Turkey Trot

Thanksgiving was great. I ran the Turkey Trot 5k with my friend Brian. Running in a crowd has a certain energy. There were nearly 6 thousand participants this year. It turns out there were a lot of people I knew that ran it. I turned what I thought was a respectable 25:06. I could have done better, which aggravates me some. Brian and I spent the first quarter mile just getting in position. The dude in the blue tights that kept showing up like a bad penny was a pretty good motivator. Blue Tight's gait was so bad that we couldn't believe he was keeping up with us. It made us run a little faster every time we saw him coming. I was saving a little for the finish line too. If I had know it was as close to the corner as it was I would have turned it up a little sooner. The 25:06 was still better than the 25:50 I turned in last time I ran it about ten years ago. I'll be looking for some more opportunities in the future. Still trying to figure out how to add the swimming component to my routine. A value pass to the Chesterfield center is sounding like my best option. Meanwhile, I'll try to get some strength training in. Cycling is going fine. I've moved inside for the most part. Doing the trainer for an hour is kind of tedious, but I watch TV while I do it and it's okay. I'd still rather get out in the country side and just go. Looking forward to spring now.

Back on the bike

I got back on the bike this week after a little hiatus. I had a little trouble with the saddle I had and switched back to the old one. It was always comfortable, but it was fraying a bit. Pete had given me a nice Selle Italia saddle and I wanted to use it. I just never could get comfortable using it. I rode once on the trainer with the new one and then outdoors with the original one. Original was much better. I'm thinking that I'm going to buy a value pass to Chesterfield Family Center to get my swimming, but I'm going to wait until late January or February. I'm thinking two to three times a week ought to do it. Running has been going okay. I was inspired by all the folks I know that did the full or half marathon in late October. It makes me want to push myself a bit more. I need to fit in some strength training, but I don't know when I would fit it in. I have the time, just not the motivation. The time change is having an effect on me too. I feel like a bear getting ready to hibernate. I eat more and sleep more than when the sun is shining. October was such a drab month that it was difficult to motivate myself to do anything outside.

Progress and breaks

Got to get back on the training wagon after an extended weekend. I've had to quit riding for bit until I can get properly fitted to my bike. I had gotten up to riding 18-20 miles and that resulted in some post ride comfort issues. I'll get out to my friend Mike's house soon and he'll help get me properly fitted. I've managed to get my long run up to five miles. Figuring out the swim portion of my training is still somewhat elusive. Not that there aren't real solutions, but affordable, viable ones are proving difficult.

Late September means great riding

I finally have my bicycle where I think it's pretty well adjusted to my body. I increased my ride distance to 17-18 miles. I'm finally feeling like I can get some legs underneath me. I still need to get some cycling shoes. They would be a huge help especially climbing hills. Did I mention I hate hills. Searching for routes has been interesting and frustrating. I think I finally have at least a direction in which to head. I'm going to get some ride time with some more experienced folks in the near future. Hopefully they can set me up with some decent routes. I recently increased my long runs from 3 to 4 miles and my short runs from 2.25 to 3 miles. That is bearing fruit as I ran with the SORT today for 3 miles and felt really good. Don't wanna get cocky though. My legs feel like jelly most of the time now and I plan to continue to challenge myself. My goal is to comfortably ride 25 miles, and run 6 miles. Swimming is another story. Without access to a pool right now, that training will have to wait.

My tri year 9-23

I don't know how well I'll keep up this blog, but I hope to look back next fall at my journey toward a goal of completing 2-3 sprint distance triathlons.

To encapsulate everything I've done to date;

I've been a regular runner for a while as a requirement for SORT

I started swimming with more regularity to prepare for a sailing trip with BSA

I started riding my mountain bike more often when I decided to do this.

I recently purchased a nice entry level bike from my old friend Don Buttram. Some generous donations from my good friend and IronMan veteran, Pete Hill will help me outfit the bike with a nice saddle and decent clipless pedals.

Recently I've changed my running routine to be more challenging.

The goal at this point is to get within striking distance of doing a triathlon. Sometime in late October I will make a decision regarding what to do about joining the Chesterfield Family Center in order to train in the pool as well as having more indoor choices over the winter. More later.