Pre Wildflower Triathlon Ironteam Workout: Santa Monica / Venice Beach

We had one final run between Santa Monica and Venice Beach last Saturday.  That was followed by a great potluck.  The group photo only includes those that stuck around to the end of the potluck. 

We were also rewarded with a complimentary massage after the run. That's me enjoying a good stretch.

Now it's time to get all the gear in order and start packing for a camping and triathlon adventure known as Wildflower.

Taper Time for Wildflower Triathlon

Last weekend we had an open water swim followed by a easy 3 hour bike ride. 

Now as we go into our taper, it is time to reflect on how far each of us on the Ironteam has come this year.  At times it was a struggle, like climbing a "nasty grade".

Sometimes the buoys seem so far away, and we just have to persist and endure.  Stroke after stroke, until we are finally out of the water.

Running has not been easy this year since my ACL reconstruction.  But I'm making progress.  I don't think I will be running as fast as I did last year at Wildflower training weekend.  But I know that I am a better swimmer and probably a better cyclist since last year.  So it kind of balances out.

During the taper it is a struggle to stay healthy.  I've already had several days of being under the weather with a stomach virus.  After my Sunday "easy run" of 13 miles, I had the chills.  Hopefully I'm getting all of this out of my system, so that next week I'll be 100% for Wildflower.

Wow, 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and 13.1 mile run!  I can't believe I'm finally gonna do this thing.  Because of my ACL injury I had to delay this a year, but now I'm only about 10 days away from completing a half Ironman distance triathlon.

Again I couldn't have made my comeback without my excellent Orthopedic Surgeon, my demanding Physical Therapist, and my Team in Training Coaches.  Thanks to all.

1 Year after ACL tear

It was exactly 1 year ago that I tore my ACL skiing ( falling actually) in Calgary / Banff.  It was a very traumatic and emotional time for me.  Here is an excerpt from my blog last year:

"It's hard adjusting to the transition from training so hard for Wildflower ( I completed the swim, bike, and run workouts in Canada at high altitude and even ran 14 miles in 2 hours the day before the accident) And now being on bedrest with my foot elevated and an ice pack on my knee!"


"I'm pretty depressed. I always took running for granted. It was so effortless, unless I was pushing 7 min/ miles. Now a fear I have is that I won't get back to my previous running form with a bum knee. I still dream of becoming an Ironman. I still dream of qualifying for the Boston Marathon someday. Hopefully with the support of family, friends, coaches, and teammates, my dreams will still be realized one day."
 
The support of my friends, teammates, and family got me through this rough patch.  Here is some excerpts from comments on my blog:
 
"I know you will come back stronger than ever. This is how we roll. Rest up and I'll see you soon."  Louis
"You're on the right track Alex. Rest and let your body do what it does best, heal!! You'll be back in no time. Please update me of your progress."  Arkady
"ALEX...I just heard about your accident this weekend from Edmund. I am so sorry to hear about your ski accident. I wish you a speedy and smoooooooth recovery. I hope the injury does not involve the ACL and we can see you back on the course soon. It is these difficult times that will make us stronger Alex. I know you will come back better than ever."  Carlos Pineda
 
This year I took Spring Break near Vancouver.  Seeing the snow capped mountains around Vancouver and Mt. Baker in NW Washington State gave me the desire to go skiing again.  I did not ski.  Instead I ran 5 to 12 miles almost everyday.  Running is coming more easily now.  Yesterday I ran about 2 hours along the coast and along some country roads in NW Washington State. Today, back in So. Cal. I got back on my bike for a nice ride in P.V.  I didn't swim very much, but I figure I needed to rest my shoulder.  Now with Wildflower coming up in 3 weeks, I'll need to crank up the swimming.  I feel that I'm in pretty good cycling and running shape now for Wildflower.  Am I back to the shape I was in last year?  No, from the running standpoint.  Pretty close from the cycling standpoint and I'm definitely a faster swimmer and a more confident one in the open water. 

9 months Post ACL Reconstruction--- 3:2 brick

9 months later and my knee is holding up fine.  I don't wear the brace anymore when running.  This past Saturday our Ironteam was up in Malibu at Zuma beach for a 3 hour bike : 2 hour run workout.  Oh what fun.  Especially compared to the "toughest" workout ever the weekend before. 
Malibu is gorgeous.  The ride was a picture perfect one.  I felt like I was in a postcard or a commercial for the Southern California Tourism Office.  I even saw a group of dolphins.  I had the song "California Dreaming" running around in my head.

What was better than the ride was the run on the beach.  Yes, I spent most of the 2 hour run on sand.  I probably ended up running close to 12 miles at very close to my marathon pace.  It was a very encouraging sign.  I wear compression socks to help with combating fatigue and aid in post workout recovery.  I think it helps. 
During the run I ran past a wedding ceremony on the beach, surfers, paddle boarders, families, teenagers on spring break, walkers with their dogs, and fishing boats.  However I think I was the only one actually running on the beach!  I must have made quite a sight running like I was racing or like someone was chasing me.
Now is a week of Spring Break.  I will update soon with a report on my Spring Break and reflect back on the upcoming 1 year anniversary of tearing my ACL and MCL.