Monday 3/22 - Rest
Much needed.
Tuesday 3/23 - Swim 50/4x50/50, Run 9/4/1 20 mins
Swim was, well, it was. In the furtherance of a theme, seeing gains in running and biking, less so in swimming. I'm having a hard time imagining myself swimming the whole distance freestyle without rests. Plugging along though.
Feel good on the run.
Wednesday 3/24 - Bike 30 mins
Low motivation day. Really don't feel like doing anything. Workout time speaks for itself. Also, as I don't have pedals yet, I put on Jennifer's old cages. I haven't ridden clips in 14 years. HOW DO PEOPLE USE THESE THINGS?
Thursday 3/25 - Swim 50/8x25/50, Walk 30 mins
Blast myself swimming tonight. Think I swam an extra 200. Interesting note: I suck with a kickboard.
Walking doesn't seem like enough so I throw in a few short running intervals.
Friday 3/26 - Rest
Saturday 3/27 - Run 9/3/1 40 mins
Longest run yet. Beginning was challenging, then hit my groove in the middle. Last two intervals were tough.
Sunday 3/28 - Bike 10/40/10
Good ride despite annoying child (not mine) in the basement asking me how I'm pretending to do in the race and that I'm too loud. Inform said child that I don't care what she thinks.
Gonna get my ass kicked next week.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
triathlon training log week 3 - 3/15 - 3/21
Monday 3/15 - Rest
Pulled the trigger on the Trek. Psyched but also feeling a little guilty.
Tuesday 3/16 - Swim 50/2x50/50, Run 9/3/1, 20 mins
Guide I've been using strongly suggested that I not miss a workout for the first two weeks just to get it to be a habit. Seemed daunting at the time. Realized this morning that I've done exactly that with little effort. Am actually looking forward to tonight's workout. WHAT HAVE I BECOME?!?
Finally happened - no open lanes for swimming tonight. Well, technically there were lanes with only two swimmers but I really don't feel like I'm competent enough to do the whole circular thing. I really don't need to get in anybody's way - much less get lapped within 25m. Sat for a bit waiting for a lane to open up and then decided to go running. Three minute intervals weren't nearly as bad as I thought they would be. May actually be...not enjoying running so much as tolerating it to a greater degree. Swimming was also marginally better than last week and I put in an extra 100. May have pulled my ass slightly. Will advise.
Wednesday 3/17 - Ride 10/40/10
Tasted rueben throughout . Solid effort - especially with Patapsco set for Saturday. Also found the new hotness is scheduled to arrive on Friday. No pedals or shoes but it should at least be nice to look at.
Also, ass seems fine. Thank you for your concern.
Thursday 3/18 - Swim 50/8x25/50, Walk 30 mins
Pretty good swim actually - coming closer to linking laps but still awfully tiring. I'm seeing steady improvement in my running but swimming seems to be coming along much more slowly. Not demoralizing but not exactly encouraging either. On the other hand still more than 2 weeks of swimming days to go.
Walking didn't seem like enough so I did some 1/1 and 2/1 to keep things more active.
Friday 3/19 - Rest
The new hotness arrives. Very exciting.
Saturday 3/20 - Race Day
No, not that one thank god. Though I was about as well-prepared. Got my ass kicked at the Sugar Hill XC race.
Sunday 3/21 - Run 9/3/1, 30 mins
Really don't feel like running today in general, much less as today's scheduled run obviously does not take yesterday's hammering into account. Struggling with the additional 10 minutes - plus the fact that I decided to run uphill for most of my time. Second half did go better than expected though.
On a related note (i.e., triathlon), went to The Bike Lane with Jennifer to get her clipless pedals and the cutest shoes you've ever seen.
Pulled the trigger on the Trek. Psyched but also feeling a little guilty.
Tuesday 3/16 - Swim 50/2x50/50, Run 9/3/1, 20 mins
Guide I've been using strongly suggested that I not miss a workout for the first two weeks just to get it to be a habit. Seemed daunting at the time. Realized this morning that I've done exactly that with little effort. Am actually looking forward to tonight's workout. WHAT HAVE I BECOME?!?
