Friday, April 1, 2011

Into the swing

I am totally loving being back into the training. Apart from my family and friends, it is truly the only thing that puts a smile on my face. Even when things hurt as they do quite often, I still manage to find the ability to smile ( a potential side effect from the endorphins).

Yesterday I managed to swim a straight 2km swim at the pools with my wetsuit on. I know I shouldn't do it because the chemicals can wreck the material, however getting out for open water swims is not that easy. I made sure I rinsed it thoroughly post swim. The wetsuit still feels odd. I know this will get better but it is just a really unnatural sensation to not be able to feel the water as such. That loss of sensation makes swimming for me slightly less enjoyable but I do feel a heck of alot faster in the water. I would set off from one end of the pool and before I knew it I was at the other end. I guess I just have to keep practising in it - and practice makes perfect. Thank goodness I am a persistent creature. I finished the 2km in roughly 35mins and that was without the slightest effort - so it was quite an eye opener.

Then this morning unable to head out for my bike ride because Kurtis is sick with the same thing I had I decided to set up the trainer and rock out a 1hr ride at 70.3 pace. 30km, 65mins and 3/4's of "Never been kissed" later, I headed out the door for a 30min run off the bike. Another great run was to be had. When I set out I felt like I was going slow but I figured I was only meant to be taking it easy anyway. It wasn't until I looked at my Garmin what time it was that I saw that I was running a sub 5min/km pace and it didn't even feel like it.

I knew that it wasn't a pace that I could hold forever so I slowed it down a far bit and finished my run of 5.37km in 29mins. The two things that did bother me a bit was my left ITB but physio has that under control and a post run cough. Nothing new - post viral coughs are my thing. Just needed a dose of Ventolin upon arriving home. It has since settled and I feel fine. The ITB was stretched, rolled and iced as well. I'm being a good girl. Seems having that time off really did make me feel all spritely. Thanks everyone for your encouragement on that homefront.

During the last 2 days of activities I have been sporting a necklace. A very beautiful necklace that was given to me by a friend for my birthday. Check it out.
Thanks Tracy. I love it.

I doubt that I will ever take it off. Unless of course I have to change the leather strapping due to wear and tear.

I also had another article get printed in our local paper "The Penrith Press" about the Olympic Distance Triathlon that the club is holding this Sunday. It is our very first Olympic Distance event and everyone is so excited about it - including me. Why? Well I signed up for too. I figure I need to see exactly what it is I am getting myself into come May 1st.
I am slightly scared just between you and I. But this will be a good way to test out nutrition and pacing for Port. So I am looking at it more like a training day versus a race. I will try my hardest not to get too caught up in the pre race jitters and think about it like a Saturday training day. I know everyone doing the race so it will be comforting to have all their smiling faces around me.

PureSport Triathlon - here I come.

Your hard work will be rewarded.

"The path to a dream is paved with sacrifices and lined with determination. And though it has many stumbling blocks along the way, and may go in more than one direction, it is travelled by belief and courage and conquered with a willingness to face challenges and take chances" Barbara Cage