BIKE 62 mins and 19 miles, 6x (4' hard;1' rest)
SWIM ??
COMMUTE 6 miles saw "Redline" from BigS again :)
This morning I woke up to the lunar eclipse, which I learned was a "rare selenelion" event in which the rising sun and setting moon are visible due to atmospheric refraction. When I awoke at 430, the eclipse had already started.
When I started on the bike, I could see the partially eclipsed moon through the patio doors. As time passed, the sun started rising and the moon set below some trees and I lost sight. But cool that I could enjoy both sun and moon for a few moments today :)
Not sure I'll get to my swim, I forgot to pack my swim gear in my commute bag. Which means I'll have to get myself swimming after I get home from work. How likely is that? Not likely. It'll be 630pm+ by the time I walk the doggie, then I'll be hungry and tired and waiting for DH to come home. So we'll see.
Feeling better today, more rested and clearer headed. Craving salt like crazy though! And finally my calves are feeling better, the pain is just barely registering. Finally.
Had an aura around noon, not sure why.
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Woke up to rain...
BIKE 30 miles in 1:42, 2x30 mins 75%
RUN 6 miles in :54 (ave 9m/m) in the afternoon
COMMUTE 6 miles
Woke up to thunderstorms and heavy rain :)
While getting water for the coffee, I saw the moon appear from behind the clouds. It's nearly full, and had a beautiful silver glow :)
It was a warm fall day by the afternoon run, didn't need a t-shirt :)
So many things to appreciate, and I'm focusing on them.
The bike was indoors, I set the goal of 18 mph for each interval and hit 9.25 and 9.1-ish in the two intervals. I was going to run right afterwards, but the arrival of landscapers, a lack of energy, and some Blerchy feelings about running in the 'cold' 55-60F weather got me to reschedule the run for the afternoon.
I'm low on energy, sorta unfocused, worried that my weight is getting too low, wondering if the lack of recovery in this taper period is going to be a problem, wondering why I'm not recovering, wondering about dialing back the hours, eating enough, etc etc etc
So I'm focusing on that too.
Moving the run to the afternoon worked out good, but a few issues. I didn't eat lunch until afterwards (3:30!). I didn't drink too much beforehand so I didn't have slosh-gut, but since I didn't have a solid time to run this just drug out to me not drinking much at all during the morning. And I was anxious about getting the run done, so I never really settled into anything at work. On bonus though was that I was a little more forceful about getting things done so I could just get running!
But once running my mind started up too. I fought the urge to look at the garmin (seeing 1.19 miles when I thought it should say 2 was crushing...), I kept winding my adrenaline and stomach up thinking about things, and I just wanted to be done.
At the same time, I was running a good pace (much better than it felt!), I reminded myself that I could do this all day long if needed, and that outbound headwind-turned inbound tailwind felt awesome.
I focused on riding the wind in.
Felt sooooo much better afterwards! But I know it can be fleeting.
RUN 6 miles in :54 (ave 9m/m) in the afternoon
COMMUTE 6 miles
Woke up to thunderstorms and heavy rain :)
While getting water for the coffee, I saw the moon appear from behind the clouds. It's nearly full, and had a beautiful silver glow :)
It was a warm fall day by the afternoon run, didn't need a t-shirt :)
So many things to appreciate, and I'm focusing on them.
The bike was indoors, I set the goal of 18 mph for each interval and hit 9.25 and 9.1-ish in the two intervals. I was going to run right afterwards, but the arrival of landscapers, a lack of energy, and some Blerchy feelings about running in the 'cold' 55-60F weather got me to reschedule the run for the afternoon.
I'm low on energy, sorta unfocused, worried that my weight is getting too low, wondering if the lack of recovery in this taper period is going to be a problem, wondering why I'm not recovering, wondering about dialing back the hours, eating enough, etc etc etc
So I'm focusing on that too.
Moving the run to the afternoon worked out good, but a few issues. I didn't eat lunch until afterwards (3:30!). I didn't drink too much beforehand so I didn't have slosh-gut, but since I didn't have a solid time to run this just drug out to me not drinking much at all during the morning. And I was anxious about getting the run done, so I never really settled into anything at work. On bonus though was that I was a little more forceful about getting things done so I could just get running!
But once running my mind started up too. I fought the urge to look at the garmin (seeing 1.19 miles when I thought it should say 2 was crushing...), I kept winding my adrenaline and stomach up thinking about things, and I just wanted to be done.
