I Am Going To Own This Swim!

It's still in progress, but I am really confident that I am going to do well on the swim portion. Please remember that doing well is relative. ;-)

Why do I have this sudden surge of confidence?  Today in my swim class, after a week of not swimming because of being from insane Austin allergies or the flu or both, I hopped in the pool today and swam 3 consecutive 100s (longer than I ever swam before starting my training), and the last one was for time.  Even with a little fiasco with a lane mate (she thought floating on a kick board in the middle of the lane at the wall was a good idea) I managed to knock out my 3rd 100m swim in at time of 1:21.  I have no idea if this is a good time or not, but I was really proud of myself and it was far faster than I was expecting to have swam even my first 100.

Maybe my coaches are right, I'm swimming way too fast and could handle slowing it down a bit so that I can go even further.

Things are looking up my friends!

Now, if I just felt as confident about my Motor Learning test of Thursday. Yikes!

Getting a Little Run In

It was so nice to get a little run in today. Spring Break could be longer than a week if it wanted to be. I won't be mad. Promise. I was also super happy to average less then 8 minute miles, even with my alternating running and walking to keep my achilles happy. (Ps, it's still not happy).

http://www.active.com/donate/albo/GMGWZinser

Can You Limit Your Sitting and Sleeping to 23.5 Hours a Day?

I think this video is incredible, and while I'm doing the Tin Man Triathlon to raise funds for cancer research by doing something I have never done before and have to push my body to accomplish (especially in the swim portion to do), the fact is that the physical activity will help me steer clear from a multitude of chronic diseases, including certain cancers.

So, hopefully as encouragement to myself and inspiration to others just to get out there and live life somewhere else besides behind a desk or front of a TV here's an amazing video that really opened my eyes to the importance of being active, just a little bit.

Achilles No Likey!

So my right achilles has not been incredibly happy with the transition post surgery to fore-foot striking while I run. I went back to my normal run stride today and took it easy. I haven't had any complaining from it yet. Fingers crossed. I need to start cranking out more runs to get ready for CapTex. Keep Fighting!

http://www.active.com/donate/albo/GMGWZinser

Trying to Keep You Posted

In this day and age, with all the ways to keep people I informed of what we're doing, I am finding it difficult to find a way to post my training results on a daily basis to this blog. All of my training apps, Nike+, Map My Ride, Training Peaks, etc., can post to Facebook and Twitter, but I'd like to have it here as well. If anyone has suggestions, please direct them my way.

Until then, screen captures will have to do.

Swim - Bike - Run

As many of you know, I lost my dad to cancer a little over two years ago. He initially went through treatments of chemotherapy and radiation that were thought to have eradicated the cancer from his body. In a fluke change of doctors and various new tests, it was discovered that his cancer was still present and extremely aggressive. At this point, he had to undergo three different cycles of chemo all at the same time, and all proved ineffective. Fortunately, my dad never suffered any pain from his cancer but in the end it took him long before he actually died. As his cancer had spread to his brain, it created personality changes in him and prevented him from communicating or taking care of himself effectively. I was lucky enough to be with him and help take care of him during this time.

While my dad and I did not always get along, he was extremely keen in how to provide unconditional support and encourage me in whatever crazy idea I might have, and boy do I have quite a few. Previous to his death, I had talked about how after competing in my first marathon that I had become bored with the repetitive training wanted to switch over to triathlons. As a last gift before my father died, he bought me my Pinarello road bike. I love that bike so much and love that it reminds me of him every single time I ride it. It seems extremely fitting that I do my first triathlon with GoMitchGo, a group that is raising money to find cures and better treatment options for those suffering from cancer.

Please make a donation here in memory of my ever-encouraging dad and in support of my efforts with GoMitchGo to help advance the research for cures.

I hope to keep everyone up-to-date on my training progress here.  So, please, visit frequently and come along on this adventure with me.

Keep Fighting!