Wow, it is hard to believe we are into the second month of our training program already. Due to illness, (me, Rob, and Pam) the last week of January took the planned “recovery week” to a new level. Between Monday and Friday I got one swim in, which in the long run has paid off. After a day home from work and the break from workouts, I felt pretty close to 100% this past week in the workouts. Rob did not fair as well….. he ended up with influenza and a sinus infection. So I finally convinced him that he needed to stay home from work, rest, and see a doctor. He is on his 4th day of an antibiotic for his sinus infection and is looking human-like again. His plan is to rejoin the workouts on Tuesday. I hope he listens to me and eases back in as his Type A personality trumps mine any day of the week :-). Pam’s yuck is lingering as well. I sure hope she finds some relief soon!
Yesterday’s swim-bike-run workout was just two of us – me and Mike. Pam traveled to Milwaukee with her foster dog for an event (a much needed break from these workouts for her with that yuck). It was nice to have some one on one time with Mike. His sense of humor and shear determination to do well and improve is a constant source of inspiration for me. He took every piece of advice on the swim I threw at him and tried to implement it, and wow is he improving in leaps and bounds. This is a guy who just 2 months ago would not swim a workout without fins. Yesterday he was kicking the length of the pool with no kick board and his butt was feeling air. And yes Mike….. nice butt. We both giggled through the bike on those machines at the YMCA…. taint, gooch… doesn’t matter, still uncomfortable. Then on to the run. Again, wow am I impressed and inspired by Mike. He went along with my method of a longer run (as this is how I will race the half iron- probably a different ratio at IM) to run 10 minutes and walk a minute. Including the walks, we ran an average pace of 8:53 per mile. He did inform me that that is his 5k pace….. well not anymore. I am of the philosophy to finish every workout fast, a mental check that you can dig deeper and go a little harder when you are tired. So at the end of this run, I took off and called to Mike, “finish strong now,” and he was right there pushing as hard as he could. Did I mention Mike will be competing in the 70-74 yr age bracket at IM? Thank you Mike for your determination, because it provides me with the sense to know I can do anything I set my mind to as well.
This week we got in 11 hours and I am feeling strong and exhausted all at the same time. Bedtime is getting earlier on the weekends than ever before. Glad tomorrow is a rest day, because the team is gathering at another runner’s house to watch the Packers in the Superbowl. Paul returns this week, Mike and Pam travel to New Orleans for the half marathon, and Rob will start back in. Life is good! And remember the lessons I have learned this week from Mike (and a reminder of my Dad… rest his soul…. coach for 25+ years)… “if you think you can’t, you are right” and “if you could of, then you should of”