Yesterday the temperatures hit 90 degrees. As awful as it felt it also excited me as the realness of the racing season hit. I haven't blogged about training at all since last fall so it's time to get back on the wagon! So here's a little update.
I have officially graduated from Jamestown College with a double major in Accounting and Financial Planning and Wealth Management!!! I thought I had a personal trainer job lined up at anytime fitness, but long story short, it will be months before I actually begin to get any hours so the job hunt is on! I have an interview to be the afternoon/evening desk clerk at the Holiday Inn Express, so hopefully that works out. I'm living alone in an apartment in Jamestown which means I need to make some money!!! I am delaying the "full time" job search until after the Ironman... which is less than 4 months away!!!
As for training, it's been steady but not exactly great. My mileage is up in the last 6 weeks which is good, but speed work has been lacking :/ Translation: I have plenty of endurance but little racing speed. This is a problem that will be addressed over the coming weeks. But right now I'm sitting 4 days out from the Fargo half marathon, so it's time for a reality check! Today I had my worst run in months and I actually started walking??? Partially because I'm torn down but also probably as a result of a busy graduation weekend that wore me out. I can tell my body is getting tired which is bad news for the race but good news for the long term as I have a recovery week next week. I made up for the terrible morning run with a fantastic swim set this afternoon. Everything felt smooth and powerful for the first time this season. In the past I have done little to prepare for the swim because it doesn't need as much, however it is my weapon. This season I vowed to actually prepare the swim, and while it hasn't been my focus, it definitely has gotten more attention this year. It won't be 100% by the time I race in Buffalo, but it should be decently ready.
On Saturday I will race the Fargo half.
Facing the facts: My race time will not be as fast as last year. Last May I was coming off of a track season with plenty of speed and endurance and I ran an average pace of 6:40/mile to finish in a 1:27. Also I had an injury a few weeks out which probably turned into something of a taper for me. This year I plan to train through the race as it is my least important race of the season. Recovery will be next week. So my goals are not as high and in reality I'm taking on Fargo as more of a tune up race. I would be pleased to run 7:00/mile so I'm setting that as my "official" goal.
After the race I'll recover with a few long bike rides and then get cracking on speed work on both the bike and run as the Buffalo Sprint triathlon is 15 days after Fargo. And... I will be in New York for 5 of those days! Yay for hotel workouts :P Worth it.
That's all for now. Fargo, here I come!
