Running in Bellevue

I've changed jobs since last years tri, and with the new job comes new running neighborhoods. Last year I could step out on my lunch break and run or bike basically endlessly along the Burke Gilman trail. (given it is 30 miles long... I never ran out of room.)

Now however, I work in downtown Bellevue - which is not really an ideal spot for biking. However I am only 2 blocks from Bellevue Downtown Park, where I did my run today. I suspect that will be my spot for future runs. Its not quite as nice as the BG, since it is just a .5 mile loop. And it has stairs. But it will do, for the few sunny days we get this winner that I motivate myself to brave the cold and run.

Speaking of Cold. I need to learn to not wear shorts after say.. September. The first time I ran up the stairs I noticed my legs were definitly numb. and red. and cold. Woohoo. But once my limbs went numb, I didn't feel cold anymore. so there's that.

Miles Logged since signup:
Run: 17.6
Swim: 3450
Bike: 24 miles

Thanksgiving biking

While I didn't manage to get a run in on thanksgiving day, as I had originally planned, yesterday (day after thanksgiving) we went for a nice bike ride. It was beautiful out (clear blue sky) although pretty cold. And I didn't fall off my bike at all again! that's two bike rides with clip in pedals, and zero falls. Possibly I'm just for postponing the inevitable?

Our original plans were to go around Mercer Island, with my mom, her friend Scottie (who is also doing the tri with us) and a neighbor. However, as we were standing around getting our bikes ready, and they where discussing how they hadn't biked in a long time... When I mentioned that Mercer Island was hilly, this was a big surprise... So we biked down beside lake washington instead, which was a little bit flatter route. Although it still had rolling hills. We went pretty slow, with lots of stops, but it was a good early season bike ride.


Exciting news from Wednesdays swim practice - we timed ourselves doign a 50yd, and I moved up to the 2nd slowest lane, instead of the slowest. Woo. hoo. Though as soon as we switched lanes, they then made us do drills that involved mainly kicking. And I don't go anywhere when I kick. So I felt slow.... sigh.


Miles Logged since signup:
Run: 15.9
Swim: 2550
Bike: 24 miles

Running drills

We had a coached run today. We warmed up, and did about 5 minutes at our "moderate" pace, and then proceeded to do running drills. I was not actually aware that running drills existed. We did plenty of butt kicks, grape vines, and knee highs. And I discovered that my left leg is still weaker. (I could not kick my butt quite as hard with my left foot, as with my right foot).

So to try and even out my legs, I've been instructed to stretch just the left leg before my workout (however after the warmups... no stretching cold).

I'm going to try and do some strength and core exercises tonight.

Miles Logged since signup:
Run: 12.3
Swim: ~1750
Bike: 11 miles

We swam!

Kyle and I actually made it to the public pool Sunday, to get in a swim practice. The hardest thing about the training process is managing to fit in the OYO (on your own) practices. I always go to the coached ones, 3 times a week, but its rare for me to get in the full recommended 6 workouts a week.

So I was happy we made it on Sunday to the pool. I just did the workout recommended by our coach, which was relatively easy. It focused on drills for most of it. I finished the whole workout in 40 minutes, which might mean I could move up to the slightly harder ones? Or it means I counted wrong. :).

Miles Logged since signup:
Run: 9.7
Swim: 1.2 hours (~1750 m)
Bike: 11 miles

First bike practice

First bike practice was Saturday. But more importantly, it was my first time riding with clipless pedals. (fyi, clipless meaning they clip in. Yeah, makes sense). And I'm proud to say I haven't fallen down yet! I was pretty nervous.

We just did a 45 minute round trip, down the sammamish river trail, and back. So I didn't need to clip in our out much, but I did it a few times for practice. It was nice to be on the bike again. And I discovered Liz in our tribe rode at just the same pace as me, so that made the time fly by much faster. Though I suspect that won't last once she upgrades to bike shoes/pedals as well.

Miles Logged since signup:
Run: 15.9
Swim: 40 minutes (~750 m)
Bike: 11 miles

First Swim Practice

We had our first swim practice this week. Our coach started by telling us all the things that make up a good stroke - which gave us a lot to think about. Then we spent the remaining 40 minutes doing each of the suggested drills. Each drill worked on a different part of our stroke that might need improving, so that when we go swimming on our own, we have an array of drills to do.

The difference between this years first practice and last years was amazing. I still remember our first practice last year, when we'd all be tired at the end of one lap (25 yd), and just how nervous we were about building up to swimming a mile. Its a big relief this year to start the season with so much more confidence. And we'll only get better :)

Miles Logged since signup:
Run: 15.9
Swim: 40 minutes (~750 m)

First training!

We had our first training last Saturday. This year we have a different coach from last year - Cathy, and it looks like our training is going to be much more technical. Which I'm excited about I think!

For our first practice, we did a few exercises revolving around heart rates (I bought a heart rate moniter, yay, its fun!). We first calculated an estimate of our maximum heart rate, then ran a mile at a "moderate" pace, to see if we were running at the right intensity for base training.

Apparently for base training we should be running at 75% of your maximum heart rate - which should also feel like a "moderate" pace. However, we (a few of us) mis-interpreted moderate - I had thought it meant pushing yourself, and feeling like you would prefer to slow down. Thus, my average heart rate which I finished the mile was above the target heart rate. It turns out a moderate pace should feel easy, like you can carry it on for super long distances, and maintain a conversation. Good to know... So now I need to go out for a run, and make sure I'm at my target heart rate, so I know how it feels.

Tomorrow night is our first swimming practice! I have not swam a lap since last years tri...

Miles Logged since Signup:
Run: 15.9

Here I go....

Well, its that time of the year again. I just signed up to compete in the Lavaman 2008 triathlon, with Team in Training again. My mom has also signed up again. Not only that, but I have recruited three more victims to join the team! (two room mates, a boyfriend, and a roommates boyfriend).

This year I have set my goals slightly higher than last year. Last years goals included not drowning, finishing in under 4 hours maybe, and scraping by on fundraising goals.

This year, I feel confident that I will not drown, and can now work towards improving my time (and thus technique), and hopefully raising even more money than last year to fight cancer (last year I finished with $8000! which I think is pretty impressive). And since I hope to improve my speed - I also have a goal of competeing in a half ironman tri a few months after the lavaman. (that is a 1.3 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and 13 mile run!)

I will once again document the training on this blog. So please check back often. Go team!