Keeping Me Honest

I guess I need to get back to posting. If anything, it will keep me honest. I have still been training just not as much as I'd really like. I've cut back on the running and replaced it with biking and swimming. I'm going to try my first Triathlon on July 5th. It is a .7 mile swim, 19 mile bike, and 4.5 mile run. My training is going to look something like this:

M- Swim (lunch) & bike (30-60 minutes hard/easy)(AM or PM)
T- Run (Tempo, intervals, or Fartlek)
W- Ride (30-60 minutes) followed by a short run (2-5 miles) (brick workout)
Th- Swim & Strength
F- Rest
Sa- Long bike (90-120 minutes) or run (10-14 miles)

I am currently doing all three but my training doesn't officially start until I return from vacation on May 11.

Last night I rode 25 miles. My legs felt tired. It must have been the 50 miles on the bike on Saturday.

Much needed rest

I have been on a running break for about a week. After my crash at last week-ends Lincoln Memorial, I decided it was time to take a little break. I am feeling better but I still don't have any desire to go running. But I am going to start easy tomorrow (Monday). Instead of running, I have been riding my new bike, trying to get used to it. I purchased a Specialized Allez Elite. It is AWESOME. I rode about 13 miles on Wednesday and decided to ride a little longer on Saturday. I finished with about 22 miles. I did hit the weights last week a bit.

I have been swimming at the pool also. It is an excellent cross training exercise. I finished the beginner triathlon swimming class and on Tuesday, I start the intermediate class. The class is pretty fun and the instructor definately knows what she is doing and talking about.

Hopefully, I can find my passion for running again. I had trained hard for 1.5 years without any rest and my body finally shut down. I'm sure it will let me know when it's ok to start up again.

Almost Race Day

In 4 days, I will be running my 2nd half marathon. It would have been 3rd, but the race in St. Charles, MO last year was cut short by 3.1 miles. I don't quite know what to expect. I've been telling everyone I'd like to shoot for a 1:38 but would be happy with anything better than 1:45. Scott's advice is take what the day give you. Pretty sound advice if you ask me.

So... what have I been doing. Well, last Thursday (March 26) I went and ran @ Lincoln Park and included 5 miles of hills in the cemetary. I paid for those hills at swimming class afterwards. I aveaged a 7:45 pace for the entire run. There are some wicked hills. Thank God I don't live in a naturally hilly area. I totalled 7 miles.

Friday was an off day. I was preparing mentally for the new bike purchase I was about to make on Saturday. I knew what I had to spend and I needed to make sure I stayed to that. I ended up with a Specialized Allez Compact Elite. It is a sweet bike and just what I wanted. I could have gotten more of a bike but I also needed all the accessories. Those things add up. I was stoked after the purchase. I hopped on the treadmill and ended with 3 at nice and easy pace.

My long run was supposed to be Sunday, but due to 6 inches of snow, Scott and I postponed until Monday morning. The snow was gone by Monday and it made for a great morning. We covered 7 miles at an average pace of 8:08. A little fast but it felt REALLY good. I followed that up with 4 easy miles on Tuesday and plan on running 3 easy miles tonight. I'm trying to make sure I feel 100% for the race on Saturday.