Amazing what a good run does for the mind. I am really happy I decided to run TCM. I was worried it was a bad idea given I wasn't fully recovered from Sawtooth and knew I should be focused on getting in more bike training for IM. But the idea of running Twin Cities again after experiencing my only really bad race on this course in 2005 was just too appealing to turn down. And now that it's over and I feel like it didn't take that much out of me I am wondering if I should train for a PR next year...
If I do, it will be a spring marathon, and then switch to trails for the rest of the year. I think it is difficult to peak for a fall marathon and I know I wouldn't be able to resist ultras over the summer anyway... but I could fit Chippewa into a spring marathon training plan! We'll see. I'm having one of those weeks where my mind is working overtime. I should be channeling it into work but running plans are so much more fun.
TCM has also got me looking forward to the marathon at IM. It will feel different of course but in a way running on Sunday with legs that didn't exactly feel fresh might not be that different to running after a 112 mile bike ride. It is definitely a good thing for me that triathlons are structured in this way - save the best 'til last! As for biking - I have 4 weekends of LONG rides ahead. This Sunday will be a bit rough after a jaunt up north on Saturday to check out the Wild Duluth course. I'm not sure how much I'll run but the weather is promised nice so it should be beautiful up there. And then there's the swimming... long slow one yesterday evening to flush out the legs a bit. Well, long for me but still way short of the 2.4M race length. Ugh, it will be a different story from Madison that's for sure. But that's what I get for loading too much on my calendar. It will still be a really fun trip. There's a great group of my training pals doing it and my Mum will be over also. Though I think she's planning to take herself off the Grand Canyon for the day! We'll have to see about that...
End of post.
