Monday: Brekkie with the family and IT, TH, and CB. DH was impressed that I could eat a normal brekkie! Then a drive home. I went from tired to awake, hot to cold, uncomfortable to uncomfortable, anxious to relaxed. It was sure hard to get out of the car when we stopped! But I was doing pretty good overall. No major soreness or pains. Just stiff and tired.
Tuesday: Pick up the dog, get groceries, more rest. Another aura.
Wednesday: What did I do Wednesday...? I wanted to swim, but the Y pool was closed for a 2 week shutdown. And so was Carondelet. And so was MidCounty. Dammit! DH joked that even the Y is saying I should be resting!
Thursday: BIKE 1hr 17-18 miles. We went to FP to catch the end of the Thursday run group, and caught them at the end of 4 miles. LC was tired too :) DH, the doggie, and I walked the park a bit, something I've always wanted to do! Hey this time off thing ain't so bad! That afternoon, I did a 1 hr trainer ride just to get my blood moving.
Friday: BIKE 30 mins and 8.5 miles. What did I do Friday? Haha, I really like this! I was meeting RM for a social dinner that night, so right before I left I squeezed in 30 mins on the trainer. I had 'energy to burn', but it was more a case of I just wanted to MOVE. I just wanted to feel normal again. Dinner was great, RM had some great advice for B2B training: Have fun! Just like we discussed months ago on that MCT ride we did together when the whole MiTi and B2B planning was ongoing. MiTi was supposed to be my A race, and B2B my fun race. So now it's time to have fun! RM's advice was that if I wake up with a 6 hr ride in the plan, and I only felt like doing 4, then do 4! He's right, all I need to do is maintain fitness the next two months.
Saturday: What did I do Saturday... While DH was a the Caron Y I went to schnucks and did our grocery run. Then at home I worked on a few recipes. Then we got a coat of primer on that 3rd floor wall. Seems like an odd thing to report on, but damn that's been a loooonng to-do list thing stuck on the list because I was too busy or too tired every previous weekend. Or that's my excuse anyway!
Sunday: RUN 4 miles in 39 mins. I ran!! It felt all uphill, I thought my lungs might hurt at one point, but this is what I do -- this is Me. I'm on my way to feeling normal again! But the rest of the day I was wiped out and tired. Did the 4 miles run me down? Don't think so, I think I'm just recovering from recover. Got the first coat of paint on the wall. Remember way back the Sunday after IMWI when I fell down the steps? DH was there holding the ladder for me so it didn't happen again :)
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Sunday, August 24, 2014
MiTi Race Report: The Run
RUN 26.2 miles in 4:22:03, huge PR!
First loop recorded as 9:39 pace, second loop not individually reported.
1st of 4 in my AG, 4th out of 18 females.
Two out-n-back course with a spur up a hill.
Coming out of transition I was a gear mess. I'd realized at one point during the bike ride that I'd messed something up with my EFS flasks this morning. I'd only packed 3 refills and 1 new one. During set up this morning, I thought I was missing one so I moved the 3rd to my T2 bag. So instead of a flask in the T2 and another in my Special Needs bag, I had both in the T2 bag. Nuts. So I tucked the refill in my shorts (something I thankfully practiced last weekend!) and kept the new on in hand. I also had my arm coolers to put on, but didn't feel like wearing them. Then I had my Garmin and my Camelbak handheld. My hands were so full I couldn't put the Garmin or the coolers on without stopping to set things down! I tucked the coolers in the left leg of my shorts, managed to get the Garmin on while running, and finally got situated about a mile in.
Run goals? Stay at a pace I can maintain, don't blow up late in the run. Eat EFS shot every 30 mins. Dump water on shirt for cooling. Fast walk 15-30s at every mile in the first half, and as needed after that.
LAP 1: I was feeling great aside from pain in both feet. I knew this would come and go throughout the run so I ignored it. I was seeing many friends in this first mile, both at the tent and as they were finishing their half marathon. This was such a boost!
The course turned off to a shaded road and I started looking for the mileage signs. It took some time for me to decide if I was going to walk when the Garmin beeped a mile or at the signs. After a few miles I picked the signs. Sometimes I didn't need to walk but did anyway even if just 15 seconds. I was happy to see that my mile splits were between 9:30 and 10. Yeah, I know, I wasn't going to look at the Garmin this race. But really I only looked at the mile splits after a beep, that's it.
I seemed to be moving fast, passing a lot of people but I felt OK. I decided that if it felt good I should do it! Finally saw G, then TH. She said she was the 3rd OA female and I needed to catch her. I yelled out a whoop then realized I really should have said "don't let me catch you!". Were we really that far ahead in the field? This was a mostly out-n-back course but the spur at miles 5-9 or so would prevent us from seeing everyone. Wow...really...? This got my heart rate up, but soon enough I got it back under control. Don't blow up! The loop ended well, still good energy and no major problems.
LAP 2: I hit the turnaround and looked forward to my SN bag. It had my bee costume! Pulled on the tutu and the head band, grabbed a caffeinated gel, and took off. It wasn't long at all before I was getting happy comments on the costume, which is why I wear it. They get a smile, I get to smile back, and everyone wins.
By now my Garmin was off-distance pretty bad, but I knew after it beeped that I could start looking for the mileage signs. Due to 2nd loop, there was a full distance mile marker followed by a full & half sign maybe 0.1 miles afterwards. In the first loop I walked at the combined sign. So I was also happy when I first realized that instead of having to wait for the second mileage sign, I got to walk at the first one! It's the little things. And speaking of little things, my SN bag had my Sport Beans. I awarded myself 2 at every walk break.
Also in the first loop I did my best to not look at the 2nd loops signs, looking away and promising I'd be back later to see them. Finally I got to enjoy them. I was also enjoying the fact that I was still running and passing a lot of people Early on I passed G, and luckily there was a photographer who ran ahead of us to get our pictures. He wanted the costume and I wanted G in my pict!
In these miles I started doing more race math to keep me entertained. 15 mile sign...how many miles is 2.4+112+15? This was easier to do in the first lap! I found TH somewhere in mile 16, she had been sick around mile 10 but still moving. 16 then 17 (and a snake along the road!), up the hill to 18. I was moving steady, refilling the handheld at every aid station (forgot to mention that in the first loop I emptied it between stations because I wasn't refilling! DUMB!), pouring more and more water on me. More hill and finally the turn around at the top. It was around here that the race started getting tougher.
Soon enough it was mile 23, only a 5K distance to go! All along I'd been cheering on other runners, now I started pulling out RM's pre-race cheer of Relentless Forward Motion for both myself and the other runners around me. Keep It Forward, I'd say. I was one of the only people still running, so it probably seemed easy for me to say that.
5K to go, and by now in my head I knew that I was only chasing my PR. I'd still walk on the mile marks, just 30-45 seconds, but the finish line was so close!! 24, 25, then I could see the red flags at the finish!! All those weeks, months!, of training, all the work and doubt and effort was all coming down to these moments. I felt like I might tear up a bit, but I didn't. I pushed it in to the finish with my DH, family, and friends cheering me on!! WHOOP!!! #4 is DONE with a 41 min PR!!!
After a few dazed minutes coming back to earth, and after having the med tent get something out of my eye, I went back to the end of the course to cheer in TH (she had a DLF!!), G, and IT. My voice was shot by the end :) Then more pictures, our awards, podium pictures, then retrieving Frea and the gear. Then some ice cream with peanut butter on the way home to help my throat and get some sugar in the body. I threw most of it away, but it was good! I stayed up kinda late with M&D visiting, eating, and drinking. Hard to believe I was still awake!
There's so much I want to remember! I'll keep thinking of things and add them in I guess. But overall, it was like a perfect race day. I'm so lucky!
First loop recorded as 9:39 pace, second loop not individually reported.
1st of 4 in my AG, 4th out of 18 females.
Two out-n-back course with a spur up a hill.
Coming out of transition I was a gear mess. I'd realized at one point during the bike ride that I'd messed something up with my EFS flasks this morning. I'd only packed 3 refills and 1 new one. During set up this morning, I thought I was missing one so I moved the 3rd to my T2 bag. So instead of a flask in the T2 and another in my Special Needs bag, I had both in the T2 bag. Nuts. So I tucked the refill in my shorts (something I thankfully practiced last weekend!) and kept the new on in hand. I also had my arm coolers to put on, but didn't feel like wearing them. Then I had my Garmin and my Camelbak handheld. My hands were so full I couldn't put the Garmin or the coolers on without stopping to set things down! I tucked the coolers in the left leg of my shorts, managed to get the Garmin on while running, and finally got situated about a mile in.
Run goals? Stay at a pace I can maintain, don't blow up late in the run. Eat EFS shot every 30 mins. Dump water on shirt for cooling. Fast walk 15-30s at every mile in the first half, and as needed after that.
LAP 1: I was feeling great aside from pain in both feet. I knew this would come and go throughout the run so I ignored it. I was seeing many friends in this first mile, both at the tent and as they were finishing their half marathon. This was such a boost!
The course turned off to a shaded road and I started looking for the mileage signs. It took some time for me to decide if I was going to walk when the Garmin beeped a mile or at the signs. After a few miles I picked the signs. Sometimes I didn't need to walk but did anyway even if just 15 seconds. I was happy to see that my mile splits were between 9:30 and 10. Yeah, I know, I wasn't going to look at the Garmin this race. But really I only looked at the mile splits after a beep, that's it.
I seemed to be moving fast, passing a lot of people but I felt OK. I decided that if it felt good I should do it! Finally saw G, then TH. She said she was the 3rd OA female and I needed to catch her. I yelled out a whoop then realized I really should have said "don't let me catch you!". Were we really that far ahead in the field? This was a mostly out-n-back course but the spur at miles 5-9 or so would prevent us from seeing everyone. Wow...really...? This got my heart rate up, but soon enough I got it back under control. Don't blow up! The loop ended well, still good energy and no major problems.
LAP 2: I hit the turnaround and looked forward to my SN bag. It had my bee costume! Pulled on the tutu and the head band, grabbed a caffeinated gel, and took off. It wasn't long at all before I was getting happy comments on the costume, which is why I wear it. They get a smile, I get to smile back, and everyone wins.
By now my Garmin was off-distance pretty bad, but I knew after it beeped that I could start looking for the mileage signs. Due to 2nd loop, there was a full distance mile marker followed by a full & half sign maybe 0.1 miles afterwards. In the first loop I walked at the combined sign. So I was also happy when I first realized that instead of having to wait for the second mileage sign, I got to walk at the first one! It's the little things. And speaking of little things, my SN bag had my Sport Beans. I awarded myself 2 at every walk break.
Also in the first loop I did my best to not look at the 2nd loops signs, looking away and promising I'd be back later to see them. Finally I got to enjoy them. I was also enjoying the fact that I was still running and passing a lot of people Early on I passed G, and luckily there was a photographer who ran ahead of us to get our pictures. He wanted the costume and I wanted G in my pict!
