I am as bad as I originally thought I would be at blogging. It has been over a month. So, the cliff notes version of my training will be as follows:
Swimming: I am progressing right along to where I think I should be. My biggest problem is failing to go to the Monday class. I need an accountability partner! Monday's are the days we work on technique, and I still need all the help I can get! Typically, Monday's have been the scheduled rest day in my program and I find it very difficult to get up and go at 6 am! I am going to change my rest day in the upcoming weeks. Maybe that will aid in me getting up and going...
Cycling: I guess I am coming along. As I knew it would be, this is still my greatest struggle. I fight with all I have to hang on to the wheel. Yet, still loose it. Jason tries to remind me that I am new to the sport and this is my first real season on a bike. Go figure, I would pick this year to do an Ironman. I have been taught to spin a high cadence, but every time i do, i drop the wheel. Aghh!!! I am working on it though. I have had a bike fit thanks to Ronnie, and I feel so much more comfortable on my bike! If you haven't had one of these and plan on spending a significant amount of time in the saddle, I would strongly recommend getting one. This weekend, I am riding a 50 mile benefit ride. I am hoping that I will average 15 mph for the whole ride. To those of you that are experienced, that seems like nothing. But for me, it will be a huge gain to hold my Ironman pace for a long ride. Here is to hoping!
Running: Wow, this part of my life has changed drastically. I went from running 50-60 mile weeks to 25-30 mile weeks. And, my times have dropped dramatically. I now average about a 9 min long run. Don't get me wrong, I know that is respectable, but i am used to running for speed. In the past, a long run would have been 830-845. So, I am trying to get used to my new pace and enjoy the run. I am now only running about four days a week. Program calls for 2 one hour runs, a 30 min run, a 15 min run, and a 1 1/2 hour run. Typically, I count Tuesday Foot Rx speed work as one of my one hour runs. The other is dedicated to the Thursday night Foot Rx group run. The shorter two runs are followed after cycling, concluding with the longer run on the weekend. Although, as Debi would say "My body is tired and my legs are toast, I am going to go out and give this run my most!" I can say I am doing that. Running less has increased my love for the sport all the more! Now, I cant wait to hit the pavement. :)
I have also completed my first sprint TRI of the season coming out with a second age group placement! I was very pleased to place, but disappointed in my performance. The swim I completed in 8:51 (51 seconds slower than I would have liked), with a swim-bike transition of 4 min. That is terrible!! i should have been out of transition in approx 1:30!! The bike I averaged about 16 (and for the most part, I was pleased). The run on the other hand...ugh. I did it in 2530. I felt like my legs were cement! But, it was an awesome experience and I cant wait to do it again!
Until the next post- "Race confident, calm, and free."~Adam Goucher, as said to Kara Goucher as she prepared to run Boston 2011!
