Lucky Week 13

I’m heading into a day off (My 4th day off in my 13 weeks in training)! I’m feeling great and thus far training is going better than planned. Based on my coach’s plan, I was to weigh 149 at the end of this building phase, with a 17% body fat ratio by this Sunday. As of this morning, I was 149.5 and the body fat% two weeks ago was 17.5%. I will re-take all measurements this Sunday after a Threshold test with Coach Jesse. My goal weight by Lake Placid in July 2009 will be 142. I’m really getting close. The most difficult part with the tight diet has been during the holidays but well worth the sacrifice. I can feel my cardio and speed increase dramatically.

I have just concluded 13 weeks of serious weight lifting, core base workouts and tons of drill and technique work for all three disciplines, (Swim, Bike and run). My longest volume week has been 21 Hours. I’ve been craving speed and harder distances ending this period of training as promised. The purpose as I look back on the past 13weeks was to establish as strong as a foundation as possible to allow my soft tissue, bones and joints to acclimate to the ever increasing load my body will endure in this Iron season. A few times, I wondered out loud why my coach was holding me back so much. Often after completing a workout that was above the prescribed intensity, Jesse would caution me to hold-back and to remind me that it was a long year. It makes total sense to me now, because for the first time with training, I’m healthy and not burnt out!!

I was able to watch on Versus recently Ironman Lake Placid 2008. I was actually at the race this year as a timing official and volunteer and because of that, that’s how I got my spot in Lake Placid this year. My teammate Cait Snow won the race this year. It was certainly inspirational for me to see the race again and to obtain as much knowledge as often as I can. One interesting factoid I learned from the telecast is that the biking leg at Lake Placid which consists of racing 112 miles in the Adirondack Mountains is the equivalent of climbing and descending the Empire State Building in NY over 7 times! I rode the course last year with my friend Pat Dwyer. Now run a full and fast Marathon after that!! Watching the event inspired me a lot over the past couple of weeks. A few times during my runs I visualized the starting line in Lake Placid with the helicopters high above. I think often about all of my friend and family tracking me throughout the day and being able to cross the finish-line with my kids in my arms and a huge kiss to Mary for all of her sacrifice and support! Then eating all the fast food one could ever want!!
Travel plans and races have been set!

For the first time I am racing as a stand-alone swimmer at Boston University on December 12-14th. I am racing the 800M, 200M, 400M Free, 100 Back, 50M Breath. Michael Phelps has nothing to be concerned with here. My coach told me to check my pride at the door and that this event will be a good chance for a good workout.. Stay tuned!!

Disney Half: Gearing up for running Disney’s Half Marathon on Jan 6th. My goal with this race is to run the half in sub 1:30.
New Orleans: Travel has been set for the season’s first Half Iron for April 6th. Many of the Qt2 Team members will be there. Awesome opportunity for me to be around the best in our area to sponge knowledge.

It all is starting to “click” and the season is here!!