Doctors do more than heal

Doctors are great, don't get me wrong. They know stuff. Provide healing drugs. Listen (usually). But they also take a lot out of you! I think about the amount of time I spent heading to the offices, waiting in the office, waiting in the room, waiting to be realized vs. the time I spent with the doctor. Dang... Oh well, its a necessary evil.

I am feeling better, but not quiet enough to try and do a workout, or two. I decided to sleep and rest more today and try to get a good long workout in tomorrow and Sunday.

I hope everyone is staying healthy!! Have a great weekend

Trying to Fight it Off

It's been awhile since I have been sick and there is something going around the office. It's no surprise when it's 55 degrees one day and 30 the next; up to 47 and down to 34 - you get the idea. The temperature change is not good for the immune system and it makes scheduling the workouts - and the outfits to wear, a bit more difficult.

So, I left work early today and took a 2 hour nap. I will make up my swim over the weekend. I might try to sit on Carlos for my 45 minute ride in a bit. Sometimes sweating out the cold works - sometimes it makes it worse. I was going to try and run before work tomorrow, but who knows if that will happen, along with my swim I am scheduled to do after work. Boo to all of this!!

Either way, there is a high of 48 and 52 on Saturday and Sunday. I am hoping to get outside both days for my run and bike. And the weather starts to stay consistent!

UPDATE - I did bike my 45 minutes and feel a little better. I didn't turn on the fan and just sweated it out. Hopefully it helped... tomorrow will tell all.

Time Gets Away From Me So Easily!

Sorry for not posting yesterday. Rest won over turning on my computer. It's only Wednesday and I am already beat. 6 workouts down, 6 to go...

Yesterday was a decent treadmill run and swim. Not too much exciting to report.

This morning was pretty awesome. I had to do a brick (bike immediately followed by a run) this week and this morning was really the only time I could fit it into my schedule. Jess kicks some butt as a friend and offered to come into the city to run the 35 minutes with me before work. How great is that!?!? So, I had get my booty out of bed and onto Carlos so when she showed up at 7:30 am, we could take off on the run. The plan would have gone smoothly if Metro was running on a normal schedule. But, it still worked pretty well. We had a pretty good run (at least I think we did ;-) and I can not thank Jess enough for helping me out.

The rest of the day I was pretty tired - okay utterly exhausted. But, it's all worth it... right?!?!

Holy Hard Week!!

Wow, this is going to be a week...

5 runs, 4 bikes and 3 swims.
It's good and needed, but still. And I found out today from Coach that I won't be switching to distance - I will be staying with time for the bikes and runs. It's going to take me awhile to get used to this. A 45 minute run for me is 3-4 miles while others its 6-7 miles. I trust Coach, I do. He has done really good things with my running and heart rate so far. However, being such a back of the pack person, I need to make sure I put in the miles. Roxanne said it was fine, not a bad direction to go and that helped a lot. I just need to believe and trust.

Today started off with a lunch tempo run. It went pretty well, much better than yesterday. 5 minutes less and pretty much the same distance. Someday the short run progress has got to move into the long.

Tonight was a trainer bike ride. Nothing to exciting, just a steady ride while I watched TV. What did I watch you are wondering... a little show called The Tudors. I mean, Jonathan Rhys Meyers... so pretty.

Blah Run

After I have such a great workout like I did yesterday, I almost expect them all to be so good. When they aren’t, I get a bit disappointed. That is what happened today. I started at Beach Drive with Rose and Jess was already out and about on the trail. I ran with Rose for a bit, where she pushed me for the first 10 minutes or so before I sent her on her speedy way. After that, my HR never really went down. It road starts up hill the first half, so that was my excuse. After I turned around, I kept trying to go faster, but couldn't keep my HR down. I also tried a 6:1, which might have been a bit ambitious for me to try.

