Mission Accomplished (a simul-blog)

After months of hard work and preparation, it finally went down. The Findley Lake Triathlon came and went. I did it, and it was awesome. I've never felt the amazing sense of accomplishment and tired all at the same time.

I met my time goals which was nice. Actually, here a recap of the events of the triathlon:

- Got in my tri-suit (think wetsuit with no sleeves) and looked like a goof.
- After the race instructions we were herded directly the water for the swim. The lake was completely disgusting. Good news is that I only got kicked four times and I only kicked one person.
- Solid time out of the water. Grandparents cheering (that was especially cool).
- On the bike after a decent transition.
- Mile 4 on the bike, GOT STOPPED BY A TRAIN!! ARGH!!
- Really cooked on the bike. Really cooked...
- Run was the hardest 3 miles EVER. (probably overdid the bike) The run was on a trail in the woods at the park. Very, very tough. And this is coming from a former cross country guy, and I've seen just about everything. The rain made is crazy slick and the number of hills was flat out mind numbing.
- Finished drank some water and the boy came over and just looked at me and said, "I'm proud of you, daddy." (my favorite part of the day, in case you wondered)
- Caught my breath and started thinking about the next one... ;)

It was fun, and thanks to your generosity, Matt and I were able to raise $2400 for Team Jared. (It's not too late if you still want to give :) )

That's the best news of all...

Today...

I was almost a quitter.

I had almost talked myself into thinking that I 'felt sick.'

I sucked it up and kept on pushing.

Jared won't quit.

So, I won't either.

In all my life...

...I have NEVER sweat as much as I did this morning on the bike.

15 miles in the country, and it was muggy, muggy, muggy!! Fortunately, I had plenty of fluids along, so I wouldn't cramp up, but overall, it was really tough today.

I am hoping that it won't be quite so muggy in September.

dude, it's hot

The heat has been taking its toll on my training. I've had to stay indoors at the Y. Not my preference, but I have to try to be smart about this whole thing. Still very much on schedule.

By the way, the race is one month from today!!

Freaking Yeah!!

off schedule

Our youth group service trip knocked me off kilter a little bit. I hope to get back on track soon. I was in the gym this morning, but had little gas in the tank.

So, back at it...

:)

past two days

Yesterday and today were good workouts.

Wednesday was in the pool for 29 minutes. I got 3/4 mile in, which all in all isn't that fast, but I did each quarter in 9.5 minutes which is 30 seconds under my goal for the race. So, that was good.

Today was pretty good too, I went to the reservoir to run and finished with some hills. I'm starting to plateau a little bit, so I'm going to have to start mixing in some weights and more speedwork. Hills today maybe the track later, but I have to do it.

Mini goal is coming up in a couple of weeks: Up, Up and Away 5K in conjunction with the balloon fest. We'll see how things go...

I had to try it...

...so I did.

I had to try biking for a spell and then running. It was crazy. I didn't know that my legs could feel like that. I didn't know my body could feel like that. It was all herky jerky and I didn't feel like I could get any rhythm. I was also undecided as to how far I'd be jogging, so any resemblance of a normal pace was out the window. I'd try to pace it out, then I'd have to run harder...

...it's going to take some time...

I'm now about 5 weeks out from the race and I'm also heading out of town all next week. This is going to be tricky.

All in all though, for the bike, my pace was right on. 3:30 mile and the run was just over 8 per. I'd really like to get that run down to 7:30 or so, perhaps some speedwork or hills this week and for the rest of the weeks leading up to the race?

We'll see...

The joys of work

My job is taking a huge chunk out of my training schedule. I've been in Chicago for the last couple of days and will be home all next week. THEN off to Milwaukee, WI for the youth summer trip for another week.

Right about now I have to trust in the training that has happened already. Trust that I am actually in better shape than I feel since the Motel 6 Rolling Meadows, Il absolutely blows and haven't ran, swam or biked since last Tuesday.

