I am midway through week 1 of the 2-week “competitive” stage in my training plan. My recovery week last week was awesome, and I have felt great this week. Yesterday was a rest day, and I got a massage…and as expected my body needed it more than ever! There’s been a lot going on in addition to all of my training and work-related schtuff, therefore the additional stress seemed to have turned my traps into huge knots. Everything around both shoulder blades was super-tight and sore. My entire back, for that matter, was tight and sore! Just a small price to pay for the amazing experience i’m having…I am happy to say that i’m still enjoying the process of working towards my first race! I am making progress and not overdoing it, and am excited about the fact that I continue to step outside my comfort zone each and every day!
Here’s a recap of my training from the past week!
Sunday August 16, 2009 = Ride. Change of Scenery!
38.88 mi / 02:09 (18.1 mph pace)
Rode with DJ. First time to do Alligator Bayou! Beautiful morning! Alligator Bayou was really cool – tree-lined/covered and lots of twists and turns. Strong headwind on River Road on way back! Legs were pooped and I started to croak with 8 miles or so to go, but hung in there and drafted off DJ! I got the easy job! Great ride!
Today was supposed to be another rest day, but what the heck. 🙂 I have a 35 mi ride coming up on Wednesday, so in reality i’ve already gotten that workout done…I can do a shorter ride Wednesday. A little extra can’t hurt, and i’ve done a good job this past week with taking it easy (recovery week).
Monday August 17, 2009 = Run. Took Advantage of Early Morning Gap in Schedule!
5.41 mi / 00:54 (9.56 mph pace)
Training plan called for swim today, but I realized that my week’s schedule won’t allow for many early morning outdoor workouts, therefore I took advantage of the time after I was done with client at 6:15! Also, since I rode yesterday, it made sense to run today and do swim workout Wednesday (instead of ride, since yesterday’s ride could replace Wednesday’s…but we’ll see, lol). I am supposed to run on Thursday but there’s no way i’ll be able to before 9:00am, and by that time, it’s too dang hot!
I felt great! Paced myself and didn’t feel winded or like my heart was gonna explode. Wanted to run 6.5 miles but stopped b/c medial ankle pain (both ankles). I’m thinking this probably had something to do with my 40 mile ride yesterday.
Tuesday August 18, 2009 = Swim. Nonstop Swim & Open Water Drills!
2000 yd / 00:53
Warm-Up 200 yds – 5 min
Nonstop Swim = 1600 yds in 39:12 = 43:07 min/mi pace
(alternated 100 yds with buoy and 100 yds without)
Open Water Drill I:
Closed Eyes 25 yds – 6-8 strokes before I go off course, therefore I need to sight every 6-8 strokes!
Open Water Drill II:
Heads Up 4 x 25 (rest 20);
Sightining 4 x 25 (rest 20)
I felt great! I didn’t rush thru the workout but I didn’t lollygag, either. I focused on stretching out and pulling down thru the water. Also, I really felt like things were in synch…kicking/strokes…yay! Also, I wore my new Aqua Sphere Kaiman Lady goggles, and they rock! They form a much better seal against my face than my TYR goggles!
Wednesday August 19, 2009 = REST DAY! MASSAGE!
Thursday August 20, 2009 = Ride. Rain and Sweat…and a Rainbow!
19.82 mi / 1:04 (18.6 mph pace)
Great ride! Went after training my early morning outdoor fitness group, and it had started drizzling right when we finished at 6:45. I rode hard and fast and it started raining when I had like 5 miles to go…it was awesome! Rain and sweat…and an amazing rainbow! I would have stopped to take a picture of it, but I was doin 21 mph and feelin’ like a badass! 😀
I wish everyone could train for a tri. This has to be the best experience ever! I definitely needed this. I can’t think of anything better for myself at this point in my life. Work is going well and things rock in general, and my being able to push myself, improve, and grow is priceless! My overall outlook on everything has been made even brighter. I am even more positive and feel that this newfound passion, this entire experience has definitely spilled over into my other passion…training clients. I am finding myself wanting to push my clients harder (in a good way, of course) and I feel that I am setting a positive example for them. 🙂
Each and every workout reminds me of just how amazing a machine the human body is…and i’m so very grateful to be able to utilize my body! I am in love with the feeling of honest-to-goodness hard work! The payoff is progress! My endurance has improved, i’ve grown stronger, and my average heart rate during workouts has improved! I am able to do all of this because I have respect for my body, for myself, and for my life. It would be a terrible waste for me to not take advantage of my perfectly-functioning frame, flexible schedule, and desire to improve. I have no excuses. Even if I had nagging injuries, i’d still do this because I simply don’t wish to look back and regret not having given triathlons a try. I’m doing it! My body is thankful.
Some people aren’t as fortunate. Some people CAN’T do all these amazing things. Some people have limitations that prevent them from utilizing their bodies in the way i’m so very fortunate to be able to.
To those who are feeling unhappy with the fact that they WANT to get into shape, yet don’t know what to do, I say this:
GET OUT THERE AND DO IT! Find something that makes you “tick!” Take advantage of the fact that you were blessed with the most amazing gift – the ability to MOVE. Stop sitting on your as* and do something! There are NO excuses and life doesn’t stop for anyone. Make the most of NOW and JUST DO IT!
In addition to my new goggles, I got a pair of Zoot Ultra Race shoes, a pair of Rudy Project Sportsmask Performance sunglasses, and a Profile Design Aqua Drink setup. I love my shoes and sunglasses but think i’ll be sending the Aqua Drink back…it doesn’t seem to work just as I wish it would, therefore I haven’t mounted it/tried it out yet. Also, i’ve read some mixed reviews. I will be looking into other systems that mount on your aero bars. I did get a mounting bracket and quick-release strap for my Garmin Forerunner, so it may be best just to mount one or the other…I won’t be able to mount both. I have discovered that other people have figuered out “alternative” ways of mounting their Garmin in addition to an aero bottle setup, so we’ll see.
Two and a half weeks and counting!
"Outside the Box" Tri Training 