Week 1 = Done

So this is what Ironman training feels like again?! By Friday I felt like a truck had hit me. I know I will get a little more used to all of this but the shock to my system of consistent and purposeful training took a bit of a toll this week.

It was my first week of the speed walking/pool running combo. Speed walking is no joke people. Annie and I can walk for hours at a leisurely pace, but I specifically wanted paces to hit on these walks so I would treat them like the workouts they were. My coach decided we would start with walking at 15 min per mile pace and while I gave it my best shot I could only get to a 15:51 average pace in the main set this week. But excited to try again and gain some speed in my walking. Pool running was also quite challenging but I think I’m getting the hang of it. It’s really difficult to run in the water as my legs really want to kick or cycle. But I can feel it in my hips which makes me think I may be on the right path.

Also been doing the strength exercises–woohoo! I really am excited. I think we are headed in the right direction to get me back to running. Had very little knee pain this week and never more than a 3 (on a 10 point scale) so that’s good news!

This morning I got to share a little of what I’ve learned over the years at an open water swim hosted by the community triathlon club of which I happen to be on the board. It was so much fun and helped to put things in perspective for me. Yes, there is a long road ahead, but the road I’ve traveled on this triathlon journey has equipped me well.

Today marks 5 months until race day with 22 weeks left of training…Ironman Florida, get ready because I’m coming for ya!