Week 4

This weekend I completed my longest bike ride to date, 82 miles. I averaged 18.2 mph over about 4h 30 mins.

The current pledge for my cycling training is 75 cents per hour, put fourth by Dr D. Chase and his wife Brandi from The Athlete Stop. www.TheAthleteStop.com (Dr. Chase is responsible for the colorful taping that frequents my legs and feet. He and his team keep me on my feet and in the saddle all season long.)

The ride raised $3.37 for local at-risk children.

I want to see this number much higher!! 

If you haven't donated, please contact me today at sabrinahaun@gmail.com. All you need to do is let me know your budget and which leg you are interested in sponsoring. I'll take care of the rest!

Or, if you would like to make a donation now, visit https://my.reason2race.com/SabrinaHaun

I will have training updates for Week 4 and Week 5 available next Tuesday. 

Week 3

Men often become what they believe themselves to be. If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it. But when I believe I can, then I acquire the ability to do it even if I didn’t have it in the beginning.
-Gandhi

I saw this quote on Saturday after my 60 mile bike and thought about how completely this quote encompasses my training this past week. 

A few weeks ago, I was worried about my fitness level on the bike. While on the trainer, I was barely able to crank out 13mph. For those that don't know, the 5pm cutoff on the bike allows for a minimum 14mph bike leg during the race. I felt defeated before training had really even stated!

Then I was told that I may be cranking my wheel down too hard against the trainer which may be causing my seemingly sluggish trainer performance. I have always tightened my wheel as tight as I could, mostly because I didn't know any better, but also because a while ago in a spin class, I stood up to spin and my wheel slipped, and I fell forward. Thanks to my clips, I remained on the bike, and not on the ground. 

Last week (week 2) was the first time that I rode the trainer with the wheel a bit more loose than in the past. I stated seeing numbers like 16.5-17mph! Needless to say, I was relieved!

Cinco Ranch Lifetime Fitness hosts a 45 mile ride every Saturday morning beginning from the gym. A few of us decided to go out and give it a try. I was impressed with myself when I was able to hold on to the "race" pace group, averaging 22mph for the first 25-30 miles of the ride. But the group was riding in a pace line (which provides a draft zone, allowing for increased speed; drafting is also illegal in triathlon, but not in cycling). I knew I wouldn't be able to hold that pace for the entire 70 miles on my schedule. I also knew that dropping back to another pace group wouldn't do me any good, so I dropped off on my own. 

30 miles later, I was averaging 19 mph with no drafting!! I have never before ridden that fast unassisted by wind, drafting, hills or machines!

I ended up dropping the last 10 miles of the ride. I hadn't planned my route well and traffic was heavy,  posing a safety hazard. But I had proven to myself that the bike leg of IMCZ is within my grasp. 

I guess my point is this...

Nothing worth doing is easy. It may not even be fun at times. And you can't expect to magically perform at the level you expect of yourself overnight. But if you break it down into small successes, even training for an Ironman becomes doable! 

Weekly Summary
Swim - 0 yard
Bike - 6h 30m; 111.5 miles
Run - 1h 45m; 10 miles
Total - 8h 15m

Totals
Swim - 0 yd
Bike - 15h 45m; 
Run - 9h 10m; 42.45 miles
Total - 24h 55m

Week 2

Ladies, I just don't know how you do it.

This year a started a new job that allows me to work from home. I can't say how much I have enjoyed this new job. But one of the things I miss about working in an office is the need to have a business wardrobe, complete with skirts, blouses, and high heels. And nice makeup.

But there is no need for any of that when you work from home. Especially since by the time Chad sees me in the evening, I have changed into workout clothes and any hint of mascara is smeared under my eyes.

And my poor beautiful heels remain hidden in the closet. Which is why I bust them out any opportunity I can.

Last Tuesday I went for an on-site visit for one of my favorite clients, Solarcraft, my dad's company. And as usual, I brought out the heels.

When my granddad saw me, me exclaimed, "Evil Kenevil is going to attempt to jump Sabrina's shoes!" Not unwarranted. I believe these particular heels are 4 inches, with an additional 1/2 inch platform. But they are my FAVORITES!!

After work, I headed to track for a light 6.5 mile run to get loosened up for the 4th of July 5K the next day.

During the race the next morning, I began to experience a particularly irritating ache along the front of my right shin. With each step I took, it grew worse. It was definitely one of the most difficult 5Ks I've ever done (aside from the ache in my shin, it was bloody hot, humid, and I had no taper coming into the race). By the time I was done, the whole right shin ached with each step I took.

After the race, we serpent our 4th of July working on renovating our new house. In the evening, I headed back to the apartment  to complete a 45 minute spin class.

And my leg was killing me.

The fact is that heels are probably one of the worst things that women do to their bodies. Aside from bunions, high heels shorten the Achilles tendon. After years of wear, they also force the foot to be in an almost permanent flexed/pointed position. Both of these can mean terrible things for athletes.

So, I have officially given up my heels. Instead, I will sport bike cleats. Hey, they make my calves look great!

Weekly Summary
Swim - 0 yards
Bike - 5h 15m
Run - 15.1 miles; 3h 30min
Total - 8h 45min

Training Totals
Swim - 0 yards
Bike - 10h 15min
Run - 32.45 miles; 7h 25min
Total: 8h 45m

Week 1

I won't  lie to you. Prior to this week, I had been extremely anxious about undertaking this training program. I wondered what I was about to get myself into. I doubted my ability to stick with the program. I was afraid that I would fail. 

But with the first week of training completed, I feel a whole new wave of confidence.

Aside from two swim workouts, I have made every other workout last week. I have found myself looking forward to the next workout. I was truly bummed out when the swim workout I was going to attend on Saturday was rained out.

I recently purchased the complete Sufferfest cycling DVDs (the name says it all). I have really enjoyed these training videos during long trainer rides like the 3 hour ride I did on Sunday. Typically, you hop on the trainer for a zone 2 (40-60% effort) ride and watch a good action movie. But I found that a movie isn't enough to distract me from the sheer boredom. So, I ended up watching a Sufferfest DVD for the first and last hours of my ride, sandwiching an hour of Star Wars.

This coming week, I am looking forward to the 4th of July 5K in Sugar Land.

Weekly Summary

Swim: 0 yards

Bike: 5 hours

Run: 17.35 miles; 3h 45m

Training Hours: 8h 45m