Training has been going great over the last few weeks. We have hit some really key sessions and I can feel my fitness coming back to full form. Without a real swim focus I have dropped my times in the pool and I am feeling more confident than ever that I can swim with the lead pack and get out onto the bike in good position. I also think that I will have an edge on my competitors after backup timing at the Big 10 Swimming and Divining Championships the last two weeks. I may have picked up a few tips that will come in handy later this summer.
As for the bike, I have been crushing it on my CycleOps Fluid Trainer with my Power Tap Pro and Joule 2.0. I have never been able to push myself so hard and I can see my strength improving. In the past I have only been able to gauge my fitness gains on feel, but having real numbers to show improvement is reassuring that training is paying off. Also, the University of Iowa Cycling Team organized a team studio in the field house for the winter months. It is nothing special, just a room where everyone sets up their trainers and hammers out winter miles. It really helps having people there to ride with and it beats sweating up my 9'-8'' dorm room at 6 AM.
Running has been very strong and I have hit some really solid efforts while putting in good miles on the road. Right now I am finding the balance between strength and speed while incorporating a lot of brick work to get ready to run fast off the bike. You have to run fast in training to run fast in the race!
I also was recently notified that I finished top-20 in my division in the final 2011 rankings and I have been invited to represent Team USA at the 2012 ITU Triathlon World Championships in Auckland, New Zealand. Team Metzler may be heading down under mate!
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That's all I have for now. Happy training.
