Marathon Year 4 - My First Triathlon

A Change of Plans

noreply@blogger.com (Jan P) — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 16:59:00 +0000

My orignal plan for my 12 mile training was to take the pedestrian path to the airport and get a rental car. I did a web search to see where I needed to go in order to pick the path up. I typed the trail name in and up popped an article about how runners, especially single women had been avoiding certain parts of the trail (the part I needed to use) because of muggings. Now this was last year, but I wasn't going to take a chance. Instead I did my twelve miles on the treadmill at the hotel. I did break it into 3 segments, 6 miles, 3 miles and 3 miles with 5 minute breaks in between. But I did it. And the rental car - there's a Budget 3 blocks from the hotel!

4 Miles on the Cycle and 15 Minutes Swimming

noreply@blogger.com (Jan P) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 14:01:00 +0000

I got up early and cycled for 4 miles and then swam for 15 minutes. I thought I would have the pool to myself, but after about 3 or 4 minutes a woman came in and made big waves. At first I was upset, but then I accepted that the waves were similar to a Tri setting and just went with it. My plan for tomorrow is to stow my luggage with the bell desk and walk to the airport. They have bike and pedestrian paths all over the city, with two that go from downtown to the airport. They measure 12+ miles each, the amount I'm scheduled to do this weekend.

30 Minutes on the Treadmill and 10 minutes Swimming

noreply@blogger.com (Jan P) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 04:31:00 +0000

Tonight I got my third training in on the treadmill. I did hills for 30 minutes. When I finished I swam laps for 10 minutes. The facilities in this hotel are getting me spoiled!

Swimming, Cycling and a Little Walk

noreply@blogger.com (Jan P) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 05:17:00 +0000

I had a fairly big chunk of time midday, so I cycled on the stationary bike for 4 miles and then swam for 30 minutes. I also got to walk a bit around downtown Calgary, although since I used the train, too, I probably only got 1 miles in. It will be much more difficult to get any exercise in tomorrow.

Walk, Swim and Cycle

noreply@blogger.com (Jan P) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 05:02:00 +0000

I was able to get a 30 minute walk/run in this morning before I left for Calgary. I got to the airport way too early and then my flight was 30 minutes late. The hotel I'm at has a great fitness center plus a lap pool. I grabbed a bite to eat, swam laps for 20 minutes and then did the stationary bike for 4 miles. This is the first time in a while that I've been on the bike and I felt it. My next tri is less than a month away. I need to get back in gear!

It wasn't until I was finished my workout that I realized I could have used one of the headsets available for guests and listened to the Olympics as well as watching. Oh well, tomorrow is another day.

30 Minutes Running and 15 Minutes in the Pool

noreply@blogger.com (Jan P) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 04:59:00 +0000

I started out with a brisk walk and then ran intervals for a 30 minute work-out. I swam with the AV for 15 minutes.

15 Minutes in the Pool

noreply@blogger.com (Jan P) — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 03:15:00 +0000

I had great intentions - I was going to try to get in the rest of my mileage today, but my lower back was hurting. Instead I did a lot of stretches designed for the lower back and then swam with the Aqua-Vee for 15 minutes.

6 Miles mostly Running

noreply@blogger.com (Jan P) — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 13:22:00 +0000

I started out with the Orange group this morning, doing 3:1's for the first 45 minutes. I started to feel a little pulling in my left IT band, so I dropped down to 2:1's for the next 20 minutes.Then I met up with Marta, who had a side stitch, so the two of us walked in the last mile. I finished the 6 miles in 1:23, which is my usual 10K time, so I was pleased. I guess I'll continue to do 3:1's as long as I can. I have to decide my strategy for tomorrow -attempt 10 miles or not?

20 minutes Swimming

noreply@blogger.com (Jan P) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 02:56:00 +0000

This morning I swam with the Aqua-Vee for 20 minutes, the equivalent of 12 laps. I'm going to need to get a shorter cord so that it won't hit my leg. I didn't realize that there was an replacement for shorter pools. I'm scheduled for 7 miles this weekend, but since a didn't do 10 last week, I think I'll flip the weeks.

30 Minutes Walking plus 10 minutes in the Pool

noreply@blogger.com (Jan P) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:03:00 +0000

I decided to walk this morning. I keep flip-flopping about runnning. I almost think I can walk as fast as I am running. Walking also isn't as hard on my lower back. On the other foot - if I don't increase my speed, I'll never make the 6:00hour cut-off for Houston. And Sunmart will be a problem, as I promised Carla I would run with her. I still have time to decide. I'll see how my time is on Labor Day at the local 5K. When I got home I used the Aqua Vee again for 10 minutes. It's so convenient.

Aqua-Vee

noreply@blogger.com (Jan P) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 22:57:00 +0000

It was hard to believe that hurricane hit today. Sugar Land really wasn't effected except for a little rain.We set up the Aqua-Vee and I used it today. It only took about 5 minutes to get used to it. It's great! I swam in place for 20 minutes. I liked it.

Using the Aqua Vee

Swimming and Running

noreply@blogger.com (Jan P) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:29:00 +0000

I got a late start this morning. I was the only one at the Aquatic center. I did 12 laps. Later in the day, as news coverage increased about the impending hurricane, Eduardo, I decided I had better get some mileage in. I went out at 7:30pm and ran 3:00/1:00 intervals for 40 minutes.

Only 6 Miles

noreply@blogger.com (Jan P) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 14:47:00 +0000

I had a really busy day yesterday and missing training. I only managed to squeeze in 6 miles at Oyster Creek Park before my morning apporintment. I was slated to do 10. I'm not sure how or when I'll be able to get the 10 in. I ran most of the time today, but was pretty slow.