In these miles I started doing more race math to keep me entertained. 15 mile sign...how many miles is 2.4+112+15? This was easier to do in the first lap! I found TH somewhere in mile 16, she had been sick around mile 10 but still moving. 16 then 17 (and a snake along the road!), up the hill to 18. I was moving steady, refilling the handheld at every aid station (forgot to mention that in the first loop I emptied it between stations because I wasn't refilling! DUMB!), pouring more and more water on me. More hill and finally the turn around at the top. It was around here that the race started getting tougher.
Soon enough it was mile 23, only a 5K distance to go! All along I'd been cheering on other runners, now I started pulling out RM's pre-race cheer of Relentless Forward Motion for both myself and the other runners around me. Keep It Forward, I'd say. I was one of the only people still running, so it probably seemed easy for me to say that.
5K to go, and by now in my head I knew that I was only chasing my PR. I'd still walk on the mile marks, just 30-45 seconds, but the finish line was so close!! 24, 25, then I could see the red flags at the finish!! All those weeks, months!, of training, all the work and doubt and effort was all coming down to these moments. I felt like I might tear up a bit, but I didn't. I pushed it in to the finish with my DH, family, and friends cheering me on!! WHOOP!!! #4 is DONE with a 41 min PR!!!
After a few dazed minutes coming back to earth, and after having the med tent get something out of my eye, I went back to the end of the course to cheer in TH (she had a DLF!!), G, and IT. My voice was shot by the end :) Then more pictures, our awards, podium pictures, then retrieving Frea and the gear. Then some ice cream with peanut butter on the way home to help my throat and get some sugar in the body. I threw most of it away, but it was good! I stayed up kinda late with M&D visiting, eating, and drinking. Hard to believe I was still awake!
There's so much I want to remember! I'll keep thinking of things and add them in I guess. But overall, it was like a perfect race day. I'm so lucky!
MiTi Race Report: The Bike and T2
BIKE 112 miles in 6:31:51, ave speed of 17.1 mph
Two loop course with many hills, bumpy roads in places, but overall fair and fun. Very pretty rural roads.
Another PR! 1 out of 4 in my AG, 5 out of 18 females.
I felt great getting on the bike. Not too much of the just-swam dizziness or stomach upset. My only complaint would be my right calf, it was still tight and mildly pained. It's hard to write up something so long like this and capture everything!
I came up with my mantra words quickly into the ride: Steady, Smart, and Strong. I chanted them when needed. Be steady and don't interval. Stay smart with decisions about effort and nutrition. And be strong when needed, but not on hills!
LAP 1: From our course preview, I knew the first hill was a doozy and early in the ride. Sure enough, it was biggie! Had to stand on the pedals! Once done with that, there was a long stretch on Belding where I found a headwind. Not a strong one, but enough. I did my best to not look at the Garmin, it would been depressing. LC passed by me like a shot somewhere in the first 10 miles - whooooooo she was flying! I was jealous, but stayed focused on my race. This was hard to do with the half athletes going by.
My nutrition plan was simple: every 30 mins a shot of EFS or a third of a Powerbar. I brought the PB&J and Nutty Berry bars because they broke up easier and weren't sticky. I stuck to this plan whether or not I felt like eating, and if I needed more I took it (although in the end I didn't).
Lots of little things happened or crossed my mind. Somewhere between 10-20 miles two male half athletes plagued me. They seemed to be friends, one would shoot ahead then wait at a corner, or they'd ride side by side (until I yelled move over! and passed them). I'd pass, then they'd pass, then I'd pass...ugh. At one point I yelled again at one for weaving and riding the middle of the road. It's like it was there first ever bike ride!? The faster one had 2 gatorade bottles in his rear rack, so he became Double Gatorade Guy. The other one was just Idiot. At another point I got stuck on a hill behind a guy who had just passed me then slowed. The road was in poor shape and when I stood the rear tire slipped. Of course a course ref moto rides by at that point...left me wondering the rest of the day if I had a penalty or not.
My right calf was still stiff and sore at least up to mile 20-30. The top of my right ankle where my shoe touches hurt a bit. My butt was just staring to hurt too. But otherwise good energy and mental function. Was singing a lot of Katy Perry Roar :)
At least the first half of the loop was south and east, into SSE headwinds. So I was happy to turn north! But found more headwind!? There was a short out-n-back for full athletes (in which DGG and Idiot passed me again...grrrrr!) The westward portion of the course seemed soooooo long, maybe because I don't remember seeing a 40 mile sign? Near the end of my loop the full athletes were on their 2nd loop already, and before we got back on Belding one of the weaved left and took out another full athlete just seconds behind me. I was literally seconds away from that crash! At this point I started looking for my 3 full distance team mates, and saw all but IT. Down the big hills to the round about and start the 2nd loop. I did the first loop - not sure if exactly 56 miles or not - in 2:15.
LAP 2: At the top of the hills was the Special Needs stop. Potty break, refill all bottles (didn't take any water from the course), grab nutrition from the SN bag. This was a refreshing stop! I needed it, and enjoyed it.
This lap felt better than the first one to my surprise, even at the end. I was wondering about IT, not sure if I missed him going by or if something had happened to him. He should be ahead of me, and he was! I saw him around mile 70 or so and it took a long time to catch him. I wanted to speed up, but knew it wasn't good for me. It was exciting to see him and know I was going to get to talk briefly to him and ask how his only century ride this year was going. And good to know he was OK. Turns out he had a flat.
The roads were much emptier this time around. I knew my landmarks now, knew about hills and obstacles, knew to look for the blue mail box post that inspired some odd thought about a blue mailbox blog in the first loop. Didn't see the christmas tree farm on either loop, that we saw on the preview and sang christmas songs too. I thought I'd be lonely at this point, I could see other riders but it was just me in my head most of the lap. My arms and back were getting tired, my neck hurt when I looked over my shoulder. My calf and ankle were doing kinda OK, and I occasionally had some right hip muscle pain. I figured it was all connected to the cramps, I was compensating or the tight muscles were pulling wrong on another.
Riding down the long hills to the TA felt great, like a reward. Still surprised at how good I felt (the tailwind the last few miles helped, seeing 23+ mph was a boost!) at the end of a long day.
Overall, this was a great bike. Overcast skies for the first loop really helped, and the sun wasn't unbearable when it finally did come out. Aside from a hillier-than-expected course and a headwind-from-everywhere I nailed it. Perfect hydration and nutrition, a plan to keep in place: just water in the bottles supplemented with EFS and powerbars. Another bonus was that my feet didn't hurt like they almost always do in long rides or headwinds.
T2: 4:47 Another smooth, calm transition. You'd think I'd been doing this all year and not for only the 2nd time! I wasn't hurting, no pained feet like Wisconsin. A volunteer helped with sunscreen, otherwise I was on my own. When she sprayed me I felt my wetsuit hickie on my neck, ouch! Potty break and out the door!
Two loop course with many hills, bumpy roads in places, but overall fair and fun. Very pretty rural roads.
Another PR! 1 out of 4 in my AG, 5 out of 18 females.
I felt great getting on the bike. Not too much of the just-swam dizziness or stomach upset. My only complaint would be my right calf, it was still tight and mildly pained. It's hard to write up something so long like this and capture everything!
I came up with my mantra words quickly into the ride: Steady, Smart, and Strong. I chanted them when needed. Be steady and don't interval. Stay smart with decisions about effort and nutrition. And be strong when needed, but not on hills!
LAP 1: From our course preview, I knew the first hill was a doozy and early in the ride. Sure enough, it was biggie! Had to stand on the pedals! Once done with that, there was a long stretch on Belding where I found a headwind. Not a strong one, but enough. I did my best to not look at the Garmin, it would been depressing. LC passed by me like a shot somewhere in the first 10 miles - whooooooo she was flying! I was jealous, but stayed focused on my race. This was hard to do with the half athletes going by.
My nutrition plan was simple: every 30 mins a shot of EFS or a third of a Powerbar. I brought the PB&J and Nutty Berry bars because they broke up easier and weren't sticky. I stuck to this plan whether or not I felt like eating, and if I needed more I took it (although in the end I didn't).
Lots of little things happened or crossed my mind. Somewhere between 10-20 miles two male half athletes plagued me. They seemed to be friends, one would shoot ahead then wait at a corner, or they'd ride side by side (until I yelled move over! and passed them). I'd pass, then they'd pass, then I'd pass...ugh. At one point I yelled again at one for weaving and riding the middle of the road. It's like it was there first ever bike ride!? The faster one had 2 gatorade bottles in his rear rack, so he became Double Gatorade Guy. The other one was just Idiot. At another point I got stuck on a hill behind a guy who had just passed me then slowed. The road was in poor shape and when I stood the rear tire slipped. Of course a course ref moto rides by at that point...left me wondering the rest of the day if I had a penalty or not.
My right calf was still stiff and sore at least up to mile 20-30. The top of my right ankle where my shoe touches hurt a bit. My butt was just staring to hurt too. But otherwise good energy and mental function. Was singing a lot of Katy Perry Roar :)
At least the first half of the loop was south and east, into SSE headwinds. So I was happy to turn north! But found more headwind!? There was a short out-n-back for full athletes (in which DGG and Idiot passed me again...grrrrr!) The westward portion of the course seemed soooooo long, maybe because I don't remember seeing a 40 mile sign? Near the end of my loop the full athletes were on their 2nd loop already, and before we got back on Belding one of the weaved left and took out another full athlete just seconds behind me. I was literally seconds away from that crash! At this point I started looking for my 3 full distance team mates, and saw all but IT. Down the big hills to the round about and start the 2nd loop. I did the first loop - not sure if exactly 56 miles or not - in 2:15.
LAP 2: At the top of the hills was the Special Needs stop. Potty break, refill all bottles (didn't take any water from the course), grab nutrition from the SN bag. This was a refreshing stop! I needed it, and enjoyed it.
This lap felt better than the first one to my surprise, even at the end. I was wondering about IT, not sure if I missed him going by or if something had happened to him. He should be ahead of me, and he was! I saw him around mile 70 or so and it took a long time to catch him. I wanted to speed up, but knew it wasn't good for me. It was exciting to see him and know I was going to get to talk briefly to him and ask how his only century ride this year was going. And good to know he was OK. Turns out he had a flat.
The roads were much emptier this time around. I knew my landmarks now, knew about hills and obstacles, knew to look for the blue mail box post that inspired some odd thought about a blue mailbox blog in the first loop. Didn't see the christmas tree farm on either loop, that we saw on the preview and sang christmas songs too. I thought I'd be lonely at this point, I could see other riders but it was just me in my head most of the lap. My arms and back were getting tired, my neck hurt when I looked over my shoulder. My calf and ankle were doing kinda OK, and I occasionally had some right hip muscle pain. I figured it was all connected to the cramps, I was compensating or the tight muscles were pulling wrong on another.
Riding down the long hills to the TA felt great, like a reward. Still surprised at how good I felt (the tailwind the last few miles helped, seeing 23+ mph was a boost!) at the end of a long day.
Overall, this was a great bike. Overcast skies for the first loop really helped, and the sun wasn't unbearable when it finally did come out. Aside from a hillier-than-expected course and a headwind-from-everywhere I nailed it. Perfect hydration and nutrition, a plan to keep in place: just water in the bottles supplemented with EFS and powerbars. Another bonus was that my feet didn't hurt like they almost always do in long rides or headwinds.
