22 July 2006

T- minus 12 hours

Well, I'm busy getting my things together for the race. I'm excited... I'm really looking forward to this. I can't wait to totally rock that swim.

Okay, I need to make sure I got everything:
Swim: Wave cap - check
goggles - check

Bike: Bike - duh!!!
Helmet - check
Shoes - check
Socks - check
Sunglasses - check
Race belt w/number - check
Gloves - check
Energy bar in bento box - check
Bottles; 1 - water, 1 - Gatorade Endurance - check

Run: Shoes - check
Hat - check
Water belt - check
Clif Shot Blox - check

Transition: 2 towels - check
2 water bottles for rinsing - check

Alright I think I got it all. Wow, this sport requires a lot of stuff. I'm going to go load my car up so I don't forget anything at 3:30 tomorrow morning.

20 July 2006

Wow, this is what it feels like!?!?!?!?!

Last night at my stroke clinic something amazing happened.

We were practicing our drills, working specifically on the catch and the pull. We had to watch the catch and follow through with the pull. We were also doing funky things so we could get a feel for what was right and what was wrong.

So I'm cruising down my lane working my arms when it suddenly dawned on me; I hadn't taken a breath. I found myself doing that the whole night, forgetting to breath.

Now this is such a huge step forwarded I don't even think I can explain it.

One of my huge fears while swimming is that I won't have enough air. Generally I breath almost every stroke (on the right) because I freak about running out.

I think this is a hurdle that I needed to get over and didn't even realize it. Part of my freaking out is the whole not being able to catch my breath.

When you run a race (a running race) you can be all excited and take off too fast and get short of breath but all you have to do is slow down a little and you get back in the groove. You can't do that with swimming. In order to get your breath back you have to stop swimming but you really can't. You have to keep moving because you're in water and there's waves and other people and oh my god!!!!!

So I had no confidence in my swimming abilities. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to catch my breath. Last night it all melted away.

I've mastered my breathing enough that I can cover almost an entire 25 yard pool with one breath.

I know I swim as good as anyone. One guy in the clinic has done 2 Ironman and I swim as well as he does.

This clinic has also taken 4 strokes of my pool length. Saving 2 strokes would save me 100m of swimming in an 800 m swim. Since I took 4 strokes off that will save me 200m of swimming - that's a huge savings.

So what does this all mean??? I don't feel fear when thinking of the swim anymore. I know I will do just fine this time. I really think I've turned a corner here.

I am really looking forward to the tri this weekend, I can't wait.

19 July 2006

Ugh!!! I'm bored.

Well, I've toned it down this week as prep for my race on Sunday. Monday I swam and ran and that was it. Yesterday I slept in a bit and then did some relaxing yoga. This morning it was pretty much the same. Tonight is my stroke clinic so I'll swim for an hour. Tomorrow I may go for a short bike ride in the morning just to make sure everything is okay. Friday I'm thinking of walking just to work out kinks that are starting to develop. Saturday is all rest all the time. And Sunday is d-day.

I have been working on my Plan and I'm very excited about it. I've got the Triathlete's Training Bible, a log book, and some swim workouts. I'm developing a plan and I really can't wait to get it started. The week after my race (next week) will be a time of finalizing plans and getting all necessary equipment gathered. Sunday, 7/30, will be a day of testing. Measurements will be taken, HR will be monitored, time trials will be run, it will be a great day.

Last night I was looking through the race calendar for the rest of the year and I have some decisions to make. I had planned on running the Honolulu Marathon this year, but I'm thinking I may pass on it. The race readiness series starts next month with a 15k and I am just not ready to run a 15k. I don't want to push myself while I'm trying to build a solid base so I think I may pass on it.

There are 2 more tris I want to do this year, one in September and one in October. But those are really to conquer the swim and not to race. Next year, I race!!!!

Well, I'm pretty boring since I'm not doing much. I guess I'll go to work.

17 July 2006

Be careful what you wish for....

2 months ago I decided what I wanted my times to be for my upcoming tri. They were as follows:
Swim 800m: 20 minutes
Bike 40k: 1:45
Run 10k: 1:00

Well, I have worked up to 800m in 20 minutes. I've done it a couple of times. Unfortunately I've done it in the pool, never in open water. Oh well. I'll do my best.

The bike I'm not too worried about. I went out Saturday morning and did Heartbreak Hill. It's pretty steep but nothing I can't handle.

The run, ummm, not so much. For some reason I have not been running much and so a 10k in an hour is pretty much out of the question. I figure 1:30 (that takes all pressure off me :)

I have decided that this race is all about the swim. I want to feel a certain way when I swim and that is what I'm focusing on. The run and the bike are not that important this time. It is all about the swim...

This morning was my last "real" workout before the race. Tomorrow I'm going for a short, easy bike ride. Wednesday I may go for a slow, easy run just to stay loose. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday there is nothing on the books. Just rest, eat, hydrate, and mentally prepare. I AM going to rock this swim.

That's all I have to say. Most of the work this week will be in my head. 'nuff said.

Conversation with Hubby

 So yesterday morning I presented my idea of working out at home to the Hubby. Once I presented it to him, he said he was in. I told him I h...