gratitude tears + a training update.

Toward the end of a really hard interval session on the bike recently, I welled up and had to choke back some tears. It certainly wasn’t because of the R-rated Girl Talk lyrics blasting in my ears; those are great for focusing and masking the leg searing pain of a bazillion minutes at 215w. Anyway, during my cool down, it hit me why: I am overwhelmingly grateful for this life. I get to do this… I get to swimbikerun my heart out and chase dreams that just a few years ago weren’t even on the radar… I get to chase the light… and, it’s pretty effing awesome. 

I haven’t really talked about my training the past couple months… not sure why other than it’s been humming right along at a steady base-building pace and there really hasn’t been anything earth shattering to share. That said, I’ve been focused… intently focused on each session, giving it my all to achieve my goals this year – and, most importantly, thoroughly enjoying the process. I’ve said it before, but what’s the point if you’re not having fun?! 

Pretty pumped about our snazzy Coeur Sports team kit! 

So, my goals! I debated sharing these, but then figured why not. I’ve alluded to them often, so here goes! Being thisclose to Kona at Ironman Wisconsin last year fueled the fire – so much so that I’m racing Ironman Coeur d’Alene! Two goals: a this-time-makes-my-heart-beat is posted on the bathroom mirror (not quite ready to share… yet) and Kona(!), obviously. I’m also excited to race one of the most beautiful IMs on the North American circuit (and for the weeklong family vacation at Big Sky following the race). Two 140.6s this year (IMWI is still on the calendar if Kona doesn’t happen) will be a definite test of my limits, but if you’re not occasionally living life on the edge and pushing your boundaries, you’re not really living. 

With that, a little training update!

Swimming

Swimming has been going, well, swimmingly. I’ve consistently been in the pool three or four days a week the past two months and doing a lot of paddle work. Paddles are new to me this training cycle, so it took some trial and error to master them, but now that I’ve found my stroke… give me all the paddles! I feel like a swimmer when wearing them, and even better: they’re making me stronger, as I’m seeing 100m times that were laughable (for me) even last season.

Also, it may be winter in Minnesnowta, but that didn’t stop me from trying out my new ROKA Sports Maverick Pro wetsuit. I cannot wait for ice out to actually swim in it! Big ♥ to Coeur Sports! 

Biking 

As always, there’s no place I’d rather be than on my bike, my true happy place. Other than some outdoor riding in Austin over Christmas, I’ve been stuck on the trainer, suffering through all the intervals and all the watts to Girl Talk. No complaints, though, as I really like the trainer… it’s great for intense focus in a controlled environment. I’ve seen some nice wattage gains the past couple months, and I’m excited to put in more work to see where I’m at come spring when it’s nice enough to ride outside. 

That said, as I’ve gotten more comfortable on my Cobb Fifty-Five JOF (which is awesome, BTW), my bike fit… oof. Thank goodness for my incredible bike fitter, Chris, the Bicycle Fit Guru. He’s able to squeeze me in this week for a few tweaks.

Saturday morning suffering (and brunch!) is better with girl friends (and dogs)! 

Running

In my entire running career I don’t know that my running has ever been this consistent. It feels good. I’m in the middle of a run-focused block, and though I’m not running far or fast – think two-milers and 9:00+ pace some days – I am running often… like six days a week often (don’t worry… the build has been conservative). Speed work starts this week, and coach started double run Sundays a few weeks ago. Finding the motivation to run late Sunday afternoon requires a bit of digging – especially when it’s 25ºF, dark and windy – but overall, I kinda like it… good mental training! We’ll see how it goes as mileage increases. 

I’m still running in Hoka Cliftons, and with each step, I wonder how on earth I ever ran in any other shoe. They’re da bomb, and I’m convinced they’ve kept me injury free since I started running in them last February. Bonus: They last forever. I just replaced my first pair of Cliftons, which had 460 miles on them! And, a little shout-out to my favorite MSP running store, Mill City Running, for all their support and this sweet Hoka trucker (you rock, Bekah and Jeff!). 

And, strength training! While it’s not heavy weightlifting à la CrossFit, it’s great functional strength and core work that’s making a big difference in my mobility, core, hips and glutes. These bands may be little, but damn… they’re mighty. 

Happy swimbikerunning, friends!