Hello Bloggers! Sorry, I’ve been away from you, life got in the way. Training has been going very well and I’ve even done a race so let’s get you all updated!
I am now into a new block of training that applies more intensity to my workouts in preparation for my short triathlons I have planned for Spring and early Summer. Let’s break the progress down to the disciplines:
Swim
Very pleased with my progress here. I am now swimming 1200 yards (just under ¾ of a mile) non-stop. I’m taking it at as easy pace: approximately 2:00 per 100 yards. My mindset for the ‘long swims’ is to treat it like a ‘long run’, nice and easy and save the speed work for the speed work days. Swimming now two times a week, 1 workout for speed, 1 for distance.
Bike
Honestly: so so progress here. The weather has not been great the last couple times I’ve needed to go riding and I’ve caved to the bad weather. It’s just not worth the risk of falling off the bike and getting hurt. I am seeing incremental gains though.
Run
Most improved here! Yesterday I ran my first 5k for the season and knocked almost 2.5 minutes of my PR – YAY! I just missed hitting my goal of breaking 30 minutes on my 5k, by 8 seconds, so I know the next 5k I’m there.
I’m also doing much more running off the bike. In reviewing my training from last season, I don’t feel I did enough distance off the bike. I’m trying to train to get up to the 10k (6.2 miles) I need for the Olympic triathlon distance. The longest I’ve gone is 4.5 miles (but only once). My longest run to date is just under 9 miles: 7 miles feels really good on my legs now.
Diet
Let’s just skip this and report next time shall we? Seriously, I need to work on this. I watched an interview with Lance Armstrong the other day after he crushed his first half ironman and he said that he needed to lose more weight to be more effective on his run – SERIOUSLY? LANCE…YOU HAVE LIKE 3% BODY FAT.
Now I feel obese. Seriously, I've read 3 books now and they all say, "leaner is faster" - I really need to make a conscious effort here - just 10 pounds...that's all...
Spending
Happy to report willpower is very strong! I am buying only true necessities; supplements, gels, running shoes (when needed and no I haven’t bought the pretty shoe…yet). I have passed up on several impulse purchases – not easy.
Looking ahead:
- We are 5 weeks until the “BEAT AKSOY” race. I hear he’s kicking my ass on the bike, but hasn’t done a whole lot of swimming and running. Hmm…
- I have a 2nd sprint triathlon in my sights and will tell you about in about a month.
- I know I had a goal of doing an Olympic distance by May, but I think I may need to push that off for a bit. I don’t think I’m ready. I have found one in late June that is my new target for Olympic.
- Half Ironman! I am going to pull the trigger and register for a half ironman for late October! Details coming soon!
