Updates on Triathlon Training

Finding the time to train adequately for the upcoming Lake Dunmore Triathlon (as I proposed earlier this summer), has proven to be challenging. The chart below shows what I was able to complete so far.

Bike Swim Run

Thu 7/16	7 miles	900 mts	3 miles
Fri 7/17	40 miles		6.8 mile hike
Sun 7/19	7 miles		3 miles
Mon 7/20	15 miles (loop)
Tue 7/21		1.5 km	6 miles
Wed 7/22	15 miles		3 miles
Thu 7/23			5 m; 8.3 m/h
Fri 7/24	32 miles		3m; 7.41 m/h
Sat 7/25			5m; 8.20 m/h
Sun 7/26			6m; 8.34 m/h
Tue 7/28		½ hour	6m; 8:42 m/h
Thu 7/30		1 km	7m
Fri 7/31	30 miles	½ hour

As always, the instant rewards have been the many pretty sites were I rode, swam and ran.




Several rides in the Mad River Valley include some fun hills. Of the roads crossing the Green Mountains, Rt 125 (Bread loaf Midd campus) offers a longer more gentle and scenic climb than Rt 17 (Appalachian Gap).





Addison County cycling also has some scenic spots, such as Dead Creek, the Adirondack Mountains in NY, Lake Champlain, vineyards, farms, wildflower fields, etc.




From Basin Harbor, there is an easy 28-30 mile loop with full lake views. I also recommend checking the 50 miles of the Kelly Brush Century ride ,(Middlebury, September 12).






Swimming in Lake Champlain (constant current, frequent wind and waves) is good preparation for any triathlon in the East.

Saranac Lake Region, NY

Saranac Lakes Region is part of the Adirondack Park, the largest Park in the US after Alaska's Wrangell Nat. Park, and the largest protected area by a State.








As part of a Forest Preserve, human impact on nature is still fairly inconspicuous offering more peace and quiet than neighboring Lake Placid.





We arrived to Huel's Pond after dark, undisturbed wilderness around us, lit up only by a full bright milky way. Since skies were clear, we chose to paddle for a while. No wind, perfect calm over the water, two canoes under the night sky and a crescent moon appearing. A treat worth every minute of travel.







The boat house





Hiking St Regis Mountain: locally he highest peak at 2874 feet, this hike is accessed from rt 30 and a left turn on Keesis Mill Rd for 2 1/2 miles. The trail head is about 80 yards before Camp Topridge Gate. An easy, well marked 3.4 miles bring hikers to splendid views of the Adirondack Mountains, Saranac lakes and surrounding ponds from the rocky summit. When dry, it is excellent for trail running (muddy this time)

















The summit includes an old fire tower








Cycling is quite nice too, given the beautiful natural landscapes and excellent conditions of the roads. Vehicle/bike sharing is well marked and rolling hills make for pleasant rides.
Pictured in the background of photo at right are visible the Saranac Lakes. I rode an enjoyable but windy 40 mile loop around them (on map below).











Ver mapa más grande

A few features of an Adirondack style house-camp

Lake Dunmore, VT, Sprint Tri

To test triathlon transitions before my first real triathlon (previous entry) I decided to do a Sprint triathlon, from the VT Sun Series, 0.6 km swim, 22.5 km bike, 5 km run.

Most surprising: the quantity of gear needed in colder climates.

Wet-suit and jog-bra or bathing suit? Short sleeves, no sleeves or no shirt?




A must: comfortable tri shorts, good swim goggles, good running shoes, good bike





Sprint Triathlon date: July 12th, 2009.




The lake










the bikes
(mine is 218)















The finish













The looks after the finish...




















A glass to remember the event

Age Group place 3
Bib # 218
Total time 1:27:55
Individual results




Friends










and a few thanks ... Karyn for amazing coaching; Lisa for being a trooper and coming along; Christian, Thomas and Ian for pushing my training; Vivianne for being my #1 fan! And Sandiway for the inspiration and for helping me dream again.

Training for a triathlon

A few months ago I came to the astonishing realization that I was not getting any younger. So I decided to complete a few

pending things, one of them ... a triathlon.
Training for a triathlon required I sharpen my skills in swimming,

cycling, running, build endurance in all three sports and strategize how to perform them sequentially.

Vermont is an ideal location for conditioning for a Tri, hills to climb, lakes to swim in, little traffic and gorgeous views.
I began conditioning in May, sporadically. I later ran and swam frequently during June, and started training 5 days a week in July. Next I will target proper training with a structured triathlon plan.





Goal: Lake Dunmore Triathlon, 1.45 km swim, 45 km bike, 10 km run, early August