Training has officially started!

So it's good to know that a few people are reading this and as a result have nagged me about not posting in a while (Thanks VM). Really. I appreciate it. It keeps me honest about my training. So here goes ...

Over the past few weeks I've continued to work out, even up'd my game a bit by running a few times per week in addition to my CrossFit workouts, but I can't say I've been training for the Ironman per say as I haven't been doing anything really ... organized (for lack of a better word). Until today!

Today was Day 1 of my first run/bike program. (Program provided by the tri coach I mentioned in my last post, who I've signed up with for the next three months to see how it goes). Today's workout involved speed work:

2 x 1 km (1:30 rest btw) First at 10K pace, second at 5K pace.
4 x 500m (1:00 rest btw) All faster than 5K pace.
2 x 1 km (1:30 rest btw) Both at 5K pace.

I didn't get home until late and once dinner was done it was dark and raining so I headed to the gym. Although I would like to do as much running as possible outside, no matter the weather so that come race-day I'm prepared for anything ... not today. Instead I just added a bit of incline to the workout. I was also thinking that, given the workout was speed work, the treadmill had the added advantage of being able to easily monitor my pace and distance.

The work out went well. I was feeling pretty good after (although looking back at it now, I probably could have and should have done the 4 x 500m faster), so I threw in three rounds of Cindy for good measure (since I missed CrossFit the other day). Not my best idea. First off because I couldn't remember Cindy properly (instead of 15 squats, I did 15 burpees - which did me in) and because the bar I did the pull ups on had a crap grip so I almost flew off and landed flat on my back. LOL. All is good though. I will live to see another day.

I'm happy to say I did this after a tough ride on Sunday -- a 56 miler from Kanata to the Gatineaus, up to Champlain Point and back. (Thanks for the company DG!) It was a good mental/physical check to see where I stand with my biking. At 56 miles, the ride was exactly half the Ironman biking distance (112 miles) and somewhat comparable to the hilly Lake Placid bike course. The ride took us 3.47 so if I can maintain that pace for two rounds, I'll be looking at finishing the bike portion in just under 8 hours. I hoping my training can get me down to 7 hrs.

That's it for now. I need to get more sleep (she says as she signs off, 1.5 hours after her intended bedtime).