Cycling: 14.66 mi
Other: six sessions hockey (6:03), twelve walks (5:37)
Because I liked doing Brineman last year, I decided to do it again ... even though, as we all know, my swimming and cycling has been abysmal this year.
Like, bad.
In typical Utah fashion, I went back to the gym to swim ... only to be told the pool would be under construction for like two weeks (almost the entire lead up to the race). This happens every time I try to swim again after a layoff - dead serious. I actually went to my backup option this time, though, and got in a few times. I also dragged out the ol' tri bike and got back on it - that was less painful. And running ... well, I've been doing enough of that.
I also have like 17 years of experience doing endurance sports, so meh. Which is the worst attitude to have, I fully admit.
They did a packet pickup at the Nature Center near the house on Thursday night, so I chose to do my daily walk to that (nice little two miles round trip).
Friday morning, I rolled out of bed, brushed my teeth, threw on clothes, threw together my transition bag, and walked the half mile to transition to set up my spot.
Oh, it's pretty easy to guess how August went ...
Swimming: 1800m (1.12 mi)
Cycling: 26.65 mi
Running: 69.7 mi
Lifting: six sessions (1:40)
Other: five sessions hockey (7:01), eight walks (5:02)
Well, I got back in the pool and on the bike, so that's a plus? I have Brineman in two days and it's gonna be interesting, let's just say that.
Running picked up nicely, but it's still been a bit of a struggle. Life has continued to be a struggle, but I try. I try my best, even if it's not much most days.
Hockey has been regular, which is good. Lifting needs to get there again. And I've always got a walk to fall back on (when I'm not being eaten alive by mosquitos).
Not the worst month, but it could have (should have) been a lot fucking better ...
... I'm going to say it. July was shit.
Swimming: 0m (0 mi)
Cycling: 14.99 mi
Running: 24.17 mi
Lifting: four sessions (1:27)
Other: two sessions hockey (2:32), 16 walks (7:09)
When the most of what I did was walking? Yeeeeah.
I started off the month sick, and whatever I had essentially lingered for the first two weeks of July. I ran once and managed to play hockey in that period, but yeah. I don't enjoy hacking up a lung on the bench.
Everything else ... I just don't know. Life continues to be hard. I won't lie and say that I'm not a bit worried about marathon training, because I am. But I did finally manage to get in a good long run today, so I am hopefully working my way back on track there. And I did sign up for Brineman again, so the pool (and my bike) are in my future.
One step at a fucking time ...
Did I almost skip this? Yes. Is it also because I let my workout log get terribly behind due to life and a cold that knocked me out for two weeks? Also yes.
Survival is still clearly the name of the game.
Swimming: 1200m (.75 mi)
Cycling: 27.78 mi
Running: 44.06 mi
Lifting: eight sessions (3:01)
Other: one hike (1:31), three sessions hockey (3:32), 12 walks (4:54)
Do I swim or bike? Not really. Am I running? I'm trying. Am I trying to not freak out about the marathon I'm signed up for in October? Very much so.
I wish I fucking knew. I really, really do.
I'll give you one quick guess as to how May went.
If you guessed "I survived," you'd be right. Anything else? Welllll ...
Swimming: 2400m (1.49 mi)
Cycling: 26.82 mi
Running: 36.62 mi
Lifting: 11 sessions (4:29)
Other: two sessions hockey (2:20), one day skiing (:31), 8 walks (3:23)
And obviously it was more walking than that.
I had about two good, solid weeks this month. Maybe 10 days. And that's about it.
Non-athletically, I've rediscovered fiction writing and it's been amazing, but it's also taken over my brain. Which means I haven't really been properly taking care of myself, which means the basics like eating and moving. Trying to train is tough when you're literally low on fuel.
Balance is a bitch in my life these days, but I'm forever hopeful and forever picking myself back up and trying again.
... is any month good anymore? Things to ponder ...
Swimming: 3400m (2.11 mi)
Cycling: 17.76 mi
Running: 30.11 mi
Lifting: 11 sessions (3:33)
Other: four sessions hockey (4:58), eight walks (3:49), one session yoga (:10)
Tell me if you've heard this story before: the month started off well, I took a trip ... and then everything went to shit. In a new twist, just as things started to look back up again, I got a little sick. Thankfully that was pretty much only a lost weekend, but still.
I really wish I knew why swimming and cycling are so hard for me right now.
Running, thankfully, is starting to come around. All the hockey (that is, sprint work) is finally starting to pay off as I did my first three mile run with NO WALKING for the first time in I don't know how many years.
Strength is slowly starting to come around again which is a good thing and so necessary.
We kind of gave up on skiing for the season since hockey has been our main priority instead (and schedules have been shit for it unless we want to ski on a weekend which is something I do not do), but I'm not mad about hockey being the priority.
And I only missed one walk this whole month ... though I wish I logged way fewer as my only workout of the day.
Obviously I have hopes for May but at this point ... I need to keep surviving. And hope swimming and cycling get easier at some point if I want to have a prayer at even considering going back to Ironman next year ...