Training Update

For many months this image has summarized my triathlon comeback efforts:



But in the last three or four weeks I've been enjoying the evening rides down at Columns Drive. And that's kind of been taking the "wedgie" out of "comeback".

I'm starting to recognize the regulars. Starting to see the groups that develop. Starting to understand the turnaround conventions, etc. I ride from home and generally drivers have been kind to me, the occasional pickup truck notwithstanding. I've gotten rides in most days in the last couple weeks. A day off here or there as the legs accumulate fatigue.

Fatigue is a wonderful feeling after so many months without training. As fatigue has built, and fitness has been gained I'm back to reasonable heart rates with some more daily workout pain. A good thing as it'll force my body to adapt.

It's still early in the comeback process. I'm seeing hints of progress. But no breakthroughs... yet. I mean, I pwned that 73 year old dude on the mountain bike with the "I (heart) Chicken" t-shirt. But, you know, I haven't even tried to measure myself against anybody yet. My confidence is fragile but growing as I try out mini groups, breaks, intervals, etc. Turns out I can still do all these things and recover without a massive coronary. That's nice.

It's also nice just to have this regimen in my life again. Work has been hectic. Moving homes has been a lot of work. Copperheads are slithery bastards. Without fitness the stresses were adding up. Now I feel like I'll have a chance at the end of the day to blow off steam.

No running lately. I mean, a few little treadmill efforts here and there. I'm at about 173 lbs, a far cry from 158 lb race weight. I can feel it when I run and I'm in no rush to get back to all 3 sports.

I was up at All3Sports today (I know, that was the best segue ever!) Picked up some 80mm tubes. See, here's the thing about Zipp valve extensions... they blow. Missy (I think... I'm horrible with names) said Hi as I checked out. Always a great experience up at All3Sports, the greatest triathlon shop in the universe*!

Rode for 1:50 today. 35 miles. Took it easy. Heart rate around 135 bpm most of the time. One flat tire, annoying. Spotted Ashley Folkes who I used to spot all the time out on the Silver Comet during my daily workouts when I lived over there. He's lookin' fast, as always. Community question: why does he get a 365 day/year six pack but I work my ass off in the gym for months to achieve a four pack? I'm writing my senator... and considering some airbrushing for key workouts.

Also saw a dude in a weight vest, aerobars. Like his style. I may have to break out the old weight vest one of these days! I asked him what's up and he said "sometimes you have to go old school to get fast!" Love it.

Core strength still low. Need to get back into some sort of routine. The situps I'm doing between burrito lifts aren't quite cutting it.

Also need to work on the diet. It's out of control and I need to drop some poundage. With the increased training demand I need to focus on protein again.

Upcoming goals? Marc wants me to be on Airport Ride Day 1. Hoping I can do that. Not sure though. Would have to start some weekend longer rides over the next few weeks. Which isn't unreasonable.

I just want to continue to build smartly back into some reasonable volume, drop some weight, add running and swimming back into the mix and then destroy the women's 20-25 age group in the spring. Goals are important.

Did I mention the weather today. Perfect. And the blonde triathlete with a flat tire walking back to her car agreed. She was heading up to All3Sports at 6p and had to make it back to the car. I offered tubes, etc but she was Ok without them. Hope she made her bike's play date at the All3! Carbon fiber can be moody when it doesn't get its social time.

So that's it. Still keeping the boring daily workout reports off of the homepage to keep the signal-to-noise ratio slightly higher than it would be otherwise. Click Triathlon on the left side nav if you need to fall asleep quickly. Joereger.com... better than Ambien**.

Over and out. Wait, that's not my sign-off. Peace. Nope, that's not it either.

Valve extensions blow.

* known universe. i can't exactly vouch for the quality of All3Sports in the unknown universe.
** dear Ambien, please don't sue me.

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