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