Well, I'm back at it for my 4th season of Team in Training. Only this time I've stepped up the ante, and have signed up for the New Balance Half Ironman! eek.
I was feel confident when I signed up, having just done my first half marathon in September. But I have been feeling lazy the last month, and need to kick my butt back into gear.
Wade is our coach this year, and I'm pretty sure he'll help with that... I expected our first swim practice to be nice and easy... just learning the drills, and meeting each other. But apparently not even the first practice can be easy... We swung our arms on land till tired, then skulled and kicked till tired, than swam one armed, and learned how to push off, and proper lane etiquette etc.
I think we are off to a good (hard) start.
So far:
Swam - 1000m?
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Race Day
As I started thinking about if I want to sign up for Lavaman for a 4th year in a few weeks I realized I never wrote a race day report! Better late than never, right... right??!
Bright and early at 5 am we met on the grassy knoll - it was still completely dark out! I didn't remember this from previous years. We put air in our tires and made our way to the transition area. I got set up, then walked around and loved feeling all the tension and nerves and excitement in the air. As prepared ourselves during the beautiful sunrise. As usual, time on race day started flying by, time for team photos, than nervous pacing on the beach, and we stared at the swim course. This year we were grouped into 4 or so waves... and before I knew it, the wave before me was in the water!
The race start was actually far enough in you had to tread water a little - Cathy laughed at me saying it was good for me, since I'm so slow at gettin the water (it was cold! in fact this was the first year it was cold enough for wet suits to be allowed!).
And then we were off! I had my most confident swim ever - apparently practice does pay off :). As people kicked me, or pushed into me at the beginning, I just kept swimming, and even managed to draft off someone. I made it to the first buoy in what felt like no time - 1/4 done! Round the corner, then at this point some of the next wave started passing us, no worries, I just kept swimming. And then saw a turtle! Before I knew it I was done with the swim, in my fastest time yet (40ish minutes I believe), and out to the bike course.
I got on my bike, turned the corner onto the highway, to go up the first hill... and found that I could switch into my hardest gear to go uphill. Ugh, that meant some strong winds! The first 13 miles went super fast and easy, I pretended its cause I'm so strong, and not at all due to a tail wind of course.
Then the turn around, and the first 8 or so miles where not so bad, I got to cheer at many of our team mates, and felt good - I was on track to meet my goal! And then with about 5 miles left... suddenly the dreaded head wind kicked in, and man did it suck! going DOWN hill, I'd be in my easiest gear, peddling super hard and barely moving. I felt like if I stopped peddling for even a second, down hill, I'd stop! So for 5 miles, there was no coasting. on the down or up hills, and it was killer! It felt like it might never end. I saw a few of our team mates still on their way out, and I felt bad for them having to face this wind... I was sooo relieved when I finally saw the turn off from the highway. I had lost all the time I'd made up on my swim and bike out, but at least I was done!
I hoped off my bike in a rush, threw on running shoes, and contemplated having to go to the bathroom. I decided I could last, and took off in a comfortable jog. About 1 mile in I got to our first slight hill, and was tempted to walk.. My legs ached a bit from the brutal bike ride, it was hot out, etc. I then reminded myself that my main goal for this tri was to run the whole way, no matter what, and pushed through that temptation. Low and behold, as soon as I made that commitment, suddenly running didn't seem as hard, and my aches and pains were forgotten. Mile 2 I started really having to go pee - and learned there wasn't a portapotty till mile 3! This motivated me to speed up, and sped up, even into some head winds. After finally making it to the porta potty, I caught up to a few team mates (Hi Emilka!) and jogged with them, then carried on. I felt so strong and full of energy, I kept trudging on at "full speed" (full speed for me is not that fast... but whatever). I ran the whole way to the finish line, even across the last mile of coral and sand, and finished happy and strong. (and then tired once I stopped).
It felt so good to have not walked and finally actually reached a goal. My overall time was one of my slower ones, due to the wind, but I didn't mind since my swim and run where good. In practice I had run about 10 minute miles, and on race day I averaged under 9 minute miles, even w/ a potty break!
I then went out to the soft sand about .5 miles from the finish line, and helped the remaining team mates finish strong. With the brutal head winds, and high heats, people where feeling very beaten up by the end, and ready to be done. So we helped cheer them on, and finish strong.
We later learned that the winds got worse and worse throughout the morning - so the fast pros had no head winds, I had it for about 5 miles, and some of the slower people had it for like 10 miles! Unfair... While it made it harder, and our times slower, I think every appreciated how much better it felt to finish.
