Sunday, April 22, 2012

glad that's over...


what a run and I don't mean that in a good way...it was brutal today.  I am just going to get this out and then I will be over it...I was dressed for winter weather,the wind was chilly but I was too warm.  I had dropped my toque just after my first km, thankfully I had only gone about a half a km before I realized so I turned back and kept my eye out and it was right where I had grabbed a drink.  It was my  Pens hat so I was hopping that by finding it, it would be a good sign and Pittsburgh would have pulled through and beat Philly...apparently no such luck.

I was running down Brant and starting have some gi issues, I was debating turning early and heading home but decided to stick to the route.  I turned at costco and hit the path and decided I would take a detour back to the house for a quick stop...might as well stop at home when you can.  My husband was in the midst of his own butt-kicking session when I stopped in.  I was back on my way heading to the path when I was feeling uncomfortable again.  I decided to make another stop while there places available.  I wasn't sure what the deal was today but I wasn't taking any chances...I have heard horror stories and I don't have any interest in living my own.  

I was really dragging my butt today, I noticed my avg speed was 5.66 kmh...if I am on my game and I can be pushing between 6-7 over 7 if I am feeling good but not today.  I was having a hard time staying focused and positive but I think I know where I went wrong.  Yesterday I didn't have enough calories after my ride, nor did I really rest after and I didn't get enough sleep last night oh and I didn't stretch yesterday either and I felt that BIG time today!  I hate to say and I think this is the first time ever (since I started running last year) that I cut the distance short.  I had 21 on the schedule today and I racked up 18.5km.  I just didn't have it in me to go the whole way today.  On the plus side, I learned some big lessons...I realize now how important it is to get enough rest, eating properly to refuel  after a long bike ride when I have a long run back to back oh ya and it's really important to not forget to stretch!!!

After I got home I had a nice big glass of chocolate milk and stretched for maybe 15-20 minutes and now I am pretty much done.  I think taking a cliff bar today saved me today out there.  I crammed a bottle of G2, a bottle of Water the bar and a couple gels and a pack of the sharkies chewy things in my pockets and belt...I doubt I would have made it as far as I did if I didn't  have all that with me today. 

Thursday, April 19, 2012

not a perfect week

but it has been a good week.   Monday was a great morning swim. I felt really relaxed and just enjoyed gliding through the water.  I got there right when they opened and made the most of the time I had and got in 1800 meters!   The wind was whipping on Monday evening and I pulled the plug on an outdoor ride on the way home so I set up the training and spun for a three episodes of sex in the city.

Tuesday I missed my run but I had a massage which was needed after that $^%$ing dump run (i'm over it now...but holy crap was that a tough run).  So instead of working out my muscles, I had the knots worked out.  Stretching is helping as it wasn't that painful.  Wednesday they arranged a wetsuit demo for Nineteen websites and I got to learn how to actually put a suit on...it takes a few minutes to wiggle into one of those things!  I was back in the pool in the morning at least so I didn't miss all my workouts. 

This evening I got home from work and threw my gear on and got on the bike rolling around the neighbourhood.  I had the wind at my back and got up to 45km along uppermiddle.  I only rode for about 40 minutes outside as it was getting a little dark with the clouds so I came back and set up the bike on the trainer and just finished my ride inside. 

Sunday, April 15, 2012

the "dump" run


You might be asking "what's the dump run?"  Oh, I'll tell you. It's the craziest run I have done so far! I thought the hills at lasalle kicked my butt, well those were nothing compared today!  I was running fairly steady as I made my way slowly up King Road and thought okay this is in't soo bad...that when I was around the 7.5 marker and I hadn't really seen the worst yet.  

As I got closer I looked up the hill and realized the road kept going and where it went was up.  I said some profanities and got my run on  and ran as long as I could then got my walk on and walked and walked so more.  I said some more profanities and got the green light from Coach Nancy to turn around and head back down.   That was something, running back down was much better, at least it wasn't until then that the rain really started to come down.

