Thursday, February 22, 2007

Progress

I've had a very decent week of training - my first week of triathlon training for the season. I've been in the pool twice this week - and again tomorrow - and while I'm slow as hell my technique hasn't gone out the window too terribly, so I'm happy about that. Tuesday I was out for an inaugural ride on Fyr - about 17 miles with that typical nasty Minnesota headwind, only this time it was coming from the south, when it usually comes from the north. Anyway, I cannot tell you how great it felt to be back on a bike. Any bike. The bike especially does something for my soul. I love being out there, and am glad that the weather's been decent enough this week where I was able to enjoy the ride (in fact, yesterday after my swim I ran in shorts! Crazy!). I'm due for 2 hours on the bike on Sunday, but we're apparently destined for some kind of impressive storm, so we'll see. I think it would be pleasing to ride around in a storm. That would be dope.

Then today, I had a 12 mile run - moving my long runs now from the weekend to mid-week. Recap - just 11 days ago I had an 11 miler that was UG. LY. I finished with a 10:02 pace, but I had to work really, really hard for it, and walked twice - as a matter of survival, not of strategy. Today's 12 Miler? Awesome. I felt great all day, and finished with a sub-10:00 pace, at 9:53. I walked once to eat - strategy - and had no drama. And I stayed consistent all day, hovering right around a 10:00 pace, which is right where I wanted to be. Felt good to feel good. For the first time all season I felt like an athlete, and not some out-of-shape hack. Add to it that my nutrition is locking in, and just like that I'm feeling like I want to be feeling. Not that I don't have a long way to go, I'm just saying that at this early point in the season, life is good.

I'll keep you posted on the weekend - it's not supposed to be too cold, but windy, maybe rainy, and then probably snowy. Which might be a hella good time. Or, maybe not. We shall see.

6 comments:

Steve Stenzel said...

Don't worry about being "slow as hell" in the pool. It'll come back, you know it will.

And, if it makes you feel better, there's NO way your slower than me! Good luck X!

Pharmie said...

Glad to hear your first week went well. Can't wait to toe the line with you in June. BTW - your new bike totally rocks, and it'll keep blue happier if he doesn't have to ride through all of the spring crap in a month or two.

Triteacher said...

I so want Fyr on ice pics after this weekend!! Glad to hear you're leaving the hack behind you; quite inspiring after my so-so run yesterday.

Robin said...

Sounds like a great week, and I agree with you about being on the bike, it's a beautiful thing. Glad you're getting to enjoy Fyr outdoors!

RunBubbaRun said...

Glad you were able to test out the new ride.

It always feels good to get out there again, after the initial growing pains, you will get back your TRI groove going again.

Return of the "X" factor.

xt4 said...

Oooh, Bubba - return of the x factor - I'm totally using that one!