El Quandry

Good morning.

What a great summer, weatherwise.

As I traveled in my car this weekend I noticed, ever so slightly, the leaves starting to change hues. Slowly they are going from dark healthy green to a lighter green which is a sign of seasons changing.

Before we know it we will be into the cooler fall months. I mean, it's only 8 weeks until the Chicago Marathon. The weather can change sooo much in those 8 weeks.

My advice: Really enjoy the wonderful days that summer has left for you. Before you know it the Holidays will be here. Almost time to go Christmas shopping.

This wonderful weather has allowed me to train in ideal conditions, "for me." I qualify that statement because I know it as not been ideal for all.

I have been busy as usual with training. Lots of thoughts going on in my head on how best to approach training.

The quandry: I have the Chicago Tri next week, Branson 1/2 Ironman 3 weeks after Chicago and then the Chicago Marathon not long after that. How the heck am I supposed to be ready for the marathon and also staying fresh for the triathlons???

I feel the need to get in some long marathon training runs of 17-20 miles so I will be prepared for the 26.2 miles in October.

One thing I wonder is if triathlon training adds to or enhances training for a marathon? Time will tell as I figure this out. My major thought is to stay healthy during the whole process.

The recent training:

Friday:

34 mile bike along Lake MI.

Saturday:

Awesome open water 1.4 mile swim in Lake MI. I really pshed it a bit but my Garmin was not timing me. I forgot to delete the training history. The Garmin could not fit in any more data. My bad. But, it was a strong swimming effort that made my lats a little sore.

Later in the day I decided to go for an aerobic run:

Split Time Moving Time Distance Elevation Gain Elevation Loss Avg Pace Avg Moving Pace Best Pace Avg HR Max HR Steps Calories
1 0:08:51 0:08:39 1 6 0 8:51 8:39 7:38 121 130 0 89
2 0:08:45 0:08:43 1 7 0 8:45 8:43 7:37 127 133 0 93
3 0:08:42 0:08:43 1 0 7 8:42 8:43 6:25 132 137 0 98
4 0:08:35 0:08:22 1 0 13 8:35 8:22 3:33 135 140 0 94
5 0:08:43 0:08:35 1 14 0 8:43 8:35 6:19 135 141 0 95
6 0:08:31 0:08:32 1 5 0 8:31 8:32 6:48 139 140 0 97
7 0:08:38 0:08:38 1 0 5 8:38 8:38 6:44 136 140 0 92
8 0:08:34 0:08:32 1 0 8 8:34 8:32 7:38 137 142 0 93
9 0:01:50 0:01:51 0.22 0 0 8:30 8:32 7:18 140 141 0 21
Summary 1:11:13 1:10:35 8.22 32 33 8:40 8:35 3:33 132 142 0 772


Sunday:

Sunday morning was the 38 mile bike ride with the Chicago Tri Club. The ride was pretty easy. I would like to push the pace a bit more. One thing I've noticed is that my hill climbing is much stronger.

Later in the day another easy run. I was surprised how low my heart rate stayed.

Split Time Moving Time Distance Elevation Gain Elevation Loss Avg Pace Avg Moving Pace Best Pace Avg HR Max HR Steps Calories
1 0:09:30 0:09:14 1 0 8 9:30 9:14 7:42 119 128 0 95
2 0:09:21 0:09:15 1 14 0 9:21 9:15 4:27 121 127 0 94
3 0:08:50 0:08:51 1 0 0 8:50 8:51 6:01 125 128 0 91
4 0:09:16 0:09:10 1 0 0 9:16 9:10 7:39 119 125 0 74
5 0:09:00 0:08:55 1 0 6 9:00 8:55 6:43 123 130 0 81
6 0:08:49 0:08:48 1 0 8 8:49 8:48 7:35 124 132 0 79
7 0:00:49 0:00:48 0.09 0 0 8:53 8:38 8:11 125 127 0 8
Summary 0:55:38 0:55:01 6.09 14 22 9:07 9:01 4:27 121 132 0 522


Now, it's onward and upward.




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" Beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own, sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction."

* It takes courage to push yourself to places that you have never been before... to test your limits... to break through barriers. And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” - Anais Nin