T2: 4:47 Another smooth, calm transition. You'd think I'd been doing this all year and not for only the 2nd time! I wasn't hurting, no pained feet like Wisconsin. A volunteer helped with sunscreen, otherwise I was on my own. When she sprayed me I felt my wetsuit hickie on my neck, ouch! Potty break and out the door!
MiTi Race Report: PreRace, Swim, T1
Woke up at 4am and immediately started on my prerace meal: sweet potato, protein powder, quinoa flakes, with maple syrup and salts. I made this and my other puree meals Weds before we left town, this was a good idea to keep in mind. Also coffee, some internet reading to stay distracted. Then the timing chip, something I always focus on doing asap race morning. I felt oddly calm. No nerves?! But I felt clear headed and ready.
With the two wetsuits and 5 gear bags I had a lot to carry. I happily remembered to grab the EFS bottles from the fridge. I gathered my race bags into a black garbage bag (brought in case of rain) and started to head out, but not before DH asked if I had my shoes. Oh damn, now I need to check... lol... race morning OCD.
It was still dark out, but such a quiet and clear morning. The temps were perfect, I was only slightly cool in shorts and t-shirt. The site was also calm, being such a small race there wasn't a lot of people. No loud music, no big crowd, so my mind stayed on task. Loaded the bottles on Frea, hung my T1 and T2 bags on the wooden racks, set my SN bags under the tree...looked into the changing tents, talked to my group, munched half a powerbar. Soon enough it was time to suit up and head to the beach!
At the beach I we had a final meeting, I took a gel, and we had a chance to warm up a bit. The suit felt perfect and comfy. The sky was overcast and there was a light misty fog over the lake so my smoked goggles obscured my view a bit. A drone flew overhead and took pictures. TH, G, IT, and I group high-5'd. I moved off the front of the small group of swimmers. And then we were off!!
SWIM 2.4 miles in 1:36:44 (PR!) in a two loop swim, mass start, triangle counterclockwise course.
12th out of 18 females, and 3rd out of 4 in my AG. Dammit I need to swim faster!
My goals for an OWS are usually the same: survive, stay calm. I don't push the pace so as to avoid making me feel panicked or causing me to inhale water. The calmer, the better. So that's the goal here.
Out to the first buoy it seemed I was in constant contact with other swimmers. How can such a small field of less than 100 have so much congestion!? And was it the congestion or the lake causing the light chop washing over my face? After the first turn, it cleared up. The far off buoys were hard for me to see and I had brief flashback to my DNF swim in June. Nope, that's not today. I'm good. Keep going, settle in. I was feeling pretty good and thought about trying to speed up. That ended soon enough after I inhaled some water. Second and last turn before the turnaround and another flashback -- I couldn't clearly see the next buoys and I kept swimming to the left. Remember the practice swim -- there was a light push from the current! I started correcting to the right, but was still going left, correct right, moving left, correct right....oh man this was getting into my head. I felt like I was swimming in circles...going right but not going right. Calm down. It's all good, just sight more often! It was around this time I first felt the wetsuit chafing at my neck. Finally turned at the turn-around, and overheard the pre-race meeting for the half distance athletes. They were starting 1 hr after we did, so I figured it was about 45 mins into my swim? I had to get going so they didn't run me over!
Turns out there was some chop out to the first buoy. Turned there and CRAMP in the right calf. I didn't stop for it, just kept going and was thankful for all the ankle bank training I did. It wasn't much, OK maybe only a few laps, but it was the same feeling here. I knew the cramp would work out. It did, but returned! Worked out, then returned again! All along this stretch to the 2nd buoy is was cramps, so bad at one point that I could feel my foot locked into a club-foot like position! Rounded the last buoy, determined to not get off course from the current.
Second time in this leg I stayed on course, and the half athletes were starting to pass me. And I think they helped me stay on course as I had more to see and sight along. This last leg went great, still having cramps though and I could only hope that they resolved by the time I needed to stand at the beach. In the end, I was OK enough to stand up and start up the beach. And check my watch: 1:36 is a PR!! OK not by much though :)
Overall, the swim was conservative but great. I stayed calm, fixed minor problems, dealt well with cramps, and was glad I picked the full sleeve suit.
T1: 5:56 Up the sandy beach, past the stippers (worried they'd pop an ankle on me), past DH, and pulled off the suit easy enough at the bike racks. Another benefit of being slimmer -- the suit slides off better. Volunteers grabbed my T1 bag, I had an organized transition. My tent volunteer was Deb, I chatted with her while she rubbed sunscreen on me. I kept thanking her, so wonderful to have this help! Potty break, then off to Frea!
With the two wetsuits and 5 gear bags I had a lot to carry. I happily remembered to grab the EFS bottles from the fridge. I gathered my race bags into a black garbage bag (brought in case of rain) and started to head out, but not before DH asked if I had my shoes. Oh damn, now I need to check... lol... race morning OCD.
It was still dark out, but such a quiet and clear morning. The temps were perfect, I was only slightly cool in shorts and t-shirt. The site was also calm, being such a small race there wasn't a lot of people. No loud music, no big crowd, so my mind stayed on task. Loaded the bottles on Frea, hung my T1 and T2 bags on the wooden racks, set my SN bags under the tree...looked into the changing tents, talked to my group, munched half a powerbar. Soon enough it was time to suit up and head to the beach!
At the beach I we had a final meeting, I took a gel, and we had a chance to warm up a bit. The suit felt perfect and comfy. The sky was overcast and there was a light misty fog over the lake so my smoked goggles obscured my view a bit. A drone flew overhead and took pictures. TH, G, IT, and I group high-5'd. I moved off the front of the small group of swimmers. And then we were off!!
SWIM 2.4 miles in 1:36:44 (PR!) in a two loop swim, mass start, triangle counterclockwise course.
12th out of 18 females, and 3rd out of 4 in my AG. Dammit I need to swim faster!
My goals for an OWS are usually the same: survive, stay calm. I don't push the pace so as to avoid making me feel panicked or causing me to inhale water. The calmer, the better. So that's the goal here.
Out to the first buoy it seemed I was in constant contact with other swimmers. How can such a small field of less than 100 have so much congestion!? And was it the congestion or the lake causing the light chop washing over my face? After the first turn, it cleared up. The far off buoys were hard for me to see and I had brief flashback to my DNF swim in June. Nope, that's not today. I'm good. Keep going, settle in. I was feeling pretty good and thought about trying to speed up. That ended soon enough after I inhaled some water. Second and last turn before the turnaround and another flashback -- I couldn't clearly see the next buoys and I kept swimming to the left. Remember the practice swim -- there was a light push from the current! I started correcting to the right, but was still going left, correct right, moving left, correct right....oh man this was getting into my head. I felt like I was swimming in circles...going right but not going right. Calm down. It's all good, just sight more often! It was around this time I first felt the wetsuit chafing at my neck. Finally turned at the turn-around, and overheard the pre-race meeting for the half distance athletes. They were starting 1 hr after we did, so I figured it was about 45 mins into my swim? I had to get going so they didn't run me over!
Turns out there was some chop out to the first buoy. Turned there and CRAMP in the right calf. I didn't stop for it, just kept going and was thankful for all the ankle bank training I did. It wasn't much, OK maybe only a few laps, but it was the same feeling here. I knew the cramp would work out. It did, but returned! Worked out, then returned again! All along this stretch to the 2nd buoy is was cramps, so bad at one point that I could feel my foot locked into a club-foot like position! Rounded the last buoy, determined to not get off course from the current.
Second time in this leg I stayed on course, and the half athletes were starting to pass me. And I think they helped me stay on course as I had more to see and sight along. This last leg went great, still having cramps though and I could only hope that they resolved by the time I needed to stand at the beach. In the end, I was OK enough to stand up and start up the beach. And check my watch: 1:36 is a PR!! OK not by much though :)
Overall, the swim was conservative but great. I stayed calm, fixed minor problems, dealt well with cramps, and was glad I picked the full sleeve suit.
T1: 5:56 Up the sandy beach, past the stippers (worried they'd pop an ankle on me), past DH, and pulled off the suit easy enough at the bike racks. Another benefit of being slimmer -- the suit slides off better. Volunteers grabbed my T1 bag, I had an organized transition. My tent volunteer was Deb, I chatted with her while she rubbed sunscreen on me. I kept thanking her, so wonderful to have this help! Potty break, then off to Frea!
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Day before MiTi
SWIM a few minutes, a few yards?
CB and I swam out towards the first buoy together. I think she said about 10 mins out?
We didn't swim the direction used for the race, so no practice for sighting. Just a feel for the water, test of the sleeveless suit, and a few discoveries about potential current. The water temp was 75 and comfy enough that I could go full or sleeveless, I chose sleeveless because it's the better fitting suit, and there seemed to be a current that pushed me left as I swam towards the exit ramps. That last point is something to take into race day!
We had a Club group lunch after the swim (brought my own lunch of chicken, egg, potato, carrot, berries) then a pre-meeting and packet pickup. During the packet pickup it finally set in that the race is TOMORROW. For the first time I felt that stomach twinge, the nerves, the anxiety. Oh my, it's tomorrow. I've been preparing since late December for this! TOMORROW!
It didn't last long, soon enough I was back to normal. :)
We dropped off our bikes, noted it was getting hot out. TH and I got anxious to get back to the hotel rooms to get our feet up. We also had gear bags to pack. I laid the 5 of them out on the bed and started making piles. I kept getting distracted, put the Guide channel on the TV, kept munching food. I wasn't terribly clear headed here! But I was getting there, found if I warmed up my EFS it was easier to pour. How many gels should I pack into each bag? I sorted them by caffeine, then used that to plan. Decided to bring both wetsuits as extra insurance. Another distraction was that DH was delayed in coming back to town by traffic, and M&D were delayed by heavy rain. I wanted to wait to eat with them, but in the end needed to leave the room with TH to eat and get away from it a few minutes.
My sleep was OK, like the past few weeks I'd wake up in the middle of the night and wake up earlier than my alarm. But I was rested.
My pre-race routine was planned and quiet. We had a suite room with a small kitchenette, so I pretty much had all my food with me. I don't think I ate a purchased meal at all. Chicken breasts, poached eggs, clementines, almond butter, zucchini frittata, bananas, rice balls. Also packed some canned fish and veg that I didn't use. For a brief moment in a groceries trip on Fridat I had some mild panic about what I was going to eat today. For the rest of the group (TH, IT, and CB), it seemed so easy! This, that, carbs, fuel, whatever they wanted. But I felt lost and out of my element. I came up with some frozen carrots, fresh zucchini, and yukon gold potatoes. That worked!
CB and I swam out towards the first buoy together. I think she said about 10 mins out?
We didn't swim the direction used for the race, so no practice for sighting. Just a feel for the water, test of the sleeveless suit, and a few discoveries about potential current. The water temp was 75 and comfy enough that I could go full or sleeveless, I chose sleeveless because it's the better fitting suit, and there seemed to be a current that pushed me left as I swam towards the exit ramps. That last point is something to take into race day!