Great job to everyone who finished their first olympic tri! See you all next season!
Bright and early at 5 am we met on the grassy knoll - it was still completely dark out! I didn't remember this from previous years. We put air in our tires and made our way to the transition area. I got set up, then walked around and loved feeling all the tension and nerves and excitement in the air. As prepared ourselves during the beautiful sunrise. As usual, time on race day started flying by, time for team photos, than nervous pacing on the beach, and we stared at the swim course. This year we were grouped into 4 or so waves... and before I knew it, the wave before me was in the water!
The race start was actually far enough in you had to tread water a little - Cathy laughed at me saying it was good for me, since I'm so slow at gettin the water (it was cold! in fact this was the first year it was cold enough for wet suits to be allowed!).
And then we were off! I had my most confident swim ever - apparently practice does pay off :). As people kicked me, or pushed into me at the beginning, I just kept swimming, and even managed to draft off someone. I made it to the first buoy in what felt like no time - 1/4 done! Round the corner, then at this point some of the next wave started passing us, no worries, I just kept swimming. And then saw a turtle! Before I knew it I was done with the swim, in my fastest time yet (40ish minutes I believe), and out to the bike course.
I got on my bike, turned the corner onto the highway, to go up the first hill... and found that I could switch into my hardest gear to go uphill. Ugh, that meant some strong winds! The first 13 miles went super fast and easy, I pretended its cause I'm so strong, and not at all due to a tail wind of course.
Then the turn around, and the first 8 or so miles where not so bad, I got to cheer at many of our team mates, and felt good - I was on track to meet my goal! And then with about 5 miles left... suddenly the dreaded head wind kicked in, and man did it suck! going DOWN hill, I'd be in my easiest gear, peddling super hard and barely moving. I felt like if I stopped peddling for even a second, down hill, I'd stop! So for 5 miles, there was no coasting. on the down or up hills, and it was killer! It felt like it might never end. I saw a few of our team mates still on their way out, and I felt bad for them having to face this wind... I was sooo relieved when I finally saw the turn off from the highway. I had lost all the time I'd made up on my swim and bike out, but at least I was done!
I hoped off my bike in a rush, threw on running shoes, and contemplated having to go to the bathroom. I decided I could last, and took off in a comfortable jog. About 1 mile in I got to our first slight hill, and was tempted to walk.. My legs ached a bit from the brutal bike ride, it was hot out, etc. I then reminded myself that my main goal for this tri was to run the whole way, no matter what, and pushed through that temptation. Low and behold, as soon as I made that commitment, suddenly running didn't seem as hard, and my aches and pains were forgotten. Mile 2 I started really having to go pee - and learned there wasn't a portapotty till mile 3! This motivated me to speed up, and sped up, even into some head winds. After finally making it to the porta potty, I caught up to a few team mates (Hi Emilka!) and jogged with them, then carried on. I felt so strong and full of energy, I kept trudging on at "full speed" (full speed for me is not that fast... but whatever). I ran the whole way to the finish line, even across the last mile of coral and sand, and finished happy and strong. (and then tired once I stopped).
It felt so good to have not walked and finally actually reached a goal. My overall time was one of my slower ones, due to the wind, but I didn't mind since my swim and run where good. In practice I had run about 10 minute miles, and on race day I averaged under 9 minute miles, even w/ a potty break!
I then went out to the soft sand about .5 miles from the finish line, and helped the remaining team mates finish strong. With the brutal head winds, and high heats, people where feeling very beaten up by the end, and ready to be done. So we helped cheer them on, and finish strong.
We later learned that the winds got worse and worse throughout the morning - so the fast pros had no head winds, I had it for about 5 miles, and some of the slower people had it for like 10 miles! Unfair... While it made it harder, and our times slower, I think every appreciated how much better it felt to finish.
Great job to everyone who finished their first olympic tri! See you all next season!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Packing up
I leave for hawaii in less than two days! EEk. This last week we've begun tapering - (the best part of training), and now I'm just making sure I have everything lined up that I need to take with me.
I've set up my phone to able to post blog entries/photos, but to our group blog at weSwimBikeRun.blogspot.com . So over the next week check in there for some photo updates of our week in Hawaii.
Race day is just 7 days from today!
I've set up my phone to able to post blog entries/photos, but to our group blog at weSwimBikeRun.blogspot.com . So over the next week check in there for some photo updates of our week in Hawaii.
