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