Yes, I really am going to taper. I know it's Danskin, so it's not the most competitive race - but this is the only race I've done more than once, and I want to see big improvement over last year (and HUGE improvement over the year before!).
So, two years ago, it was the BIG GOAL. I started my weight-loss program Feb. 17, 2004; Danskin was August 21, 2004 - and since my program was six months long, obviously it was right at the end of my weight-loss journey. When I signed up, I wasn't sure I'd be able to run the entire way, and I didn't have a bicycle. I was even embarrassed to go to the store to buy a bike - I didn't want the guys at the bike store to hear I was doing a triathlon and laugh at me.
I did it with one of my close friends, Joanne. We decided to stay together for the entire race.
I was 131 pounds and felt amazing. In the pictures, I actually feel like I looked amazing - strong and athletic. We completed it together in 1 hour, 48 minutes - quite a long time, but the swim was mis-measured so it was actually more like 3/4 of a mile. Joanne is a much stronger swimmer, so she waited for me in the transition area. We biked the same pace, then on the run, I ran her pace (slower than I would have) because she had waited for me on the swim. And it was totally worth it - maybe I could have been faster, but I kind of doubt it - and I loved doing the race right with my friend. Our finish line pictures are some of my favorites ever from a race.
The next year, I did it alone, but raced - I just wanted to be faster. I completed it in 1:28 - my swim was 17 minutes, which was still slow, but I had an excellent bike and a decent run. However, I didn't even have a real road bike - I was still using my heavier hybrid. Despite that,I averaged 19.1 mph on the bike and a 9:09 pace on the run.
So this year, I plan to POUND the bike. It's an easy 12 miles with only a tiny hill. I'm going to average above 20 mph - especially since I did 20 mph on the Issaquah tri (over 14.6 miles) in June, and this course is easier and I'm stronger now. Then I'm going to run an 8-minute pace for the 5K.
My goal: 1:24. My stretch goal: 1:20.
I think I can do it. But I'm going to go into this race rested, well-fed, and happy.
And I really can't wait!
Oh, so this post was supposed to be about today's workout. One-hour run with the girls (there were 5 of us today - FIVE! At 5 a.m.! Can you believe that???), then 30 minutes of weight lifting (mostly upper body, plus abdominal work) then 30 minutes of swimming (mostly slow with a couple of sprints thrown in). Fun. And I'm TIRED. I will need to get some extra sleep this weekend.
Today's data:
Food:
Pre-workout: GU, 100 cals (no real food at home, and Starbucks forgot to put the milk in my coffee)
Post-workout: 1/3 of Camille's bagel, 100 cals
Breakfast: Banana bread and milk in coffee, 330 cals
Lunch: Salad and soup: 280 cals (yeah, light salad)
Snack: Yogurt and granola, 250 cals
Snack: Cheese, 50 cals
total so far: 1110
Exercise:
Run 1 hour
Lift 30 minutes
Swim 30 minutes
1000 calories burned
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3 comments:
Awesome. I bet you are going to crush that course this year. Is Joanne doing it again too?
What bike do you have now? You should post some of the pics from the first years finish next to this years for fun!
Good luck.
Your athleticism is a testament to your will and determination. I hav complete confidence in your ability to meet your goals. I, also, couldn't imagine a better way to complete a first tri. It shows other excellent qualities of you that aren't just physical. Enjoy your taper. I look forward to hearing about your race.
Hey Flatman, no, Joanne isn't doing Danskin again. Because it's so huge, it's a big production - it takes all weekend, pretty much, so for a lot of people, once they know they can do a tri, they choose smaller events that are easier logistically. But she'll race with me the following weekend, I think!
I will post pictures from all three Danskins after this race.
And you know, I won't get to do it next year - it will be one week before Ironman Canada, so it won't make sense! :-(
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