I really believe the basic principles I learned in ChiRunning really helped me take my running to the next level. I plan to attend a few more running  clinics to help me with my form and pick up a tip or two. I would love to be able to break 40 minutes for 5 mile by the end of the season. It is a lofty running goal but I am committed.

Tonight I am going to attend a open water swim clinic and am really looking forward to it.

While this is and will always be a  family weekend I really was looking forward to my workouts. I enjoy challenging myself to get to the next level and my progress has kept my going. I will also admit that this past week was not a great diet week but for the most part was pretty good considering the abundance of goodies to eat and drink.

I spent Saturday morning in the pool with the opportunity to work out with a group of swimmers well above my level. I set my pace and trailed in the drills but exceeded my own expectations. Working out with veterans is so beneficial to a novice like myself. I was fortunate to get some good coaching and a really challenging workout.  This Saturday I am attending my first swimming clinic. I feel like I have started to build a good foundation and am looking forward to learning from a pro.

Sunday I planned to do a brick. A brick workout simply means that you complete one workout after another. I mapped out a 21 mile course using GMaps. This was really the first time I used a map to plot a bike course. It was a bit awkward and did not go 100% as planned but that did not matter. I was outside and on my bike, what could be bad! I wound up extending my distance by a few miles but that was OK because I felt good. I then met my club for our regular run. It was a great day and we all did well. I approximate that I did about 25 miles on my bike and a 7 mile run. This is my longest brick to date.

Memorial Day I got up early a did my 6.4 miles and made a personal best for the loop. This was surprising considering the extra effort I put out yesterday. I felt strong and paid close attention to my pace and form. It was a gorgeous Monday morning and the sun was shining. My time was 55:46 about 30 second faster than my previous time.

All in all it was a great weekend. I not only had a great time with the family but also accomplished my training goals.