ironman canada // week 21

What a demanding week. Not so much training wise – because that’s where I’m happiest and love (almost) every second of it – but life and work wise. One thing after another after another lead to a few late(r) nights at the office and, as a result, a few workouts that ended in the dark. I’m always happy to be training, but wrapping up a long run just after 9p and a brick workout at 9:40p two nights in a row isn’t ideal. Makes for some late night dinners! Thankfully I have a pretty fantastic guy who starts dinner so it’s ready when I get home 🙂

With that, last week’s Ironman Canada training…

Monday

Not sure why I don’t practice yoga before bed more often, but just 20 minutes of sun salutations, happy baby and savasana are one of the best ways to clear your mind and ready for a good nights sleep.

Tuesday

It took my warm-up during today’s early morning 1,900-yard swim to actually warm up, but once I was, hitting 1:31s and 1:30s actually felt easy. Yay consistency and practice! A 22-mile ride in the sunshine was much needed after work.

Wednesday

Nothing exciting here, just a 30-mile bike and a short transition run in the evening sunshine, er, twilight. By the time I got home, it was 9:40p, which is far too late to be finishing training.

Thursday

As much as I love running down historic Summit Avenue in Saint Paul, it was time to switch up my running route. I packed my gear and headed Uptown for a few loops around the lakes after work. Thanks to traffic, I got a late start and ended up finishing my 14-miler after 9p. It was a hot + humid run, and the last couple miles tested my limits; I just wanted to be done! It was a bit slower than I’d hoped, but still, I’m good with it.

Friday

A moderate swim today with some pulling and nine 100s and an easy 17-mile ride.

Saturday

We failed to set the alarm and woke up at 10a. I don’t remember the last time that happened… must have needed the sleep! Today was pretty chill… just an easy 12-mile bike followed by a two-mile shake out run. I hit the pool mid afternoon for 3,400 yards (my longest swim in awhile), where I did a lot of pulling.

Sunday

Lake Waconia Triathlon! Race report this week. After the race, I biked another 20 miles around MSP… nothing fancy, just a fairly easy recovery spin (my plan called for a three-hour ride, but I had a 7p flight to Detroit to catch, so had to cut it short).

In non-training news…

Still more stunning sunsets, this one seen on my Tuesday night ride.

And, after a super sucky week, it’s ok to buy yourself peonies.

Post-race brunch at Birchwood – complete with le Tour action on the big screen – just may be the best ever.

Weekly stats

13 hours, 30 minutes

Swim: 8,080 yards, 2:52:49
Bike: 121.49 miles, 6:55:58
Run: 23.91 miles, 3:22:53
Yoga: 20:00

This week: More swimbikerun love! Plus my longest ride of the season – four hours and 30 minutes – scheduled for Sunday. And, have a safe + festive Fourth on Thursday!

Happy swimbikerunning, friends!