I did see a rather strange thing... A girl was running, stopped to stretch, did a cartwheel, and continued to run. I just found someone doing a cartwheel in the middle of a run a bit on the strange side.

So this week has had it's ups and downs, knowing I will be able to do this race and convincing my self I shouldn't even try. My friends have been great, keeping me focused and positive.

This week should be a hard week so hopefully all will go well!

What A Great Class!!

I almost backed out of today's spin class. I let my insecurities get the best of me to often when it comes to training with others. But, I sucked it up and went anyway. What a great decision! This is one of the best experiences I have had with the DC Tri club, and a bike shop in general.

There as one other girl there (I didn't ask if I could use her name so we will just call her B) and the instructor - that was it. There was no where to hide. But it was so worth it. We started pedaling and immediately my seat and form was corrected. How great is that!?! Free help from a great coach! We did about 75 minutes of spinning, high intervals, recovery, standing, and 'time trial pace'. And, I learned the proper way to stand up and sit down! Something I don't do, because I couldn't do it well - and often fall. Now I know how!!

B is awesome and she is doing the Cherry blossom 10 miler, Columbia, and a half about a week after my half. B says she is a back of the pack racer too and lives pretty close to my apartment. YAY, a new friend to train and talk tri with!

Also, The Bike Rack was so great! They opened the shop early for the spin class and adjusted my seat and cleats. But the best part, NO JUDGEMENT!! They were super nice, friendly, helpful - so great!!

AND - I wore my new shorts. NO PAIN! Woo-Hoo! I came home and bought another pair. Rox told me that as soon as I find something I like, I will buy it no matter the price. So true.

Anyway, it was a great class, good day and one of those really positive experiences.

I Did My Good Duty of the Day!

Today I did something I haven't done in awhile. I gave blood. They have blood drives in my office and I thought I could use some good karma, so I decided to donate. I went down with 2 co-workers, both who were turned down for different reasons.

My experience has gone better in the past. Let's just say I wound up lying back with my feet up, sipping a Coke (which by the way I have no idea the last time I had a soda, let along a Coke) and a wet towel around my neck. But, I am glad I did it and hopefully I will be able to do it again, without close to passing out.

It was my day off so I figured it was a good chance to do something a little different, and for others. Hopefully it won't affect my workout tomorrow morning. I signed up for a 90 minute spin class. This one is a bit different - I bring Carlos and my trainer and get my butt kicked by an instructor. Hopefully all goes well!!

Sprit of the Marathon movie vs. The Spice Girls

It's an odd comparison, I know but that is the way DC was yesterday.

They had a second showing of this independent film and I was really excited because I missed the first one. So, Rose, Merissa, Jess and I got tickets (Thanks Rox!!) and were excited to be inspired by the movie.

We go to dinner at Potbelly, and something seems different. There are packs of similar looking girls, wearing North Face jackets and sparkly tops and/or headbands, with a mom. Okay, that screams concert. We brainstormed for a bit and then it hit us; The Spice Girls were in town.

Heading into the movie, I see packs of really fit people, who all look a bit similar. Maybe these two groups of people have more in common than they think.
1. Each group looks like the people around them
2. There was squealing in both groups
3. People dressed the part (Girls in pig tales, guys in short shorts and running shoes)

The best comment came from a woman in the theater 3 rows back after she heard there was a Spice Girls concert going on "Ohhhh, that's why those girls were dressed like that!".

Anyway, the movie was great. I highly recommend seeing it, and bring a tissue.

I feel like I should be doing more

It's a base week and I do appreciate the down time, but overall, it's a bit hard on the mind. I plan my week and get a day off. I get my workout in during lunch, and I am back within an hour. I do doubles but it doesn't really feel like it because they are shorter swims and 30 minutes on the bike/run. I know that in a few weeks/months... I will look at this post and wish for this feeling again.

