Monday, April 27, 2009

Weekend, Weather, Whining

So of course, the weather did not cooperate and the weekend training did not go as planned. But, I did get to run outside on Saturday without getting rained on.

Kind of a miracle, really, considering it rained on and off all morning, on my way to Waterfall Glen, and on and off again the rest of the day. I ran 9 miles, 4.5 miles each way backwards on the path. I DID NOT want to walk on the railroad tracks again to avoid the flood on the path.

It was warm--about 75, cloudy and it was great running in only my tri top and shorts. I look hideous, but who cares. I'm sure nobody's looking at me anway, so, it is what it is.

Should have brought more water, but finished just in time to not be totally dehydrated.
Had a good hour strength/core/stretch workout. Good start to the weekend.

I ate some really bad stuff on Saturday and Sunday, and very little good stuff, if any, on Sunday. Eating right has really been a struggle, even more so lately. Can't say why. Except that MENOPAUSE AND HOT FLASHES REALLY SUCK!

Woke up tired and a little sore on Sunday. Decided a swim would do it, with plenty of resting in the afternoon. Swam an easy 2200 meters, went to worship service, stopped at the Jewel, made brownies for the high school meeting we were hosting, and WATCHED THE BULLS ROCK TO BEAT THE CELTICS! HA! Take THAT you defending NBA champs! (OK, I still don't believe the Bulls can win the series, but we have to take what we can get, right?)

High school boys are REALLY LOUD! Had about 8 boys and 2 girls (including the leader and Peanut) in our basement last night for games, pizza and Bible study. Peanut joined in and had a great time! I love seeing these kids. They are good kids and enjoy each others company. The youth leaders are amazing and do a great job with them. Thank you Rich and Jen!

I'm ready to give up my contacts, after 40 years. I really can't see up close with them anymore and they aren't comfortable. I only wear them when I swim and race. Planning to get some prescription goggles, but because my vision is so bad, will probably have to get them from the eye doc! Expensive, but probably better in the long run. (One of my lenses is really hurting my eye--I'm guessing it's scratched or something,)

Still waiting to take the bike off the trainer. Too much rain and wind (yes, I admit I am a wimp!) More training this week, although last weeks' "recovery" was not as easy as planned. I did way more than was necessary.

Hoping for a better weather week. It will be warmer, but only two days forecast without rain.

Recovery week totals:
Swim: 5 x = 9,500 meters
Bike: 3 x = 65 miles (on trainer)
Run: 2 x = 15 miles (1 treadmill; one path)
St/C/S = 5 x = 2 hr. 40 min.
Total time: 14:36
Calories: ~6,000

Have a great week. Until next time--God bless!

Monday, April 20, 2009

Time for a Recovery Week

So, after three hard weeks in a row, each with emphasis on one sport (swim/run/bike), it is now time for recovery. And my body is ready for it. However, the challenge will be with my mind--can I follow the plan of a recovery week as well as I did the hard training weeks? So far so good. Today called for a 1150 meter recovery swim. I did 1500 easy. Good start.

Last week was good and HARD! The focus was the bike, and I did focus on the bike. Five days of trainer rides for a total of 143 miles (if I had done the same amount of time on the road, I know it would have been close to 200 miles). I followed my training plan, although I added some extra swim and run time.

I like to edit the weeks to work with my body. So last week, in addition to adding more swim time, I also added a long run, which was not called for. But since my running was non-existent the first two months of training, and since my leg feels UNBELIEVABLY CONSISTENTLY BETTER, and since the weather was so nice on Saturday, and since I was too lazy to take my bike off the trainer for one day only......I decided a 9.5 mile run at Waterfall Glen on Saturday would be good. I ran on tired legs, because I swam and rode on Friday, but it was a good kind of tired. Tired, not sore or painful.

Because of my schedule, it makes sense for me to run later in the a.m. on Saturday. ( I drop Peanut off at the gym for practice first--it's only a couple minutes from the path). Then I usually go to the Lifetime in Burr Ridge, as that also is just minutes away from the gym.

There are good and bad things about running later on a weekend morning. The parking lots were still pretty crowded, and I had to drive around for a while before finding a spot. I knew by looking at the cars, and by the time of day, there would be more bikers than runners. Which is OK for the most part. But then, there are those riders who insist on riding 20 mph on a path that is mostly hilly and has a lot of curves. I was almost run off the road more times than I can remember. Listen guys, if you're out training for a race, the path is not the place to ride. Get on the street where you can fight with cars and not defenseless runners and hikers (which include lots of families and dogs!)

