Triathlon Update

I biked to work today (6 miles) then did a 5K on base. Since my shins aren't 100% healed I did have to walk some parts of the race. But overall, I finished the 5K race in 36:02! (last one on my team to cross the finish line...but I did it).

I almost wasn't able to bike home after work. We had a fast moving thunderstorm come through. Thankfully an hour later the roads were dry (except for a few puddles here and there). Let me tell you how challenging it is to bike with 10-15 mph winds. I felt like I was hardly moving. It added about 10 minutes to my bike time home, but I made it!

Overall today included 12-miles biked and 3.2 miles ran.

Tomorrow (Saturday) is our FIRST open water swim in the Chesapeake Bay. I'm a bit worried about it for three reasons (1) can't see what my feet are touching when going into the water; (2) jelly fish; (3) trying to prevent drinking any salt water! :) Wish me luck.

To find out more about my triathlon training (or to make a donation) visit http://pages.teamintraining.org/va/nattri08/jpearson

More Red Arrow Photos

but with me!

These are courtesy of the RAF Red Arrow's team photographer. On the day they arrived at Langley I was fortunate enough to be out there watching them practice then meet a few of the team members.

Thanks Ben!

Billy Joel in concert

The Piano Man ...

Billy Joel came to VA Beach for the first time...and I WAS THERE! It was an AWESOME concert. I went with my friend & co-worker Kristi and ran into another co-worker and her husband.

Kristi, Jen and Cindy

Cindy and Eric

It was so much fun (except for the jerk sitting behind us). Not all my favorite songs were played...but many of them were...including "It's still Rock & Roll to me!"

I took some video with my camera...but I need to cut it down (way too big of files).

The Red Arrows

The Red Coats are coming, the Red Coats are coming....oh wait...they have arrived!

For the first time EVER, The British Royal Air Force Red Arrows flying in formation with the F-22 Raptor.

Flying in formation...the trails you see are actually diesel fuel with color dye in it. Don't worry - it evaporates so no harm to the environment.

That's right...the British have arrived at Langley - for the first time, and this is the first time since 1993 that the Red Arrows have performed in the USA!

Go RED, WHITE, and BLUE!

It is so awesome to see how close they are when they pass each other - they do this move (above) and others similar which blows the mind. Talk about training, precision and attention to detail!




(Langley Air Force Base, Hampton Roads, VA) - The RAF Red Arrows arrived today to take part in AirPower over Hampton Roads at Langley Air Force Base this weekend. The Red Arrows are expected to perform during the coming weekend. AirPower over Hampton Roads kicks off June 20 through 22 and will feature static displays of historic warbirds, performances by the Royal Air Force Red Arrows, the F-22A Raptor and three-time Grammy nominee country music singer Pat Green. This is first time that the Red Arrows have performed in the United States since 1993.


The air show, which is free and open to the public, will offer a variety of aircraft displays and demonstrations, including the F-15E Eagle, B-2 Spirit, C-17 Globemaster, P-51, F-4, U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet and the V-22 Osprey.





SEE YOU OUT THERE!

biking...for training, exercise, and gas savings

This past weekend was our first TNT Brick. What’s a brick? A Bike immediately followed by a run, leaving your legs feeling like "ICK"! We did a 14 mile ride at Ft. Story followed by a mile run (I did ¾ mile in my walk-jog interval) and then your legs feel like…yep you guessed it… ICK!

To help with my training (and saving a little gas money) I decided to start biking to work. It's 6 miles door-to-door and for the past two weeks I've been watching how heavy traffic is and the conditions of the roads. I decided that Monday I would try biking to work. Aside from the 18.7 lb backpack (yes I weighted it once I got to the gym) it was a great bike ride. I think my boots accounted for 75% of the weight (and my lunch was in there too). I made sure to leave in plenty of time (and I texted a co-worker to let them know I was leaving, and when I arrived at the gym – figured it was a smart thing to do in case anything happened). It took me 21:30 from my house through security, and to the gym - just two buildings down from the one I work at.

It is my plan to bike to work on Monday, Wednesday and Friday (weather permitting).

Keep on moving...

I'm so excited and happy. After MONTHS of shin splints and not being able to run I was finally "cleared" to start running again...well slowly build up to running.

For Friday's PT workout the unit runs 3 miles (at your own pace). I set my goal of completing 2 miles but at increments of walking and jogging. So every 1/4 mile I switched between walking and then jogging for the entire 2 miles. Completed the walk/run in 28 minutes....no pain.

Saturday I had a Team in Training workout. It was going to be our first team swim workout, but the coach determined the bay was still a bit too cold for those without wetsuits. So we ran. I did 4 miles following the same plan of walk 1/4 mile, jog 1/4 mile for the entire run. I completed 4 miles in 56 minutes! :)

The best news about all this...my shins are not hurting (knock on wood). I am hoping that over the next few weeks I can increase from 1/4 miles to 1/2 mile and keep working up from there. The hardest thing for me is to not go out and just run 3 or 4 miles. Building up the running slowly is key, and I keep reminding myself that it takes time.