We had a Club group lunch after the swim (brought my own lunch of chicken, egg, potato, carrot, berries) then a pre-meeting and packet pickup. During the packet pickup it finally set in that the race is TOMORROW. For the first time I felt that stomach twinge, the nerves, the anxiety. Oh my, it's tomorrow. I've been preparing since late December for this! TOMORROW!
It didn't last long, soon enough I was back to normal. :)
We dropped off our bikes, noted it was getting hot out. TH and I got anxious to get back to the hotel rooms to get our feet up. We also had gear bags to pack. I laid the 5 of them out on the bed and started making piles. I kept getting distracted, put the Guide channel on the TV, kept munching food. I wasn't terribly clear headed here! But I was getting there, found if I warmed up my EFS it was easier to pour. How many gels should I pack into each bag? I sorted them by caffeine, then used that to plan. Decided to bring both wetsuits as extra insurance. Another distraction was that DH was delayed in coming back to town by traffic, and M&D were delayed by heavy rain. I wanted to wait to eat with them, but in the end needed to leave the room with TH to eat and get away from it a few minutes.
My sleep was OK, like the past few weeks I'd wake up in the middle of the night and wake up earlier than my alarm. But I was rested.
My pre-race routine was planned and quiet. We had a suite room with a small kitchenette, so I pretty much had all my food with me. I don't think I ate a purchased meal at all. Chicken breasts, poached eggs, clementines, almond butter, zucchini frittata, bananas, rice balls. Also packed some canned fish and veg that I didn't use. For a brief moment in a groceries trip on Fridat I had some mild panic about what I was going to eat today. For the rest of the group (TH, IT, and CB), it seemed so easy! This, that, carbs, fuel, whatever they wanted. But I felt lost and out of my element. I came up with some frozen carrots, fresh zucchini, and yukon gold potatoes. That worked!
Friday, August 22, 2014
MiTi Preweek and final taper
Monday SWIM 1900y in about 45-50 mins
RUN 3.2 miles in 30 mins
Tuesday BIKE 18 miles in just over an hour, indoors
Since we were traveling to MiTi on Thursday, this was a pretty light week! I was still feeling tired, the brain fog was clearing but the fatigue but still lingering. It caused some doubt, but not terribly much. In the mornings, I would feel that zippy weeeee I'm tapering!!!! feeling, but it really faded by the end of the day.
Monday's swim was with Evolve, and since most of us there were racing on Sunday, it was an easy workout. Only a few of us came, so I shared the first lane with JZ. She was super nervous and excited for her first upcoming IM! It wasn't my best swim, I didn't feel fast or like I had good form.
The run was an errand to return the wrong applesauce I'd purchased the day prior. I bought the version with HFCS! Cardio brain!
Tuesday's bike was kept indoors due to light rain, no need to crash now. Wednesday was taking the doggie to the vet (she's OK to board!), final packing, and meal prep. Oh and a slow ADT guy who kinda took waaaay to long to not fix anything.
Wednesday nothing, Thursday a drive to MiTi, Friday a course preview. Packing seemed so easy, not as nervous as I used to get. Probably because I was using my tried-and-true IMCDA checklist? :) But I wasn't terribly streamlined. I brought both wetsuits as well as a regular and aero helmet. Gonna have to be more streamlined for B2B!
Thursday we drove up, not an early departure having to drop the doggie for boarding. I ate my own meals all day, we stopped enough during the drive and I slept a lot.
Friday was course preview and my first aura in a long time. I ended up with a headache, but not a migraine. CB had the bacon and sausage stuffed pancake at lunch, many pancake jokes followed! TH had mentioned yesterday that she couldn't find her massage golf ball. We joked that we'd stop by a golf course for her to find one. Better yet, CB saw a home near the golf balls selling them for 25 cents. She bought a ball for all of us -- mine was yellow and black!
RUN 3.2 miles in 30 mins
Tuesday BIKE 18 miles in just over an hour, indoors
Since we were traveling to MiTi on Thursday, this was a pretty light week! I was still feeling tired, the brain fog was clearing but the fatigue but still lingering. It caused some doubt, but not terribly much. In the mornings, I would feel that zippy weeeee I'm tapering!!!! feeling, but it really faded by the end of the day.
Monday's swim was with Evolve, and since most of us there were racing on Sunday, it was an easy workout. Only a few of us came, so I shared the first lane with JZ. She was super nervous and excited for her first upcoming IM! It wasn't my best swim, I didn't feel fast or like I had good form.
The run was an errand to return the wrong applesauce I'd purchased the day prior. I bought the version with HFCS! Cardio brain!
Tuesday's bike was kept indoors due to light rain, no need to crash now. Wednesday was taking the doggie to the vet (she's OK to board!), final packing, and meal prep. Oh and a slow ADT guy who kinda took waaaay to long to not fix anything.
Wednesday nothing, Thursday a drive to MiTi, Friday a course preview. Packing seemed so easy, not as nervous as I used to get. Probably because I was using my tried-and-true IMCDA checklist? :) But I wasn't terribly streamlined. I brought both wetsuits as well as a regular and aero helmet. Gonna have to be more streamlined for B2B!
Thursday we drove up, not an early departure having to drop the doggie for boarding. I ate my own meals all day, we stopped enough during the drive and I slept a lot.
Friday was course preview and my first aura in a long time. I ended up with a headache, but not a migraine. CB had the bacon and sausage stuffed pancake at lunch, many pancake jokes followed! TH had mentioned yesterday that she couldn't find her massage golf ball. We joked that we'd stop by a golf course for her to find one. Better yet, CB saw a home near the golf balls selling them for 25 cents. She bought a ball for all of us -- mine was yellow and black!
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Sticking to plan, it's working today
RUN 58 mins and 6.25 miles, 2x15' at 75%
BIKE a weird 1hr and 16 miles
After the last two days of upset stomach and bad fueling, I decided today would be per plan. If I don't feel sick, I'll not only eat more but also feel better in workouts and recovery! Just do it!
I stuck to plan and didn't wait hours before training after my preWO. I was hungry, I did wait a bit too long dallying around with my to-do list, but I was OK. Off to TGP with the goal of just running something different than I did yesterday. That mission accomplished, also the 2x15 mins at a higher gear. I was sluggish and bored, though.
If I thought the run was getting boring, then wait for the bike! I thought it would be a good idea to combine some nearby errands at the same time. But I wasn't really focused and I was feeling lazy. I took off to Fields, that only took 8 mins! So I wandered around the neighborhood, bored bored bored. The half hour alarm went off and it was depressing. Anyone who would have looked at my face might have seen pain from boredom.
So I went to Fields around the halfway point, enjoyed the break but was a bit stupid in the store because my bright idea of getting applesauce to test reintroduction failed when I got the original HFCS version...cardiobrainFAIL.
The food I bought was unexpected heavy and I realized I shouldn't do another half hour with the pack on my back. So I headed home to decide if I should drop the pack and do a loop of TGP to finish...or go upstairs to the Bird. I knew the overnight rain left leaves all over the park, is that safe? Or an excuse.
Whatever!!! OH GEEZ JUST DO IT!! I did! Indoors :) I was sooooo hungry afterwards, but it's done!
13:12 hours in taper week.
SWIM 10150 yards in 4 hours
BIKE 82 miles in 5:20
RUN 26.25 in 3:50 (marathon pace?!)
BIKE COMMUTE 21.2 miles
BIKE a weird 1hr and 16 miles
After the last two days of upset stomach and bad fueling, I decided today would be per plan. If I don't feel sick, I'll not only eat more but also feel better in workouts and recovery! Just do it!
I stuck to plan and didn't wait hours before training after my preWO. I was hungry, I did wait a bit too long dallying around with my to-do list, but I was OK. Off to TGP with the goal of just running something different than I did yesterday. That mission accomplished, also the 2x15 mins at a higher gear. I was sluggish and bored, though.
If I thought the run was getting boring, then wait for the bike! I thought it would be a good idea to combine some nearby errands at the same time. But I wasn't really focused and I was feeling lazy. I took off to Fields, that only took 8 mins! So I wandered around the neighborhood, bored bored bored. The half hour alarm went off and it was depressing. Anyone who would have looked at my face might have seen pain from boredom.
So I went to Fields around the halfway point, enjoyed the break but was a bit stupid in the store because my bright idea of getting applesauce to test reintroduction failed when I got the original HFCS version...cardiobrainFAIL.
The food I bought was unexpected heavy and I realized I shouldn't do another half hour with the pack on my back. So I headed home to decide if I should drop the pack and do a loop of TGP to finish...or go upstairs to the Bird. I knew the overnight rain left leaves all over the park, is that safe? Or an excuse.
Whatever!!! OH GEEZ JUST DO IT!! I did! Indoors :) I was sooooo hungry afterwards, but it's done!
13:12 hours in taper week.
SWIM 10150 yards in 4 hours
BIKE 82 miles in 5:20
RUN 26.25 in 3:50 (marathon pace?!)
BIKE COMMUTE 21.2 miles
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Rained out birthday ride
BIKE 2 hrs and 32 miles indoors
RUN just under 1 hr and 6.2 miles
It was LC's birthday and the planned ride was rained out with t-storms. It was not very tempting to ride outdoors and risk injury, nor was it tempting to ride indoors. But I didn't want to wait until the afternoon either, so off to the Bird and the trainer.
It was a terribly unmotivated ride. But I did learn how to watch YT.com and supersized v superskinny on the trainer. :) And I'm terribly happy that I didn't need a 3-5 hour ride today!
The plan called for a 2.5hr ride, but after 2hrs I was done. That, and I didn't want to have problems from overdoing a trainer ride this close to the race. So I added the extra 30 mins to the planned 35 min run.
Got done on the trainer,,, and even though I ate too big of a brekkie (waiting to settle my plans left me fueling to stay full) I was hungry again! So I ate lunch, then realized I had to wait before I could run now. Boo. Stupid planning, I need to fix this!! I did some housework on the to-do list, the rain stopped, then I took off to an out-n-back to TGP. I started out sluggish but felt good once I got going.
Ugh, don't let this final week be a mess because I can't stick to plan!
RUN just under 1 hr and 6.2 miles
It was LC's birthday and the planned ride was rained out with t-storms. It was not very tempting to ride outdoors and risk injury, nor was it tempting to ride indoors. But I didn't want to wait until the afternoon either, so off to the Bird and the trainer.
It was a terribly unmotivated ride. But I did learn how to watch YT.com and supersized v superskinny on the trainer. :) And I'm terribly happy that I didn't need a 3-5 hour ride today!
The plan called for a 2.5hr ride, but after 2hrs I was done. That, and I didn't want to have problems from overdoing a trainer ride this close to the race. So I added the extra 30 mins to the planned 35 min run.
Got done on the trainer,,, and even though I ate too big of a brekkie (waiting to settle my plans left me fueling to stay full) I was hungry again! So I ate lunch, then realized I had to wait before I could run now. Boo. Stupid planning, I need to fix this!! I did some housework on the to-do list, the rain stopped, then I took off to an out-n-back to TGP. I started out sluggish but felt good once I got going.
Ugh, don't let this final week be a mess because I can't stick to plan!
