The Pool

I love swimming, and it was my love of water and the pool that got me started on both my weight watchers journey, and my odyssey as a fledging triathlete. I've neglected my swim training lately however, in favor of working on the bike and run, where I'm less experienced and less confident. Can't let the swim go for long though, its amazing how fast you can lose technique and speed. This afternoon's swim, 1000 yards, free style and breast, in 31:00. I've got to do better . . . .

Group Rides

It is a phenomenon particular to roadies (road cyclists) that they do organized group rides. I've only ever ridden alone, but I am hoping to join a beginners group ride put on by REI tomorrow morning.

Not wanting to make any huge mistakes, I asked the tri-drs for tips, hints, and group ride etiquitte. Silly me ;-)

I asked this: I'm hoping to do a beginners group ride tomorrow put on by REI (weather permitting). It will be my first such event, and I'm wondering if there is anything I need to know in terms of how to behave in a pack.

The ride is 20 miles at an 11-14 average (goal?) pace. I've not ridden 20 miles yet, but I ride 12-15 miles at a 13-14 pace, so I'm not worried about distance. I figure I should start slowly andtowards the back, and I can move up later if I've still got the legs. Anything else I should worry about?

In sum, I got back this:

(1) Ride fast and aggressively;

(2) Use my elbows, a lot;

(3) Wear headphones and keep to myself;

(4) Wear pink.

Boy, this is going to be a FUN experience, and I should make LOTS of friends ;-))

Introducing KLN

With all the great blogs I've been reading, I figure it's time to start my own. Here, I can ramble about my new obsession with Triathlon, my continuing obsession with weight loss, health, and strength, and my life as a daughter, sister, friend, and AUNTIE!!!!

A little about me: I'm a 38-year-old lawyer living in a teeny little beach house on Massachusetts' South Shore, and working in downtown Boston. I'm an environmental litigator, but work hasn't been the focus of my life the last couple of years. Instead, I've been focussed on geting off the weight I've carried all my life, getting healthy, fit, strong, and becoming more active. In the last 22 months I've lost 85 pounds and dropped a whole bunch of sizes.