It's race week! My first triathlon of the season is on Sunday, the Pine Barrens Sprint Triathlon. Really it is more like a Sprimpic with a half mile swim, 24 mile bike and 4 mile trail run. I'm so excited to get out there and race and I'm really looking to see how much I can improve on last year's performance.
I had a solid training weekend which left me with good feelings about going into this race. Saturday was a 2700 meter swim at the Flushing Aquatic Center. This pool is usually too crowded for speed work so I spent a lot of time focusing on keeping an even, smooth stroke. I am also trying to get better at bilateral breathing so I did a lot of that too. After the swim we refueled and headed to the park. My left hip was feeling a little funky after my 5.5 mile run last weekend (I think residual effects from falling off my bike) so I kept an easy pace and did about 4.5 miles pain free.
On Sunday we worked at the Queens Biathlon and then headed up to the Bronx River Parkway for Bicycle Sunday. It was a gorgeous day and despite a bit of wind it was perfect for riding. I had hoped to do a brick with a 20 mile ride and a 2 mile run. We got up there a bit late so I really only had time to do a 13 mile ride and then the 20 minute run. The ride was good and I tried to focus on letting myself be uncomfortable and not letting up too frequently. This was my first brick of the season so I was a bit worried about the run but I'm thrilled to say that I did a very hilly 2 mile run with an average pace of 8:50/mile. I would LOVE to hold a sub 9 pace on Sunday but I also need to be careful that I don't blow up either.
This week I'm trying to take it a bit easy to give my body some rest before Sunday. I am focusing on eating clean, getting lots of sleep and staying hydrated. What do you in the week leading up to a race to prepare?
{Pine Barrens Tri - 2009}
4 comments:
Good luck on Sunday! That is a nice pace too for a hilly 2 miler; faster than me for sure.
I do whatever my coach tells me to do the week before a race; I can no longer think for myself. Kidding, just as you say, get lots of sleep, eat well.
Can't wait to read your RR! Sam must be chomping at the bit to race his new wheels.
Good luck! Can't wait to read all about it! Just try to rest up and drink lots of water this week! That's what I try to do...
Good luck! Can't wait to see how much you have improved over the past year! Sounds like you have a good race week plan.
Good luck! You are going to have so much fun crushing your old time:)
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