HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wanted to start off this post w/ a pic of me and my Ironteammate Heather. This was taken the day we were riding up in Griffith Park. Yes, this is proof that I'm really serious about my training! Such a good time and even better friends!

Ok, so I know you're all beginning to think I'm a slacker...my blog updates are few and far between. I'm not really a slacker, I've just been so busy training and working that my free time is limited. Hmmmm, if I quit my job and became a professional triathlete then maybe I'd have enough time to blog regularly...ok, probably not.

At any rate, the new year started off I bit rough. I got hit by a nasty virus on new year's day, which basically sidelined my training for 2 weeks. Good news though, I'm now back at 100%, so I figure I'm not due to get sick again for at least another 6 or 7 months, which will safely get me through my Ironman.

I started working out again last Saturday and I'm actually surprised at how good I'm feeling. We're in our last week of "building" which means next week we'll be a recovery week (aka, an easy week!) Then we'll start into our strength training...lots of hills! Yippee!

Ok, so my BIG NEWS (drumroll please)...I finally got my blood lactate levels tested yesterday for my run. I realize this probably doesn't mean a whole lot to many of you, but trust me, it's really exciting, not to mention really cool!

Explanation of lactate: "Lactate is constantly being produced by the body. At rest and in light exercise, the level of lactate produced is small enough that you can effectively remove it without it being a problem. With increasing exercise intensity, lactate production increases and reaches levels that become problematic and that are associated with fatigue" --Coach Gareth Thomas

Explanation of test: Starting out at a low speed you jog/run for 4 minutes, then Coach Gareth pricks your finger, extracts blood and examines the lactate level. The speed is then increased 0.6mph and you continue for another 4 minutes and the whole process is repeated. Additionally, your heart rate is monitored during the whole test and noted at each interval. The result is defined heart rate zones for you to train in. This is the MOST accurate way to derive your correct training zones.

Ok, now here is why all this is so exciting for me. I've known about training in certain heart rate zones for years. During base training (the phase I'm currently in), your hr should be very low. Problem, all the formulas for deriving my "zones" said my hr should be much lower than what I was training at. This results in much frustration!!!! By doing the lactate test, it actually shows that my hr zones are higher than what the formulas say it should be. This is very good news, because the lactate test is VERY accurate. Basically, I probably have a smaller heart that needs to beat faster. Unfortunately, the "formulas" aren't able to account for this.

Additionally, my test showed that I have a great aerobic base...which is what I've been focusing on developing during base training. Now I need to focus on improving my time/speed. Luckily this corresponds with our next phase of training. I'm set to have my bike lactate test in a couple of weeks, so I'll let you know how it goes.

On the training front, I went for an easy run this morning and it was fantastic!!! It is finally warming back up, and was absolutely beautiful and clear this morning. I love days like today! I've got to fit a swim in later tonight.

Ok, that's all for now. I'll try to write again soon. Thanks everyone for all your support!!!!