At the same time, I was running a good pace (much better than it felt!), I reminded myself that I could do this all day long if needed, and that outbound headwind-turned inbound tailwind felt awesome.
I focused on riding the wind in.
Felt sooooo much better afterwards! But I know it can be fleeting.
Monday, October 6, 2014
Taper week #2 begins
SWIM Evolve 50 mins and 2000 yards. 500's four ways.
COMMUTE 6 miles
Only 4 swimmers today, and only 4 500's to swim. I'm unmotivated but I'm functioning. I think that's a good thing to focus on, that even if my mind isn't into the moment my body knows what to do and can get it done. I just need to think like that for another 18 days...
CB was my lane partner today, I was happy to be able to keep up with her on at least a few sets. I managed my 100's on about 1:55 to 1:57 without sprinting.
And my calves STILL hurt!? I can feel them just touching the muscles, wow!!
I'm tired. Feeling weak. Not sure what's going on, but I'm upping my nutrition even more to see if that helps. I'm sleeping OK, but I'm mentally drained.
COMMUTE 6 miles
Only 4 swimmers today, and only 4 500's to swim. I'm unmotivated but I'm functioning. I think that's a good thing to focus on, that even if my mind isn't into the moment my body knows what to do and can get it done. I just need to think like that for another 18 days...
CB was my lane partner today, I was happy to be able to keep up with her on at least a few sets. I managed my 100's on about 1:55 to 1:57 without sprinting.
And my calves STILL hurt!? I can feel them just touching the muscles, wow!!
I'm tired. Feeling weak. Not sure what's going on, but I'm upping my nutrition even more to see if that helps. I'm sleeping OK, but I'm mentally drained.
Sunday, October 5, 2014
No Triple Brick for me. Today anyway.
BIKE 3hrs and 56 miles. Indoors.
RUN 38 mins and 4 miles, late afternoon.
Yesterday was cold and windy, so I'd schedule the Triple Brick for the warmer of the weekend days. That was supposed to be today! But it was still cool outside, and another test of pumpkin at last night's dinner gave me more EXCUSES to not to the workout today. And to my surprise, my calves still hurt from cramping in the swim?! What kind of damage was done?
Given all my excuses and Blerchy-ness, I didn't want to drive anywhere for a workout I might not do. So I planned to stage from home, knowing this could set me up for failure. I also knew there'd be a possibility of starting the ride indoors before it warmed up enough to get outside.
That's how it started, the plan was a 35+25+15 bike and a 4+4+4 run (or maybe a 6+5+4). But my calves were getting worse in the ride, my motivation was suffering, and my stomach was still threatening problems. I could do this, I could do that, I kept throwing out ideas to find something to keep me going. In the end, I worried that I could run at all, between the calves and tummy. So I stopped with 3hrs and 56 miles, not feeling good or energetic.
Cleaned the house, walked the dog, tried not to Blerch more. By the time the afternoon rolled around, I wasn't feeling particularly better but I wasn't feeling bad either. I think I wanted the run more than I didn't want it. Just do 4 miles, I thought. That sounded good, out the door for what might be the last shorts and t-shirt run this year!
In the end the run didn't run my calves, my stomach didn't suffer, and I felt better afterwards. Still unfocused, no energy, and mentally flat. Starting to suck, here.
NUMERICS 12:11 for the week
SWIM 8350y in 3:17
BIKE 108 miles in 6:00
RUN 20.1 miles in 2:54
Some COMMUTE days, maybe 3.
So I suffered a bit on the running end. I'm a good runner, I'm not worried about that. Just worried about everything else.
RUN 38 mins and 4 miles, late afternoon.
Yesterday was cold and windy, so I'd schedule the Triple Brick for the warmer of the weekend days. That was supposed to be today! But it was still cool outside, and another test of pumpkin at last night's dinner gave me more EXCUSES to not to the workout today. And to my surprise, my calves still hurt from cramping in the swim?! What kind of damage was done?
Given all my excuses and Blerchy-ness, I didn't want to drive anywhere for a workout I might not do. So I planned to stage from home, knowing this could set me up for failure. I also knew there'd be a possibility of starting the ride indoors before it warmed up enough to get outside.
That's how it started, the plan was a 35+25+15 bike and a 4+4+4 run (or maybe a 6+5+4). But my calves were getting worse in the ride, my motivation was suffering, and my stomach was still threatening problems. I could do this, I could do that, I kept throwing out ideas to find something to keep me going. In the end, I worried that I could run at all, between the calves and tummy. So I stopped with 3hrs and 56 miles, not feeling good or energetic.
