Last week was my birthday week. Sunday of that week my roommate threw me a birthday party with some of my closest friends. Helene and Andy had the flu and couldnt make it but my other friends came and we had a great time talking training and everything remotely related (all triathletes). Even though Helene had the flu she still sent our schedules out that evening and I noticed a trend with my schedule! She had a lot of 33's in my distances! On my birthday I swam 3300 yards (over two miles) and then I ran 3.3 miles another day and biked 33 miles. :)
I have to say that knowing I have been swimming TWO miles on my long swims just amazes me. Helene has been the catalyst to some of the biggest changes in my life! She taught me how to breathe and swim... Its been almost a year since my first session with her. She is unbelievable.
Biking highlights ... This past Sunday morning Helene had most of us out at the 70.3 Syracuse bike course to ride the first section from the park out to Reservoir Rd. and back. It was a total of 43 miles and the longest ride I have ever done. BUT, I also had never climbed so many hills! For those of you who are not familiar with the first section of the bike course in Syracuse, it is MILES of climbing. I actually REALLY enjoyed the ride. I rode Sweet Rd. out with a fellow triathlete that I didnt know very well and had the opportunity to talk a little as we road. Then, later on Route 80 the road dips like a roller coaster! SERIOUSLY that part of the road is almost straight down and then straight back up! I rode my brakes down and still found myself going over 33 miles per hour! Then when you go up you slow REALLY FAST to a crawl and have to just spin your legs and pedal up the rest of the hill. I couldnt look far ahead of me or I would get overwhelmed with how far I had to go, so I just looked in front of me and kept pedalling as much as I could with quick glances upward. Guess what? I made it up the hill! The whole 43 mile ride I rode and didnt walk. I was so proud of myself! Again progress from my hard work following Helene's program and hearing her coaching and encouragement in my head. One person from my group, who is actually doing the race, walked part of the Rt 80 hill and Helene made her go back and ride it again with her. Helene knew this other athlete could do it and that the need to walk was all in her head! We were all proud of her when she completed the hill. On the way back to the park, Katie and I headed out and traded back and forth for the lead. I headed to work from the park.
Run... well the week before my birthday I ran my first 9 mile run! Tomorrow I run 10 and my first 1/2 marathon is in less than two weeks! I cant believe it! I dont know that I ever thought I would run that far, let alone after swimming and biking!
Yesterday Bridget and I met with the OCC and Helene for a bike time trial and two mile run. The wind was HORRIBLE! I managed to average 17 mph on the bike and did my run in 20:33! Helene said she was proud of me and I was very happy with my effort!
I have more to say, stories to share like my adventures biking outside before my lovely toe covers from Helene and Andy, but they will have to wait. Today I swam a couple miles, biked two hours with my Dad and I am really tired now. One thing I have learned is to go to bed early! I have been getting up at 6:30 every morning (or earlier) and tomorrow is going to be a busy day! Stay tuned - Sunday I ride my race course for the first time! 56 miles between two of the finger lakes! Should be a great day!
Goggles On!
Wow, so many awesome updates! Can't wait to hear how the FLX ride goes--wave to HWS for me when you pedal by. :)
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