Well, I've made it through most of the summer and maintained running 10 - 15 miles per week in the ridiculous North Texas heat. Thanks to my friends at the Rockwall Running Club and our 5@5 routine on Tuesday and Thursday Mornings. Running at 5am is a must when you're trying to get in the miles during these Texas summers. And even then, you're still running in 80 degree temps (or higher) with humidity sometimes in the mid 80's. It's a grind!! I'm glad I like running as much as I do or else I might have quit a long time ago with the heat. I SWEAR!! Somebody flipped a switch in my chest when they opened me up for the surgery. Because I used to LOVE the heat. And now, I can't stand it.
It's now September 20, 2014 and race season is in full swing. I'm getting ready for my first race of the season. The Rib Rub & Run in Rockwall October 4th, 2014 timed by The Rockwall Running Center. I actually took 2nd place in my age group here last year and I'm hoping for a 1st place medal this year. We'll see if I can pull it off. I've only got 2 more weeks from today to get in some more speed work and training. I'll keep ya posted. Or, you can follow me on Twitter by looking me up @bypassrunner.
http://ribrubraces.itsyourrace.com/event.aspx?id=253
I also have now started training for my 1st triathlon coming next spring. After thinking about it for a few weeks, I've decided I will attempt The Historic McKinney Kiwanis Triathlon in March of next year. It's a Sprint distance with a 300 meter swim in an indoor pool, 13 mile bike race, & a 3.2 mile run. Indoor pool?? Yeah, I know! Kinda wimpy? OK! VERY WIMPY! But, it's gonna be my first time. I don't want to go hog wild right out of the gate. Plus, most of the other triathlons going on in this time frame involve swimming in one of the local lakes. And the local lakes here get down to 65 degrees or colder. I don't like the heat. But, I also don't wanna go into shock ya know? And when your swimming without a wetsuit. Well, need I say more?
http://www.playtri.com/kiwanis
So, I've joined the local YMCA for more training options and I've started swimming laps after my morning runs to try and improve on what little swim skills I've got. I'm still tempted to take an idea I heard from a running friend of mine after one of our 5@5 morning runs. He said he had trained for his first triathlon by watching youtube videos. And wanted to get a custom shirt printed saying, "YouTube Trained!" across the front. I've found myself looking up lots of video explaining the breathing techniques used in your typical freestyle swim stroke. I've almost got it down to a point where I'm comfortable using the technique properly. But, I still need lots more training. LOTS!!
Then, there is the bike situation. I'm really not interested in buying a $2000 tri bike just to get a taste of my first triathlon. So, I'm using my $99 Mongoose Walmart special that is roughly 14 years old now (or more). And, I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea of having to wear a helmet just to ride a bike. I GET IT! It's safer. But, it's just a bicycle right? Anyway, I'm saving my lunch money for a proper bicycle helmet so that I can incorporate more bicycling in to my training soon without getting ticketed by the PO PO. More to come on THAT subject later. But for now, I gotta be going. I did a 9 mile run this morning with my training buddies getting ready for the Dallas Metro PCS Half Marathon in December. And even though I've already eaten, I'm still hungry. NEED PROTEIN!!!
Remember...
Happiness is a choice, make it daily.