The wind was fairy calm which was good, but the rain really picked up and was coming down steady for run back down to level ground.  It kept up until I go back to northshore but I just reminded myself that I'm not made of sugar.  I also told that little voice in my head to be quiet, you know, the one that was telling me I can'tdo this I can call Tony and see if he'll come pick me up and get my out of the rain.  I reminded myself that I was just making myself tougher and that any run I do without rain now is that much easier.

And now I can say, I ran the "dump run", oh, I guess I should mention that I learned something about burlinton today King Road was built on an old dump and that's why ppl call it the dump run.


Saturday, April 14, 2012

What a ride!

We met down at Hutches on the beach, I thought I was late after dragging my butt this morning but I got there and people were rolling in behind me.  I was slow to get going today as I got in from work around 1am this morning which made yesterday a looooooonnnnnggggg day. I reset my alarm and slept until 7 then fell back aseelp and hit snooze a couple times.  I finally got myself out of bed around 8:20 and started the oh so important coffee and oatmeal.

I backed two water bottles, two cliff bars and a banana for nutrition forgetting the all important gatorade!  I wrestled with my bike rack and after getting my bike on the rack almost dropped the whole thing pushing the the release switch forgetting about the weight of the bike that was hanging off the rack. 

Nancy rounded us up and gave us the run down and the three groups were off.   We headed down the service road and stuck to that for much of our route.  I wasn't sure how I ended up leading the way for while but I put my anxiety aside and just pedalled!  We took turns drafting "ride in a pace line" and pushed our way through the wind.   We road all the way to Grimsby, actually I think we road through and past Grimsby.   

At one point on the way out I heard that little voice in my head say "what the heck are you doing out here, I can't do this" and thats when I remembered the pic Nancy sent out after our last indoor ride, it read "the voice you hear that says you can't IS A LIAR!"  and that just made me pedal harder!  Nancy stuck with us and gave us feedback on our form and gearing as we rode.

We road out and back for a total of 52 km today with what felt like the wind pushing back at as the whole way.   That's okay though cause now any ride without wind will be easier :)

After the ride I headed home, refueled rested my legs for a bit then headed over to neworld cycle and runners for some more running and cycling gear. I don't remember the last time I bought any clothing or footwear that wasn't swimming, biking or cycling related.  I picked up a paif of tri-shorts, cycling gloves and another long sleeve dry fit top.  It's funny that I love the Nike motto "just do it" but this is the first Nike product I have bought in a long time. I love that motto so much it was my avatar for years.  Part of me even wants to get it as a tattoo but it just seems "so commercial"but you never know, maybe one day...

Thursday, April 12, 2012

I want to ride my bicycle

I want to ride my bike.   I got home and wasn't really feeling the weather tonight. I'll run when it's -8 but I won't ride outside when it's +8...any one see anything wrong with this?


Thanks to Kevin (Thanks again Kevin!!!) I was able to ride my bike tonight.  Kevin handed down an old trainer he had kicking around and I set it up tonight and got my spin on.  I moved a little furniture around in the basement tv room and lined myself up with the tv and get ready to roll umm actually I guess I really I mean pedal in place.  I got ready to ride with my snacks on hand, bottle cages loaded and clipped myself in for a 90 min spin session.  I also lined up my on-bike entertainment with sex in the city seriers starting right at the start with season 1,episode 1 and got four shows in.  

It was my first ride on a trainer and it went well, I found it difficult to ride out of the saddle so I was seated for the most part and even though I replaced my old seat with a more cushioned one  I see the benefit of bike shorts...must get a pair!  I was nice to be on my own bike for the ride but I think I need to make some adjustments in my seat position and maybe more.





Monday, April 9, 2012

I haven't been posting

I haven't been posting a lot lately because I have been busy!   Busy training and busy registering for races!  I registered for the Mississauga half on May 6th and I signed up for my half iron - Muskoka 70.3 in September!!! Holy smokes it's real now folks, no turning back now I already paid.