Friday, August 15, 2014
The Big 5-1-5-0 Swim!
SWIM 2:04 and 5150 yards!
COMMUTE 12.2, to work with extra trip to BS LBS
I delayed the swim until the afternoon so as to rest as much as possible from yesterday morning's sessions, a little trick I used to get a "rest day". It works! Today was a remarkable day, it was my last day at my job! :) And it was the first day in a long time that I felt enough energy to run up steps instead of trudge.
I went to BS to get my new lenses, and after a few hitches and a great favor by the staff I walked out with almost what I wanted.
Brief meal, shoveled and of course random (BAD!), then back to the pool around 6pm. I knew I shouldn't eat that much beforehand, but I was hungry. So I was burpy a bit but fueled. And I had a pack of Beans to munch in the pool. But still I overate before the session. Shoulda eaten earlier and after.
I started out fresh and happy. A brief stop to re 'foggle' my lenses, then back at it. I did drills up to the 100 interval, kicks for the 150 and 200, then pulls for the 300 and 400. I started taking a Bean at the end of the intervals, to amuse and reward myself. It took 1 hour to get halfway through.
At the halfway point, I was thrilled! But I was starting to flag by the time I got to the 2nd set of 200s. Dragging and slowing down. At 84 laps the cramp tickling my right calf quit tickling and started grabbing. I kept going.
Then my energy really started to drag. It sucked to get slower, but if felt great to be so close to finishing was I think is my longest swim ever! The 100, the 75, the final 50 (skipped the last 25's to get the odd number) oh gawd they took so long it seemed!!
But I did it!! WHOOP! I pushed through and stuck to it.
COMMUTE 12.2, to work with extra trip to BS LBS
I delayed the swim until the afternoon so as to rest as much as possible from yesterday morning's sessions, a little trick I used to get a "rest day". It works! Today was a remarkable day, it was my last day at my job! :) And it was the first day in a long time that I felt enough energy to run up steps instead of trudge.
I went to BS to get my new lenses, and after a few hitches and a great favor by the staff I walked out with almost what I wanted.
Brief meal, shoveled and of course random (BAD!), then back to the pool around 6pm. I knew I shouldn't eat that much beforehand, but I was hungry. So I was burpy a bit but fueled. And I had a pack of Beans to munch in the pool. But still I overate before the session. Shoulda eaten earlier and after.
I started out fresh and happy. A brief stop to re 'foggle' my lenses, then back at it. I did drills up to the 100 interval, kicks for the 150 and 200, then pulls for the 300 and 400. I started taking a Bean at the end of the intervals, to amuse and reward myself. It took 1 hour to get halfway through.
At the halfway point, I was thrilled! But I was starting to flag by the time I got to the 2nd set of 200s. Dragging and slowing down. At 84 laps the cramp tickling my right calf quit tickling and started grabbing. I kept going.
Then my energy really started to drag. It sucked to get slower, but if felt great to be so close to finishing was I think is my longest swim ever! The 100, the 75, the final 50 (skipped the last 25's to get the odd number) oh gawd they took so long it seemed!!
But I did it!! WHOOP! I pushed through and stuck to it.
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Tired, yet fast and smooth
RUN 6.6 miles in 54:25, an 8:15 m/m!
SWIM 2500y in 58 mins, 4x400 s-p-s-p
Gorgeous cool morning, crisp like fall. And like the leaves, tickets were falling from the park rangers pads for a curfew violation! Luckily our group was spared the $25 fee. Can't keep buying donuts for birthdays (LC's 40th this weekend) if we lose $$ that way!
As always, I start out thinking I'll be "easy" and "slower". So much for that. LC ran with me on the rear pace group, amazing to think our rear group is doing 8:15's. So many times I thought I wanted to walk, to stop, to rest, but the urge was never strong enough to act on. Remember when sub 10 was a big deal? Then sub 9?
Off to the pool, doing my best to stick to schedule so I can get to work at a decent time. As in, before 10am. I took some time to eat part of an orange and hard boiled egg to fuel the swim, the off to the pool.
Today the pool seemed so clear and bright. Could be my new goggles and the fact that I remembered to anti-foggle them! The plan called for an 800 WU with choice every 4th 25. I just ticked right through it. Then 3x400 as swim-pull-swim. Ticked right through it. Not fast, not perfect, but straight through with no urge to stop. I did the pull as bilateral breathing!!! Maybe the most I've ever done steady!?
After yesterday's overwhelmed, monster-in-the-house (not the worst monster, but one of his minions) I took time this morning to stop, think, plan, and stay calm. It's soooo much better today. I'm calmer, controlled, not frenzied. The planned ELISA couldn't happen, that's OK. I was stuck in traffic for 30 mins on Kings and was late to work (after all the planning to NOT be), yet I'm cool. I didn't get breakfast until noon-thirty, I lived. I wasn't happy, but I lived :) I made it home to check the doggie over lunch, no problems. Now the last goal of the day is to get home in time to get the doggie to the vet!
SWIM 2500y in 58 mins, 4x400 s-p-s-p
Gorgeous cool morning, crisp like fall. And like the leaves, tickets were falling from the park rangers pads for a curfew violation! Luckily our group was spared the $25 fee. Can't keep buying donuts for birthdays (LC's 40th this weekend) if we lose $$ that way!
As always, I start out thinking I'll be "easy" and "slower". So much for that. LC ran with me on the rear pace group, amazing to think our rear group is doing 8:15's. So many times I thought I wanted to walk, to stop, to rest, but the urge was never strong enough to act on. Remember when sub 10 was a big deal? Then sub 9?
Off to the pool, doing my best to stick to schedule so I can get to work at a decent time. As in, before 10am. I took some time to eat part of an orange and hard boiled egg to fuel the swim, the off to the pool.
Today the pool seemed so clear and bright. Could be my new goggles and the fact that I remembered to anti-foggle them! The plan called for an 800 WU with choice every 4th 25. I just ticked right through it. Then 3x400 as swim-pull-swim. Ticked right through it. Not fast, not perfect, but straight through with no urge to stop. I did the pull as bilateral breathing!!! Maybe the most I've ever done steady!?
After yesterday's overwhelmed, monster-in-the-house (not the worst monster, but one of his minions) I took time this morning to stop, think, plan, and stay calm. It's soooo much better today. I'm calmer, controlled, not frenzied. The planned ELISA couldn't happen, that's OK. I was stuck in traffic for 30 mins on Kings and was late to work (after all the planning to NOT be), yet I'm cool. I didn't get breakfast until noon-thirty, I lived. I wasn't happy, but I lived :) I made it home to check the doggie over lunch, no problems. Now the last goal of the day is to get home in time to get the doggie to the vet!
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Messed up day, stressed, and overwhelmed feeling
BIKE 19-ish miles in about 80 mins, in pieces
SWIM not likely
What a day. I'm so out of sorts, a lot of it is my fault. So where to begin?
I'm up at 430am. Brekkie at 5am. Then by 630am brekkie'ing with DH. What was I doing in that time!? Blerching. Didn't sleep well because dog didn't sleep well. Her e-collar noise wakes me up. But at least she didn't need to go out at 1am like she did last night!
Then while walking the dog at 7am I get texting Mom, then just end up calling her. 1hr and 40 mins later (!!) (it was a great conversation, I needed and enjoyed it) it's 9am and I need to leave for work. What about my 80 min bike ride of 3x11 min intervals?! My 60 mins swim? I munch a weird meal under stress.
Adapt. Do what I can. I decide to take a long route to work to get some done, then while I'm home with the doggie over lunch take another long route. Get to work, eat part of a meal. A few hours later, part of another. Ride home. Triple-task with the dog -- her compress, I'm shoving food down my throat, and distracted with the internet. Blerching.
Done with that, a brief walkie with the dog. Still stressed. Another weird meal. Mange-mange-munch-munch. Long route back to work, same route as before with some extra and happily I hit my time goal. I did what I could, no intervals. But I did it.
Then back to work. I've worn my bike shorts and bra underneath some workout clothes all day. I really want a shower. I'm hungry again, because I don't know what I ate and what I ate was healthy by shoveled. My mind is in a tumble. This. That. Then more of this. I have 2 more days at my job, my dog is sick, I'm missing workouts, so much to get done, when will I do it? How will I do it?
On top of it all, the Monster has reared it's head this week. I'm so off schedule, so off kilter, so overwhelmed feeling. He loves that shit and takes advantage of it.
So how to get it all back?
Focus. Stop the tumbling.
What needs to be done high-priority? Well, not this blog! But here I am anyway.
Start with tonight. Go home. Tend the dog, prep some tea, take a shower, and just sit for awhile. Think about tomorrow's plans. Then have dinner, hopefully will be home. No internet, no computer, no distractions. I swear, the Blerch hides in a computer screen sometimes.
SWIM not likely
What a day. I'm so out of sorts, a lot of it is my fault. So where to begin?
I'm up at 430am. Brekkie at 5am. Then by 630am brekkie'ing with DH. What was I doing in that time!? Blerching. Didn't sleep well because dog didn't sleep well. Her e-collar noise wakes me up. But at least she didn't need to go out at 1am like she did last night!
Then while walking the dog at 7am I get texting Mom, then just end up calling her. 1hr and 40 mins later (!!) (it was a great conversation, I needed and enjoyed it) it's 9am and I need to leave for work. What about my 80 min bike ride of 3x11 min intervals?! My 60 mins swim? I munch a weird meal under stress.
Adapt. Do what I can. I decide to take a long route to work to get some done, then while I'm home with the doggie over lunch take another long route. Get to work, eat part of a meal. A few hours later, part of another. Ride home. Triple-task with the dog -- her compress, I'm shoving food down my throat, and distracted with the internet. Blerching.
Done with that, a brief walkie with the dog. Still stressed. Another weird meal. Mange-mange-munch-munch. Long route back to work, same route as before with some extra and happily I hit my time goal. I did what I could, no intervals. But I did it.
Then back to work. I've worn my bike shorts and bra underneath some workout clothes all day. I really want a shower. I'm hungry again, because I don't know what I ate and what I ate was healthy by shoveled. My mind is in a tumble. This. That. Then more of this. I have 2 more days at my job, my dog is sick, I'm missing workouts, so much to get done, when will I do it? How will I do it?
On top of it all, the Monster has reared it's head this week. I'm so off schedule, so off kilter, so overwhelmed feeling. He loves that shit and takes advantage of it.
So how to get it all back?
Focus. Stop the tumbling.
What needs to be done high-priority? Well, not this blog! But here I am anyway.
Start with tonight. Go home. Tend the dog, prep some tea, take a shower, and just sit for awhile. Think about tomorrow's plans. Then have dinner, hopefully will be home. No internet, no computer, no distractions. I swear, the Blerch hides in a computer screen sometimes.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Last run speedwork
RUN 7.2 miles in just under an hour, 6x800 (400)
BIKE 15 miles in just under an hour, that's it?!
COMMUTE 3 miles home
Got a later than usual start so the sun was up and in full shine by the time I reached the track. I loved how crisp and clear everything was today! The sky so blue and clear, the grass bright green, the track with sharp white lines, the air clear...wonderful.
