CapTex Tri Training Group

I've gotten into a triathlon specific training group.  It's in the same place I've been doing my marathon training, Rogue Running.  It's an eight week, four times a week training course led by professional triathletes Brandon and Amy Marsh.  It's training specific to the Capital of Texas Triathlon on Memorial Day, which I won't be able to participate in.  Regardless, I think it's going to be great for me to have more structured training and coaching.  So far, it's been great.  I've met a lot of great people and have a much better sense of some of the nuances of triathlon.  I can't wait to see how much better I'm going to be come the end of the eight weeks.

Rosedale Ride

To ramp up my training on the bike, I participated in an organized ride that I've done a number of times preparing for the MS150.  The Roesdale Ride is a great organized rid that benefits the Roesdale school here in Austin.  It's got distances of 26, 42, and 62 miles.  In the past I've done the 62, preparing for the MS 150.  This year, I decided I'd do the 42 and see if I could do the whole thing without stopping.

It was a great ride.  A little hot and windy, especially when we got into the open farm country.  I had a pretty good ride and was able to maintain a pretty good pace throughout.  I had to stop at the last rest stop, about mile 33.  I had run out of water and nutrition and had to pee.  Interestingly, I saw my boss from 12 years ago at the rest stop.  The company I worked for then was sponsoring it and he was volunteering.

Overall, it was great ride and I felt pretty good about it.  A good experience and I think it's got me prepared to start the season.  I've got my first Olympic triathlon coming up in less than a month.

Swim Stroke & Efficiency Clinic

Swimming has been my weakest and most angst ridden leg of my triathlons.  I don't feel comfortable, I'm really slow, and it wears me out.  I had an opportunity to get into a swim stroke and efficiency clinic.  It's two sessions over two Sunday mornings.  It's been great.  I've been able to learn proper technique, better form, and a lot of drills to help it all be more routine.  I'm beginning to feel more comfortable and confident.  Like I might look like I know what I'm doing.  If you have the opportunity to take a clinic like this, it's totally worth it.  I never realized how much technique was so fundamental to swimming.  I made the mistake that I think a lot of triathletes do, that I could just power through the swim like I do on bike and the run.  That my physical strength would make up for bad technique or form.  While that can be the case on the bike and run, I'm learning that is definitely not true on the swim.  I'm so glad I'm doing this.  It's been a big breakthrough that I needed.