May 30

Eek! The end of May fast approaches. I had a brief reprieve from training last weekend when I went to NYC for a few days. I also very conveniently missed the KC Triathlon. I didn't intend to schedule the trip the same weekend, but it turns out it was just as well, since I would not have mentally been ready for the swim. Now, Topeka Tinman looms on the horizon like a huge monster... And, the what ifs are already starting up. What if I'm still  not ready for the swim? What if I think I can manage the swim with my wetsuit, but the event isn't wetsuit legal? Having to do the swim without my neoprene security blanket is going to be like resetting the clock all over again. Okay, okay...one hurdle at a time.

In my guilt over not participating at the KC Tri, I did enter a 5K in New York. It was the NYPD Memorial 5K which honors the fallen heros among New York's Finest. It was run on the West Side Highway very close to Ground Zero. Perfect weather on a perfect, flat course. I ran it hard, but not all out (as I am wont to do) and because it was a fast course, I still ran a 24:44, a few seconds faster than the 5K I did over Easter weekend. I thought I might place in my age group, as I had checked out the results from the previous year and saw that the 3rd place did a 26 minute race. However, I ended up 7th...the first place finisher in my age group was a 46-year-old who did an 18:40. Seriously?!?

I resumed my workouts when I got back, sort of. My job has gotten really busy and so squeezing in doubles have not been working. So, the stress of my job as well of the stress of missing workouts was starting to get to me. However, I did get to test out my new bike fit on a couple of rides--a 25-mile ride at the downtown airport and a 42-mile EMG group ride. I was very happy that my back did not bother me on either ride and my feet didn't go numb! So, it looks like the fit is going to be well worth the money.

The 42-miler is now my second longest ride, ever. My average speed wasn't that great, but I did get tired the last 5 or so miles.

Today I did my long run that I should have done yesterday by running to Loose Park, doing the Amy Thompson Run to Daylight 8K and then running home. My legs felt like lead the entire run to the park and two miles into the race. They finally loosened up a little after that. It's a little frustrating that I never feel rested or fresh for any of the races I've done this year, but I suppose we aren't training to specifically for road races. Hospital Hill is coming up Saturday and I am going to take a couple of rest days so that my legs aren't completely trashed. That could be a long and arduous day.

Tomorrow, I get back in the lake. Fingers crossed on how that goes...