Fixed Objective

    Now that I have the fixed objective of a Half-Ironman in my sights, I am trying to plan a workout regimen that will move me towards my dream, make it reasonable, make it do-able and not nightmarish. So of course I study, research, plan, foment ideas, scheme, plot. I know I need to increase my stamina in all three disciplines, but in the middle of winter managing to get in long runs or bike rides will not be easy. Also, with Firefighter Academy looming on the horizon, my weekends will not be my own for over 3 months. This does add to the difficulty of finding more time in a life that is already short on time. But I can do it. I think.
    My plan for the next two months is to do one long swim per week, and at least one swim with sprints and aqua jogger. I will run 2 to 3 times a week focusing on shorter, intense runs with Hill Repeats and/or Fartlek/Speedplay sprints. If I can get in one long run every two weeks I will consider myself lucky. But I do need to increase my miles without injuring my knees. As for cycling, this will be a tough one, I may only get out on the road once or twice a month in the next few months, but I will try my damnedest to get in some time on the bike up on rollers. Add into this strength and core workouts and I am going to be a very busy girl between now and mid-April.
    To start in on my plan, this last Saturday I parked in the swimming pool parking lot and took off to run 5K at a decent race pace, adding in a handful of short, steep Hill Repeats, and then some Fartlek Sprints. After some stretching I grabbed my swim gear and hit the water. I opted for straight swimming, no aqua jogger, no fancy-schmancy stuff, just lap after lap of my basic crawl. This will be the stroke I need to do, and do well, without stopping if I want to make decent time in the water and not get to T1 at the tail end of the pack. I did swim 2 easy laps of breaststroke and backstroke to warm up my chest and shoulders and then swam. I did 70 laps in 90 minutes, 2 miles at a 45 minute per mile pace. Then 10 easy laps to cool down. Not too shabby. Actually, I was damned thrilled with myself. That is my longest non-stop swim to date. I didn't realize how tired I was until I got out of the pool and it took me a minute to muster the energy just to stand up, and to quell the urge to throw up just a little. But it gave me a sense of elation that I will be able to swim the distance needed without drowning (always the main concern). Yes, I need to get past my face-in-murky-water phobia, but I know that the stronger my swimming, the less powerful my fear.
    So Saturday's workout was a solid 2-1/2 hours, and I bet I expended as much energy as I have in any of my Triathlons. I want to be able to have one tough day like this per week, but it will be difficult to wedge in. This week I will swim Monday and Thursday, with sprints on Monday and long swim Thursday. Tuesday I will run and get in some ab work. Wednesday will be the speed treadmill routine and leg work before I dash off to te station for Drill. Friday I will allow myself a day off. Saturday is the Fire Department Food and Toy Drive, so I will be on my feet trotting and schlepping donations from 8am until 5pm, so I think that will count as a workout. I feel I should be doing more, but just don't know quite how to wedge it in. But that is always the case with me, the feeling that there is more I should be doing. Sometimes I feel as if I am making up for lost time, it is more than a feeling, it is a compulsion. Keep moving. Always moving.