"Du" I? Week 1

Ok, enough of slacking and excuses. With a little over a month to go for my Howdy Du Duathlon (07/19)- it is time to get serious! Today is the start of week 1 of training for it. Training in the past few weeks has been extremely sporadic, partly due to the fact that I had my grandmother in town and also due to the fact that the extreme heat makes having a schedule very difficult. As I am fairly new to this "regular" training thing, I am having to learn on the fly- especially the Summer schedule. When to train and when not to train? Waking up early (6AM) is very difficult, running at lunchtime is not possible due to the high workload and running in the evening (6PM) is very tough as it is still extremely hot. I went for a run today at 7.15PM, it must have still been 98+ degree F, seriously! Anywho, I am working on a schedule, any suggestions are very welcome.

My training schedule for this week-
Mon: Off-day
Tues: 4 mile run PM
Wed: Pilates PM
Thurs: 4 mile run AM (hopefully I will get up at 6AM) or Weight session
Fri: Off-day
Sat: 30-over cricket match
Sun: TBD

Oh, my bike-Anderson, has a flat tire (I am calling it a flat, although it really is not. It has some air, but it refuses to fill up completely- weird). I need to take him to the store, hopefully soon.

So I have a plan, now it is time to execute. I am going to have to suck up the heat, and try to go for shorter but more frequent bike/run workouts.

To train or not to train

To train or not to train, that is the question! And the answer is PLEASE TRAIN! I signed up for my next race, this time a Duathlon- Howdy Du Duathlon. It is in July, which gives me 6 or so weeks to get in shape. This means I should train! :). I want to get stronger on the bike- I have hardly spent anytime biking. I am happy with my running on a whole, but this event will be different as it will be in the peak of summer. July is going to be hot, middle/upper 90s- hence I need to practice running in the hot weather. I also need a session with Coach A and get a prelim training plan from him. My cricket season is getting to its busy time, looks like I will have a game almost every weekend from now on.

Training so far this week:
Mon- Rest day
Tues- 4 mile run and sit-ups/push-ups
Wed- Cricket practice: running/catching/bowling
Thurs- 3 mile run
Fri- Rest
Sat and Sun- Cricket match (Colorado)

I am hoping I will bring my bike back (Anderson lives in Austin right now) with me. I have some hilly routes in my subdivision, it will be good practice. I also found a bike store in San Antonio- Bike World, they have weekend brick session which I want to participate in once cricket season rolls off. Brick sessions will be good for me as I have no experience in transitions etc, other than the Rookie Tri of course.

Alrighty, more later. For now I leave you with my tip/lesson of the week. (Some of them might be obvious, nevertheless useful)

LESSON OF THE WEEK: Simple exercise like push-ups can be very effective. I intend to try and do 30 push-ups a day to start off and build it up.


Adios.

Rookie? Maybe not!

The Rookie Triathlon 2009 Race Report

Pre-race-
Our drive to Texas Ski Ranch was pretty uneventful. I was extremely nervous and hence I let Charanya do the driving. We arrived a little late, we had only 30 minutes to set up our transition, take a pit stop at the bathroom and for me to get familiarized with the transitions.

Swim (300m): "10, 9, 8 ....., 4", this is when I wanted to turn back and quit as the announcer counted down to the start of my wave. I was amidst of the 29 and under wave start for the swimming part of the 2009 Rookie Triathlon, my first ever triathlon. I turned back, I saw Charanya, I think she could smell my fear. I am not a swimmer! Amit shouted out, "Find your happy place". I tried to locate it. "3, 2, 1, and horn", and I was off. I could barely put my head under the water, it was dirty, it was disgusting. Breaststroke was the order of the day. I spotted the closest lifeguard and I alerted him that I might need help. I did! I took a short break, and I was off, only to meet the next lifeguard. By this time three more waves had started, I realized that I was uber slow- but who cared. At the half way point I started feeling more comfortable, the panic had lessened and the stroke was getting more efficient. I needed more help near then end, but I made it through thanks to some shallower water :). I felt a little sick as I walked to the transition area. I must have gulped some of the nasty water. My breathing was out of control, I was gasping for air as I headed to the transition area.

