300 yards baby!!!!

I swam for 300 yards straight today!!!

Oh. yeah.

I probably could have gone longer but I'm trying not to go far beyond what my training calls for. Swimming really is about less effort and more focus on form. I took it very slow and did very well. Of course, the key part of that last statement is SLOW. I'm still not swimming very fast. I'm averaging about 2 minutes per 100 yards. But, at least now I know I can complete the swim part of my first triathlon in August.

I'm not really concerned with the run or bike portion of the triathlon as I have mad running skillz and my biking is covering way more than is needed for the August Tri. So, my biggest concern thus far has been my swimming.

Although swimming is entirely different from running in that form is way more important, it is similar insofar as once you get in a rhythm, you can keep going and going. That's how I felt today. I felt like I could keep going and going.

Man, am I happy!!!!

Crazy Eights

Steph and I both finished 8th place in our age group in our 5K this weekend. Ha!!

My official time was 25:15 and I finished 50 out of 138 overall and 8 out of 22 for 30-39 year olds. Pretty good considering I was taking it easy.

Today, I decided not to run as my heel/achilles has been a little sore. Tomorrow is just swimming so I'll have another day to rest it. It's nothing big, but I've had the soreness for a while. I want to be in tip-top shape for our half-mary on the 7th.

On Saturday, Steph and I will do 10 miles.

Next week I head to FL for a meeting, but it shouldn't interfere with my training too much. The weekend after that, Steph and I head to the Outer Banks for vacation. Woooohoooo!!! We can't wait.

Woot!

Albert Gallatin Regatta 5K Race Report

Well, Steph and I chugged through a very hot, hilly 5K course. The race course is described as "Paved, scenic out and back, mostly flat with one short incline, along the Monongahela River"........uhmmmm......that's a bit misleading. The 5K course we ran was way far away from one short incline.

And it was hot....hot and wet.....(I'll spare you the Robin Williams line). But, nonetheless, it was the hottest day of the year so far. Also, the race was at 5pm. An odd time for me (but not Steph) to run. Anyway, we both were pleased with our performance. I took it easy and ran it in 25:13 (according to my watch). The official results aren't posted yet. I'll update this entry once the results are final.

Yesterday I did another brick (15 mile bike, 4 mile run) and today was a 13 mile bike and 700 yard swim. I started wearing a heart monitor to gage my training. I've not done anything specific yet, but I know to keep my heart rate between 130 and 148 for zone 2 training. So that was my goal today. I stayed pretty much above 140.

The swim is becoming easier and easier. I'll continue to follow my plan to get me to swim 1 mile in 6 weeks. Although I should fess up and tell you that last Friday was the first time I could do 100 yards straight, so I'm considering this week to be my first week of following this program.

Tomorrow is 5 mile run and 700 swim again.

Woot!

UPDATE: My official time was 25:15. I came in 8 out of 22 in my age group and 50 out of 138 overall.

In Memoriam

Steph and I extend our profound thanks to those who have laid down their lives in defense of America. We also offer our gratitude to the families of our honored dead.

All of our training, racing, and injuries are trifles in comparison.

Let's go Pens

So today is the first game of the Stanley Cup Finals. I'm a HUGE Penguins fan. And the 1st period just ended scoreless, but what a period. Whew!!

Here we go Penguins, here we go!!!

Steph and I ran 8 miles today and will do the Albert Gallatin 5K tomorrow at 5pm. I'll be taking an easy run tomorrow. Nothing huge. I don't want to have a repeat of my injury laden Ambulance Chase 5k earlier this year. It'll be an easy nice run. The weather should be great as well. They are calling for 75 degrees and sunny.

On Memorial Day, Steph and I plan to spend the afternoon at the movie theater watching Indian Jones as well as Iron Man. I'll get my run and bike ride in before we go.

Next week is pretty much a repeat of this week. Lots of biking, swimming, and running :)