I have been overwhelmed by everyone's support though. As donations start to roll in, it's clear that there are folks that have joined up with me in this venture. I am proud to represent Jared in this endeavor and in some ways all of you as well.

Okay, I'm excited again!!

Thanks for checking in!

excited and yet...grrr...

All this gear is expensive. Shoes, shorts, wet suit even, biking stuff...

I love this whole training thing, and I'm still UBER pumped about everything going on and I am growing to truly love this sport.

But, dang!

The gear is expensive...

And...we're back

Now fully back from vacation, it all seems like a distant-ish memory. But, it's my part of the bargain to keep y'all informed about my workout regiment during vacation and how thing are going.

So,

Vacation was great. Time in the Pocono Mountains of PA afforded me lots of different ways to train that I wouldn't have had here. Mostly, I took advantage of running trails and hills at the retreat center that we stayed at. I also spent lots of time hiking with the family, the boy in a kelty backpack for most of them, and biking the main roads to and from Wilderness Camp and the Retreat Center.

I am pleased with the effort. Pool time was non-existant, so I tried to really beef up the hiking, running and biking.

Once we left PA, it was on to CT where we visited some friends. No running, mostly biking on the Farmington Canal trail. Our host, Eric, actually biked with me for what ended up being the longest trip...somewhere in the 13-14 mile range.

Once back here, I've actually become more motivated to keep at it. I feel like I've plateaued a little bit, and I'm afraid it may be time for different shoes. My jogs are ending up with lots of back pain, the last three anyway, and I'm thinking my shoes are the cluprit. It's a shame too, because they're so dang comfy. I think though there's not enough cushion and my back is paying the price.

Speaking of paying the price...

It's now officially time to start banging the pavement for donors for what I'm affectionately referring to as Team Jared. Don't forget, this race isn't about me. It's about raising funds for our friend undergoing treament for leukemia. I'll be asking, so be ready to respond. Yes or No, it's up to you.

I did receive my first donation the other day and it made me really glad to be able to help Jared and his family out. My guess is that I'll be blessed time and time again by the generosity of others.

Today was swim and bike. Not bad, not bad at all...

Tomorrow, long bike...should be great!!

as of right now...

I'm on vacation. Dunno if I'll be able to check in, but I'll be working my butt off to not fall behind...

Later...

(smile)

I just registered for the race, and I am excited!!

A nice tool...

...to consider using is the training log at Runner's World.com.

It's pretty extensive. It actually allows you to map out routes on the roads around you, tells you the distance, and marks the miles out for you as well. Once you give each one a name, you can simply refer to it in the log by its name and the log will automatically add in the distance to the logging tool.

If you're a runner or training for something, it's a cool little deal...

after a tiny break

I'm back at it. Tuesdays normally an off day for me, but after the long weekend, my body needed the extra day of sleep. I also am leaving for vacation this Saturday, so pool time (and some bike time) will be taking a hit, but we're vacationing in the mountains, so some altitude training and mega hills will be in order.

So, in order to compensate for the time off the bike and out of the pool, I am going to hit it a little harder this week. Today was a minor bump in the workout. I did 20 min in the pool instead of the 14 and 33 minutes on the bike instead of 29, which doesn't sound like much, but did extend my workout by 10 minutes. At my current pace that's either about 2.5 miles more on the bike or an additonal quarter mile in the pool.

Tomorrow is pool only, so we'll see. AND did I mention I did the entire 20 minutes in the pool today swimming freestyle (race style). No side strokes or back strokes to rest and catch my breath. I was...well...surprised to say the least after taking more of a break this weekend than I wanted to.

BUT

My legs were dead. I saw it coming. I spent all weekend volunteering at the state Special Olympics and that means a lot of long days on the feet.

So, that's about it...

so, I strayed off the beateb path...

and by that I mean i strayed off the workout plan a little...

This week is supposed to be a lighter week to give my body a break. So I had a great session in the pool. I did my quarter in 10 minutes...the workout total was 14 minutes. So, I entered my day, and it was a beautiful one!!

