So this morning I was suppose to be up at 4 am and off to a 7K swim workout.
Unfortunately a very sore throat woke me up at around 2:30 this morning. I got up took some stuff and never feel back to sleep. By 4am I did not feel good at all....At that point I had to make the decision to go to the workout or stay in bed. Since I had only slept about 4 hours and felt pretty bad-I decided to stay in bed...I finally feel back to sleep and stayed that way until 10:00! I never sleep that long!!!!! Never!
Now you may be wondering why am I writing about this. The fact is that I feel very guilty for missing this key workout! I wanted really badly to swim the 7K today and have been looking forward to this the whole month! I love these long swims. There is something so relaxing about swimming for a hours at a time.
A few weeks ago when I took a week off from training I had no desire to workout...today I wanted to so badly but pretty much new if I did swim- I would have caught this cold that is knocking at my throat. I feel like it was a slacker week of training as two other workouts where cut short due to weather....speaking of weather....I think the weather is the culprit for my throats state.
This week we went from 78 degrees on Sunday to a blizzard on Thursday...So far this winter I have avoided EVERY crud that has come through the office and infected everyone. I'm just hoping that by not swimming today I will avoid this thing....And I should not worry about missing one key swim workout---but for today I can't help it. I'll just see what tomorrow brings and if I kick this thing......more later....
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
My First Love
Saturday I was able to return to my first love....Ok, so it's not what you're thinking....
Saturday- I was able to ROCK CLIMB!!!! Can you believe it! I was able to fit in an early morning climb in Eldorado Canyon.
You see, I'm new at this triathlon stuff......and my first true love is Rock Climbing. I spent 15 years living to Climb and Climbing to live. Pretty much any place I lived or job I took revolved around rock climbing. I ate, drank, slept, rock climbing! That's all I did- 4-5 days a week. I LOVED rock climbing!
So, this past Saturday, when I hiked up to the base of the crag; put on my harness; uncoiled the rope; and looked up at the rock- I was right at home. I felt as if an ancient piece of me had returned.
Sitting high above the stream and road I felt at home. Being close to the rock and getting ready to climb felt so familiar and brought such a sense of calm to me. I forgot how much I loved rock climbing. Not only for the actual act of climbing, but for all that goes with it. The views, the tranqulity, the beauty, the ritual of uncoiling the rope, putting on your harness and shoes, chalking up....it just feels right!
Now, I'm not saying I wasn't a bit rusty after over 2 years away from climbing....but once I got on the rock, my body just knew what to do....it just moved as it had all those millions of times before.
I took a bit of time to get up the 5.7 we were climbing- but I did it....and when I rappeled to the ground I realized I would have to make sure I climbed again soon! I love this too much to wait another two years to do....and just so you all know I didn't slack on my Ironman training.....I then went for a 8 mile run after my early morning climb! (and kicked butt on the run). 
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Training After A Time Out
Oh my goodness, what a difference a week off training can make! I soooooo, I mean soooooo, needed a week off!
Starting with last Saturdays workout I have had a strong week of training! I have felt motivated and ready for each training session.
This week found me having back-to-back training sessions-it went like this: Tues AM Swim nonstop 45 mins-work all day-Track at night; Wed AM Masters Swimming-work all day w/weight training during lunch-Computrainer Bike class at night; Thurs AM Swim masters-work all day- Run 8 miles at Tempo.... Believe it or not- it was fun to do this!
Pretty much my life for 3 days was strickly-train-work-train-sleep-oh yea and eat in there somewhere!
It was a wonderful week of training with close to 12 hours of training this week.....how about that 17 hour training day- does work count????? :)
Starting with last Saturdays workout I have had a strong week of training! I have felt motivated and ready for each training session.
This week found me having back-to-back training sessions-it went like this: Tues AM Swim nonstop 45 mins-work all day-Track at night; Wed AM Masters Swimming-work all day w/weight training during lunch-Computrainer Bike class at night; Thurs AM Swim masters-work all day- Run 8 miles at Tempo.... Believe it or not- it was fun to do this!
Pretty much my life for 3 days was strickly-train-work-train-sleep-oh yea and eat in there somewhere!
It was a wonderful week of training with close to 12 hours of training this week.....how about that 17 hour training day- does work count????? :)
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Taking a Time Out
Last Sunday I was scheduled to do my first bike ride in the mountains of the season. Not a super challenging ride, but a good one to start off with.....
I woke up that morning and the thing I really wanted to do was to crawl back in bed. But I got my stuff together and met my friend for the ride.....Still wanting to go back home and crawl into bed.
I thought how sometimes I feel this way but once I get going I start to come around and get moving just fine....Well this Sunday that was not the case.
