A good week

So what do I do for training? Well, at this point the plan I'm following typically calls for 3 swims, 4 bikes, and 4 runs a week, which is how this past week worked out. I try to stay up with the bikes and the runs, but if I have to cut something out it is probably going to be the swim. So this week I only got two swims in. I do find it interesting that considering the proportion that each event takes during a triathlon, how much emphasis is placed on the swim. If you break it down, training plans call for a whole lot more swim time, considering how much time the swim takes compared to the bike and the run. So that's my rational explanation on why the swim gets less of my attention, but in reality I just stink at swimming and I'm looking for any reason to stay out of the pool! Well, I really don't mind swimming that much, but it is discouraging to have mature ladies, young studs, and even rubber duckies pass me in the pool! This week may be a little more difficult, as tennis has started in earnest, and for those of you who don't know, I coach the boy's varsity tennis team. Next week is going to be the real challenge, with three matches set for the week. With two-a-day workouts, finding time is an issue. I'll let you know how it goes.

PS - Don't forget to consider contributing to the fundraiser. It's for a worthy cause. You can contribute the old fashioned way with a check to the school, or just visit firstgiving.com and type in my name. Then all you have to do is hit the Donate button!

Why you need children

Well, thanks to Julie at least now I have a face. Look out, there may even be more to come...maybe.

Still working on a photo

OK, this isn't exactly me, but I've realized I have no digital photos of me doing a triathlon. As soon as I figure out how to take a picture and get it on to my computer, I'll put it on line so you can at least connect a name and a face. For now, here is the location of the Saco River rally - with the Saco River in the foreground.

Only 18 weeks to go!

I'm starting to settle in on my training plan. I have one that I have taken off the web and it seems to work OK. I don't do exactly what the plan calls for, but I modify it to fit my schedule. So for instance, they expect six days of  workouts, with most of those double sessions. I've modified it so at this point I'm taking two days off, but I still try to do most of the double workouts. This week the long bike ride was 2 hours and 15 minutes, and the long run was 1 hour and 20 minutes. The swim I don't even bother with trying to meet! They swim a whole lot more yards than I'm able to put in, in the time they expect. So I'm pretty much just swimming for the designated time - usually 45 minutes. The biggest issue right now is trying to do the long bike sessions inside. I usually go to the Works to get it in, but I'm looking forward to getting out on the road. Of course, I won't mention the snow storm that's slated to come in tomorrow. Spring has got to show up sometime!

One more time...

Well, for some reason I can't fathom, my posts are not showing up. And since I type about as fast as I swim, I'll try this one more time and then wait for Cathy or Julie to come home and show me what I'm doing wrong. But never fear, I shall return (I've got to work in those history references when I can!). To summarize, my reaction to pool water is going a little better and I've set up a donation page on the web at firstgiving.com. The address is www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/chippease/sacoriverrally. Or go to the site and just type in "chip pease" or "saco river rally" and I should be at the top of the page. After that, it's just a matter of hitting the donation button. Thanks much!

In the beginning...

Thanks for joining me on this journey. At this point, I really don't know what I'm doing, but with a little help from my friends I'm hoping this all works out. My intent is to get this under control and up and running over the course of the next week or so with the desire to keep folks informed, and involved, with my training and with the fundraising. This is a long process, and hopefully we can all stay better motivated with these postings. To prepare, I have been keeping active over the course of the winter fairly regularly. With three events to prepare for, the swim, bike and run, it doesn't take long to fill in the day. I'm now into a more intentional training plan. I've taken one from the internet and I've adjusted it to better suit the time that I have available. Last week was a big one, and I put in about 12 hours or so. That number will go up gradually until July. My goal is to add to this blog as interesting events happen and milestones get passed. Right now, my big concern is my swim. I swam all winter, but once I started to bump my time in the water up to an hour, I'm starting to react to the pool water with allergy-like symptoms. It's rather unpleasant and I'm working on trying to find a solution. I went back into the water yesterday for 15 minutes, and that seem to work OK. Tomorrow I'm planning on going in for a half hour and see what happens. I'll let you know. Thanks again for stopping by, and we'll talk soon.