Week 22 in Review

So the countdown has started. 22 weeks for IM Cozumel.

Last week was my first week with my new coach. Very happy with my decision.

I have gotten a different approach towards my running by focusing more on staying within my heart rate of 145 or less and training more in the heat. He's having me do this more consistently so I can get more accustomed to the this and build more of an aerobic base.

I've also got great feedback on my swim. I thought I was a wreck on my form and style and it turns out I'm not all that bad! He told me to buy the little tempo thingy seen below:

I have tried this once in the past but the constant beeping was enough to make me want to stomp on the tempo trainer and crash it. Maybe I'll give it another chance. He also told me to extend my hands more in the water. And Lourdes, another training buddy, commented that I have great form and where did I learn how to swim. I was quite blushed with her comment!

My first week with my new coach looked like this:
22 weeks before Cozumel full:

Monday: off

Tuesday: 1 mile OWS Luis was not there so I did have a few moments of panic and anxiety as I am always more calm when I swim with Luis. Luckily, Ed another HH was there and he was behind me so I would feel more calm when I would see him.
3 mile heat run after work. Got mulled by mosquitos.

Wednesday: 47 mile bike ride + 2 mile run. First Ride with new group. Chris rode with us too. Steve gave out instructions and new group was very welcoming to Chris since he's not training with them. Pace was a bit too slow, but it was nice and easy and on the way back we took turns leading pace line since it was windy. Run was extremely hot and my legs felt like they weighed 1000 lbs.

Thursday: 4 mile run Heat Run with Amy and Chris. We did the Fun Run with FW. Great seeing old friends. I kept slow pace and slowed or walked when my heart rate got too high. These heart rate runs are quite annoying. Thanks for running with my Amy!

Friday: 2200 m pool swim Swam in the big 50 meter pool. It's always much harder for me to swim in this pool and it takes me longer. I did my warm up, 150 slow, 150 moderate, and 150 fast. I was supposed to recover on the next 150 but I stopped to recover and catch my breath. Repeat.

Saturday: 6 mile run/ 1000 m OWS. Heat run and heart rate run in the morning with Chris. Slow and steady. It was quite hot b/c we started at 8. Then I did my first open water swim with Steve at his lake that aftenoon. Got feedback on my stroke. The lake is warm. I was swimming alone since I got there late and everyone had already started. I felt that Jason from Friday the 13th was going to come pull me into the water so I took off and became faster on the way back.

Sunday: 67 mile bike ride. I don't know why I got stuck behind all the IM tattoos and I couldn't keep up with all the fast people! I struggled as they were hauling ass and I was trying to maintain 21-22. I turned around at 10 mile loop after Roberts and cut my ride a little shorter so I could stick to another group that was riding at a more comfortable pace. It was quite a challenging ride. I wish I could keep their pace but my heart rate was going all crazy on me. Thank goodness I didn't have to run afterwards. I also was very happy to have enjoyed a 3 hour nap that afternoon.


21 more weeks to go!