I felt good too, tired but tall and light for some reason. The run goal was 800 at 85% and pushing the last 200 up a gear. I'm not sure I was really hitting 85%, probably could have gone a bit harder? But I didn't climb a higher gear for the last 200.
I came home and was HUNGRY, so I ate a bowl of strawberries and a chicken thigh. Note that this is NOT a great meal for a bike ride. Didn't cause problems, but it could have been more carby and cleaner burning.
I say that because I had little oomph and energy for the bike, as evidenced by the low mileage. I did loops in TGP. I'd like to blame the head wind...but in reality it was likely mostly on me.
BIKE 15 miles in just under an hour, that's it?!
COMMUTE 3 miles home
Got a later than usual start so the sun was up and in full shine by the time I reached the track. I loved how crisp and clear everything was today! The sky so blue and clear, the grass bright green, the track with sharp white lines, the air clear...wonderful.
I felt good too, tired but tall and light for some reason. The run goal was 800 at 85% and pushing the last 200 up a gear. I'm not sure I was really hitting 85%, probably could have gone a bit harder? But I didn't climb a higher gear for the last 200.
I came home and was HUNGRY, so I ate a bowl of strawberries and a chicken thigh. Note that this is NOT a great meal for a bike ride. Didn't cause problems, but it could have been more carby and cleaner burning.
I say that because I had little oomph and energy for the bike, as evidenced by the low mileage. I did loops in TGP. I'd like to blame the head wind...but in reality it was likely mostly on me.
Monday, August 11, 2014
My day as a SAHDM
SWIM 1hr and 2500y
For once I got all the yardage in from an Evolve swim. Usually I get a short WU because I'm slow getting into the water, and I miss laps because I swim slower than the rest of my lane. Only PT and DC in my lane today, with DC resting too, so I was able to finish my sets. Note that I didn't say I could keep up!
Next time I need to come already suited and ready so I can get that full WU done.
I had planned to take Friday off work, but in the end today was a day off to spend with the doggie. I was on campus for my first lab meeting with the new lab, but I'm not counting that as a day of work! It's hard to be at home all day, trying to be quiet and not getting things done, how do SAHM's do it?
I did get somethings done, like over-eating a lunch :) and making an egg roll recipe. But I can't count that as work!
For once I got all the yardage in from an Evolve swim. Usually I get a short WU because I'm slow getting into the water, and I miss laps because I swim slower than the rest of my lane. Only PT and DC in my lane today, with DC resting too, so I was able to finish my sets. Note that I didn't say I could keep up!
Next time I need to come already suited and ready so I can get that full WU done.
I had planned to take Friday off work, but in the end today was a day off to spend with the doggie. I was on campus for my first lab meeting with the new lab, but I'm not counting that as a day of work! It's hard to be at home all day, trying to be quiet and not getting things done, how do SAHM's do it?
I did get somethings done, like over-eating a lunch :) and making an egg roll recipe. But I can't count that as work!
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Supermoon, dog fight, and last long run
RUN 12.25 miles in 1:58
BIKE 16 miles in 1 hour, indoors!
Got a late start to the morning, I delayed so I could see DH leave for work. So I didn't start the run until 9am! By that time, I was feeling sluggish and unmotivated. I knew I wanted to run, but I didn't want to run.
After walking the dog and smacking my poor right upper hip into the greenway gate fence I took off, aiming for an easy-paced 'last long one'. Just get it done, was the real goal in the end.
I looped the MoBG and TGP, feeling better as the miles clicked by but never really feeling great. I need to get my health and nutrition fixed here real soon.
I stumbled twice on cracks in the sidewalk, the first one along Magnolia was a near wipe-out. I rarely do that! It told me just how mentally fuzzed I am. That's why I did the bike indoors, I just didn't trust myself in traffic. Not sure I could stay upright!
Happily my taper began the moment I took off the bike shoes. I really need the rest.
Unhappily, that evening the doggie got into a dog park fight and had to go to the vet. I was falling asleep on the floor of the exam room, yet another late night when just minutes before the fight I was telling DH that I need more sleep (I'm not sleeping through the nights the past week or two). Just what we needed, more to do, schedule disruptions, and the possibility that she won't be ready to board next week when we go to MiTi. How selfish of me though! I'm terribly relieved she's OK, it could have been so much worse.
And it's a Supermoon night! And since I wake up in the night I got to see it a few times.
BIKE 16 miles in 1 hour, indoors!
Got a late start to the morning, I delayed so I could see DH leave for work. So I didn't start the run until 9am! By that time, I was feeling sluggish and unmotivated. I knew I wanted to run, but I didn't want to run.
After walking the dog and smacking my poor right upper hip into the greenway gate fence I took off, aiming for an easy-paced 'last long one'. Just get it done, was the real goal in the end.
I looped the MoBG and TGP, feeling better as the miles clicked by but never really feeling great. I need to get my health and nutrition fixed here real soon.
I stumbled twice on cracks in the sidewalk, the first one along Magnolia was a near wipe-out. I rarely do that! It told me just how mentally fuzzed I am. That's why I did the bike indoors, I just didn't trust myself in traffic. Not sure I could stay upright!
Happily my taper began the moment I took off the bike shoes. I really need the rest.
Unhappily, that evening the doggie got into a dog park fight and had to go to the vet. I was falling asleep on the floor of the exam room, yet another late night when just minutes before the fight I was telling DH that I need more sleep (I'm not sleeping through the nights the past week or two). Just what we needed, more to do, schedule disruptions, and the possibility that she won't be ready to board next week when we go to MiTi. How selfish of me though! I'm terribly relieved she's OK, it could have been so much worse.
And it's a Supermoon night! And since I wake up in the night I got to see it a few times.
Saturday, August 9, 2014
The last long ride!
BIKE 4:20 and 72-some miles
IT and I had an option to ride St Chuck with some of the MiTi group, but neither of us were interested in the location or later 8am start time. And TH was at Nats, G...don't know what he was doing. So we headed over to Columbia where we ran into JP and JayM. They had a century planned, and I was happy to offer them a mod to our Freeburg route, and more happy that they joined us!
I started off not feeling good at all. Yesterday I ate a Lara bar and even though I ate half in the morning and half later in the day my stomach didn't take it well. And I probably ate too much for brekkie? When I'm tired I think eating more will help, when will I learn it doesn't? So I struggled, both mentally and physically. The mental bumps I had to talk myself through, the burp-ups of food I had to swallow. Ugh, tummy gas...
I struggled on hills, but my shifting to a lower gear and spinning kept me going. My leg strength isn't what it used to be but I'm adapting.
The ride also started out in a misty rainy fog that was quite pretty. Sunglasses came off for the first few hours! Wonderfully cool and pretty morning. And when JP and JM turned off on D Rd for their 100, and IT and I turned the other way for 75, I was HAPPY!
It seemed from the training plan that real meat of today was the brick run: 45 mins with the first 30 mins above expected race pace. IT had a 90 min run (!!) so we paced the first 25 mins together at sub 8:30's! Definitely sub race pace :) When I turned around I dropped to about 9:20-9:30 for the rest of the run.
I tested my new orthotics (FINALLY got those inserted) but they still aren't perfect. Not sure I can get them together before the race.
Everything felt good, I was mentally dull but had good enough energy the rest of the day to run errands with DH.
IT and I had an option to ride St Chuck with some of the MiTi group, but neither of us were interested in the location or later 8am start time. And TH was at Nats, G...don't know what he was doing. So we headed over to Columbia where we ran into JP and JayM. They had a century planned, and I was happy to offer them a mod to our Freeburg route, and more happy that they joined us!
I started off not feeling good at all. Yesterday I ate a Lara bar and even though I ate half in the morning and half later in the day my stomach didn't take it well. And I probably ate too much for brekkie? When I'm tired I think eating more will help, when will I learn it doesn't? So I struggled, both mentally and physically. The mental bumps I had to talk myself through, the burp-ups of food I had to swallow. Ugh, tummy gas...
I struggled on hills, but my shifting to a lower gear and spinning kept me going. My leg strength isn't what it used to be but I'm adapting.
The ride also started out in a misty rainy fog that was quite pretty. Sunglasses came off for the first few hours! Wonderfully cool and pretty morning. And when JP and JM turned off on D Rd for their 100, and IT and I turned the other way for 75, I was HAPPY!
It seemed from the training plan that real meat of today was the brick run: 45 mins with the first 30 mins above expected race pace. IT had a 90 min run (!!) so we paced the first 25 mins together at sub 8:30's! Definitely sub race pace :) When I turned around I dropped to about 9:20-9:30 for the rest of the run.
I tested my new orthotics (FINALLY got those inserted) but they still aren't perfect. Not sure I can get them together before the race.
Everything felt good, I was mentally dull but had good enough energy the rest of the day to run errands with DH.
Friday, August 8, 2014
Another super tired day
DAY OFF
COMMUTE I think I commuted...
Writing this a few days later. I was beyond tired so I skipped my swim. I just needed the time at work and the rest, so I could focus on the last long weekend. No excuses here, this was reasoned.
Had an aura today, the first in a long time! And had some pain in my right foot, along the side in front of the ankle. Felt it most when I clipped out of the bike (so I guess I did commute!) and when I rotated my ankle to stretch it.
Horribly fuzzy, but moving and awake. And my weight is down more, hopefully just from dehydration that started yesterday.
COMMUTE I think I commuted...
Writing this a few days later. I was beyond tired so I skipped my swim. I just needed the time at work and the rest, so I could focus on the last long weekend. No excuses here, this was reasoned.
Had an aura today, the first in a long time! And had some pain in my right foot, along the side in front of the ankle. Felt it most when I clipped out of the bike (so I guess I did commute!) and when I rotated my ankle to stretch it.
Horribly fuzzy, but moving and awake. And my weight is down more, hopefully just from dehydration that started yesterday.
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Super tired 10 miler
RUN 10 miles in 1:29, first loop with group in 56 mins or 8:38
Thankfully I didn't do the OWS last night (combination of bad weather and didn't-feel-like-it) because I would have been all the more tired today!
More rain this morning, I'd hoped it would rain during the run but only a few drops towards the end. Of course, I get done and it starts to rain! And lightning, so no swimmy for me this morning. Which was a good thing, because I don't think I had the energy to swim!
It was hard enough to push the last 3.4 miles out, even with Devin's Birthday Smoothie after the first loop. All morning I didn't have any zip or "go", but I managed the run. It took some energy to get the negative scripting out of my head, changing "Oh I'm so tired" into "You've got this, you're running, you're not tired you're just looking to stop". Mostly mental, or so I thought.
Once done, I was cooked. I don't think I should have even been driving! I went home to see DH, walk the doggie with him in the rain, then rode with him back to work. I really didn't have the energy to drive into work. I was woozy, tired, fuzzed, weak, not thinking. What happened?!
I didn't eat a lot of carbs at dinner last night. I'm dehydrated? I had my usual sweet potato and egg for early brekkie, then took half a powerbar just before the run. After the run a bowl of fresh fruit. And after brekkie another banana to see if that helped. Not really. Wow, I need to rest!
I did get to feeling better as the day continued, but time in the mouse house further dehydrated me and I'm slouched at my desk without much motivation to walk to the car.
