So, last friday I had a short bike ride.  Only about 4 miles, but I did it in 20 minutes – that’s a 5 minute mile.  Including the monster hill at about the halfway point.  It was okay, but I got up late and didn’t have time to go further.

I swam today, my first workout in over a week.  Good one, too.  I swam a half mile all at once, no breaks.  took me 20 minutes and 20 seconds, which is my fastest half mile so far.  Unfortunately, I pushed myself a tad too far.  I was going to try to go a full mile today, but after pushing hard for the first half mile I couldn’t go on.  I tried doing a warm-down 1/4 mile with extra pushes off the side of the pool, but after doing 100 yards I just couldn’t continue.  So I did a float-on-my-back lap as a final cool down and left.

I only had time for a short swim Tuesday, and it was hard.  I only did 1/2 mile, but I just couldn’t get comfortable in my stroke until about halfway through.  It was rough.  Otherwise, it was fine.  1/2 miles at a time are doable now, so I imagine I’ll do those.  My next goal: 1 full mile, in 1/2 mile increments.  We’ll see how that goes!

More workouts, less posting!

The 8/18 swim was good – I swam 3/4 of a mile again, only this time I went 1/4 mile, rested, then went 1/2 mile without rest!  That was pretty cool.  The 1/2 mile took me about 23 minutes.  Ugh.  That’s a long time, but that’s okay.  Endurance first, then speed!

This morning’s bike ride was great.  I went about 6 miles, with a big push for the last mile.  I really pushed hard for the last mile.  I got off the bike, and started walking to cool off and both of my legs buckled at the same time.  I caught myself before falling, but I know now what to expect for the 2nd transition!  Ha.

Biking went well this morning.  I strayed from my usual mile+ loop.  I rode about 5.5 miles, and went on a different, larger loop.  It was nice.  I paced myself, and did it in about 30 minutes.  That’s roughly 6 minute miles, which is fine.  I didn’t over work myself aerobically, but my leg muscles got a good workout!  At one point in the loop there was a nice hill.  I kept going on it, but it was tough.  It popped up right as I turned a corner.  Nice surprise!  All in all a good workout.

It’s been a few days since these workouts, so I don’t remember specifics.  The swim was the usual 3.4 mile swim, with breaks at each quarter mile.  The new stroke is coming along – not as hard as the fist time.  The bike was better – I have a helmet & tri shorts now, so I feel safer and the shorts really feel … great.  I just hope too many people don’t look my direction! If you do, here’s your apology.  Maybe the sight will look better next year. :)  The biking went better – I went 5 miles without a break.  5 – 6 minute mile for the first 4 miles, then I pushed it for the last mile and did that one in 4 minutes.  I figured out how to pace myself on the bike!   Haha.  Never thought that that would be something that I had a hard time with.

The pool’s open again, so I went for a swim this morning. Again, 3 quarter-miles at a time. The first quarter mile took me 9:38 to finish – heartrate was at 164 after that. I let it settle down to the 120s and went again. The second one took me 10:59, with the same heartrate. The third took me 11:31. Not bad overall. An improvement, I believe. It was hard, though.

I changed my stroke technique, which shaved 8 strokes off each lap. I had read the swimming technique chapter of Eric Harr’s Triathlon Training in 6 weeks book, and was trying to follow what I could remember. Front quadrant swimming, using the hand and forearm as the “paddle”, keeping a right-angle at my elbow, and pulling with an “S” shape. It was harder than not doing any of that, and my arm muscles are sore. But it seems that it works. I also changed to wearing contacts while I swim. I’ll need to do that when swimming in open water for sightings, and thought I should just start getting used to it.

Today was my first bike workout.  Overall, it was hard.  I rode approximately 3 miles in around 15 minutes.  I stopped between miles for a quick drink and a check of my pulse.  It hovered around 150.  Probably where I need to be. 

It’s tough, and I’m not too pleased with my performance this morning, but if I just keep it up I’ll build a base.  That’s all I’m trying to do now anyway.

I swam again today because the pool is closed next week.

My swim this morning consisted of three quarter-mile segments.  I swam 18 laps, then rested for two to three minutes, then went again.  Each time I finished a quarter mile my heartrate was at about 160.  By the time I started the next quarter mile it was down to 124.  Good swim, with each quarter mile taking me approximately 11 minutes to complete.

This morning’s swim was good.  I started by swimming 6 laps at a time without resting.  After the 1st quarter mile I checked my heartrate.  Itwas approximately 160.  I thought I might be able to go more, so I thought I’d try for 8 laps on the next quarter mile. I swam 8, and thought, “Wow.  I can do more. Maybe I’ll try for 10″ in the middle of the 8th lap.  So I swam to 10, and thought I could do even more.  I decided to see if I could make it the full 18 laps, 450 yards, ~1/4 mile.  I made it!  When I checked my heartrate, it was again approximately 160.  Apparently I’ve found a good rate of swimming.  I then did my final 1/4 mile all at once.  It was great.  I feel like my body is remembering how to be active.  My time for the 1/4 mile was 11:07 and 11:20.

Good swim!