Running out of energy....

I don't think I'm getting enough sleep. I've been getting up at 4:30 every morning (not totally on purpose- my alarm is actually set for 5) because our apartment is so unbelievably hot. I went for a run this AM and even though it was about 15 degrees cooler than it's been in the past few days, I still felt like I had nothing in my legs. I did a lame 2 1/4 miles and felt like crap afterward. I swam yesterday morning and felt like crap. I'm sure that if I got on my bike that I'd feel like crap after that, too. I guess this is the part where I get discouraged and mad at my body for not cooperating. Not a good idea, but I can't seem to help it. Anyway, I'm going to dinner with a friend tonight and then home to bed. Then it's back to the Y in the morning for more swimming! (BTW, the chlorine is actually starting to take a toll on my hair. I was frizzy to start with and now I'm even frizzier with a faint eau de chlorine thrown in. Joy.).

I'm back?

Well, after a fortnight of spotty workouts, I'm back this week. We're all on our new schedule (Hubby working, child in day care) and I'm a bit tired - and not feeling so creative about designing my workouts. So, I'm adjusting this week - and I'm going to cut myself some (more) slack. But next week I really want to give it my all (we'll see).

So, here's the training log:

6/28/10 - 6.5 mile bike ride (how lame is that?). I just didn't feel like it. Forced myself onto the bike. Got a phone call on the first hill and managed to get out of the pedal cages and answer it without crashing. I tried to push on the hills and flats. Got pretty out of breath so I guess I did exert myself.

6/29/10 - 36 minute run on campus and in the nature preserve (very nice). I hadn't done any trail running in a long, long time (knees and ankles weren't so sure about it all). Now I'm very sweaty.

Tomorrow I swim!!

I've been bad....

...about posting. But at least I've been continuing to train! I've been just busy enough to make posting (or writing in my training log) unlikely. I've haven't done much biking- mostly just casual rides around town. I have been running 2-3 times a week (sometimes with the hubby in tow) and I've been swimming 3-4 times a week. I'm really trying to focus on improving my total lack of swimming skills (the only way to go is up!). My workouts are not nearly as organized as Patsy's (warmup? sprints?). Mostly I just try to swim for a given period of time- 30mins, 45 mins, etc. I still have some grave reservations about whether or not I can even manage the swim part of this event, but I'll keep at it and see where I am in 2 weeks. Pray for me, sweetie. And resist the pop-tart therapy. You can do it!

Weekend recap

So, I left work early on Friday but did end up running 3.5 miles (fast - but I didnt' time it), which is amazing given all that was going on on Friday (primarily, buying our second used car in a week's time). And, on Saturday I ran 3.0 miles (also fast, also didn't time). I rested yesterday. If the weather is O.K. today I'll bike, but I think I'll end up swimming or running because it's kind of rainy out. We'll see what it looks like at 12:00. Left the baby at daycare this morning. Poor boo boo will be there all day long. Mommy is trying to resist pop-tart therapy.

Swimming for real (sort of)

So, I tried to do a workout prescribed by my super-serious-swimmer cousin in-law. I made it through the first chunk of intervals and flaked on the second. I'm having a little trouble with motivation this week. Nevertheless, I know if I just keep at it (and do something - even if it isn't the optimal training workout) I'll be O.K.

So, here's what I did:

400yd warm up
1 50 - as fast as I could (42 seconds)
1 50 backstroke to catch my breath
10 x 50 These were supposed to be my fast 50 time plus 15 seconds (57 seconds) but they were all in the 48-52 range which means I was doing it wrong (and that's why it was so hard). I did my best to stick to the 10 second rests (but sometimes I took 15 - O.K., a few times I took 20)
200 yards of recovery laps
400 yard swim (I tried to do the negative split thing - meaning the second half would be faster than the first - but I forgot to note my start time so who knows if I succeeded).

So, next time maybe I'll try again and get the pacing thing right.

Back from the long weekend

So, as promised, I didn't work out over the weekend. I walked about two miles everyday with Alex but that can hardly be considered working out. Still, I did move around a little. I also ate very badly, I'm sorry to say. So, today, actually as of right now (because I had a greasy diner breakfast for reasons I'll explain later), I'm back on the healthy living regiment.

I'm just back from a fast three miles (23 minutes). I didn't feel like doing anything more complicated than that. And, as for eating, I'm on a new campaign to eat more fruits and vegetables. Next week, hubby goes back to work and I'll be in charge of dinners (which will, henceforth, be healthy and almost always vegetarian).

