Not exactly 'better'

Although I have gotten better from whatever Super-virus that got ahold of my cells, I am still not healthy. The cough is still very much with me, as well as other symptoms I will not list here - for your benefit.

I have only managed a few days of okay training in the past 2 weeks trying to fight the little bug off, but he is still resisiting.

I am hopeful that upon resuming normal training with today's 'long' run I will cook it inside me. :-)

I will keep you posted.

Sick, now better

After returning from a great, 3-week long Training camp in Florida, I got a cold. I did not get sick even once in 2008, so I sort of knew my streak was running out. It must have been a super strain, because I was out of commission for 5 days, when it usually takes me 48 to 72 hours to be back in gear.

I am now slowly getting back to the rhythm of things, and had a good, short swim session this morning. The weather in Tuscaloosa has been much colder than usual, so I have been riding indoors far more often.

I have a Kurt Kinetic Rock N' Roll Trainer and really enjoy it. It has a very road like feel, and makes time riding indoors almost bearable. I am actually thinking fo doing most of my early year riding indoors, which is something I have not done in the past. Hopefully it will work.

Only a few days left in Florida

Week 2 of the training camp is in the books. This past Sunday was the last day of the big push. I rode 121 miles ( crossing the FL-GA border) and then had a 5 mile run afterwards. All in all, just shy of a 7 hour training day. While most people were enjoying the weekend, for me it was just another working day.

Being down here makes it far easier to get the mileage done. The weather is gorgeous, the roads are smooth and the shoulders wide. Also, since I am not at home it forces me to focus on the reasons I came down: to train, get fitter, faster, and lay down the foundation for a successful season ahead.

The camp ends this weekend, coinciding nicely with the Gainesville International Triathlon.

I am far from race shape, so it should be an interesting way to jump start my body. I will then make the drive back to Birmingham, and pack to Tuscaloosa, where I have to be for 9 am Constitutional law classes beggining Monday, Jan 12th.

The miles aren't going to do themselves

I have been logging pretty consistent hours the past week or so. Yesterday I rode 170k, almost to the Georgia State line ( from Gainesville). I really wanted to cross the state line. but knew it I'd be getting back too late after nightfall if I had kept ongoing. turns out I turned around 6 miles from the border. Bummer. I will likely make another attempt this week.

While I would like to brag about doing it all alone, with zero drafting, I must admit that I appreciated the old lady who was going 30mph for over a mile after making a right turn. Made for a nice break from the steady winds that accompanied me all day.

Last week saw a total of 620k of saddle time. This week's should be a little lower, with a tad more speed work. A great way to end 2008 and welcome the new year, if you ask me.

Ichetucknee Open Water Swim

North Central Florida is known for some amazing springs. One of them is the Ichetucknee Springs. The water is always 72F. I had a terrific swim there this afternoon after a great 2-hour ride. I am feeling pretty beat up from the training load, but once I get going I actually feel better.

Gainesville, FL is a terrific choice for a winter training camp. There are thousands of possible routes, and the large majority with shoulders nearly half as wide as the road. The weather is perfect - the past few days have been 81F with a low of 58F. Hard to beat for 'winter'.

Below is a photo of what Ichetucknee looks like. The current is pretty strong, so you have to move at 1:25 or better/100m. in order to make any forward progress at all. In some areas, to make progress, the swimmer is required to swim 1:15/100m or faster, though only for a few short meters. To swim 800m up it takes about 21minutes. It takes less than 8 to swim down the same distance. I guess that's what Michael Phelps feels like when he is swimming!

Hours-wise this week will likely yield 26 hs. I am hoping next week will be near 30, and that my knees can handle the pressure after being on a treadmill for most of the past semester. Law School had me crunched for time so I did a lot of training indoors. This semester I have a far better schedule since the dean allowed me to choose my classes and times, so it will be far better, and much more conducive to triathlon training.

Training Camp well underway

The training camp here in Florida is well underway. I have been here for 4 days and have had a couple of 5 and 6 hour days that have really been great. The weather is cooperating. The roads are great. All is going according to plan.

Aside from that, not a lot to report.

Merry Christmas!

Gastrocnemius strain

Since ramping up training again in preparation for the '09 season, I have had a minor setback in the form of a gastrocnemius strain on my right calf.

Also known as 'tennis leg', this minor injury had prevented me from logging as many running miles as I should be, but since its initial flare up on Sunday, it has come a long way. I am now at 75%, and hoping it will be 100% by Sunday. On the 19th I begin the annual training camp in Florida, where I'll stay until Jan 11.

I will update more often when I am down there. I have been swamped these days trying to get organized for the 3-week long camp.