4 Weeks

It's getting close....

I have 4 more weeks of training.

Time to get serious. If I wasn't serious before, I am now. How I handle myself for the next 4 weeks will either give me a great race or a horrible race.

What I eat.
How I handle stress.
How well I hit my training goals.
How I sleep.
How much I push myself.
What I choose to do when I'm not training.
What I drink.
How well I treat my body during recovery time.

All these thing are utterly important this month. I need to keep all these things in check. Right now this race is my top priority with my children running a close second ;)

I kept this in mind today as I entered the front doors of the gym. 4 weeks to go. Actually this week is a bit on the lighter side. An active recovery week. However, since I missed a few workouts last week due to my cold. I will be adding a few more shorter workouts to the mix. I need to make it a point to be in the pool often. At least 3 days a week. I have to get smooth. I may not be fast but if I'm smooth it will take very little energy to accomplish the 1.2 miles swim. The less energy I use the better. It will be needed for the run. This will be the last of the recovery weeks. The two after this are full on training and the last week lightens up with a small taper. I need to nail the long bike ride. I would have last week if it wasn't for the 20mph head winds for the last 15 miles of my 48 mile ride. After complaining that I didn't get to 56 miles I was reminded that those head winds actually gave me a tougher workout than cruising through the 56. I would agree since the following day my legs were killing me. The running will go on as planned. I can run. It hurts to run. I won't be pushing any runs for the next month. I'm not going to get faster in a month so why hurt myself even more trying. Most if not all runs will be done on the treadmill. I ran 7 miles outside Sat and my shin screamed at me for the next 24 hours. When I run on the treadmill my shin announces it's pain but keeps it at a normal volume, no screaming involved.

It's time to get serious. Serious I am. As the days tick on I will get even more serious. To the point that I'm sure my family is going to be praying that race day come sooner. I will doubt myself. I will feel like I haven't done enough. I will question if I can finish. I will start freaking out about everything. I will be excited. I will cry. I will be anxious. I will be scared to death. This race is nothing to bat an eye at. I respect this distance will all my heart. I respect anyone who has done a 1/2 IM. I respect anyone who attempts to do one. This is not a race that you just show up and do. This is a race that you have to train for. This takes at least 3-5 months of training. That is if you are already fit. If not more like a year of intense training. To the people who have already done a 1/2 IM I am in awe. I want to be just like you. I will be just like you.

In 4 weeks.