Hello, I’m Rae.  I like to make stupid faces to the camera and ruin perfectly good pictures!  =)

I thought I would give an update on how training for my sprint triathlon is going.  (Here is where I first talked about it if you need a refresher.)  I would say the past month I haven’t been “fully” committed to my schedule.  I was having some lower back issues and needed to recover from that.  Once recovered, I eased back into training.  Though, I can’t say that’s the whole reason why I wasn’t doing exactly what the schedule called for.  Part of it was just pure laziness I suppose.  However, my “coach” had to give me a good talking to (i.e. if I want to do this, do it well and not get hurt, I have to kick it into gear.)  So kick it into gear I have.

This week has been a tough week due to the high volume of exercise required.  Here’s a look at this past weeks schedule: (numbers are in minutes)

M: 40 swim / 30 run

T: 50 bike

W: 35 swim / 35 run

F: 50 bike

Sat: 1:10 bike

Sun: 30 swim / 45 run

= a total of 6 hours and 30 minutes

Though it was challenging, I was able to stick with it.  When I give it my all, I feel stronger and more energetic.  It’s really amazing what exercise can do to you.  I am extremely thankful for my “coach” (aka huzband) because I wouldn’t be able to stick with it if he wasn’t cheering me on, running with me, watching Velda, loaning me his helmet and everything else he does.

The countdown is on to the triathlon: 6 weeks and counting.  Time passes quickly and it will be here before we know it.  I am excited for it but am keeping my focus on each week, each day.  There is still plenty of training ahead.  I am thankful that this week is only about 4 and a half hours of exercise and that tomorrow (Monday) is a rest day.  It’s those little things that make all the difference.