2nd Base 3 block begins, back on track - good workouts on wknd & finger much improved

This training block will be more challenging with a hilly midweek bike workout and hills added to long run Saturdays now. I'm psyched for this intensity shift and my test results indicate I'm ready which is a bonus!

In fact, my FTP (functional threshold power) on the bike has improved so much that the change in my training power zones alone will make me work harder but still only within a range I should be for me. This is exciting as there is still time for more improvement and I'm not far off the mark of where I had hoped I'd be come race day. You never know, I may have underestimated my potential having never trained consistantly with a power meter before. 

The other improvements are my running and swimming pace - both have still lots of room for improvement but I'm on track. The final area that will have me work harder now is my heart rate and this makes me very satisfied with myself as it shows that my fitness has improved quite a bit. I expected to see an improvement for power and pacing but not as much for my lactate threshold heart rate zones - both on the bike and my running stats have increased proportionately. It's possible that in one earlier test, I didn't push myself harder but not all the tests. Training Peaks notifies me when I've reached a new threshold and pace for running and it matches my own data so I'm very pleased.

I still feel I need to shed some more pounds and I know I will through the training plan itself. I also know my body and lack of discipline in this one area so I need to pay more attention to portion sizes and avoid late night eating both of which are my downfall. The quality of food isn't an issue as I eat fresh fruits and veggies and lean protein mostly. It really is the starchy carbs that pack on the poundage for me anyway - whole grains have a place in my diet but I tend to go overboard with the portions. So I'll be cutting back on bread, brown rice, pasta, sweet & regular potatoes (the latter we rarely have) and my beloved oatmeal (as the days get warmer, I hope my craving for it will subside).

Swim workouts this week will continue to be modified until Friday to ensure my finger is fully healed. On with the latex glove on my right hand and 1500-2000m kick sets (ouch!) which give quite a workout and I do need to work on my kick as most swimmers do but especially open water swimmers. Efficiency is very important - don't want to tire legs that need to propel me 180k on the bike and 42.2k on the run.

 I've worked out a neat routine of freestyle kick with hands high on the flutter board and kick at varying speeds based on where the flags are placed with my head in the water as streamlined as possible, paying attention to my breathing.  Every other set I do 25m kick on each side with face in water and again pay attention to my breathe. 
Warmup - 500m easy kick
500m freestyle kick (25m build, 25m easy, 25m fast, 25m easy - face in water)
500m freestyle on side (25m on one side, 25m on other side - face in water, normal breathing)
Cool down - 500m easy kick

Then I hit the weight room for 30 minutes of upperbody dryland swim strengthening
Triceps & Biceps
Shoulder & Bench press
Straight arm push-downs
Lat pull-downs

My finger is definitely better but where I have feeling, it gets sore doing things like typing and using the mouse on the computer. There are parts of the finger that I cannot feel. It is numb. Normal colour but doesn't feel like it's my finger. Hopefully this is only temporary. Could it be nerve damage? Dunno. Not gonna dwell on it. Still doing warm soaks as yesterday there was discharge. I'll wear a bandaid and latex gloves today at work for some protection, as per doctors orders.