Firsts of the Season

Remember that triathlon I signed up for? I've still be training. A little erratically but still putting in some work. We have been having some unseasonably warm weather here so I finally got a chance to get on my bike...outside! As much as I have enjoyed getting my butt kicked in 90+ minute spin classes lately, I was so excited to get outside.

Last Wednesday I met up with Lisa for a ride. We were both a little wobbly in the beginning. No, you don't forget how to ride a bike but after 5 months off the bike, it takes some time to find your bike legs....and to get your core muscles to engage and hold the bike in a straight line. The bike path was crazy busy so there was no point in trying to push the pace. It was also the end of rush hour so we had to wait a couple of times to cross a few streets. Besides, we hadn't seen each other in an entire week (sorry, Lisa but I'm very glad you weren't on the honeymoon with me and The Pilot) so we had a lot to catch up on. :) So we ended up having a nice ride of about 12.5 miles. So from the time we got to the parking lot, chatted with a friend we ran into, rode, then chatted some more by our cars when we finished, it was an hour and 45 minute training...for 12.5 miles. Land speed records! We were having so much fun I didn't even take pictures. So here is my lonely bike riding off into the sunset...or something like that.
First outdoor ride of the season. Check!

The next morning was a swim practice with my tri team. They train at 5:45 am once a week. Last year it was 6 am and it was at a different pool. A much closer pool. That, along with a change in my work schedule makes it very difficult to go to the early morning swims. So in my 24 hours of spring "firsts," I finally made it to a swim practice.

Let me tell you, the 4:45 am alarm was offensive. But I dragged myself out of bed, trying to not wake up The Pilot who was home sick. I managed to get to the pool on time and I even made it about 30 minutes before I started to feel exhausted and I started drinking pool water. As I get tired, I sort of forget which "side" the air is on and which "side" the water is on. Talent.

It really did feel somewhat decent for the first 30 minutes but then it went downhill quickly. I had an asthma attack on Sunday (more on that in another post) and this was my first cardio-heavy workout since and my lungs were angry. My chest was still really tight and I could really feel it in the pool. Fail. I kept plugging along and got through the workout even though I got slower and slower with each stroke. I think I ended up swimming about 1000 yards....just over 1/2 a mile I think. It was too dang early for photos and really, no one needs to see me and all my paleness in a swimsuit.
First official morning swim of the season. Check! (Don't worry coach, I swear I have been in the pool more than just this one time!)