Tri Training Camp/Brooklyn 15K

This Saturday morning the Achilles tri-team met at the usual meet up spot in Central Park.  Anyone who had a Boston top was asked to wear it in solidarity with the runners, visitors and inhabitants of Boston who were attacked on Monday.   We got some great pics.

We were also joined by Richard Bernstein, a long time Achilles athlete who I can remember welcoming me into the group when I joined it in about 2005. Richard is on the road to recovery after having been hit by a bike in Central Park last summer, and sustaining some serious injuries that kept him in hospital for a few weeks.  Richard is also a disability rights lawyer, and after his accident successfully petitioned the city to change the markings in the park to make it safer for runners and pedestrians.

Front from left: Tiffany, Evelyn, Ariel, Megan, Richard, Kat, Vanya.  Back, BTS, Harold

Harold, BTS, Sarah, Megan, Ariel, Tiffany

After that we headed out to Crystal Springs resort, about an hour and half away in northern NJ, for Achilles' first ever tri training week-end (I was only able to make the first day).  The facilities of the resort had been made available with the help of Joe Bellantoni, an athlete who is the chief financial officer there.  Joe was blinded in a car accident that nearly killed him six years ago, but who then started running as a way to cope with the change in his life.  Since then he has done 9 marathons and an ironman.  Truly inspiring.

Kat briefing the team

For the clinic, Achilles had the services of coaches Travis and Brian, professional triathlon coaches from Training Peaks, who had volunteered their time.   Brian and Travis have also been giving the Achilles team individually tailored weekly training schedules to help everyone meet their tri goals for the season.

After a spot of lunch we did a 45 run, including going up a gradient of what seemed to be about 20%, and then a spin class.  I have to admit, having done my second one, spin classes aren't for me.  I feel like a hamster on a wheel, and would a thousand times rather be outside on a bike, even if it's in the wind or the rain.  That said, it was still a good workout and we got some good cycling tips relating to the triathlon.

Afterwards I had some time to splash around in the pool before heading back into the city.  One of the coaches observed my swimming, and noticed I was swimming with a bended knee.  This is particularly bad news if you're swimming, because it means your rear half will start sinking, and it'll take a lot more effort to get through the water with all that drag.  I tried a few lengths kicking using the thigh, which will take some getting used to, but what I need to focus above all on keeping a straight leg, even if I'm not kicking at all.  I was also told not to worry about breathing on the right hand side, something that I find very difficult.  Brian thought that this could be because I don't have a 'pivot point' to the right, having a left leg missing.  My swimming is very much a work in progress, but it is coming along, slowly but surely (hopefully not so slowly by the time by half ironman comes around).

Runners in Prospect Park, Brooklyn

On Sunday, I had a 5.30 am start, and ran a 15K race in Prospect Park, organized by nycruns.com.  This was quite a small race, with about 200 runners.  There was also a 5K distance, with most running in a costume.  I ran with Reshma; it was a beautiful bright, sunny morning in Brooklyn, with blossom on a lot of the trees.  There was a cold wind, but by the time we finished the sun had come out, and we were able to work up a good sweat.  Despite a couple of fairly lenghty bathroom breaks, including visiting the most revolting portoloo in existence, we kept a good steady pace.  I felt in pretty good shape, and finished my first event at this distance in 1.47.