Race day is just 7 days from today!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
The last hurrah!
Last week we did a final long brick before dropping of our bikes to be shipped (literally, on a boat) over to Hawaii. I ended up doing my brick on my own, due to scheduling. I just went out and back on the burke gilman for both the bike and run - 20 mile bike and a 6 mile run. My main goal was to run the entire run, with no walking - I've done plenty of 6 mile runs now on their own, but this was to prove to myself that I could do it following a long bike ride. So that I would have no excuse on race day to walk.
The last two years I'd find myself walking on and off, for no valid reason (well, I was sore and tired and hot, but those are not valid reasons during a race). So during my brick I ran the whole way! I just sorta kept running, and managed to not really think about it. It felt really great! And what felt even better was stopping at the end - I was just a bit tired...
In general I'm very good at pacing myself - which means I can generally finish what I set out to do, but not as fast as possible, and I rarely wear myself out. So it was good practice for me to do a workout that actually left me really tired! Hopefully I'll do more in the future :).
And with that, I kissed my bike good bye (for two weeks) and dropped it off for its trip to the Big Island.
We are now ready for race day, and are starting to taper our workouts. Yay :).
The last two years I'd find myself walking on and off, for no valid reason (well, I was sore and tired and hot, but those are not valid reasons during a race). So during my brick I ran the whole way! I just sorta kept running, and managed to not really think about it. It felt really great! And what felt even better was stopping at the end - I was just a bit tired...
In general I'm very good at pacing myself - which means I can generally finish what I set out to do, but not as fast as possible, and I rarely wear myself out. So it was good practice for me to do a workout that actually left me really tired! Hopefully I'll do more in the future :).
And with that, I kissed my bike good bye (for two weeks) and dropped it off for its trip to the Big Island.
We are now ready for race day, and are starting to taper our workouts. Yay :).
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Recap
Well, I've been sort of MIA from this blog, though not mia from training at least.
We did a fairly long brick a few weeks ago - 26 mile bike ride and 4 mile run (and I ran the whole way!). I have done two 7 mile runs (longest I've ever done, and I ran the whole way). I've been swimming twice a week most weeks, (though sometimes just once). Got my first flat tire, and fixed it (with help). And that about catches us up to today...
Our bikes ship off to Hawaii this friday, very soon! I am going to try and do an oyo brick tomorrow, before saying fairwell to the bike for a few weeks. I'll try to post more. We leave for hawaii in just two weeks!
We did a fairly long brick a few weeks ago - 26 mile bike ride and 4 mile run (and I ran the whole way!). I have done two 7 mile runs (longest I've ever done, and I ran the whole way). I've been swimming twice a week most weeks, (though sometimes just once). Got my first flat tire, and fixed it (with help). And that about catches us up to today...
Our bikes ship off to Hawaii this friday, very soon! I am going to try and do an oyo brick tomorrow, before saying fairwell to the bike for a few weeks. I'll try to post more. We leave for hawaii in just two weeks!
Kettle Ball Hell
Crossfit today. Was actually sorta fun, definitely hard.
7 rounds
20 kettle ball swings
10 burpees
20 kettle ball swings
10 situps with kettle ball.
For once the burpees were not the hardest part of the workout. The prescribed one was 10 rounds, and a heavier weight, ugh! It took me almost 30 minutes. and I'm guessing I'll be sore tomorrow.
7 rounds
20 kettle ball swings
10 burpees
20 kettle ball swings
10 situps with kettle ball.
For once the burpees were not the hardest part of the workout. The prescribed one was 10 rounds, and a heavier weight, ugh! It took me almost 30 minutes. and I'm guessing I'll be sore tomorrow.
Monday, February 23, 2009
7 miles
Boomer and I (and most of our team) ran 7 miles on Saturday. I think that is the most i've ever run. I was worried going into it, because I was still sore from stupid crossfit on Wednesday. I was also worried Boomer wouldn't be able to go that far (I had been considering 9 miles, but didn't for his sake).
he kept up the whole way, and then wanted to play fetch after! I ran the whole way, without any walking... at the end, I walked as I got back to the parking lot and immediately felt my sore legs - so I was happy I hadn't tried walking earlier, and it would have been hard to run again.
Overall it was relatively "easy", maybe people are right that once you're past 4 or so miles, you don't notice the distance as much? who knows. Maybe we'll see, if I get adventurous and try even longer runs.
he kept up the whole way, and then wanted to play fetch after! I ran the whole way, without any walking... at the end, I walked as I got back to the parking lot and immediately felt my sore legs - so I was happy I hadn't tried walking earlier, and it would have been hard to run again.
