Training, Backpacking and Triathlons

I haven't posted in awhile, because I think I'm becoming addicted to Facebook. I have been working out and today I had a chance to see how good of shape I was in. But first, a bit of background. Two weeks ago, I was on a pretty good training schedule and was starting to get back into speed work. A couple of snow days, hampered my training a little, but not much.

Last weekend was our annual winter backpacking trip. It was a great weekend to be in the woods with snow on the ground, clear skies and low temperatures. I went into the trip with a bit of cold, and after the trip, it got worse, which caused me to lay low all this past week. (I hope to have photos for this event soon)

This morning I competed in the "Tri to Help" indoor triathlon. I participated in this event last year while training for Boston. This event is a fairly good gauge to determine "winter fitness." I didn't think I'd do as well as last year, because I haven't been training as hard due to an injury, and I was sick all this past week.

As it turns out, the only event that I was below par in was the swim. I managed 21 lengths last year in 10:00, but only eked out 17 this year. Part of the reason was I had to share a lane with someone and never could get into a rhythm. My biking was about the same as last year, 13.1 miles in 30:00 and my run was only about .10 off from last year, 2.98 miles in 20:00, which surprised me, because I was running so much more last year.

Bottom line, I'm not in half bad shape for February, but I have some areas that need improvement.