Normally, I would have completed one race in the month of May but procrastination has bit me where the sun doesn't shine and Rob and I were boxed out of Terre Haute Triathlon - "Thunder in the Valley."
The Terre Haute Triathlon is a great first race. Since it is in middle of Indiana, the weather is normally warm - 80's. The swim portion is in a nice small lake that is normally and smooth. In the two years that I have competed, I used a wetsuit one time.
The first time I competed in this race, Rob told me that it was not hilly...not true. The bike portion is nice but hilly. I guess that statement is relative because Chicago is flat...really flat and any slight incline such as an overpass is labeled a "hill."
The run portion is within a running path and ends through the woods and up a hill.
All in all, it is a great first race to gauge your training. Normally, I conclude that I have not trained enough.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Back to Blogging
For those of who were following me, I apologize for taking some time off blogging. Unfortunately, other things have gotten in the way including training.
Despite my absence, I have been training. Since the season has begun, I will be more active in blogging about the races, equipment, nutrition and other aspects of training.
Despite my absence, I have been training. Since the season has begun, I will be more active in blogging about the races, equipment, nutrition and other aspects of training.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Thursday morning swim..little different
Thursday morning swim was a little light in both the participants and the swim set. Normally Alessio would coach but Greta, I think is her name was coaching us...I didn't know she was a coach but she basically called out the drills. I really don't remember the drills but I may post them later. The drills were fine but instead of calling out times, for example:
Also, Matt, our beloved All American Coach swam with us or at least swam and we tried to be like him.
- 8x50 in 50 seconds - complete the 50 yards in 50 seconds then start and if you do it in less time, you get more rest time
Also, Matt, our beloved All American Coach swam with us or at least swam and we tried to be like him.
Wednesday...run
Wednesday was the first time to run since the Geist Half Marathon...so I wanted to ease into it. I am not sore but my right knee is a little painful.
It was a beautiful day - 82 - so I wanted to take advantage of the weather.
I ran three miles...the pace was a little faster than normal...I was basing it on my HRM and my breathing...Sometimes the weather can throw that off. I noticed that heat and cold can throw the body off. I wasn't particularly sore during the run and it did feel good. 3 miles.
It was a beautiful day - 82 - so I wanted to take advantage of the weather.
I ran three miles...the pace was a little faster than normal...I was basing it on my HRM and my breathing...Sometimes the weather can throw that off. I noticed that heat and cold can throw the body off. I wasn't particularly sore during the run and it did feel good. 3 miles.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Tuesday Swim
I woke up at 4:30 to go swim on Monday but I was so sore and tired..I went back to bed. Luckily, there is swim on Tuesdays at noon. Matt was our coach and he is very good not only at swimming but coaching us on proper form. Here was our set:
- 200 warm up
- 200 S.K.I.P.S. (200 - Swim, 200 - Kick, 200 - IM, 200 - Pull Buoy, 200 - Swim)
- 100 easy
- 8x25
- 100 S.K.I.P.S.
- 200 cool down
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
The Geist Half Marathon...better than I expected
After getting off the bus that transported me from the packet pick up location to the race start, I was rather calm. Normally, I am really nervouse. Many people have their own pre-race rituals but most have the one thing in common....requisite pre race bathroom stop or 2 or 3. During a triathlon race, I normally visit Mr. Johnny on the Spot 2-3 times. Today...only twice.
My strategy was simple:
1. Finish
2. Finish
3. Do not stop
4. Maintain a steady pace.
5. Do not worry about other passing me.
6. Be positive.
7. Drink at my own pace.
I lined up in the 2:30 section of the line. This was my first half marathon so I realized that they have pace sections.
I stood at the national anthem with my hand on my heart and cheered as planes flew over during the end.
I heard the race being and I was off....
It was a little difficult to know my pace in the beginning but I tried base it on my heart rate monitor. I was averaging 155bpm which told me that I wasn't working too hard. After mile 1, I was maintaining the same bmp and clocked in a time of 11:30...that was a little fast for my training.
What surprised me were people who would pass me, then a few minutes later, I would see them walking, then they would run passed me, and the cycle was repeated for 13 miles. What don't they just try running a consistent pace?
The course was beautiful...we ran through the nicest neighborhoods of Indianapolis and through the Geist Resovoir.
