Just do it

Went to the base gym for a swim.  Swam once in the past 2 weeks so it felt a bit like I was swimming through syrup or something of the sort.  It was good to get back in the water though considering I have the Echo tri this weekend.  

Ran 3 miles out on the perimeter road and 3 back.  I was going to go more but the blister on my foot was acting up and it yelled at me.  When I started coming back it felt better.  Guess it's good to listen to your body :)  My legs felt a bit heavy so hopefully I can get them loosened up with a bit more mileage this week before Sat. 

Went to Echo Reservoir to check out the tri course today.  Tested out my rented wet suit in an open water swim of 16 mins out and back.  It was pretty cool!  I probably could have gone with the medium large but when I tried it on it felt like there was no way I could zip that thing up.  The water there is pretty murky and as I swim I imagine suddenly seeing some beast creature come up from below.  When I see the plants it freaks me out.  Good swim though otherwise.

I then hopped on my bike and rode the course.  It's kind of beastly.  It's a bit of up and down for 4 miles and then you pretty much just climb for another 8 up I-80.  By that time you have forgotten the beginning (which is also the end) and think that it's just a decent to the transition area.  Wrong.  There are 2 beastly hills on the home stretch.  Very rude if you ask me ;)

I then ran one mile and realized that the run for this Saturday is going to be rather difficult but it should be fun.  Good workout. 

Ran on the treadmill at the base gym.  I was going for 4 but my blister remnant was not happy so I cut it back.  Hopefully this will heal someday.  I just swam a little to stay loose.  Training at this point won't help me at all for Sat.

Just some race prep for tomorrow.  Went light on the bike for about 15 minutes and then did a 3 mile run.  This made me realize that tomorrow is going to be rather challenging.

The Echo Triathlon was absolutely amazing!  It was a great experience!  I found it quite more enjoyable the the Pleasant Grove Triathlon.  I was a little nervous about the swim considering it was my first time swimming with people all around me but it ended up being my favorite part.  We made two laps around some buoys on the reservoir and ran outta there.  I love every second of that swim!

I did finish the swim before all but one in my age group and I was out on the bike before them too.  Unfortunately the longest part of the race (the bike ride) is probably my weakest point.  It was about 4 miles of rolling hills to an 8 mile ascent for the most part.  That's when we turn around and go back.  At the bottom there are two pretty big hills to get back to the transition area.  I got passed by 2 guys in my age group and a lot of fancy tri bikes.  Those things are super fast!  It felt pretty good though.  I was happy with my performance and I was glad I held back to save my legs for the run.   

When I got back to the run those two guys were around 1-2 minutes ahead of me.  My legs felt pretty good!  I was able to lock down about a 6:44 pace for the whole run.  I caught the two in my age group at the halfway point and left them behind.  They ended up being second and third.  The last mile of the run was pretty tough.  It felt like it would never and but it was great!

It is funny that I got 1st in my age group and 43rd overall.  These races seem to appeal more the older generation.  They are fast!  I got 35th out of the guys. My age group had only 9 in it but it's better than 3 ;)

My splits:

Swim: 30:56 (56th overall)

T1: 3:59

Bike:  1:15 (97th overall)

T2: 1:34

Run: 41:50 (15th overall)

These splits definitely help me see where I need to work the most.  I was happy with my performance but we always strive to be better!  Loved this race! 

Ran around Brooks City base in San Antonio at about 9 pm.  I was still sweating like a beast monster.  Thanks humidity.  My legs also feel like lead as I am recovering from the race.

Ran early in the morning... Still friggin hot!  I was just dripping with sweat the whole time.  During my first mile my legs felt as if they were going to start on fire and melt.  They loosened up a bit but they still are feeling really heavy.

Got up early again and tried to bike at the inn in San Antonio.  Crappy stationary bike so I tried the treadmill.  I ran about 3 steps and knew that I was just going to get some kind of injury if I ran so I went and did some push ups and sit ups.  Figured I would give my legs a rest.  

I flew home and Rebecca picked me up.  We went to Steiner were I swam just under two miles.  Love that pool!  Closest thing you can get to open water swimming without having to keep checking where you are.  Although you do need to be aware or you'll run into someone. 