T1: First thing I did was put on my helmet, then I put on my shoes, then my sunglasses and finally my gloves. The gloves took an eternity- I need to figure how to do this more efficiently. At this point a spectator shouted out that I had my helmet other way around- a rookie mistake. So here I was trying to remove it, my glasses got in the way, all a mess! Heck I was a rookie- who cares. My stomach churned, I gulped a bulk load of water as I made my way to the bike start line.

Bike (11 miles): I had no problems getting the clips on, something I was worried out. I continued hydrating, mainly to try and get my breathing under control. My stomach hurt like crazy, but I had a killer hill ahead to focus on. I pedaled hard and tried to get some momentum to get me through the hill. But I had to take a pit stop at the top of the hill, I could not breath. I felt like throwing up. I didn't though. I took a quick stop, then got on the bike and pedaled away. I somehow got my breathing under some control, but the stomach sickness continued. The course was more hilly than I expected. I tried to shake it off but I couldn't. Around the 6 mile mark I was really sick, as I slowed down I threw up off the bike. I didn't want to stop though, hence I continued pedaling. At around the 8 mile mark I started feeling a little better, still not at my best though. I shouted at myself hoping to shake off the bad stomach. I decided not to think about it anymore and I gave it a 100% effort the rest of the way. I was very happy that I finished strong, which felt really good and it also put me in a good mood for the run.

T2: I did the rookie mistake of not hydrating enough towards the end of the biking, especially when I was pushing hard. I changed shoes (had a small accident with my lace, and had to improvise), I put my race belt on and I was ready to go. But wait I was really thirsty, so I sat for a little bit and just chugged water! I was quite happy with my first ever T2!

Run (2 miles): If you asked me at the beginning of the race then I would have said that 2 mile run would have been a joke for me. But my legs felt like bricks, I could not move them after the biking, another rookie effect! :). More bad news was to follow, my stomach started churning again, I could taste the bad swim water again. I started the run well, but then I had to stop running as my stomach hurt too much. I walked for a little bit (which I couldn't fathom), then I tried to suck it up and started again. My legs started functioning again around the 0.5 mile mark after which I felt a little better. I really pushed the last mile, especially the last 200 meter which I literally sprinted. Again I finished strong, something that I was happy with.

Synopsis: The final product was a 1 hr 30 min finish, which I am told is not too bad for a rookie who can not swim :). I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, expect the stomach issues. I can't put a number on how much better I would have done if my stomach did not play up, but nonetheless I was happy to finish the race.

Lessons Learned:
- SWIM SWIM SWIM, enough said!
- Don't drink the swim water. :)
- Work on transitions, have a set plan for a transition routine and follow it.
- Hydrate while walking up and down transition, don't waste time during transition.
- Practice biking on hills, they are monstrous.
- Always think about what you are going to do next, can't change what already happened in the race.

So there- I finished my first ever triathlon- just barely. Special thanks to Charanya for making it so smooth. Thanks to Amit bhai, Sharanya, Bradford and Stephanie for the encouraging pre-race words, it sure did help. I am not a rookie anymore, but I think I still am! :)



-Me

Week 3 Schedule (or lack off)

ello!
I skipped my Week 2 schedule blog, but in a nutshell here is what I did-

Sunday 12th April: 40 over cricket game, lots of running/bowling. I fought some cramps but I felt good thanks to the off-season half marathon training.

Monday 13th April: Rest day, sit-ups at home.

Tuesday 14th April: Swim class, I am kind of sort of enjoying it. But it is still a steep learning curve.

Wednesday 15th April: Too much work, had to skip pilates class! :(

Thursday 16th April: Swim class, we were taken to the deep end. I held my own for a little bit. I am getting quite comfortable with backstroke. Need to work on breathing while doing freestyle.

Friday 17th April: Too much work, couldn't do anything!

Saturday 18th April: Swim AM, Biking PM. Good double whammy.

Week 3 schedule-

Sunday 19th April: 50 over cricket match, will be a toughy. I am quite sore from swimming, and I have a biking session in a few hours.

