D to the N to the F

So, last weekend I participated in my first Olympic distance triathlon in Wisconsin. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to finish. I had been kind of sick the few days leading up to the race and so my nutrition was a bit out of whack. I made it through the swim alright, despite it being a traffic nightmare (yes, somehow that IS possible on a swim). I made it through one loop of the bike course, but had started to feel dizzy on a few uphills and I just didn't feel safe continuing. It's disappointing, sure, but it was the best thing to do. I was happy with my performance on the swim, so that's something positive to take away from the whole experience.

Next sunday: the Muddy Buddy in Elgin with Heath. Hopefully the heat wave isn't too bad!

Inaugural Millenium Triathlon

My mom just called to let me know there is a brand new sprint tri in Grand Rapids. It starts and finishes about 1.5 miles from where my parents live, so it would be super easy from a logistics standpoint. I could use a short little tune up race before Chicago, and I like the idea of being able to be one of the people that ran this race every year that it existed. Plus, it would be easy for people to come watch! I'm excited about it. Heath is out of town that weekend, so it will be just me heading up that way, but I'll have plenty of support from the family up there.

Quick Run

One of the nice things about working at the corporate office is that there is a gym downstairs with showers etc. So, I was able to get in a quick 1.7 mi run today. Nothing fantastic, but every little bit helps.

Swim Clinic

So, last night I had my second session of six at UIC with the CES swim class I'm taking. As a bonus, my new XM radio is finally working properly, which makes the commute there and back much nicer.

I really feel like I'm making gains in my swimming for the first time in a long time. I haven't been in the pool much, and until last night, I really felt like no matter what I did, I wasn't getting any faster. I didn't know what to do to improve my technique and form. I am able to build endurance over time, which is great, but it's discouraging to level off at a certain pace and not know where to go from there.

Last night we worked more on balance and rotation, which are critical. That's something that I've always been ok at. We also started counting strokes. My first try was 19 strokes/25yd in the high 20s for time. My second one was 17 strokes and 22 seconds. I think my stroke count is pretty decent so far.

Then we worked on pulling a bit. I feel this is an area where I need some help. I taught myself how to swim, and kind of made my best guess as far as arms were concerned. After just 1 tip from the coach last night, it felt COMPLETELY different. I felt like there was so much more power on every pull. It also worked some new muscles in my back, which is good. I'll need to practice it this week before my race on Sunday. I know my training this week is pretty much too little too late, but every little bit helps, especially with form and technique.

After class, the asst coach said I should join the master's swims at UIC. (Master's swims are where GOOD swimmers go to get better.) I don't know if I'm ready for something like that, yet, but he said I'd fit right in. I think I need to learn how to flip turn before I can join a master's group, but I'll ask him more about it next week.

also

go play on wordle. too cool.

this is the wordle for this blog.

It's Been Awhile

Yeah, so I've obviously neglected this blog for quite some time. Partly a function of being busy, mostly a function of being lazy.

I've run a few races - Shamrock Shuffle with Heath in March, a 5K in Glenview in June (which I PR'd and PLACED in my age group - how crazy is that?!), and another 5K in Grandville over 4th of July weekend. I made it through the Galena triathlon, which I blogged about on my other blog, but of course, not here on my TRIATHLON blog. Yeah. I also did the Quad Cities triathlon again, which was a lot of fun and very muddy. I beat my time from last year by quite a bit, but am still pretty slow.

That is because I don't train enough. Yep. I admit it. I could probably be pretty decent if I actually put effort in. I have a race this weekend (Tri'ing for Children's) in Wisconsin, that I'm horribly undertrained for. Then I have Chicago a mere 4 weeks later. I've been trying to run more, but have to be careful to not injure myself by doing too much too fast. I have also signed up for a swim clinic, in which I shall learn excellent form and technique. That, should, in time make me a faster swimmer. I have the 2nd session of 6 tonight. I'm looking forward to it.

Also, I got accepted into Kellogg, and if I end up going there, I could potentially join the triathlon club. It would be cool to have people to train and race with, and I'm so shy/lazy that it's hard for me to get out there and find it on my own.

Anyway, I'm going to try to be better about posting on here. I really do enjoy tri's and need to see about pushing myself to improve.