Oh the weather

48 hours until the next race, and the forecast shows thunderstorms tomorrow and showers on sunday.  Oh joy, nothing better than being cold and wet coming out of the swim than being cold and wet the whole way through.  The temps look a little better in the low 70's so the run might be good in a little sprinkle.  However biking when it is wet is never fun.  Slower times, dangerous conditions, and just the all around discomfort of being wet on a bike for 25 ish miles.  Let the good times roll.  Taking today off to rest up for this weekend.  See if I can avoid all the temptations they will throw at me today.  I am sure there are plenty of luncheons and cakes to be disbursed all throughout the compound.  Hope all have a good Friday and I will be sure to let you know how the weekend goes.  Columbia, its time!!!

The race bug

It's back!!! Was watching a quick video of Columbia Tri from last year and got me ready to race again.  It's going to be an outstanding field with an enormous draw.  That will be a first for me as I haven't ran a race more than about 400 people yet.  It's an in water start for the swim so that will be new too.  Looking forward to it.  I have a couple of goals in mind for the event but keeping them under wraps for now to see how it goes.  This event draws a lot of big names so its all up in the air on where I will finish as of yet.  Just hoping for a better swim and run and I should be just fine. :-)

Little victories

Yesterday was a pretty good workout.  Avoided one of the almost daily cakes that flock to our command for one thing or another just in time to hit the sidewalk for a nice run.  I managed to set a new PR for a 4 mile loop I do around the National Institute of Health doing it in 27:02.
Knowing that my swim and my run are where I need to focus on lowering my times its was nice to see that.  It came from just knowing I can push myself harder.  I learned this at the race in Monticello.  I was tired and sore at the end....but I had more to use. 

Another Race Week

Focus for the week...remember that I am a newcomer to this sport.  Columbia Olympic draws approx 2500 people and knowing I am in the largest and most competitive age group means I have to remember I'm not going to place high every time.  I have a serious drive when it comes to this sport and it was getting the best of me.  I have to remember that this year is basically all practice.  What areas should I focus on more...how can I trim my transition times down...and most important, this is fun.  Going to focus on three good workouts this week, one in each discipline.  Take it easy on Thursday and Friday...maybe a light swim and jog each day just to focus on form and movement.  Go set up on Saturday and more important...HAVE FUN ON SUNDAY!!!

Weekend betwee.

With Monticello in the books and Columbia next weekend....it's nice to have a weekend off.  Did some food swim and run work this week and plan to hit it very hard up through Wednesday.  Thursday and Friday will be lighter days and rest on Saturday since I have to go check in and stage my bike that day anyway. 
Now time to focus on mothers day. :).

Back at it

1500 meter swim to Start off yesterday and a nice run at lunch.  Stayed on base and attacked the small hills we have there to practice momentum control. 
I have realized that I will have to use Columbia as a learning tool and not stress over my placing or time.  I am shooting for top ten and under 2:50 for this one.  I know its a tough course....makes me a little more giddy to get there and see how it goes. 

First Oly Report

MonticelloMan went as well as expected.  31 minute swim but everyone was slow due to cold water and poor buoy markings.  Both transitions stayed under 2 minutes so that is a plus since it was a HUGE transition area.  1:14 minute ride.  Was ok with that for the course.  Was very rolling so it was a lot of fun.  My run was pretty slow and will be hoping to improve on a 48:14 run in Columbia next weekend.  All in all for my first Olympic I took 5th out of 27 in my age group.  More importantly, we raised a good amount of cash for LLS and it was a really fun group of people.