A Good Last Workout for 2007

After a low key week, Coach said to take today and tomorrow pretty easy too. Today at lunch, Jess and I enjoyed the 42 degree (but feels like 35) weather. It was to be 45 minutes and “add 5 beats to your ranges and stay within that for the entire run”. So I set my watch, put on my new Adidas top (they were really cheep so I bought one in white with maroon strips too) and we were on our way. Jess was sticking to the 4:1 and I was just trying to go. And I went. And it was good.

I am definitely seeing an improvement. I ran pretty much the entire time. I walked a minute at 14, 29, and a little before the hill up the side of the Capital. I was really happy with my self that after a comfortably hard run, I could still make it up the hill.

I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful New Year!! 2008 the year of IRONMAN!!

Nothing too Exciting

Not much to report. I am really enjoying my off week and light workouts.

I got home Thursday and it was 52 degrees in DC. Much better than the 20 degrees I left back in Wisconsin! I thought about taking Carlos out for a ride, but I was tried from the trip and my couch felt neglected. It did feel good just to sit and take a bit of potato form.

Friday I was at work, one of 5 people! I did manage to hit the gym at lunch for 35 minutes on the stationary bike. It's nice when people aren't around because you can use the machines for more than 25-30 minutes (the time cut offs at my 2 gyms).

Saturday Merissa got me out of bed to do a short run. I would have slept much longer if she wasn't arriving at my apartment, so I am thankful for that! After a good 35 minute run, I got so much done! Ran errands in the city, 3 loads of laundry (and NO missing socks!), and some much needed cleaning. I even made dinner with tons of leftovers to store in the freezer. It was very productive for a Saturday.

Now I am back on the couch, looking at Carlos against the wall. You can just tell he wants to go on the trainer and be given some love... In time... I will get there.

Goodbye Nice Y

Today is my last day in G-dale and it was a jam packed holiday weekend. I could have definitely use a few more days of rest, relaxation, friends and family, but duty calls back in DC. After a nice restful day of eating and not working out yesterday, today I knew I had to go to the gym. Only 35 minutes on a treadmill, but I kept putting it off. Leisurely coffee, post-Christmas bargain shopping, lunch and embarrassing Suzie at work (she won't let me post those pictures). More shopping with Therese and Nicole, playing with Nicole's 1 and a half year old Andrew... All this before hitting the Y.

It has become second nature to plan ahead when it comes to workouts. So, last night I packed my new super cute LL Bean snowflake (another theme of Christmas :-) bag with my stuff. True to form as of lately, I was running super late in the day and was seriously thinking of skipping the run. Having the understanding parents I do, I went anyway and just pushed back dinner a bit.

So, I get to the Y, change and realize I forgot a headband and good hair tie. I knew exactly where they were sitting on the dresser at home. Now this is important because my new hair cut doesn't exactly all fit into a pony tail (and yes, that was the ONLY thing I requested). I get up to the treadmill and realize I forgot my iPod. Dang! I know I will have to do Ironman without it, but still... I breath heavy and it's worse in the gym so I don't like to hear it. Oh well, I hop on and start.

Reason number 2 for needing the iPod (number 1 is hearing my own heavy breathing): Listening to stupid peoples conversation on the treadmill next to me.
Girl 1: Did you see that Mary* lost like 25 pounds
Girl 2: Yes, she like went to some fat camp in California. It was like $2000. FOR A WEEK!
Girl 1: I KNOW! She like said she only at salad. Yuck. I mean, salad...
Girl 2: Totally
Girl 1: Maybe I should try it.
Girl 2: Like totally. It worked for Mary.
Girl 1: But I would like have to eat salad, without dressing. I mean really
Girl 2: Well, maybe you could just eat pasta salad, that doesn't have dressing.
Girl 1: Maybe that's what Mary did.
Girl 2: I think so. I am tired, it's been 10 minutes.
Girl 1: McDonald's for dinner?
Girl 2: Um yeah! We just worked out and totally earned it.


* Names in this story have been changed to protect the innocent.

I am trying not to let that conversation ruin the fact that I did 35 minutes on the treadmill, zero walking, for the first time I can remember. Slow, but 0 walking.

I Hope Santa was Good to You All!

He sure was to me :-) After a lot of craziness this year, Christmas came together very nicely. My parents were very generous and I am extremely lucky to have all that I do, especially with my family. My Christmas did have a bit of a theme; Ironman. My parents do read this blog, and my dad will post comments, and they have a good idea of what type of things I need. For example, they were aware that I lost one of my biking gloves. So, my dad was thoughtful enough to get me a new pair of cycling gloves.

Apparently, my face was ‘priceless’, especially when he told me to put them on. When I did, there was a note to get new set gloves. Very clever, very clever.


I also received some financial support to help upgrade Carlos for everything I need: starting with a new seat, stem, upgrade kit and aero bars.

I am very thankful to have the family I have who support me in everything I do, including my crazy adventures.


Oh, and I had a really good swim yesterday at the Y. I checked my log and today is my first day off since the 12th of December. Oh, it feels good to rest. This is an easy week, something I feel I have earned over the past few weeks. Woo-Hoo!!

Good Workout, Bad Game

I was expecting a terrible workout. I thought I would just be counting down the time of the 40 minutes on the stationary bike and 40 minutes on the treadmill. The stationary bike was okay. Not great, not bad. My legs were tired, again, and I was worried about the run because I had such a bad jog yesterday.

