Spring Break

Sorry about the long gap between entries. I am enjoying a rare, quiet moment alone in Palm Coast, Florida. We are here on Spring Break and are experiencing cool, rainy weather. Oh well, I guess it's better than cold, rainy weather at home.

Our family has had a busy winter. The boys have been involved with basketball and swim team. This has now evolved into baseball, track and soccer. Jenny is training for her first marathon, the Flying Pig, next month. I am proud of her dedication. From all I have read, the Pig is extremely hilly. I hope she doesn't walk away from marathon running after such a tough first one.



Ironman training this winter has gone well. I don't have the sense of nervousness that I had, leading up to Wisconsin in 2006. I am following Gayle Bernhardt's training plan. She has been one of the USA Olympic Triathlon Team coaches. Her plan seems to fit in well with my abilities. I have picked up my running speed after three months on the treadmill. I ran 14 miles with a group from Tristate Athletic Club last weekend. They were training for Boston next month. We averaged 8:30 min miles, which for me is unheard of.



My swimming is back into a groove now. The plan started with a high volume of swimming. I do most of my endurance work alone, and try to swim with a masters group at the club once or twice a week for speed work. That can be fairly humbling, but the support has been great.



I had a fantastic bike ride yesterday! I headed down A1A towards Daytona, when I hooked up with Jake and Calvin of the Daytona Beach Bicycle Club, heading for a group ride. About 12 of us rode north in a draft line, averaging 23mph into a head wind! It was an exhilarating experience! I had to quickly learn the dynamics of group riding. You really appreciate the benefits of drafting in the peloton. This is definitely not the type of riding I will be doing much of, but it was a fantastic diversion. I did manage to snap this pic near the beginning of the group ride.

I will try to post more. I really enjoy keeping up with friends through blogging.

Marshall