Calories and lack thereof . . .

I am so pleased to start this post with the completion of my last long ride. It was another 5-hour ride on the trainer with the front wheel mounted on the Christmas Tree Stand. Its pretty comical. It was a challenge, not for being out of shape, but just willing myself through the fatigue for five hours. I am not sure how this last three week "build" actually would look in a training diary, but I felt like it was adequate, and I had nothing left to give after today's effort. A pro athlete could have accomplished much more, but I am physically, mentally, and just plain adequately tired.

The thought of a transition run made my knee caps want to pop.

Today probably started with a caloric deficit from the long run yesterday (I finished the run at 7:00 p.m.). I had intended to start my final long ride early, but I forgot to check the "family" calendar on the fridge which clearly indicated our son had a pediatrician appointment at 9:30 a.m..
I woke up today like I had done a long run the day before, so getting a workout in before the appointment was not realistic. As a result, I didn't get on the trainer until early afternoon. (Our son is doing really well! The joy he brings to the house is indescribable - even when its 2:00 a.m.)

If you figure, a long run costs about 2000 calories, and then you start a 3800 calorie bike ride within 15 hours of the long run, its pretty easy to get behind on the calories. I ate as much as I could last night and for breakfast this morning. During the ride, I consumed 6 Chocolate Mint "GU" gels. They tasted pretty good - I never thought I could stomach a chocolate gel. On top of those 600 calories, I had maybe another 5-600 calories from other sources. The problem is, your body can only absorb so much, and if you start with an empty tank, it is not realistic you can take in the rest while exercising.

The only benefit of training like this is A.) suffering through the training and B.) teaching your body to perform when low on calories. (Obviously, the performance will not be good, but there is some mental strength developed.)

Going into the race in Kona in 3 weeks, I have a piece of mind that I completed my two most important long (admittedly, could have been longer) workouts at - in my opinion - the perfect time, 3-weeks from race day (give or take a few days). Now nature will take its course, and the only mistake I can make is to train too much, and show up on race day with even a touch of fatigue. I should be mindful of gaining weight the next few weeks, and I should also try to get more sleep. Yah right.

If you have been following along, you may notice a change in my demeanor - the lack of humor, or attempted humor in my writing. Maybe, Maybe not. Today, during the ride, I felt irritable at times, totally uninterested in doing anything fitness related ever again, and just sick of the thought of doing another run or long bike ride on the trainer. Thank goodness my Ipod worked. So really, despite these "negative" thoughts, where I am right now is pretty normal. This is where a coach can be beneficial - to remind you, its OK to be worn out. By race week, I should be "happy" and so exuberant to exercise, it should be tough to hold back. At least that is the plan. What am I talking about? This is only my second Ironman - I talk like I am "in the know!"

The ride itself was difficult after about 1:15, and then just continued on. I did some hard gear training for about ten minutes at a time throughout the ride, standing and sitting, generally staying aerobic. At 4:18, I thought "If I was Norman Stadler, I would be done right now." (Norman = 2X Hawaii winner). Actually, that is probably inaccurate; in a race he'd be done, in training, I am sure he'd still have a few more hours! I kept thinking about how I couldn't wait to write here that I was done! I just wrote it, and it feels real good. 30 minutes, 21 minutes, 10 hard minutes, and finally an easy spin until the watch read five hours. Ahhh. I kept a 137 average heart rate and supposedly burned 3827 calories.

I am still thirsty . . . . and hungry . . . . and thirsty. . . .and tired.

Thanks for patiently reading the rambling . . . .

It is Taper Time.