How Hard Can It Be? 5.0

[Veronica]

Finally got my butt to the pool. I haven't swum since my last race in September.

After my warm up, I swam a thousand yards, just to kind of get a feel for where I'm at. My time was 19:09, not bad. But regular swimming would definitely improve it.

Veronica

[alexis_the_tiny]

Just so you know, Veronica, I'd give my right arm and possibly both legs to swim a thousand yards in 19 minutes after a warm up. Although that'll be the end of any swimming for me, so I'll stick to 20 minutes to finish 500 yards. You totally rock in a very big way.

[Veronica]

Just so you know, Veronica, I'd give my right arm and possibly both legs to swim a thousand yards in 19 minutes after a warm up. Although that'll be the end of any swimming for me, so I'll stick to 20 minutes to finish 500 yards. You totally rock in a very big way.

That would make swimming and the rest of your tri - very hard!

Thanks!

Veronica

[Veronica]

My last ride on my road bike was 25 miles on February 12. Yesterday we went out for 70 miles in the delta - very flat, but very windy. The first half of the ride we had a headwind and the occasional cross wind, and the pavement was awful. But it was a beautiful day, we were on lightly trafficked levee roads and we had some pretty vineyards, river front homes and the river itself to distract us. Still, I was glad on the second half to be on better pavement and to have tail or crosswinds. And we still had those river views.

The first half of the ride we averaged 14 mph and my HR average was 145. The second half we averaged 18.3 and my HR was 150. Those rates are solidly in my endurance zone on the bike. I was deliberately trying to keep it below 155. I spent the last 17 miles either in the drops or doing invisible aerobars. Happily, my bike is quite comfy, even with the time off. I have put my race wheels back on it and I could feel the crosswind with those deep rims. I'm a little tired today and I can tell I haven't had much saddle time. I don't really recommend taking 11 weeks off your bike. Although, in fairness, we did ride the tandem once and we did the White Rim trip.

Veronica

[Veronica]

My first race of the season is on Sunday. It should be quite a bit warmer than it was last year, which is good. Hopefully, the buoy won't move and it will only be a 1,000 yard swim. It will be my first swim in my full sleeved wet suit. My only swim goal is to get accustomed to the wet suit.

The bike is pretty hilly and my plan is to just not go too hard. I want to keep my HR around 155. That will be hard to do on the hills.

The run is not especially flat either! My goal is to run smart and have fun on the run. Once you move up and away from the transition area, the run is on some gorgeous single track up above the reservoir. I want to run to my HR - not letting it get above 168. No blowing up!

Between now and then I plan to relax and not get sucked in to making time goals.

Veronica

[tprevost]

Hey Veronica,

I'll be cheering for you! See ya Sunday!

Tracy

[Veronica]

Cool! I was hoping you would be there again this year! It should be much warmer!

Veronica

[tprevost]

Yeah, I sure hope so! I was freezing and I had clothes on!

[Veronica]

Race report and pictures are posted on our website. Click the link below.

Results are posted: 5/11 in my age group; 10/23 Overall

The race is smaller than I thought, with less than 70 participants.

Veronica

[Veronica]

I may never be able to run as fast as I would like...

but I can do push ups with my hands on the floor, one foot on the fit ball and 1 foot in the air, ten on each side. The first side was always pretty easy. By about 5 on the second side, Shawna was keeping the ball from rolling too much.

Veronica

[Wahine]

I may never be able to run as fast as I would like...

but I can do push ups with my hands on the floor, one foot on the fit ball and 1 foot in the air, ten on each side. The first side was always pretty easy. By about 5 on the second side, Shawna was keeping the ball from rolling too much.

Veronica

That's awesome. Well done.

[Veronica]

Did a brick on Saturday and went mountain biking on Sunday.

Sunday's ride was very short - just 5.75 miles with 1,000 feet of climbing and descending. Yep, it goes up for just over 2.7 miles and then we turn around and go back down. It's possible to do it as a loop, but we actually prefer it this way - get the best climbing and the best descending.

Switched my upper body workout to Mondays this week - a lot of core work today, including ab roll outs. I'll feel those tomorrow.

Just three weeks of school left. I've got my dog and pony show presentation for the math grant I've been participating in on Thursday. Bought a new dress for it yesterday.

Veronica

[Wahine]

Bought a new dress for it yesterday.

Veronica

I hope it's cut appropriately. You know, to show off your guns.

[Veronica]

I hope it's cut appropriately. You know, to show off your guns.

This is what I got.




I don't think the picture is great and on the rack it looked so busy. But it's really cute on and totally different from my regular wardrobe. Most of my stuff is separates and solid colors. And yeah... the shoulders and biceps look really good.

Veronica

[Susan Otcenas]

That's Prana. I love their prints. Super cute!