Well, to my pleasant surprise, my first 15 were great, straight jogging (slowly of course) but straight and felt good. I couldn't remember exactly what I was supposed to do: some sort of run x minutes with my HR up and walk a minute X number of times. So, I decided on a run (faster than I normally do) 4 min, walk 1 min, 5 times to take me to 40 minutes total. IT FELT GREAT!! I had my best minutes/mile (for me) in a very long time. And, I could have kept doing what I was doing. A feeling I have not had in a few weeks.

How did I celebrate?? Wings, beer, and the Packer game with my friend Suzie of course!!! It is a Sunday in Wisconsin - There really isn't any other choice. But, that is where the "Bad Game" part in the title comes into this post. We left shortly after the start of the second half.

Anyone but the Bears, really... anyone but the Bears...

Oh, and I am still cold. Really cold. Rick informed me that it was 65 in DC this morning. Not exactly sure why 1. looked it up and 2. told me. Mean, just mean!

I LOVE the Y

Posting from G-Dale!!

After an early flight yesterday and an impressing landing in fog; to the point where you could not see the runway until we were on it; I am home at my parents house. After some lunch and chatting, I start to get antsy to find a gym.
I vaguely remembered there being a decent Y with a pool. I figured I would go there first for a swim, then go to the gym close to the house that I belonged to in high school the rest of the week. When I got to the Y, it was a really good deal for a week membership. Before I paid, I asked if it mattered that I belonged to a Y in DC. Sure enough, it did and I don't have to pay!! Woo-Hoo!! Oh, how I love it when random things happen in my benefit.

So, I hopped into the pool and had a decent swim. Coach is really working with me to build arm strength - i.e. 50's and 100's fast. That is so not the way I swim, so it's good, but my triceps do feel it this morning. I followed this up with a trot on the Treadmill. That was HARD!! My legs are definitely tired and need a break soon.

But, I am now off to the gym for a bike and run. I should have doubled up earlier in the week instead of just getting in the long workouts out of the way. Live and learn, now I know for next time.

Oh, my other favorite thing about being home (and when I say favorite I say it sarcastically), last night it was 40 degrees. This morning it is 16 degrees and the wind chill is 4 below. So glad to be home.

The Sandwich was SOOOO worth it!!

As expected, I didn't get up and go swimming. What was unexpected was how willing I was to skip my lunch run to go shopping and out to lunch. It's was the Friday before a 4 day weekend - no one was getting anything done. So, we went to lunch and for the first time, I had a meatball sub. It was SOOOO good! I don't know why I waited so long to try one. I inhaled that sandwich faster than anything I think I have ever eaten.

And the rest of the day, I complained how my stomach hurt.

I did come home and hopped on Carlos for 40 minutes with 2 sets of isolated leg drills. Dang, my legs are feeling it!! I am very much looking forward to a slow week next week. But, still to come for the weekend: 2 runs, a bike, and a swim if I can find a pool in G-dale.

Off to pack, early flight tomorrow.

I Just Can't Do It!!

So cozy, snug, and warm in my bed. I was in a nice dream land. Then it happens... the alarm goes of at 5:45! BOOO!!!! I think about how I really really should get out of bed and go swimming. But my throat hurts a bit. I am still really tired. My legs still ache. So I sleep another hour and 15 minutes. It was a great decision! A lot of times I wake up and think "I could have gone to the gym/pool", but not today. The sleep was WAY more important. With Christmas coming up and my trip home to G-dale, making sure I don't get sick is very important. Hopefully Roxanne will help kick my butt into swimming in the mornings again after the new year.

Did I work out at lunch, no. I got a hair cut which is also very important. Why, to look cute of course! HA! But, also because I HATE it when I am biking/running and I can feel the hair of my pony tail on the back of my neck. YUCK! My only demand for my hair cut was that it can all fit into a pony tail. I am very low maintenance and lazy. The cut is okay, a few too many layers, but not bad for the price I paid. The real test will be when I wash/style it my self.

So did I work out after work?? YES - I am not that big of a slacker, but it is thanks to Kristin and Merissa. I had a headache, my stomach hurt and I just felt off. I was going to go home and bike on Carlos; i.e. sit and look at Carlos; but when talking to K and M, I realized I would have to run Friday, Saturday and Sunday (2 swims, 3 bikes and 4 runs this week). So, I went to the gym and hopped on the T-mill. It actually wasn't too bad and I felt much better when I was done. And there was no falling off, always a plus! (NOTE - This is Jess's (a regular reader, random commenter, frequent running partner, and wonderful friend) favorite picture so I am going to use it whenever possible)

Will I swim tomorrow morning, no, I won't, even though I should. I am willing to skip a swim (it is my 'strongest') this week. I will set my alarm, and re-set it for an hour later and enjoy the sleep.

They HURT!!!

Ohhh... my LEGS!!

Today was workout number 6, in 5 days, and the 4th over 60 min - all were biking and running (the other two were, can you guess... swimming - SHOCKING!!). So, it's understandable why my legs are a bit on the wobbly side. It also explains why today's 70 minute run, 4:1, was not great. I knew within 10 minutes that it would not be a good run. I knew within 20 minutes that I had to go to the bathroom. After the turn around and a quick stop in the bathroom, I just could not get back into a decent rhythm. It was reminiscent of a few months back when I could not control my heart rate.
But, I kept going, and always finding a good stride when I went past a cute boy ;-)

I finish, look at my stats, breathing hard, had a runny nose, was cold and my legs hurt. Then it happened, that little smile started to sneak onto my face. Only once during the 70 minutes, for a split second, did I even think of cutting it short and turning around early. Usually, that is all I think about - stopping. This run wasn't about stopping, it was just about going. It was a different feeling, and I liked it.

But I am very excited to go to bed early and SLEEP!