One highlight (which was also a little scary) was seeing a fox cross the path about 30 yards in front of me. Of course, at that time I was the only one on the path. Thankfully, he/she ran into the field and just watched me run for a while. It was a little hilly and I was tired, but I was able to find a second wind, just in case he/she decided to come back to the path and check me out!

Sunday was expected to be rainy and colder, and was as predicted. After an easy early a.m. swim and church, I spent 2:40 minutes on the trainer later in the afternoon. I was tired, but the ride turned out pretty good.

I've had a little trouble falling asleep and my heart rate has been relatively low while training the last several days, so I know it's time to back off a little--recovery week just in time.

Today is the Boston marathon. I know a couple running--good luck to Kevin and Jocelyn. The weather should be perfect for a marathon.

The Moy family continues to hang in there, against all odds. Kids are looking forward to school being over soon; J is still struggling with a cough that is driving everyone crazy. I'm looking forward to a rest week, better weather later in the week, and maybe doing a local sprint tri in June.

Long week totals include:
Swim: 4 x = 7500 meters
Bike: 5 x = 143 miles (on trainer)
Run: 2 x = 15.5 miles (outside)
Strength/Stretch/Core: 5 x = 3 hr. 22 min.
Total Time: 20:34
Calories burned: ~8,400

Have a great week and until next time--God bless!

Friday, April 10, 2009

Happy Easter!

First, I want to wish all Christians a very happy Easter. This, after all, is the reason we call ourselves Christians, or as I like to say, Christ followers. If Christ had not died and risen, well, he would have been like every other man. Thank you so much, Jesus!

Now....some updates. Last week was OK. The weather was so-so, which was OK because the primary training focus was swimming. And swim I did--14,500 meters that week. I even swam with the master's at LTF on Sunday--what a blast! I wish I could do it all the time, but for various reasons, I just can't now. Only two bikes and two runs, but that was OK because I felt good at the end of the week. My upper body was a little tired from the hard swims, but a good kind of tired.

This week the focus is on the run--not so good for me. The schedule called for four days in a row of running. I made it three, which still was probably too much for me. I should have skipped a day. I ran my two longer runs outside. Yesterday was perfect weather, Tuesday a little cold and windy. Wednesday was inside on the treadmill. Unfortunately, my leg and hip are really bothering me today. I swam this morning, an easy 2000, and plan to ride for about 1.5 hours or so. Tomorrow is a rest day. Originally I planned to run long tomorrow and rest on Easter Sunday, but now I'm not so sure. I'll have to see how I feel in the morning.

The kids have been on break all week, so it's been low key around here. I've been sleeping in and staying up too late watching DVD's. I guess it's OK, since it is technically "vacation" time.

I spent a lot of time chatting at the fitness center this morning. Saw some friends I don't see often and had time to visit, since many people are off work for Good Friday. I had some bad news from a woman who recognized me from my previous fitness center. She informed me that a woman I knew passed away several weeks ago from brain cancer. It's really thrown me for a loop. I'm so sorry I didn't know. I guess maybe I'm at the age where I need to start reading the obituaries. So very sad for her family. My prayers go out to her husband and children.

Makes me realize that no matter how bad things seem, my life is still very blessed. J interviewed for a job at a nearby hotel. He was chosen for the position, but the company just initiated a hiring freeze, so the job is now on hold. So, the search continues. Things are still tough, but we're hanging in.

There were several 70.3 races last weekend. I know several people who raced. I can't imagine training in Chicago and racing a 70.3 in April. I did the Orlando 70.3 in May, 2007 and that was tough. I think I only rode outside half a dozen times that before the race. Going from 50 degree weather to the 80's and 90's and humidity of Orlando was quite a challenge. Not one I plan to ever do again! I can wait until July or August right here in the Midwest to get that kind of weather. (Which, I must admit, I'm looking forward to!)

Next week, I'm hoping for great weather. Training will be bike intense, and I'm hoping to get outside next Sunday for a long bike ride. There's an organized ride I've done that last couple years that day, and I'm hoping the weather cooperates and I can make it. It would be so nice to get out of my basement and on the rode again!

Hope everyone has a great weekend/holiday.

Until next time--God bless!