A rockin’ swim performance assessment 🏊🏼♂️🏊🏽♂️🏊🏽♂️
Having trained with Johhny for a little more than a year, I've gotten accustomed to the bike and run performance assessments. Sometimes I dread them, other times I look forward to them. My attitude is pretty much dependent on the discipline and efforts during the...
Time to focus on run form 🏃🏽♂️
This year, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, I've noticed improvements in both my swimming efficiency and speed as well as my bike endurance. However, I've been feeling stuck as a developing runner. Over the past year, my endurance has improved dramatically,...
52 mile 🚴🏽♂️ ride
My training plan called for a 4-hour ride today (and a 1-hour swim). The local triathlon club does a long ride every weekend which ranges from 40 to 100 miles. We either do them on Saturday or Sunday, it will vary from week to week. Currently, Ironman VR races are...
🚴🏽♂️ 40 Miles in the heat ♨️
Sunrise departure This morning, I had a wonderful 40-mile ride with the B-Group of the Pearland Triathlon Racing Club. The temperature and humidity are on full blast these days, so we started the ride at 7 am. The goal is to get out and back before the temp gets too...
🏃🏽♂️Run test results 🏃🏽♂️
Just like my cycling performance assessment on Monday , I completed a run assessment today. I typically schedule them in the morning so that I don't have anything on my mind prior to the test. That way start out with a feeling of accomplishment and progress which sets...
🚴🏽♂️ Cycling test results 🚴🏽♂️
Three months after my previous cycling test, Texas has allowed exercise facilities to reopen. I'll do performance testing for all three disciplines over the next seven days. I've remained consistent and done most of my prescribed workouts during the COVID-19...
My 1st 1.8 mile swim 🏊🏽♂️
So far, all of my scheduled races have been either canceled or postponed. The repeated excitement of a new race then the disappointment at the cancellation of the said race takes an emotional and psychological toll. Fortunately, racing is not my primary motivation,...
Riding the Hills
A benefit of training in Houston that's now a limitation... An upside of training in Houston is that there are no hills. and A disadvantage of training in Houston is its lack of hills. As a new triathlete, I had very little muscular or cardiovascular...
Mental gymnastics were required today
Motivation or discipline? I've been doing well with being disciplined each day and getting most of my training sessions completed. Over the weekend I realized that to achieve big goals, my motivation, no matter how intense, must be underpinned with discipline. ...
Speed barrier broken …🏃🏽♂️
How I undermined myself as a runner For the majority of my life, running felt awkward and difficult. However, as a freshman in high school, I quickly realized that the track stars got all the ladies. So, I decided that I belonged on the track team. My buddy James and...
Ironman Texas has been Postponed…Indefinitely
My training volume and intensity is peaking. We are about three weeks from the Galveston half Ironman. I'm pleased to have reached several training milestones... ✅ - Run a half marathon (13.2 miles) ✅ - Run the Houston Marathon (26.2 miles) ✅ - Bike 100 Miles, a.k.a....
Post marathon recovery
Torment, frustration, and concern have ruled my days since I completed the marathon. For 14 days I hadn't been able to run more than 5 steps without intense knee pain. Yesterday, I was able to run my first mile! Then the pain returned. Injury recovery is a new...
Houston Marathon Race Report (Part 3 of 3)
Since this was my first marathon, I knew post-race I would have a lot to absorb. I would learn, more broadly, about running as a sport, and I would gain insights about myself as an endurance runner (yes, I consider the marathon an endurance race). So, going into the...
Houston Marathon Race Report (Part 2 of 3)
Pushing through the second half of the race At mile 14, the sun was up and I was near the Galleria. There were no tall buildings to block the sun and the wind had calmed down. I felt a sense of peace and gratitude as I looked around and absorbed the moment. This part...
Houston Marathon Race Report (part 1 of 3)
Anxiety ruled the night The morning of Jan 19, 2020, was cold (~45°F). I was in bed by 9:30 but hadn't slept for more than 3 hours. Although I didn't feel anxious, my mind was racing and visualizing all sorts of race-day scenarios. Visualization before an event or...