12 Laps at the Aquatic Center

noreply@blogger.com (Jan P) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:40:00 +0000

It doesn't seem to matter what time in the morning I get to the Aquatic Center, the same people who need to learn about lane etiquette are always there. I guess that's why I went crazy last week and did so many laps - I had the lane all to myself. I managed to get 12 laps in and then off to work.

A TRIO of TRI Training

noreply@blogger.com (Jan P) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 02:13:00 +0000

This morning Patricia and I went to the Aquatic Center. I did 14 laps. When I got home this evening there was a great breeze so I decided to run for 30 minutes. I still had energy when I got home, so I got on the stationary bike for 15 minutes.
We'll see how I feel in the morning.

30 Minutes Mostly Running

noreply@blogger.com (Jan P) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:46:00 +0000

The humidity level still seemed low this morning. I ran without a watch, so I had no idea of the lengths of my intervals. My Ironman watched conked out on me. It's supposed to be water resistant, yet it filled up with water. It's not like I'm diving or anything. Just going in the surface of the pool. I don't press the timer in the water.
I was out for 30 minutes and felt I got a good work-out.

20 Minutes Swimming

noreply@blogger.com (Jan P) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 04:19:00 +0000

I didn't get to swim until late afternoon. The Aquatic Center was busy, but I was able to get my own lane. Unfortunately it was the one that the cooler fountains were dunping into, so I had to time my breathes just right.

I really need to get some saddle time in. I'm scheduled to do a "Mini Sprint Tri" on Septemeber 7th. This particular race will be a very special one as the person for whom the race was created, Stephanie Johnson, passed away last week of stomach cancer. She's left behind her husband and 3 small children.

I really would like to finish without being last and the key is doing better on the bike.

15 Minutes of Laps

noreply@blogger.com (Jan P) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 02:35:00 +0000

I said that today would be a rest day, but the water was calling out to me this morning. I went to the neighborhood pool this morning and swam laps for 15 minutes. The difference between this pool's water and the Aquatic center's is like day and night. I never thought I would prefer cool water to hot, but I do.

9 Miles

noreply@blogger.com (Jan P) — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:37:00 +0000

My mileage for today was 9 miles. Fort Bend Fit was scheduled for 5. I got to the parking lot early and did 14 laps, just under 4 miles. I left with the Orange group at 6:15am and did 5 miles more, mostly running. My walk breaks were very inconsistent and I was pretty whipped. Between yesterday's swim, getting up early and the 4 miles preceding the 5 mile run, I had definitely overdone it.
Tomorrow will definitely be a rest day!

.6 Miles at the Aquatic Center

noreply@blogger.com (Jan P) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:33:00 +0000

I'm not sure what got into me today. I guess it was so nice to be the only swimmer in the pool and to not have to play chicken with the men who don't have a clue, that I just kept swimming. I finally stopped after 24 laps.
It felt like I had swum a mile, but it was barely over half. I was pretty pleased with myself.

30 Minutes Running in the Rain

noreply@blogger.com (Jan P) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:13:00 +0000

It's been raining on and off all day. I decided to take my chances during what seemed to be a clearing in the weather, but after 5 minutes it started drizzling. Then it started pouring down rain. I forgot how liberating it feels to run in the cool rain. I started out doing 3:00/1:00's and then did a few 5:00/1:00's.

Now that the Houston Marathon is being firm about closing down the course right at 6 hours, I'm hopeful I'll get faster and finish before the cut-off.

12 Laps at the Aquatic Center plus 30 Minutes Walking

noreply@blogger.com (Jan P) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:06:00 +0000

It rained hard this morning, so I decided to wait until around 8:00am to go swimming. I was hopeful that I would avoid the old men who usually come early in the morning. They have no concept about etiquette. I got to the pool and happily there was only one other person in the lane. But, about 10 minutes into my swim, there they came. Once in the pool they kept coming head-on into my side of the lane. It was like playing chicken, I wouldn't budge and forced them around me. Unfortunately, they don't seem to understand English, otherwise I would try to talk to them about sticking to their side.
After I got home I went for a 30 minute walk. I thought it would be a good idea to rest my right leg after yesterday's fall.

50 Minutes On and Off the Bike

noreply@blogger.com (Jan P) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:35:00 +0000

Although I was on my bike for most of the 50 minutes, I had my first fall. In fact I had two falls. Today has just been an off day for me all around.

I now know why it's a good thing to wear gloves while riding, no matter the weather. When I fell the first time, I hadn't put them on yet. I was trying to maneuver around a parked car and misjudged the distance between it and the curb. My right foot was in the pedal strap, so I wasn't able to get my foot out to balance myself. I banged up my knee a little, but was otherwise unscathed.

The second time I was also at a curb, waiting for a break in the traffic so that I could cross the street. I misjudged the curb and gently fell over onto the grass.

I know there's a lesson to be learned, just not sure what it is! Maybe it's to stay away from curbs.

A Brick

noreply@blogger.com (Jan P) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:55:00 +0000

I was ravenous this weekend and paid for it when I got on the scale this morning. I wore my TRI outfit and swam 8 laps at the Aquatic Center. When I finished, I put on my new shoes and ran around the lake for 35 minutes, doing mostly 3:00/1:00 intervals.

5.5 Miles with Fort Bend Fit

noreply@blogger.com (Jan P) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 16:44:00 +0000

My mileage for today was 5 miles. I got to Velocity 20 minutes early and did a mile in the parking lot. Then I took off with the orange group to do 4 miles (which actually was 4.5). I ran most of the time with a few very short walk breaks.My total time which included about 2 minutes waiting for traffic lights was 50 minutes. I estimated my time at an 11:00 minute mile. My next goal is to finish a 5K in under 36 minutes.