Long Distance Training

October 8, 2016

This week held the longest ride and my longest training run. We headed back to Canada for their Thanksgiving, and I was able to run/walk 15 miles in three hours. The ride was the Southern Magnolia 100 last Sunday, October 2.  

For the Southern Magnolia, it was a beautiful morning with comfortable temperatures. One of my friends decided to ride with me, and we headed out for the country roads where there was very little vehicle traffic.  A few dogs, none of which seemed vicious, and only wanted to run, had chased us.  We were riding along when two dogs were in the middle of the road.  They turned and saw us, and came ambling up wagging their tails.  The large chocolate lab was extremely friendly, so friendly that he walked up to me, and while I was trying to get to the side of the road he walked into my front wheel.

We both went down!

Fortunately we were on the grass by then.  He just lay there looking at me and I petted him, my friend pulled my bike off of us, and the dog got up, shook himself off and walked on home with his buddy. I bruised my arm and hip. Actually the hip bruise did not show up until a couple of days ago.  We finished the ride with multiple stops at the aid stations. My plan for Ironman Florida is to not stop before 50 miles, and maybe make only one or two other stops.  

I had one short swim and a 1-1/2 hour trainer ride early in the week then it was off to Canada again. Yesterday I had a 3-hour run/walk scheduled. It was a beautiful day and I got started with pouches full of GUs and fruit chews. I tried to take some nutrition ever 5 miles, a little more often after 10 miles. The run/walk program seems to be working. I think I can do an additional 10 miles for the race.  I am a bit stiff today, but not too bad.

I am trying to talk myself into a 30-minute open water swim today. Right now the winds are pretty high out of the north.  I shall watch the weather and see how the day progresses.  

Monday is the Canadian Thanksgiving and there is a big Thanksgiving potluck dinner. I am ready to replenish the calories I burned this week.

I think I have at least one more long ride, and possibly another long run before it is time to taper. It won’t be long before it is race day in Panama City Beach, Florida, on Saturday, November 5.