Ironman volume - whew!!

The heavy training volume started last week, with 17.5 hours of training scheduled for last week, this week and the following week.  And the weekends are the hardest!  Well, let me tell you all about the FUN training day I had this past Saturday.  And note that I couldn't have made it thru the day without my wonderful husband, who is always there to rescue me. 
The day started with a 5AM wakeup in order to be at the lake by 6AM to swim with our friend, Tom.  We got there right at 6, and the lake was beautiful for our first swim in Lake Erie!  It was flat and not too cold, and we were able to swim for a little over an hour.  We got home by about 8 and I headed out for my 5 hour bike ride at about 9:30AM.  The temperature was already in the 80's at this time, with the sun beating down, so it was going to be a hot one!  As Mark was riding with some friends, I was on my own for this one, so I mapped out an 87 mile route and headed on my way (with handwritten instructions on which way to turn on each street).  I should have brought a map.  I got lost in LaGrange.  Lesson #1 of the day - always have a map if you're going far and don't know the area.  I figured it out after going in a circle, but then I got a flat on my rear tire.  I called Mark and he was home from his ride, but heading out on a run.  So I said - let me see if I can change it and I'll call you back.  It took me 15 minutes, but I was able to change it.  But then 5 miles down the rode, it blew again.  There was a worn spot on the tire, so either that was the culprit or I pinched the tube.  Lesson #2 - always check for a pinched tube.  I called Mark back and he drove 30 miles out to deliver a new tire for me - he also changed it, filled it up and brought me a redbull to get me thru the rest of the ride.  I still had at least an hour & a half left.  I gave Mark my backpack to take in the truck with him and headed back on my ride.  It was now close to 90 degrees and within about 10 miles, I ran out of water.  And I realized that when I gave Mark my backpack, my money was in there.  Lesson #3 - always keep money for emergencies!  Needless to say, I made it home.  About 4.5 hours of riding but almost 6.5 hours out on the road.  And I still needed to run.  I ran 20 minutes thru our neighborhood in the heat & sun, but I did it.  Very long day. 
Then on Sunday, Mark and I ran 17 miles in the metroparks in about 2.5 hours. 
I'm so glad I have a husband who is so understanding, supportive and a great training partner!  I couldn't have done it without him.  Any of this!  From getting thru the first cancer diagnosis to the ironman training.  He has been there every step of the way.