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.

Stroller Run Wednesdays

Some of my friends do "Tempo Tuesdays" so this is my answer. Yes, the more appropriate answer would be to do the tempo run. Shhhh.