Training Update

Its been a few weeks since I last posted and the training has been going well.  Following my plan as best as I can but there have been a few interuptions but that happens and I'm not going to worry about it.  I did take a few days off last week because we went to the NCAA Division 1 Wrestling Tournament in Omaha.  It was a great time and too bad the Cyclones didn't have a better tournament but they finished strong and ended up with a 3rd place trophy.  Getting back on the training was tough after drinking 16 oz Budweisers for 3 days!!!  This week is a run focused training week for me so the bike segment is a little down as well as the swimming.  My swim yesterday was terrible and I just didn't feel comfortable in the water.  It was another speed work day and I have come to not like those as much...I am not a fast swimmer and I think trying to be really throws my stroke mechanics out of whack.  I did an interval based run yesterday for an hour and the speed work "was" a nice change of pace for me as I typically just run at a certain pace for a certain time.  During my 6 minute intervals, I managed to start at 8:30 and work my way down to 7:30 by the end.  Legs were tired from the swim that day but overall it was a good training day and ended on a positive note.  Speaking of positives, I finally had a swimming breakthrough today.  My plan called for 2x1200 but the pool doesn't open early enough to get that amount in, so I thought I would swim for a mile if possible.  Once I got in the pool, I was still a little panicky from the day before.  I finally settled into my stroke after about 200 meters and was smooth sailing after that.  Once I got to 2000, I wanted to go further but I was starting to get to the end of my time limit, so I had to get out and get showered and head to work.....breakthrough day for me in the pool today. 

Today's swim is giving me confidence that I can complete the swim in the Kansas HIM that is still 10 weeks away.....hopefully that carries over to the other areas as well. 

Good Week of Training!!!

Its been a great week of training this week.  After the long layoff of wrestling season, this has been a really great week of training.  Got in some good runs on the treadmill and a couple of good biking sessions.  The one thing that I am really happy about is my swimming.  I got in the pool twice this week and it was great to finally get my stroke back.  It means getting up at 4:30 am but that means I don't have to miss family time to get my swims in.  I think this is shaping up to be a great tri season this year and I am looking forward to more training and getting some quality races in this year. 

Early Morning Swim......ugggh!!!

Well I decided the only way for me to get my swimming back was, well.....to get back in the water.  Since we live in the middle of nowhere (swim wise) I decided to join the YMCA in Red Oak, about 25 miles from home.  My plan is to be at the Y at 5:00 am, get in the pool by 5:15, workout done by 6:00, shower and on the road to work by 6:15, this should put me at work around a little before 7.  Well day one was yesterday and my alarm went off at 4:15 am and my wife was a little than less than impressed.  I finally got up around 4:30 and on the road by 4:40.  I got to the Y and much to my suprise there were already half dozen cars in the parking lot.  Well all in all, there were about 12 people swimming laps at the same time.  It was very busy but it was nice to get the swim in.

Once I got back to work, I could barely keep my eyes open all day long.  It was a long day and hopefully that will get better once I get used to my swimming schedule.  To top it off, I got in an hour bike ride at night when the kids went to bed.  My legs felt great and it was the best I have felt on my bike in a while.  Once I finished I showered and was wide awake.  It was amazing that I couldn't keep my eyes open all day but after another workout, then I was good to go.

Starting to get used to my tri training again and am at the point that I am enjoying every minute of it.  Can't wait for race season to get here so when you can see how much you have improved.