Category: Cycling

Nov 16 2025 2025-11-16 2026-01-04 by Ross

This Week in Training – Week 8: Burning Off the Static…

Posted in Cycling, Running, Swimming, Training, Triathlon

IMWI 2026: The Long Crawl to the Base Phase
(Still pre-pre-base, but at least it’s feeling like forward motion.)

Solid week. Everything clicked pretty well — good runs, good swims, and even some decent time on the bike. Progress.

Swim 🏊

  • Workouts: 2
  • Total Distance: 4,300 yards
  • Total Time: 1 hour 29 minutes
  • Notes: The second swim (Sunday) went a bit longer. I had that jittery, undifferentiated anxiety – the kind where it feels like every atom in my body is vibrating too fast. Swimming helps calm that. It’s one of the big reasons I exercise and why I feel better during marathon or Ironman training. I need that release.

Bike 🚴

  • Workouts: 2
  • Total Distance: 24.82 miles (15.82 outside)
  • Total Time: 1 hour 31 minutes
  • Notes: One Peloton ride (30 minutes) and one e-bike ride along the lakefront (1:01). The outdoor ride reminded me why I love this sport. The Peloton reminded me that convenience counts too.

Run 🏃

  • Workouts: 2
  • Total Distance: 10.16 miles
  • Total Time: 1 hour 41 minutes
  • Notes: Both runs felt strong and smooth – no significant soreness, which is a nice change.

Relative Effort 📈

  • Total Weekly Effort: 534 (up from 494 last week, and above my typical weekly range)
  • Notes: Despite the higher effort, I’m not feeling beat up. I’ll call that a win.

Reflections ✍️

It was a good week. Balanced, productive, and even therapeutic. I don’t feel achy, just calm — the kind of calm that comes from moving enough to quiet the static. This is the version of training I like: not obsessive, not burnt out, just steady work and a clearer mind at the end of it.

Goals for Next Week 🎯

  • Keep the swim consistency going.
  • Continue building the bike volume.
  • Hold steady on running — solid, not strained.
  • Stay in motion, stay sane.
  • Strong week before I have to adjust things for Thanksgiving vacation.

Nov 10 2025 2025-11-10 2026-01-04 by Ross

This Week in Training – Week 7: Finally on the Bike….

Posted in Cycling, Running, Swimming, Training

IMWI 2026: The Long Crawl to the Base Phase
(Pre-base continues, now with added toe pain and Peloton pride.)

Finally got on a bike! Only took seven weeks and a bruised ego. I would’ve liked to get in a second swim, but I was out of town for the weekend. The good news: everything I did manage felt solid — even with a toe that’s still swollen and sore. It’s not broken, but it’s definitely not happy. Naturally, that didn’t stop me from running on it, because I’m stupid.

Swim 🏊

  • Workouts: 1
  • Total Distance: 2,050 yards
  • Total Time: 41 minutes
  • Notes: Quick session before heading out of town. Felt smooth, strong, and over too soon. I really wish I’d gotten in a second one.

Bike 🚴

  • Workouts: 2
  • Total Distance: 20.5 miles
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Notes: Two rides this week — one 30-minute and one 40-minute. Both on the Peloton, but I’ll take it. Felt surprisingly good to spin the legs again after a long layoff.

Run 🏃

  • Workouts: 2
  • Total Distance: 10.3 miles
  • Total Time: 1 hour 38 minutes
  • Notes: Both runs felt great. Toe hurt, but not enough to stop me (poor decision-making in action). Paces were steady, energy high.

Strength/Other 💪

  • Workouts: Minimal
  • Notes: Not much beyond push-ups and sit-ups, still trying to be careful with the wrist.

Reflections ✍️

All in all, a good week. Getting back on the bike felt like a win, even if it was the Peloton version of cycling. I would’ve liked another swim, but travel got in the way. I’ll probably start doubling up on some days to ensure I cover everything as training ramps up.

With the weather turning in Chicago, running outside is about to get interesting. I’ve got the day off for Veterans’ Day, so hopefully I can get out there in the cold — maybe even swim later if I’m feeling ambitious.

Goals for Next Week 🎯

  • Try to get two swims again.
  • Keep building bike consistency.
  • Keep running if the weather cooperates.
  • Don’t break the toe (again).