Monday 20th April - Thursday 23rd April: I am traveling to Bahrain on work. I am going to try to squeeze a swimming session at the hotel pool. I will be spending most of my time on the plane, hence a workout is going to be tough.

Friday 24th April - Sunday 26th April: Traveling to sin city Las Vegas, again getting a work out will be difficult.



Looks like week 3 training will take a battering given all my travels. I REALLY need to catch up in week 4.

So long...
Me

Week 1 Training Rundown

Last week was my first week of training for the Rookie Triathlon. I discussed my training schedule for the week in my previous blog entry. Here I will discuss how I did, what I could do, what I couldn't do and the lessons learnt for road ahead.

Sat 4th: Cricket - went well, I got a good run work out as I bowled 6 overs. I was very rusty, to be honest I didn't really bowl well. All in all an average start to my cricket season.

Sun 5th: Cycling - I got to test out my bike- Anderson (it has been named). The weather was rather chilly, but Cha and I had a solid bike session, we did 2 loops of 3.5 miles. I got the Biking 101 from her :). In the process I got to test out my clip-on pedals- with some success I must say. I can't wait to get back on the bike.

Mon 6th: Off-day, I did some push-ups/sit-ups at home.

Tues 7th: Run/Swim. I ended up going for an unexpected 5 mile run with a couple of work colleagues. It was a rocky/trail route, my left knee was a little sore from it. It was a gorgeous day to go for a run, I pretty much set the pace for the other folks. In the evening I had my 1st swim class, I learnt basic strokes and techniques to breathe efficiently under water. I HAVE SO MUCH TO LEARN, I am definitely worried about the swimming part. I really need to take it seriously.

Wed 8th: X-trainer/Pilates. I had a good 20 minute session on the elliptical before I went for the pilates class. Pilates was quite hard, its a joke how some of the ladies make it look so easy. But the core got a good workout, I really need to work on my posture.

Thurs 9th: Gym/Swim. Today at lunchtime I had a good weights session. I focused on arms- mostly biceps. And soon I am off to my next swim class. My aim today is to just work on breathing. I might try to use the basics to do a lap. Lets see how it goes.

Friday is my off day. All is all a decent first week of training. My legs are sore, I guess they will get used to the training schedule too. Over the next week or two I will know how my body responds. I will be back tomorrow (or Sat) with my training schedule for next week. Have a good Friday!

Adios!

Tri? Why? :)

Hola my beautiful people!

It has been a while since I blogged, and no I have not stopped training/running. I have been taking a well deserved time-out and also been recovering from a minor surgery (deviated septum). I am back now, I ran a 10K last weekend (a memorable one must I say) and now the training begins. Target- ROOKIE TRIATHLON. Why? Just like that! :)

Before I spit out my training schedule, just a couple of updates. First, I bought a fantabulous bike (Felt Z-80, thanks to my beautiful fiance). I am pasting a picture of my bike, I still need to give it a name (suggestions welcome).


And second, I signed up for swimming classes (again thanks to my beautiful fiance). I used to swim a lot when I was young, but as I grew older I forgot it. Now I can't even swim 1 lap without gasping and I can't swim in a straight line :). But hopefully all that will change soon. I am not too worried about the running part, the recently finished running season has put me in shape for the running part of the triathlon. Without further delay here is my prelim schedule:

Saturday 4th April: Cricket
Sunday 5th April: AM Biking (10-11 miles), evening yoga class
Monday 6th April: Break, sit-ups/push-ups at home
Tuesday 7th April: Lunchtime workout, evening swimming class
Wednesday 8th April: Lunchtime run (3 miles), evening pilates class
Thursday 9th April: Lunchtime weights session, evening swimming class
Friday 10th April: Day off

Hopefully I will stick to all of it. My plan is to blog every Friday! Till then, peace out!

