Coming a long way

When I feel discouraged I like to remind myself of how far I've come with my training. When I first stared road cycling I had a hard time moving into the big ring at the front and when I could, it was only for short periods of time. Now I can spin in it for more than an hour at a time and I am working my way through the gears at the back. It isn't always easy but it can be done.

I remember having difficulty getting through an hour on the bike when the limiter was physical. Now it seems that it can be the mental. It does help to have a plan when riding, or at the very least, some company. I push myself the hardest when I am leading a group class because I don't want them to think that I can dish it and not take it.

I used to not have the strength to stand on the trainer, and now I think I have run out of gear options. I never thought that I would ever say that.

I can tell that I am getting stronger. I really hope it pays off on course.

Afraid of the goose egg

I an driven by the numbers to a point. I have learned that pushing my body too far in order to check off a specific distance ran (or the like) is a poor strategy in the long run. I like checking things off in my training plan. I didn't want to miss a workout this early on. I know if there is a time to miss a workout, the early weeks are it, but I just don't like doing it.

Today I did my long spin in the morning and then the swim late at night. Like 930pm late. I was dreading the short walk to the pool and at one point was hoping that maybe someone would have soiled the pool and it wouldn't be good for swimming. Ah, luck was not on my side.

I told myself that if I was too tired that I could bail and at least I tried. I also told myself to suck it up. I got in the pool and managed 1000m, and only the last 100m were challenging for my stroke. I was swimming relaxed and smooth and without regret.

So no goose egg after all.

First run

I have such amazing revelations when I am out running but I can never seem to recall anything when it comes down to writing an entry.

I went for the first outdoor run from the house since we moved (the one in Canmore at the end of February doesn't count). I know I have run the same streets before but tonight it felt different because now I was running through my neighbourhood. I was seeing everything in a different light. I will admit that I like to snoop through people's windows and see what they're up to and compare their house to mine (mine is better xoxo).

Because of circumstances I started out running on the treadmill before moving outside. The effort outside felt the same as on the treadmill but was :16/km faster. And I did feel like I could keep running. I didn't have music or my garmin. I ran by feel and listened to the sounds. It was a very relaxing run.

Boring update...

I enjoyed a rest day today, and ate too much crap. Went to see the hunger games. did today's bike yesterday, and the rest of the week is a training puzzle.

Another week done:

Swim - 1:50 (3700m)
Bike - 4:00
Run - 2:06 (20.6km)

7:56 total training time

I start off excited but by Saturday morning I am looking forward to the rest day.

If only...

There is the common misconception that the amount of sweat indicates how hard a workout is. The two are not related. However, if there were a correlation, then I would have had the most awesome workout in the history of spinning as I sweat so much today I had to wring out my headband.

Gross.

Eureka!

I have made some discoveries this week.

Spinning before swimming is no longer how I am going to do things. I didn't spin first yesterday and I had an amazing swim. The main set was 20 x 100m at about a 750m TT pace. I managed between 2:07 and 2:14 for them. The majority of the slower ones were the last 3 since I was getting tired but I had time to finish the set so I did. I kept my stroke as even as I could and I tried to do the same with my breathing.

I need a plan when it comes to an at home spin workout. I know I can work hard, I do it with the group, but I have a tendency to chat on the phone or play games when I am by myself. I am letting myself spin too much in too easy of a gear. I know there is a place for that, but I want to be strong on the bike and I can't always piss around.

I have pinpointed one of the reasons why I have tension in my shoulders and it isn't related to swimming. I am prevented from pursuing (IMO) the appropriate couse of action and that is frustrating me.

Tree trunks are strong

That's what my friend Jenn texted to me when I said my legs felt like tree trunks. I then replied that they are heavy and don't bend. Yes, I was being whiny. My run was tough from the start. Maybe it was because of improper post workout fueling yesterday, or because I only got 5 hours of sleep. Maybe both. Whatever the issue was it made the run hard, but I did slog through it. I am looking forward to taking it outside when the weather is a bit warmer. My wuss factor is still pretty high right now.

Starting another week!

My weeks build intensity as they go, so it is nice that they start slow. (hey, a poem!)

Seriously, I like that I don't have 2 workouts on Tuesdays, although I will probably add a third swim later.

