SOMA Half Ironman Weekend

OK, so this stupid sciatic nerve issue really got the best of me this week. Tried to train through the pain while still trying to taper for the weekend.

Sunday - swim 2600 yards. tried to keep it slow and easy (I know you're all thinking....."Has he ever swam anything other than slow and easy?") Pain not so bad once it warmed up.
Monday - Spin class 1 hr in the morning, keeping heart rate right at 140-145. Then Yoga (naked yoga, baby!) that evening.
Tuesday - planned an easy 7 miler but the smoke and wind in the OC was nasty so kept it to 45 min on the treadmill. Ipod helps but I didn't want to continue getting used to it since the race doesn't allow the ipod during the race. Swim that night (with the hottie JC). Again slow and easy. Lot's of stretched out strokes.
Wednesday - swim that night.
Thursday - took the day off. The sciatic nerve was really acting up! Lot's of advil and ice but it still hurts like a dickens.
Friday - tried to do a mini tri (500 yards at the gym pool/45 min spin/15 min run). The swim really started to hurt with any type of kick with the left foot, tried different body positioning to alleviate the pain to no avail (oh, no! what's gonna happen this weekend). Spin went well. Kept the heart rate at 135-140. then the run......if you can all it that. I got on the treadmill got the speed up to 6 mph and nothing! The leg was dead! Pain, pain, pain! so I stopped! feeling dejected and mad!
Saturday - nothing but package pickup. Buddy had to get new goggles, so we went to the pool where we staying to try them out. Got in and swam a few laps.
Sunday - race day! Decided that morining to go in a complete as much as I could. Make decisions at each transition.

Swim - 0719 start. Water was nice 70 degrees. Smooth, clearly marked course. Gun goes off and the mayhem starts. Let most of my wave go out and I start. Right away I feel the sharp distinctive shot of nerve pain down the leg. Start figuring out what position/stroke will get me through. All the while while I'm breathing I see the shore.....should i just call it a day and climb out....I can't get into a smooth stroke....I think I'm going to die in Tempe Lake....and this nimrod swimming next to me, just won't let me move to the shore....damn him! Keep swimming until I leave him or he leaves me, then I can get to shore and climb out. Buoy #1. Hey, that wasn't so bad, I guess I have to swim....45 min later I'm out. Pulled out by a massive bear of a man! "HELLO, DADDY! My name is Daisy, what's yours?" Wetsuit strippers are next....find the cutest one, have to wait just a few seconds....rip, there is goes.....call me later, please! Run through transition....nice grass, that feels good on the feet. Leg not hurting so bad....maybe I can run today?!

Transition - find my spot...Thank God for the big rainbow flag! Damn it, not my bike, don't know why I was drawn to that spot. Put on my jersey (not a fan of swimming with it) race belt with number, socks (wait dry your feet dummy!), shoes, glasses. Take a powerbar to eat while I run. Helmet, you nimrod....now go!
Click, click, click on the cement. Mount, go! Not bad.

Bike - 3 loops let's see how this goes. No wind to speak of, I'm feeling good. Steady climb but I see the other riders on the return coming down, look forward to that. Starts getting warm on the first lap at about mile 10. Rio Salado, head wind out, but can hit up to 30 miles coming back. Little short hills on the other side of the lake, actually nice to get out of the saddle. Heart rate good, but little spikes at the hills. The course is narrow and slow with all the turns. Keep it around 13-16 through the traffic. Loop 2, the first wave of pros are now zipping by....my god, how can they go that fast! my lower back is hurting, my sciatic is annoying on the downstroke, CRAP! Just get through this. Stretch the back, get off at the next aid station to walk it off and relax the back. Good call, get back on with new legs and back. Loop 3, feeling good, running under 3:30 for the bike, which is good considering how I'm feeling. Mile 50, just get your lower back through this....oh, my we have to get some miles in to just train the body to get through this race! Final push, see some friends cheering as I come into the transition at about 3:30 according to my watch.....let's see how the leg feels as I run. Oh, no, it's hot! without the wind in your face from the bike you really feel the heat. Run, not feeling good.

Transition - get the helmet off, shoes off, slip on the running shoes, swig of water, wrap my fuel belt, hat on, start to run (moment of truth), Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! can I work it out through the transition...Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! No, this isn't going to work today....crap, I'm done!

Still feel good, got out in the water, on the bike course and know what I have to do between now and April. Feel good about swim workouts, just need more time on the bike.....run (probably my strongest leg) will be OK once this damn sciatic calms down. Looking into accupuncture as an option. But yoga (naked yoga, baby!) should help get my spin more flexible (and maybe a date ;)!)