I heart Barton Springs

I am supposed to start adding a 2000 m open water swim (OWS) once a week, starting this week. I discovered last night, after my almost 7 m run on the Town Lake Trail, that Barton Springs is almost empty at 8 pm, until the free swim starts at 9 pm. And because I have my city employee badge, I can get in for free. So last night, after the run, I went to soak and do a little "ice" bath afterwards, which always feels pretty awesome. So tonight, I went back for the swim. It wasn't that crowded at all, and I felt pretty good through about 1200 m, and then just completely lost motivation and stopped. I think I'm still a little pooped from the hard effort, but also some days are just off. That's okay. You don't always have to be perfect, you just have to be present.

Week #4 Longhorn Training

Week #4 Longhorn Training

Swim 2; actual 1.25

Bike 3.5; 3.25

Run 3; 2.25

Core 1; 0.75

Total 9.5; 7.5

Long bike 30-40; 36.5 Parmer with The Girls

Long run 7; none, longest run ~4 miles

Ugh. Did not get the training in this week, and I slacked because it was the rest week, so I figured I could just rest. But really, I was supposed to do 9.5 hours. And of course, it's only 4 pm, so I could go do a swim-run brick tonight. But I did a 3 hour ride this morning. And the issue is not whether I can jam in the training at the last minute, but can I be consistent and do the training in the way that will help me progess and change and improve.

I am looking forward to the coming weeks, my schedule is getting better and better, and I am going to have more time to train at convenient hours. I am also looking forward to some bike rides, though I am debating how much I want to do the T3 rides versus supported charity rides. I am looking at the Mamma Jamma, plus the La Vernia Hammerfest, but aside from those, there are rides almost every Saturday and Sunday across Texas. But I guess part of the question is where the ride is located and how long it will take to get there. But they all look like fun to me!

9:30 pm update- I did go for a run and did some core and stretching afterwards for a total of 1.75, so a total of 9.25 for the week. I feel much better getting closer to the goal, and hopefully next week I won't leave it for the last minute! I'm also trying out the 1:1 run:walk interval, and I'm liking it a lot!

Parmer Ride with The Girls

I invited myself along to ride with M and her friend D that are training for the Mamma Jamma ride in October. I still haven't decided to do this ride, mainly because of the timing with Longhorn, but also the $500 fundraising minimum. We met out at It's a Grind on Parmer at 7 am, and were off right about 7:05. M had warned me that they average about 10 mph on their mountain bikes, and I said that would be no problem because I'm normally around 12. So I was expecting to have some troubles, but really, it worked out perfectly. After a five mile slow warmup, followed by a bathroom break, I started going ahead on the downhills, then taking side trips. I would pick a street to the right, ride down a little ways, sometimes only 100 yards, sometimes a couple of blocks, turn around, and head back. If I timed it right, at the turn around, I would see The Girls riding by on Parmer, so that I would work hard to catch up, then rest for a couple of minutes riding with them, then move ahead and repeat the process. I was able to explore some side streets, shopping centers, and the RRISD athletic complex that was hosting a women's semi pro football game. So it was perfect: fun people to talk to, a relaxed pace when I wanted, a faster pace when I wanted, and exploring. And even better, D's girlfriend is the Snackwagon- she showed up around half way with water and snacks and encouragement, and then went ahead about 10-15 miles and waited until we came by. It was a roving rest stop. It really makes me want a wife, too bad I'm not a lesbian!

So really, it was a fantastic ride- reasonable temperature, nice breeze for the most part, wide shoulders, good scenery, friends, and the Snackwagon. I wound up going 36.5 in 3:15. Not my fastest, but that wasn't what this was about at all. Now I probably can't do every ride this way and get the proper training in, but it sure was fun today!

Week #3 Longhorn Training

The plan this week:

Swim 2; actual 1.25- only one T3 swim

Bike 3.5; actual 3.0 at Katy

Run 2.5; actual 1.5- just the long run.

Core 0.5; actual 0.75

Total 8.5 (big jump this week)
Actual 6.5- didn't jump.

Other- walking and hiking- 75 minutes

Long bike 40- Katy Flatland Ride- 43.67

Long run 6- 5.5 miles at Mary Moore Searight park.

After Couples, I had some GI issues, and again after the Katy ride. I think I get dehydrated, and blood flow is diverted from the GI tract during exercise, so I don't have any problems during. The problem is after, when the blood flow is restored, and the ingesta that has been sitting and making my guts unhappy has to be dealt with, and gas, bloating, and diarrhea result. Ugh.

So that, and working extra this week, and the heat, all contributed to not getting in the weeknight sessions. Better luck next week!

Houston Marathon: January 17, 2010

Gagh!

Week #2 Longhorn Training

The plan:
Swim 2
Actual 2

Bike 3
Actual 4.25- Fitzhugh, short T3 ride, and Couples

Run 2
Actual 1.5

Core 0
Actual 0.5

Total 7
Actual 8.0
Plus 60 minutes of walking throughout the week.
Long bike 30- actual only 24
Long run 5- only 3.1 during Couples

So again, a little off on the distribution, but getting the hours in. And the training is paying off, as seen by the PR at Couples. So keep on keeping on!

IMAZ vs IMFL

So a bunch of T3ers are looking ahead to 2010 and which Ironman to do, and the big question is Arizona or Florida. So they set up a meeting at the Flying Saucer to discuss, listen to previous finishers, and sweat out on the patio. I have already been leaning heavily towards Arizona, and I think I am still planning on that one, but below are the talking points from the meeting.

IMAZ Pros:
Easy to get to- lots of flights through Southwest Airlines
Don't need a car
But if you drive 15-16 hours
A real town, with lots of options for friends and family
More infrastructure- stores, restaurants, hotels
Cool in the morning, cool in the evening (avg 50 degrees)
Cool, freshwater swim (water temp 64 degrees)
Start in the dark
One lap swim
Deep water start
3 loop bike course- lots of teammates to see
Hot corner- bike and run pass by here 6 times total
Date is the weekend before Thanksgiving
T3ers training for this race are closer to my speed and are friendlier

IMAZ Cons:
Not as scenic- desert outskirts in some sketchy areas of town
"Fresh" water is skunky
3 loop run course- can hear others finishing while you have another lap to go
Run alone in the dark at the end
Can be windy
Any IM is going to be really really hard
Date is the weekend before Thanksgiving


IMFL Pros:
Beautiful beach
Cheap condos
Beach start
2 lap run, out and back- can see teammates
More light out in the morning and the end
Run course goes by commercial and neighborhood areas
Date will be some time around my birthday, so that would be a pretty cool birthday present to finish
A bunch of the loud, fun, fast T3ers are planning to do this race

IMFL Cons:
Humidity
Salt water swim
2 lap swim
Sand
One long out and back bike
Not much to the town- just a resort town
Can be windy
Any IM is going to be really really hard


So, after a lot of analysis, still at the same place, leaning heavily towards IMAZ. Luckily I don't have to make a decision today. And I have Longhorn to do before I can legitimately sign up for an Ironman. Baby steps.