My First Marathon (x2)

A lot has happened...and I am tired...but it is 7 WEEKS from IRONMAN LOUISVILLE!!! This may ramble a little and then will have a training log. I am processing that three years ago (when IMLOU was in August) Erika and I volunteered in T2 together and she told me she would be at the finish when I crossed...she will be with me in spirit, but I will miss a hug at the finish. After the San Diego trip I returned to work at my old job for 3 days and then went to Louisville to do an Olympic distance triathlon for Ohio River swim practice. The river wasn't as hard as I thought it might be (though straight line was hard) even though it wasn't wetsuit legal. The ride course was flat and fast and I rode well...then it got hot on the run and kinda checked out. I still finished with a very small PR and 3rd Athena. The next day I started my new job and I love it! The schedule has been a bit of an adjustment, but I am enjoying it. After my first week I went back to Louisville for a

This was the long weekend to visit my siblings in San Diego County. It was a great trip and had some training (and non-training) activities. I am currently flying home as I write. Monday - Open water swim at Mystic Bay. 1,958 yards in just under 40 min (wetsuit helps). I would have done more, but everyone else was done. Tuesday - Bike workout increasing power every five minutes. So weird not to run with the team, and to ride on Tuesday. 20 total miles. Wednesday - 3,500 yard swim. Went to the Irsay Y for a change. It's nice and conveniently located, but with 2/4 lanes taken up with swim lessons after work its not always convenient. Thursday - 17 miles on the bike trainer before heading to San Diego. Trainer was convenient and kept me from playing in traffic during rush hour, but I prefer being outside. Friday - running in Escondido on the neighborhood loop. Tried to miss some of the hills for a 3 mile stead state and I think I made it worse. Solid run, just tough. Satur

Last weekend David and I headed up to LaGrange for the Amishland and Lakes grand touring ride. Our friend Swati was also doing the ride with her friends. We stayed in this super cute cabin outside Shipshewana and drove to LaGrange on Saturday morning to start the ride. It was a beautiful, cool morning. David and Swati were riding the 67 mile route, while I was riding the 100 mile route. We were together for the first few miles and then the routes diverged. There were seemingly few people riding the century, or they started earlier, or something because after the first 15 miles I was quite alone for most of the ride. It was good, because I was riding my ride...just a lot of time in my head. The route folded in on itself a number of times and somehow I got off the right route, and then made a poor routing decision leaving the last SAG and could have been in for a 120+ mile day, but I checked maps and made my own way back to the school for a total of 106 miles. This was actually good for