"How hard can it be?" Training Update

[Wahine]

Thank you V. You rock.

[Veronica]

Thank you V. You rock.

No problem, a small token of my appreciation for all your encouragement.

Today was hard, but kind of fun in a masochistic sort of way.

I did three short bricks back to back - 4.8 mile bike, 1.1 mile run. All but one of my transitions were under 2 minutes. That one included a potty break.

My legs were a little fatigued. I've run three days in a row now. Who'd have thought I'd ever say that?

I've been looking at the results for last year's Barb's Race Athena class. I could have a kick butt swim time. I wish the swim were longer.

V.

[Wahine]

Yippeeeeeeeee V!! You are so ready for the triathlon world. You're going to kill your HIM. Are you going to be racing in Athena? Cool.

I unfortunately, or fortunately... (I'm not sure which)... have dropped firmly out othe the Athena category. I look good but won't be medaling much this year.

[Veronica]

Are you going to be racing in Athena? Cool.

Yep - even at my lightest I'm an Athena. And I'm about 10 pounds up from that. Would you believe that I have not lost a single pound since I started training. And no, I have not added muscle and my clothes do not fit differently. It's a little annoying.

Given last year's times and what I think I may be able to do - I'd come in 5th. Out of a field of like 10. I waver back and forth between doing the swim harder. I could probably shave off another two minutes if I swam it hard. And I could do the bike faster than I've projected. But 13 miles is a long freakin' way to run...

Gee Mr. Official... could I do the run first so I can get it out of the way and then focus on what I'm good at? I promise not to drown.

Right...


V.

[Wahine]

V - I had a coach that asked me to do an Oly race before an IM where I pushed the bike as hard as I could. Then run and not worry about the run, just run it like it was any other race. Turned out that I could run just as fast even though I thought I had totally emptied the tank on the bike. You might want to try it on a small race first just to see what'll happen. Or even in your training. There's a lot of time to be made up on the bike even if you push just a little bit more.