Sandy Hookers

Back in February (I think February) when I sat down & started to think about how I was actually going to start training for triathlons, I got some good advice form friends & joined a triathlon group - the Sandy Hookers.  If you get the chance, check out their website.  They have links to tons of races & a lot of great information too.   http://www.sandyhookers.org/  So far I've met a lot of fun people & gotten great advice from my new friend Doug, whom I bother with stupid questions all the time.  He's really good to me & even fixed my bike, which Greg was so nice to give me!  Here's the pic of the bike:

It's quite patriotic!  & it's the right size for me too, which is amazing since I am so short.  It's pretty amusing when I go to spin class & I adjust the handlebars & the seat.  Sometimes I get a funny look like, that's pretty low.  Hey, I have short legs!

On top of all the new things I have been learning as far as fitness goes, there's even way more stuff to learn about the equipment.  The bike rack was pretty easy to figure out, but I'd really like to figure out how the bike works.  I learned pretty quickly that you need to know how to change a tire!  I knew something was wrong when I rode over the Rumson/Sea Bright bridge & I felt something weird with the tire.  Yeah, that would be the air rushing out.  But, there was really nothing that I could do even if I knew how to fix it because one of the spokes had punctured the tube.  See all the new things I'm learning!  Every day it's something new..........

Half Maraton Training Plan v. Half Ironman Training Plan

I started researching some plans.  First I found a few 1/2 Ironman Training Plans, then 1/2 Marathon Plans.  Mostly 5-6 day workout plans.  They seem very similar.  The running plans incorporate 2 days of cross training (biking/swimming).  This is perfect!  However, 6 days of working out just really isn't possible for me.  & no, this isn't me backing down from a challenge, but it's hard to fit all this into a day.  Some weeks I can do it, but I work full time & try to have somewhat of a social life.  As it is I haven't picked up my dry cleaning in a month, who has time to do all this?  Weekends are the best, as I really can do a 2 hour workout or brick workout.  Monday nights seem to be the most motivating for me.  Probably because I ate like a pig all weekend & have to get back to the gym to make myself feel less piggish!



WEEK 1 - 1/2 Marathon Training Plan

MON: 35 min moderate 13 mile bike ride - 50 minutes
TUE: 30-40 min XT  40 min run on the treadmill at the gym 3 miles (I think further, see previous blog entry)
WED: 40 min easy  tonight is pilates & a short run
THU: 30-40 min XT  Thursday is my off day this week!  Going to Maine!
FRI: Rest  More biking w/ Sue in Maine
SAT: 6 miles conversational  This is the hardest - maybe a 3-4 mile run in Maine
SUN: Rest - Yes, more rest!

WEEK 1 - 1/2 Ironman Training Program

MON:  Bike 60 mins
TUE:   Swim 45 min/Run 30 mins
WED:  Bike 90 mins
THU:  Swim 30 mins/Run 30 mins
FRI:  Bike 90 mins w/ hills
SAT:  Run 50 mins w/ hills
SUN:  OFF

This could prevent a bit of a challenge.  Deciding which plan will get me to my goal.  Either way, I think I have a good base.  I can do all these things so far.  I just need to get better at running.  Thanks for reading!  I'm off to Pilates.