KonaSpeed: Austin Style

I was hoping to have lot of things done before June 1st. One of which, was to have a website set up. I have this idea . . . and I just have to put it together. So where has the time gone?

By June 1st, I also wanted to have my Kona training plan all set up. Its not done either, in fact, I haven't even used a training log.

By June 1st, I hoped to start training again. Ok, finally something I stuck to - a little bit. I was supposed to "race" the Capital of Texas Triathlon in Austin, May 28th, but is was canceled on race morning due to tremendous rain. Good Thing, because Town Lake (the swim location) was plain nasty with debris and run-off from 6th street - don't want to swim in that!

After donating my monthly allowance to the Austin economy for the canceled triathlon, my wife Andrea followed suit the next weekend with some formal Yoga training in Georgetown,TX. Since we are procrastinators, and Austin is a happening place, we couldn't find a hotel in Georgetown, Round Rock, and barely even Austin. We ended up staying at "The Hardin House", a very nice dorm near UT. It was a super place to stay; the fridge was stocked with Blue Bell Ice Cream, and there was a sign in the kitchen "Midnight Snacks Encouraged!" We certainly obliged to that.

This is getting long and I haven't even gotten to the good stuff yet. I will try to compress it. While Andrea did Yoga three days, I got my liberty card. So swim goggles, Asics, and bike in hand, I figured I would TRI out Austin. First thing: Swim - I went over to Barton Springs - a natural stone-like, quarry style - but smaller - spring fed swimming spot. It was closed. OK, so I headed over to another spring-fed Public Pool - Deep Eddy. I had heard about it, but had never been there. It was open and busy! I waited a while for a lane to open up - yes, I am a lane snob - then jumped in and swam for about 50 minutes. That's about all this old man could handle. It was great, so crisp and cool.

That is going to be it for now. I still have to talk about 2 rides, another swim, a run, a check-engine light, getting lost first time, getting lost second time, the nice people at Circle Ranch with great chicken sandwiches, freaky bike riders on busy roads, and the rest of the crazy weekend!!!!

I have to fly the next few days, but I will try to catch up before I forget everything. I did tell myself to remember one thing: this Ironman training is tough, especially when it comes after a (growing) family, a job, and the curveballs life tosses at you!

KonaSpeed!