Unremarkably consistent...

As a personal trainer, I always tell my clients that the one thing that will benefit them, above all, is consistency. Well I have been unremarkably consistent for the last 3 months and I have seen the benefits in a few different ways.

1) I have dropped about 5 pounds from my high of 183 pounds.
2) I have increased my continuous swim length to 800 yards (about 1/2 my projected swim).
3) I have steadily increased my intensity.

So while my training hours have stayed more or less constant, I have started to push the pace a bit. Of course I would have done well to remember the old driving safety commercial, "Speed kills". Ignoring this has caused me to experience all manner of small aches and pains. A sore back here, tired arms there, sore Achilles etc... U get the picture. Some of this was due to the sheer enthusiasm I have experienced at being able to go and actually ride my bike OUTSIDE!!!! While I am enjoying my new trainer, there is no substitute for the great outdoors. I went out on one of my favorite (hilly) rides this weekend and felt great... until about 5 hours later when my back began to acknowledge the stress of riding up and down actual grades. Still it was worth it to experience that "wind in your face feeling...".

I am planning to really push the next few weeks racing both this weekend and the next. I will be attempting my first USCF race in 2 years followed by an easy run. Then the following weekend I head to NYC for a duathlon. These races are just a way of seeing where I am in my preparation. In fact, the duathlon is approximately 1/2 of the St. Anthony's tri so it will give me some perspective on my race legs, even if there is no feeling quite like the second run in a duathlon.

After pushing myself for the next 2 weekends I plan to jet off to St. John in the Caribbean and take a much needed rest. This will be the start of my taper for Tampa. I feel fairly good about my progress, but now I need to get serious about my nutrition to make sure I have the fuel necessary to make the most of my training. Here's hoping everyone is doing the same.

Peace,

and good training....

Rob