And, thanks to Kristin, I ran outside to see something I have never seen before. A lunar eclipse. For me, one of my favorite things is staring up into the night sky. It calms me. It is one of the main reasons I LOVED having Audrey (my convertible). There is something about the twinkling of the stars, infinite space, being so small but not feeling small. I can't really explain it, but I do enjoy it enough to run outside, a few times, with a 30 degree outside temperature that feels like 18 degrees.

Getting Tired Again

Not too bad of a day today, but I don't think I really every fully woke up. I just felt tired all day. I did make it to the pool, where I ran into my brother Arin. We chatted for a few minutes and I hopped in as he hopped out. It was a decent, 2500M straight swim, not great, not bad. I will take it.

Not much else is going on. In a bit of sad news, and I use the term lightly, but The Awakening has moved. It was the only thing to look at while running/biking around Hains Point. The bus loads of tourists did get annoying, but that happens everywhere around here.

I may actually leave the District to see it in his new home.

All Weather Day

Today was an interesting day. It started off wet, windy sunny and HOT! I think the high was around 72-75 (Marcus said 75, but I don't think it was that hot) and I went out for my 30 minute 'easy' run.
- This week is a 'base week'. 3 runs, 3 bikes and 2 swims. My knees always appreciate these types of weeks.
Anyway, it was so nice to be outside and not bundled up. I jogged around my neighborhood, which has more hills than anywhere I ever run. So, between the 'heat' and hills, my HR wasn't staying too low. But, it was good to sweat and do something a bit different.

Less than 2 hours later, the dark clouds came in and the temperature dropped about 15 degrees.
An hour later, the rain came.

A few hours later, it the temperature dropped a bit more.

I am so glad I went out when I did. I do have a habit, especially lately, of putting off my workouts and really wishing I made different choices.
There is something to be said about procrastination, however sometimes I am glad when I don't.

True Nature Run

Once again, I set my alarm early to go for my run before brunch and once again, I convinced myself I could make it up later. I am just not good at getting up, especially if I know I am not meeting anyone. So, I slept longer and went to brunch first. However, after eating, I saw the clouds were getting thicker and darker, so I took off a bit earlier than I should have. I actually did "eat and run".

It was a decent, 80 minute run. But, one of the coolest things happened. I am on my way back, running along Rock Creek. I look to my left and saw something move. It was a raccoon right off the trail. He just stared at me and slowly arched his back as I got closer. After I passed, he darted up the tree and every time I looked back, he was still looking at me. I don't know why, but it was pretty cool.

Overall, it was a pretty good week.

Why does my bed have to be so comfortable?!?!

I didn't set up a group run today because I knew a lot of people would be out of town for the 3-day weekend. I still thought I would make it, but not so much. Yesterday was my friend Andy's birthday and after my swim, I headed over to for drinks and dinner. Well, my 1 glass of wine limit was broken pretty early. It wasn't a late night and I did feel fine this morning, but it was 32 degrees, I was warm in bed and figured I could make it up later.

Roxanne and I were going to go hiking, but again, it was too cold. So, we did the next best thing - outlet shopping for hiking clothes! HA! So I was on my feet all day, walking around.

But, I know I need to get my workouts in so instead of going out tonight, I decided to stay in, put on a movie (The Nanny Diaries) and bike my 80 minutes. Movies make the time on the trainer go by so much faster!!

Happy Heart Day...

I guess...

I have never been a big fan of this 'holiday'. Even those times I did have a boyfriend on Valentines day, I made it very clear I didn't want anything. And it wasn't one of those "I say I don't want something but I really do" things. Flowers on a random Wednesday, yes; Valentines day chocolates, no; diamonds and shinny things - anytime!! HA!

Anyway, I had my treadmill and Carlos to distract me from my single-ness. This week has been pretty good with the workouts. The extra 15 seconds on the ILD's are tough, so I am assuming that is a good thing. My short runs felt pretty good, even on the treadmill. The knees are starting to ache a bit, but I am hoping it will go away when I get outside again. And I had a pretty good swim yesterday.

