Challenges, Putting it all together

I have been working hard on my fitness to be able to accomplish my challenges. I have been putting all 3 components together doing the swim, bike, run using the YMCA pool and indoor bike followed by a outside run. I have gained a lot of confidence doing this as I realize I can make the distance and time required for the Olympic Distance Tri's. My swimming stroke is getting a lot better and I feel way more efficient in the water. I scored some new jammers and goggles this last week. I have come to accept the indoor training bikes are just not a ton of fun but required when its freezing outside. I tried one ride and parts of my body got colder than they are supposed to.

I am riding the bike a lot further and faster now and feel I kinda let the bike training get behind due to the weather.

My running is improving every week. I am running long distances at a heart rate of 140 and have completed 16 miles and will be pushing 18 miles this week. I am getting in some really good sprints and interval training. My shorter runs are now 6 miles. I really cant believe I've become a runner. I started helping coach soccer and find myself having to play some which is keeping me moving. I find my hot tub indispensable I sit in it sometimes twice a day.

Food is really tough for me and I have to really stay focused on what I eat. Eating for fuel instead of comfort is really different for me. I have cut back on some of my fat intake and am spending a few weeks at about 15% of my calories as fat calories. Which amounts to about 200. I realize if I'm going to push this body to accomplish my challenges I don't want to take extra weight along with me :) speaking of which I have now broke the 200 lb barrier and weight 199 lbs. for me this is bigger than running 16 miles. I have finally won the war against eating to much. I have tons of stamina work out 3 hrs a day most days and recover well. I am taking 2 rest days a week and only running long every other week.