September's Gone

Here's how it went down: The ironman was on Sept 7 and nothing else mattered.

Swim: 5000 m, 2 swims (1 practice, 1 2.4 mile race)
Bike: 132 miles, 2 rides (1 practice, 112 mile race)
Run: 63.2 miles, 8 runs (inc Ironman marathon)
Strength: 4 times
Yoga: 11 times

This is the only month where I don't mind turning in less than 100 miles. I'm still sitting on 946 miles on the year so I feel good about hitting my 1200 mile goal for the year. Rev3 Cedar Point was what it was, I took what the day gave me and tried to embrace the recovery period. I don't do well with free time or rest days, much preferring to stay active all the time. But I know trying to do to much too soon after a full iron will only land me back in the doctors office with some weird injury. I really miss swimming the most, I should be able to get back in the pool later this week, next week at the latest. Recovery efforts have been focused on finally getting in some strength training! I found a great routine that I really like. It's called a Drop 10 set:

• 100 crunches
• 90 scissor kicks
• 80 lunges
• 70 squats
• 60 lying leg rotations
• 50 second plank
• 40 seated trunk rotations
• 30 squats
• 20 alternating side crunches
• 10 pushups (but I end up doing 20)

pretty solid core & full body circuit, and it takes about 20 minutes to complete. I'm trying to do it 3 times a week. I am really loving being able to get into a regular Ashtanga yoga practice again too! It keeps me centered and calm. I'm looking forward to expanding my yoga practice again through the winter and doing some good promotions for it (wink, wink).

So September was a real roller coaster (pun intended - Cedar Point) of a month. Lots of ups and downs.  October is always my favorite month of the year, and this one is going to be a doozie.  I finally get Virginia knocked off of the 50 state list with a trail 50k, and that will complete my Canada to [Gulf of] Mexico connection (Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida) - how wild is that? Plus the leaves are starting to change color here, football is in full swing, and the air has a familiar cool breeze that puts a smile - and hopefully soon, a beard - on my face.