Time to hit the lake!

Today I had a pretty strong swim...with one problem. Our apartment pool is way too small! At one point I was dodging splashing kids and hooked my arm around the ladder handle.

The good? I can bilaterally breathe now and have learned to relax in the water. My stroke is stronger and smoother than before. My cardio endurance has dramatically increased, although swimming is still challenging.

I feel okay in the water, but need more work. I think a coach is in order, and a bigger area to flap around in!

Sorry it's been a while...

It's been a while since my last post. I'm not sure if anyone is even following this! Please post comments if you can.

This past Friday ran 12 miles, and biked 24 with Todd yesterday. Ran about 3 mile tuner today. Swim tomorrow and I'm going to start open water swimming.

The lodging plans are pretty much all together for race weekend. We'll have a nice vacation out of it. We're staying at the Naswa resort in a little cabin on the water.

I will say I'm a bit nervous. I guess its normal. I'm working pretty hard, and have noticed dramatic changes in my endurance, leg strength and soreness (or lack thereof).

This is quite a big undertaking, and I realize that while other people choose an Olympic distance as their first tri, I have crazily chosen a half Iron distance! Oh well, the troops landing at Normandy didn't get to choose their battle.

The quote that sums it up...

"When I began I was most worried about not finishing. But I realized the biggest failure would have been to not even try."
-Unknown, from Dean Karnazes video

Overview:
-Ran 7 miles with large hills 2 days ago. Fantastic run.
-Swim is getting consistently smoother and stronger. Building confidence.
-Bike needs work. Must increase now!
-Getting nervous, but referred to above quote!
-Have to find a place to stay in NH. Cabin, hotel etc.

Doing pretty well...

I was nervous for a while that I wasn't doing enough, and that I bit off more than I can chew. But I learned to relax and enjoy my journey. I have a little under 3 months to go, and I'm doing pretty well.

I just ran 4 miles easy with hills and had a great swim day Saturday. I'm a little sore lately, but to be expected. I realized not to worry so much, and just focus on training consistently.

I now run Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Wed and Fri is 3:00 a.m. runs before work. I then bike those days in the afternoon. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays are swim days at our pool.

Feeling good

After using the chiropractor several times I've noticed a 'smoothness' in my run. I had a solid bike day a few days ago. Hit some hills two days ago and felt great. Picking up my bike tomorrow at the bike shop. Noah and I dropped it off and Noah cried when we left, saying "Daddies bike [sniffle], Daddies BIKE!" He was quite upset. I'm sure he'll be happy to see it tomorrow, as will I!

Swim day tomorrow. I have to admit, I'm a little nervous about the swim, but I figure that I have 3 months to be able to swim a mile. I know I can do it, just jitters.

Looking for a cabin for the race week, and will be spending some family time too. Should be a great time. See ya!

New Update!

Bryan found me an excellent Trek 1420 and picked it up and sent it to me. Thanks a million Bry!! I'm super pumped about it, and its a great bike. Just have to take it to get it built.

Ran yesterday at Nay Aug Park in Scranton, felt GREAT. Reminded me why I love to run. Excellent trail with good technical climbs. Biked today for about an hour. Legs are a little sore, but okay.

Trying to figure out lodging plans for race week. Trying to maybe get a cabin for part of the week, and going to Maine to hang out with my sisters. All is well, just trying to keep up!

Update

Solid run today, swim tomorrow. Going to work on my breathing a lot and try to get connected with the adult swim coach at the Y. Planning on starting to run before work...that means 3:30 a.m.!

Need a lesson...

Had a good training week. Trying a new schedule. Felt great running, but swimming was a little tough. I talked to some people at the pool, and they said I have a good stroke, and some fine tuning would help. I just have to get some tips on the breathing. I don't really feel like drowning! So, I'm looking into some lessons at the Y.

A solid week...

This week was very good. Ran Monday and Wednesday. Weight trained on Tuesday and Thursday, and swam today. Tomorrow is a bike day. Now back into a routine and it feels great. Need to focus more energy on the technical parts of swimming. The breathing is my biggest challenge.

Back in the saddle...

I've taken a bit of a break due to the birth of Amelia, but now I am getting back into the swing of things. Luckily the timing works out great, as I am in the 36 week range, which is plenty of time.

My great friends, Bryan and Michelle Black, found an excellent bike for me in Omaha. Bryan checked it out and picked it up, as it was a great deal. Thanks Bryan! So, I just have to have it sent and that piece of the puzzle is found.

I've developed a new schedule after painstakingly figuring out pool schedules, carpooling issues and family schedules. Its time to get down to business!

