Weekend before Race

Friday was an off day and much needed rest. Saturday, I went over a mile for the first time in the water. 1800 yds. Averaged about 2:25 per hundred so that isn't too bad. I went home after the swim and ate some lunch before embarking on a 4 mile run. Eating something kind of heavy was not a good idea and I was pretty spent from the swim. I finished the 4 miles but it was very difficult. Times were about what I have been doing at 11 minutes a mile but I was very tired and my body tried to make me stop. Between swimming and running it took about an hour and a half. I am hoping that will be the total time for the Mean Green on Sunday morning. This should be a taper week so I will scale down training a bit this week. Did a 20 mile bike ride on Sunday. Wind seemed to be in my face in either direction. Had to change a flat before we started and lost a chain in about the 5th mile. Discovered using the big gear improves my speed alot on the downhills and with the wind. For the race, I plan on using the big gear exclusively. Today should be an off day. Patty went with Meghan to San Antonio over the weekend so she may want to do something today. Will have to wait and see. I am 6 days away so ready or not, the race is coming.

Long Run

T minus 11 days and counting for the Mean Green Triathalon.  I'm starting to get a little worried that I won't be able to finish the run.  I mean running the whole way.  I am confident the finish line will be in sight at some point.  Next week is more of a taper week so I decided to push the limits on the run yesterday.  We finished a four mile loop and I decided to tack on an extra mile.  It took everything I had but I did finish the five miles and maintained pace.  Not fast pace but I did maintain.  My wind and stamina were good but my legs were letting me down a little.  I know each element on its own can be finished without a problem but having never put it together there are little doubts that creep into your mind.  Work has been a mess for the past month so it has been a struggle to get the training in but I have managed to keep going and stay on track.

Sunday Ride

Made it out for our bike ride at about 2:30pm this afternoon. Weatherman promised 5-10 mph winds but it seemed worse on the way back. Tried eating a GU pack before we left. The triberry tasted pretty good and I think it helped with my energy. I think we will have to get some more. Tomorrow is a day off and we need to get our bikes inspected tomorrow.  By the way, my weight dipped below 190 today.  First time in quite a while.  I'm now down about 10 lbs since the January 31 start date.

Saturday Brick

Took Friday off. Saturday included a brick of swim and run. We swam first. I decided to do 400 yards as if it was race day. I use the clock next to the pool and believe I did the 400 in about 8:30 minutes which is around a 2:10 pace per 100. I usually do the training swims at about 2:30. I took a brief rest and finished out 800 yards putting me at 1200 for the day. Another distance record for my training. Swimming is pretty comfortable for me right now. Running was next after we drove home from the aquatic center. We ran a loop that goes about 3.3 miles. I hate running and last night was no exception. The first mile is the toughest and then things settle in and I am fine. Ever since my trachiotomy a few years ago my lungs have never quite been the same and running is where it shows up most. After a period of time, everything seems to open up and I get into a groove. Biking today. Cold front passed through last night and the winds are supposed to be 5-10mph. A nice break for March. Every ride for the past few weeks has been 20+ in the wind department. We will try to go to the home depot and back which is about 15.5 miles round trip.

First Entry

I have been at the triathalon training now for about 5 weeks.  Work has been extremely demanding so getting the workouts in has been hard.  The weather in Dallas is very windy in the spring and bike riding is made more difficult.  I managed to get almost 11 miles in yesterday before it became dark.  The time change in about a week will help alot.  Swimming has been the easiest to see improvement in.  This week I busted the half mile mark.  Running is the worst.  First, I hate to run.  Boring.  Second, my knees give me fits with my arthritis.  First race is the Mean Green on March 20.  We also signed up for the Caveman in Flower Mound on April 20.  I am looking forward to it.