Cheers :)

NOLA and I

It was finally here, my target race. After months of waiting, anxiety and training I was ready to tackle the New Orleans half marathon. Let’s be honest I could have trained more; I could have been more disciplined, but now was not a good time to fathom on could-have-been’s. It was game time; I needed to bring my top form for this one.
The race morning was chilly, slightly breezy and overcast. My fellow runner and I spent hours the night before inquiring about the race weather. Some said it would rain, some said it would be cold and some said it would be gorgeous. Clearly the jury was still out; the weather could not make its mind up. It was a short half mile walk to the start line from the race hotel (Hilton Riverside @ New Orleans). I saw some runners jogging to the start line; I was content with my brisk walk. Breakfast came in the form of cereal bar, banana and Gatorade- simple but just enough. I checked my bag/clothes in and made my way to the start line. The race started on the main road opposite the Superdome, the plethora of people swarmed the start line. I tried to locate the 3.50 full marathon pace group, but could not find it and hence decided to run my own race. After another brisk walk to the start line it was all GO GO GO!
0-3 miles: This was my favorite part of the course because we got to run through the French quarter. It was a two for one deal- 1) run the race, and 2) sightsee through the French quarter. The roads were narrow and it did not help that cars were parked on the street. Believe it or not, people had already started hitting the bars at 7 AM, or maybe they were still drinking from the night before. I was offered cups of beer by folks who were cheering us on! It was tempting, but I decided to pass on it. I was mostly running on the sidewalk as I was desperately trying to overtake the traffic (more on this later). Soon we left the French quarter and were on wider roads.
3-6.2 miles: This part of the race course was very rustic and classic New Orleans. A tram line was running right in the middle of the street, grass and pavements around the tram track and then the road on either side. There were old houses, shops and coffee shops scattered on the sides of the road. Although most of the runners ran on the road, I chose to run on the grass area adjacent to the tram track. I had been battling left knee pain for the past couple of weeks and hence I figured that running on the grass would be easier on my knee. After 4 miles of running I was averaging 8.5 miles/hr pace- which in hindsight was a little quick. I was used to running 9-9.5 miles/hr for the first 10k. It was at this point that the pain in my left knee started. I had no choice but to slow down, I needed to do this so as to last the distance. At the half way point my stopwatch read 55 minutes- which meant around a 1.50 finish.
6.2-10: This period proved to be the typical mind against body battle. My left knee was hurting, but my PR was on the line. My legs wanted to slow down but my mind wanted me to run a solid race. I spent the next 10 minutes thinking about nothing but the pain in my knee. I was struggling; I was constantly changing my left leg stroke. Amidst of all this I forgot that mentally I was exerting a lot of energy and eventually my body caught up with it. I was tiring not because of the distance but because my mind was constantly fighting the pain. I needed a boost, I needed a break. Near the 8 mile mark (beautiful park with a golf course) I decided to take a quick water pit stop. I gulped down 5 glasses of water, a gu shot and a Tylenol - then off I went.
10-finish: The Tylenol started to take its effect around the 10 mile mark. I once again chose to run on the grass, this time we were running on the other of the tram tracks. I could still see quite a few runners on the other side of the road. My pain was ever present; I managed to recuperate some energy and hence decided to press on to the finish. For the next two miles (10-11, 11-12) I picked up the pace to 8 min/mile and felt great. It was when I hit the 12 mile water stop that I realized that I could beat my PR- my clock read 1.49. And here I made a rookie mistake- I got complacent and eased my pace. With the finish line half a mile away I realized that I was foolish and then had to sprint hard to the finish. The final product, 1.57.38- a personal record by 1 full minute! Of course this could have been slightly better had I not eased my pace at the end.

Lessons learned:
1). I spent way too much energy trying to make my way through the running traffic. I need to figure out how to do this more efficiently.
2). I could have run the first half slightly slower and conserved more for the finish. I was slightly unhappy with the fact that I ran the second half slower.
3). Running with niggling injury is very tough. A lot of energy gets exerted in focusing/thinking about the niggle when it could be rightly used to focus on the race.
4). Have a race plan and stick to it. The night before the race I decided I would run with the pace group, but then changed my mind just before the race. I should have gone into the race with my own plan; instead I had to come up with one while I was running. I think I had better race strategy in my previous race at Dallas- partly because I had a good steady pace setter at the beginning of the race. I need to work on figuring out what works best for me.
5). Strengthen the legs and core- then stick to a more disciplined training schedule.
6). Do not get complacent when ahead!
Next race- Austin ATT Half Marathon on 15th Feb!
Cheers,
V