they have been quality. I finally figured out a good tire pressure to mimic outdoor riding and the average heart rate during my rides last week was 141BPM. I kept the running to a few easy runs equaling 16 miles. I kept the runs very relaxed as I got my legs back under me after not running for 12 days.

Training Totals
Bike - 5 rides/ 138 miles/ 6.10 hours/ 22.6mph
Run - 3 runs/ 16 miles/ 1.97 hours/ 7:23 per mile
Total - 8 workouts/ 154 miles/ 8.07 hours

2012
Bike - 96 rides/ 2922 miles/ 135.47 hours/ 21.6mph
Run - 53 runs/ 307.25 miles/ 36.99 hours/ 7:13 per mile
Swim - 28 swims/ 24.75 miles/ 11.32 hours
Total - 177 workouts/ 3254 miles/ 183.78 hours

Goals for Week
Bike - 5 rides/ 140-155 miles/ 6.25-6.75 hours
Run - 3 runs/ 16-20 miles/ 2-2.5 miles
Swim - 2 swims/ 1.25-1.75 miles/ 1-1.25 hours

It is kind of scary to think that Ironman 70.3 National Harbor is 14 weeks away. I am very confident in my ability to get my run and bike quickly back to where it was 3 weeks ago but not swimming for this stretch has me concerned. I need to quickly get my swim going. I am not doing this race to just finish but I am going to compete and earn a spot to the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Las Vegas! 

Something will eventually go right.

TdO '12

8 Days And Counting!

 

8 days and counting....the number of days in a row with no headaches or pain in the eye. It still looks like crap after 3 eye procedures in two weeks. Another plus over the past few days is my sense of taste is returning to normal as the last procedure and the tube shoved down my throat for the application of anesthesia/oxygen messed that up. I am sure some of the distorted sense of taste is due to the amount of drops in the eye over the past 2-3 weeks dripping nicely into my sinuses! But at least this last procedure seems to be working and I am cleared to get back into some normal triathlon training!

This past week, after taking the day off after the latest procedure, I decided I would just ride the bike on the trainer for an hour a day. I could maintain fitness and at the same time not produce a lot of jarring motions that may effect the eye. I am very anxious to get back into some normal training as I am down to 15 weeks until Ironman 70.3 National Harbor. Despite the setback in training over the past 3 weeks, I know that I can easily be ready in 15 weeks to accomplish my goals (sub 4:45)! This week as I get back into training I am setting some conservative goals for the week.

Training Totals
Week
Bike - 6 rides/ 136.75 miles/ 6.01 hours/ 22.8 mph

2012
Bike - 91 rides/ 2817.75 miles/ 130.88 hours/ 21.5mph
Run - 50 rides/ 291.25 miles/ 35.01 hours/ 7:15 per mile
Swim - 28 swims/ 24.75 miles/ 11.32 hours
Total - 169 workouts/ 3133.75 miles/ 177.21 hours

Goals This Week
Bike - 5-6 rides/ 135-160 miles
Run - 3-4 runs/ 15-20 miles
Swim - 2 swims/ 1.0-1.5 miles (if allowed to swim)

If the next two weeks go well, I will give some serious thought to racing the Mon Tour 75 Mile Race again. I need to get something on paper that resembles a race schedule to keep me motivated!

TdO '12!

Dare I Ask......What Next??????

  

Well, here it is the newest blog just a few days late. I am sorry for the delay but once again the eye decided it did not like cooperating and the shunt the doctors put in two weeks ago failed. The past two weeks have been all over the place with the eye. It has gone from times where I thought the eye was fixed to points where I had headaches that were more painful than getting hit by the car during the bike race last year. This weekend got so bad that it almost came down to the decision to remove the eye. This week the doctors tries a retrobullar alcohol injection and some laser surgery to help fix the eye. Let's see if I can get past 7 days without any issues. It sure would be nice to get back to some normal sleep and training.

Prior to the headaches returning Saturday I was able to get a solid week of training. I was able to get on the bike 6 days and run 4 days. I am still out of the pool and now guessing out of it for another week or two. Who knows how long this latest episode will hold me from getting back into full triathlon mode but I am starting to worry about the Ironman 70.3 on August 5th. Something has to eventually go my way.......right???

