Speedwork, better than expected

12×400 meter repeats in the bag.  Both faster and with a shorter rest interval than last week.  Most were in the 1:30-1:35 range, with all under 1:40.  First four I left every six minutes, next four were every five minutes, and the final four were every four minutes; which means my rest interval varied from 4:30 down to 2:20, and my speed did not drop.  Current plan is to get this down to under 1:25 consistently, leaving every three minutes.  The plan is to achieve that by the end of October.  After the marathon in October I will switch to 800’s, since I really don’t run anything less than a 5k.  The eventual goal I have set is to do 10×800 meter repeats, leaving every six minutes, consistently running 2:50-2:55.  Hope to have that achieved by March of 07.

Five o’clock is way too early

I guess it’s just proof that all triathletes are insane.  Wake up at five, work out, be at class/work by eight.  Lovely.  These are the days when it would be so easy to just roll over, turn off the alarm, and skip a workout.  These are also the days where we learn just how much we love what we do.

Mmmm… miles, tasty miles

Really surprised that two and a half hours went by so well today, I can tell I am getting back not only into shape but into form after that long break.  The heat is not bothering me so much, fatigue is becoming less of an issue, and my muscles are not tightening as much thoughout exercise.  Having said that, I think that I will have to take about two stretch breaks throughout the marathon in october to keep my form up to par.  Tried some Hammer Gel today, and I must say that it is a great product!  Gels or anything with a high concentration tends to upset my stomach, but I wanted to find something to up my calorie intake a bit.  The flavor is actually pretty good (I can only vouch for Raspberry in training) and my stomach was fine going through two packets during the run.  Hope everybody is doing well!

Running going well

Not much to say other than that.  Tomorrow is my first long day since the race on sunday, going for two and a half hours of pavement pounding.  I ordered the professional photographer’s pictures from the Greenville Sprint a few days ago, just waiting on them to get here so I can pick and choose which ones I want in the trip report.  I had my first class of the semester today (although, according to Casey, I have no class), so far so good.

Running and Racing…

Well, I will be writing the Greenville Sprint race report soon, sorry about the delay but things have been kind of busy.  I start classes again this week, and it has been pretty crucial that I have all of my stuff straight before heading into this semester.

I really need to work on my run.  I will be switching to a five run a week program, with two swims and a bike (hopefully) in each week.  The run will help my bike, and I can get the feel back pretty quickly.  This program should last most of the winter, until I start throwing on big rides next year.  My goal is to get my 5k down to 18 minutes (20 in a race off the bike), and my 10k down to 40 minutes (45 off the bike).  If I can do that my weakness will be a strength!

Today is the first day I have actually felt like I will be able to complete the marathon in October that I have signed up for.  Something seemed to “click” between sunday and tuesday, when I did 12 400 meter repeats.  Had I ran like that in the race I would have shaved off  an easy eight minutes!

24 Hours from now

I will be starting my swim at the Greenville Sprint!

Four Days

Only four days until my next race.  I will be doing a sprint triathlon in Greenville, SC.  The format will be 400 meter pool swim, 15 mile bike, and 5k run.  I am not sure if the pool swim will benefit me or not, since I am a fairly strong swimmer.  The bike portion is slightly hilly, nothing very steep but several sustained effort climbs.  The run is a fairly flat two loop 5k through a neighborhood.  Shooting to finish under an hour and a half; eight minutes on the swim, fifty minutes on the bike, thirty for the run, and two minutes in transition.

Been a while, sorry bout that!

I just recently finished my summer class.  It was actually pretty interesting, but I always find sitting in a lecure boring.  I just know that I could be learning a lot more through my own investigation and querying (is that a word, how about “questioning”.)  Now that that is done, I can get back to something like a normal schedule and workout pattern.  I have really been a slacker over the past month.  After the Half Iron in Florida, I came back and was staying in good routine and form for about a month, but then my motivation flagged.  I realize now that I need a shorter down time to keep my motivation high.

I have signed up for a sprint distance in Greenville on the 20th, so that has gotten my motivation kicked in again.  I know it will spank me, especially after running this morning and remembering how out of shape I am.  But, it has gotten me started!  Next year I plan on racing the entire Palmetto State Triathlon Series, nine races from March to October!  That should keep me motivated… or exhausted.  The PSTS is put on by set-up inc.  I will check to make sure it is on my links, since they do great events all over the southeast.

 Hope everybody is having fun, and if you read this, please drop me a comment!