I no choice.

I had to ride my bike, so I did a time trial to see how fast I could do the 14 mile part of the deal. 44 minutes. Solid...I'll take it.

But I was tired. Not exactly giving my body a break :(

THis morning was a short run, and I cut a couple minutes off it. Had to make a trip to the lavatory. It was an 'emergency' as they'd call it in elementary school.

I think I made up for the 2 minutes in yard work :)

Off to the special olympics this weekend to volunteer. Should be great!!

well, for today...

I was in the pool for 14 minutes. I've got the 1/4 mile in easily now...somewhere around 10 minutes for the split. It's time to build endurance. Cool.

Now officially into my 4th week of training, I am still having a ball. I was wondering if I'd regret ever saying that I was 'hooked' on this sort of thing. I've only discovered that I truly am hooked on triathloning...at least I'm hooked on the training. I guess we'll see about the racing :)

I've also done some reading and I think that next week, since this week is supposed to be a rest week, I'll start adding in some weights and hills. The strength training and speedwork should do the endurance trick. I'm also finding out that I remember a lot more about the mechanics and principles of running than I thought I would. Having run all through high school and some in college, I used to eat sleep and breathe my dad's issues of Runner's World. It's serving me well now...

For all those checking in here. THANK YOU!! It's a very big encouragement to see the blog counter number rising!

By the way...for all those concerned, the race I'm running is not an official Team in Training event. We've decided to still collect donations and direct them to whatever cause that the 'honoree' chooses. If you're interested in giving, we won't be collecting the donations for a few weeks yet, but please let me know if you'd like to contribute...

Have a great day all you readers!!

You are all very good...

...to keep checking in.

I need to keep my end of the bargain up by blogging my stuff. Rest assured though, I am still very much on target and haven't missed a day to this point. I am ready for a day off though.

Here are some highlights from last week:

-finally counted laps at the pool and I'm up to the quarter mile necessary and am little better than that length wise.

-running is good, about where I should be at this point. I've got some mini-goals along the way. August 18th in town is the Up, Up and Away 5K. I'm so there :) There may be others.

-My grandpa offered his bike for my use as well. It's a GREAT bike!! It's a Trek 2100 and the frame is carbon composite, and, as I described it to someone, the boy is heavier than this bike! Might take it for a spin today.

This week is supposed to be a rest week; the workouts are shorter in lengths of time, but I may start doing some cross training. Maybe some hills or speed work on the track...who knows? All I know is that I'm having a ball doing all this stuff. I just need to register for the race. I also noticed today that the 5K portion of the triathlon is trail running. Cool...

So, like any runner, I've got some goals for the race and they are:

1. Finish-everything else is just gravy :)
2. The guy that got 3rd in my age group (30-35) finished in 1:19:something, so I think that 1:20 is a good place to shoot. Separately, I can do it, it's just a matter of doing all three back to back.
3. Split goals: 10 minutes for the swim, 45 minutes on the bike, 22 run. That's a total time of 1:17 but there's no account for transition area stuff, so it's hard to know what to expect.
4. Raise a crap load of $$ for Jared.

We're on vacation June 30-July 8, and my biggest worry is pool time. We'll be in the Poconos for most of the time, so should be a good time for some minor altitude training both running and biking. Worst case scenario, I should have time to catch back up in the pool if need be. We get back two months exactly from race day, so I think I'll be good, but we'll see.

Thanks for checking in :)

-rc

the answer is yes...

I am slacking on the blog part of the deal. The good news is that I'm still working and training. I actually added a bike ride in today now that I have it back and the tire actually stayed inflated for the entirety of the ride (about 45 minutes). So here's the skinny and there is some good news to share.

First, I am not alone anymore. Our friend Matt has joined the cause and now I have a training buddy, albeit far away, but he's in. I am excited about that...very excited.

Second, in the pool yesterday I actually counted laps I think I got the quarter mile in. I hope I did; or at least I hope I counted right. In any case, I was pumped.

