Not much improvement there, but I felt better. I was able to maintain the whole way through, so I am happy with that. I am still shooting for a 1:30 per 100. I have to say I back loaded my training week due to work, so I am training tired. I think it will have its benefits though.
Fastest 100 was a 1:39. I dont think I have gotten below a 1:40 before, so good news there.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Why not me? (refering to qualifying for the World Championships)
When training started this year, I met with my coach and we talked about trying to qualify for the 70.3 World Championships in Clearwater, Florida. Without a doubt, I would absolutely love to do this. It would honestly be one of my biggest achievements in my life. All that being said, I have had this doubt in the back of my mind that I just don't have it in me. It definitely sounded great, but I had huge doubts that it was even possible.
Fast forward...I have been training hard for two months now and feel really good. So much that I have started to question the doubts. (I know, it sounds like a double negative) I have always thought of my athletic condition/ability in comparison to myself. ie; that was a good race for ME or I am in pretty good shape for ME. I have never had the confidence to go out and think I am going to do my best to place and beat those guys. Instead, "I am going to beat my time or I am going to finish in under 5 hours". Never refering to the 1,000 to 2,400 other competitors.
Last year "I would say I am one of the slower, fast guys". I am usually in the top 20% of races, but I have been creeping into the top 10% more and more frequently.
Its always my intention to race hard and I have been able to place at races. They are usually the smaller ones, but it has happened.
This year is different. I am by no means getting egotistical or anything, but I am not going to shy away from thinking "I can place". And I am talking big races too. Granted it feels great to win the age group at the local duathlon, but I would rather come in third at a 70.3.
The competition is ridiculously intense and I am going against one time college athletes, but that doesn't mean its not possible. I train hard and often. I sacrifice time a way from my wife to train. I don't spend as much time "having fun" or with my family as I would like to. For these reasons alone, I should think I am going to try and place at every event. I am confident that I train just as hard and do have some natural talent. Others have more talent, but that means I will just have to work that much harder, get up that much earlier, eat that much healthier and SMILE that much more.
By no means do I want to come off as bitter or egotistical. I still fully appreciate how hard it is going to be and how slight the margin of error is. I really enjoy triathlon and whether I like to admit it or not, it has become part of who I am. I fully understand I do this for fun and will quit the day that stops happening. All that being said and to some it all up, the question is, "Why not me."
Fast forward...I have been training hard for two months now and feel really good. So much that I have started to question the doubts. (I know, it sounds like a double negative) I have always thought of my athletic condition/ability in comparison to myself. ie; that was a good race for ME or I am in pretty good shape for ME. I have never had the confidence to go out and think I am going to do my best to place and beat those guys. Instead, "I am going to beat my time or I am going to finish in under 5 hours". Never refering to the 1,000 to 2,400 other competitors.
Last year "I would say I am one of the slower, fast guys". I am usually in the top 20% of races, but I have been creeping into the top 10% more and more frequently.
Its always my intention to race hard and I have been able to place at races. They are usually the smaller ones, but it has happened.
This year is different. I am by no means getting egotistical or anything, but I am not going to shy away from thinking "I can place". And I am talking big races too. Granted it feels great to win the age group at the local duathlon, but I would rather come in third at a 70.3.
The competition is ridiculously intense and I am going against one time college athletes, but that doesn't mean its not possible. I train hard and often. I sacrifice time a way from my wife to train. I don't spend as much time "having fun" or with my family as I would like to. For these reasons alone, I should think I am going to try and place at every event. I am confident that I train just as hard and do have some natural talent. Others have more talent, but that means I will just have to work that much harder, get up that much earlier, eat that much healthier and SMILE that much more.
By no means do I want to come off as bitter or egotistical. I still fully appreciate how hard it is going to be and how slight the margin of error is. I really enjoy triathlon and whether I like to admit it or not, it has become part of who I am. I fully understand I do this for fun and will quit the day that stops happening. All that being said and to some it all up, the question is, "Why not me."
Best swim to date
I am not sure the time, nor how fast I was swimming, but I know I was swimming well. My glide was great and catch was strong. My balance seems to be improving which has really helped my breathing.
I ended up having some fun while I was there too. There was a young teenager in the lane next to me who would race me a length of the pool on my every third lap. I never really acknowledged him and what we were doing (which I wish I had), but it was fun. I definitely pushed it a little more on that length and it made the swim that much more challenging. It also made the time go by a little faster. Very simple and childish fun. Felt good to be a kid again.
I ended up having some fun while I was there too. There was a young teenager in the lane next to me who would race me a length of the pool on my every third lap. I never really acknowledged him and what we were doing (which I wish I had), but it was fun. I definitely pushed it a little more on that length and it made the swim that much more challenging. It also made the time go by a little faster. Very simple and childish fun. Felt good to be a kid again.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Swim update 10x 100s Avg 1:43
I had a pretty solid swim at the gym. I was supposed to swim for 50 minutes, but I was really wiped, so I only did the main set. Even though I was tired I swam the fastest 100s I ever have. (AVG) I was able to keep it up without going crazy hard and being wiped for the next one. It feels like I have a better guage on how hard to push it or not. Feels good.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Swim - 1 mile 32:52 (7 minute cool down)
Best swim I have ever had in the pool. I didn't really push it all that much, so I am definitely pleased. I would really like to get it down to a straght 30. That is my short term goal and I think it is possible. I have dropped roughly a minute in the last month, so I think it can be done.
I have been making a few adjustments to my stroke and I have noticed a differnce in the last two weeks. My shoulders aren't nearly as tired/tight/sore. So this could be a big step forward.
I have been making a few adjustments to my stroke and I have noticed a differnce in the last two weeks. My shoulders aren't nearly as tired/tight/sore. So this could be a big step forward.
Weekend bike - 50 Minutes at 14mph
I feel better about this. I was supposed to flush my legs, but actually ended up pushing it some. I wanted to keep my HR about 120, so in order to do that, I have to push it a little. I definitely think my hamstrings are getting stronger, so that it seems to be paying off.
Weekend Run 9 miles at 8:15
That totally sucks. Again, I was kind of pushing it, but I just felt tired. I have to change my nutrition. I am going to start taking protein in a pill form so I can guarantee that I am getting the adequate amount. I started today and it will be interesting to see how I feel in a week.
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