Gettings Stronger, Going Longer.

Around the festivities of the kids' race, I got some great training in last week too. With a little more than 3 months to go, I'm hitting stride and in to the heart of my training. It feels great.

Despite my best efforts to minimize the impact of my workouts on family time, I think it might be a bit more than Heidi bargained for. Perhaps there should be an "Ironman Widow/Widower" support group.

My Week 21 Accomplishments:

Mon., 5/18: An off day.

Tues., 5/19: Swim workout, about 2750 yards with a lot of sprinting. My friend Kate swam with me. It was nice to share the workout.

Weds., 5/20: Running workout at the track. Last day of Sprint Supersets. Yeah. About 4 miles total.

Thurs., 5/21: 20 miles on the bike. High RPM spinning.

Fri., 5/22: Swim workout, about 3200 yards.

Sat., 5/23: 14 mile endurance run.

Sun., 5/24: See below: Multisports Madness Kids' Triathlon w/ Cole and Abby. No workout, just running around as a proud and excited parent.

Mon, 5/25: Happy Memorial Day. Thanks to all the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who gave their all so I have the FREEDOM to do these workouts and races for fun. A triple brick day: 3 x (20 mile bike plus 3 mile run).

Multisports Madness Kids' Triathlon

I got some good training in this weekend, but Sunday was all about the kids. Cole and Abby competed in the Multisports Madness Kids' Triathlon. This was Cole's second tri and Abby's first. They were AWESOME!!!!

Body Marking: First the Arms,

Then the Legs.

Here's Cole, No. 644, showing off "Thunder" and "Lightning"

Princess Abby all set up in the Transition Area

Cole Racing to Finish!

Abby Finishing -- Looking Quite the Runner!

Showing Off the Hardware

Showing Off the Hardware

Of Course There's the Post-Race Rub Down.. Ahhhh..

Way to go guys. Great Job!!!!

The Mythical Perfect Week

Last week I was able to put in the mythical perfect week: I got all my training in as planned. These weeks don't come too often, so I enjoy them when they do.

Monday, 5/11: A swim day, mostly sprints, 2550 yards.

Tuesday, 5/12: An off day.

Wednesday, 5/13: 45 miles on the bike.

Thursday, 5/14: Lower body and core strength training.

Friday, 5/15: Run Sprint Superset day, about 4 miles.

Saturday, 5/16: Swim day, 3200 yards.

Sunday, 5/17: Triple brick day -- 3 x (15 mile bike + 2 mile run).

It feels really good to get everything in. Yeah me.

Looking ahead to this weekend, Cole & Abby are particpating in the Multisports Madness Kids Triathlon in Geneva, Illinois. This will be Abby's first tri and Cole's second. Good luck kiddos.

Tick toc, tick toc. The countdown continues.

For some reason, the past week the race has seemed like it was looming immediately in front of me. A couple of deep breaths later, I talk myself out of complete panic (partial panic will do). Yes, I have the whole Summer to train. O.K. Vince -- breathe deep. Follow the plan.

Perhaps my nervousness was due to a less than stellar workout regiment this past week. I didn't get either of my long rides in. The thought that I missed something, that there is something I could have done, should have done, weighs on me. But that was last week. This is a new week Full speed ahead.

Here's what I did do ---

Mon., 5/4: Sprint swim workout, about 1900 yards.

Tues., 5/5: Bike trainer intervals and drills, about 10 miles.

Weds., 5/6: Sprint run "Superset" workout, about 4 miles. It was not so bad the second time around. Plus I saw the most purple sky sunrise I think I've ever seen. Makes getting up early soooo worth it!

Thurs., 5/7: Off Day

Fri., 5/8: Swim day, about 3200 yards.

Sat., 5/9: Bike workout, about 15 miles.

Keep turning

Well, I already talked about my run last Monday.

Tuesday, 4/27, was a swim day. The good folks at Triathlon Geek had me do another "Cooper Test" (max distance in 12 minutes). I'm happy to say I'm in the "very good" category for my age group. Counting the test and the workout, I got about 2900 yards in.

Wednesday, 4/28, was a run "Cooper Test" in the morning. I only managed to be in the "good" category. Wednesday evening was supposed to be a 50 mile bike ride, I only rode for an hour. tired legs from the Monday's hill run (yes, that was a BIG hill) and the morning Cooper Test wiped me out.

Thursday, 4/29, I took an off day.

Friday, 5/1, was a sprint run day at the track.

Saturday, 5/2, was a swim ladder day, about 3100 yards.

Sunday, 5/3, was the main workout for the week: a (15 mile ride + 2 mile run) x 3 triple brick. Thanks Heidi for giving me Sunday afternoon.

Apart from Monday's run, the true highlight of the weekend was spending some time Saturday watching UHD as they were rebroadcasting past IM-Kona events. I remember watching these as a kid. From the Julie Moss crawl to Mark Allen vs. Dave Scott, I was thinking those people must be nuts -- nobody can do those distances. Now I can't wait to be one of those people.

I remember the various waves of emotion during the last mile of my first marathon. I can only wonder what emotions will be going through my mind during mile 140. Again, I can't wait to find out.