I started off the easy- I mean easy "climb" up Deer Creek to the turnoff for High Grade. A few miles into the ride I was in my "granny gear", I'm talkin "granny gear" with a triple front ring....and I was still struggling with that! I had absolutely NOTHING in me. When I got to High Grade I decided I should cut my losses and turn around and call it a day......Which is exactly what I did.
I got home and crawled into bed for a 1 hour nap....and woke up feeling a bit under the weather.
I talked to Coach Andrea and we decided I should take Monday off and play it day by day.
Well, with the way I felt Monday I made the executive decision to take 3 full days off....and to NOT feel guilty about it. I have slept in, not trained, eaten well, slept extra hours, enjoyed doing nothing and did I mention, slept?
Today is Wednsday, and I also took today off work. I slept 12 hours straight! It was wonderful to not have to wake up at any particular time.....I have relaxed and the most I did today was write this blog. Now that's what I call a rest day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am somewhat feeling like I'm ready to get back to training, but I'm going to listen to my body. I have been going at it hard for over a year now, and have never taken 3 days off in a row.....and I may take another day off if that's what my body is telling me tomorrow.
Learning to listen to your body is part of training. We work on our bodies, our nutrition and we have to work on our recovery too. My body spoke loud and clear on Sunday and I am glad I listened. I have a long season a head....all the way through November. 3 or more days off right now may be just what I need...actually- I know it is.
So here's to taking a time out and being ok with that decision :)
I woke up that morning and the thing I really wanted to do was to crawl back in bed. But I got my stuff together and met my friend for the ride.....Still wanting to go back home and crawl into bed.
I thought how sometimes I feel this way but once I get going I start to come around and get moving just fine....Well this Sunday that was not the case.
I started off the easy- I mean easy "climb" up Deer Creek to the turnoff for High Grade. A few miles into the ride I was in my "granny gear", I'm talkin "granny gear" with a triple front ring....and I was still struggling with that! I had absolutely NOTHING in me. When I got to High Grade I decided I should cut my losses and turn around and call it a day......Which is exactly what I did.
I got home and crawled into bed for a 1 hour nap....and woke up feeling a bit under the weather.
I talked to Coach Andrea and we decided I should take Monday off and play it day by day.
Well, with the way I felt Monday I made the executive decision to take 3 full days off....and to NOT feel guilty about it. I have slept in, not trained, eaten well, slept extra hours, enjoyed doing nothing and did I mention, slept?
Today is Wednsday, and I also took today off work. I slept 12 hours straight! It was wonderful to not have to wake up at any particular time.....I have relaxed and the most I did today was write this blog. Now that's what I call a rest day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am somewhat feeling like I'm ready to get back to training, but I'm going to listen to my body. I have been going at it hard for over a year now, and have never taken 3 days off in a row.....and I may take another day off if that's what my body is telling me tomorrow.
Learning to listen to your body is part of training. We work on our bodies, our nutrition and we have to work on our recovery too. My body spoke loud and clear on Sunday and I am glad I listened. I have a long season a head....all the way through November. 3 or more days off right now may be just what I need...actually- I know it is.
So here's to taking a time out and being ok with that decision :)
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Eating To Train
The end of February found me "celebrating" a little too much. I just had a birthday and there where a few parties at work during lunch hour....hence a lot of sweets and food....
So what does this have to do with eating to train???
Looking back on the last two weeks for Feb. I see that I was Training To Eat. What that means is I was eating everything and anything...because I deserved it for training "so" hard. I was eating muffins, cakes, cookies, mochas, chips....you name it. All those foods that I normally stay far away from (ok-maybe not tortilla chips as much-they're my fav!). I had this mentality that I could eat whatever I wanted because I was burning so many calories. Especially following my second 25 milers- as I knew my training workload dropped a bit.....
Well, by the end of those two weeks I found myself 4 pounds heavier and going into my Saturday Brick Workout sluggish as all heck. That was the morning of 27 degree bike ride and run.
I was DRAGGING beyond anything I could have imagined! I was riding slowly- but it felt HARD! My heart rate was way up and my perceived effort was high even though I was barely moving 14 MPH..... As I watched the group pull far ahead of me- I reflected on what was going on with me that day...
What became clear to me as I struggled through the ride- was that I had been Training To Eat rather than EATING TO TRAIN!
I could absolutely tell the difference between when I eat healthy so I can fuel my next workout- and when I just eat whatever because I have trained so hard! It's BS to think I can eat whatever- I can't! I'm an athlete and whatever I put into my mouth will affect my next workout or worse yet- workouts!
After that lovely brick workout I got back on the "wagon". I spent some time thinking about the difference between Training to Eat and Eating to Train. It's been a week now- I already feel slimmer; my tummy's not bloated; my energy is better; my training is better; I just feel better overall!
Eating To Train needs to be my lifestyle for the next year. I can't indulge in sweets and over the top foods- I have a goal- and to take my eye off that goal, for even a full day- really affects how I will be able to train!
