Success with 55

55 repetitions of each of my strength training exercises. Situps were, predictably, the hardest, but I managed 55 in a row with no rest. I heard a bit of a talk by Pavel Tsatsouline about strength training and how simple progression was not effective, or at least not as effective as other methods. However, he's dealing with people on a far higher level. So for now, anyway, I'm going to continue with progressions.

It's getting colder. I was almost uncomfortable when I started out on my 15 mile ride this morning (it was mid-40s), but I heated up in short order. Last year, I found myself being okay in a t-shirt and shorts down to 32F while running, but biking is not the same thing. I may have to start adding a long sleeved shirt at 42 or so.

I finally got around to donating a bunch of stuff to Borders today; I nearly filled my bike trailer and had a very slow ride over there, averaging just under 10 MPH moving speed. As an experience, it just made it even more clear to me how unfriendly this town really is to bikes; in more than a few places, the bike path wasn't even wide enough for the trailer.

I've shopped around a bit more for wetsuits. I don't anticipate needing one tomorrow; the water should be around 67F again, and the air nearly 60F by the time I arrive. I still think rental is a good idea, at least until I get my body composition analyzed next week. There is a HUGE span of body fat percentages I have, according to different calculations, ranging from borderline professional athlete to borderline overweight. I imagine it's somewhere in the middle. But I want to be sure so I have a healthy target body weight before I go investing in something as expensive and size-dependent as a wetsuit.

My new swim float has not arrived, so tomorrow's swim will not be structured as directed in my original triathlon training plan. Mostly, it will be much like my last one; stay out as long as I can hack it, practice sighting, and work on form. It's only a matter of time before they shut off the showers there: it may have happened already. Which means I risk getting salt residue on my bike. Really, my entire approach to swim training as the weather gets colder needs to be clearer. Biking to and from may become unworkable. And it's only a matter of time before the drawbridge gets lifted on my way back; if I'm not prepared to stay warm, I could be in real trouble.