Thankfully I didn't do the OWS last night (combination of bad weather and didn't-feel-like-it) because I would have been all the more tired today!
More rain this morning, I'd hoped it would rain during the run but only a few drops towards the end. Of course, I get done and it starts to rain! And lightning, so no swimmy for me this morning. Which was a good thing, because I don't think I had the energy to swim!
It was hard enough to push the last 3.4 miles out, even with Devin's Birthday Smoothie after the first loop. All morning I didn't have any zip or "go", but I managed the run. It took some energy to get the negative scripting out of my head, changing "Oh I'm so tired" into "You've got this, you're running, you're not tired you're just looking to stop". Mostly mental, or so I thought.
Once done, I was cooked. I don't think I should have even been driving! I went home to see DH, walk the doggie with him in the rain, then rode with him back to work. I really didn't have the energy to drive into work. I was woozy, tired, fuzzed, weak, not thinking. What happened?!
I didn't eat a lot of carbs at dinner last night. I'm dehydrated? I had my usual sweet potato and egg for early brekkie, then took half a powerbar just before the run. After the run a bowl of fresh fruit. And after brekkie another banana to see if that helped. Not really. Wow, I need to rest!
I did get to feeling better as the day continued, but time in the mouse house further dehydrated me and I'm slouched at my desk without much motivation to walk to the car.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Maybe more rain today?
BIKE 16 miles in just under an hour, 6x [4 mins HARD, 1:15 rest]
SWIM 2400 yards in just under an hour, 2x [300-200-100]
COMMUTE 6.5 miles from Y to work to home
OWS or rain? RAINED!
I let myself sleep in until 5:15 to gain a little back from that lost last night. Then spent until 6am packing lunch and prepping my preWO meal. All in my effort to sit and enjoy food. It takes a lot of time, no wonder the habit doesn't stick.
The bike was almost a trainer ride, but it was too nice outside. I headed to TGP and found a great 4 min loop, my MapMyRide guess is about 1.4 miles long, starts near Grand and goes to my "2 mile" turn-around at the pavilion, then back down the center road towards Grand. I finish with enough distance to recover then go around again. No cars for the most part, a nice little 'track' workout kinda. I am still low on energy, but was able to push good efforts today. Not speedy like I want though, still don't have that.
Rode the to gym, got my swim done. With a chance of rain tonight and a possibility of missing the OWS for storms, I wanted to be sure I got a quality swim done. I didn't get into the water until 8:40! How does time fly so fast?! Swim was OK, not speed like I wanted. And the speed in the 100's I had a month or so ago is gone, just haven't found it again. Too tired? I lost some magic somewhere! I was doing today's intervals in about 1 min/50y.
I keep thinking of things I want to remember from this season.
--In my TGP rides, I pass a woman with a wonderful patchouli type scent. I'd like to stop and ask her what it is, but wouldn't that be weird for her!? Every time a bike goes by she'd wonder if it's that person who likes how she smells!?
--I haven't worn my wedding rings in a few weeks now. They don't fit and I'm worried I'll lose them in the OWS or they'll peel off with my bike gloves.
--No facial tics this season, and few phantom pains. I do get pains, but I don't think they stem from my mind messing with me.
--How pretty everything is, and how heightened my senses seem. I'm noticing things from everyday life that I'm happy to experience. I realize that if blind or deaf or without other senses I'd miss out on enjoying them. Simple things usually, but I'm taking the time to take note.
SWIM 2400 yards in just under an hour, 2x [300-200-100]
COMMUTE 6.5 miles from Y to work to home
OWS or rain? RAINED!
I let myself sleep in until 5:15 to gain a little back from that lost last night. Then spent until 6am packing lunch and prepping my preWO meal. All in my effort to sit and enjoy food. It takes a lot of time, no wonder the habit doesn't stick.
The bike was almost a trainer ride, but it was too nice outside. I headed to TGP and found a great 4 min loop, my MapMyRide guess is about 1.4 miles long, starts near Grand and goes to my "2 mile" turn-around at the pavilion, then back down the center road towards Grand. I finish with enough distance to recover then go around again. No cars for the most part, a nice little 'track' workout kinda. I am still low on energy, but was able to push good efforts today. Not speedy like I want though, still don't have that.
Rode the to gym, got my swim done. With a chance of rain tonight and a possibility of missing the OWS for storms, I wanted to be sure I got a quality swim done. I didn't get into the water until 8:40! How does time fly so fast?! Swim was OK, not speed like I wanted. And the speed in the 100's I had a month or so ago is gone, just haven't found it again. Too tired? I lost some magic somewhere! I was doing today's intervals in about 1 min/50y.
I keep thinking of things I want to remember from this season.
--In my TGP rides, I pass a woman with a wonderful patchouli type scent. I'd like to stop and ask her what it is, but wouldn't that be weird for her!? Every time a bike goes by she'd wonder if it's that person who likes how she smells!?
--I haven't worn my wedding rings in a few weeks now. They don't fit and I'm worried I'll lose them in the OWS or they'll peel off with my bike gloves.
--No facial tics this season, and few phantom pains. I do get pains, but I don't think they stem from my mind messing with me.
--How pretty everything is, and how heightened my senses seem. I'm noticing things from everyday life that I'm happy to experience. I realize that if blind or deaf or without other senses I'd miss out on enjoying them. Simple things usually, but I'm taking the time to take note.
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Rained out track run, turned into evening track run
BIKE 24 miles in 90 mins, around FoPa
COMMUTE 3 miles home
RUN 7.2 miles in just under an hour, 4x1600's
I woke up and while still in the dark thought I saw a flash of lightning. Nah, it's just me waking up still. Nope -- It was a storm rolling in! I didn't see this in the forecast so it was a surprise. We need the rain so I can't complain...it'll stop raining by the time it's time to leave for the track, right? Nope -- still raining. Nuts.
This messed up my morning. I woke up to my usual sweet potato egg brekkie, then waited, then got hungry. I ate a small brekkie, walked the dog, and decided to get what I could in of a ride then run later in the day.
So my energy wasn't great for the ride, whether it was because I'm just tired or because my nutrition was slightly off...can't say. The plan called for 2x 30 min at 75%, but I just did a pushed ride the entire time. Too many traffic stops to really get a solid 30 mins in. The ride felt good, but not zippy.
Then work...ah work sucks right now...I kept looking for a chance to leave for a run but I had lots I wanted to get done. So I didn't get to the track until 7pm! I rode home, walked the doggie with DH, he left for trivia, and after a Hammer Chocolate flavored banana I left the house. Heavy legs, little energy, setting sun, and worst of all a doubtful mind. I didn't think I'd be able to get all 4 repeats in. I kept finding Excuses about it getting dark, needing to get to bed, and the like. But like DH reminded me in the walk, once I get going I feel fine.
And I did! The track was busy with a soccer game, walkers, and runners. Even someone riding a small bike around on the track. It was odd to see the sun in the opposite sky as usual, setting behind the Uni buildings instead of rising behind downtown. The air was thick, warm, and humid, lots of bugs too. When I started out, I didn't' think I'd get all 4 repeats done, I was thinking 2 maybe 3. But as I got warmed up, 3 became the plan.
Then in the 3rd interval, I decided that if I did the 4th, I could have extra sweet potato when I got home! So of course I did the 4th. My times slowed as the intervals wore on, but I'm happy with them. They ranged from 7:20-7:30 or so.
I didn't get to bed until almost 10pm, but it was a relaxing night. I'm making the extra effort to stop and enjoy my meals. On a plate, at a table, with silverware. Not my usual munch-munch at the kitchen counter. It felt good to sit and chill for awhile. This is a good goal :)
COMMUTE 3 miles home
RUN 7.2 miles in just under an hour, 4x1600's
I woke up and while still in the dark thought I saw a flash of lightning. Nah, it's just me waking up still. Nope -- It was a storm rolling in! I didn't see this in the forecast so it was a surprise. We need the rain so I can't complain...it'll stop raining by the time it's time to leave for the track, right? Nope -- still raining. Nuts.
This messed up my morning. I woke up to my usual sweet potato egg brekkie, then waited, then got hungry. I ate a small brekkie, walked the dog, and decided to get what I could in of a ride then run later in the day.
So my energy wasn't great for the ride, whether it was because I'm just tired or because my nutrition was slightly off...can't say. The plan called for 2x 30 min at 75%, but I just did a pushed ride the entire time. Too many traffic stops to really get a solid 30 mins in. The ride felt good, but not zippy.
Then work...ah work sucks right now...I kept looking for a chance to leave for a run but I had lots I wanted to get done. So I didn't get to the track until 7pm! I rode home, walked the doggie with DH, he left for trivia, and after a Hammer Chocolate flavored banana I left the house. Heavy legs, little energy, setting sun, and worst of all a doubtful mind. I didn't think I'd be able to get all 4 repeats in. I kept finding Excuses about it getting dark, needing to get to bed, and the like. But like DH reminded me in the walk, once I get going I feel fine.
And I did! The track was busy with a soccer game, walkers, and runners. Even someone riding a small bike around on the track. It was odd to see the sun in the opposite sky as usual, setting behind the Uni buildings instead of rising behind downtown. The air was thick, warm, and humid, lots of bugs too. When I started out, I didn't' think I'd get all 4 repeats done, I was thinking 2 maybe 3. But as I got warmed up, 3 became the plan.
Then in the 3rd interval, I decided that if I did the 4th, I could have extra sweet potato when I got home! So of course I did the 4th. My times slowed as the intervals wore on, but I'm happy with them. They ranged from 7:20-7:30 or so.
I didn't get to bed until almost 10pm, but it was a relaxing night. I'm making the extra effort to stop and enjoy my meals. On a plate, at a table, with silverware. Not my usual munch-munch at the kitchen counter. It felt good to sit and chill for awhile. This is a good goal :)
Monday, August 4, 2014
Ooof I'm feeling the long swim
SWIM 2000y in about 50-55 mins, 500y sets
COMMUTE 6 miles
When I finished the swim yesterday, I was amazed that I didn't feel any after effects. No pain (aside from some chafing under left arm), no fatigue, like it never happened. But waking up this morning, I felt it. Tired back and neck! And I'm off to swim again!
The Evolve group was small today, and we did 500 swim, 500 sighting, 500 pull, 500 swim. There was supposed to be a 500 of fast/easy but I skipped it. SM and I talked about my sighting, I could work on not lifting my head so high to see if my hips stay higher, especially without the wetsuit on.
The swim felt great, in my head I was fast but I still couldn't keep up with TH. I tried my new goggles, not great as they leak a little bit and drag when I push off the wall. More shopping, cuz I probably need new smoked goggles for the races.
I had a Blerchy breakfast, ate too much and surfed the web...and later on decided I needed to get a handle on time management. During a mouse infection that I supervised, I created a list of 12 Whole30 type goals and 60+ to-do's around the house, along with about 10 errands and 20 to-do's for work. YIKES!
This morning I thought I might run to/from work to "make up" my run miles, but too tired. Besides, it doesn't work that way. This is taper, not ultra running.
