This and That

Today I blog about lots of stuff!

1. Tri training update. I am doing sooooooo much better on the bike thanks a greater understanding of the gears on the road bike. Hopefully I won't get toasted on the hills in my next group ride! I am looking forward to some good run training in Alaska where is it much cooler!

2. The house! It's absolutely awesome! The sod is down there is carpeting..all the little things are going in and WE CLOSE ON THE 30th! I can't believe it! We actually have the final walk through the day we fly back into Charlotte (red -eye from Anchorage!)...can any one say Chi Tea for me!

3. ALASKA! We leave in less than 10 days! I have been busy this week booking tours and "adventures." I can't wait...and you better believe there will be a blog just for that when we get home!

4. Work. Blah! While most everyone is looking forward to a 3 day weekend...I am gearing up to work it! 3 twelve hour shifts in a row! Yikes! From what I have observed, weekends and holidays are either pretty slow...or really, really busy. Despite working away the holiday...I am feeling more and more confident with all the new protocols and how to find things on the unit. I really do like the people I work with and the patients. Please keep you fingers crossed that all is well in the medical world this weekend! Regardless...after the 3 days stretch only 2 more work days until we fly out!

Happy 4th to everyone! Be safe!

Training Updates

Today I drove over to the park to do my run (I would have biked...but still need to get those pedals installed). All was fine and good...but around 2K I found myself praying for rain just to break the humidity. Its not hot...relatively...but I am really struggling with the moisture.

Any suggestions out there? It gets to the point that the air is so thick that I can't even breathe properly. I don't carry my water bottle with me...its too annoying...but I don't think that's the problem.

Part of the issue is that I need a running buddy. Someone to distract me from the fact that I am indeed running around in circles. I am on the Tri team at the Y...but I am usually scheduled to work on the days that they run. When I do get to go with them...I find that I accomplish much more than I do on my own.

Tomorrow is swim day after work. I am torn between distance or drills. Guess I'll see what I am feeling when I get there. I will write up both work-outs just in case. =)

Today I am taking my trusty bike for its new pedals. And Sunday will be riding with the Bee Team to learn how to use them.

Hope all is well...Suggestions on this humidity thing welcome!

Confessions of a Tri Trainer

Ugh...I have not done well this past week. But we all have bad training weeks once in a while right??

Here's to a better week coming!

Tri Training

So I decided that I would try to ride with the big kids today. I gather up all my new spiffy bike stuff and head out. The leader, who is super cool btw, stands up and says "today will be a challenge" (I like challenges) "we will be climbing 'Mt. Waxhaw'" (I never noticed any really big hills around) "It will be 28 miles" (hmmm...my first time out we only did 12...but I felt great then...).

There are some very important distinctions between mountain and road bikes...the one I dislike the most is the "cage." I haven't gotten clip pedals yet so my feet are wedged into a little harness thingy to...in theory...maximize the amount of energy on the upswing of each stroke. That's fine...unless you have to get out of the cage quickly...which I needed to do...and your foot gets stuck...which mine did. Down I went. I'll say this, its been a long time since I had to pick gravel out of my leg. =) And yes, peroxide still stings.

Mt. Waxhaw was quite a challenge, but despite a few learning curves and being the last person to the top...I did it! Fortunately the ride back was a little more forgiving...or I would have been calling a cab to come find me.

All in all it was a great experience and I am happy that I made the effort to ride with the big kids. This was my second ride after all and I should expect that I won't really be up with the pack until I get more of a rhythm. Fortunately...I don't think my issue is cardiovascular...I think it is technique and not quite being used to the bike.

I will hang with the beginners this Sunday when I ride with the Bee-Team. Not because I am afraid of the distance, but more because I think that I will learn more theory with that group. The rides on Thursday don't have a beginners group...so I will just have to keep at it. They all have a no drop policy which I appreciate! Especially because I still don't know my way around very well.

I survived a 28 mile ride....which means I am 3 miles over what I need. Next week I am going to try to run a few miles after to get used to the transition. I am also going to look into some of those clippy pedals!

On a side note...I have taken about 8 minutes off my mile swim...would still like to get it down a few more minutes. My running is coming along...I am planning on signing up for a 5K soon to see how it goes.

As our coach at the Y says "Gotta....Tri!" And boy am I!

Just Keep Swimmin....
Jess