We’ve completed two weeks of our 20-week training plan, and due to the wiggle room I worked into our schedule, we are now just shy of 20 weeks until Ironman Arizona (IMAZ). It’s already hot here in Maryland. So, that is going to make things interesting also.

Speaking of the heat, we did a 56-mile ride on Saturday in 93-degree heat, and it felt so much harder than the 104-mile ride we did a couple of weeks ago. My stomach was complaining, my feet were complaining, and by mile 52, I just couldn’t wait for it to be over. Needless to say, we didn’t run afterward. I see this as a significant moment. I need to figure out how to deal with the heat. Luckily, IMAZ *shouldn’t* be that hot. I think it’s supposed to be around the low-80s that time of year. Plus, it won’t be humid like it is here. But I still need to be able to get through a summer of training before then. If I can’t do my long brick workouts because it’s too hot and humid, I’m going to be suffering on race day — even in the best conditions.

One of the most important things I can do is increase my water intake. I already drink a lot of water, but it almost seems like you can’t drink too much. (Side note: actually, you *can* drink too much if you flush out all the good electrolytes. So, I’m exaggerating a little here.) Nevertheless, as a kidney donor, I think it can only be a good thing to drink a lot of water. Your one kidney is working hard to flush out wastes, and if you don’t give it enough water to work with, that just makes it harder.

In fact, let’s take a look at what Wikipedia says about what the kidneys do: “They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and regulation of blood pressure (via maintaining salt and water balance). They serve the body as a natural filter of the blood, and remove wastes which are diverted to the urinary bladder. In producing urine, the kidneys excrete wastes such as urea and ammonium, and they are also responsible for the reabsorption of water, glucose, and amino acids. The kidneys also produce hormones including calcitriol, erythropoietin, and the enzyme renin.”

Hmmm, regulation of electrolytes, … reabsorption of water, glucose, and amino acids… I’m thinking I really need that kidney to do some serious work during an Ironman. (Part of me is currently screaming, “What was I thinking – signing up for an Ironman?!”)  So, anyway, I need to drink water. And lots of it!

Suddenly, I’m feeling rather parched. Excuse me while I go refill my water bottle…