The reason for the break...

I had to slow down my training for a bit since we have just welcomed Amelia Grace into the world! We are very excited for our new arrival. She kicked a lot so maybe she's a swimmer!

I went for a light run with Murray yesterday, and the new warm weather was a treat.

New kicks...

Got my new Asics Gel Nimbus 11's. Only took 'em for a short ride today, felt nice except for the fact that I did squats before my run (not a good idea). I had some time off due to illness (still), and now I'm getting back on track. I know I said that before, but I think winter sickness can be under-estimated.

It's official!

I have officially registered for the Timberman 70.3 Ironman. It is Sunday, August 22, 2010 at Lake Winnipesaukee; Ellacoya State Park, Gilford, New Hampshire. Lake Winnipesaukee is actually a place my family and I used to visit and go camping at. For those that are interested in attending, please visit www.ironmantimberman.com for event information. Suzie and I are planning the trip and trying to figure out what will be the most practical and economical. We plan on making a small vacation out of it. We are thinking of renting a cabin for about a week.

4 miles today, getting back on track...

Had a solid lifting day yesterday, and felt pretty good for 4 miles today. Once the family is done being sick my schedule with even out, and I'll get back on track with the bike and swim. I realized that I just have to relax and do what I can.

Hurdles and hardships...

Suzie has been quite sick lately, as well as Noah. I also caught a touch of sinusitis and bronchitis (love the winter). However, I managed to run 3 easy miles the other day and strength train a bit. The pool and bike took a backseat. I have given some time to recuperate. I picked up some Udo's Oil for Omega 3+6 supplementation. Check it out. Also looked into hemp seed as a protein. Apparently it's a 'complete food' and great protein source with high absorption rate. Interesting reading out there on protein powders that just end up in the toilet, so to speak. I'll post again when I get back in the swing of things.

Slacker week...

I'm hoping this is normal for most people training for this. My son has been sick, and I haven't been feeling great. However, I managed to squeak in a few strength training days and a swim. I also had some training at work to complete that threw my schedule off. So, I'm not going to focus on it too much, I'll just keep driving forward and start again as if I never missed a beat. Looking forward to warmer weather!

Quitters never win and winners never quit!

New training plan...

I have had to adjust my training plan several times. Since realizing that the YMCA is the best option for swimming and indoor bike training, we decided to get a membership. This changed my training plan to accommodate the family schedule and conform to the pool's as well. I also get up for work at 0400, so training in the a.m. is impossible. Here's what I came up with:

M= Easy run, Swim
T= Bike
W= Strength training
T= Long run
F= Swim
S= Strength training
S= Bike

Please comment with any advice. After 8 weeks I'd like to transition to a SBRSBR and repeat. This would constantly vary my weeks, giving me 3 days of each event every 4 weeks. The template would look like this:

SBRSBRS
BRSBRSB
RSBRSBR
SBRSBRS

Learning to breathe...

Today was a swim day, and was unlike the previous one. I recently bought goggles that dramatically improved my ability to swim more efficiently. However, I now have to learn how to swim with my head down, exhale under water, and inhale on timed strokes. At first I thought this would be easy. Wrong! Suzie told me to relax and just swim, and that I'd get it eventually. So I practiced gradually putting my face down and exhaling while staring at the pool bottom. I must say that I felt faster and more efficient when I was able to do so, until my rhythm was thrown off and I snorted water through my nose and gave myself a chlorine-based hydration! I'll study more, and get it down. I plan on studying some yoga breathing techniques for all three events. Anyone have Phelps' number?

The bike challenge...

I've learned that the biggest challenge I face right now is finance. By the time you pay for registration, a bike, helmet, hydration, shorts, shoes, glasses etc. etc., you realize that it's a big investment. So, I'm trying to do this on a shoestring! The bike is my biggest challenge, as ofcourse, it is the most expensive item on the menu. Also, it's winter, and biking outside is impossible where I live. So I do what I can at the gym. But, it won't get me down. I'll keep on fighting the battle.

A beautiful run...

Today's run was down a winding, snow-covered dirt road flanked by a frozen marsh and a dense forest of pine and spruce. The air was perfect, and a few flakes of snow fell, as if they were the remaining flakes falling from a recently turned off snow machine perched above. I kicked up a small deer that ran across the road about 50 feet in front of me. The snow created a beach-like affect, and gave me an even better workout. The dark trees that arched over the road were lightly dusted with snow, and I passed a pitch black creek with snow capped pebbles within it. It was as if I were running through an Ansel Adams picture.

Yesterday: Found a pool at Tunkhannock High School about 30 minutes away. Felt great!