10 miles!!!  It has been around 5 months or more since I last ran that kind of distance.  It felt pretty good!  I ran on the base perimeter road for an out and back.  Before I ran, I went and put a bottle of gatorade at mile 3 and then a goo with a water bottle at mile 5.  That way I could replenish myself.  My hamstrings did get rather tight so it's good I didn't push it anymore than that.  I kept an AP of 7:16 for the whole run and felt really good.  I am glad I listened to my body yesterday :) 

Went up Trapper's Loop to Snowbasin today.  Took about an hour to climb all the way up and about 20 minutes to descend reaching speeds of 40 mph.  Good ride.

Found out about the first annual 5k on base last night and decided to go check it out.  Best part?  It was free!  Next best part?  We still got a shirt!  This was a great 5k for the amount of volunteers they had and that fact that it was free.  That doesn't surprise me though considering it's part of the Air Force

The course was very challenging.  On any other day I would not have been too happy with this time but considering the course I was okay with it.  It started on a downhill going through the base housing area and then it began to climb.  There were some pretty steep hills until you got about halfway through the race where the neverending road began.  Past that it was a nice downhill to the finish.  I recommend this course to anyone looking for a more challenging 5k.  My AP was about 6:11 with splits of about 6, 6:30, and 6:10.

They had lots of good fruit and gatorade to give out at the end.  Let me just say that I have never had such good-tasting gatorade at any race.  The starting line is located at "The Splash Pad" so you can get a nice cool down afterward if you so desire.  The main purpose of the race was to publicize the new housing some more.  You run right through a lot of it but it's hard to pay attention when you're huffin and puffin.

The prizes were gift cards.  The 1st male and female got $30.00 gift cards to either FYE or Sports Authority.  2nd male and female got $20.00 and then they had a raffle.  There are some things they can improve but for a first race I say good job!  Those of you can gain access to base I encourage you to check it out next year! 

After the race I went on a nice 29 mile bike ride out toward Antelope Island and back. 

Quick 4-miler on base followed by a swim.  I am feeling some pain at the bottom of my quad muscle just above and to the right of my left knee.  I'll have to see how it's feeling tomorrow

Went to Steiner to swim today but the outdoor pool closed right when I got there.  It opened again right when I was finished an hour later :(  Lame.

Went on a quick run tonight.  The knee feels pretty good.  I'll just keep babying it and hope no problems arise before Sat. 

Out and back on base.  Was planning to do about 6 but I was feeling pretty good so I went a bit more.  Could have used the fuel belt but it worked out okay.  Came home and took an ice bath.  Legs feel purdy good.

Just some quick easy workouts to keep me loose for the race tomorrow.  Everything feels good. I did practice some T1 techniques as well.  I went back and forth on the road for a while taking my feet in and out of the shoes.  

Felt good to get another triathlon in.  I will begin by saying that I only got 1st in my age group by default.  The real first placer actually beat me by 15 minutes.  The reason I got bumped up was because he get third overall.  I guess they didn't want to give him both an overall medal and an age group medal.

Also, the website says that the bike ride is a 40k which is just barely under 25 miles.  However the course is about 22-23.  It even has that on their map.  I also don't think the swim distance was up to par because it took me 22:40 and I have never swam a 1.5k in anywhere near that time.  The run was accurate 

Also in Triathlons the average age for participants is a bit higher so there usually aren't many in my age group anyways.  It still feels good to beat them though :)

The race was well put together.  The water was pretty warm and it smelled somewhat like sulfur. It wasn't as enjoyable as Echo.  I think it was because we were a bit more bunched up in this race when we started.  It was a beach start and we went off and diagonal rather than straight.  I got kicked in the face once and had to reposition my goggles.  I wasn't feeling too energetic but I got through okay.  

My transitions were faster this time around.  The bike course was really quite flat so you could maintain a pretty good speed.  I passed a few guys and a few guys passed me so I wasn't too upset about my ride.  I enjoyed it.

The run was beastly.  I felt pretty good throughout the whole first half and then when I began lap two I started to get really tired.  By the time I had one mile left I felt like I was going to fall over and die.  I did manage to pass quite a few people though.  The finish was a very welcome sight!

Great race!  Can't wait to do a half :) 

Recap on splits:

Swim: 22:40

Bike: 57:56 (21.8 mph pace)

Run: 39:51 (6:34 pace)

Little swim at the base pool.  Did some intervals while practicing my spotting.

Went for an out and back run on Antelope Drive.  Run felt really good for the first 3 miles with an AP of about 7:00.  On the way back my energy was gone for about the last mile and a half.  I think when it's that hot even 6 miles merits the use of a fuel belt with a gel or a blok.