Friday, July 16, 2010

First time training with a group

At the city pool where I usually do my workouts, one of the lifeguards made small talk about my wetsuit and told me he does triathlons too and that there's a triathlon group that trains there and suggested I join them.

Halfway through my workout, he called me and introduced me to the trainer and assigned me to a lane with the group. He made us do exercises that are unconventional for me and that I'm almost always out of breath! Afterwards, he offered to train me for a fee and gave me his business card. I took the card and told him I'll think about it (but in my mind, I already said "no way, man. I'm cheap!").

I did ask about my apprehensions in joining the longer race and contemplating on downgrading. He asked me where I was at in my training and said if I could work up to 50 mi. on the bike, I'll be ok. So at least I have some goal to reach for a solid decision.

Bought a new bike handlebar tape since the old one wore out and put it on last night. Looking forward to another ocean swim this weekend.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Semi-brick

I should start getting used to muscle transitions from swimming to biking and biking to running (brick) as the training programs suggests. But I've been dragging on it. So I'm doing it gradually: one day gap between each event. So I started last Tuesday; did 37 mi. (a little more than the actual distance in the race). I did a 10.6 mi ran last night and planning to do the swimming leg today after work.
Still trying to figure out how to deal with the chafing I get at the back of my head, from my wetsuit. Found out about rash guard undershirts online but the neckline is not high enough to protect the chafing and...they're expensive.
Still aiming to do the long distance race...so help me God!

Monday, July 12, 2010

2nd try at Ocean Swimming

Went to the beach alone last Saturday for another try at open water swimming.
Found 3 people (probably in their late 50's) training for a triathlon as well! At first, I said, yay, I can finally train with others!
So I put my suit on (embarassingly asked somebody on the pier to zip me up!) and went on the water. Amazingly, it doesn't feel as cold as the last time I went (it was around 64 deg this time).
Come to find out they were just training to "catch a wave" and not doing much swimming.
And so I just asked how long a mile was in the water. The trainer pointed to a landmark along the beach and just went for it. I wasn't swimming straight for there were no lane markers to follow like in a pool so I probably swam farther to get to the landmark.
On the way back was a different story...I only got halfway through and I was really tired. Swam towards the shore and just walked towards the starting mark. I was a bit discouraged and was really considering downgrading my race to the shorter one.
But driving back home, I thought of driving parallel to where I swam to determine how long it really was. It was about .6 miles! So it was longer. Gonna try this weekend again and see.
Took my bike to the shop where I bought it to have it checked and tune-up. Planning to go running tonight.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

bike?

I have a resentment. And I already prayed for the person I am resenting...

My sister has a bike. It has been sitting... wherever it's been sitting... for about two years. I think my mom gave it to her. She has never used it. It even has a flat tire or needs a tube or something- she told me this LAST SPRING- that's Spring of 2009... And yesterday morning, I invited her to go to the book sale in my town with me (used books that are 3 for $1) and she said she couldn't afford to go. That she really had no money- not even for a $.33 book... I had been meaning to ask her about the bike, so I took this opportunity and said "Hey, you should sell me your bike." and she said she no- that she was thinking she might use it eventually. I suggested that she loan it to me indefinitely- and I'd get it fixed and when she needed it she could have it back. She, again, said no.

Now that I put that in writing, I feel silly. I need to emphasize that I'm not *that* upset over it. But really, it's silly. It would be cool if she actually started to use the bike, too. I hope she does.

I ran on the treadmill at the gym yesterday and I hope to run on the boardwalk- even if it's short- then jump in the ocean when I'm done. Today, the beach doesn't open 'til 12:30 so unless I get out RIGHT NOW, the morning isn't an option. "Guards" block the entrance to the beach starting at 8 am on Sundays.