I'm learning something new every day ...

I just bought my first heart rate monitor (Polar F4 - I didn't even realize it's a women's specific HRM, which is just a bizarre concept), and I am lovin' it! I'm a data gal, so the more data I have, the better.

Tonight was our weekly track workout with See Jane Tri (SJT) and the first time I had used my HRM. After warmup and line drills, we started our main workout, which was "supposed" to be 3 laps at 70% plus a 2 minute rest, repeated for 30 mins. With my handy dandy HRM, my first set of 3 laps had me maxing out at 185 bpm!!! From talking to my coach, I learned that what I obviously think is 70% is something like 95%, so I needed to slow down! By the time I was on my 3rd set of laps, I had gotten my heart rate under control, but I was practically walking.

All of that to say that what I learned is this:

• HRMs are awesome! Get one if you don't have one.
• When the workout is supposed to be at a certain % of effort, that means that I should be exercising at that % of my max heart rate. (which I do need to figure out what that number is!)
• My long runs that are outside of training need to be only about endurance and not about speed. I should be able to run that speed forever. Target HR less than 150 bpm (according to coach)

I felt really good, as usual, after tonight's workout. I get so worked up during the workout that it's hard for me to wind down for sleep. And having this new blog isn't helping that either! ;)

My first blog posting!

I'm a little nervous, to tell you the truth. I got the idea just about 30 minutes ago to have a blog, and voila!!

This blog will be primarily about my triathlon training experience this year. I'm in my 3rd year as a triathlete, and I've completed these tris:

Napa Valley Tri (2004, Sprint - my very first tri!)
San Jose Mountain Bike Tri (2004, Sprint)
Tiburon Triathlon (2004, Sprint)
TriOne Triathlon (2004, Olympic, did the swim portion for my relay team)
San Jose International Tri (2005, Olympic)
Tiburon Triathlon (2005, Sprint)

I'm training now with the See Jane Tri team (all-women's triathlon training group) for the Auburn Sprint Tri on May 20, 2006. I'm already 5 weeks into training, 7 more weeks to go. The biggest challenge I'm facing right now is figuring out how to balance all of my training with work (I just started a new job 3 weeks ago) and spending time with Kellie, my ultra-awesome and ultra-supportive SO.

My goals for this triathlon season:
1 - Place in my age group
2 - Stay safe and injury-free during training
3 - Run a 10k the whole way through (no walking!)