Finally happened - no open lanes for swimming tonight. Well, technically there were lanes with only two swimmers but I really don't feel like I'm competent enough to do the whole circular thing. I really don't need to get in anybody's way - much less get lapped within 25m. Sat for a bit waiting for a lane to open up and then decided to go running. Three minute intervals weren't nearly as bad as I thought they would be. May actually be...not enjoying running so much as tolerating it to a greater degree. Swimming was also marginally better than last week and I put in an extra 100. May have pulled my ass slightly. Will advise.
Wednesday 3/17 - Ride 10/40/10
Tasted rueben throughout . Solid effort - especially with Patapsco set for Saturday. Also found the new hotness is scheduled to arrive on Friday. No pedals or shoes but it should at least be nice to look at.
Also, ass seems fine. Thank you for your concern.
Thursday 3/18 - Swim 50/8x25/50, Walk 30 mins
Pretty good swim actually - coming closer to linking laps but still awfully tiring. I'm seeing steady improvement in my running but swimming seems to be coming along much more slowly. Not demoralizing but not exactly encouraging either. On the other hand still more than 2 weeks of swimming days to go.
Walking didn't seem like enough so I did some 1/1 and 2/1 to keep things more active.
Friday 3/19 - Rest
The new hotness arrives. Very exciting.
The Flobots may not need handlebars but I still need pedals
Saturday 3/20 - Race Day
No, not that one thank god. Though I was about as well-prepared. Got my ass kicked at the Sugar Hill XC race.
Sunday 3/21 - Run 9/3/1, 30 mins
Really don't feel like running today in general, much less as today's scheduled run obviously does not take yesterday's hammering into account. Struggling with the additional 10 minutes - plus the fact that I decided to run uphill for most of my time. Second half did go better than expected though.
On a related note (i.e., triathlon), went to The Bike Lane with Jennifer to get her clipless pedals and the cutest shoes you've ever seen.
this was not my best effort
Oh, I was so very wrong.
I got up painfully early for the hour drive to Patapsco, picked up my race packet and commenced warming up - spun on the trainer for a bit, a run up the road so I could see where the prologue ended and the off-road began, and then some laps around the parking lot.
The call finally went out for beginners to line up and I found myself somewhere near the end of the pack which I was OK with - my strategy for this race, especially with a course I'd never been on, was to just put out a consistent effort and pick riders off as they blew up.
I didn't sprint as we started and made our way along the prologue and then onto the doubletrack - just steady pedaling and passing as I came up on each wheel. And then we turned a corner and I looked up. Yes, up. Ahead was a looong wet climb with riders struggling, and in some cases, already dismounting and pushing. I jammed down to the granny and things just came apart.
My front derailleur was just not cooperating. I couldn't get it to shift down. Thinking back, I should have just thrown it on the ring and called it good, but I was just so pissed at the time as riders pushed and rode past me that I couldn't think straight. I finally got it to shift, got back on my bike and started off again. And then the rear derailleur started acting up. This had been a minor nuisance of late but with the increased load of racing/torque it became really problematic and a major annoyance for the rest of the race. I finally gave up and started pushing like everyone else - pissed that I'd gone from middle of the pack to very close to DFL.
I dishonor myself
Regardless I kept pushing and eventually got to the top and mounted back up and tried to make up some time. There's not much to say about the first third or so of the race except that it was, thankfully, relatively mellow and allowed me to get some gas back. I must have passed a couple of people here but don't remember anything in particular - just a lot of pedaling and more "hike-a-bike" than I was used to.
