One way to celebrate a birthday..
So last weekend was supposed to be my big birthday run of 41 miles..
Let just say it did not happen :(I have been nursing a calf strain or something like that for the past couple of days. So the run did not materialized, I was a little disappointed at first, but I realized that I was doing the things I loved and spending time with the family is really more important that running 41 miles in the span of one day (or two).
But I was able to get some training in over the weekend nonetheless.
So on Friday, about 4 of us from the TRI club headed out to tackle the IronMan Wisconsin course once again. We headed up early in the morning; the weather was kind of crazy at best. It was pouring rain most of the way up to Madison, WI. But I think either way we all determined to ride that day and hoped for the best. But things changed when we finally got to the starting point. No rain during entire IMoo cycling adventure.
My goal for the day was to work on my race nutrition. Try to lay off the salt tablets because I think that was the cause of getting a thirsty and salty taste in my mouth during my long races during the year. Pacing was also on top of the agenda. I tried not to care who was ahead of me or riding behind of me in the group.
“Keep a high cadence and just ride within myself”, I told myself. Even though my calf was pretty tight and I did feel it most of the bike ride. I felt pretty good out there. So 101.30 miles completed on the IMWI course, not a bad way to start my b-day weekend.
Saturday I was still determined to try to run. Woke up early, headed to the Chicago Lakefront to attempt a long run. It started out fine; the calf pain was there but would subside after I got going. But at the 5 mile mark the pain increased, so I figure I better just walk and call it a day before I hear snap, crackle, and pop, at the back of my leg. I Ran 5 and walked 5, Ohhhh, it was hard watching all these people running. Really hard!!!
So the rest of the day, some friends came over for a little b-day party. Most of the them non-runners/triathletes. Joking around about my crazy endurance adventures. But with all that, they know I have this Badwater UltraMarathon fixed in my head (130+ mile Ultra Marathon in Death Valley). They joked around in a serious way how to crew for me if I ever do it, Ahhh, true friends indeed.
So Sunday was the last hooray for my B-day weekend. Another 52 miles on the bike, so 208.6 cycling miles for the week for me. The most I have ever done in one week ever.
Then it was time to relax and hang around the swimming pool with my daughter later that day. Sometimes I do forget what really is most important than all the miles I did this week.
So this week is my time to rest and hopefully heal up. I think I must be getting a little wiser in my 40+ age now. Maybe some junk food is in the works as well.
That is a form of recovery week I’m sure… Well at least in my mind.
9 Comments:
The rest and recovery are as important as the swim, bike and run. And mentally the family time helps ease those aches and pains. Happy Birthday dear friend!!!
Hey, I'm turning 43 in September ..... never mind, we have an Ironman to complete a week after the b-day :)
Nice job on the course!! Rest up and get healed!!
208.6 miles in one week. Holy smokes!
Hope that calf issue heals quickly.
And it was nice that you got to spend time with family.
And here I've been settling for cake and ice cream all these years....
I wrote a piece about last year's Badwater race in Marathon & Beyond. I'd be happy to send you a copy since it has useful information about crewing too.
Happy B-Day! Take care of that calf. I recently had calf troubles and got those gel Dr. Sholes inserts, just the ones that are heals in order to rais my meals a little and shorten the abount of stretch my calf is able to do. THat always keeps me running until I'm all better.
Another Xterra owner! 208.6 miles on the bike for a week, wow! Hope the calf gets better.
Happy Belated Birthday!! The 40s are the bestest time of life...so enjoy!!
Great seeing you on the lakefront trail--can't believe you spotted me!! Hope that calf heals fast so you won't need to gain any more wisdom dealing with it! ;)
Badwater huh??!! (Don't tell anyone but it's on my secret list of things to do also) I can absolutely imagine you there---go for it!! Let your friends really see how crazy you are! ;)
I run in the praire path on the weekends
Ah, Bubba, Bubba, you are so hard core an athlete in such a nonchalant way, putting out all those numbers, physically first and then on the record.
But, yes, there is nothing as important as the children.
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