Great Day!

The stars aligned correctly as far as my training went today. I just wanted to comment briefly so I can get some sleep and start over in the morning. I started the day with my quality run and it was a great workout that felt really strong.

I made it to the pool and had a great 2500 meter set. What was so great? I did a new drill that the Master's coach suggested which was a one arm freestyle. I did 500 meters of this and switched arms every 25 meters. It took a little getting used to but the consistency of the kick really helped my balance and seemed to strengthen my core.

After my workout I was hungry and swung by this little hole in the wall I have been wanting to try and it was incredible. The place is called Lamb's Bread Vegan Cafe. I had a lunch special which was "mock chicken" (soy product in wonderful spices) with a side of baby limas and squash and onions that was to die for. I will definately be going there again.

I am facing my quality bike workout in the morning so I need to get some rest. Push on!

Festival of Flowers Up Next

I had a great ride on Sunday. I started out about 5 am and rode 20 miles to Saluda and back to the lake. I had a strong head wind going and decent hills the entire ride. I think it was a pretty good work out. I managed almost 20 mph and about 130 bpm heart rate. I also have a new metric to report in my cadence on the bike which averaged 67.

When I got back I cut the back yard and then went for a quick 400 meter open water swim in my tri-suit just to get the feel since I am pretty sure the race will not be wetsuit legal. It felt pretty good.

This morning I hopped on the trainer and rode about 23.5 miles at about 127 bpm heart rate which was a little low and this happens to me sometimes early in the morning. I was supposed to swim 2000 meters today but with a hectic work schedule and not wanting to swim in the lake alone this morning I let it go. That was easier said than done but I am sure the rest won't hurt and missing 2000 meters this close to the race won't hurt my performance.

I am looking forward to my quality run tomorrow and I am trying to stay focused. Festival of Flowers is on Sunday and I am excited about it. A little nervous, but excited. I have been feeling a little flat lately but I don't really know what I am basing that on. I don't think I have lost any fitness so I am just going to keep it up. I hope to make it to the pool tomorrow for a 2500 meter work out in during lunch. I will update when I can. Push on!

Saturday Run

I had a pretty good run today. About six and a half miles at a 145 bpm average heart rate. This was a push run so every ten minutes I did a 30 second plank, 15 push ups, and 10 squats. All in all I felt pretty strong.

I am going to try to swim in the open water today at the lake if time permits. I will be going to watch my oldest niece graduate high school today. It seems like yesterday I was graduating high school when she was born. Best of Luck Britney!

I will go on a long ride early tomorrow. I will try to find a hilly ride out near the lake so I can get ready for Chattanooga. Next Sunday is my second International distance at the Festival of Flowers. It will be interesting to see how I do since I will be training through and not tapering for this race.

Push on!

I am pushing through my workouts. I went to the pool this morning and really wasn't feeling it. I got there late so I shortened my workout by 500 meters. It was a quality workout and I did some pretty hard 100's and overall I felt good I just feel flat.

I am going to hopefully have a great run tomorrow for about an hour and maybe I will make into the lake over the weekend. I feel really good and my weight is staying down. I think I just need to watch my fuel and keep my veggie intake up. I am not getting discouraged I have just been working hard. Until next time.....

Quality Update

I am struggling this week. I mentioned that I was disciplined enough to stay away from the bar-b-que on Memorial Day. I did however eat a half a burger the next and it really had me hurting.

I missed my bike ride on Tuesday but I did make it to the pool during lunch. I think I will be able to let the bike go. This week I start my quality workouts for each discipline on different days. Today was the run and I did a mile and a half warm up, five minute stretch and then 3 three sets of 880's at about 160 bpm, followed by a 440 easy and one minute walk.

I then made it to the pool and did only 1300 meters of my 2500 meter workout. The coach told me that I was still not getting everything out of my stroke that I once did and not following through. When I went back around lunch I concentrated on this and I think I have it back. I need to get back and have him watch me to make sure I am as efficient as I once was.

I am looking forward to my quatlity workout on the bike trainer in the morning. I was given a cadence sensor for my Garmin 405 today and I am going to try to put it on tonight so I can try it out.

I need to make it back to Earth Fare so I can get my green smoothie in. I miss those. I will update soon.