Possibly still pissed but probably just tired
I'd heard that the course was "wet/muddy in the usual spots" which, having never ridden there before, obviously meant nothing to me. But around the halfway point I saw exactly what was meant. Ahead was a full bog - not a puddle with some mud nor even a small mud hole. This was big "lose your shoe walking through it" type mud. I set my line to hit it as straight on as possible with no turns. Unfortunately, the rider in front of me turned in the middle and washed out which pushed me to the outside line where I had to turn so I wouldn't hit a tree. Things were going well and then... I was completely down on my right side in several inches of mud. Cursing, I got up as fast as I could looking much like a black-and-white cookie. I spent the next few minutes trying to throw mud off my right side.
This does not at all do justice to what a mess I was
The second half of the course would have been a lot of fun if I wasn't heaving and trying to make up time. A lot of semi-technical riding, stream crossings and of course, more hike-a-bike moments. I had heard that there wasn't much flat in Patapsco, you were either going up or down. Seemed like more up than down. I passed a few more riders here and was passed by one.
I finally heard some cheering and cowbells which signaled the finish line as blessedly near. I made a big left turn and hopped over a rock to some pity cheers and down the monster hill that started the race with water and mud flying up into my face. Back down the road and though the finish line.
| Place | Bib # | Name | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 17 | Brian Connors | 54:39 |
All things considered, better than I thought, but nowhere near where I wanted to be. I could blame things on my bike/losing focus when things went awry, but a lot/most of those hills just kicked my ass. The trainer certainly helped but I guess there really is no substitute for getting out there. Patapsco was a blast to ride though and got me energized to get back outside. Looking forward to racing again - albeit with some more fitness.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
triathlon training log week 2 - 3/8 - 3/14
Monday 3/8 - Rest
Should be nothing to write here except for losing an auction on ebay for a gently used but well-upgraded Trek 1.5. Am pissy for most of the afternoon.
Tuesday 3/9 - Swim 50/2x50/50, Run 9/2/1, 15 mins
Slightly demoralizing swim. For reasons I cannot even begin to guess at, I expected my second swim to go better than the first. Very tiring and I don't feel like I'm kicking enough so much as dragging my body through the water with my arms. My climbing self says this is not good. Perhaps my climbing self doesn't know shit about swimming. Probably need to find a swim coach if only for a few pointers.
Run goes really well though. Second 2 mins sort of tough though.
Wednesday 3/10 - Bike 10/40/10
Felt really good on this ride. Holding higher gears during my intervals at a higher cadence.
Thursday 3/11 - Swim 50/4x25/50
May have had a breakthrough. Actually enjoyed swimming today. Focused on "sweeping" with my arms and did an extra 100. Still having issues with how much/when to kick and breathing. Still don't seem to have the gas to link laps though.
Friday 3/12 - Rest
Saturday 3/13 - Bike 10/40/10
Due to crappy time management skill this afternoon, I didn't get on the bike until 8PM. Really put down the hammer though. Solid cadence again at high gears. Am really looking forward to getting outside though.
On a related note, currently being tortured by a brand new 2009 Trek 2.3 on ebay. Currently going for $1260 (including shipping) for a bike that typically retails for $1700. May be too good a deal to pass up.
Sunday 3/14 - Run 9/2/1, 20 mins
Surprisingly, don't feel like total ass. Running seems to be coming around. Even put in an extra minute.
Should be nothing to write here except for losing an auction on ebay for a gently used but well-upgraded Trek 1.5. Am pissy for most of the afternoon.
Tuesday 3/9 - Swim 50/2x50/50, Run 9/2/1, 15 mins
Slightly demoralizing swim. For reasons I cannot even begin to guess at, I expected my second swim to go better than the first. Very tiring and I don't feel like I'm kicking enough so much as dragging my body through the water with my arms. My climbing self says this is not good. Perhaps my climbing self doesn't know shit about swimming. Probably need to find a swim coach if only for a few pointers.
Run goes really well though. Second 2 mins sort of tough though.
Wednesday 3/10 - Bike 10/40/10
Felt really good on this ride. Holding higher gears during my intervals at a higher cadence.