There were some inclines but after hitting all the mile markers, my pace stayed between 11:30 and 11:46. I was pacing three females and an older gentleman who was speed walking. He was pretty fast for speed walking...maybe he was running then.
When Mile 7.5 came, so came the hills...nice long, rolling hills. My paced dropped to as low as 12:45. I was thinking about tweeting during the race, but I wanted to stay focused.
People tell me that in a half marathon, there are two parts to it: 1) the first 10 mile and 2) the last 3.1 miles. Same thing with a marathon. I kept telling myself that I didn't want to belive that....any sport is more mental than physical. The mind is definitely more powerful than the body.
At mile 10, I was fine...I felt really good. During the race, I only ate one GU gel....at about 1:00 into the race.
When mile 11 hit, I was getting tired...I was very tempted to stop and walk, but I knew if I stopped, I may not finish....so I kept going...mile 11 was the last hill also. I decided to just try to shuffle and maintain some sort of pace.
When I saw the bridge crossing the resovoir, I knew was almost at the end. I really wanted to stop but I kept going and knowing that it was almost over. There were a group that I was running with the last 6 miles and they were ahead of me so I decided that I wanted to pass them...it was my own little victory and that no one would pass me during the last quarter mile. While in the middle of the bridge, I sprinted, passed the group and kept going...around the corner and finally to the finish line....FINALLY!!!!
I finished my first half marathon of the season. My longest run before that was 8 miles so I was really happy. This race would be the benchmark for my runnning for the season. I believed that if I performed well, than I was on pace to finish Ironman Louisville...we will see.
After I stopped, I was hurting...really hurting...my knees and and thighs were in a lot of pain and stairs....forget it.....
My strategy was simple:
1. Finish
2. Finish
3. Do not stop
4. Maintain a steady pace.
5. Do not worry about other passing me.
6. Be positive.
7. Drink at my own pace.
I lined up in the 2:30 section of the line. This was my first half marathon so I realized that they have pace sections.
I stood at the national anthem with my hand on my heart and cheered as planes flew over during the end.
I heard the race being and I was off....
It was a little difficult to know my pace in the beginning but I tried base it on my heart rate monitor. I was averaging 155bpm which told me that I wasn't working too hard. After mile 1, I was maintaining the same bmp and clocked in a time of 11:30...that was a little fast for my training.
What surprised me were people who would pass me, then a few minutes later, I would see them walking, then they would run passed me, and the cycle was repeated for 13 miles. What don't they just try running a consistent pace?
The course was beautiful...we ran through the nicest neighborhoods of Indianapolis and through the Geist Resovoir.
There were some inclines but after hitting all the mile markers, my pace stayed between 11:30 and 11:46. I was pacing three females and an older gentleman who was speed walking. He was pretty fast for speed walking...maybe he was running then.
When Mile 7.5 came, so came the hills...nice long, rolling hills. My paced dropped to as low as 12:45. I was thinking about tweeting during the race, but I wanted to stay focused.
People tell me that in a half marathon, there are two parts to it: 1) the first 10 mile and 2) the last 3.1 miles. Same thing with a marathon. I kept telling myself that I didn't want to belive that....any sport is more mental than physical. The mind is definitely more powerful than the body.
At mile 10, I was fine...I felt really good. During the race, I only ate one GU gel....at about 1:00 into the race.
When mile 11 hit, I was getting tired...I was very tempted to stop and walk, but I knew if I stopped, I may not finish....so I kept going...mile 11 was the last hill also. I decided to just try to shuffle and maintain some sort of pace.
When I saw the bridge crossing the resovoir, I knew was almost at the end. I really wanted to stop but I kept going and knowing that it was almost over. There were a group that I was running with the last 6 miles and they were ahead of me so I decided that I wanted to pass them...it was my own little victory and that no one would pass me during the last quarter mile. While in the middle of the bridge, I sprinted, passed the group and kept going...around the corner and finally to the finish line....FINALLY!!!!
I finished my first half marathon of the season. My longest run before that was 8 miles so I was really happy. This race would be the benchmark for my runnning for the season. I believed that if I performed well, than I was on pace to finish Ironman Louisville...we will see.
After I stopped, I was hurting...really hurting...my knees and and thighs were in a lot of pain and stairs....forget it.....
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