New Training Month

    Starting into the new training month. My crazy-busy weekend has left me rather scatterbrained this week. In the course of 60 hours I interviewed for and got an epic, new job, aced my written and practical finals in Firefighter Academy, trained in Wildland Fire, and then graduated from Academy. Life has taken on a whole new level of awesome in a very short period of time. I am still reeling in shock with all that has happened, changed, evolved. Hard work, determination, and sheer stubborness have paid off in an astonishing way. So, Brain is scrambling to catch up, Body is tired, and Spirit is running around like an overexcited toddler full of Halloween candy. I need to regain my training focus.
    Yesterday was a rest day. Today should have been swim and cycle day, but in my scrambled Brain mode I left my swim gear at home *wahhh!* But, it is a gloriously sunny, spring day and I do have my running gear in the truck, so I get to trail run after work. Honestly. I need far more work on my running than on my swimming. I think this training month will be run focused. I am running a 10.5 mile run the first weekend of May. I don't know that I am quite ready for it yet, but it will give me a good idea of what it will be like to run a half marathon. I am planning my race fueling for the day, using it as a practice session to test a few different fueling options. A 10.5 mile run is short enough, that short of violently explosive reactions to foods, I should be able to manage just about anything. I will likely stick with Clif Shots and Chews, since they are made with simple ingredients, and no creepy chemicals. I may try Gu, I hear it is good stuff. I would like to find something a little less sticky than the Clif Shots, trying to down one of those when your mouth is a little dry is recipe for potential asphyxiation. Once an actual race day hits I will attempt the recommended 80 to 100 calories of carbs every 20 minutes. That is the recommended intake for long distance Triathlons. It is something I will practice as often as possible. So much to think about, plan for, and practice.