I Should Have Been A Meteorologist!

Thoughts on this week’s training.

I had to make a few adjustments to my training plan this week due to travel and weather.  I live about 7 miles from one of the Virginia Beach Recreation Centers.  So this past Tuesday morning I rode to the rec center, swam, then rode home.  I decided to see how fast I could ride there and back.  I was able to sustain a 20+ mph pace in both directions.

Wednesday morning I was in DC with my family.  I got up in the morning for a nice 4 mile run along the Potomac.  Not only was it a beautiful run, but I did a negative split with my first mile around a 10 minute pace and my last around 9.  In case I haven’t mentioned it, I’m not a fast runner, but I have a goal of getting faster.

Thursday was aggravating.  I had intended on riding to work, but when I got up in the morning to check the weather, the forecast said that there was an 80% chance of thunderstorms at about the time that I’d be riding to work and again at the time that I’d be riding home.  I decided that I’d make it a swim day instead.  So naturally, it didn’t rain at all and it was a beautiful day. I should be a weatherman!  I’d love to have a job where people expected you to only be right about 50% of the time!

I did manage to get a good swim workout in though.  I did 900 yards; 150 easy warm-up; 3x200 at race pace; 150 cool down.  Now, I don’t have a coach or swim with a watch, so I don’t really know what a “race pace” is, but I’ve come up with my own little formula for how much effort I’m exerting on my swim.

0% = laying on the couch and eating cheese

10% = thinking about the gym while getting up to get more cheese (okay, getting serious now)

50%  = an easy warmup; heart pumping and elevated breathing.

90-95% = Sprint

By this formula, I think that 75-80% effort should by my “race pace.” 

Today, I did some dreaded track work.  I’m not a huge fan of running to begin with, but to force myself to run fast is like being forced to watch a Kardashian marathon while bagpipers are parading through my living room.  My total distance was 4.5 miles; 1 mile warm-up; 5x800 at 3:30-3:45 each; 1 mile cool down.  Perhaps when I actually get faster, I’ll enjoy it more.

Tomorrow I have a 35 mile ride with the guys.  I haven’t ridden with them in a while, so that will be nice.  Unfortunately, I think it is supposed to be really windy tomorrow.  I have a seven mile run and a 1200 yd swim scheduled for Sunday.  Easy day.