COMMUTE 6 miles
When I finished the swim yesterday, I was amazed that I didn't feel any after effects. No pain (aside from some chafing under left arm), no fatigue, like it never happened. But waking up this morning, I felt it. Tired back and neck! And I'm off to swim again!
The Evolve group was small today, and we did 500 swim, 500 sighting, 500 pull, 500 swim. There was supposed to be a 500 of fast/easy but I skipped it. SM and I talked about my sighting, I could work on not lifting my head so high to see if my hips stay higher, especially without the wetsuit on.
The swim felt great, in my head I was fast but I still couldn't keep up with TH. I tried my new goggles, not great as they leak a little bit and drag when I push off the wall. More shopping, cuz I probably need new smoked goggles for the races.
I had a Blerchy breakfast, ate too much and surfed the web...and later on decided I needed to get a handle on time management. During a mouse infection that I supervised, I created a list of 12 Whole30 type goals and 60+ to-do's around the house, along with about 10 errands and 20 to-do's for work. YIKES!
This morning I thought I might run to/from work to "make up" my run miles, but too tired. Besides, it doesn't work that way. This is taper, not ultra running.
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Confidence building OWS in Innsbrook
SWIM 2.4 miles in about 90 mins at Innsbrook
RUN 3 miles in 28 mins, evening run to Lafayette
DC and I went to Innsbrook for an OWS practice with the Evolve group. It's a long drive for a swim, but soooo worth it when it works out! I was feeling good and ready to go, no nerves or fatigue. I tried my new sleeveless suit again to see if I could make changes to how it hits my neck -- could I avoid the choking feeling and the post swim pain? I needed to find out.
My original plan was to swim the first 1.2 mile loop with the suit, then go back out without the suit for a part of the loop. I did the first out in 20 mins, (kicked a branch or something with my right shin at the turn around!), then back in 20 mins. I was feeling damned good. Smooth, steady, straight, I'd find a rhythm and settle in. I was sometimes a little cold (PanZ!) in the shaded sections, but otherwise perfect. My mind didn't so much wander like it can in a bike or run, but I was able to forget about swimming a little.
Once finished with the 1st, I decided to go back out again and see if I could hold the pace. We're pretty certain MiTi will be wetsuit legal...right? So I went out after a 3 min break and after re-adjusting the suit again. Felt great, I LOVED seeing the water slide by my field of vision when I turned to breath! Trees and docks sailed past! Out in a little over 20 mins, then back smooth and steady again in a little over 20.
AWESOME! And NO PAIN or discomfort from the suit.
Now the run. The training plan said 1:45. I had a long list of errands and to-do's, ranging from BRR (bought a new hand-held bottle to test today for MiTi) to washing the truck, so I didn't get home until 2pm. I was hungry, thirsty, and needed to pee! I decided to run at 3pm and got busy prepping foods for the week. 3pm goes by, I decide on 4pm. It's 90+F outside so that's not very motivating. Delay, busywork, etc until 6pm when I finally got a break and knew DH would be home in an hour. There's no way I'd get my 1:45, so I'll get what I can -- 30 mins to LP park and back. It felt easy and quick, refreshing. My new hand-held water bottle seems to work, I'll get a few more runs in it before deciding. And I need to decide how to carry my run nutrition at MiTi?
NUMERICS 17.5 total hours
SWIM 14224 yards in 5.5 hours
BIKE 146 miles in 8:53 hours
RUN 21.25 miles in 3:08 hours
COMMUTE 25.5 miles biking
The swim is high because I moved last weekends post-triple-brick swim to Monday and because of the extra Weds OWS. The run is low and this bothers me! But I'm a good runner I'll be OK.
RUN 3 miles in 28 mins, evening run to Lafayette
DC and I went to Innsbrook for an OWS practice with the Evolve group. It's a long drive for a swim, but soooo worth it when it works out! I was feeling good and ready to go, no nerves or fatigue. I tried my new sleeveless suit again to see if I could make changes to how it hits my neck -- could I avoid the choking feeling and the post swim pain? I needed to find out.
My original plan was to swim the first 1.2 mile loop with the suit, then go back out without the suit for a part of the loop. I did the first out in 20 mins, (kicked a branch or something with my right shin at the turn around!), then back in 20 mins. I was feeling damned good. Smooth, steady, straight, I'd find a rhythm and settle in. I was sometimes a little cold (PanZ!) in the shaded sections, but otherwise perfect. My mind didn't so much wander like it can in a bike or run, but I was able to forget about swimming a little.
Once finished with the 1st, I decided to go back out again and see if I could hold the pace. We're pretty certain MiTi will be wetsuit legal...right? So I went out after a 3 min break and after re-adjusting the suit again. Felt great, I LOVED seeing the water slide by my field of vision when I turned to breath! Trees and docks sailed past! Out in a little over 20 mins, then back smooth and steady again in a little over 20.
AWESOME! And NO PAIN or discomfort from the suit.
Now the run. The training plan said 1:45. I had a long list of errands and to-do's, ranging from BRR (bought a new hand-held bottle to test today for MiTi) to washing the truck, so I didn't get home until 2pm. I was hungry, thirsty, and needed to pee! I decided to run at 3pm and got busy prepping foods for the week. 3pm goes by, I decide on 4pm. It's 90+F outside so that's not very motivating. Delay, busywork, etc until 6pm when I finally got a break and knew DH would be home in an hour. There's no way I'd get my 1:45, so I'll get what I can -- 30 mins to LP park and back. It felt easy and quick, refreshing. My new hand-held water bottle seems to work, I'll get a few more runs in it before deciding. And I need to decide how to carry my run nutrition at MiTi?
NUMERICS 17.5 total hours
SWIM 14224 yards in 5.5 hours
BIKE 146 miles in 8:53 hours
RUN 21.25 miles in 3:08 hours
COMMUTE 25.5 miles biking
The swim is high because I moved last weekends post-triple-brick swim to Monday and because of the extra Weds OWS. The run is low and this bothers me! But I'm a good runner I'll be OK.
Saturday, August 2, 2014
The last long ride. 6 is so much better than 7!
BIKE 6 hrs and about 10 minutes, 102 miles. Ave 16.6 mph.
TH, G, and I were out for out last long ride. LC and IT joined for a shorter loop. We took a new route south of out Columbia to Maeystown. Some roads familiar and some new. The route started on hills, switched to a 'dirt road', then to a nice 'big ringable' highway, and then back on the flats. Each loop was 51 miles.
The first loop went great, and we ran into TT and JZ on the way back. They stayed separate from us for now, but we met up again later. Fought some headwind on the flats, then back home in about 3:04. We didn't talk much at all, everyone was quiet and tired and intimidated by the 7 hrs a little bit. As in, do we really need this?
I had doubts on whether I should do the second loop, in part or in full. When I woke up this morning, I was already at 9.5 hours of training, the weekly goal was 15.5. We'd already decided on 2 loops over 7 hours, so 9.5 + 6 =15.5! And I had an OWS and run tomorrow yet! When we set out, it was me, TH, and TT in a group and I figured I'd ride to the two split points and decide if I would keep going or turn short.
My goals for the ride were to nail nutrition, not hurt my feet, and stay steady without fading. So as we set off into the next loop, I kept drilling those reminders. My butt was hurting, normally doesn't do that but it seemed like a seam in the shorts. Or maybe the lack of pain elsewhere to distract me? I was fueling every 30 mins and this was perfect. I kept my feet good by not mashing the hills and picking a lighter gear. TH was spinning at a higher cadence and seeing her reminded me to keep doing that. BTW - her cycling has improved awesomely! :) I'm happy for her!!
We passed one turn off point, didn't want to cut short. Passed the 2nd turn off point, and cutting short barely crossed my mind. I decided that while I didn't need the time in the saddle, I needed the confidence build of a solid long ride with accomplished goals. At 80 miles, while waiting for riders to catch up, I noted that I was feeling pretty damned good for being 80 miles in. Yay!
As TH and I came into the parking lot at 102 miles, we noted that we were on track for nailing the 2nd loop in steady time. TH had some extra miles from going back to look for TT and NK, so she got her bonus miles.
I didn't do the brick run, I figured I was feeling good and why ruin it :) Besides, I had a long day tomorrow too. This was my strongest long ride yet this year, I only wish the average speed was faster.
TH, G, and I were out for out last long ride. LC and IT joined for a shorter loop. We took a new route south of out Columbia to Maeystown. Some roads familiar and some new. The route started on hills, switched to a 'dirt road', then to a nice 'big ringable' highway, and then back on the flats. Each loop was 51 miles.
The first loop went great, and we ran into TT and JZ on the way back. They stayed separate from us for now, but we met up again later. Fought some headwind on the flats, then back home in about 3:04. We didn't talk much at all, everyone was quiet and tired and intimidated by the 7 hrs a little bit. As in, do we really need this?
I had doubts on whether I should do the second loop, in part or in full. When I woke up this morning, I was already at 9.5 hours of training, the weekly goal was 15.5. We'd already decided on 2 loops over 7 hours, so 9.5 + 6 =15.5! And I had an OWS and run tomorrow yet! When we set out, it was me, TH, and TT in a group and I figured I'd ride to the two split points and decide if I would keep going or turn short.
My goals for the ride were to nail nutrition, not hurt my feet, and stay steady without fading. So as we set off into the next loop, I kept drilling those reminders. My butt was hurting, normally doesn't do that but it seemed like a seam in the shorts. Or maybe the lack of pain elsewhere to distract me? I was fueling every 30 mins and this was perfect. I kept my feet good by not mashing the hills and picking a lighter gear. TH was spinning at a higher cadence and seeing her reminded me to keep doing that. BTW - her cycling has improved awesomely! :) I'm happy for her!!
We passed one turn off point, didn't want to cut short. Passed the 2nd turn off point, and cutting short barely crossed my mind. I decided that while I didn't need the time in the saddle, I needed the confidence build of a solid long ride with accomplished goals. At 80 miles, while waiting for riders to catch up, I noted that I was feeling pretty damned good for being 80 miles in. Yay!
As TH and I came into the parking lot at 102 miles, we noted that we were on track for nailing the 2nd loop in steady time. TH had some extra miles from going back to look for TT and NK, so she got her bonus miles.
I didn't do the brick run, I figured I was feeling good and why ruin it :) Besides, I had a long day tomorrow too. This was my strongest long ride yet this year, I only wish the average speed was faster.
Friday, August 1, 2014
Rest day before the last long ride
COMMUTE 6 miles
Took the day off to rest for tomorrow's long ride -- the last one!
I needed the day, I'm bumbly and easily fatigued. I spent the day celebrating internally because I thought it was my last Friday at this current job. At the end of the day, I realized I was wrong and had another week. But I felt great by the end of the day, enough to smile as I rode home in light rain.
It's August! OMG! The 'days remaining' will be easy to calculate from here on out.
Took the day off to rest for tomorrow's long ride -- the last one!
I needed the day, I'm bumbly and easily fatigued. I spent the day celebrating internally because I thought it was my last Friday at this current job. At the end of the day, I realized I was wrong and had another week. But I felt great by the end of the day, enough to smile as I rode home in light rain.
It's August! OMG! The 'days remaining' will be easy to calculate from here on out.
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