A Week to Go!! 08/27/2010
 
Besides work and family life being busy, last week was the most challenging training block in my training plan.  I’ve been following a plan that was provided by Fast Cat coaching, an online coaching service, free for USAT athletes attending the duathlon championships next week.  I spent most of this summer training more like a triathlete yet a few weeks before Gloucester, and once my knee was feeling normal, I replaced my swims with more running and biking and followed the plan more closely.  The difference in the focus was that it reduced my typical hard track repeats at just below 5K pace and instead had me focus on intervals at relatively slower speeds 5K to 10K pacing and he workouts included more volume, less rest between intervals and more frequent track days during the week.  On average I have been doing 2 track workouts and two bike interval sessions for the past month.  Last week I completed the most volume of quality work to attain super-compensation, targeting two weeks ahead.  Since last week, the workouts have been focusing on speed but reduced interval duration and number of repetitions.  So the legs are still a little tired but each day I am gaining strength and my mind is feeling more balanced and focused on the task ahead. Rest day tomorrow and time for some ice baths, high quality foods and massage.  

Last Friday, I received my triathlon USAT-logo racing suit, socks and the opening ceremony shirt and hat.  To order the racing suit I had to take measurements of my legs, waist and chest.  Just to be safe I ordered one size bigger than my measurements figuring it would be less risky to have some room rather than appear as if I am trying to tear through my gear like the hulk.  Upon arrival I tore open the box like a kid waiting for his new decoder pin to view all the gear and my suit with a USA and my name branded on the front and back.  Later in the day I attempted to put on the suit and struggled with getting the straps over my shoulders. The darn thing was so tight and the zipper would not stay closed!  I felt like a bride that had her dress fitted before gaining 10 stones (there is a zipper in the back that Sarah had to close for me).  When I say tight, I mean really tight! Every vein or crinkle on my body was clearly defined and some other regions left little to the imagination fop any onlooker.  Hopefully, it will be a warm day!  Of course, I had already proudly shown off my gear to some friends that stopped by earlier and I even remarked, “Hmm, watch it not fit me.”  Supposedly the technology is compression wear which aims to help reduce fatigue.  Granted, that might be the case if you can actually move your body.  Well, I hope to lose another pound this week and I found a way to pull up the legging part to make the upper less constricting.  "No returns after the 19th of August" was emphasized on the ordering site. 

 Also on Wednesday my passport arrived (close one!) and a friend offered to lend me their bike travel box which I picked up yesterday. I’ve been receiving emails from USAT and ITU regarding race details; schedule, pasta dinner, race start times, the opening and closing ceremonies and post race party on Sunday.  I went to the ITU site and saw my name incorrectly planted in the 40-45 year olds.  A quick email to USAT’s Amanda Duke, our race organizer, corrected the mix-up at first but then I checked today and I was back in the 40-45 year olds.  So looks like more pesky emails to be sent on my part. 

Thanks for reading and your support!!
 


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