I can only hope things will continue.

Really Good Swim

I just had one of those really good swims. I went into it not thinking about what I had to do, just started counting my laps. I had to do 2500, straight with "no time, just enjoy the laps" for my easy swim. After about the first 500, I got into my rhythm. I was with people who knew how to circle swim, which was great. I just channeled my inner Michael Phelps and kept going. It almost felt like I was swimming on top of the water. I don't get that feeling very often, but when I do... I LOVE it!!! It just makes me remember why I love swimming, how it calms me and releases all my stresses. Ah, L-O-V-E it!!

I am off to hop on Carlos for my 40 minute easy bike ride!

A Pretty Full Day

Today was one of those days where I got some stuff done and semi-interesting things happened.

I did my civic duty this morning and voted instead of going to the pool. Yup, that is my excuse and I am sticking with it! I have never seen so many people vote in a primary and I think it is really great. However, I did get annoyed at that guy who thought he was too good to stand in line. He pulls out the blackberry and starts complaining, loudly, at how annoying the long line is and keeping him from his important duties. Right...

Work work work

30 minute lunch run. I talked Jess into going down with me early to get a treadmill. I had 15 minutes steady, 15 minutes letting my hear rate 'float up, but keep it comfortably hard'. It was actually fun because I really went hard (for me) the last 5 minutes. But, the woman in-between Jess and I… DANG! I thought it was me, but thank goodness it was not! That was some really bad BO.

Work work work

Head to the pool. Do my 400 warm up. Start my 10*100 hard. After the 5th one, a third person jumped in and we had to circle. Now the guy already in the lane was a bit on the slow side, but could swim. This guy, OMG!?!?! He was doing some kind of funky, breast/side/elementary back stroke. I don’t want to be a snob, but really, if you can’t swim free, don’t get into the very fast, fast, or medium lane. Get into the slow or family lane where people are swimming a bit closer to your style. So, needless to say, the second half of my 100’s was not pleasant. One of my 1017 pet peeves is not waiting for the faster person to go. I try to be very aware of the people around me when I am swimming and let the faster people go. If I do my flip turn, push off, and touch your feet; you should have waited for me to pass. AHH!!!

I finished my 100’s, 100 kick, 7*50 hard, and my last 50 I got the WORST toe cramp! It was odd because I just ate a banana before my swim. Anyway, it was the kind where your toe just keeps going down and you can’t walk. Not fun.

I head to the metro and it was icy, as we are having a bit of an ice storm right now. I am taking it easy and then it happens, I slip, come really close to spitting my pants doing the splits. I was fine, but definitely tensed up enough to hurt – you know the feeling.

Anyway, I figured the day ended with some payback of my poor attitude and not nice thoughts for the day. Tomorrow a trainer bike, swim, and hopefully a delay government start so I can sleep in!

Yup, Back on Track

I just finished my first decent double in awhile. I got home from a meeting around 9 and had a quick dinner of home made chicken salad and Triscuits. As it settled, I did some light cleaning around my apartment – okay, I sat and watched TV. After awhile I hopped on Carlos for my 40 minute bike with longer 15 second longer isolated leg drills (ILD’s) and increased the RPM (5 x 3 min set) to get my heart rate up about 10 beats. So, it was a bit more than just spinning.

Well, that extra 15 seconds on the ILD’s – DANG! And I had to do 4 on each leg!! Have you seen that Monster commercial with the Scandinavian leg guy. That is what I feel I am going to turn into. Even after a low week, I still feel my quads. Ahh… the joys of training.

And, I kind of feel sick now. I am not sure if I made bad chicken salad or if I didn’t let it sit long enough.

I know you all really wanted to know that!

Mirrors work both ways

I started the day off by turning down a cookie from Jess. I need to get back on the wagon of workouts and diet. After this display of willpower, there was nothing keeping me from the gym.