Since hubby is going back to work, young son will have to start daycare. We found a place that we like and we took him there for a "visit" this morning. The teachers suggested we leave him there for a few hours a few times before he actually starts so he can get used to it. Poor boo boo. We took him into his classroom, said good-bye and left. He was hysterical. I managed not to let him see me cry. Hubby was prevented from crying by the man code. And then I ate a cheesy omlette with homefries and toast dripping with butter (or a butter like substance - who knows). It didn't make me feel better.

Weak week

So, due to some twists and turns in my schedule, I was unable to train yesterday. And, today I woke up with a sore throat (the baby has been sick, I suppose it was only a matter of time). I'm not going to train today and, depending how I feel, I may take off tomorrow and Sunday. Not sure yet. The baby has a doctor's appt on Monday so that might be out too. So, come hell or high water, I'll be back in full training mode on Tuesday. I hate to miss workouts but it happens sometimes. They say rest is good . . . I hope they're right. I know I've done this in the past and still performed well so I'm trying not to get too obsessive about it (too late!). Anyway, ta ta! Til Tuesday, sweeties.

All of a kind swim workout

Well, I got into the pool today. I checked workouts on-line but didn't settle on one. So, I got there and wasn't sure what I wanted to do. This is what I ended up doing:

300 yd warm up
2 x 200 fast (for me: 3:40) with 50 yd rest (25 back stroke, 25 breast stroke) after each.
2 x 100 fast (for me: 1:40)
100 yd rest (50 back, 50 breast)
50 yd fly
50 yd free
400 yds (8:20) I tried to do the negative split thing. I hadn't planned on it but when I got to lap 6, I was like only two more, I can make them fast! I think I'll try that in earnest next time.

The 200s were hard, really freakin' hard. I pushed on the 100s too. The 50 fly - oh my god, I didn't think I'd finish. By the end, I looked more like a potato bug than a butterfly. I was trying to shake it up a bit and do some different strokes because I read that was good for overall fitness and strength. I need a coach!

Well, I guess tomorrow I ride. I need a coach for that too.

LSD

Saff, do you remember that Mr. Fischer (our track coach in 7th grade) used to call long slow distance LSD? Well,I did some LSD on Saturday. I ran for 70 minutes in hopes of doing 7 miles but when I checked it on mapmyrun.com this morning it turned out that the route was almost 8 miles. I deviated from my normal twisty turny, repetitive route around my neighborhood by taking a 2-3 mile detour down Riverside Drive (more noise and cars but it was worth it). I didn't work-out on Sunday and I probably won't today because I don't feel very good. Hopefully, I'll feel better tomorrow and take the baby out for a run in the afternoon.

Before I forget

But how could I forget intervals??? Yes, I went back to the track today. Here's the workout:

400 yd warm up
5 hills (with down hill as a cool down) = 1000yds
-I tried to take the hill fast. I kept telling myself, you're only doing 5! Make 'em count!
5 x 400 intervals (with 200 yd rest for each) = 2400 yds
-O.K. Painful. Again, I tried to make them count. I specifically tried to "kick it in" in the last 100 yds. I had to walk the rest each time. I think these were the best 400s I've done yet (in my post high-school life, anyway).
1000 yd cool down
Total distance 4,800yds (3 miles)

This was a good, hard work-out. Gain with pain. I'll probably run tomorrow and/or Sunday.

Zzzzzzzzz......

I'm soooooo tired this morning.....a draining week between work, home and the sudden increase in physical activity. There will be no sleeping in this weekend, either. I'm going on an overnight field trip to look for breeding birds around Doodletown (a ghost town near Bear Mtn), Bashakill and the Shawagunks. I'm looking forward to the trip but these things always involve early morning running around and being outside from sunup to sundown (and beyond if you want to see owls). Since I'll be away this weekend I thought I would try to push my run a little longer this AM so I did 3 miles at what I think was a 10-min mile pace (I'm not sure since my watch died about 5 minutes into my run). I'm going to try to do some swimming tomorrow since it should be pretty hot out and the hotel we're staying in has a pool. See you next week!

Clip and crash

So, yesterday I got on the bike and rode about 9 miles. I chose a road that I knew has a lot of hills but it has the virtue of little traffic and no stop signs. So, I was either climbing or coasting down the whole time (as usual), which is really getting old. I think next time I ride I'll do the tri route which still has a lot of hills but also has flats (and lots of cars and stop signs).

