Open Water Swims (OWS) This Weekend!

I swam at Walden Pond last night with the SheROX group - beautiful, warm water!  Unfortunately, they closed the park at 6 p.m. due to over-capacity, so a lot of women were turned away! 

I will be offering 2 OWS this weekend:  Friday, June 25th at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, June 27th at 8 a.m. at Lake Winthrop in Holliston, MA.  click here for map to Lake Winthrop

Both times are before or after the gate guard is on duty and according to my experience last year, out-of-towners can just drive in, and there is no gate and no payment due.  (During daytime hours the cost is $20/day to park)  They didn't ticket me last year, but parking will be at your own risk.  I truly don't think we'll have a problem.

I can't emphasize enough the need for some OWS experience before race day.  This will reduce your race-day jitters for sure!  Regarding inclement weather, here's my attitude:  I'm a "just do it" kind of person, but of course, safety comes first.  So rather than worry about weather, I usually show up at whatever outdoor venue event I have planned and then go to a Plan B if necessary.  So, if on Friday night, the weather at my work is bad, I will still drive to Holliston, and if it is raining/lightening, I will have my running shoes packed and be prepared to go for a run, or give a talk (under a shelter) on racing.

See you there!

Donna

P.S.  There is no group training planned for July 3, 4 and 5

Biking and Running: AKA Brick Workouts!

Brick Workout, Saturday, June 12, 2010

Lynn, Lesa, Laura and Michelle

Lesa, Laura, Michelle and Gary

This 10-mile ride included an on-the-spot tube changing lesson!  Lynn got a flat tire, and fortunately was prepared with an extra tube and some tire-changing "know-how".  Although Lynn claims Gary was uber helpful - Gary says he just watched!  The lesson here is to be prepared on race day with an extra tire (under $7 at your bike store) and there will be mechanics on the course to help out should you need it.

Steve Sherlock was available to take Laura and Lynn on the brick run - talking a mile-a-minute for a quick "out and back".  Steve is a Passionate Runner http://passionaterunner.blogspot.com/ and will be meeting us for the run portion of our Saturday morning workouts (between 8:15 and 8:30 a.m.)

Time to mark your calendars! 

Wednesday night swims at the Franklin YMCA at 8:15 p.m. will continue June 16, 23, 30, July 7, 14 & 21
Saturday morning Brick workouts will continue at the Horace Mann Middle School Saturday mornings at 7 a.m. June 19, 26, July 10 and 17

I'm challenging each of you to get in an Open Water Swim the weekend of Friday, June 25th  Some options are:

Friday, June 25th at 6:30 p.m. - tentative date for Donna to lead an OWS at Lake Winthrop
Sunday, June 27th at 8 a.m. - tentative date for Donna to lead an OWS at Lake Winthrop
Monday, June 28th - ongoing OWS at Walden Pond - see calendar of events to get on Kristen's email sign-up

I'm also shooting to be at Walden Pond on Monday, July 12th

That just leaves a date for us to head out to Webster and ride the course:  pencil in Sunday, July 11th at 9 a.m. to do this.

I will try to be one step ahead of these dates and give you links, etc. to the meeting spot.  Please remember that racers will need to pick up your packets at the Webster, MA HS this year on Saturday before the race, so it's best to clear your whole weekend for the triathlon.  (That way we can enjoy a leisurely burger on the deck of Waterfront Mary's or something...)