Not only do I have to complete all the workouts my coach has for me- but I HAVE to EAT TO TRAIN. I know I use the words "have to", but this is really a choice- I choose to train and eat properly....because I love it! And because the only way I will get to the start of IRONMAN is if I am consistent over the next 8 months! Caz- I'm in it for the long haul baby!
So what does this have to do with eating to train???
Looking back on the last two weeks for Feb. I see that I was Training To Eat. What that means is I was eating everything and anything...because I deserved it for training "so" hard. I was eating muffins, cakes, cookies, mochas, chips....you name it. All those foods that I normally stay far away from (ok-maybe not tortilla chips as much-they're my fav!). I had this mentality that I could eat whatever I wanted because I was burning so many calories. Especially following my second 25 milers- as I knew my training workload dropped a bit.....
Well, by the end of those two weeks I found myself 4 pounds heavier and going into my Saturday Brick Workout sluggish as all heck. That was the morning of 27 degree bike ride and run.
I was DRAGGING beyond anything I could have imagined! I was riding slowly- but it felt HARD! My heart rate was way up and my perceived effort was high even though I was barely moving 14 MPH..... As I watched the group pull far ahead of me- I reflected on what was going on with me that day...
What became clear to me as I struggled through the ride- was that I had been Training To Eat rather than EATING TO TRAIN!
I could absolutely tell the difference between when I eat healthy so I can fuel my next workout- and when I just eat whatever because I have trained so hard! It's BS to think I can eat whatever- I can't! I'm an athlete and whatever I put into my mouth will affect my next workout or worse yet- workouts!
After that lovely brick workout I got back on the "wagon". I spent some time thinking about the difference between Training to Eat and Eating to Train. It's been a week now- I already feel slimmer; my tummy's not bloated; my energy is better; my training is better; I just feel better overall!
Eating To Train needs to be my lifestyle for the next year. I can't indulge in sweets and over the top foods- I have a goal- and to take my eye off that goal, for even a full day- really affects how I will be able to train!
Not only do I have to complete all the workouts my coach has for me- but I HAVE to EAT TO TRAIN. I know I use the words "have to", but this is really a choice- I choose to train and eat properly....because I love it! And because the only way I will get to the start of IRONMAN is if I am consistent over the next 8 months! Caz- I'm in it for the long haul baby!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Any One UP for a Swim....
How about a 5:00 am swim on a Sunday morning....the day of rest- Yeah right! Not if you are a Practical Coaching athlete!
Yeap that's right. There where a few of us who are crazy enough to get up before the sunrise on a Sunday and get to the pool for some swimming. Did I say SOME swimming? Oh, wait a minute- I meant about 6K-7K worth of swimming!!!!!!!!!!!
This morning there was no socializing involved- it was straight to the business at hand of swimming 6000-7000 meters before 8:00 am when the pool opened to the public. I was given the task of swimming 6000 meters today (fortunately, although I think I will have a 7000 meter swim at the end of the month).
I had no idea how long it would take me to swim that far. My lane mate for this endeavor was Rob (You Rock Rob!!!!!) and we had fun (?) spending a few hours together swimming. Thank goodness for Rob- he knows how to count correctly.
Have you ever tried keeping track of 60 laps in an Olympic distance pool? It's hard! You have to remember what lap you are on so when you finish a lap you know what the next one is. For me- this is a challenge....I start thinking about stuff as I'm swimming and forget what number I'm on....One thing that kinda helps me is I alternate the side I breath on....left side is for odd numbers, right side for even. It's good in theory and seems to work good on the shorter swims....Again- Thank you Rob for keeping me honest! :)
I must say, I enjoyed the swim...I can't believe how fast over 2 hours passed! It did not feel like I was swimming for that long. The more I do this long distance stuff the more I realize I LOVE IT! Maybe it's the endorphins...or maybe I get a huge dopamine dump as I'm training...I don't know...I just know I love the long workouts! Come to think of it-that's a really good thing since I'll be doing an Ironman in Nov. Can you imagine if I hated these long workouts- I'd be hosed!
Anyway- here's to going to church today at Carmody Rec Center and having my spiritual experience while swimming.....there is nothing better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
Yeap that's right. There where a few of us who are crazy enough to get up before the sunrise on a Sunday and get to the pool for some swimming. Did I say SOME swimming? Oh, wait a minute- I meant about 6K-7K worth of swimming!!!!!!!!!!!
This morning there was no socializing involved- it was straight to the business at hand of swimming 6000-7000 meters before 8:00 am when the pool opened to the public. I was given the task of swimming 6000 meters today (fortunately, although I think I will have a 7000 meter swim at the end of the month).
