Austin Training Junket Day One Report
With my late arrival from Minneapolis on Thursday night, I knew my early AM plans were already in jeopardy. Surprisingly though, I was up by 4:30 and managed to get some work done before heading off to the pool. I ended up choosing Big Stacy as the pool, and it was awesome. The pool is 100 feet long, but there was an open lane and it was a gorgeous day. Given the length I couldn't really do the math, so I just swam steady. I put in about 3000 yds in just over 45 minutes.
A quick change at the car saw me head out to Lady Bird Lake, running on the "east" side. I did a total of 6.25 miles. It was a bit urban at the start, but then I got to the lake with a great path and so much more. Joy!
It was time for a work break at Starbucks, and a coffee+scone later I was off to Jack and Adams Bike Shop. These guys hooked me up big time, putting me on a sweet Felt. I was amazed at how busy the shop was...a great experience without being overwhelming. I headed out on the "Dam Loop" and put in 65 hilly and windy miles over some great terrain.
Daily Totals: 5 hours, 3k swim, 6.25 run, 65 bike.
I also got to meet up with the local sleeper cell, which is equal parts Team and Training Plan athletes...thanks so much for coming out folks!
Comments
Team Austin, was a pleasure meeting each of you with Coach P last night!
Coach P did not do justice to describing his bike experience yesterday. He covered 65 miles in 15 -20 mph winds and 4,000ft+ of climbing elevation - don't know what the TSS score was but I can assure you it was alot of work! Though I suggested this route for him, he did assure me that we are still friends .......................
Austin Day Two Report
Day Two found me just a little bit tired from the Friday afternoon bike ride…dowh! I got up early and got in a quick 4 miles + 100 pushups + Crunches. Some quick coffee and it was off to Fitzburgh Road. Some of the Austin Sleeper Cell let me know it was good, and Margot was kind enough to lead me out. Barely any traffic, plenty of hills and great scenery — this was awesome!
The road was a simple out and back, 30 miles each way. There was a slight headwind on the way out (got worse on lap two!) but it made for a faster ride home each time. I really enjoyed the terrain, and I was pleasantly surprised at how well I rode considering I haven’t ridden longer than 20 miles in months (save for yesterday when I did 65). Just a great overall ride!
Day Two Totals: 4 miles run and 120 miles bike.
Totals Thus far: 3k swim, 10.25 miles run and 185 miles on the bike
Austin Day Three Report
Sunday morning came, and I woke up with cement legs. I guess I shouldn’t have been too surprised, given the riding yesterday, but still it hurt. I fired up the coffee and searched the room for my motivation, but it was hiding out big time. After two cups of coffee and resetting all the clocks (losing an hour!), I got into the car to drive to the Town Lake.
It’s a gorgeous running path that circles the lake. I put in 1.5 loops and some random turns to log a nice 19 miler. I actually felt really good, running about 7:25/mile, but I was mentally done. Seeing all the families coming out for a nice walk made me seriously homesick. Forget cramps, homesickness is definitely worse!
My totals for the three days: 3k swim, 185 bike, 29.25 run in about 14.5 hours.
For those of you keeping score at home, that’s about twice what I have been doing in a single week.
" src="http://www.patrickjohnmccrann.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif" /> Once again showing that volume is totally overrated. About the only thing you need to go longer is a lot more food, some serious mental strength, and maybe some music (needed mine).
Time to recover for one last night here at SXSW, then off to an early flight. Gonna be fun!
Be well,
Patrick