Cleaned the house, walked the dog, tried not to Blerch more. By the time the afternoon rolled around, I wasn't feeling particularly better but I wasn't feeling bad either. I think I wanted the run more than I didn't want it. Just do 4 miles, I thought. That sounded good, out the door for what might be the last shorts and t-shirt run this year!
In the end the run didn't run my calves, my stomach didn't suffer, and I felt better afterwards. Still unfocused, no energy, and mentally flat. Starting to suck, here.
NUMERICS 12:11 for the week
SWIM 8350y in 3:17
BIKE 108 miles in 6:00
RUN 20.1 miles in 2:54
Some COMMUTE days, maybe 3.
So I suffered a bit on the running end. I'm a good runner, I'm not worried about that. Just worried about everything else.
Saturday, October 4, 2014
The truly crazy LOCO swim
SWIM 2:00 and 5150 yards, broken into am and pm!
Blame it all on the pumpkin. I tried re-introducing pumpkin last night, only half a cup, but it didn't go well. I can also blame the fact that DH is out of town and I got a lonely Blerch mentality. Then blame the dog, then ... haha, so many EXCUSES!
I got to the pool around 9am with the plan of doing a 5K swim. All was going great, the pool was crazy busy with kids and bobbers everywhere. Only one lap lane, but only at the most 3 of us sharing it. When I started I was sharing with a woman who would swim the deep end then run the shallow. Not sure about that, but whatever.
All great until the 2nd 500 coming back down the loco. I pushed off the wall for lap 59.5 and CRAMP! OUCH! A left calf cramp even though I was pulling. I reached the wall to end the 500 and the cramps continued, now including the right calf, the right foot, OUCH!! More stretching just meant more cramps.
I've cramped before in long swims, and in races, so I knew I had to keep going. The next set was a 100 choice. I made it through that with more cramps, every push, stretch, or stand induced it. The next set was a 300, I can do this even if I have to PULL the entire damned thing!
The first 300 was a H-M-S set and partway in (I think in the last half of the H 100) the lifeguard signaled to get out. Someone had puked in the pool! NOW WHAT?! I decided to run my errand to work then return to finish the set. The lap counter said 65 laps. Since I came out of the pool at the shallow end, I was really at 65.5.
Went to work, to the first grocery stop, had a lunch of an orange, some olives, and some feta and ricotta cheeses. Not the best, but it would work. Back to the Y. I almost missed the sign on the door about the pool being CLOSED because no lifeguard. Ugh. I figure I'll run a few more errands, then call the Y to check the status, as the sign didn't indicate if this was for the day or for the next few hours.
Two more grocery errands, then I call. The pool is closed for the day. By now it's almost 2pm, plenty of time to run to the SoCo YMCA and what luck I'm already on Grand Ave. I boogie on down there, fuzzbrained and tired now planning to finish a 103 lap 5150 session. Heck, why not a 6K with that mid-break recovery time. Yeah, right.
I'd debated starting at the shallow end of the pool to keep the count even, but didn't do it. I was swimming crooked, sloppy, and unfocused. At one point I heard a woman yelling at someone, turns out it's not a problem but rather her way of teaching some kids how to swim. What?! I keep going, eager to finish as I'd promised myself some time in the hot tub once done. Funny thing is, once done my counter said 40 laps?! Not 3.4.5+3? So did I swim 105 laps? Or did I screw up the lap counter earlier? Doesn't matter, I'm counting it as 103 laps, as 5-1-5-0 really sums up the day.
The hot tub was HOT, almost burning, and I sat there maybe 20 mins with a black 1000-yard stare on my face. Not thinking, not moving, not anything. Which was almost a problem when one of my fellow hot tubbers started to climb out and I realized he was wearing white, unlined shorts. Thankfully, he didn't turn around!
I enjoyed the whirlpool vortex a bit, let the jets hit my back and arms, wondered if I ever wanted to get out or not...
Blerch started the day, Blerch kinda ended it, but he didn't ruin it. The swim is done.
Blame it all on the pumpkin. I tried re-introducing pumpkin last night, only half a cup, but it didn't go well. I can also blame the fact that DH is out of town and I got a lonely Blerch mentality. Then blame the dog, then ... haha, so many EXCUSES!
