I was finally able to do a “workout” yesterday – 45 minutes split between fast walking on the treadmill and pedaling my wind trainer, with 4x 200 yard jogs thrown in for kicks. The tube coming out of the left side Camelback is connected to a chemo pump in the pack, so I was able to get a "workout" in and take drugs at the same time. Sort of like a pro cyclist, eh?

Not exactly what I was doing a month ago, but still the first time since surgery on June 18th that I’m pain free enough to do more than just walk easy. The good news is that I’m a little leaner than before (20 pounds lighter – now 165), but the down side is that most of the weight loss was muscle. Hopefully I can start bulking up a little over the next few months.

My “fitness stimulus” plan is pretty simple … just imagine that I’m an absolute beginner and start from that level. My baseline at this point is being able to walk 2 miles at a 17 min/mile pace and ride the wind trainer for 20 minutes in a 39/28 gear, light resistance. The goal is to build up to easy jogs of 3-4 miles and bike workouts of 15-20 miles by Thanksgiving. I start six months of chemotherapy on July 15, so we’ll see how that affects my ability to do workouts.

Speaking of fitness and workouts, the 2nd Annual Lake Nasworthy Triathlon took place last weekend. The turnout was great (~ 140, up around 20% from 2008), and the event went off without any significant problems. The race committee did a fantastic job of planning and putting on the event, so pleaae tell those folks "Thank You"

Although the competition among experienced triathletes was intense, the most rewarding part of the day was seeing the 1st timers successfully complete the event. A number of beginners who took part in the weekly Triathlon Training Group finished the race and are now excited about their next event. Pictures of the race are posted at http://s486.photobucket.com/albums/rr228/bcullins/Lake%20Nasworthy%20Triathlon%202009/, and full race results will be posted on the Road Lizards web site later this week. One note (see picture at right) ... the race director may need to clarify "no drafting" for next year's event.

The next multisport event coming up here in San Angelo is the Wool Capitol Triathlon on Aug 9th. This event will be the 2009 USAT regionl championships (multi-state), and will qualify racers for the the 2009 age group national championships on August 22. The Wool Capition is an Olympic Distance event (1,500 swim, 40K bike, 10K run), and full details are posted at http://www.ironheadrp.com/woolcapital/index.html.

UPCOMING EVENTS

July 12: Suddenlink Lake Nasworthy Triathlon, roadlizards.org
August 6: Mountain bike TT series, www sanangelobicycleassociation.com
August 8-9: Texas State Time Trial Championships, Castroville (near San Antonio), www.txbra.org/events/event.asp?EventID=1788
August 13: Road bike TT series, www sanangelobicycleassociation.com
August 9: Wool Capitol Triathlon, http://www.ironheadrp.com/