into the...

COOOOOOOOOOOLD!!!

I did one of my last new things today.  I practiced the open water swim for he first time.  With much thanks to my friend Lauri--who is a pro at the open water--she was able to calm me down get me through it.  Really--this is the only part of the race that is still intimidating.

We donned our wetsuits and started into Aquatic Park.  (My daughters were quite fascinated the the wetsuit and kept coming over to pet me in it.)  I knew it was going to be cold... and it was (about 50 degrees).  There is nothing pleasant about that.  And while the wetsuit did it's job, it doesn't cover feet, ankles, hands or your face.  The ankles was really the worse bit--they hurt, REALLY hurt because of the cold.  I think the only thing that made me get over that was getting my face wet--because that literally is just so shocking it takes your breath away.

Honestly, things went pretty well.  But definitely a few lessons learned.  For instance, there are no breaks--no place to touch down and take a breather.  When you're tired, treading water or a back float are your only options--and it's just not the same as standing up on the bottom of the pool.  And more than anything else, I was exhausted from that.

Not being able to see due to murky water was different too--but that didn't really bother me.  Speaking of not being able to see--I did use defogger, but it didn't work.  I don't know if it's because the water was just so cold, but really I couldn't see at all where I was going even when I looked up.  My best option there was just trying to stay with Lauri, because then I knew I was pretty much going the right direction.  And that was something else--with the tides it's much harder to go straight than you think.  (I did once mistake a buoy for her :)

Anyway, despite that bit of panic at the beginning it was a very positive experience.  And Lauri can take most of the credit there.  I can't say I'm a convert and that open water is my new thing, but I am--or will be-- comfortable enough with it to get through it and on to the bike.  Then the fun can begin.

Also, I finally sent the pledge email to my work colleagues.  I suppose I am most nervous about that email than others.  We get so many similar emails at work for other fundraisers, hopefully they won't mind--but I still don't like bothering my colleagues.  Sorry, and thanks in advance!

It's getting closer, less than a month

I rented my wet suit today.  I'll get to use it this Saturday at Aquatic Park.  My friend Lauri is going to show me the ropes of open water swimming.  Pretty excited--a little nervous.

Also today, I effectively did the tri...indoors.  I went to the gym and did all three sports in succession for either the distance (swimming and running) or time (spinning) I expect to do.  I did the swim a little faster than planned (but still slow), and the run a bit slower than I wanted. Again because of being indoors, it was hard to say how my biking compared.  Transitions weren't realistic at because the gym is layed out for a triathlon and I had to deal with a locker, etc.  Nonetheless, did the whole thing in 1:20.54 which is just off the mark of what I hope to actually do.  And I was not super-pushing it, so I have more to give come race time.  (Assuming I don't choke like my last race and let my nerves and heart rate get the best of me.)  I was pretty pleased with this effort, especially for the first time of doing all three.

One lesson learned, might need to invest in better tri-shorts.

Then the other other sports news, is I got my bike back form the shop today.  New shifters, chain, cables, handlebar tape and brake pads.  Plus a tune-up.  Wasn't too happy about the bill, or the fact they lost the parts for a while.  But I am stoked to try it out--hopefully Thursday.  Last Thursday I got a 22 mile ride in on the mountain bike.  So I'm hoping for about 30 this time on the roadie.

Still Training

Wow has it really been a month since my last post?

Well, even though my blogging has been lagging, my training has not.  While I still have not been good about sticking to my actual plan, I am basically getting in 2 swims, 2 runs and 2 rides in each week.  In fact, last week I had a 2 hour run--which means I haven't really lost much from my Half Marathon training.  And his past weekend I got an 18 mile ride--on my mountain bike no less--which is my longest ride in a very long time.

The side story there is that my road bike needs some work.  While on a different ride, the shifters basically went out--leaving me with a 1 speed while going up hill.  I was going to get a tune up anyway, but now I have to replace the shifters as well.  For now, I'm on the knobby tires--road bike is due back next week.  Oh yeah--spinning is about as boring as it gets--WAY more boring that running on a treadmill.  Now that the weather has finally dried up, and daylight savings is here--I should be able to get outside more for both.

I'm also almost within one month of the race, which means I need to rent my wet suit and start getting in the cold cold water.  Another side story here--it turns out being in the water lot, causes dry skin.  At first I had no idea what it was, then I thought it was the chlorine, but no--it really is just the time in water.  So I've had to buy some fancy soaps and lotions to counteract the water.

The most exiting development--is that the jerseys came in.  They look awesome!  A little on the small size though.  I'll just have to drop a few more pounds.

Time to get back on the fund-raising bandwagon again.