Today is my last spin class of the session and I have loved teaching it. It will start up again in 2 weeks.

Solid!

First week of training done and it adds up as follows:

Monday-rest Rest
Tuesday- bike (intervals, hills, etc) 45:00 done
Wednesday-long run 1:15 (11.3km pushing the stroller)
Thursday-swim and bike 2250m assorted (54:00), 1:00 on trainer
Friday- brick 45:00 bike, 10:00 run
Saturday-long bike 2:00 on trainer
Sunday swim and easy run 1600m assorted drills, 40:00 progression run

Swim 3850m (1:45)
Bike 4:30
Run 2:04 (19.8km)

Saturday's long spin was a "grind" of sorts. I had one ear to the music and the other to the fuzzies who were playing. Junior napped for the first 1:15 of it too. I missed having a group (or at least someone to talk to who wasn't fighting with a sibling) so that's what made it drag.

Sunday I did a swim that was mostly drills to work on my pull and position. I even did kick drills that I hate so much.

The run was great. I did a 10 minute warm-up and then increased the speed about :20/km every 10 minutes. 35 minutes total then a cool down. I have been running the long runs faster than I thought I would, so the natural pregression is to run faster with the other runs. I don't want to get caught up in one pace. I know that I won't be in a position to "race" the run of Ironman, but I do have my sights set on a half marathon PB at the very least, so I want to keep upping my speed.

Overall, I am very happy with the first week. I didn't miss a workout and I felt like I had energy. There were a couple of workouts that were tough to start but I always did and was happy with the result.

Now the best part? I have rest until 5:20pm Tuesday! Woohoo!

Carnage

One week of training and working yields the following laundry:

7 sport bras
6 tanks
2 tanks with built in bra
4 pairs of cycle shorts
3 pairs of running shorts
2 pairs of other shorts
3 pairs of crops/capris
11 pairs of socks


Not to mention the stuff I wear to and from the gym which also gets sweaty and stinky.

The damn internet!

The last sentence above came to haunt me today. I was too tired and I didn't want to get on my bike but I did.

Oldest fuzzy was "star of the day" at school so I went to volunteer in his class. Doing so I miss the coached swim group, so I did the workout before. My only gripe is that the workout I was emailed was more challenging than the one the group did! Anyway, being up and in the pool before 645 is new for me so my body took a bit to wake up. I felt tired all day but still did my hour on the bike.

See? No excuses. Now don't mind me as I pour a glass of wine and get excited about tomorrow's workout that it only an hour long.

Cupping

Today I had my first massage in years. I have a lot of tension in my upper back and I needed it gone. Rolling it out on a tennis ball just wasn't working for me. Igot a massage and some cupping done. It was my first experience with it. It felt odd, and a bit painful in some places but bearable. My back looks like I got into a fight with an octopus!

I didn't have a good sleep last night. Too many hours spent awake listening to a not sleeping baby. I had a nap this afternoon which wasn't long enough. I didn't want to get up and teach, but I did. The spin class was hard for me, but luckily I had a good mix of music today and an awesome workout planned and made it through. For the next few months I am going to have to teach my class then do another 15 or 20 minutes on my own to get the time up.

I made the promise early on that I wasn't going to make excuses and I still won't.

Pre-flection

The pre base period is done and I would say that I was successful at getting a good base for the official base period of training. I did at least one of each discipline each week, but mainly 2 of each and sometimes 3. I did at least 6h a week of activity and that it pretty good to start.

The weeks "look" manageable, but the volume is pretty low to start. The biggest thing to fit in will be the long bikes. I will have to be creative with the weekly scheduling, and top of my time management.

I have been flipping through the training log of my first Ironman. Honestly, it is amazing that I actually finished it I made a lot of mistakes training, but I did do some things right. I was a big advocate of quality vs quantity. I will be doing similar things this time. I did not do a lot of long distance riding, and I know that hurt me on race day. I am not making that mistake again. My training right now is more bike focused and back then it was run focused as I was training for the Vancouver Marathon. Not this time!