Third, on the very cool front, my grandpa is letting me borrow his road bike for the race and for training. I'll be glad to use it too. It's a Trek carbon composite road bike, and I'm thrilled to have access to it.

Fourth, I've got the race picked out. Findley Lake Triathlon in Wellington on September 8th. Time to roll!!

By the way, thanks for checking in with me. I'm glad that y'all do!!

It's true.

Best workout day yet in terms of energy level. I felt like I could've run for much longer, but I thought it best to stick to the workout.

I think there's a chance that I'm not getting enough fuel during the day. Yesterday was easily the most I've eaten in terms of calories in the two weeks that I've been at this. I also ate a lot of meat. Who knows?

I'll probably try to bump up the number of calories that I try to get daily. The 2000 or so that I'm at right now maybe isn't enough.

Great run!

Tomorrow, swim and bike. Except no bike yet. Looks like the bike at the Y again. Oh well...two weeks in and 14 to go. By the way, there was a triathlon in town yesterday. I saw the folks out on their bikes in all their gear. It was sweet. It got me pumped!

ARGH!

Still on schedule as far as training goes. I was really looking forward to getting out on the road today on the bike. I went to the bike shop to pick up the bike and found out that the tire itself was ruined, so they put a new tire on it along with a new tube. I finally had a half hour to get some riding in and after about 6 miles (fortunately a home and back sort of trip) the back tire (the new one) flat...again...

Needless to say, I was very frustrated.

So, thinking that perhaps there was some 'new tube' issue that would work itself out, I walked the bike up to the gas station to put some more air in the thing and rode it over to a friend's house to watch the Cavs. Got over there watched the first three quarters, went out and checked the tire and...

...flat...

So, my 44 minutes on the bike today was at the Y. Got it in, but was not a fan. I am really growing to love my time on the bike, out in the country, just me and the road and everything. I love it. I went to bed bummed out last night, and feel pretty good that I had enough self-discipline to get up to the Y when I really didn't want to have to go.

Tomorrow, off...

Until then...

That pool's gonna kill me...

It's official, my most unfavorite component of this whole training regiment are the pool only days. I went out and dropped 5 bucks at TJ Maxx for some Speedos...goggles that is. While I was able to look a little more like a swimmer while in the water, I think I either drank or snorted the entire pool.

Apparently, my timing is a little off.

It'll get better. I have to keep reminding myself that I'm only 10 days in officially. No one is good at something new in 10 days. Right?

The foot is good today, tomorrow is a running only day, we'll see how that goes.

By the way, one can purchase actual triathlon shorts. You can swim in them, there's a butt pad for biking, and you can run in them too...cost? $53 bucks at Road Runner Sports!! Sounds like ebay is calling...

-out

KA-BLAMMO!

That was my rear tire following jOURney last night. Fortunately, I was pretty close to home. Unfortunately, I had to ride the exercise bike at the Y on the best morning for being outdoors in weeks. Hopefully, I'll have the bike back tomorrow.

Today's workout was crazy...like every time I have to both ride and swim in the same day. I did finally get some goggles today. Those should help me swim more efficiently. I won't be swinging my head around as much or I won't have to keep my head above water quite so much. That's a good thing.

Tomorrow = off

My body needs a break.

Until we meet again...

one week down...

...fifteen to go.

Finished up this week with 40 minutes on the bike. I really need to find out how far I rode this morning. I know it's somewhere in the 10-11 mile range, but I don't know for sure.

But it was good. No pain from the foot either which is good.

Going to have to skip the day off to get back on schedule as well. So, tomorrow back in the pool and on the bike. That one got me last time, but at this point all of the days should. It's not like I'm in shape or anything yet...

I am, however, still having a blast...

-rc

on the road again...

Okay, so A. and I got tickets to the Memorial Golf Tournament yesterday so I didn't get to run yesterday. So I did this morning. Puts me a day off the schedule, but I'm still on it.

