The Iron Shecky

Sheryl's total training miles - updated through June 29 Bike 241 miles Swim 17,990 yds Run 45 miles Monday Night Swim I was a little worried about the MNS because I didn't do much training last week and it had been a week plus since I had been in the water. The warm up started out fine. I felt a little rusty, but I was able to get through it. For the main set, we did 8 50's counting our strokes. The goal was to have less strokes each time. I stayed around 33 to 31 strokes for all 8 50's.  Next, we did 4 100's, building from 85% to 100%. My first 100 was a 1:19. I stayed at 1:19s for all of the 100s except a 1:18 for the last one. Then we repeated. I started off at a 1:22 and then gradually got down to a 1:16. I was pushing pretty hard to get to the 1:16. I certainly impressed myself. After the 100's, we did 8 50's again counting our strokes. I stayed around 33 to 35 strokes this time. We warmed down with a few 100's, for a total of 2600 yards. Overall...

Recovery Week During the training program, I have 3 weeks of base building and one week of recovery. The recovery week has 2 days of rest built in. On the days where we have a workout, it is shorter and at a slower pace. This week, due to a previous committment, I was unable to participate in the group workouts. This held a bit of a challenge to stick with the program. I took the term "recovery" just a bit too far. I was only able to get in a run on Tuesday morning and a long ride on Sunday morning. I'm a little disappointed that I didn't get in a Monday swim, Thursday bike, and a Saturday run, but I will be ok. I may pay for it next week though. Tuesday Run Before work on Tuesday, I went to Piedmont Park hoping to do another 5 miles. As I was on my first lap of the park loop (1.67 miles,) I realized that this is a recovery week and I should be running slower and less mileage. I shortened my run to 4 miles, completing a pa...

Base Building Week 3 This week was an amazing week! I participated in the group workouts every day and I learned a lot about myself and about traning (specifically to take an extra shirt or complete change of clothes after a spin session, bike ride or run.) I gained more confidence on the bike as well as on my feet (running.) Overall, I am headed in the right direction at the perfect pace. Monday Night Swim This week's MNS felt great. I started in the fast lane this time so I wouldn't get kicked out. I fit right in with the group. After our warm up, we headed into the main set, which was 5 100's at a 500 pace and then a 500 at the same pace. I started off ok with the 100's, getting a little slower as each 100 came. I was unable to keep up the pace I started at. When we got to the 500, I was a little worried. I have been able to quickly get back into the swing of things with sets of shorter distaces but I was very afraid of doing a 500 all at once, for time....

This past week has been great!  I was still feeling great from my workouts the week before so I went in headfirst and ready to train! Monday Night Swim I arrived at MNS ready to get in the pool.  It had been 2 weeks since my last swim and I really haven't been focusing much on the swim.  I know that the swim is my strong part of the race, but that doesn't mean I can ignore it.  I started off in the slower of the two advanced lanes.  After the warm up, the other members of the lane said that I really should go in the other advanced lane.  I got kicked out!  I moved into the faster of the two lanes, which was occupied by 4 fairly intimidating guys.  We did a set of 50s kicking, and I ended up moving my way up the lane from the back.  When we got to the main set, I ended up leading the lane!  I certainly did not expect to be in this position this early in the training.  I really thought that it would take me some time to build bac...

So boot camp is over, now what? I have my training plan mapped out, but will I really follow it on my own?  The answer: no. I'm going to get in the pool, swim a few laps, and say "that's good."  I will get on the bike, ride 15 miles (all Silver Comet - no hills) and say "that's enough for today." And I will go out for a run, decide it is too hot and finish many miles too soon. So, I joined the Atlanta Triathlon Club. The club has training schedules for all of the Ironman and Half Ironman Races as well as group workouts every day.  I am much more likely to stick to the plan with a support group. Monday Night Swim I show up at Washington Park Natatorium (an inner city pool) and i have no idea where I am going.  I check in at the front desk and head down to the locker room. After I get ready, I head out to the pool deck.  There are about 20 plus people on the deck and I don't know anyone! I introduced myself to the coaches and they explained how the...