training this year (and what i’m racing!).

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged and probably even longer since I’ve written anything about training. There honestly hasn’t been much to share – but that could just be my perspective! When swimbikerun is your lifestyle, you don’t necessarily think it’s exciting and sharable. But many have asked what’s up so here’s a look at training – and what I’m training for! – this year.

After IMMT last August – a year ago today(!) – I took nearly two months to just be. I regrouped, thought a lot about the terrible AG KQ system (I’m still irked there was only one spot in mine when some men’s AGs rolled 10 deep – why hasn’t this changed?!), and all in all, enjoyed some time away from structured training. My type A-ness was excited when workouts started again in TrainingPeaks late September / early October, though I had no idea what I was training for.

Injuries, ugh

And you know what? Training just because was great! I suffered through a month-long bike everyday bike block and was happy with where my watts were going. Winter was terrible in Minnesota, so there were many more miles than usual on the treadmill (that’s a blog post in and of itself), including a few 13ers. And it was all well and good – until it wasn’t. During a terribly under-fueled 3-hour ride + 5-mile run brick in late April, I felt my left hamstring zing. I chalked it up to bonking, but when it still hurt during easy runs Monday and Tuesday, I knew something was up. We immediately dialed it back. I saw a PT a few times who thought it was a minor hamstring strain so I did my glute exercises – it’s always the glutes! – but it really felt no better a couple weeks later. 

I was pretty disappointed, not only because running had been great and I was feeling fit, but also because I’d (almost) settled on racing Honu 70.3. And while racing certainly was an option, the increased risk of tearing my hamstring was a hard pass. 

But what made the decision to not race easiest: Nick and I were planning our Kauai elopement ♥ Not having to coordinate travel to and lodging on both the Big Island and Kauai, plus haul my bike box around was such a relief. Plus, it was perfect to enjoy our wedding and honeymoon in Kauai without the stress of training.

Also around this time my right deltoid randomly freaked out. So swimming was awful. Lifting my work bag into my car was awful. Even just lifting my arm was awful. My self-diagnosis: lower swim volume combined with the same amount of paddle work. Ugh. Two injuries at the same time made for a pretty miserable couple months fitness-wise (and honestly, even more so mentally). 

Getting through the injuries

What got me through? A new job and the summer of travel. Hawaii, a mom-daughter-sister trip to Norway, and a long weekend in SoCal for a wedding (more on all of those soon). Such a great way to heal – and maybe an even better distraction. But it also kinda clouded any thoughts of racing. It was hard to even think of putting something on the calendar when I wasn’t home to string together some solid training.

But it’s mid-August (how did that happen?!), and after a few consistent weeks – that included a random century at watts I didn’t know were in me right now – my fitness is coming around. So I thought long and hard about racing. After months of saying no 140.6 this season, it was starting to sound fun again. But at the same time, I wasn’t 100% in – and racing a full when you’re not 100% in… well, we know how that goes. 

What I’m racing!

So 2019 – it’s the year of no triathlons. It’s been go-go-go IM all the time since 2013, so it feels weird to type that (especially because IMMT is happening right now and Nick is out on a 4+ hour ride). But it also feels good to step back and focus on life for a bit. 

That said, it’s not the year of no racing. Because that would be really weird. Instead, I’m switching it up – I’m running Twin Cities Marathon as a TCM Looniac (TCM’s ambassador program this season)! And I’m really excited! And a little anxious. I’ve ran one open 26.2 way back in 2008, and it was a disaster. And I’m not quite back to my pre hammie injury mileage so my build falls a smidge short of what I’d like. All that said, though, I’m excited for the next seven weeks of running – with a side of biking and swimming because I can’t give those up completely – and to run one of the most beautiful marathons in my backyard 🙂 

And right now, I’m planning to write about my training so watch for weekly posts about my running thoughts 🙂