The gist of the training schedule (as per my training manual) is as follows:
Mondays-rest
Tuesdays-swim and bike
Wednesdays-run
Thursdays-brick or separate bike and run
Fridays-swim and bike
Saturdays-long bike and easy run, or brick
Sundays-swim and (long) run

The weekday workouts are reasonably short compared to the weekends. I will be swapping Thursdays and Fridays, as the coached swim group meets Thursdays. I will be tweaking the days a bit to fit in with our family schedule. I know there will be times that life will make it challenging, but I will do my best. I want to get to the finish line so I will make it work.

Shall I start making a batch of "suck-it-up" to have on hand?

Spinning like I mean it

I had a tough but good spin today. I focused on higher cadence stuff. Basically simulating riding the 40km part of an Olympic triathlon. I know I am getting stronger and I am excited to get out on the road.

That being said I got the "go ahead" to buy a triathlon bike. I sent hubby a picture of me standing beside one with a sad face. He later asked me if I needed one. I know that I don't need one, but I do see myself doing triathlon for a very long time, and I think it would be comfortable. I have been doing a little bit of shopping and hoping to get the best bike I can for the money that I can spend.

I know it isn't going to make me a better triathlete and I know that I can finish any distance with the bike I do have. Can I justify it as a need? Absolutely not. It is a want. But doing Ironman is a want. I don't need to to this. I want to. Will it make me happier to have it? No. Maybe? I am not unhappy without it. Will it make me faster? Ah...now that's a question. ;)

Swimming but going nowhere

Tough day at the pool. Each stroke was a struggle to do. My shoulders and upper back are so tired from swimming. The coach says that's normal and I am doing it right. I guess retraining the muscles to swim properly is going to make me tired. I am used to my legs being tight and tired but having this in my upper body is a new sensation to me.

Suck it up, buttercup

Wardrobe fail this morning. Went to the gym to do my run and didn't have my shorts with me. Had to do my run in my long yoga pants. Not the most comfortable feeling, being drenched in sweat like that. I see people running indoors in pants all the time and I think they have lost their marbles.

We were running late this morning and the shorts got left behind. At least I had my shoes!

Perspective

There are things bigger in life than Ironman training, or even exercise in general. I am always grateful for my family, even though there are times when I am too tired to speak properly, or to frustrated to communicate effectively. I know they love me for me and really don't care what the outcome is.

That being said, I did drag my tired body to the pool for my scheduled swim. I added in a bonus run as some friends of mine raced a half marathon and killed it. I was inspired to run fast.

The swim was tough. I was telling hubby that the effort on my fast sprints was not reflected in the time. He said they can't all be good workouts and he is right. He gets the high five of the day. After breakfast I was all dozy on the chair and said that I was going to go swimming after supper: the pool would be less crowded and hopefully I would feel more awake. He strongly suggested I get up and go right now since I wouldn't want to go after supper. He's right. I am glad that I don't have to head over now. I can relax and maybe get into bed early.

This week's summery:
swim - 1:30 (3400m)
bike - 2:50
run - 2:25 (23.7km)

So almost 7h in total when added up. I am looking forward to having my treadmill up and running (ha!). I also need to figure out what I am going to do around spring break...

Brick boo yeah!

Did a brick workout today. An hour on the bike then 20 minutes run.

I am starting to pay attention to the watts and distance that I am riding. I know it is on a spin bike so accuracy may be iffy, but I like numbers. Funnily, I looked at what I did on both my hour rides this week. Distance differed by .1km but average watts by 15. What the...

Did a tough interval run yesterday. Pukeworthy. I was thinking of some of the insane interval workouts I know others do and that's what helped me go. I want to be in the "fast kids" club and tough workouts like this will help me get there.

Morning workout envy?

Something I never thought I would actually say, but I do have a small part of me that wishes I were able to do the early morning workouts. With hubby's work schedule it doesn't work, unless I wanted my morning to start at 3am (and no pool that I know of is open then). Jr doesn't sleep well enough so there is no guarantee that at 6 or 7am he will be sleeping.

I like the idea of being able to exercise while the family is sleeping and then it doesn't take any time away from them. My current option is to put them in childcare while I do a workout. I am not opposed to that as they like it there and get to play with kids their own age a bit more.

Also as the day progresses my enthusiasm decreases, so I like the idea of getting it out of the way.