I don’t think that I have ever enjoyed a recovery week as much I as have these past 7 days.  I usually dread the downtime and severely reduced training that embodies the nature of recovery weeks.  However, the three week build that led up to this recovery week was almost more than my body could take.  Each week I was breaking into new ground in all three disciplines.  

It is hard enough breaking a distance record for a single discipline, but to do it in three disciplines in the same week, and then to do it three weeks in a row!!  My body was at a breaking point.  I made it a point to sleep till at least 7am in 6 of the 7 rest days….and it felt so good!  In all reality, I could probably use a little more rest, but with less than 100 days to train for Ironman Texas, I need to make sure I put in all the miles I can!

Next week will be the culmination, or the “apex” of my Ironman Training Calendar.  After next week, my training will begin gradually - and by gradually, I mean VERY gradually - becoming more focused on race day.  I will eventually begin incorporating some speed work and intervals into my training, in order to get my VO2 Max up, and push my Lactate Threshold.  I may even write a little “Info Article” on what the Lactate Threshold and VO2 Max are, and how you can change them to help your training.  My pre-med background has given me the knowledge, and it has definitely helped me understand the training process better!

Here is another pic of my training calendar - as you can see it is filling up fast!  Only about 3 months till the Ironman!

Block 5 Totals:

Swim - 25,100 meters

Bike - 486 miles

Run - 102 miles

Total Ironman Training Volume:

Swim - 91,850 meters (57.4 miles)

Bike - 1,858 miles

Run - 351.5 miles 

Longest Single Distance Covered:

Swim - 4400 meters

Bike - 102 miles 

Run - 20 miles 

Happy training everyone, and keep up the good work!