Week of 6/23-6/29 Workout!

6/17/08: 15 mile bike ride on Whitey!
heartrate: n/a
weather: hot
Ave: 15.5 mph
Notes: So, I named my bike today. Whitey:) She needs some work and adjustments. I think I am taking her to Austin Tri-Cyclist and upgrading the whole aero setup (Keeping the Campy bar end shifters though) and putting Dura-Ace on her, as well. Yes, she will be a bit of a Frankenbike. I have been told it’s not a good idea to mix Campy and Shimano parts but the Campy parts for the most part on her are really good and I have always wanted Dura-Ace 'cause it's like butter:)

Anyhow, we went for a nice little jaunt. I am eager to have her ready to rock and roll for my next race in July, Couples tri!

So, on the downside, this was the only workout I did this week. Boo.

Week of 6/16-6/22 Workouts!

6/17/08: 16m Bike/3m Run Brick
heartrate: n/a
weather: hot
Ave: 14.5 mph
Notes: A nice 30 minute or so run followed by a 16 mile bike. The bike was sloooow (14.3 mph) but at least I was out there riding!

6/18/08: 20m bike/4.5m run Brick
heartrate: n/a
weather: hot
Ave: 8:36/mile
Notes: Another scorcher today. Ran 4.5 miles in about 38 minutes…yeah, a little fast, but it felt great. Also got in a 20 mile or so bike. I didn’t bring my bike computer so I am not really sure how far or fast I went.

6/20/08: 3m run/1000m swim brick
heartrate: n/a
weather: hot
Notes: Got in a nice 3 mile run followed by a 1000m swim workout. It was hot. As usual.

6/21/08: 40 mile AM bike ride!
heartrate: n/a
weather: hot
Notes: Harriett and I got up early today to join the ACA for a 40 mile ride. We did Creedmor. I am not sure how fast we averaged, but it couldn’t have been more than 15 mph. Part of ride is in town so it’s tough to get going really fast when you are getting stopped at lights all the time. It felt great to sit in the saddle that long, though (believe it or not).

Week of 6/9-6/15 Workouts!

6/10/08: 1 hour swim with Paul
heartrate: n/a
weather: warm
Notes: I took yesterday off and decided to get a nice swim in today with Paul. I did 200m repeats at Barton Springs as fast as I could, averaging about 6 minutes per 200m. (Not too bad...) Overall, a great workout and I feel good about my swim stroke at this point. Paul thinks I am doing pretty good, as well.

6/11/08: 3mile Run with Soco!
heartrate: n/a
weather: hot
Notes: I didn't feel 100% today and it was super hot, so I took it easy and ran back with Paul. It was nice to run easy, but I hope I feel better soon.

However, in more positive news: Weight Loss! I did weigh myself today and I am down to an unbelieveable 131. That's 5 pounds I have lost since I have moved to Austin! In 3 months!

My goal for the end of the summer is 130. Maybe I should bump that down to 125...just think if I stopped drinking and actually did some core workouts I might be unstoppable. Or at least in really good shape:)

6/12/08: Southwest Parkway 9 Miles o' Cycling!
ave 15.3 mph
heartrate: n/a
weather: hot
Notes: On possibly the hottest day of the summer (thus far!) Harriett and I rode two loops of the tough (but doable!) Southwest Parkway, a great place for cyclists in (you guessed it!) Southwest Austin. Our trip there was mostly downhill, and we averaged 16.1 mph. However, on the way back, we slowed down to 14.4 mph! Ugh.

We were so hot and tired after one loop we called it a day. Hopefully next time we get out here we can get in more mileage. Today, I'm just glad we tackled it the best we could!

6/13/08: 1 Hour Swim @ the Springs...
heartrate: n/a
weather: hot
Notes: Another scorcher today. Paul and I hit Barton Springs again and that water felt sooo good! (Of course, I had my wetsuit on and was pretty cozy!) My swimming technique is getting stronger, I just need to continue to push myself and work on some drills too.

6/14/08: 10.5 mile run and 17 mile bike!!!!
14 mph on bike
about 1:50 total running
heartrate: n/a
weather: hot and humid on run
Notes: Well, today I felt like pushing myself, so I did! It started with a nice 10.5 mile run (didn't mean to run that far...but I did!) with some nice folks from 26.2. That was the first time I have ran that far since the Austin Half back in Feb:)

Then...17 miles on the bike with Harriett in the evening! The weather was nice and a little hot, but neither of us had a ton of energy, so we took the hilly ride 'fairly' easy. Overall, it was nice to do a double workout today. Hopefully I am not too sore tomorrow.

LOOK: I BOUGHT A NEW BIKE!

Like I really needed another one...but I got a really good deal on this one. This makes bike #3, and I barely have room for two! I have yet to name her but once I give her a ride and get fitted, I'll give her a proper name and, of course, some custom decals too!

RACE REPORT: Danksin Tri (Not meant to be?!)

I'll explain more later...I got two flat tires yesterday! But, I had the best triathlon swim I have ever had.
And I actually finished the race!

--
The race started 'innocent enough.' Haha. I had a great spot on the rack right near the bike exit, I was in the VERY first swim wave, and I felt great, no nerves at all. The gun went off and I got to swimming. I actually warmed up this time in the lake before the race, and I must say that was the reason why I did so well today. I DIDN'T PANIC AT ALL!