I got to the pool around 9am with the plan of doing a 5K swim. All was going great, the pool was crazy busy with kids and bobbers everywhere. Only one lap lane, but only at the most 3 of us sharing it. When I started I was sharing with a woman who would swim the deep end then run the shallow. Not sure about that, but whatever.
All great until the 2nd 500 coming back down the loco. I pushed off the wall for lap 59.5 and CRAMP! OUCH! A left calf cramp even though I was pulling. I reached the wall to end the 500 and the cramps continued, now including the right calf, the right foot, OUCH!! More stretching just meant more cramps.
I've cramped before in long swims, and in races, so I knew I had to keep going. The next set was a 100 choice. I made it through that with more cramps, every push, stretch, or stand induced it. The next set was a 300, I can do this even if I have to PULL the entire damned thing!
The first 300 was a H-M-S set and partway in (I think in the last half of the H 100) the lifeguard signaled to get out. Someone had puked in the pool! NOW WHAT?! I decided to run my errand to work then return to finish the set. The lap counter said 65 laps. Since I came out of the pool at the shallow end, I was really at 65.5.
Went to work, to the first grocery stop, had a lunch of an orange, some olives, and some feta and ricotta cheeses. Not the best, but it would work. Back to the Y. I almost missed the sign on the door about the pool being CLOSED because no lifeguard. Ugh. I figure I'll run a few more errands, then call the Y to check the status, as the sign didn't indicate if this was for the day or for the next few hours.
Two more grocery errands, then I call. The pool is closed for the day. By now it's almost 2pm, plenty of time to run to the SoCo YMCA and what luck I'm already on Grand Ave. I boogie on down there, fuzzbrained and tired now planning to finish a 103 lap 5150 session. Heck, why not a 6K with that mid-break recovery time. Yeah, right.
I'd debated starting at the shallow end of the pool to keep the count even, but didn't do it. I was swimming crooked, sloppy, and unfocused. At one point I heard a woman yelling at someone, turns out it's not a problem but rather her way of teaching some kids how to swim. What?! I keep going, eager to finish as I'd promised myself some time in the hot tub once done. Funny thing is, once done my counter said 40 laps?! Not 3.4.5+3? So did I swim 105 laps? Or did I screw up the lap counter earlier? Doesn't matter, I'm counting it as 103 laps, as 5-1-5-0 really sums up the day.
The hot tub was HOT, almost burning, and I sat there maybe 20 mins with a black 1000-yard stare on my face. Not thinking, not moving, not anything. Which was almost a problem when one of my fellow hot tubbers started to climb out and I realized he was wearing white, unlined shorts. Thankfully, he didn't turn around!
I enjoyed the whirlpool vortex a bit, let the jets hit my back and arms, wondered if I ever wanted to get out or not...
Blerch started the day, Blerch kinda ended it, but he didn't ruin it. The swim is done.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Too tired Thursday
RUN 6.6 miles in about 56 mins, 8:29 m/m
SWIM 1000 yards in about 27 mins
Total lack of motivation today, just not excited about it or anything. Fatigue? Burn out? The dropped bomb? Hard to say, but the only thing I can do is ease back a bit and see how and if things improve.
The swim was later in the morning after I started a few things at work. I was cold, unmotivated, unfocused, and kept watching the clock. Ugh.
SWIM 1000 yards in about 27 mins
Total lack of motivation today, just not excited about it or anything. Fatigue? Burn out? The dropped bomb? Hard to say, but the only thing I can do is ease back a bit and see how and if things improve.
The swim was later in the morning after I started a few things at work. I was cold, unmotivated, unfocused, and kept watching the clock. Ugh.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Ticking through the first taper week
BIKE 26 miles in 90 mins, 3x12 hard
COMMUTE 6 miles
Finally got Puppy fixed after Monday's flat tire. I wonder if keeping the tires aired up more would help with this, it's crossed my mind before some rides that I keep them too soft. I like the soft for the bumps! But maybe it's not working for me?
Indoors ride, and I focused on keeping it at 19mph. Is that "hard"? I dunno.
Since I biked in and spent part of the morning fixing Puppy, it's unlikely that I'll swim today.
COMMUTE 6 miles
Finally got Puppy fixed after Monday's flat tire. I wonder if keeping the tires aired up more would help with this, it's crossed my mind before some rides that I keep them too soft. I like the soft for the bumps! But maybe it's not working for me?
Indoors ride, and I focused on keeping it at 19mph. Is that "hard"? I dunno.
Since I biked in and spent part of the morning fixing Puppy, it's unlikely that I'll swim today.
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