Triathlon training: Week 1, Day 4

Crazy storms we had tonight!!!! Glad my training didn't call for any biking outside, because today was definitely a day for indoor workouts only.

Tonight was my first brick workout and only my 2nd swim, so it was a tough one. I was supposed to swim 30 minutes and run 30 minutes. I completed 11 laps and swam for 24 minutes. I wanted to push myself for the full 30, but I just couldn't take it any longer. I wanted to stop after 10 laps but forced myself to complete one more.

That doesn't look like a very good time or pace for swimming, and that's because I had to take short breaks after each lap to catch my breath. Nels is going to try and help teach me a little more about the breathing and swimming this weekend, because this just isn't adding up. I don't feel like I should be so out of breath when I do 60 minutes of cardio regularly and run regularly. I still feel like I am just "gulping" air straight to my stomach when lifting my head out of water for a breath. It's hard to inhale through my nose when you come up, because there's always water around your nose that you end up swallowing/choking on...ugh. Still, I pushed through the laps.

I had about a 7 minute break in between the swim and run because I had to change. Now during the actual race, I'll just be throwing a sports bra, tank, shorts, and gym shoes over my swimsuit. But at the gym, I don't want to look like a weirdo so I changed completely. It is such a pain to try to get clothes and socks on when you're soaking wet! I cannot imagine doing this whole race in a sopping wet swimsuit.

Then came the run. By minute 7, my thoughts were, "I'm not going to make this." But I did - largely in part to the Black Eyed Peas, Usher, and Ludacris. I ran the full 30 minutes and completed 2.8 miles. At minute 21, I had completed 2 miles, so I am still on my regular pace even after the swim. However, I have to remember that running on a treadmill is easier than running outside. The next time we have nicer weather, I'll have to put my pacing to the test.

I'm trying to stay positive that the swimming will improve, after all, this is only the first week. So I'll continue to stick to the plan and see what happens.