Overall it was relatively "easy", maybe people are right that once you're past 4 or so miles, you don't notice the distance as much? who knows. Maybe we'll see, if I get adventurous and try even longer runs.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
I ripped open my hands today
Ahh, crossfit is lovely.
WOD: 5 Rounds
12 pullups
12 pushups
12 situps
12 kettle ball swings (16 kg)
12 jumping squats
12 pullups is just at my limit, where I considered using a rubber band, but Laurie talked me into doing them all on my lonesome. I made it through the first 4 rounds by doing them just in two sets. Though at about round 3 I got nauseous... and stayed that way throughout. By the last 3 of the last round though, I did them one by one. And my hands where bleeding.
My left hand is actually bleeding, and has a flap of skin hanging off it, right one is just flappy, no bleeding. And my arms are tiiired. And an hour later I'm still not hungry.
Wow, I bet Swimming will be awesome tonight.
WOD: 5 Rounds
12 pullups
12 pushups
12 situps
12 kettle ball swings (16 kg)
12 jumping squats
12 pullups is just at my limit, where I considered using a rubber band, but Laurie talked me into doing them all on my lonesome. I made it through the first 4 rounds by doing them just in two sets. Though at about round 3 I got nauseous... and stayed that way throughout. By the last 3 of the last round though, I did them one by one. And my hands where bleeding.
My left hand is actually bleeding, and has a flap of skin hanging off it, right one is just flappy, no bleeding. And my arms are tiiired. And an hour later I'm still not hungry.
Wow, I bet Swimming will be awesome tonight.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Poop!
I got in my car to go to crossfit today for lunch, and noticed my car was veering to the side significantly. I reluctantly pulled over, got out, and found another super flat tire.
Two flat tires in two months! Hmph. Not sure I can fit in a workout today now.. Instead I get to sit at Leschwab and get another new tire.
I was amazed how much faster AAA can change a tire than moi. he did it in under 5 minutes I think!
Two flat tires in two months! Hmph. Not sure I can fit in a workout today now.. Instead I get to sit at Leschwab and get another new tire.
I was amazed how much faster AAA can change a tire than moi. he did it in under 5 minutes I think!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Running in the snow?
As I walked to my car to drive to running last night, it was hailing super hard, these "giant" balls of ice! that would definitely hurt to run in. But by the time I got to green lake it was only snowing. I found it funny that I was happy it was snowing, cause that is nicer than hail.
Our weather is crazy these days! We just ran the greenlake loop. I stepped in quite a few giant cold puddles - its good I like my new shoes, as I'm guessing that run made them un-returnable. I had cold feet at the end, but otherwise the run went well.
3 miles now feels almost short to me! its exciting. Only 7 more weeks to go!! eek.
Our weather is crazy these days! We just ran the greenlake loop. I stepped in quite a few giant cold puddles - its good I like my new shoes, as I'm guessing that run made them un-returnable. I had cold feet at the end, but otherwise the run went well.
3 miles now feels almost short to me! its exciting. Only 7 more weeks to go!! eek.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
hmph
So this was going to be an excited post. I picked up my old road bike (ie my mom's really old road bike) and got it set up for commuting. This means I no longer have to change shoes for my short 4 mile rides, and I have a bag rack on the back, and fenders. It makes the bike commuting much easier, not having to dress different for the biking parts of the day. I also picked up some of the velcro straps that keep your jeans from getting caught in the gears.
I biked to the bus, and then from the bus back home in the evening. And discovered that going up my super humongous long hill... is actually not too hard on this bike. I guess the gearing goes significantly lower. While I still went into the lowest gear, I could make it the whole way up without struggling, and at the top my legs where not shaking, and super tired...
I'm not sure what to think about my new bike now. Its 30 years new, full of all these new technologies, but in the end climbing a big hill just comes down to an easier gear ratio... Maybe I wasted money on getting a new bike? The new one is way lighter, and its nice to not have to fiddle with the gears I guess... Hmph.
I biked to the bus, and then from the bus back home in the evening. And discovered that going up my super humongous long hill... is actually not too hard on this bike. I guess the gearing goes significantly lower. While I still went into the lowest gear, I could make it the whole way up without struggling, and at the top my legs where not shaking, and super tired...
