Swim, Run, Bike

After swimming yesterday I decided that more training was needed.  Today was a good day for me to try and fit it all in.  I was off to the pool again for the 10AM lap swim.  I was worried that the lanes would be packed but luckily there were only a couple other swimmers.  I spent last night watching a few fun freestyle swim videos.  I was hoping they would help give me some pointers.  I climbed into the pool and made it to the slow lane.  I was feeling pretty confident as I began but soon realized I am a complete dork and have zero skills trying to breathe and swim at the same time.  I tried to concentrate on my form and smoothly exhale and then grab a quick breath before needing to keep going.  I'm just not fast enough to do it well without slowing way down and throwing everything off.  I finally resigned myself to the fact that I'll do basically the same thing but instead of a professional looking breath to the side, I have to just raise my head straight up.  Not the best plan but it will have to work for now.  It slows me down way less doing that then trying to do it right and swallowing a gallon of water.  Before it was over I managed to swim 900 meters.  I was very slow by the time I was done, especially after my swim yesterday.  The swim felt great even though I think I'm even more worried about it for Saturday.


I came home, did a few chores, and then tied on some running shoes.  I hopped on my treadmill (I LOVE IT) and tried to get in 3 miles before my girls got home from school.  I felt really good and managed almost 4 by the time they got here.  I decided to push my time schedule and go for 5.  I successfully achieved 5 miles in 49:15.


Big M had her first soccer game tonight.  I had also planned on getting a bike ride in with Tressa.  I got the girls ready to leave, Jason made it home, and off we went.  Jason dropped me off at Tressa's and went to the soccer fields.  Our plan was to have Tressa drop me off there after our ride.  I knew I would miss part of her game but I was hoping to catch the last half.


We were delayed a little waiting for the magical tool that will lower the bike seat.  It still hadn't arrived so I just decided to live on the wild side and go for it.  I'm pretty tall so it's a little frightening to be on a bike I'm not use to and feeling like I'm going to crash every time I slow down since I can't safely touch the ground.  

Tressa took a few shots before we left.  She had mapped out a course for us ahead of time.  I didn't know where we were going to go but I'm familiar with almost all of our local roads so I was excited to see where she would take us.  As we started I began to figure out where things were on the bike.  I had never shifted before or paid attention to the gears on our first ride.  Now I was trying to take it all in so I will know what to do on Saturday.  Another issue I have is getting my feet into the pedal clips.  Very humorous if I wasn't so freaked every time I tried to attempt it.  I tend to veer off a little during these moments :)  Also, it was more challenging due to the fact that my legs started to cramp up every time I tried to do it.  I had a successful moment around mile 5 when I managed to get one of my feet in the clips.  Oh yeah, I'm that good :)  Not long after that and I had both feet where they should have been from the beginning.


The ride went well.  I felt good and was starting to feel more comfortable on the bike.  Check that, all parts except any body part that had to come into contact with the seat.  Seriously, props go out to all the guys out there who ride.  It got more interesting when we got back into town.  Dealing with traffic, lights, and the anxious feeling I got every time I had to slow down/stop made it an adventure.  

After getting back to Tressa's we got a few fun pics.  It's so awesome having someone to train with.  Once I stopped my Garmin aka Need For Speed I noticed it was way later than I thought.  I finally reached Jason and we decided he would just come pick me up since Big M's game was almost over.  I knew it was a possibility that I would miss it.  I feel bad since I have never missed any of my kids school/sporting stuff but I know there will be plenty more games.  I talked to Big M before and after her game and she was very supportive of her Mom training for her TRI.  What a great kid I have.  I know Tressa felt bad but she better not.  Even though she had us ride 13.5 miles :)  I had a great time and everyone is happy.  


What I Learned Today ~


1.  Swimming is fun.  I am not fast.  This is now the part of the TRI I am most worried about.


2.  I had a great run even after being tired from yesterdays training.  It will be interesting to see how I do after swimming and biking first.


3.  I really like biking.  Once my butt toughens up, I'll like it even more :)


4.  Training and participating in events with friends is AWESOME.  

Once again, all photos were stolen borrowed from Tressa's blog :)