Sunday, August 19, 2007

Iron Week 44

Note to self: Long run days are just that. Long run. ONLY. At least for a while, until I get in some semblance of "Iron Fit"...that 10 miler kicked the Bigun's butt. It's been a while since I've gone over 6 miles, and it showed. I was delusional in thinking that I'd throw some bike miles in afterward...yea, right. Like that was going to happen.

Like I promised, I broke 20 miles for the week in running, and did my LR (Long Run) workout. Good stuff. Not Iron-grade yet, but on the way there. I had to break in some new shoes this week - the Beasts - and I have to say that my ankles are giving me some troubles with the new shoes. All that support...my ankles are having to adjust.

This week was NOT about the bike. Sorry Bold. I only got on the bike once this week for my Pyramid workout...I know, pretty weak. We'll bounce back after the Chicago trip with a planned century ride - the Bok Tower Century down in Sebring (last year, this was my first ever century ride...) - so the Bigun will be back in the saddle, again...

Swim wise, a decent week. I did 2 workouts at 2,500 meters each, doing sets of 500m. I had a third workout - 600 meters - I totally bonked after a warmup set - I hadn't eaten lunch and only a small breakfast before a few lawn cuts...felt stupid getting out after such a short set, but I really felt shakey and dizzy and had nothing to give the pool that day. I think that yesterday's 2,500 was one of my best "feeling" swims in a very long time, if not ever. I did not keep any time for the sets, but everything felt right: cadence, breathing, pull, catch - all that technical swim stuff. I may just surprise myself this Sunday with a good swim....

With only 8 hrs of total training volume, it wasn't a week for the record books. It was HOT. It was HUMID. I can see, with this new lawn business, a future of "inverse Triathlon seasons" is in stall for me. July and August being "off" months, while I race and train in the winter, fall and spring. We'll see what September has in store for us, weather-wise...I don't know about you, but I'm ready for some cooler days!


And on a non-training note, although it could be argued that cutting grass all day has some training effect, I have officially broken the 30-customer mark. Yea! Not too bad for only 4 months at this. I can probably handle another 20 or so until I have to hire a helper. Tri-Dummy volunteered, but all the high-fangled technology like gas-powered blowers and edgers, plus using a riding mower...I really don't think he could handle it.

21 comments:

Oly said...

Revised plan looks good.

Unknown said...

It sounds to me like your swim yesterday more than made up for the one you called!

Iron Pol said...

Unless you're aiming to win or achieve some other key goal, training should have some flexibility to it. After all, yard care pays the bills, training only generates them.

I've always put triathlon after church, family, and, to a great extent, work.

Brent Buckner said...

Glad to hear that your business is growing.

I appreciate the notion of inverse seasons. Stationary trainers and treadmills can help though.

Looking at your goals for the 101 makes me think that it would be an interesting distance for me... somewhere around the maximum I could do in zone 2.

Duane said...

Have you lost any weight pushing mowers in that humidity?

Unknown said...

Sounds like a great workout.

bigmike600 said...

I think what Iron Pol said rings true. Really glad your business is taking off. More customers=more cash=more triathlon stuff (and stuff for Di too). I think Baboo said something relevant about the bike that more running helps the biking and more biking really does not help the running so I think the more running probably will help you in the long term. I know you still have to put miles on the bike but your revised plan looks good. See you soon.

The Stretch Doc said...

plan looking good!

Ankles huh.. ever wrapped them before running for a little support? just wondering.

Congrats on the 30 customers!

rockon`

Tea said...

I used to run in the Beast's also. I hope they work for you. (I had to switch after my injury for no reason other than they started to bother me...go figure).

S. Baboo said...

What were your last shoes? Keep on top of the discomfort, I would hate to see an injury dewvelop. I have tried several times to use a different brand of shoe because I read somewhere that it is a good idea to use different shoes because they all fit a bit differently and so help keep up overall leg strength however I have never found anohter pair of shoes that work for me so I'm always running the New Balance 767s.

Anonymous said...

Hey Dude -

Congrats on breaking 30 customers. Good job getting to 20 miles. You might try doing your long bike followed by a very short run (like 1 mile - to get used to running off the bike) and doing your long run the next day while you are still fatigued.

The new schedule does look good.

I'm glad I didn't quit Sunday after setting a 5k PR. I might have gone through the week feeling good about my fitness. The 112 mi ride on the Sun Coast hurt. I'm not sure if it was the 5k race, the hills, having to stop to cross all those @#%$ roads, or all three but it took me 7 hrs. I am shattered, shelled, blitzed, blown out, etc. You'd have to be a moron to run a marathon after that.

You're probably wondering if I am a moron. Yes I still indend to do IMFL next year.

Anonymous said...

I forgot "crushed" as an adjective and the "heat" and "wind" as excuses.

ShirleyPerly said...

Good job breaking 20 miles on your running. I'm not too fond of the idea of breaking in new running shoes, though, since usually what gets broken is me. Are you sure you have the right ones?

Also, congrats on reaching the 30-customer mark! If you ever expand to the East Orlando area, let me know.

Tri-Dummy said...

You crack me up, Grass Pimp.

If I can get the G to transfer me to Florida, I'll work part time for you on the weekends.

I'll use my push mower and trim with my KBAR.

bigmike600 said...

Grass Pimp. Now that's funny. Maybe you need a purple shirt and a bright green hat to wear when you mow? Maybe some faux fur on your leaf blower?

Di said...

Big Mike, TD, Bigun already DOES wear the purple shirt and green hat - swear! it's true!!

Anonymous said...

I have a friend that has been in the lawncare business for about 8 years or so. In a town of about 65,000 he is now grossing well over 300k with 2 or 3 employees. All he does all winter is play basketball at the local YMCA. Good luck with the business!

Yeti said...

You can only count mowing as part of your workout if you put race number stickers on your mower. Mark on your arms and call your work work truck the "transition" area.

You have a good looking training plan......

Anonymous said...

Big'un

You still planning to come do Sherpa duties at IM-Moo (us cheeseheads don't particularly like that name). I had to fire my support team -- Sue's down on my racing since I'm still pretty beat up. Zach (my oldest) will be running part of the marathon with me to keep providing Gu's, but it would be nice to have some assistance.

Later, ta

bigmike600 said...

I just thought of something...If you are grass pimp and TD comes and works for you does that make him the grass ho?

Bolder said...

no worries.

CdA barely has a bike course, it's a lot like Accenture...

you'll do fine.