Training Totals
Week
Bike - 6 rides/ 163 miles/ 7.34 hours/ 22.2 mph
Run - 4 runs/ 18 miles/ 2.18 hours/ 7:15 per mile

2012
Bike - 85 rides/ 2647 miles/ 123.37 hours/ 21.5mph
Run - 50 runs/ 291.25 miles/ 35.01 hours/ 7:12 per mile
Swim - 28 swims/ 24.75 miles/ 11.32 hours
Total - 163 workouts/ 2963 miles/ 169.7 hours

This week I am not sure what I will be getting so I will set some low goals and hopefully I will be able to hit at least them. I know for sure that swimming won't be happening for the third straight week.  Here goes:

Bike - 5 days/ 125-150 miles/ 5.5-7 hours
Run - 3 days/ 15-18 miles/ 1.75-2 hours
No headaches! Back in the pool next week!

TdO '12.....Might be able to at least salvage that!!!!!!!!!!!

No Swimming Allowed!

  

Well, given that I was coming off eye surgery, my week still went very well. With 18 weeks till Ironman 70.3 National Harbor, this week was Base 1 - Week 1. The first three months of the year served to build a strong fitness level to begin serious triathlon training. It has been a long time since I have felt this strong with my cardiovascular fitness.The only thing that did not happen and won't happen for another week is swimming. It is the one thing I am not allowed to do post-surgery. Once cleared I will also begin to add some resistance training to the schedule. To be on the safe side, I did all of my biking on the indoor trainer. I hope to be back outside riding the bike sometime this week. The workouts on the bike have been effective, but extremely boring!!!

Training Totals:
Week
Bike - 5 rides/ 157 miles/ 7.25 hours/ 21.7 mph
Run - 3 runs/ 21 miles/ 2.56 hours/ 7:18 per mile
Total - 8 workouts/ 178 miles/ 9.81 hours

Year
Bike - 79 rides/ 2484 miles/ 116.02 hours/ 21.4 mph
Run - 46 runs/ 273.25 miles/ 32.83 hours/ 7:13 per mile
Swim - 28 swims/ 24.75 miles/ 11.32 hours
Totals - 153 workouts/ 2782 miles/ 160.77 hours

Goals This Week
Bike - 5-6 rides/ 170-185 miles/ 8.5-9.5 hours
Run - 3-4 runs/ 21-26 miles/ 2.5-3.0 hours
Swim - NA
(And no medical issues!!!!)

Motivation for training is very high as watching the coverage of Paris-Roubaix can get one amped to ride or workout! The Hell of the North would be a fun route to ride one day. After watching it, you can see why it is considered the one day classic to win!  Not sure if it can compare to the one day classic of the TdO '12!!

Racing season will soon be here!

Day Off! 18 Weeks To Go, Time To Get Serious

 

Not by choice but yesterday was my first day off since the bike crash last year. It always seems that it takes a major medical issue to stop me from training. While maybe it is my body saying it is time for a day off, I sure wish it would choose another way of doing so!!! An emergency eye surgery to place a small shunt placed in my eye to relieve a build up of pressure in my right eye. After a follow-up today, the doctor told it looks like the surgery was a success! Given the situation, I find this song somewhat appropriate!

The week of training went well even with the day off. I figured with hosting our only collegiate outdoor meet this week, it would be good to take a second lower volume week and then pick up training this week. I am very happy with how the first three months of training have gone and feel very confident about the Ironman 70.3 National Harbor on August 5th. Over the next few weeks, I will start to add some more quality workouts especially in the swim and run. I am about 6-7 weeks before I can realistically look to open up my triathlon racing season with my coaching schedule. Hopefully these weeks will go fast, as I am excited to race. New training totals:

Week
Bike - 5 rides/ 138 miles/ 6.54 hours/ 21.1mph
Run - 3 runs/ 16 miles/ 1.95 hours/ 7:16 per mile
Swim - 2 swims/ 1.75 miles/ .78 hours
Total - 10 workouts/ 155.75 miles/ 9.27 hours

2012
Bike - 74 rides/ 2327 miles/ 108.78 hours/ 21.4mph
Run - 43 runs/ 252.25 miles/ 30.27 hours/ 7:12 per mile
Swim - 28 swims/ 24.75 miles/ 11.32 hours
Total - 145 workouts/ 2604 miles/ 150.37

Goals This Week:
Bike - 6 rides/ 185-200 miles
Run - 4 runs/ 25-30 miles
Swim - 2-3 swims/ 1.75-2.5 miles

Complete race schedule to be revealed soon!!

TdO '12 - even eye surgery can't stop me! On the trainer today!