IRONMAN LOUISVILLE 2017 TRAINING
WEEK 10 – May 22 > May 28
I hope everyone enjoyed the Memorial Day holiday as much as I did. Our plan is to make it up to our new lake home at least once a month and take advantage of the extra day off that a holiday affords us. It can never be that simple though, as my daughter Rebecca is in the marching band and they had to participate in the Memorial Day parade at home. So we took Friday off to play at the lake home for three days, then headed back home Sunday night.
Our town of Mokena, Illinois does Memorial Day right. Led by officials from the local VFW, they start at one of three cemeteries in town and parade to the next, stopping at each one and reading off the names of the veterans no longer with us. A snare drummer plays a 7-stroke roll after each name, and when they have all been read, a trumpet player plays taps. It is somewhat of a somber affair. Heads are bowed, hats removed. Our most recent fallen soldier from town was killed a few years ago. The town certainly keeps his memory alive.
I was not able to do my Saturday bike ride in Minocqua, and I saved it for when I got back home. Due to the wind blowing from the southwest, I chose to ride into the wind and come back with it at my back. The route takes me toward Manhattan and Elwood, where I generally turn around. This turn around spot is just across the street from the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, where many local veterans are buried. Normally I would ride into the grounds for a lap and head back out. Today there was a line of cars coming off the main highway as far as the eye could see. It was another reminder for me that there were those that served our country so that we could all live free to do what free people do. For me it was riding a bike on paved roads under blue skies and next to farmers planting their crops. Not sure if they were planting amber waves of grain, but it certainly is their option to do so thanks to so many who gave their lives serving our country. A glorious Memorial Day indeed.
10 WEEK BASE PHASE WRAP UP
This week marks the end of the base stage of training. I’m feeling pretty good about where I am at this point in training. I feel pretty strong, and the workouts never were too taxing. I chose to do a simpler version of the swim training plan and I feel that I am doing just fine with it. I’m pretty sure I will be adequately prepared for the swim. My buddies will probably out swim me, but they did that before when I followed the harder plan too.
I did some bike preparation prior to starting the 30-week training plan and I think it has paid off. I seem to be averaging around 17.5 mph on my rides, staying in Zone 2. Hopefully I will see an average closer to 18 mph toward the end of this next training phase.
Running is holding on, and I am holding my breath that I won’t suffer an injury during the remaining training. One day my feet will be killing me, and then another day they won’t bother me at all. They never seem to hurt while running though. And my deep butt pain (yes, I’m a pain in the butt) has good days and bad days too. I’m starting to wonder if the pain may be hip joint-related and not muscle related. I guess I am getting old. Too many miles on the body. I’m going to enjoy it while I can.
On to the Build Phase!
TOTALS:
2 Swims – 3100 yards this week / 21000 yards total
3 Bikes – 88 miles this week / 681 miles total
7 Runs – 25 miles this week / 278 miles total
an amazing run 
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