Thursday, August 12, 2010

Last race of the season in the bag

Last Saturday marked my last tri race of 2010. Looking back it was a good year.... 4 triathlons with the Alberta Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer squished in the middle.


The race was probably the smallest race I've been in, but it was our small town's inaugural triathlon. It was well planned and a great time! They also had a kids tri which was super cute! Love seeing the kids getting excited about triathlon. And I think... wow, one of these kids could be the next olympian in triathlon :)

My race was okay, swim was dreadful, but honestly with all the travel of late, it was to be expected as I didn't make it to the pool near enough leading up to the race.
The ride was nice, although I'd done a big bike ride with my sister up to Fairmont resort (big big big hills) the Tuesday before and I could feel the fatigue in my quads.
times: Swim: 14:58 ?!?!?!?!? Bike (including T1/T2) 51:23 (this is where I'd hoped for more like 45 mins), Run: 25:35.
Overall 1:31 (seriously so close to a sub 1;30)

Generally, I was fine with my race, I tried not to over analyze, but if I am completely honest, I'd have to say I'm disappointed that I didn't see more improvement generally.

I was tempted to do another race, just a small race 15 minutes away from my place, but then where do I stop?!!? I could do another race the next weekend too :)

So when I look back I can say I'm definitey a stronger cyclist (thanks to the Ride to Conquer Cancer). My running has slowly improved, and definitely my ability to go further is vastly better. Prior to 2010, I'd never run a 10k, and now I've completed 3 (2 road races & 1 oly tri).
Swimming, what can I say. I have to learn to push myself, and move out of the survival mode!

What's next? A half marathon in October and I'm hoping to drop about 15 lbs before Christmas. I'm hoping that a lower weight will improve my speed. But, I'm left wondering... "am I even built for speed?" Maybe I should work toward the longer distances?!?!? I loved the Olympic Tri, I mean it hurt, but I really enjoyed it. I volunteered for the Calgary 70.3 and it was really great, and I can see myself doing one in the next few years. But that's one to take up with my family first :)

So I'm back to circuit training, which is nice change...working it hard to burn some fat fat fat. Of course, I may have over done it and am walking a bit slower this week :)

Monday's circuit looked like this...

10 min warm up on treadmill
then the circuit following 3 times
100 skip
15 pushups
20 squats
15 tricep dips
20 walking lunges with with dumbell shoulder press
10/side med ball twists
10 med ball throw downs
10 mountain climbers
10 jump squats
20 fit ball crunches

10 minute cool down on treadmill

I still have some planning to do in order to work in the 1/2 marathon kms, and probably a swim or 2 a week (when I return to work). Sigh I'm tired just thinking about it!! And as I wrap up the end of my 3 week vacation from work...I'm feeling a bit sad :( It was an epic vaca though, Vancouver, Canmore, Fairmont.... so much fun!!!

(picture of the Eamon, Brynn & their cousin Zach at Panorama)