Following the program

I have set out to follow an 11 week program I found on the web. I doubt I'll follow it to the letter, because I am ahead of the running portion, slightly ahead on the cycling and right at the mark on swimming. Swimming will be the most challenging for me to follow. I went the other night and swam 25s for 200 yards. I thought I had kind of wussed out by not going 300, but when I looked at my program, that's exactly what I was supposed to do. When I swim next time, I'm supposed to do 50's for part of it. This should be interesting. Breathing is where I struggle the most. Today I'll try to exhale more forcefully so that I don't take a breath with half a lung full of air. It looks like I'm giving up my rest days for a bit. I'm not sure this is wise, but I don't know how to get the workouts in if I don't. Instead of a rest day, it's really more of a light day. Strength training is making a return. Pull-ups and push-ups is really about the only thing I'm doing. Again it's a time and energy thing. I don't want to become a slave to this thing, but I do want to succeed. Success is finishing a triathlon without feeling like a zombie afterward.

Time to get wet

Looking at the schedule that I'm planning on following (loosely), it's time to swim. I'm going to quit putting it off and start getting in the pool once a week. A value pass to the Chesterfield seems like the best deal. I may change my mind on that. Lap swim time is kind of restricted. Going to have to go in the evening or the early morning. I'll try evening first. I did a little reading in "The Triathlete's Bible" about swimming drills and workouts. I'm going to start with technique first and hope that distance will follow. More on that later.

I ran a 5k last Saturday. It was really nice to see some friends and family there. I managed to shave about forty seconds off of my Turkey Trot time.

Indoor training

This past few weeks has brought a cold snap. Wind chills below zero have driven me indoors for all my training. I was finally able to get in four miles yesterday outdoors. It was nice. I finally bought a decent pair of cycling shoes. I need to get the correct cleats for my pedals now. The date for my first Tri is April 11th. It's in Claremoore OK. It has a 400y serpentine swim, 12 mile bike and 2 mile run. Sounds like a good way to start. A friend at work suggested it to me. He and his son are going to do it, and I think Kathi's step-brother is going to do it with me. I'll probably do another one in Willard, MO and a third in Republic. That should be enough for a first season.