Running is something that I've not have many problems with in the past, so it's just a matter of doing it. The training schedule said to run 12 minutes; I ran closer to 20.

I'm a little bummed because there seems to be some sort of soft tissue foot thingie going on in my right foot. Tomorrow's a bike day and then a day off, so maybe that'll do the trick.

All you prayin' folks reading this, pray for my foot. I don't want it to hold me up. I'm not training for just me. I want to be healthy for my family and I'm also training in honor of someone that is very and in the hospital right now.

Rock on...

...we just rock on...

more tired than I've been maybe ever...

Today was a swim only day. Twenty two whole minutes of three different strokes. This is a different kind of tired. BUT...

...I did it. I was happy to be invited into a lane rather than have to ask to share. I don't know who that guy is, but that was right kind of him. Tomorrow, running. 12 minutes, but I think I'll do more than that.

I actually thought that I was going to have to run today. Good thing I didn't have to...I'm starting to have a little pain in my right foot. It's a blunt soft tissue sort of pain. I think that a day off the bike and in the water, will be a good thing.

I just need to eat good foods today. The kind that fuel you...

Let's roll...again...

-rc

I am on fire...

...literally...

Today was the first day of swimming and biking. I feel like I'm ahead of schedule on the bike and WAY WAY behind in the water. But, overall, a good day...

Off tomorrow, then running Thursday...

Just short of 1/4 mile in the water; 6.5 mi on the bike.

Good Job...

-r

Stinkin' holiday.

Well, today was supposed to be the first 'program' day for the triathlon.

Problem?

The Y is closed today, and I was supposed to spend some time in the water and on the bike. I did get on the bike for 30 minutes. I want to swim now.

I wanted to start it all off right.

I know it's only a day, but I wonder how many 'only one days' I'll have over the next few months.

Oh well, we'll make it, just wanted a few more endorphins...

:)

pre-program 2

On the bike this morning...

I am hoping for somewhere in the 10-15 mile range--I just haven't measured the route yet. I do appreciate riding in town too. The houses and cars actually help me feel like I am going faster than I really am. Same with running. All I know is that I was on the bike for in the 40 minute neighborhood.

One of the things that I tried also is to jog a little bit after I got off the bike just to get the feel...

...I am a long way off...

but I'm having a ball...

Prologue

It's true, I'm bi-blogular now.

With the best of intentions, I have tried many different training regiments with many different motivations. Truth is that I get bored. Just running for miles and miles gets old. Love my bike, but that gets old too. Love the water, so it just made sense, right?

I might regret it, but probably not.

So, off I went into the wild blue yonder. Not quite, but close. The internet. Found a training program and it looks doable.

I've spent the last week on my bike. This morning, I got into the water for the first time. Training officially starts Monday, though. Here's the month one plan:

Week 1:
M- Swim 12, Bike 24 Tu-off Wed-swim 20 Th-run 12 F- bike 40 Sat- off Sun- run 20

Week 2:
M- swim 13, bike 26 Tu- off Wed swim 22 Th- run 13 F- bike 44 Sat- off Sun- run 22

Week 3:
M- swim 14, bike 29 Tu- off Wed- swim 24 Th- run 14 F- bike 48 Sat- off Sun- run 24

Week 4:
M- swim 14, bike 29 Tu- off Wed- swim 14 Thu-run 14 F- bike 29 Sat- off Sun- run 14

(all numbers are minutes)

I don't have a good idea of time goals for the event, more on that later. But there are some mini goals along the way. A couple of 5k's over the months with A. would be the answer there. This plan is a 16 week plan.

The problem? Don't know how many triathlons there are in the fall... I found one in Toledo in August...but I'm not sure.

We'll see.

So, check in from time to time. I'll try to update with little notes from the workouts.

Today, a primer for next week. 12 minutes in the pool. No touching the bottom. Here's a few things I've learned:

I need goggles.
My arms will be on fire for hours afterward.
I need goggles.

I think this'll be fun...