2-11-08 Monday

Wow! Um, revelation day!

The Tri is June 7th - I've started marking days on my calendar, and my goal clock is ticking (need to update the java counter on this blog). I've been looking at some training programs and most of them target 12 to 16 weeks of dedicated training, so I'm just base building for the time being until I can settle on a plan, and begin it at the correct time.

Today, I pushed myself a little with some unexpected results. I was supposed to swim tonight. I've got new goggle to test, and I'd done some research on doing flip turns at the end of the lap (gonna have to learn that since the tri-swim is at a lap pool). I decided that I would back down on the laps today since I was going to practice flips and I knew it would be more demanding on my breathing/cardio and mental focus - - I was right.

I decided on 20 laps with flip turns all the way through, then I'd get on a stationary bike and pedal for 6 miles. I REALLY need to work on the flip-turns. Most of them were almost comical. Swim, swim, swim, gulp air, nosedive/flip, kick for wall , flail for a sec until I get my stroke back....repeat. I did the 20 laps, and only came close to drowning once or twice (guess I'll need to get some nose plugs after all - I also may go for some ear plugs, unrelated to flip turns). The flip turns really took it out of me, but I did it. I hopped out of the pool and changed clothes and got on the bike, set it for level 8 of 20, and set it for a varied workout. After about 3 or 4 miles, my legs were feeling it. I've not been on my bike since this summer - I'd (foolishly) assumed that the bike portion (even at 20K) would be the easy portion of the event. I made the 6 miles in just under 20 minutes ( so I can estimate race time at about 40 mins). After the ride, I did push ups and sit ups and pull ups. I was spent after the workout - - spent in a way I haven't felt since high school.


Here's the thing (and I know I'm still a long way off from the event, but...) - FEAR. I spent a long time sitting in the locker room trying to figure out what I was feeling (besides tired)...it was doubt and fear. I've decided I WILL do this race (not just WANT to, WILL do - - I read a great article on the difference this weekend). The struggle that happened today scared me - it was the first time I'd considered if I was in over my head. I decided that I'm not, I just need to dedicate my training. All the same, it was a sobering experience.

I am training for a triathlon. I will succeed, and I will be a triathlete when I finish. The Ride, the Stride, and the Tide.

//Wonder if I should commision a new tattoo to commemorate it?//

2-9-08 Saturday

Me and Steph ran @ Cooper Creek Park in Columbus today - fun run. I love the trails.

4.54 miles @ 43:12 - - avg speed was 6.3 mph.

Would enjoy running there again

2-8-08 Friday

Ran with Steph at the dam - 4.00 miles @ 39:52. 6.0 mph. That's a 9:58/mile pace. I feel like if we hold a 10 minute pace, or better, that we're doing pretty good. I need to sit down and do a distance sheet to start base building for my tri-training.

2-7-08 Thursday

Didn't get to swim tonight - work related.

2-5-08 Tuesday

Long swim - 50 laps with no breaks. I did have to tread water a few times to adjust my goggles and dump water from them. Also the water was much cooler at the Sportsplex than usual. They didn't have the air temp so high either - probably related, but it made the first 5 or 6 laps pretty brisk. I also did push ups, dips and sit ups afterwards.

2-4-08 Monday

Ran with Steph today. It was too pretty of a day to let it go to waste. I was supposed to swim, but decided to run w/ Steph on the Rails2Trails route. We did 4 miles. First 2 we did in a little over 20 minutes. I set the Virtual Training Partner on my GPS for the run back - I set if for 10 minute miles, and told Steph we'd have to maintain 6 mph to get the time. She must have been feeling pretty good, because I kept having to slow her down - I kept seeing 7-7.3 mph on the GPS. We finished the 2 miles with 2:38 left on the clock - It was a great run.

We even ran into a workmate of mine on the trail. I've since found out he's a pretty regular runner, too.

I'll swim on Tues.

2-2-08

4 miles @ 41:50
ran with Steph in downtown West Point. Ran in my new Asics Kayano's. I like them better than the Saucony's. I think I'll keep these.

My knee bothered me a little around mile 3, but it eased up later in the run, and I iced it after the run. Still taking the Etolodac.