Although I was in the water a loooong time, I finished feeling good about the swim! Paul was there cheering for me it made me feel good. Now, onwards to the bike. I felt great. I was averaging at LEAST 17 mph or so on that challenging course until BAM!!!!!, a flat tire at mile 8! Luckily, I had a flat tire earlier in the week (hmmm, a sign I guess!), so no problem changing it. Well...while putting air in it, I heard the tire go!!!!!! I must have either pinched the tube putting it back on or it was a bad tube. Hmm, lesson learned, no more cheap tubes.

So, I had to yell to anyone to borrow another tube (cause, I don't carry two) plus another CO2. (Okay, lesson learned there, carry 2 from now on). By then, a mechanic came to help me and I had already been sidetracked over 20 minutes. It was getting hot. I couldn't wait to finish.
I got back on after thanking him and hammered the rest of course. Then I finally saw the finish and threw my bike on the rack. I knew I could have been done with the race by now! I kept in good spirits though, and Paul cheered me up too at the transition. The run wasn't memorable, just hot. I did walk a little up that hill at the end.

Overall, I was happy to finish. I had a good start and end to the race, and I did what I came out to do, and that was IMPROVE. Hell, just having a better swim made the whole race worth it. Even if I had DNF'ed...I wouldn't have been sad. That swim was awesome! Now, enjoy a pic:O)

The STATS:
750m swim, 12 mile bike, 3.1 mile run
29:59s
2:27 T1
46:00B *according to my watch, actual cycling time
2:30T2
26:26r

Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: nice

Week of 6/2-6-8 Workouts!

6/2/08: 3 Mile Run and 1 Hour swim

total running: 27 minutes or so

heartrate: n/a

weather: warm

Notes: Today was the last day of T3 Swim Clinic. :( After a nice run, we spent our last hour together learning some advanced drills and working on flip turns (which I really enjoy!) Then, onto happy hour to celebrate! Although I will miss everyone (especially Paul and Paula!), we will all be out training for triathlons, so we will all be in touch.

Plus, I think Paul and I are going to continue swimming together:)

6/4/08: 4.5 Mile Run with Soco Run club!

5k: 26 mins

ave for 5k: 8:22/mile

heartrate: n/a

weather: hot

Notes: Ran a 15 minute, 1.5 mile warmup to Docs (where we meet!) and then a 26 minute 5k with the club. It was fast and hot, but relaxed. A great run overall! Missed my crew! Back to drinking:)

6/5/08: A Windy 9 Mile Bike Ride!

heartrate: n/a

weather: windy

Notes: My cycling partner Harriett couldn't make it out to ride so I went out to the Veloway alone today. It was soooo freaking windy, so I rode 3 times around the 3 mile loop and called it a day. Enough was enough! Plus I got a flat tire which took a while to change (my first one ever!) so that took some wind out of my cycling sails too...

I did meet a new friend in a Houston Racing uniform (my old triathlon club!) who at one time was President of the club there! Although he spanked my tush around the loop, (and his hot Cervelo probably didn't hurt...) he was very humble and curtious and we chatted for about 30 minutes before I had to go. Hope to see him again soon!

6/6/08: 1 Hour Swim at Barton Springs!

heartrate: n/a

weather: a little windy

Notes: so this was my first time swimming here since I was a kid. The water, NO JOKE, is 68 degrees, year round. So yeah, a little chilly. I ended up wearing my new wetsuit, lol. Yes, I am a dork, but it's nice having it on, for the buoyany and added warmth (and Paul's laughs at my expense!).

Racing this weekend...I feel ready to kick butt!

6/8/08: Danskin Tri!

(Read about it in a seperate race report!)

Week of 5/26-6/1 Workouts!

5/26/08: 1 hour swim and 3 Mile brick workout
total running: about 27 mins or so
Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: warm
Notes: Nothing was really memorable about the run but I really pushed myself in the pool today. It felt great, but I was really wore out after the workout. Hopefully I can continue to push myself like this on every workout.

5/27/08: 4.5 Mile run!
total running: 42 minutes
aver mile: 9:20
Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: warm but nice
Notes: The weather was really great today and I felt entergized as I ran to the Lake and around and back. Ran into a few folks watching the bats, but it gave me a little diversion before I headed home. A great run overall.

5/28/08: 3 Mile Run and 1 Hour Swim Brick!
total running: 27 mins or so
Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: warm
Notes: My right hamstring was really tight today so I took the run pretty easy. However, I pushed myself in the pool again and feel like I am finally starting to see the results, I'm pretty excited to see my body transform as I continue to push myself and eat well.

5/31/08: 36 Mile Bike Ride in Houston!
total cycling: about 3 hours
ave. 16.5 mph
Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: warm and breezy
Notes: While I was in Houston this weekend, I took advantage of the flat roads out in Katy to get in a nice ride with my good friend Will Neff and two of his co-workers. We had a great time...making a pace line as we went into the headwind and pushed as hard as we could. The ride felt great...I need to ride more often though! The delious and cheap Mexican food after was the real treat! can't wait to ride with them again!