Week 38

September 27, 2016

Day 253

Strength Day

I'm starting to slowly accept the truth that I will never look like Hugh Jackman. It's a tough pill to swallow, but I'm coping. I'm just going to keep doing my pull-ups...one at a time.

Day 254

Exercise: Swim/Run

Time: 1 hour/30 minutes

Distance: 1.9 miles/3 miles

I don't usually combine these two exercises in the same day, but I decided to mix it up today to keep it fun...because nothing screams fun like swimming AND running. I don't know why the word "fun" came to mind when I thought about today's exercise, but that's where I'm at I guess. Oh man, I can't wait until this race is over to never exercise again for the rest of my life.

Day 255

Exercise: Bike

Time: 40 minutes

Distance: 10 miles

I was supposed to bike and run today, but my left hamstring felt really right during the bike, so I called it off and spent the afternoon stretching. Today made me realize how fortunate I am to never have sustained a serious injury during this whole undertaking. I haven't had anything that has incapacitated me, and that's been huge. Anyway, I'm going to continue to stretch and be careful as the race gets closer. No reason to get hurt now that I'm only a few weeks out.

Day 256

Exercise: Run

Time: 4 hours

Distance: 20 miles

Stretching yesterday made me a new man today. Felt great when I woke up and then stretched some more before running, so today was probably the best I've felt in a long time. Needless to day, the run today was a long one, but I felt good throughout and finished without too much difficulty, so morale is at an all time high. I feel ready for the race.

Day 257

Exercise: Swim

Time: 1 hour

Distance: 1.9 miles

At the Ironman, we will be swimming in the Ohio River, and we will be going downstream the whole way, so I'm curious as to how helpful the current will be. I would love to get my swim time closer to an hour (it's looking like an hour and fifteen-twenty minutes right now), but it will depend on the speed of the river and the race-day adrenaline. The truth is I'm really looking forward to going with the flow.

Day 258

OFF

Day 259

Exercise: Bike

Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

Distance: 40 miles

Got in a good, hilly ride today, which is exactly what I needed. Kentucky is supposed to be really hilly and the bike course looks tough, but I've been practicing in hilly conditions so I think I'll be ready. I feel prepared for the race and I can't decide if that's because I am confident or naive...