I need to get warm!

Like most of us training types I am sick of the cold weather. A long ride on Saturday in the cold and wind followed by a long run on Sunday in the same just gets old after a while. Lucky for me I have about 2 weeks to go before I go on vacation in Bonaire. Looking forward to 85 degrees sunny skies, warm water and scuba. Should be lots of fun; I have scheduled my workouts so that I am on a recovery week during that time so all I will need to do is a few swims and some easy running. Other than that, just some good old R&R in the islands. Yes, I know I am bragging a little! After that is the last push before my first IM - April 15th. I will have about 3 weeks of Build training and then start my taper. Arizona looks pretty warm as well that time of year, but no humidity so it should feel pretty good to a southern boy who is used to the humid days of summer here in the East. Now if I can just make it through 2 more weeks of cold training things should be looking up or warm or better or all the above!

6 Interesting Questions for any Triathlete

I read this on a friends Tri-Blog (Brett)
Brett's Blog So I thought I may take a stab and answer the questions as well. Give it a try if you like, you may learn something about yourself. Just 6 questions:

1. Describe a memory from your first Triathlon ever.
A feeling of drowning! The race was in Wilington, a short 300 yard pool swim. Of course I could swim, I guess you could say that, but never knew how to "really" swim. So between a pathetic display of the craw, side stroke, back stroke, doggie paddle and what ever else I could do to keep my head above water, I some how managed to make it through the swim. Upon running outside to T1, I was greeted with terrential downpour that put an inch of rain on the street making the bike a challenge to simply stay on two wheels. Comming home on the run - yes still pouring! The mud puddle was so big at the finish line and so deep that some people actaully elected to go around it. Even after that experience I wanted to continue doing Tri!

2. Describe a memory from your most recent Triathlon. That would have to be my ALS Warrior experience. Here is the link for that: I am an ALS Warrior!

3. What is the most embarrasing thing that has ever happened to you in a Tri? I am always worried I will not do well, but I seem to have a pretty good perspective on competition, knowing what I am capable of, so I can honestly say I have never been embarrased by my results or anything like that, just maybe a little disspointed here or there but that is usually quickly replaced by analyzing what went wrong and fixing the problem so it will not happen again.

4. What is the most thrilling thing that has happened to you in a Tri?
That would have to be unexpectedly qualifying for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships last year in Cancun. Thought I may have an outside chance but making it and experincing that level of competition renewed my drive as well as the expectations I place on myself this year.

5. What is something you discovered about yourself doing Tri? I discovered that I really missed athletics and competition and I need to make sure this is part of my life in some form from now on.

6. What is the big goal you are working toward in Tri? I did not think this way until recently, partly because the goal seemed unattainable; however after last year I am comfident I can do it. I want to qualify for Kona, not by the lottery, I would certainly take a roll down slot but if I am honest I don't want that either, I want to truly earn the spot straight up.

So take the quiz and share it on your blog!