Thursday 3/11 - Swim 50/4x25/50
May have had a breakthrough. Actually enjoyed swimming today. Focused on "sweeping" with my arms and did an extra 100. Still having issues with how much/when to kick and breathing. Still don't seem to have the gas to link laps though.
Friday 3/12 - Rest
Saturday 3/13 - Bike 10/40/10
Due to crappy time management skill this afternoon, I didn't get on the bike until 8PM. Really put down the hammer though. Solid cadence again at high gears. Am really looking forward to getting outside though.
On a related note, currently being tortured by a brand new 2009 Trek 2.3 on ebay. Currently going for $1260 (including shipping) for a bike that typically retails for $1700. May be too good a deal to pass up.
Sunday 3/14 - Run 9/2/1, 20 mins
Surprisingly, don't feel like total ass. Running seems to be coming around. Even put in an extra minute.
Friday, March 12, 2010
triathlon training log week 1 - 3/1 - 3/7
In deference to the the lazy load that I am, I waited until the last possible day to start training for the sprint triathlon on 5/18. I found an 11-week training guide on http://www.trinewbies.com/ which meant I would need to start training the first week in March. The fact that I found the guide in early January should provide some clue as to my motivation to start training. Surely wouldn't want to get started early or anything (with the obvious biking exception).
Regardless, I thought it would be interesting to chart my progress though this endeavour. And so we begin.
Monday 3/1 - Rest Day
Well that wasn't so hard now was it?
Tuesday 3/2 - Run 9/1/1, 15 mins
Light snow and rain. A great way to start off. Got out though. Felt OK at best. Fortunately the format allowed me to be successful without being too much/too little. Sore though.
Wednesday 3/3 - Bike 10/40/10
Program called for a short ride, I did my usual workout. Felt OK.
Thursday 3/4 - Swim 50/4x25/50
Having never swum/swam/swimmed for any purpose other than not drowning, today's workout sparked some anxiety. I can bike at home, lots of people run to varying degrees of speed/fitness, but the thought of going to a pool and sharing a lane with someone that was surely more competent than me was anxiety-inducing. The plus side was that because I expected nothing from myself the workout could only be a success. Which is to say that it wasn't as bad as I thought. One dumb moment - assumed that because the pool was olympic-sized it would be setup in it's 50m format vs. 25m across. The funny thing is that I know from climbing what 50m looks like. Fortunately I did more than the program required and probably ended up doing the proper length.
Friday 3/5 - Rest
Saturday 3/6 - Run 9/1/1, 15 mins
The first nice day in what seems like forever. Feel OK.
Sunday 3/7 - Bike 10/40/10
Standard workout. Felt good.
Regardless, I thought it would be interesting to chart my progress though this endeavour. And so we begin.
Monday 3/1 - Rest Day
Well that wasn't so hard now was it?
Tuesday 3/2 - Run 9/1/1, 15 mins
Light snow and rain. A great way to start off. Got out though. Felt OK at best. Fortunately the format allowed me to be successful without being too much/too little. Sore though.
Wednesday 3/3 - Bike 10/40/10
Program called for a short ride, I did my usual workout. Felt OK.
Thursday 3/4 - Swim 50/4x25/50
Having never swum/swam/swimmed for any purpose other than not drowning, today's workout sparked some anxiety. I can bike at home, lots of people run to varying degrees of speed/fitness, but the thought of going to a pool and sharing a lane with someone that was surely more competent than me was anxiety-inducing. The plus side was that because I expected nothing from myself the workout could only be a success. Which is to say that it wasn't as bad as I thought. One dumb moment - assumed that because the pool was olympic-sized it would be setup in it's 50m format vs. 25m across. The funny thing is that I know from climbing what 50m looks like. Fortunately I did more than the program required and probably ended up doing the proper length.
Friday 3/5 - Rest
Saturday 3/6 - Run 9/1/1, 15 mins
The first nice day in what seems like forever. Feel OK.
Sunday 3/7 - Bike 10/40/10
Standard workout. Felt good.
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