I haven't posted here in quite a while. Partly busy, partly just too lazy to write progress reports of training. I'm sitting here on a Sunday night recovering from my ride today, http://connect.garmin.com/activity/106564923, and subsequent brick, http://connect.garmin.com/activity/106564947 and started reviewing my old blogs. Made me remember how much I enjoyed writing them, and how much one can forget. So I figured it would be nice to recap the last couple of months.
Befoer I do, if you ever want to check out my Garmin stuff -- http://connect.garmin.com/explore?owner=jmh321
I think my biking has gotten stronger -- scratch that -- I know that I am stronger and faster than ever before. Part of that is just having another year under my belt. A lot is training and group rides that absolutely kick my ass. Part is -- and I have had to learn to appreciate this -- taking mental comfort in physical discomfort.
Swimming is better as well. Times are a little bit faster, but I can tell that I am swimming more efficiently. And I know that if I push it I am a lot faster than before.
Running has been intersting. I have been doing a lot of shorter bricks, so I am pretty used to getting off the bike and going (still gotta work on pacing). Did a lot of aqua jogging. This seems to be helping as well. Since spraining my ankle the week before Gulf Coast, this has been the trickiest part. The coaches have slowly been building my mileage. Working on different race efforts. Some days I am fried on the run, and other days I feel pretty good.
I have learned that I naturally jog around 78-80, and would say running at a good clip is about 85. Only way I can hit 90 is to turn my feel over so much that I have no push off.
I think I have again turned the corner and am getting under 200. Before I sprained my ankle I was 193 or so, but in the 6 weeks after Gulf Coast (no real exercise, just a mid-season recovery period) I blew up to 205. So it has taken me a while to reign in my eating and to get my weight back under control. Last time I weighed myself (Friday), I was 197, which I was for most of last week. I know I won't be at my goal weight for IMFL, but I still think I can be at a pretty good spot.
For example, I raced Augusta at 202 last year, and have another 6 weeks going into Augusta this year. So if I can stay focused I think I can go into Augusta around 190 this year. Let me tell you that 12 lb difference from last year would be HUGE, especially on the run. And if I can keep that up, I can maybe be 183 or so going into IMFL. If I can do that, and stay injury-free... then I think I have a chance of throwing down a nice race at IMFL. Weather permitting, of course.
Other notable things:
1. Malissa's Ride. 90 mile bike ride to Dothan and 5k Sat, then bike 90 miles back Sun. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/101451452 -- Bike to Dothan
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/101451452 -- 5k
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/101451914 -- Bike Back
2. Garmin updated their 310xt with a swim mode. I won't bother telling you how to turn on the swim mode -- but this is how it works. I did the swim across the lake with the gps in my swim cap. I did the trip around the lake on a sup with the garmin in my pocket. Still neat.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/106564793 -- swim
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/106564828 -- SUP
3. The more I think about it, I will probably skip Hammerhead and Beach Blast and just race Augusta and IMFL. Still 50/50 on this, but would rather train for the two biggies than race right now. Quality over fun. Of course I could change my mind tomorrow. I just don't want the races to take away from training. Of course, I also may have (or I should say get) to to back to North Carolina the weekend of Beach Blast. Sissy's sister/niece is getting married and we just got the invite in the mail. So maybe some more hillwork is in my future.
Ok, that is enough for now. Gotta get some sleep, maybe watch Tru Blood.
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