The Army of Runners

I left work early today to get to the park to meet my group of triathletes with whom I will be running with for the next 4 and a half months. I say "Group" but there were about over 150 people that showed up for the first running Group Training Session (GTS). I felt like I was running with an army. Some were slow, some were fast and some just walked; but all were energized and were having fun. We did three ten minute runs interspersed with one minute of squats and then some stretching. I enjoyed the running; it was cold outside but by the second running drill I was warmed up and before you knew it the 40 minutes of running was up. I think the best thing about doing group runs or swims is that the time just flies - before you know it the workout is over. The other thing is that you meet people that share the same apprehensions as you and you know that they will help you get through it ! I am travelling to Miami this week and have to keep up my training when I am on the road - looking forward to get some runs in when I am there.                  

The Training Does Commence

Yesterday was my first Group Training with the Team in Training organization. We met at Asphalt Green at 9:30pm. I wish we were not meeting that late - I am usually winding down at 9:30 in the night curled up with a book or in front of my TV. I guess that is going to have change on Monday's. There were about 50 of us last night. We swam half a mile after doing a few warm up laps. I have to say, it was fun swimming with a group of people - even with all the bumping into each other. We had 2 coaches who gave us a few words of encouragement and some tips before we went into the pool. We did some drills concentrating on breathing, strokes and positioning of our head in the water. Technique is so important and directly proportional to the amount of energy that you expend during the swim. Tonight is the group run - I am looking forward to it. I leave for Miami on Thursday for work so will miss the Group session on Saturday - but so far so good.