And, to finish up the ride I took a toe-clip induced spill (but we know I don't actually have clips but rather the strappy cage things). I was getting close to an intersection where I needed to make a left turn. There were cars coming and I was sort of idling, trying to go slow and not have to stop before turning, but the vehicles were coming so slowly. I realized one of them was some kind of golf cart landscaping work vehicle and it was going about 10 miles per hour. At that point, I couldn't idle anymore - this realization must have come to me suddenly. I took my right foot out but the left foot remained happily nestled and I feel over on my left side. Scrape on the knee, sore elbow, I'm fine. A tad embarrassing.

So, not the best bike ride. I need to make a change.

Dash and Splash

So, here's the latest:

Tuesday - 3 mile run with the stroller
Wednesday - 1,600 swim workout
400 yds warm-up
5 x 100 brisk
100 yd rest
5 x 100 brisk
100 yd cool-down

I didn't think I could do all of those hundreds. I did the first five, took a rest and said, well, just do one more, well just do another, how about one more, well you've done eight, why don't you just make it 10? And, voila, I had done 10. Wow, it felt good (when it was over). My breathing was feeling good. My flip turn quality deteriorated over time but I was getting tired.

Today, if the weather holds, I'll be taking the bike out for a quick romp. If it's raining, I'll be heading back to the pool. I'm feeling good!

Maiden voyage

So I went swimming this morning and let's just say that it was....educational. I have learned that I really need to learn how to swim if I have any intentions of doing this tri. I really didn't have much of a problem going back and forth in the pool for 30 minutes ( I hesitate to call them laps) but I did have problems with the whole breathing thing. I either get water up my nose (even though I was trying to do the continuous positive pressure thing) or I hold my breath and end up gasping. Sheesh. What I wouldn't give to have been allowed to go to the Rath Park pool like all the other little kids in my neighborhood. Instead, my parents (in their infinite wisdom) took me see Jaws-an experience which left me terrified of all things aquatic. It was so bad that at one point I used to seriously worry about a great white somehow coming up through the toilet and making short work of me. I'm happy to report that, 35 years later, I'm not overly concerned about being bitten in half by a maniacal shark anymore (I've gotten over the toilet thing) but I am certainly not a natural in the water. Aside from that, the Y is awesome! Since it looks like it might rain tomorrow, I think I'll take advantage of their weight room and either "swim" some more or go for a run on the indoor track (remember indoor track, Pats? That was fun!). Anyway, if you have a prayer list, pls put me on it. I'll take any help I can get!

I am now a pedestrian.

Sold my car last night *sniff sniff*. While part of me is thrilled that I was able to sell it so easily and to a seemingly good home, another part of me feels slightly naked and adrift. The irony here is that I actually paid more for my bicycle than I actually got for the car. Well, it was 15 years old after all. Anyway....this is supposed to be a training log so, here goes:
Monday 6/07- woke up feeling kind of blah. I didn't sleep all that well the night before so I decided to deep-six the run and just lift weights. I focused on shoulders and triceps-muscles which I know will come in handy for the swimming. Speaking of which, I signed up at the YMCA (and actually got an incredibly reasonable deal on a short-term summer membership-woohoo!). The facility is beautiful-six floors with 2 pools, spinning room, free weights, martial arts, meditation/yoga space, handball courts, indoor track, sauna and steam rooms, etc, etc. I can't wait to try it out!
Tuesday 6/08- Did a quick 2-mile run this AM. I had originally intended to go to the Y, but since I sold my car last night I thought it best to get myself to the DMV and turn in my plates. So, mission accomplished with that. Tomorrow's plan is to find out if I can swim or not!

Business and Slacking

Oh Saff, dear, I'm sorry to have been so unresponsive. I ended up having a weird few days due to stuff going on at home and being busy at work. So, here's my run down:

Friday 6/4/10 - Ran 3.5 miles after the baby went to sleep. Didn't keep track of the time but it felt fast.

Saturday 6/5/10 - Ran about 5 miles after the baby went to sleep. Got out a little later this time and, apparently, 15-20 minutes really makes a difference in my neighborhood. I'd intended on running a slow and circuitous 7 miles but some weird catcalls inspired me to curtail the distance and keep the route close to home. Bummer. I was feeling a little creaky in the joints anyway (which I'm really not psyched about).

Sunday 6/6/10 - Ate 6 scones, took a couple strolls with the baby.

Today I couldn't do my lunch time work-out because I had the baby for a while at work while Husband took care of something. But, I had a great time with the baby so I don't mind. I'll either run with the stroller tonight or after baby goes to bed. Tomorrow I swim!!!

