My 2011 season is about to kick off.
I'm running the Pueblo Chieftain Spring Runoff. This one is a little bit sentimental for me. The last time I ran it, I was training for the 2006 Rock and Roll Marathon. At the time, a 10 mile run was kind of an easy day for me. Now...well I'll be challenging myself to do a 10K. Still, it's a nice course with a fairly small crowd which makes for a more enjoyable race.
I've also committed to running the Greeley Triathlon. It's shorter than most sprints--500m swim, 10 mile bike, and a 5k so it ought to be fun to go a little harder in those first two events. What's more, my parents live just a few miles from the start so it will mean more rack time and less time on the road.
Training has been more difficult this week due mainly to some minor injuries. The surgery site on my right foot has been bothering me and both knees have been complaining about the running miles. Fortunately, ice seems to be keeping the problems at bay.
Hopefully a couple of days off from running will help.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
She's a beauty!
Yep, I got it! The LBS had the model and size of bike I wanted so I spent two hours there yesterday getting the right accessories and being properly fit.
It's a Cannondale CAAD8 with a Shimano Triple shifter. It's light, rides well and is pretty good looking to boot. Since this is my triathlon bike I added a couple of other features to make it more triathletic:
The guy at the LBS and I worked on spacing these aerobars so that I'd have a little daylight between my fingers. Overall, they have me sitting in a nice straight-backed aero position.
I also had some clipless pedals added and got some Bontrager road shoes to fit. As you can see here, the Garmin Cadence Sensor has been installed. There is not much room left on the handle bars for the bike mount so I may have to just either wear it on my wrist or get creative.
There's no question that the bike was the most significant purchase as I prepare for the May 22 event (just over three months from now). I'm planning on doing a long trainer ride (20 miles) to get me used to riding in the aero position as well as getting used to the clipless pedals. It's also pretty cool out today so not a great to do ride outside.
Another challenging week awaits but I'm excited about it. Swimming has been going better (I've finally cracked the 40 yards per minute barrier) and my running and riding paces are ahead of scheduled goals. Hoping I can stay healthy and keep my motivation as strong as it's been. More adventures to come, I'm sure.
It's a Cannondale CAAD8 with a Shimano Triple shifter. It's light, rides well and is pretty good looking to boot. Since this is my triathlon bike I added a couple of other features to make it more triathletic:
There's no question that the bike was the most significant purchase as I prepare for the May 22 event (just over three months from now). I'm planning on doing a long trainer ride (20 miles) to get me used to riding in the aero position as well as getting used to the clipless pedals. It's also pretty cool out today so not a great to do ride outside.
Another challenging week awaits but I'm excited about it. Swimming has been going better (I've finally cracked the 40 yards per minute barrier) and my running and riding paces are ahead of scheduled goals. Hoping I can stay healthy and keep my motivation as strong as it's been. More adventures to come, I'm sure.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Taking The Ride...Outside
To say that the weather has been harsh since the first of the year is to put it mildly. After the return from sunny and warm Southern California, the thermometer took another plunge.
I started my weekly two-a-days a week ago Wednesday. On my way to the rec center, the temperature was all the way down to negative 12. Sure we have real winters in Colorado, but that's pretty ridiculous. It's Colorado, not Minnesota....or Canada!
But since it is Colorado, that mean the weather had improved to the 60's by the weekend. So on Sunday, I got to take my first outdoor ride since early January:
Considering all of the snow-fall, I was not too surprised to find the trail to be a little sloppy. The bike was kind of a mess afterward, but a few sprays from my water bottle and fast dry in the warm sun cleaned it up.
The nice weather continued on to Tuesday so I was able to do the ride again. It was a little cooler, but still pretty nice.
Since then it's been back in the pool and back on my feet. The run portion of my two-a-day a couple of days ago was a little rough. Despite being only a three mile run, I felt pretty winded. Today's six mile felt much better.
I started my weekly two-a-days a week ago Wednesday. On my way to the rec center, the temperature was all the way down to negative 12. Sure we have real winters in Colorado, but that's pretty ridiculous. It's Colorado, not Minnesota....or Canada!
But since it is Colorado, that mean the weather had improved to the 60's by the weekend. So on Sunday, I got to take my first outdoor ride since early January:
Considering all of the snow-fall, I was not too surprised to find the trail to be a little sloppy. The bike was kind of a mess afterward, but a few sprays from my water bottle and fast dry in the warm sun cleaned it up.
The nice weather continued on to Tuesday so I was able to do the ride again. It was a little cooler, but still pretty nice.
Since then it's been back in the pool and back on my feet. The run portion of my two-a-day a couple of days ago was a little rough. Despite being only a three mile run, I felt pretty winded. Today's six mile felt much better.
_______________________
While I'm not seeing bike-riding weather on the horizon, tomorrow might be the day I upgrade the bike. It depends on a number of factors, not the least of which is whether or not the LBS has the model I want in a frame that fits me. Considering that, tomorrow might not be the day....but maybe...
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Temecula
Cold and snowy Denver is behind us and we're (we = wife + me) enjoying very fair weather here in Southern California.
We arrived a little before 8:00 Thursday night. Our flight was delayed by about forty minutes, in part due to the need to de-ice before we left. Southwest has introduced WiFi service on their flights and I was looking forward to sending a post from 35,000 feet. Unfortunately, for reasons I cannot understand, the blogging page was blocked by their Internet service. Alas, no post until today.
I got up Friday morning for a four mile run and was pleasantly reminded of how easy it is to run at low altitude after doing most of my training at around 6000 feet. Four miles around Santee went very easily. I forgot my heart rate monitor, but I doubt I was ever much above 145.
After spending the morning around town, we hit the road to Temecula at about 2:00 and, after stopping for lunch, got here around 4:00 or so.
As I mentioned the weather has been good though it does cool down into the low 50's once the sun goes down. It's still much better than what we experiencing just a few days ago.
From around town:
I have a five mile run planned for tomorrow morning. For today, it's just hanging around the Old Town, tasting wine and simply enjoying the fact that it is in the 70's!
We arrived a little before 8:00 Thursday night. Our flight was delayed by about forty minutes, in part due to the need to de-ice before we left. Southwest has introduced WiFi service on their flights and I was looking forward to sending a post from 35,000 feet. Unfortunately, for reasons I cannot understand, the blogging page was blocked by their Internet service. Alas, no post until today.
I got up Friday morning for a four mile run and was pleasantly reminded of how easy it is to run at low altitude after doing most of my training at around 6000 feet. Four miles around Santee went very easily. I forgot my heart rate monitor, but I doubt I was ever much above 145.
After spending the morning around town, we hit the road to Temecula at about 2:00 and, after stopping for lunch, got here around 4:00 or so.
As I mentioned the weather has been good though it does cool down into the low 50's once the sun goes down. It's still much better than what we experiencing just a few days ago.
From around town:
 |
| Sign in front of the local town hall |
 |
| The Town Hall clock tower. Even more impressive when viewed from the bottom of the hill on which it sits. |
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Goals Update
Four weeks of my training program are done so this seemed like a good time to update my progress. Given the struggles I've had swimming, I re-did those goals to be more realistic. And so far, so good. Here's the run down:
Swimming:
Swimming:
Biking:
Running:
It's a good start, but there is still a lot more to do.
As I write this, weather.com says it currently is 10 degrees below zero and it feels like minus 31. So, no, I did not run outside. Instead I did four on the tread mill. Glad I have it because outdoor training has been difficult ever since Christmas.
The good news is that I am off to Temecula, California this weekend where, also according to weather.com it's going to be in the 70's. Sounds pretty good to me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)