I'm not sure what to think about my new bike now. Its 30 years new, full of all these new technologies, but in the end climbing a big hill just comes down to an easier gear ratio... Maybe I wasted money on getting a new bike? The new one is way lighter, and its nice to not have to fiddle with the gears I guess... Hmph.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Week Recap
Monday - ran 3.5 miles ish (intervals)
Tuesday - xfit, and 1.5 mile run to try out shoes
Wednesday - swam 1800 yds
Thursday - xfit - yuck it was hard, and 8 mile bike ride
Friday - Swam 1600 yds
Saturday - 30ish mile bike ride
Sunday - 3 mile run.
Now I'm taking today off! :). For once I actually fit in two of each sport in a week, even if some of them where small workouts.
Tuesday - xfit, and 1.5 mile run to try out shoes
Wednesday - swam 1800 yds
Thursday - xfit - yuck it was hard, and 8 mile bike ride
Friday - Swam 1600 yds
Saturday - 30ish mile bike ride
Sunday - 3 mile run.
Now I'm taking today off! :). For once I actually fit in two of each sport in a week, even if some of them where small workouts.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
a lot of biking
We had our first long bike ride today. We met at gasworks, so I just biked down there...
I usually complain a lot about gettin up in time for an 8am practice - but when I woke up Saturday morning to blue skies, I got excited :). We started off down the burke gilman a few miles, then across montlake, and down to seward park. Which meant we got to bike along lake Washington, in the sun, and it was pretty great. I even felt warm from the sun (sometimes).
Though Coach Cathy kept mentioning how we were going on the flat route - there were definitely a few yucky hills, like the switchbacks, down to the lake. On the way back, it was so nice out, we then did a extra out and back down the burke gilman - making for a total of a 28 mile ride. Then I biked home - so I ended up doing just over 30 miles. Before today my longest ride of the season was a pathetic 13..
So we did more than the race distance, and we still have 8 (only??) more weeks of training.
Pictures to come soon.
I usually complain a lot about gettin up in time for an 8am practice - but when I woke up Saturday morning to blue skies, I got excited :). We started off down the burke gilman a few miles, then across montlake, and down to seward park. Which meant we got to bike along lake Washington, in the sun, and it was pretty great. I even felt warm from the sun (sometimes).
Though Coach Cathy kept mentioning how we were going on the flat route - there were definitely a few yucky hills, like the switchbacks, down to the lake. On the way back, it was so nice out, we then did a extra out and back down the burke gilman - making for a total of a 28 mile ride. Then I biked home - so I ended up doing just over 30 miles. Before today my longest ride of the season was a pathetic 13..
So we did more than the race distance, and we still have 8 (only??) more weeks of training.
Pictures to come soon.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
x-fit today
btw, this is post number 101 for me. whoop whoop.
Todays workout was long...
3 rounds
25 squats
200 m run
25 pushups
200 m run
25 situps
200 m run
25 pullups
200 m run
I read through it thinking, hmm not so bad, I can't do that... till I see the 25 pullups. times 3! eek.
I used the lightest band - as I didn't think I could make it through that many totally on my own. Somehow the 2nd round, I flew through the first 15 pullups in a row.. as soon as I take a break though, then my hands hurt when I start again.
but I wore my new running shoes, and my feet didn't hurt, so fingers crossed - they are good :)
Last night was swim practice - and for the first time in a few weeks I actually felt ok at swimming. which was a bit of a relief
Todays workout was long...
3 rounds
25 squats
200 m run
25 pushups
200 m run
25 situps
200 m run
25 pullups
200 m run
I read through it thinking, hmm not so bad, I can't do that... till I see the 25 pullups. times 3! eek.
I used the lightest band - as I didn't think I could make it through that many totally on my own. Somehow the 2nd round, I flew through the first 15 pullups in a row.. as soon as I take a break though, then my hands hurt when I start again.
but I wore my new running shoes, and my feet didn't hurt, so fingers crossed - they are good :)
Last night was swim practice - and for the first time in a few weeks I actually felt ok at swimming. which was a bit of a relief
Monday, January 26, 2009
a slow week
Its been a somewhat slow week for me - been very busy with other stuff, and didn't fit in as many workouts as I'd like.
This week I will pick it back up hopefully, and get in a full week of workouts. Although at the moment, its 29 degrees outside, and I'm sick.
Monday - Xfit
Thursday - run 3 miles
Friday - Swim , and a little bike (only 4 miles).
Saturday - 5ish mile trail run
This week I will pick it back up hopefully, and get in a full week of workouts. Although at the moment, its 29 degrees outside, and I'm sick.
