Things are starting to taper

We are beginning to taper for the race starting next week meaning that the workout intensity will be gradually dropping off to almost nothing in the days leading up to the race. It's a time for the body to rest up and store energy for 3 hours of continual racing.

The training is not the only thing that's seeing a reduction. I've lost over 25 pounds since we started this almost 6 months ago. Counting my highest weight from early last fall I'm down almost 30. Looking back I can hardly believe it!

This past week was frustrating. I got called to attend a meeting for work in Seattle on Wednesday which meant a flight out on Tuesday night and then a red eye back on Wednesday night. I was able to get in the swim practice and long run on Tuesday but missed both the bike and run on Wednesday/Thursday. We did go swimming last night. The workout this week was some descending long sets: 20'/15'/10'/5'/2.5' . During each set we were supposed to work on something different: getting a good long glide for the 20', practicing sighting for the 15', etc. I lost track on one of them but in the end I swam a little over 3000 yards. That's by far the longest workout I've done in the water. I'm thinking the swim may end up being my best leg after having struggled so much in the early going!

The weather continues to be a real pain in the ass. Tomorrow we have our last long ride in Prince William Forest down by Quantico. It's supposed to be a really nice route but with more hills than we've seen before. At least it is supposed to be above freezing. We skipped out on last week's Saturday brick because it was frigid and there was snow. Snow! In April! Screw that. We signed up for a spin class at the gym and did about 50 minutes on the bike before class for about 1:40 total. That's short of the goal, but that spin class was hard! We ran the treadmill for 30' to complete the brick. I actually felt really good and was able to push some faster paces, but my hamstring ached the next day and it's still a little tight. I don't think the plane ride helped.

16 days to race day!