The Last Major Training Weekend.

This weekend was also a friend’s bridal shower.  So I had to swap training days, which I actually preferred.

So Saturday, I woke up bright and early to get to the gym in Long Beach to work out so I would be closer to the shower.  3hrs on the elliptical and 3 episodes for Switched done.  It was great and the bridal shower was really nice.

And now it is Sunday. This is it. The final big push. I was set to do 112miles and 3mi run.  From Zuma North to Los Posas, hang a right and for a few miles and then head back… and I was to clock each loop.  No problem.  I was well rested, ate well in the morning. I was ready!

As I headed up the PCH, I was in the groove. I was enjoying every turn of the pedal, my elbow was practically healed which was nice, because I was able to get into arrow position where I wasn't the weekends prior and my shin was almost healed. (I gotta tell you, it has taken forever to heal.  It wasn't as deep as the elbow, but I think because of all the pool swims, boots and jeans, it just would not heal.) Anywhooo.. I was seriously cooking.  In the training weeks prior, it was taking me on average 1:23min to get to Los Posas.  Today with the wind and the fog 1:03!!  WHAT?!?! And the return back 1:10!  I was floored.  So I said to myself, let’s do this.  So I stopped at my car and refilled my water bottles, food, threw an extra bottle on my back. I was ready to conquer the last two loops without stopping (normally, I do two loops and then stop to restock).  I was back on the road and cruising!  Made it back up to Los Posas in the 1:23, but that was including the time I stopped at my car.  So I was still on it… as I mad the left at Los Posas and headed down the road, I started to feel a little off, but nothing crazy… a few miles later as I headed back to Los Posas to finish up the second loop I was wonky.  What was going on?  So I pulled out my PB&J sandwich, drank a little more water, popped an extra electrolyte pill and kept riding.  By the time I got to Big Rock on PCH (about 15 miles from my car) I was very light headed, so I pulled over and noticed I had only drank 3 water bottles, I should have been through 4.  So I downed my water and laid on a rock and closed my eyes. I was out.  When I woke up, thankfully only 15min later, I felt a little better, nothing like a quick power-nap. LOL. I hopped back on my bike and cruised back.  I made it to my car. I had to stop.  I unloaded all the stuff I had gone through on my bike and grabbed more water and was still not right, so I went across the street to the gas station where I bought a Coca Cola and sat on the side of the road in the shade for 45min.  That was a damn good Coke!  I noshed a little on a fruit bar and then I headed back out. I had to. One more loop to go.  If this were to happen on race day, I would have to soldier on, so here I am. Struggling to push through when finally, just after Neptune’s (10miles from my car and the gas station) my energy has been restored. I am back in the zone and cruising again. I hit Los Posas, made the right and rode… hit the turn around and cruise back.  This is it. The last half of the loop!! WAHOOOOOOOOOO!!! As I continued on my ride I was at about mile 105 when I felt completely sick again. Headache, tummy ache, overall ache.  I pushed through and made it to my car.  I rode 110 miles.  Not 112.  But I was ok with that.  And it was in 8:40min  I still would have made cut off if this happened on the race. Barely, but I would have. WOW… complete eye opener.

I did not run the 3 miles… but I did run/walk about 1mi.

I drank the rest of my water and chewed on a Pepto Pill and drank my recovery drink and tried to figure out what happened???

As I retraced my steps I realized that stopping after the first loop is what did it.  All my training, I stopped after two loops.  By stopping after the first loop, it messed up my routine. I skipped a meal, because I was supposed to be eating when I stopped and when I refilled my water bottles I lost count of what I had actually already drank, therefore didn't drink enough making me dehydrated.

Thank god Monday was a day off from training.

And It is seriously amazing what the smallest things will do and I for sure and sticking to my routine!

UNFORTUNATELY OR FORTUNATELY, I HAVE NO PICS FROM THIS WEEKEND.