Great workouts

I have been sticking to the plan and it is really helping me mentally. I have been feeling strong physically and been able to get past any mental pushbacks.

I've cut a couple runs short due time and being on the trainer, but other than that I feel very good about my routines. I stomped my last two weekend runs and feel really good about that. The times have not been great, but I continue to dig deep and work on mental preparation.

Swimming is going great. I have been really focusing on form andI can feel the improvements. I realize that swimming three times a week is going to be key for my goals.

No problems on the bike. Workouts have all been really consistent and I can feel the improvements.

Expectations for this year

So my A race for the year will have to be Mooseman. I had hoped last year that I would qualify for Clearwater there, but it was nothing more than hope. I know I did not do the training required. It feels good to make this realization though.

So here it is.

Swim 28 minutes
Best swim so far at a 70.3 is 33 min. This is a 15% improvement and do able.
I had not fully commited myself to the swim in the past, but that has changed. Dare I say I am enjoying swimming....

Bike 2:25
Best bike so far 2:34. (4% improvement)
Again tough goal, but attainable. The powertap is really helping me stay foucsed so far. I think the last two years of training for an IM has given me the base I need to fly on the bike.

Run 1:30
Best so far 1:38 (10% improvement)
Extremely attainable. I would like to run a 1:22 straight half this year and I don't think that is a huge stretch. Best so far is a 1:25 on a very tough course. I actually think a 1:20 is possible.

Training for Lake Placid was so time consuming last year that I never worked on my skills. I would just run and bike long. I plan on riding all of my training rides at much higher speeds to help me get a faster base.

This is possible!

Realization blog helps future training and update

I was flipping through my prior blog aka workout diary and I realized the benefit of keeping this thing going. I have zero intention of other people reading this, but it is key for me to track progress.

Some updates
In Nov I smashed my 5K pr by 45 seconds. Sick. My time was 18:04. Won my AG and also took 7th overall. I had no idea what to expect at the start, but so pleased with the results.

I ran a different 5K in the Dec and beat the previous years time by 30 seconds. I feel really strong right now on the shorter runs. I am optmisitic that it will equate to better 1/2 marathon and 1/2 Irons.

Weight is 163

Swimming around a 1:50 per 100. Making some changes to my stroke and feeling optimistic.

Bringing the power to the bike. Pushing a much bigger gear than in the past on the trainer. I cannot stress how much the powertap is helping. Its alomst cheating!