Friday Night

You know you are married when its Friday night and your wife is excited about going to Target to buy a carpet cleaner for $69. Even more so, she is super excited to try it out when arriving home. Yes, the carpet cleaner works great, and Andrea is real happy about it.

You also can tell when you are training for an ultra distance triathlon like Ironman and you are disappointed to "only" get 3 hours and 20 minutes of exercise done in one day. The good thing can be, that after completing 3 hours and 20 minutes, you are not tired. You could do it again.
I didn't get the specific training I had wanted to today. Dogs had to be groomed, bills paid, and I bought some new running shoes. We donated about 4-5 pair of used running shoes to Luke's Locker. They give them to people in homeless shelters. Once again, I realized how lucky I am to A.) participate in an event like the Ironman and B.) have 4-5 "extra" pair of shoes to give away and the resources to buy a new pair.

I also gave away the yellow ASIC racers I wore during the Boston Marathon. Andrea wasn't buying my "sentimental" shoes argument. She says they smell up the closet. I say "Nothing like the smell of fitness!!!"

Workout wise, I dragged all day. I was excited and motivated about completing the workouts, but my body was still repairing from the short sleep and wearing flights I did Monday through Thursday. I swam 1 hour and 20 minutes and then rode 2-hours on the trainer much later in the day. It was too late for a transition run; tomorrow, I plan to swim and do a long run
(3-hours).

I felt feverish on the bike today as well, just really drained. Still, I feel pretty strong in my legs - they are not race ready yet, but strong - and my heart is nimble and I think I have pretty much reached my target aerobic development for this event. Even after working pretty hard at the end of the bike session tonight, my average heart rate was 127 for the ride. It wasn't a great ride, as I said, I was feverish. Starting the ride in Kona, I will use a heart rate monitor, and will probably shoot for about 140 for the first few hours, and then play it by year depending on the weather and how I feel. I still don't have a bike computer, and I doubt I will get one, so it will be fun to see what the heart rate ride can produce.

I wanted to mention my siblings too. They support me and make me think I am doing a good job as a big brother. My brother Mike is having his birthday tomorrow. Happy Birthday Mike!!!! My other brother, Matt and his wife Jen are having Triplets in a few months. Wowzers. We are so excited for them! Matt did the Ironman 70.3 in Florida a few years ago and became my triathlon inspiration. He was also my support crew for Ironman Arizona - he was awesome; he signed up again to help out and will be with us in Kona too. My lovely sister Katie has already volunteered to give me the "M-Dot" tattoo. Don't know about that yet . . . .

Its 10:19 p.m. and it sounds like Andrea is having a ball with the carpet cleaner . . . . . it's coming my way! Better get some rest.

Thanks for checking in!