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February 2003
2/3/03 - 2/9/03
Well, I had a tough time getting going during the first part this week. I think I'm going to change my plan so my Mondays aren't so light. I usually just do weights, but I think that sets me up to be lazy when I start out the week. I'm going to add a short bike and/or run on Mondays after lifting so I can get into the groove earlier. I had it scheduled as a light day to recover from the weekends, but I don't think an easy spin or run is going to do any damage. I'll probably just hop on the trainer for ½ hour or so and see how that goes.

Nothing too far out this week - I did my usual Masters swimming and short runs & rides during the week. Bailed on one of my weight workouts (Monday). Work was really busy this week - lots of meetings. Things got better on the weekend. I rode 4 hours on Saturday after Masters. Jeff's coach gave me some ideas about my training plan, and one of the thoughts was to mix some intervals into the long rides. So I rode two hard 30 minute intervals (around low Zone 3), then a few short LT intervals, then rode the rest at an easy pace. He said that the aerobic riding is more effective when you're tired. Well, I was tired! Jeff was riding with a friend from Masters and we were trying to meet up somewhere but missed each other somewhere.

Sunday's run felt good. Jeff's coach also recommended that I should schedule a period of about 3 weeks in March or April where I run 5-6 times per week. Yikes! So I guess I'll aim for the first 3 weeks of March since Cali Lite is April 5 and I don't want to be torched before that. Maybe I'll schedule another 3 week session in late April or May to prepare for IMC if it works well the first go-around. That also gives me another reason to work on a short-term goal - I'd like to drop at least 10 pounds before attempting that much running volume.

My goal this week is to find at least one training partner, even if it's just for running. I don't have any problem getting motivated for Masters practice or for the weekend long run and ride, but I tend to be a major slacker during the week. I'm going to try and find someone who will run with me two or three times a week in the afternoons, maybe bike too. I'll start by asking around at Masters, I guess. In the meantime, I WILL do all my scheduled workouts this week!!!

2/10 - 2/16
Pretty typical week. Masters swimming on Tuesday and Thursday, long ride (4 hours) on Saturday, long run (1:45) on Sunday. Shorter stuff during the week. I can't wait for the weather to warm up a bit so I am more willing to get out there early in the morning. Right now, I tend to wait until afternoon when it warms up to the mid-40s or 50s and by then I'm usually into some project. I'd say my training is progressing along. Still working on finding some workout partners. Jeff's riding buddy has a couple of female friends who are interested in doing some riding so I may hook up with them.

2/17 - 2/23
Another typical week. IM CDA still seems very far off, so it's hard for me to focus on that. It's just so darned cold! It's hard to imagine training or racing in the heat! I'm focusing mainly on Cali Lite, although I'm not really planning to "race" it, just use it as an (expensive!) training day and to see where I am with nutrition, endurance, etc. I'm mostly looking forward to the trip and seeing Patti, Robin, Stephanie, and the other TNOers :. I'm all about the social aspect of triathlon :.

2/24 - 3/2
I took this week very easy. I was getting a little burned out and frustrated with my diet, so I tweaked things a lot to see what would happen. I had some good progress, but the change was a little drastic. I think I'll try to even things out a bit and experiment with some different food combinations/eating times. I thought when you exercise this much you weren't supposed to have to worry about what/when you eat :

Anyway, it was a nice break and I'm ready to get going again.