I had no idea how long it would take me to swim that far. My lane mate for this endeavor was Rob (You Rock Rob!!!!!) and we had fun (?) spending a few hours together swimming. Thank goodness for Rob- he knows how to count correctly.
Have you ever tried keeping track of 60 laps in an Olympic distance pool? It's hard! You have to remember what lap you are on so when you finish a lap you know what the next one is. For me- this is a challenge....I start thinking about stuff as I'm swimming and forget what number I'm on....One thing that kinda helps me is I alternate the side I breath on....left side is for odd numbers, right side for even. It's good in theory and seems to work good on the shorter swims....Again- Thank you Rob for keeping me honest! :)
I must say, I enjoyed the swim...I can't believe how fast over 2 hours passed! It did not feel like I was swimming for that long. The more I do this long distance stuff the more I realize I LOVE IT! Maybe it's the endorphins...or maybe I get a huge dopamine dump as I'm training...I don't know...I just know I love the long workouts! Come to think of it-that's a really good thing since I'll be doing an Ironman in Nov. Can you imagine if I hated these long workouts- I'd be hosed!
Anyway- here's to going to church today at Carmody Rec Center and having my spiritual experience while swimming.....there is nothing better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
Brain Freezes and Ice Blocks
So, how about a Saturday 2 hour group bike ride followed by a 10 mile run???? Sounds like a great way to spend a Saturday morning.....EXCEPT we are in Colorado you know!
Which means, that 6 of us actually showed at 8:30 in the morning at Chatfield Resevior with the temps hovering around 27 degrees.
We all piled on as many layers as we could find. I had 5 layers on my upper body and 3 on my lower; headband; windproof gloves (yea right); and shoe covers.......It was shortly before 9 am
Which means, that 6 of us actually showed at 8:30 in the morning at Chatfield Resevior with the temps hovering around 27 degrees.
We all piled on as many layers as we could find. I had 5 layers on my upper body and 3 on my lower; headband; windproof gloves (yea right); and shoe covers.......It was shortly before 9 am
when we set off for a "warm up" headed toward the dam.
I have never ridden in temps this cold before, and I can see why it's recommended to wait until the temps are about 32 at least. Talk about a Icee style BRAIN FREEZE! I royally had one. I didn't even know it was possible to get one with out actually drinking an Icee!
We climbed the dam road (no pun intended) and descended the back side....turned around and climbed back up the dam and by then things were feeling warmer! We did a few laps in the park and by the time 2 hours went by the temps were around 40 (I'm guessing.)
Our mission for this ride and run where to train at about 80% and the only thing we were suppose to do fast was our transition from bike to run. That was a little tough given the millions of layers that I had to take off.....but I got the job done, put on my running shoes and started off for a 10 mile run.....
As I started off running it was really weird feeling- or should I say, not feeling. It was as if I was running on huge logs of ICE BLOCKS! My feet had absolutely NO feeling in them. I logically new that they were somewhere under my legs, I just couldn't feel them. It was the weirdest experience!
And when the feeling in my feet did begin to come back, I had to stop because I thought my orthodics where in my shoes wrong....which they were just fine...it's just the feeling was coming back strangely.
The day continued to warm up and my run was uneventful- except that Waterton Canyon was beautiful and I felt as if I had a good run!
All in all- I would not have wanted to miss today and training with the gang. It's nice to know that others will be there when you show up on a cold morning to train. It just might not be as big of a group.....but hey- it's the only way to "go the distance".
(picture from Practical Coaching)
I have never ridden in temps this cold before, and I can see why it's recommended to wait until the temps are about 32 at least. Talk about a Icee style BRAIN FREEZE! I royally had one. I didn't even know it was possible to get one with out actually drinking an Icee!
We climbed the dam road (no pun intended) and descended the back side....turned around and climbed back up the dam and by then things were feeling warmer! We did a few laps in the park and by the time 2 hours went by the temps were around 40 (I'm guessing.)
Our mission for this ride and run where to train at about 80% and the only thing we were suppose to do fast was our transition from bike to run. That was a little tough given the millions of layers that I had to take off.....but I got the job done, put on my running shoes and started off for a 10 mile run.....
As I started off running it was really weird feeling- or should I say, not feeling. It was as if I was running on huge logs of ICE BLOCKS! My feet had absolutely NO feeling in them. I logically new that they were somewhere under my legs, I just couldn't feel them. It was the weirdest experience!
And when the feeling in my feet did begin to come back, I had to stop because I thought my orthodics where in my shoes wrong....which they were just fine...it's just the feeling was coming back strangely.
The day continued to warm up and my run was uneventful- except that Waterton Canyon was beautiful and I felt as if I had a good run!
All in all- I would not have wanted to miss today and training with the gang. It's nice to know that others will be there when you show up on a cold morning to train. It just might not be as big of a group.....but hey- it's the only way to "go the distance".
(picture from Practical Coaching)
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