Training Highlights
Training has been consistent lately; getting 3 of each per week. I'm amazed, since the holidays and training can compete for time. Aside from the cold in November, my health has been good, so tolerating the volume should not be a problem in the future. Quality will be the focus of the next phase.
Run: Has been one tempo/interval per week with two slower "base" runs. I expect to replace a base with a tempo/interval to build speed. I want to keep one base to help with distance.
Swim: I am in Assassin Steve's hands...typically we do 2000+ yds per session with mixed intervals. I really think I could swim in the bathtub and improve. Have I mentioned that I'm a rock?
Bike: I've been doing mainly spinning classes 2x per week with an outdoor session weather depending. As time goes on, a 2-3 hour outdoor session every week will be mandatory.
My club will do a sprint time trial next month, looking forward to that one. Last night at the Duke/NC State game I talked a buddy into a race this summer. He's done tris in the past but has slacked off, which is OK. I don't need the competition from a former NCAA div. 1 swimmer.
What Now?!?
I received my USAT card a couple of weeks ago, and for a few days it didn't sink in. I noticed something was up with my latest Itunes downloads; I usually download tunes that my monkeys and I can listen to on the way to school and avoid the morning radio show stuff. Before I knew it, I had a CD filled with Cheap Trick, Thompson Twins (I know) even Kung Fu Fighting. They loved them, but where did the urge to listen to that come from? Then it dawned on me, actually it hit me like a cold head wind on a steep descent. I pulled out the USAT card again, and there, under the age group were the two digits I never thought I'd see..."40".
"Its too early", I thought, "They've made some mistake. My birthday isn't for another 10 months."
Nope, no mistake. This is the year I reach the milestone. When I was a kid, all the 40 year olds, were so much, well, older, and this caught me completely off guard. The initial shock has worn away, and I'm ready now. I will attack this like bike/run transition. A few years ago, I decided that skydiving will be the activity on my 40th, so that's on the plan. I've got my semi-solid race plan with 4 sprints and 2 olys as another. Then, walking back to my desk one day at work, an idea floated in as if a stranger had whispered something in my ear, "You can do a half-iron."
"Where did that come from?", I thought, I hadn't planned on doing the next distance until I conquered the international distance this year. Was it born from the same depths of my ego that produced the Thompson Twins CD? Hell, I hope not, but its there regardless. It won't go away either. Oh, it quiets down for a while, but in those moments where I think about where my multisport lifestyle is headed, it jumps out from behind a nice, soft couch and says, "Here I am, come and get me..."
Mars v. Venus
My wife wants to try a 5K in April; I'm so proud. Some of my insanity must be rubbing off on her. Still, she approaches things in a way that leaves me speechless. I don't know if its a girl/guy thing, but here is a bit of a recent conversation:
Wife: "So, my friend and I are thinking of doing the 5K race."
Batman: "Thats awesome! I look forward to cheering you on as a spectator."
Wife: "I'm not sure if I can do it."
Batman: "You can definitely do a 5K."
Wife: "I hope so, my knees haven't hurt for quite a while, but I still would like to know if I could do it."
Batman: "Don't worry, the 12 week program I downloaded is for first-time runners, and it has you running only 5 minutes out of 30 to start. Besides, you do aerobics 5 days a week. If you start off slow, you'll have no problem."
Wife: "Yeah, but why don't you take the car through the neighborhood and measure 3 miles. I'll run it and see if I can do it."
Batman: silence...
Wife: "What?
Batman: puzzled look...
Wife: "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Batman: "OK, and when I want to do an Ironman, I'll just run one first to try it on for size."
Updates and 06 Schedule
Good news! My son's appointment went well, no surgery, but the downer is that he has to live with this mass and deal with episodes of infection and swelling for a long time. Two surgeons would not consider operating, so thats good enough for me.
Early January training is going well, despite the early cold mornings (relatively speaking in NC!). Today the temp is a balmy 60. Assassin Steve continues to drive the swim practices, cycling is split between a weekly ride and spinning; once at work during lunch and the other on the weekends at the Y, and running mainly at lunch at work. I'm also doing a weight routine twice a week. My boss said I'm Forest Gump...running everywhere.
My forward seatpost from Ebay has been installed and although I've ridden only once, it feels like a great purchase. I hope it really transforms my road bike into a tri machine.
The 06 racing schedule is slowly taking shape. It looks like the following:
4/29 Riverwood Sprint
6/4 Kerr Lake Olympic
7/9 Triangle Sprint
7/29 Mission Man Sprint
8/26 Endurance Challenge Sprint
10/7 Pinehurst Olympic
There may be some road races before and after, but they need fit in with soccer season for my two monkeys. This one will be interesting for my oldest, the other coach left, so its just me and nine 10 year olds.
I'll try to include more pics on Boy Meets Tri in the future. Later folks,
Help Me Understand...
Well folks, last night was a combo light run/weight routine at the Y. Things were going very well for me and all the others in my vicinity until a trio of female athletes came in and caused a fuss. These three were practically nude, making all kinds of noise on even the simplest exercises, and left make-up on every piece of equipment they came in contact with. Now, I'm not a puritan by any stretch, but even the ancient greeks used fig leaves. And the needless noise...if the weight you're pressing bends the bar, then maybe you have a right to growl; but stationary lunges look silly with a noticeable "Aaargh". Now, I mentioned there were three of them, it was actually one woman and her two augmented breasts. With all this activity and lack of clothing, they had the attention of all the guys (the teenagers just stopped working out and stared, jaws dropping) and the disgust of all the gals. After a half hour or so she put on a sweatshirt and left. What I can't figure out is why would someone intentionally add that much sex to themselves. She was fit and didn't need it; I think...Why was she at the YMCA?
No More Reflecting
Happy New Year Everyone!
Its always the time of year to reflect on the past and future. I've done mine, and now I'm all finished. This year's reflection was much shorter than most. Probably because I set this year's goals last year. I plan on running at least two olympic distance races and a half marathon. My goal for the sprints can be summed up in one word...fast. This week will be a shock to the system. Holiday travel and food has put me in a corner, but we'll take care of that soon enough. Training this month will be in higher heart zones (base 2).
The medical appointments continue for my oldest son. His MRI last week confirmed that the cyst is diffused. It will be difficult to get to. We're seeing another physician, hopefuly this week.