Monday - Xfit
Thursday - run 3 miles
Friday - Swim , and a little bike (only 4 miles).
Saturday - 5ish mile trail run
Friday, January 16, 2009
getting lost while running
I have lots of athletic friends, who used to always tell me they where going on a short run, then 1.5 hours later, come back, and claim they'd gotten lost, so they'd done like 7 miles instead of 3. And I thought to myself wow, they are dumb, and that would never happen to me. I would often go for a short run, and think I'd done longer than expected, then find I'd only run like 1.5 miles. woo hoo.
But Sunday I went running in San Francisco, and almost had a moment like that! I managed to get myself lost running around a park, and went the wrong direction, got lost, and didn't even know the address of where I was trying to get to. Eventually I figured out I'd come into the park from a different direction than I'd thought, and found my way home. Though I didn't end up doing a crazy 8 miles, like you stupid athletic people (Abby... Hannah... ) I did do 4.5 miles instead of 3. Which is good enough for me :)
Miles since Kickoff:
Bike: 72 miles
Swim: 13800 yds
Run: 67.2 miles
But Sunday I went running in San Francisco, and almost had a moment like that! I managed to get myself lost running around a park, and went the wrong direction, got lost, and didn't even know the address of where I was trying to get to. Eventually I figured out I'd come into the park from a different direction than I'd thought, and found my way home. Though I didn't end up doing a crazy 8 miles, like you stupid athletic people (Abby... Hannah... ) I did do 4.5 miles instead of 3. Which is good enough for me :)
Miles since Kickoff:
Bike: 72 miles
Swim: 13800 yds
Run: 67.2 miles
Thursday, January 15, 2009
xfit yesterday
Tabata:
box jumps
pushups
pullups
squats
situps
In a tabata workout, you do 20 seconds of an exercise, rest 10 seconds, and repeat 8 times. With a one minute break between types of exercises. (ie, do 20 seconds of box jumps, 8 times, rest a minute, then move onto pushups). The lowest rep of each one adds to your score. So if doing pushups you do 8,8,8,8,7,6,7,7 - you would get a 6 for pushups.
Anyways, I tried to guess how many I could do of each one, and hold the number steady. I only did 5 pushups, and probably should have done a few more. I did two pullups, and was thinking it was too easy, so the last round, I tried to do a third - and it got messy. Probably next time I'll be able to do more.
I'm a bit sore today. And I went swimming with the team last night... blegh. 1700 yds. not bad. But my form felt yucky again.
Miles since Kickoff:
Bike: 65 miles
Swim: 1200 yds
Run: 59.7 miles
box jumps
pushups
pullups
squats
situps
In a tabata workout, you do 20 seconds of an exercise, rest 10 seconds, and repeat 8 times. With a one minute break between types of exercises. (ie, do 20 seconds of box jumps, 8 times, rest a minute, then move onto pushups). The lowest rep of each one adds to your score. So if doing pushups you do 8,8,8,8,7,6,7,7 - you would get a 6 for pushups.
Anyways, I tried to guess how many I could do of each one, and hold the number steady. I only did 5 pushups, and probably should have done a few more. I did two pullups, and was thinking it was too easy, so the last round, I tried to do a third - and it got messy. Probably next time I'll be able to do more.
I'm a bit sore today. And I went swimming with the team last night... blegh. 1700 yds. not bad. But my form felt yucky again.
Miles since Kickoff:
Bike: 65 miles
Swim: 1200 yds
Run: 59.7 miles
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
I hate my hill
That's all. I know I can bike all the way up it, so now I have no excuse. But that doesn't mean its not painful. Hmph. I need to move somewhere flat.
Miles since Kickoff:
Bike: 65 miles
Swim: 10300 yds
Run: 59.7 miles
Miles since Kickoff:
Bike: 65 miles
Swim: 10300 yds
Run: 59.7 miles
Saturday, January 10, 2009
First brick of the season
Bike - Run - Ick!
Today we had our first brick of the season. We did a 10 mile bike ride down lake sammamish park way, followed by a 4 mile run... It went well!
As we drove across the bridge it started pouring on us, and we (bex and I) got a little unhappy. Made worse when I realized I forgot my coat! So I biked in just a long sleeve bike jersey, and luckily it was only sprinkling when we started. It then actually cleared up (ie, the grey sky went from dark grey to light grey... but still grey), for the rest of the bike ride. The bike went pretty smoothly - on the way out, I kept thinking it as mostly downhill, and was worried about the return trip. But somehow the return trip felt like a lot of downhill as well - the joys of gradual rolling hills :).
