From here to triathlon...

Ok, it's 11 days to race day. Here's my training plan for the next 10 days and my race goals. I figured I write them for all of you to see, so I can be held accountable.

Thurs (7/17) Race practice run: Swim 1/2 mile at pool, drive home (5 min), bike 11 miles, run 3 miles (last run before race)
Fri. Rest day (Need to make a birthday cake.)
Sat. Bike ride
Sun Early morning open water swim at Walden Pond with training comrades
Mon Swim at pool with Sara
Tues Rest day
Wed Swim at pool with Sara
Thurs Bike ride
Fri Bike ride
Sat Rest day and race check-in day
Sun RACE DAY!!

Race goals:
Swim - Under 30 minutes
Bike - 1 hour
Run - Hard to predict, without the preceding swim & bike, I think I can do 35 min or less. I definitely don't want it to take longer than 45 min, no matter how badly I'm hurting. Maybe I'll update my goal after my practice run tomorrow.
Transitions - I'll keep these as short as possible -- no dilly-dallying perhaps 5-6 min. on the 1st and 2-3 on the second.

Overall time: I'd love to beat 2:10.

Sporadic training

I've been having a hard time keeping up with the training on a frequent enough basis. I did those 2 runs in a row, then a week later, I did an 11 mile bike ride (in 55min - ugh!), and then today I ran 4 miles. I really had to push to get in all 4 miles and it took me 50 minutes, but I did it. I wanted to prove to myself that I could keep running even when I'm really tired. (It was hot, too.) I did more walking than I would have liked, but I did run (at my slow and steady pace) for most of it. Sometime in the next week I want to do a swim/bike/run combo and use the parking lot at the gym(pool) as my transition area. I've got a route planned from there with an 11 mile bike and 3 mile run. Wish me luck. (The race is in 2 weeks.)

Quick update

So camping and hiking on a long road trip resulted in weight gain (only 2 lbs). I'm not entirely surprised, but disappointed. We had lots of long driving days and veggies were hard to find. We ate lots of hamburgers, chicken strips, and french fries. The hikes weren't very long, but both M and I were hauling over 20 lbs between kid, water, and other supplies.

I'm trying to eat better (I've been craving vegetables), and started swimming at lunch again. If I can get to bed at a reasonable hour (ha ha ha), I hope to walk the puppy in the morning again.

It's been awhile

It's been awhile since I actually posted more than a comment. Mostly this has been because there hasn't been much to tell. I haven't really gained weight but I definitely haven't lost any either. I am getting a bit more sleep mostly because Jo usually sleeps through the night these days. My house is moderately clean as always (though we have weeded out a whole bunch of toys) and I am slightly less stressed than normal (partly due to not taking classes this summer even though I haven't really done as much work on the paper I am supposed to be doing). I have been unpacking more things so hopefully I can get most of it done so that I am not torn between unpacking, normal household things, and working on coursework during the school year.
Anyway, we did make the move today to go and join the student rec center. During the school year I will automatically have a membership but Jim is also pushing for him to join so I will have a workout buddy. Hopefully we can work out babysitting and then get on a schedule.

Two in a row!

I was sore today from running yesterday. It didn't even occur to me to work out. (duh!) But Steve offered to put the kids to bed so I could go running and work through the soreness. A storm had just passed through and the weather was perfect for a run. You just don't turn down an offer like that! I went 2 miles in just under 23 min. I'm happy with that.

Positive day

I went running this morning. The sad part is that I haven't actually gone running outside in a long time (I can't remember how long -- perhaps not since the road race.) However, the other sporadic exercise I've been doing seems to be having some effect because I really actually ran most of it! I went a mile before I slowed to a walk. (Usually I just go down the block before I want to slow to a walk.) The iPod shuffle was a major contributor to being able to continue running. I really like it. And I went 3 miles in 36 min. Not too bad. If I can do that in the Tri (after swimming and running) I'll be more than pleased.
Then I spent the afternoon on landscaping -- lots of physical work. I'm exhausted.

Not so inspiring

Ok, i can't resist. Maybe inspiring in a different way.


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