I am working out 6 days a week now, I remember when getting that third or 4th workout in was a struggle.  Having a coach and group workouts make a huge difference in keeping me accountable, that and I know that if I want to race then I HAVE to train.  That's it, no other choice, I HAVE to do it.  Yesterday the group was going 16km but on my plan I had 15 so that's what I did. There were a couple people running 12 and for a few minutes I was making up reasons why I should only do 12, but that didn't last long as I reminded myself that going any less than 15 was out of the question.

Saturday we went for our first outdoor group ride and it was great! I was a little nervous about being on the road but I was with some great leaders who gave us a bit of a run down on the signals and things to keep in mind while on the road.   We ended up riding for about 35km in two hours and that was with two stops.  We had a few converstaions along they way and I realized how much fun it was to go for a group bike ride...when was the last time you did that?  I felt like a kid again just going for a ride with friends and I am totally looking forward to getting out there again!
This is from the morning of the Chill half
but you get an idea of how gorgeous the morning can be!
 (minus the frost on the cars :)

I was actually planning to ride outside tonight but the 37km wind gusts had my rethinking that idea. I ended up in the spinning room at the gym instead. Too bad I didn't realize before I headed of there, they didn't have the later spin class on the schedule due to the holiday hours.  It actually worked out ok though as I just ended up making up a program as I went. I did a little speed work, and climbed some hills and I did a few one leg drills.  I also just let my legs spin out a bit as I could feel how tight my muscles were from the weekened activiteis.

My morning started early with the alarm chirping at 5am for my Monday morning swim session.  I have seemed to get over the hump with waking up silly early on Mondays to get to the pool, I learned that for me, the first time is always the hardest after I do something once I realize how easy it is to do it again and again. I had a pretty good swim this morning and did about 1600m.  I actually really enjoy the swimming now and take it a little easy on Mondays.  The pool today was quite nice as there were only four of us swimming at one point.  I guess most people decided to get a little extra sleep today.

I noticed this morning that by the time I got home the morning was in full swing, just last week the day was just breaking when I was walking out of the gym.  


Sunday, April 1, 2012

weekend update

Saturday morning it was round and round on the stationary bike for 2 hours 10 minutes.  That was definitely the longest I have rode a bike, probably ever.It was awesome, it was a pretty tough ride but a great one.  We had rotating instructors during the ride, each with their own style.  Every week the class is totally different but the time goes by pretty fast.  I burned about 1300 calories on the ride and ate a banana, a cliff bar and a pack of sharkies chews. I also had two bottles of water and a G2 gatorade.  For breakfast I had oatmeal with strawberries and protein powder. 

After the ride we had a hot yoga session at a new studio in town, Chrysalis Yoga.  It was just what the doctor ordered after the ride.  It had been a while since I was last in the hot room but it was awesome.  I'm definitely feeling it today though, there are muscles in my back I never realized I had!

Today was run day, I had a 13k on the schedule.  The group went out this morning but I was draggy my ass and didn't make it out in time to meet up.  I planned my route after breakfast and got myself ready.  The rain was coming down lightly when I headed out but it didn't last long, that was before it was pouring but that's what I get for procrastinating.  I felt pretty good running today, I felt strong and the running felt easy for the most part. 

I headed over to rock and road cycle for a quick check-up for my bike.  The gears were clicking a bit so I had them take a look, they adjusted the chain a bit, oil it up and did a couple other small adjustments.  The guys there are great and the shop is really close to home (and they are open on Sundays ;) I picked up pump and a new bottle cage too.

After the weekend running around was done it was time to cook! It is so much easier during the week to just fill containers and go.   This week we have chicken, pork chops some sirloin and butternut squash and vegetable soup all ready to go!

Well, that's all I got and it's time for bed! 5am comes early.

good night!