I switched into running shoes, grabbed Boomer, and headed out on a 3 or 4 mile run. I got to the turnaround for the 3 mile route (1.5 miles in) and figured I should do the longer one. That .5 mile to the next turn around felt sooo long though. But I managed to run the entire way, without walking at all - even though my legs felt heavy for the first mile or so (some might say... they felt like bricks?). Boomer in fact tried to ditch me for Ande, cause he was running faster than me. I guess Boomers paws did not feel heavy...
So overall training is going well. The last two years, I definitely walked part of the runs after the bike rides, and struggled a little more on the bikes. I'm pretty sure this is the strongest I've been, hopefully my time this year will reflect that :).
Miles since Kickoff:
Bike: 59 miles
Swim: 10300 yds
Run: 59.7 miles
** I need to bike more! I am running too much apparently...
Today we had our first brick of the season. We did a 10 mile bike ride down lake sammamish park way, followed by a 4 mile run... It went well!
As we drove across the bridge it started pouring on us, and we (bex and I) got a little unhappy. Made worse when I realized I forgot my coat! So I biked in just a long sleeve bike jersey, and luckily it was only sprinkling when we started. It then actually cleared up (ie, the grey sky went from dark grey to light grey... but still grey), for the rest of the bike ride. The bike went pretty smoothly - on the way out, I kept thinking it as mostly downhill, and was worried about the return trip. But somehow the return trip felt like a lot of downhill as well - the joys of gradual rolling hills :).
I switched into running shoes, grabbed Boomer, and headed out on a 3 or 4 mile run. I got to the turnaround for the 3 mile route (1.5 miles in) and figured I should do the longer one. That .5 mile to the next turn around felt sooo long though. But I managed to run the entire way, without walking at all - even though my legs felt heavy for the first mile or so (some might say... they felt like bricks?). Boomer in fact tried to ditch me for Ande, cause he was running faster than me. I guess Boomers paws did not feel heavy...
So overall training is going well. The last two years, I definitely walked part of the runs after the bike rides, and struggled a little more on the bikes. I'm pretty sure this is the strongest I've been, hopefully my time this year will reflect that :).
Miles since Kickoff:
Bike: 59 miles
Swim: 10300 yds
Run: 59.7 miles
** I need to bike more! I am running too much apparently...
Friday, January 9, 2009
Xfit today
I hadn't been to crossfit in a few weeks - thanks to the lovely weather we've had... and busy holiday schedules. But I still did the full workout...
5 rounds of:
400 m run
30 box jumps *
30 wall ball **
* box jumps - you jump up on a box, then step down... over and over
** Wall ball is my least favorite exercise (behind only burpees). You squat down, then on the way up, throw a (12 lb) medicine ball at a target about 10 feet up, on a wall. Then catch the ball as your squating down again. Here's a video, if you're curious.
5 rounds of:
400 m run
30 box jumps *
30 wall ball **
* box jumps - you jump up on a box, then step down... over and over
** Wall ball is my least favorite exercise (behind only burpees). You squat down, then on the way up, throw a (12 lb) medicine ball at a target about 10 feet up, on a wall. Then catch the ball as your squating down again. Here's a video, if you're curious.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
sinking....
We had a coached swim last night and ugh - I did not feel good. For some reason I just felt like my form was terrible, and I could barely swim.
At one point we were doing a drill - 6 kicks on one side, then 3 strokes, and repeat. Cathy mentioned we should push our heads down against our shoulders, and that will elevate our hips/legs. Which sounded like some logical physics. So I tried that, and just felt like my entire body was underwater. I don't think that's supposed to happen. It was the worst on my left side, I was so low in the water, it was hard to breathe!
Ugh, I know I've had some bad swim workouts in the past... So I'm presuming next time I get in the water I'll be fine. But it wasn't fun.
At one point we were doing a drill - 6 kicks on one side, then 3 strokes, and repeat. Cathy mentioned we should push our heads down against our shoulders, and that will elevate our hips/legs. Which sounded like some logical physics. So I tried that, and just felt like my entire body was underwater. I don't think that's supposed to happen. It was the worst on my left side, I was so low in the water, it was hard to breathe!
