Today was not my fastest swim. It was by no means my fastest bike ride and for sure I did not tear it up on the run….BUT….I did it! I got out there and did my best and pushed through many moments where I wanted to turn around and go home! Today I could see a light, however small it may be, at the end of the tunnel that shows me someday I can reach all of the goals I dream of. I will reach them by being consistent each and every day. I will reach them by completing a workout even though it is not one of my best because I know that every day I reach, work, push and strive for all I can is another day that I am closer to my ultimate goal.
This mornings swim was not good. I cut my distance short as the pool was too crowded and people where waiting to use the pool. I had been swimming for awhile with hardly anyone there which was nice, but even then today more was about covering the distance, not speed. I felt at ease, not winded or tired. I was focusing on my strokes and breathing and all in all, I felt strong.
After my swim I came home and refueled with some raisin Ezekiel bread, and I was off for my 25 mile bike ride. For the first 15 miles I was very strong, then it happend…BAM! My body crashed! I felt my stomach start to ache, it was cramping bad. Then my legs started to cramp. Here I was in the middle of nowhere and I felt as if I was going to fall off of my bike, I got concerned. I slowed down and took a few deep breaths and kept going. I was in the middle of climbing a slight hill. It was more like a long road with a constant incline that never ended. I looked at my watch and I could not believe it, I was only going 8.9 mph! WHAT??? How is that possible that I am going that slow? I tried to get my speed up again but my legs where dead. I drank my electrolyte drink and nothing changed. I wanted to turn around and go home but I pressed on….SLOWLY! About 15 mins later I finally made it to the end of the road and was ready to turn on to another street, and BAM…..my energy came back, just like that! I started fast again felt strong and back to normal, then at mile 23 it happened again, my body shut down. This time I was so close to finishing my 25 miles I could not stop, I pressed on to the end and made it home……..then came the run!
Now, I can honestly say that when I stepped off my bike it practically brought me to my knees. I thought my legs felt like lead on the bike, but now my legs were like jello. But again I just kept telling myself to take one step at a time. I was running SLOW, but I could of cared less what my speed was, I was just happy to be moving forward in the right direction!!! LOL! I pressed on and did my scheduled 1 mile run and at the end of all of it, I was so proud! I covered my longest swim and bike today and still managed to get in a one mile run after it all.
Again, time wise this day is definitely not for the record books, but taking away from that for a minute, I am just so proud of myself! I set a goal this morning as to what I was going to do, and reached it! Speed will follow in time, but for now, I feel like a champion, and I will never forget this moment!
Totals for today –
Time – 169 mins ( includes transition, stop lights and cool down) 154 mins without cool downs etc…
Calories burned – 1,891
Calories consumed – 2,202
Workout 1 – 1,650 yards (1.5 km) swim
Time – 40.03 mins
Calories burned – 434
Warm up – 800 yards – 18.52 mins
200 yard breaststroke
200 yard backstroke
200 yard pull-buoy
200 yard free style
850 yards freestyle – 21.51 mins
Workout 2 – Brick – 25.23 mile ride / 1 mile run
Bike Time – 103 mins/ Avg speed – 14.7 mph/Max speed – 23.9 mph
Run Time – 10.56
Calories burned – 1,457( from Polar RS 400)