Though I haven’t posted about it, I have trained for the past three weeks!  I do want to get back to my weekly updates so here is a recap of what has been going on and I hope from now on, as I wind down my summer travels, I can get back to regular posts.  These past weeks have been about resting before the race, recovering after the race, and then doing the best I can as I get ready to travel back to the US after being away for almost six weeks.  These next five weeks are structured to build endurance and though I will have some scheduling conflicts, there is much about me that has changed and I am not as fearful as I was in the past. I now think I can do this IronMan thing after all.  I won’t be breaking any records, but if I can move I will finish.  Here is the quick recap of my training …

Week 7: This was the week before my 70.3 race the Triatlo Longo de Caminha which you can read about here and here.  Most memorable was a 3 hour bike ride into Spain … not quite what was in my training plan but just what the doctor ordered to build my confidence for the struggle ahead.

Week 8: Recovery week.  The race was a monumental effort and for three days I did nothing.  I then ran a bit and cycled a bit but nothing structured or major.  We then went on another trip to Santander, Spain and all I managed to do was to get a tempo run in.

Week 9: Better but not there yet.  Between Santander and heading back home my training would be less than ideal.  My Alpha Wolf from the Wolfpack told me not to worry and get in as many runs and rides as I could.  I ran a last tempo run in Santander and then got back to Portugal, our home base for the month, and managed to squeeze in my long workouts before heading out again to Madrid.  I did a 14 mile run on Friday, followed by a very challenging (for me) 63 miles through the Serra D’Arga on Saturday.  Though … full disclosure … we did stop for a nice big lunch in the middle.

Week 10 starts with yet another traveling challenge and three days where I won’t be able to train.  However, I feel stronger than when I got here and I am hoping that I can hit the ground running when I get home to Miami later this week.

How about you? What has your training been like?