Back in the Saddle

So things on the triRunningDad front have calmed down a little bit to where I feel like a normal human being again.

As a result, I realized a few days ago that my Rev3 Age Group Championship race is less than 2 months away.  Thats crazy.  I remember when I was signing up for it and then having this winter which was so bad and trying to fit training in outdoors.  I kept saying I have a lot of time.  Well guess what, I don't have that time anymore.

I feel like for the most part I'm ready for the race.  I ran an unofficial PR for a half marathon last weekend.  It was an actual race, but I ran a Half and clocked my best time on the hilly Central Park course by over 3 minutes.  I probably could have run more, but I figured it was time to go home so I didn't push it any more.  It's weird, my running is significantly faster now than when I was training for a marathon or in warmer months.  I hope this continues.

My biking is really strong.  Thanks to the Kickr, I can feel how much stronger my legs are getting.  And since the race is only a 40 mile bike ride, I should be able to complete that in about 1:45-150 depending on the course.  I've been on the trainer for that long which says to me, my legs are ready to go.  The one thing I have not down is taken my bike off the trainer and brought it outside.   I'm a little hesitant to do that since my training is so much better on the Kickr, and I haven't gotten my bike tuned up, its still cold outside, and its so convenient for me to jump on the trainer and ride.  I know I'll have to do it soon, but that would require me to get my bike serviced and thats such a process.

The one area where I'm still struggling is the swim.  I'm getting faster no doubt, but I can stay in the pool that long.  Its so damn boring.  I have this internal clock that makes me get out of the pool anywhere between 20-30 minutes.  That just aint going to cut it.  My workouts are good, and fast, but if I look at my watch and see I have been swimming for 23 minutes, I'm itching to get out.  I really need to focus on my swim and get that going.  I can't afford to lose that much ground during the race on the swim. The other competitors will be that much better and I probably won't be able to pick them off on the bike or run.

My goal is to finish the Age Group series ranked in the top 5.  Thats going to take a lot of work and some help, but it is possible.  With 2 months to go, it's time to kick the training up a notch.

And thankfully, my life and everything in it, has returned to some normalcy where I can afford to do that.

Been Down recently

So things have taken a bad turn in the world of TriRunningDad.  Everyone is ok, healthy, good and nothing crazy, but there have been some developments that have kept my mind in so many other places.

It's times like this that you see who is in your corner, who is rooting for you, who is helping, and who you can really appreciate.  I can say that the wife has been the best recently.  It has shocked me how much.  That isn't a shot at her, but she is being extra amazing in this time and I really appreciate it.

Yes, I'm being quite secretive as to whats going on, and for a good reason.  No, its nothing life altering.  It's just one of those hard times that we all go through at some point that when we come out the other end, we come out better.  Right now, I just want to get to the other end.

As a result of all this my workouts have also suffered.  I can't find the desire to really push myself, sit on my bike for a long time or anything like that.  I tried to run last week and they all sucked. The only good run was last weekend where I zoned out and just went.  It was the first time in 2 weeks that I had a good workout and I really needed it.

Either way, I'm looking toward the future and hoping everything will get back to normal soon.  Until then, let's hope I can use my workouts as an outlet and take my mind off of the craziness.