minor strides

Something major happened in the pool last week. I found that drive, that release of adrenaline that is so familiar to me on the bike and run. It allowed me to sustain my pace during interval training and more importantly, allowed me to enjoy the workout. For the first time in a long time I left the pool feeling good and accomplished, not just drained and floopy like my dog. My stroke is starting to come together a little too. Another big milestone: 500 yard interval at the end of practice in 10 minutes--not too shabby!

I've started putting some "miles" on the bike via my indoor mag trainer. Its funny how fast the time flies when watching SNL! My endurance on the bike and run are starting to improve too. And I did 10 min of running without my orthotics. My hope is to be in Newtons by mid Jan.

So far things are going along as planned. When I think too hard about racing for 140.6 miles I get a little freaked out. But when I believe in me, my training, and my coach; and just breath, I know I will be ready come July 30th.

Taken from Adam Hochberg obit on Elizabeth Edwards:

"Resilience is accepting your new reality, even if it's less good than the one you had before," she said. "You can fight it, you can do nothing but scream about what you've lost, or you can accept that and try to put together something that's good."

In Resilience, Elizabeth Edwards contemplated her own death, writing that it didn't seem as frightening to her since she lost her oldest son. Reflecting on how she wants to remembered, she repeated one of her favorite metaphors. She wrote that at times, the wind didn't blow her way, but she said she was still able to stand in the storm, adjust her sails and move forward."

swim stroke

Last night I attended my fourth Masters swim class. Things went markedly better than the last week day practice. I have accepted the fact that my swim is my weak point and that I have to work hard at improving. No more trying to push myself in the pool. I need someone there watching and motivating me. The class involves lots of breast/backstroke as well as fly. At the end of practice I specifically asked the coach for help. She basically told me that my stroke sucked and has no power. ugh. She did note that we'd be doing some drills to improve technique and power.

I've come to realize that I am not good at pushing myself to go fast in the water. I get tired, I slow down. Unlike on the bike/run I find an extra umph 99% of the time. I think this maybe the key to my loving it and improving.

We swam close to 1.2 yards in an hour. I am pleased with my endurance so early in my "season". Not great speed, but I was able to do the distance. By Vineman I will easily swim 2.4 miles!
huzzah.

140.6 here I come!

I have officially entered my first full triathlon. As soon as I hit the submit button my stomach flipped a little! I am both excited and terrified. I truly believe that I can do this! July 30, 2011 I will compete in Full Vineman in beautiful CA. The course looks fun and challenging.

I started my base training Nov2nd. So far things are going well. Run and swim speed are pretty consistent from the end of '10 season. I have joined a Masters swim team to enhance my swimming. I am hoping that the terror will make me swim faster and make me a stornger swimmer. I have been working on expanding my swim strokes! At this point I've done one full lap of butterfly!

current time goal: 1:20 swim, 6.5 hour ride, 4:30 marathon---crazy??? Maybe.

Until next time.

Three plus days til Mooseman

I've logged miles on land and in water. I've put time on the hills both on cycle and run. I've improved my swim stroke, a little. Bike tuned, wetsuit bought, outfit planned, shoes polished, new handle bar tape applied. Yes folks I am ready. My muscles feel strong and my body beginning to feel rested. I am ready.
I am ready for a cool 1.2 mile open water swim. I am ready for a cool beginning of a ride. I am ready for Devil's Hill (twice). I am ready to do two loops of a challenging course. I am ready to run 13.1 miles after cycling 56 and swimming 1.2. I am ready Mooseman. I am ready for 70.3.

I will spend the new few days resting and visualizing cruising up and down hills, gliding through the water, and easing over the finish line. I am excited and nervous. I am ready.

Boston Run To Remember

Yeah! I finished the Half Marathon in 1:52:24! This is a personal record for me by 3min! I am so excited and proud of myself. My training has paid off it seems. ;) I felt strong through-out. I had some discomfort in my shins at the very end, by easily able to run through. I felt like I could have easily done it after a tough ride.

Yesterday I rode 24 miles, swam 1/2 mile at Walden, then 24 home. I was very tired from the week, but pushed through. We rode pretty slow, but I felt strong in swim.

I really do think I am ready for Mooseman Half Iron. wow can't believe I am saying this. I am scared but excited and feeling prepared. I actually feel the most prepared that I have ever felt for a big race!

psych!

a new phase

Today I rode 40 miles followed by a .73 mile swim approx 2 hours later. I felt strong on the bike ride. It was a fairly flat ride with rolling hills. It rode most of the 40 miles sitting down trying to build strength in hamstring, relying less on quads. At the end of my ride I felt like I could go further.

Did swim drills with Cindy. Speed drills were tough. By the end my body was done.

I feel like I would be able to complete all legs on their own and confident I could do two. All three....not sure at this point. I need to start doing more brick sessions, increasing endurance.

Tomorrow am biking to track practice, doing track, then riding to Alewife and home.

After the last few days I am feeling better about my progress. The next phase is increasing endurance and speed. My current goal is 35 min swim, sub 4 cycle, and sub 2 run= Total sub 7 race.

first endurance test

Yesterday I did a slowish 8 mile run. All body parts felt good, great even! Today I rode 20 hilly miles. I CLEARLY need to work on my hills, but I felt pretty good. I most def did not eat enough food before going out. This week I am bumping up my mileage: 30 mile ride Tuesday and a 35 miler on Saturday. I will do 1.2 in the water and a 8 mile run.

Running: feeling good with runs. Getting faster. Feeling stronger on hills.
Swim: feel great, time improving, feeling stronger and less fatigued with each mile repetition.
Bike: can easily do 20 miles, but need to bump up miles AND work on hills.

Goals for next 2 weeks: HILLS and distance.