Running 44 minutes in 9o air with high winds makes for a frozen chin.

Ran yesterday and rode this morning. Stomach still not 100% but good enough. Finished grouting in kitchen yesterday too.

Merry Christmas!

Trying to get workouts in during holiday festivities and home improvements can sometimes prove difficult.  I swam last night and got great tips for improving my form from the local, expert swim coach.  It is amazing that one hint can do so much.  My average stroke count when down from 19 to 16 for a 25-yard length; this means I am swimming more efficiently which is a very good thing.  Now I need to keep practicing the technique so it will stick.  I rode the trainer this morning for an hour of moderate activity.  Christmas Eve tonight!

Merry Christmas to all!

Kitchen backsplash is done as of 12am. More to do but big stuff is done. Training plan starts soon. Bit over 200 days to IMLP. Swim tonite

It's been a while but I have been busy

Well, I haven't posted anything in a bit because I have been hopping with stuff at home, school and on the exercise front.  At home we are remodeling our kitchen so I took off from training for 4 days; two days were cabinet install days and two days were building the dishwasher enclosure and back of our peninsula.  I had to get things done in a hurry because the counter top guy came to measure last Thursday and everything had to be in place.  I now have all of the puck lights under the cabinets installed and two new lights on the ceiling but still need to do the light over the sink.  The new counter tops will be installed on Friday so I have a bit more painting to do. 

But enough about non-training stuff... I missed a long run two weekends ago but got one in last Sunday.  I re-evaluated my heart rate training zones and found I was probably going a little slow on my runs so I increased my pace and felt pretty good.  Cycling in the basement still isn't too bad; it is nice to know exactly what to wear and not to have to worry about the elements outdoors, I just hope my legs feel good once I get back out on the roads in March (hopefully). 

I ran this morning and will swim tonight (after a little painting action in the kitchen, of course).  Ironman Hawaii is on TV this weekend!

First snow, modified stroke, and spin on the bike

Here is what I have been up to lately...

On Tuesday morning I ran in the first snow of the year and it was beautiful!  What an iconic look Hilton had but sadly by the time I rode by bike to school the roads had turned to slush and by the time I headed home almost all of the snow was gone.  In the evening I swam and thought I was doing so well  with the changes I have made to my stroke over the past year.  But then a fellow swimmer suggested that my hand/arm entry left a bit to be desired and so I spent the last 10 laps trying to get a new feel for the water.  I did have some good intervals but it will take some time.

On Wednesday I was back on the bike/trainer for an hour and did some hard, ten-minute intervals at or above my threshold heart rate (which got the blood flowing).  Finally, this morning I ran and focused on hill repeats- they are a great way to put speed into my legs through running without too much pounding.  Luckily the rain had let up a little so I was just a little soggy when I got back home and not totally drenched. 

On a non-triathlon note, Jen texted and said that our kitchen cabinets have arrived so that will be on my agenda through the next week or so.  Tomorrow is a rest day though!