I somehow got in just over 13 hours of total training in this week, accomplished in a somewhat unconventional, or at least non-routine kind of way. Hours were broken up into 42 miles running, 73 on the bike, and 10,500 yards in the pool done in several different locations.
Given the post title, I spent a couple more days in one of my favorite cities: Austin. Given that I have a couple athletes up that way and family that lives there, I seem to be going up there more and more. There's just something about being in that place that seems to refresh me and puts me in a different mindset-I guess that place just moves at a different speed, or the culture is just so different -even though it's just 3 hours up the highway. At any rate, as I've likely mentioned before, what I love is that it is also extremely active on all fronts, but noticeably in the runner/triathlete column. Numerous pros live there and it's not unusual to just see them out training or at Whole Foods. I saw triathlete Kelly Williamson out cycling one day, and I always see TeamRouge Elite out running downtown. As I sipped my coffee on Saturday morning, I couldn't help but smile as I saw several large running groups pass by outside the house I was staying at.
I made it a point to stay off the laptop a lot of the time and just hang out with my cousins and get a little training in during my short stay. What's cool is that my cousin is an avid cyclist and he showed me some great routes around town. How can a flatlander resist getting in some hills?! Friday I got in a mini brick of 20 miles on the bike and 5 on the run. Saturday morning (reeeaally early) about an 11 mile run with some really cool views of the skyline at dusk-plus some odd giant spider sculptures and various other structures-Sooo not "the bubble"! I had to get a little creative with the when's and where's of training while traveling, but it all worked out.
What I found really surprising is how easy the climbs in this hilly city actually felt (granted the brick was just a short workout). I was expecting to have my backside handed to me but that was not the case. Likely a combination of lower humidity in that region, downhills that are way helpful, and perhaps a little of my own developing strength as well. Gave me a bit of a mental boost for sure as I continue to feel really strong. I also was able to find ways to fit it in successfully amongst a busy schedule this week. I'm working on taking a more flexible mindset and it seems to be working; more flexible when it comes to timing, venue, and discipline.
Tomorrow is the Cap Tex Tri in the aforementioned city and my best goes out to those competing. After two good training weekends in the Capital City, I just may need to race there myself sometime soon.
Stay the course.
5 comments:
Austin is really, really high on my list of places I want to visit. I never hear anything bad about it. Plus you get that awesome vibe when you're training around all those studs (like in Boulder). I love a culture immersed in endurance sports.
I'm so glad you are feeling strong and enjoying the triathlon ride!
YAY to feeling strong! There's someone about a town where everyone (or seemingly everyone) wants to be healthy and get fit. LOVE IT! I can't wait to see you in just only 10 days!!!!! :)
I am so glad you are feeling good! I have always wanted to go to Austin. And I would SO love to live somewhere that had lots of other runners and where i could run with people who were faster than me to push me. It gets lonely always running on my own.
Great job!!
You sound like you are rocking training! Nice work! Can you believe I've never been to Texas? Someday.
You are a training animal right now. 13 is a lot of hours. I am jealous!
Glad to read how the hills were easier than you expected on the bike.
I haven't been to Austin, but you pain a good picture!
Good for you for staying off the lap top. That's hard to do sometimes.
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