North County Trailway

Bike- 85K. Went on a longish ride up in Westchester yesterday on an old railway line that's been converted to a multi-use trail (think Rails-to-Trails Conservancy). It's been one of our favorite rides for the past couple of years now. Traditionally, we drive up to the trail but since we were meeting some other people and are looking to sell our car, we decided to do it the car-free way. We started the day by riding from Qns over the 59th St. Bridge to Grand Central where we took the train to Tarrytown. There's an evil hill that you have to go up on the way to the trailhead but once you're past there it's smooth sailing on a lovely paved path through the (much cooler) woods. Managed get some anaerobic work in on a long straightaway that's on the street (Rte 100). Then it was back to the train and Grand Central then over the bridge to Qns. An otherwise lovely day was marred by a very unfortunate run-in with a doomed chipmunk. I won't elaborate beyond that.

Today will focus more on rest and recovery. Yoga this afternoon followed by some time on the bike trainer will round out my day.

TGIF!

Took it easy yesterday-did some weights in the AM for shoulders and triceps. I'm a little sore today, but nothing debilitating. When I got home yesterday afternoon I had a package from Patsy waiting for me. Woohoo! My first pair of swim goggles! (not counting the scuba mask I had when I was a kid, that is). Anyway, I'm psyched to start swimming and have finally settled on a membership at the Y. It will be on the expensive side, but I can't argue with convenience. If I can get there early enough in the AM I'll even be able to do some brick workouts before I go to work. This AM I ran 2 miles-again much faster than I should have. I really just can't seem to pace myself as well as I'd like to. I need the DH to run with me. He's great at pacing-- the man is like a metronome (probably comes from being a musician). Anyway, he got a new pair of shoes at Jack Rabbit the other night too, so maybe he'll be joining me soon.

Swim! Swim! Swim!

So, on Wednesday (6/2/10) I went to the pool and swam one mile. After the mile, my body was ready for more but I had to go back to work. I decided that next time I'd do a real workout. And, it just so happens, that I swam yesterday (Thursday 6/3/10) also. I looked up swim workouts on-line (it's been so long since my one season on the swim team that I've forgotten what all goes into a real swim workout) and fixed upon the following:

400 yd warm up (I focused on proper head/neck position and the thumb/thigh thing)

20 x 50 yd sprints (well, I did 'em briskly - fast enough to hurt but I don't know if I'd call them sprints. The plan was for 10 second rests between 50s - I took 15).

200 yd cool down

I felt good while I was doing it and I felt very, very tired for the rest of the day. Mission accomplished. Today, I ride my bike somewhere (the route/distance will depend on how productive my morning is).

Good morning, starshine!

The earth says hello and my legs say "ouch!" Well, not as much as yesterday. Picked up some new shoes last night at Jack Rabbit. It's a pretty neat place- they put you on a treadmill that has a webcam set up behind it to record your gait. Then they can replay it slowly and you can watch what your feet and legs do as you move through your stride. Nothing like a little biomechanical analysis to help you choose your shoes. So, I tried them out this AM on a 2 mile run (at a saner pace this time, dearie) and they seem OK so far. I may need a little more cushioning for my hobbit feet. The people at the store said "take 'em out for a few miles and if you don't like 'em, come on back and we'll give you store credit!" Gotta love that! So anyway, either weights tonight or yoga. I'll see how perky I am when I get home from work.

An involuntary rest day

Just read my co-trainee's post and actually felt envious. I can't get a workout in today (between meetings, appts and the like) so I'll just have to live vicariously through Patsy. Wait- I'm fibbing. I did do some yoga this AM with plenty of cat-cow to stretch out my back and some pigeon pose for the sciatica that is sure to come. I plan to visit Jack Rabbit Sports on the way home tonight to get a new pair of running shoes. The ones I have now are squashed down to near uselessness and have left me with arch pain after only one run! If I'm feeling perky by the time I get home, I'll do some weights for my upper body. And for a little insurance, I've asked a few friends to put me on their prayer lists.

Sweaty darling (Intervals!)

So, I was going to go to the pool today but, since it was a nice overcast day, I decided to go the the track instead. I did the following 3.5 mile work-out:

800 yd warm-up
2 400s
1 800
2 400s
1 800
(each interval was followed by a 200 yd rest)
400 yard cool down

I felt pretty good during the 400s. I seemed to get my stride in the 3rd, and was able to push the pace without feeling like I was going to die. The 800s were both O.K. but I don't think I went very fast. I need a coach to verbally abuse me.

And then I sweat approximately 2 liters.