Ernesto's group (5th season) - OPEN (Page 12)

Back to basics!

It's been a frustrating year so far. After an injury free and steady improvement year one, I had high hopes for my 2nd yr as a triathlete. But injury (hip flexor due to a sudden movement when jogging, shoulder due to trip to Disney carrying my 4 and 2 yr old, and sickness(1st time in over 2 yrs that I get the flu) have create havoc! I have done 2 races so far, a sprint in April and an Oly in June. I was in no shape to do either, but decided to do them anyway (part overconfidence, part stupidity, part was already signed up, part no expectations). Needless to say, results were pitiful.

Worse part is that by trying to "catch" up in my fitness, I ramped up too fast from injury down time to full training week - not the best to rebuild my lost base. All this also created a lack of motivation and more missed workouts...

Good news: Healthy now. My A race is still more than 3 months away (September 29). I have a small sprint in July 4th that I want to do for fun (my tri club members will do the race wearing USA speedos...cannot say no to that one!); but will treat it as a long brick and also an opportunity to test my fitness vs. last year (this is the first race I will be repeating from last year.)

I began training this week as if it was my first week of training...short MAF runs, shorter rides and pool sessions, ramping up slowly (following 10% rule for runs).  And will decide if I do the sprint or Oly for my A race as we approach the date. If I decide for the sprint, then will move my A race to an Oly in November.

Just have to remind myself...slow and steady...slow and steady. Did a good job of that last year, not so much this year.

Try my Brooks Pure Cadence this morning for the first time. Felt great! Found myself mid-striking more easily (at least I think that I was mid-striking). Did 1 mile and wanted to do more but decided to listen to the advice of people in the know, so change shoes and did another 3 miles in my regular shoes.

After: No aches and pains (was specifically worried about calves); so cannot wait to try them again. Will do another 1 mile before moving up to 2.

Wasn't able to get on here all week, but looks like some great race reports.  Congrats to everyone.  

Did my first run TT on Wednesday this week and crashed and burned with about 8 minutes to go.  I guess I was overoptimistic on the pace I could go.

Did 56 on the bike yesterday averageing 20.6 so it felt real good, then I was supposed to do 13.1 on my run this morning, but was pretty tired from the bike yesterday and I called it a day at 9.36 and an average at 7:42.  But I was struggling the whole way.  Almost got attacked by a German Shepherd at the 4.5 mile point.  Good thing I've always owned German Shepherds and knew how to handle the situation.  It was interesting because it looked like a truck pulling a boat had broken down at the entrance to a housing subdivision and the dog was protecting the truck.  When I started yelling at the dog to back up and facing him with my hand out and slowly backing up, I expected someone to yell at the dog from near the truck, but no one was around.  So I continued to back up yelling at the dog with confidence until he went back to the truck.  Interesting situation, thank God no incedent.  

This week heading to the upper penisula of Michigan for my parents 50th wedding anniversary.  Weather looks good lows 50s highs in the 70's which is way better than this Texas weather.

Hope everyone has a good week.

Joe, I am heading to Williamsburg over the weekend too. My brother and sister live in Washington DC, and we decided to meet there to celebrate my parents 50th wedding anniversary. is there a HM or marathon going on this weekend?

LOL. We are staying in Kingsmill too. Maybe will buy you a beer after the race to celebrate. Much to my chagrin, my family will probably want to stay away from Williamsburg on Sunday, doing either water country or Busch Gardens that day. I am arriving Thursday night and leaving monday. I'll PM my cel phone, lets see if we can meet at least for a quick drink.