Ugh, I know I've had some bad swim workouts in the past... So I'm presuming next time I get in the water I'll be fine. But it wasn't fun.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
a Minor breakthrough
Sunday Boomer and I hit greenlake again, and did two laps! While I've done plenty of 5/6ish mile runs in the past, I have this mental block with starting a 2nd lap at places like greenlake. Usually my longer runs are out and backs.
When finishing the first 3 mile loop, even if I'm not feeling tired, the idea of starting a second loop, and locking myself into a another full 3 mile loop intimidates me, and I make up excuses (like Boomer looks tired, right?) and generally call it a day. But Sunday I started off telling myself I was doing it twice, and then just kept running, and it was good :).
The best part of the run was in the 2nd lap - there were a few people sitting on a bench feeding a giant group of birds. And they had a crowd of like 10 people around the bench, watching the birds. Well, when Boomer and I trotted through, he got so excited by the birds, and did his prancy/crouch downy/bolty thing, and scared off the whole flock. Then he just kept trotting, back into his running pace, leaving behind a crowd of people and no birds :).
He did indeed slow down the 2nd lap, and got a bit tired, but he kept trotting on, so I think the Boomer is tired excuse can't keep working for me.
And my running total miles just passed my biking ones again, oops! Better get biking more.
Miles since Kickoff:
Bike: 51 miles
Swim: 8700 yds
Run: 53 miles
When finishing the first 3 mile loop, even if I'm not feeling tired, the idea of starting a second loop, and locking myself into a another full 3 mile loop intimidates me, and I make up excuses (like Boomer looks tired, right?) and generally call it a day. But Sunday I started off telling myself I was doing it twice, and then just kept running, and it was good :).
The best part of the run was in the 2nd lap - there were a few people sitting on a bench feeding a giant group of birds. And they had a crowd of like 10 people around the bench, watching the birds. Well, when Boomer and I trotted through, he got so excited by the birds, and did his prancy/crouch downy/bolty thing, and scared off the whole flock. Then he just kept trotting, back into his running pace, leaving behind a crowd of people and no birds :).
He did indeed slow down the 2nd lap, and got a bit tired, but he kept trotting on, so I think the Boomer is tired excuse can't keep working for me.
And my running total miles just passed my biking ones again, oops! Better get biking more.
Miles since Kickoff:
Bike: 51 miles
Swim: 8700 yds
Run: 53 miles
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Back to the grind.
With the snow gone, and the holidays over, I think I've finally made it back to the grind, and the regular excersize. (finally!). my workouts for the week:
Saturday: team run - 4 miles (should have done more...)
Monday: coached running - 3 miles, and some drills
Tuesday: biked to/from work (via bus).
Thursday: running - 3 miles around greenlake
Friday: Swimming - 1600 yards - lots of drills
Saturday: coached Biking - mercer island, 13 miles.
Tuesday was a big day for me, it was the first time I've ever biked all the way up our Queen anne Hill! I had a goal of just going one block farther than last time. but when I got there, I just kept going! At the top I was super tired, and happy to be home, and had shaky legs. But so far I've had this humongous fear of the hill, so getting to the top was very exciting for me. And like overcoming some big challenge.
Today we biked around Mercer Island, and in the past I've remembered that as long and hilly. But it was way easier than I remembered, even the last/biggest hill wasn't that hard today. So apparently I've gotten into better shape than last year/like my new bike. Yay! Tomorrow I'm going to try to get in a strength workout, and to force Bex to bike more.
Miles since Kickoff:
Bike: 51 miles
Swim: 8700 yds
Run: 42.25 miles
Saturday: team run - 4 miles (should have done more...)
Monday: coached running - 3 miles, and some drills
Tuesday: biked to/from work (via bus).
Thursday: running - 3 miles around greenlake
Friday: Swimming - 1600 yards - lots of drills
Saturday: coached Biking - mercer island, 13 miles.
Tuesday was a big day for me, it was the first time I've ever biked all the way up our Queen anne Hill! I had a goal of just going one block farther than last time. but when I got there, I just kept going! At the top I was super tired, and happy to be home, and had shaky legs. But so far I've had this humongous fear of the hill, so getting to the top was very exciting for me. And like overcoming some big challenge.
Today we biked around Mercer Island, and in the past I've remembered that as long and hilly. But it was way easier than I remembered, even the last/biggest hill wasn't that hard today. So apparently I've gotten into better shape than last year/like my new bike. Yay! Tomorrow I'm going to try to get in a strength workout, and to force Bex to bike more.
Miles since Kickoff:
Bike: 51 miles
Swim: 8700 yds
Run: 42.25 miles
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