The Dream-Day 46

Had a good few training days to end the recovery week. Today's is worth a mention. I headed to Sunken Meadow State Park for an easy 50 min run and was prepared to take my first open water swim (solo, I might add). Before the run, I strolled down to the boardwalk and looked out over an angry Long Island Sound. A few white caps, significant chop, strong breeze, 57/55 degree (air/water temps respectively), and my savior...a sign that read, "Swimming Prohibited". Easily my favorite phrase of the day.

Finished my run and made a beeline for the calm, warm, and perfectly unthreatening waters of the pool at Golds where I knocked out 4x500s before spending the rest of the afternoon at the screamfest. Sorry, dance competition.

Looking forward to my meeting with coach Joe on Tuesday to set up my race schedule.

Something tells me next week's training is going to be a beast.

The Dream-Day 45

Like I said, this week is more or less a recovery period as far as the bike and run are concerned. Still bringing it during my 3 swim sessions. Well, more like 2 of them. I found out last night the pool's closed on Sunday. No prob. I told coach Joe to just plot my work out and I'll do it on my own. No sale. He just smirked and told me we have a 7am open water swim in the bay (currently 55 degrees). Immediately thought of Seinfeld shrinkage episode.

The Dream-Day 44

With 6 weeks under my belt, coach Joe has elected to give me a "consolidation" week which basically translates to "ease up". Who am I to argue? Thank you sir, may I have another?

Still training all disciplines, but at reduced times and intensity. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know that this is the calm before the storm. Heal then destroy. I'll go out on a limb and say that next week is going to be a killer.

Meeting with Joe next Tuesday to map out the events I'll be doing. Being the anal retentive creature that I am, I need to lock and load on my calendar. Keeps me focused and accountable. I'm certain there will be Spints (.5 mi swim, 10 mi bike, 3 mi run), Olympics (1 mi swim, 25 mi bike, 6 mi run), and a 1/2 Ironman (1.2 mi swim, 56 mi bike, 13 mi run) in the mix.

The Dream-Day 43

Yesterday, I knocked out a quick 4 mi run and came back to Damian's house of torture for an evening swim.

Today, thinking of coach Joe killin' the 1/2 IM in Majorca (hope it's not the other way around) as my swim buds and fellow triathletes Dominique & Rosanne and I set off for a 7am 40 miler in the hills of Northport on 5 hours of sleep. What was supposed to be a 2 1/2 hr endurance ride was immediately converted into an epic thigh mangler. Got home around 10, made some stellar oatmeal pancakes, slathered them with peanut butter (NOT the salty crap like Skippy) and then plunged head first into my trusty pillow. Total train wreck.

Tomorrow's swim and long run should be awesome (fist pump).

The Dream-Day 42

Headed down at 5:45am to Heckscher State Park to cycle. Arrived at 6:10, but didn't realize it opened at 7. I parked at a neighborhood nearby, saddled up, and rode in anyway. I've lived on Long Island for 45 years and I've never been to this place. It's really nice. Sprawling property, a great 4.5 mi bike loop on great pavement, plenty of running trails, performing arts center, beach area, etc. located right on the Great South Bay. I had the place to myself and trained for 1:15 min. I think I'll definitely make it back before I turn 92.

The Dream-Day 41

Cleared a major hurdle and actually executed my run this morning as prescribed. Proof that this doufus can actually learn and apply.

Brought my videographer to Suffolk Community College Aquatic Center for tonight's training. Thought it would be cool to show where the agony takes place.

Yours truly semi-ready for the punishment to come.

Coach Damian (yes, his name is Damian) dishing out the pain 666 style.

Typical training with lane mates. This is an L4 (6 out of 10) effort.

The Dream-Day 40

Dumb-ass move #1: Didn't heed coach's instructions for Sunday's run.
Result: Not good.

To recap, I was supposed to run very easy on Sunday, but noooooo. I had to be Mr. Competitive (sorry to steal your nickname, Rob) and just had to keep up with frickin' Howie. Not only did we run hard, but I felt the need to challenge him to a sprint at the finish.

All I thought about from the moment we ended was dumping Howie at his house and crawling into my bed not to reappear for 15 hours (cue buzzer). No dice. We were entertaining my sister and her family for Mother's Day and I had a mere 30 minutes to shower and rally.

Bottom line...my lead filled stumps didn't have enough time to recover for today's killer bike in "the lab", I said OW a lot, and, for the first time since I started training, had a private expletive filled verbal assault on my coach for giving me today's workout.

Not planning on blogging about Dumb-ass move #2.