Wetsuit: Xterra Vortex 4

When I signed up for Ironman 70.3 Branson, I knew my greatest challenge would be the swim.  Based on the advice of a friend, I ordered an Xterra Wetsuit.  It came in the mail today and I put it on in less than 10 min.  I took it out back in our salt water pool.  Within a min I floated on my back and said outloud, "Oh my goodness".  I was floating for the first time ever...felt awesome.  Immediately I lost some weight on my shoulders and anxiety around the swim.

My only concern is the sizing as I lose weight, as it was fairly easy to put on.  I've heard you want the suit tight and it should be challenging to put on.

T & W Training Recap

Swimming
Tuesday I went for a 25 min swim, started alternating between using the pull buoy and just regular front crawl swimming at the 25m pool at the YMCA.  I did 50m, then 100m, then set off for 150m...which is a stretch for me already as I'm usually tired by the end of the 150m set.  Well I just kept going....went 300m.  I was pretty exhausted but that was only the 2nd time ever that I've done 300m straight.

Strength Training
Tues - before my swim I worked up to 225x4 on flat bench...nothing special, just trying to hold some strength
Wed - spin bike for 5 min, then leg press, squats, lunges, sit ups, back extensions and calf raises (30 min)

Running
22 min pushing our 3 months old in the jogging stroller...was slow

Tomorrow is a rest day

Memorial Day Training

I like to train hard on holiday's and today was no exception.  I like to think of those that serve, that they are away from their families today, that many have lost life and some the ability to walk.  I push my body in their honor and memory.  It's a nice reminder that my freedom wasn't free.

I got out on my Cervelo P2 a little after 11am and it was already 92 degrees and sunny.  I went 28 miles and hit the hills around lake Benbrook.  When I got home, I threw on my Newton's and ran an easy mile to get the legs adjusted.

Recap
Bike 28m (avg 17.8 mph)
Run 1m  (avg 8:54 min/mile)

Let's do this...Ironman 70.3!

For the past month, I've been thinking about going back to bodybuilding or power training.  It's not that I dislike swimming, biking, or running...it's just I don't really like them either.  When the weather is nice in the spring, it's not bad.  But once it hits the 90's, I don't want to spend much time outdoors.

So I woke up this morning at 5:30am and decided to go join Fit For Life (local gym) and start bodybuilding training again.  I park in front of the gym at 6:30am and sit in my truck.  I know if I walk in those doors, I'll join, love lifting, and sell my tri gear and not even finish my remaining 3 tri's on the calendar.  I'm just not ready to quit yet...so I left and hit the school track and did 2.25 miles total with 4x400m intervals mixed in.  

Decided to sign up for Ironman 70.3 Branson on September 23rd 2012.  I'm excited to have a stretch goal and purpose for my endurance training.  Main thing now is to get comfortable swimming and strength train enough to keep some muscle.  

It's go time!