So since I’m currently in heavy tri training mode for that little 70.3 race I’ve got coming up I have to go ahead and throw it out there that this is currently a tri blog. I still love the marathon and running and will turn my focus to that again in the fall but need to warn all my running buds that for the time being these posts are going to be tri heavy. Apologies in advance if you could give a rat’s butt about swimming and biking.
I began last week thinking of it as my first official week of Augusta training. It did not disappoint. I’m sore and tired and can’t wait to keep at it. I swam, ran, and biked and I even got in two yoga classes to keep up the stretching. Go me.
Saturday and Sunday were big training days for me and I’m happy with how they went but I learned a few lessons and can see where I need to shift some of my focus.
On Saturday me and my training buds headed to Lido Beach (gorgeous day!) for a little mini-tri action. We switched up the order since it’s so freaking hot. Our ride was about 22 miles and it got fairly windy on the way back. I hate wind more than anything. At least with hills you can see the top and then you get to go down. With wind, it never seems to end. To that I say SUCK IT WIND.
After the ride I wanted to run three miles but cut it short at about two and a quarter because I got back to my car at that point and my leg was talking to me. Maybe. Or maybe I was just hot and tired. Ha! Either way it was a nice little brick. Then we swam about 800 yards. Here is opportunity number one.
OWS tips por favor peeps! I feel like a decent pool swimmer. I swam in high school and don’t have any mental issues with the swim. I can comfortably swim 2500 yards at this point. However, I don’t feel that this is translating so well in the open water. I feel like I should be faster in the open water than I have been. I am probably going out too hard and I’m absolutely terrible at sighting. I almost wound up in Cuba on Saturday. I swear!
On Sunday my group headed out to a trail to get in sixty miles. Mind you this is only the second time I’ve ridden that far so it’s still pretty cool to me that I can even ride this far! Please click here to see the first time I got back on a bike. With a shark horn.
Anywho, as our usual group had a few additional folks riding with us the pace got nuts for the first ten miles. We usually start the ride chatty and comfortable but the new folks apparently don’t ride that way. Yes, I’m talking to you Navy Steve and Little J. At this point, I was already moderately tired from the day before and knew this ride was going to be tough. I felt fine pushing the pace for a while but started to get tired by mile thirty. I was so happy to turn that bike around!
I had vowed to stay hydrated. I was not going to get one of my infamous post ride dehydration headaches. So I tried to drink Nuun-water as much as I could. I also ate everything I brought with me. A packet of chewie things (random brand Lazy Runner gave me), a half of a packet of Powerbar blasts, and two gels. This was not enough. At mile 40 I felt like death. This is opportunity number two.
I must take in more fuel. And earlier. I’m going to also add some calories in my beverage. The Nuun alone isn’t going to cut it. Sad face. I love the Nuun but need more calories. The problem I had, in addition to just not having enough fuel with me, was that when I ride in a group with stronger riders, I don’t want to take the time to eat for fear that I’ll get dropped. Moving forward, I’ll eat and get dropped if it means not feeling like ass before the end of the ride.
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| Too tired to take off helmet. Not tired enough to sit on gravel without a towel. |
Overall I’m happy with where my training currently sits but I’ve got a lot of work to do in the next two and a half months. This half ironman business is no joke.
How was your weekend? Get any training in?
Love to read all about tri-training! Keeps me motivated!
For the bike, also bring, and take, Endurolytes or Saltstick caps (my favorite now). Try Honey Stinger waffles as well – super easy to eat on the bike – just grab someone's wheel and chow.
I know you will get all kinds of advice from more seasoned people than I, so I will refrain. Many of the issues you have I had/have also, and have fixed a few. If you want some insight (i won't call it advice) let me know. I'll help where I can. Be careful with some though (i will offer this) that come from the vets. They seem to forget what its like to be new. Two that I have found helpful and understanding are KC and Pete.
Did you ever know that you're my hero. You're everything I wish I could be. Cuz you're the wind beneath my wings 😉
Your one BA MoFo, That is all.
I just started following your blog – and I'm excited to watch your journey to your first HIM. Like you, I was a runner before I got started in triathlons. They are super-addictive 🙂
Some OWS tips: Since you are new to OWS, I would try to fit in one every week, if possible. While you can practice sighting in the pool, nothing beats the practice of sighting when you have to.
If the water is calm, the easiest way to sight (for me) is after I take a breath. So, I'll take a breath, finish the stroke and put my head back in the water, and then I just lift my head enough so my eyes peak out. This way, I don't have to lift my whole head out of the water, as I would if I took a breath and sighted at the same time.
I also like to count my strokes, and then sight every 15-24 strokes. The rougher the conditions, the more I might sight. If I get on someone's feet (during a race), and I determine that they are a fairly straight swimmer, I'll sight less.
Sighting and learning to swim as straight a line as possible between the buoys will help you buy some time.
In terms of pacing, you indicated you might be going out to hard. If that is the case, then dial back your effort. When doing pool swims, do descending pace sets to get the feel of different paces – easy, moderate, hard, etc.
Good luck!
Your running is the only reason I read this! I always enjoyed reading about how you won so many races and the strategy that you employed.You are my running inspiration…… Oh wait… wrong blog.
LMAO at Ken's comment, WTF?!??!
Bring on the tri-training Boo! You are going to kick ass at Augusta!
Your tri training is so inspiring to me!!! One day I'll try out the tri!! I'm training my sister for a 10k now so we did our long run this weekend!
Have you thought about the Twilight race coming up on July 28 in Crystal River. It's a small race that gives you a good chance to practice sighting, transitions, etc. I was saying last season (my first) that I wish I had done the CR series first because I would have worked out a lot of issues. Just a thought. Jenny and I are racing it, and it's at night. 🙂
I would have to sleep all of Monday and possibly Tuesday as well after that lot you just did!!! Well done.
I only run at the moment as I am gearing up for some extreme ultras over the next few years. But I still love reading about tri training and races.
I remember the shark horn! Good lord, you've come a looooong way since that day! You're all bidness now! Let me know if you wanna do a yoga class. 🙂
As a long time pool swimmer I have the same issues in open water. I've just accepted that I am going to be slower. There aren't really many places for me to practice without a long drive, but if you can practice more often in open water, I would think that's what will help you the most.
you are progressing well towards the darkside…
Over the 4th I completed a drinking ironman: 2.4-oz liquor, 112-oz beer and 26.2-oz wine. I took the full 16.5 hours; I just wanted the medal. I believe the record is 3hrs 6min, but that is dumb.
Only Ironman I think I'll ever do.
Watching your journey has been fun.
There are NON triathlon blogs out there?
We only rode with you for a few miles and we did the work out front! If you kept going the same speed after we left, then it was not our fault!
I love the tri training stuff, keep it up!!
My pool swimming also doesn't quite translate to open water. I think I really rely on the line at the bottom of the pool. If only there was a trophy for the person who swims the longest from point A to point B in a race…
So excited to see you are blogging about your Augusta training. I am doing my first 70.3 in September and am loving the training so far. I am right with you on having to figure out fueling on my long rides. I am only up to 50 miles and I haven't figured out what I need yet. Bookmarking your blog!