weekly workouts // october 29

Monday, October 29 – gooooood Monday morning swim! The water felt fantastic this morning, and after a 500-yard swim, I did the same ladder as Friday except alternated with hand paddles and a pull buoy: 100, 200 paddles, 300, 300 paddles, 200, 100 paddles. A 100-yard cool down rounded it out.

Swim stats: 1,800 yards, about 42 minutes.

Tuesday, October 30 – the road trip to Panama City Beach, Florida started bright and early today with packing the car and loading the last two bikes (Nick loaded the three on the trunk rack on Monday). After a surprisingly fast 11-hour drive, Nick’s mom, Mary, and I arrived in Paducah, Kentucky for the night.

Wednesday, October 31 – another long, nine-hour day in the car. Having only flown south to Florida, I was surprised at how beautiful Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama are! Lots of rollers, beautiful fall colors and bright blue sky.

Somewhere in Alabama 

Thursday, November 1 – wow, did I miss my madone. After 10 days of not riding – dang you, cold Minnesota October – a few of us headed out for an easy afternoon spin in Panama City Beach. After about five miles down Highway 79 (part of the IMFL course), teammates Kyle and Sam turned around, while Nick and I kept going on the bridge over west bay. The wind’s wonky here, switching multiple times, including before and after the bridge. Nonetheless, it was an awesome bike ride, and it rocked to spin in just a scoop neck tank and shorts (loving my new Newton tri shorts, too!).

Bike: 17.13 miles, 55:20.

Don’t mind my sunglasses… I… er, Nick… still hasn’t replaced my crushed Ray Bans, so my everyday Salt Optics had to do today 🙂

Friday, November 2 – another sunny day in Florida! Nick and I started it with a quick run down Front Beach Road. Ugh… I felt so sluggish. It’s funny how quickly you lose your warm weather acclimation come the Minnesota autumn. My heart rate felt way higher than its 156 bpm average (a high of 173).

Run: 2.4 miles, 18:03, 7:31 pace.

Saturday, November 3 – happy Ironman Florida day! I was up bright and early with Nick to get ready (4a alarm!), starting the long day with a double shot of espresso. And, what a day! Nick rocked his second 140.6, finishing in 10:35:11, a 20-minute PR. So proud. Watch for a race recap from Nick and a sherpa + spectator recap from me in the next week!

My ironman. So proud.

Sunday, November 4 – while Nick recovered post 140.6, Sonia and I hopped our bikes for an out-and-back spin down Front Beach Road to the race finish and then down Highway 79. Shifting winds again, but a great ride filled with sunshine and conversation. So excited to train for Ironman Canada with this girl! We finished our bike with some yoga – crow, down dog and sun salutations – by the backyard pool… perfect.

Bike: 24.18 miles, 1:38:48.

The weekend wrapped up with a celebratory party with the 20+ other Minnesotans who raced Ironman Florida. Congrats to everyone who raced… you all kicked ass and rocked every mile!

Weekly stats

A really chill week, but I enjoyed every minute of it!

Swim: 1,800 yards, ~42:00
Bike: 41.31 miles, 2:34:08
Run: 2.4 miles, 18:03

This week: I’m in Florida until early Wednesday, so there will be a couple more bike rides along the Gulf as well as a run or two. After two long days driving back to Saint Paul, I know I’ll be more than ready for the pool on Friday morning as well as a couple cozy vinyasa yoga classes on the weekend.

Have a fabulous week, friends!