Soccer Heaven

I've been using my training runs as a way to explore the new town we live in. So much easier to knock down a 1.5 hour run when you're constantly discovering new trails, roads and vistas.

Last night I came across quite possibly the best soccer fields I've ever seen and I've played a ton of soccer all over New England. Taking a detour to run through some cross country trails I ended up at Westminster School and came across this pitch around sunset.

What I would do to go back and play after seeing this...perfectly bordered off by woods on all sides, pristine grass and massive playing expanse. The closest soccer fields could get to the notorious Field of Dreams. Those prep school kids have it real good. Anyway this will continue to be a detour on my nightly runs at least until it starts filling up with players.

Building Mileage

Still working on getting my legs back underneath me. I've been building my mileage the last few weeks and being very careful not to injure myself in the process. My training isn't supplemented by 3-4 hour riders like in the past, only 15 mile bike commutes three days a week. Come mid-August I'll be getting back out on the tri bike to mix up my training.

Getting used to the new run routes since we moved. I've gotten lost about three times already which is good for building mileage, but bad when you haven't a clue how to get back home, it's humid as all hell and you're without water. Hitting the trails this weekend for some hill work and general leg thrashing.

Pic: Tobacco barns on my new out and back route

Getting Back to Normal

We are moved into our new home. All the rooms have been painted. Lawn has been taking care of and it's not time to get back to normal. First official race on the calendar is the Hartford Marathon. There's sure to be a few training races and since I'll be swimming, biking and running, I might be able to sneak in a tri if no one is looking. Feels good to have a race on the calendar again. It's gonna be nice to get all laser focused again.

Onward.

Brick

I'd like to start with a little rant. UConn is way overrated and the late night talk show format died years ago so no one really cares Leno or Conan except people who are up after 11:30 pm on a weekday. And we all know that demo. Bunch of mouth breathers.

Anyway, man am I groggy. Jumped on the bike this am for 1 hour and then transitioned to the treadmill for a 30 minute run. Legs are coming around, but no snap yet. I think my trail running foray this fall may have benefited me some, we'll know in a couple of weeks. 90 minute bike tomorrow am.

Summary:

Bike: 60

Avg HR: 140

Run: 30

Avg HR: 142

Bike

Got on the bike early this morning for 90 minutes, which felt like a freakin eternity. My tri clock hasn't totally kicked in yet. Anyway, it went well. I got in some drills and solid work. Kept the HR under 150. It's hard to keep it there when your feeling so fresh, but I've got a long haul and getting back to where I need to be is going to take time. I enjoy the build.

First brick on tap for tomorrow.

Summary:

Bike: 90 mins

Avg HR: 144

It's on!

Got a little slow start to training this year. No excuses, just need to refocus and get after it again. Today I got in a 45 minute run in keeping the HR below 145. There was a lot of creaking and cracking but being in motion felt really good. So, with that it begins. 90 minute bike on tap for tomorrow morning.

Summary:

Run: 45 mins

Avg HR: 142

Shaving Time

As maintenance begins for the coming year, I've been trying to discover ways of how to not only shave time off my IM time, but also try to find the time to get all my workouts in with a newborn now in our family.

Right now, I get about five to six hours of sleep. Getting up at 3:30 am is not a problem it's more like a mandate now. Early workouts shouldn't be a problem as long as I can get the baby to sleep until 6 am. It's a work in progress. Workouts might come later at night making them more of a chore after putting in a full days work.

To be honest, even doing preseason maintenance has been a pain in the ass as I can't seem to get any consistency. One night its a run the next night its just the thought of working out that gets accomplished. As the doughnut around my waist continues to grow, I get even more motivated to just find ways to get it done.

It's time to embrace that triathlete lifestyle again and schedule my life down to 10 second intervals. I actually welcome the routine after missing it. I know its time to workout again because I can't stop obsessing about it. For a while I didn't care and that's how I knew I wasn't ready.

I've gotten the rest, sort of adjusted to our new addition, and it's now time to start practicing a routine in anticipation of January 1 start. It starts with eating right and that's the first step, plus with daycare fees it's more about trying to get enough food.

Onward.