Time for a Recovery Week

So, after three hard weeks in a row, each with emphasis on one sport (swim/run/bike), it is now time for recovery. And my body is ready for it. However, the challenge will be with my mind--can I follow the plan of a recovery week as well as I did the hard training weeks? So far so good. Today called for a 1150 meter recovery swim. I did 1500 easy. Good start.

Last week was good and HARD! The focus was the bike, and I did focus on the bike. Five days of trainer rides for a total of 143 miles (if I had done the same amount of time on the road, I know it would have been close to 200 miles). I followed my training plan, although I added some extra swim and run time.

I like to edit the weeks to work with my body. So last week, in addition to adding more swim time, I also added a long run, which was not called for. But since my running was non-existent the first two months of training, and since my leg feels UNBELIEVABLY CONSISTENTLY BETTER, and since the weather was so nice on Saturday, and since I was too lazy to take my bike off the trainer for one day only......I decided a 9.5 mile run at Waterfall Glen on Saturday would be good. I ran on tired legs, because I swam and rode on Friday, but it was a good kind of tired. Tired, not sore or painful.

Because of my schedule, it makes sense for me to run later in the a.m. on Saturday. ( I drop Peanut off at the gym for practice first--it's only a couple minutes from the path). Then I usually go to the Lifetime in Burr Ridge, as that also is just minutes away from the gym.

There are good and bad things about running later on a weekend morning. The parking lots were still pretty crowded, and I had to drive around for a while before finding a spot. I knew by looking at the cars, and by the time of day, there would be more bikers than runners. Which is OK for the most part. But then, there are those riders who insist on riding 20 mph on a path that is mostly hilly and has a lot of curves. I was almost run off the road more times than I can remember. Listen guys, if you're out training for a race, the path is not the place to ride. Get on the street where you can fight with cars and not defenseless runners and hikers (which include lots of families and dogs!)

One highlight (which was also a little scary) was seeing a fox cross the path about 30 yards in front of me. Of course, at that time I was the only one on the path. Thankfully, he/she ran into the field and just watched me run for a while. It was a little hilly and I was tired, but I was able to find a second wind, just in case he/she decided to come back to the path and check me out!

Sunday was expected to be rainy and colder, and was as predicted. After an easy early a.m. swim and church, I spent 2:40 minutes on the trainer later in the afternoon. I was tired, but the ride turned out pretty good.

I've had a little trouble falling asleep and my heart rate has been relatively low while training the last several days, so I know it's time to back off a little--recovery week just in time.

Today is the Boston marathon. I know a couple running--good luck to Kevin and Jocelyn. The weather should be perfect for a marathon.

The Moy family continues to hang in there, against all odds. Kids are looking forward to school being over soon; J is still struggling with a cough that is driving everyone crazy. I'm looking forward to a rest week, better weather later in the week, and maybe doing a local sprint tri in June.

Long week totals include:
Swim: 4 x = 7500 meters
Bike: 5 x = 143 miles (on trainer)
Run: 2 x = 15.5 miles (outside)
Strength/Stretch/Core: 5 x = 3 hr. 22 min.
Total Time: 20:34
Calories burned: ~8,400

Have a great week and until next time--God bless!