In a twisted way I don't mind putting training pressures on myself, it makes things more of a challenge. Easy is not always fun for me. Tuesday is my heaviest mid week training day and because I missed yesterday's swim I had to add it on top of today's bike and run sessions. Which means today is a triathlon training day with some swimming, biking and running. "Time management" and "determination" were the mantra words for the day. I intentionally didn't set the alarm clock and was still up and on the road before 7 am to do my run. I figured if I got up on my own, it was meant to be. I was nervous about further injuring my groin so I took it really easy and averaged an all time low heart rate of 127 bpm. Frankly, it was a really enjoyable run. It was an easy jog pace and it was sunny and fresh outside. It reminded me that "the best things in life are free". There's a great sensation finishing my run and waving to my neighbors as they leave for work while I'm stretching. It feels like I have a jump on the day.
My transition from finishing my stretching to the shower, eating and getting into the car to go to work was under 15 minutes. My record is just under 10. That's the one thing about being a triathlete, transitions matter, even just to get ready for work. I actually enjoy timing myself to get ready. It makes the mundane more fun.
At lunch time I headed to the pool to do my long swim. I can't say enough how much I don't look forward to swimming. Yet today I had an exceptional swim. My main set was 21 x 100 meters on 15 second rests. My average pace was 1:42, my fastest was 1:39 and my slowest was 1:45. My first 100 was 1:42 and my last 100 was 1:41. I felt so strong and it felt so fun to swim at a faster than normal pace. I could imagine myself looking forward to swimming if I could do that all the time.
I don't know why my times have gotten better. I've paired training down from three swims a week to only two a week. Only a month ago, during one of the swim training sessions, I was having trouble keeping the 100's under 2:00. It's strange, but I sure like the sensation of swimming strong and fast. I'd love to see how I'd do in a race feeling like I did today.
The ride tonight was no different than the swim and run. I felt great. My heart rate was low and I was plowing into the wind and lovin it. I took it easy, yet I had my fastest and flattest ride of the year. I only had one slight mishap. On one of the downhills I hit a bump and my chain came off and my seat came loose. Once I got to the top of the hill I had to fix the seat the best I could without the proper tools. I was lucky enough that it ended up staying in place for the balance of the ride. I also loosened my rear water bottle cages so they bounced a little bit and for the first time I didn't lose a water bottle. Carlos gave me the idea. I guess with it being a little loose it is like a shock absorber for the water bottles.
Mod Run - 1:15:10 / 9:01 miles / 8:20 pace / 127 avg hr
Long Swim - 1:02:46 / 3100 meters
Mod Bike - 2:01:39 / 66.71 km / average 32.9 kph / avg hr 129
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