So, I headed down a bit after the lunch rush to get a bit more than the 30 minute time limit on the treadmill. I hop on, start slow, but whatever - I have to start somewhere. I am jamming to my music, trotting along, and someone gets on 2 down and starts talking to the guy on the last treadmill. You know when you are in your own world, but can tell someone is looking at you... Riiigghhttt.. So I glance in the mirror and see the guy looking at me - but not at me, a bit lower than eye level (sorry family, but I have to share!!)! I am in a sports bra and t-shirt. Really, there isn't much there to look at, let alone stare at, especially in the gym!! But there he was, straight on staring through the mirror. He had no idea I was watching him watching me.

Boys are dumb.

Missed my run, but had a good show

My bag showed up at 12:32. So glad it showed up, but what an ordeal!!

I got in a quick bike on the trainer Friday morning before work. Friday night turned into a bit later than expected and I missed the group run on Saturday. But U2 in 3D – SOOOO GOOD!!!


And the best part of the weekend, Roxanne had free tickets to Barry Manilow. Yes, I said Barry Manilow. Words can not describe what we saw… There were glow sticks, lots of glow sticks. The first half was like watching a bad Vegas impersonator of Barry Manilow. The second half picked up a bit with a montage of music from the 60’s and 70’s – which included “Mandy”. “Copacabana” was next and we decided to leave on a high note.

Today was filled with shopping, totally cardio, right?

I need to get my butt back in gear. Tomorrow is a new day, a new week, a new schedule.

I'm Back

But my suitcase is not.

I got on an earlier flight and it was just a waste because I have spent the past 6 hours trying to find my bag. I don't understand and I am really not a fan of Delta, their customer service, or the currier service they contract out to in this area. In fact, if I never have to check another bag with Delta, that will be fine by me. Or, even fly with them. I will do my best to avoid them from now on – it has been that bad of an experience.

Also, this week I have had horrible gym workouts. I ate poorly in Atlanta - it was a bit harder this time to eat better. The work didn't go well. Now I have no suit case.

The item I care most about - my running shoes and inserts. That is the main reason I wanted my bag back tonight. Not the clothes, make-up, or straighten - the running shoes.

I am obviously crabby and tired. I am going to go to bed now, with my phone by me incase they call with my bag, and hope to get some rest.

Beautiful Day, Padded Shorts and an Amazing Friend Equals

A really good ride!!

There was a high of 55 today so I could not pass up the chance to get outside for a bike ride. First of all, the best thing, Marcus fits Carlos and Roxanne’s bike perfectly! It was really good to figure that out.

Kristin suggested we try Beach drive for the ride today. They close down the road over the weekend, so Rox and I thought we would give it a try. Wow, that was a good suggestion! The start was a bit rough. I am still afraid of Carlos, especially clipping in and out. Even since I had the fitting, the seat is higher and I am not quite used to it yet. Rox was more than patient with me and telling me to just get on and go. I was literally shaking. But, after we got going, it was great. She was a great person to follow and being an Ironman herself, very inspiring.

So it was a good first ride. I didn’t fall and this ride boosted my confidence. I know I will fall eventually, everyone does. But, this was a really good 85 minutes.

I am off to Atlanta for work starting tomorrow. I am not sure what my Internet connection will be and my work laptop blocks blogspot. Soooo… if I might not be able to post until Thursday/Friday.

Have a great week!

Okay Run

The run today was okay. The weather was perfect, 35, sunny, no wind. Just a few icy patches, but overall way better than it was 2 weeks ago.

Still disappointed by the distance. I see the improvements in my short runs, but they are not coming through for the long ones. I can only hope this will come in time.

The C&O Canal is definitely my favorite place to run around here.

Getting Tired

Not too much to report. I am at the end of a first hard week, of I am not sure how many to come, and I am T-I-R-E-D!! I have done doubles all week and it is taking its toll. But, the weekend is here full of some good plans and some down time.