We have some amazing athletes at the YMCA, many of them are experienced triathletes with years of training and race experience. I know this has been a great advantage for me as several of them have invested time with me helping me along the way. There is so much that I have learned but it also forces me to perform at a higher level.

Intensity seems to be more difficult when I workout alone. I need to develop the technique and discipline required to maintain that level of intensity when it is appropriate. In order for me to develop more speed and endurance intensity is the key.

Tomorrow I will participate in a sunrise open water swim at Point Pleasant and hope to get in a bike ride also. Focus on intensity.

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.