Turned the Corner

The weather has turned the corner. Fairly warm all week long. I had a busy schedule at work but managed to work out 6 days in a row after Monday's recovery day. I lifted weights three times and am still in a heavy weight lifting phase. My biking should start to get more regular now that the weather has turned and I am loving the Cervelo. My training buddy KDOG commented today on how comfortable I look on the bike. I sure do feel comfortable. I feel fast, too.

Next weekend will bring a real brick workout at the Columbia Tri course. It also time to start thinking about getting an open water swim in.

Nice Weather at Last!!!

TJ swimming a lap at Rehoboth Beach, DE YMCA

Tremendous weather over the weekend resulted in some good training sessions. I was able to bike long on Friday and got in a 78 mile ride. It took me about four hours and fifteen minutes. Miles 40 - 60 were the hardest as I was on my way back to the beach and riding into a head wind. Additionally, I haven't ridden that long in a while so I was somewhat gassed at that point. But, I'm still pretty happy with being able to rip off a almost 80 mile ride and still get other training sessions in around that.

I had a weekend of healthy eating for the most part but I did have two slices of pepperoni pizza, french fries, fried calamari and a little bowl of ice cream. Tomorrow, I start back on the new normal eating routine which has served me well so far.

Beach Week

OK... so it's not a week... it's a Beach Weekend. Officially, Serenity Weekend. Off work today and tomorrow. Long weekend that will include a trip down to Rehoboth Beach, DE. Weather is supposed to be beautiful and today has been a great start. Got in a 10.5 mile run this morning followed by an ab and arm workout. I've got to get in the pool today, too. The plan is to ride long on the bike tomorrow, swim and lift weights on Saturday and then do a long run on Sunday. My kind of Beach Week(end).

You've Gotta Play to Win

I never played the lottery before. Until this year... I submitted an application for the Ford Ironman World Championship Lottery. I even joined the Passport Club to help increase my chances of winning. The winners were announced yesterday on the NBC broadcast of the Ironman 70.3 World Championship. A Collins did get in... but it was Jonathan Collins, not Tom Collins. So, I guess Ironman Florida is stuck with me this year. If I had won the lottery, I would have given up my Florida slot as IM Hawaii is three weeks before IM FL.

But, before I die, I would like to do an Ironman in Hawaii. An alternative to "winning" the lottery is to try and qualify by placing in the right race. Hmmm....

Home Alone

Well, almost alone. Linda is in Atlanta for the weekend so Jessica Rose and I have the house to ourselves. It will put a crimp in the training but this is a good thing as I need a taper week. Next weekend, I'm going to the beach and I intend to do some hard training while I'm down there. I have been sticking to the heavy weightlifting and got in a good session this past Tuesday with a guy from work who is pretty strong. I rode the stationary bike Tuesday and today and have not been in the pool since Sunday. I'll swim tomorrow at lunch. Today was the first real spring day so far. I think it went into the 70s and the sun even broke out for a while.

Speaking of Jessica Rose... she's done a couple of triathlon's herself. You can see her do her thing at Timberkids 2007 at about 2:44 of this video.

Rest Day

Today is a rest day. Well earned, too. I've been training pretty hard and I can feel it today. My body has that sore and tired feeling that you triathletes out there know well. For me, it is almost a feeling of physical serenity. I'm fatigued but still hungry for more. But, no exercise today. I need to just chill. Drinking a lot of water today and keeping the food intake down.

I love triathlon. I especially enjoy going long. For me, there is nothing like a long swim, bike or run (or all three). Just a great feeling. Almost like being high.

At least, that is what it sounds like... how people who have been high have described it to me.

She's Back

Today's title has a couple of meanings. First, my sister Jessica is cleared for training. You may recall that she had a stress fracture. Her doctor has allowed her to get back out there and today we did a spur-of-the-moment tour of the Columbia Triathlon bike course. The course is kind of hilly. Ahem. That is the other reference in today's title. This is the tri bike course I have ridden the most. And those hills... well, they're still there.

Anyway, Jessica looked good on the course. She comfortably biked the course 15 minutes faster than her Columbia Tri 2007 bike time. Way to go, kid. Her husband Gary accompanied us and he looked good, too. I think he'll be ready come next month. 41 days to race day! To top it off, tomorrow is their anniversary. Congratulations!

I've switched up my weight lifting routine to a heavy mix of chest/arms one day, legs the next and then shoulders/back. This is followed by a rest day and then do the cycle again. I've been consistent with this through two cycles (started March 31) as well as run, bike and even swim.

I'll be doing heavy weights in April and May. Then, I'll switch it up again. Last thing to report... I'm down to 202 lbs.

:-)