Let's see - on Saturday I opted to skip my swim because I just wasn't in the mood. We had to wait around for a guy to come see my H's bike he was selling, so we basically ran out of time anyway. So we went for a ride instead. We did our normal 25 mile loop. I'm still pretty weak but considering that the last two months have been predominantly about improving my cardiovascular capacity, I'm not surprised. I barely broke into a pant on the uphills, so I am seeing an improvement there. The rest of the afternoon was spent on farm chores and I got the lucky task of tilling up all the mud in one of our goat pastures so that we could re-seed it. Wow, were my shoulders pissed off after that! Oy!
Sunday was run day. Of course, it dawned rainy and it didn't let up at all even once during the day. Since I don't really have good running rain gear, I stuck to the treadmill. I did two minutes barefoot, then my normal 30 minute workout and then I did two more minutes barefoot. I had a little tightness as I was running, but not nearly the post-run soreness in my lower legs like last time. Today is my next run and I'm going to do 5 minutes barefoot again. My regular run was 14/16 run/walk with 2x3 min run intervals and 2x4 min run intervals. The 4 minute intervals felt hard but then I stopped complaining and just tried to feel how it was and I realized that it wasn't all that bad. I was breathing hard, but not THAT hard. I think I'm improving!
Monday was my first swim lesson. There were 4 of us and the instructor had us swim a half lap so that she could asses where we are. After I returned, she said "I don't know what I'm going to teach you, you swim well". Great. I did explain my goals and she basically told me to just keep swiming and that I'd eventually get into shape. Again, great. Real helpful and totally worth $60.
Afterward, I did some laps even though it was really crowded. I did three laps just using my legs to try and improve there - I feel like there is much to be gained by a better kick. I got tired quickly though, so I quit before too long. After reviewing my lap times, I know why I was so tired! I was swiming faster and resting less than the last time by a LOT. I guess that's what happens when you are nervous about holding up other swimmers! Anyway, I really hope that tomorrow's lesson goes better. I'm thinking that she'll do a little research now that she knows what kind of swimmers she has in her class and will come with a better plan. I'm still debating signing up for a training session at the pool where my first tri is being held. This session is once a week and it is tailored towards triathletes who already know how to swim, so it might be a good fit for me. We'll see. It's really kind of far from home (1:15 hours each way)...
Tonight will be another run. 14/16 run/walk again with the same intervals as last time. I'm also going to do more barefoot running AND some type of strength. Right now, I'm thinking Tracie...but knowing how tired I'll be after the run, it'll more likely be PowerFit.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Swim classes
I signed up. My huband had already signed up for a class that starts on Monday and since there were still only two people signed up (including him!), I figured it was worth my money to join in too. This way, we get almost semi-private lessons for a fraction of the cost. The lessons are on Monday and Wednesday at 5:30 pm, so this will force me to get into the habit of getting up earlier so that I can get to work earlier in order to be able to leave by 5pm on those days. Plus, I'll get a view of how busy lap swim is during those times (something I've been meaning to investigate).
This does mean that I'll have to change my schedule plan again. I can't be running on Monday and Wednesday regularly or I'll be exhausted all the time! This actually works out well because I really needed a rest day yesterday. My calves were aching after my little barefoot experiment (more to come on that tomorrow). So...I took last night off instead of Friday. I'll swim tonight, push tonight's run until Friday and by running on Sunday, I'll be right back on plan. Tonight I increase my run time by another 2 minutes, so I'll be running for 14 minutes and walking for 16 (in 2 or 3 minute intervals).
This does mean that I'll have to change my schedule plan again. I can't be running on Monday and Wednesday regularly or I'll be exhausted all the time! This actually works out well because I really needed a rest day yesterday. My calves were aching after my little barefoot experiment (more to come on that tomorrow). So...I took last night off instead of Friday. I'll swim tonight, push tonight's run until Friday and by running on Sunday, I'll be right back on plan. Tonight I increase my run time by another 2 minutes, so I'll be running for 14 minutes and walking for 16 (in 2 or 3 minute intervals).
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
The Swim Sucks
Or at least, my speed/distance/endurance does.
I swam last night for the first time in over a week. I'm committing to three swims this week as I really need to step up this part of my training. I managed 12 laps which is equal to only 600 meters. That's barely a warm-up for some people and it felt like a challenging workout to me. I really want to get to the point where I can swim greater distances. I'm not sure if just forcing myself to do it will get me there or not. I'm kind of tempted to sign up for a class, actually.
Last night I wore the watch part of my HRM and I hit the lap button when I returned to the main wall each time. This helped me count laps which I normally screw up when trying to do it in my head. This also gave me some split information, but I haven't had a chance to look at it just yet. It took me just under 30 minutes (including resting) to do those 12 laps and 3 of them were with the pull buoy between my legs (upper body working only).
Except for when I did two pull buoy laps in a row, I never felt even a twinge of muscle fatigue. I think this means that I basically need my heart and lungs to catch up with my strength. Either that, or my shear brute force is allowing me to not get physically tired even though it's wearing me out cardiovascularly. Does this mean I'm doing it all wrong? Could be! My husband signed up for a swim class that starts next week and I'm very tempted to join him. There are currently only 2 people signed up (he is one of them), so it would almost be a private lesson for a fraction of the cost. It would also get me out of work and into the pool at a good hour twice a week, too.
I totally forgot to do my core work last night, so I'll make sure to pick a full body workout tonight with good core work OR, I'll just add a core workout on to whatever I do end up doing. Tomorrow I swim again and I think I might just have to check into those lessons....
I swam last night for the first time in over a week. I'm committing to three swims this week as I really need to step up this part of my training. I managed 12 laps which is equal to only 600 meters. That's barely a warm-up for some people and it felt like a challenging workout to me. I really want to get to the point where I can swim greater distances. I'm not sure if just forcing myself to do it will get me there or not. I'm kind of tempted to sign up for a class, actually.
Last night I wore the watch part of my HRM and I hit the lap button when I returned to the main wall each time. This helped me count laps which I normally screw up when trying to do it in my head. This also gave me some split information, but I haven't had a chance to look at it just yet. It took me just under 30 minutes (including resting) to do those 12 laps and 3 of them were with the pull buoy between my legs (upper body working only).
Except for when I did two pull buoy laps in a row, I never felt even a twinge of muscle fatigue. I think this means that I basically need my heart and lungs to catch up with my strength. Either that, or my shear brute force is allowing me to not get physically tired even though it's wearing me out cardiovascularly. Does this mean I'm doing it all wrong? Could be! My husband signed up for a swim class that starts next week and I'm very tempted to join him. There are currently only 2 people signed up (he is one of them), so it would almost be a private lesson for a fraction of the cost. It would also get me out of work and into the pool at a good hour twice a week, too.
I totally forgot to do my core work last night, so I'll make sure to pick a full body workout tonight with good core work OR, I'll just add a core workout on to whatever I do end up doing. Tomorrow I swim again and I think I might just have to check into those lessons....
Monday, January 18, 2010
Another schedule change!
OK, so this weekend wasn't quite the activity-fest I'd had in mind. It was pouring rain and somewhat miserable, so I really felt very sloth-ful. We did get TONS done on Saturday (lots of errands, some MUCH needed work done on the car, etc) but I was not really active unless I get to count loading cement pavers into the truck. Sunday wasn't a whole hell of a lot better. In fact, I slept terrible all weekend so today I'm actually more exhausted than I was on Friday.
Sunday I did manage a run. I ran outside again but this time it was pouring rain. I also took the 'hilly' route which meant that I had a few rollers to deal with. No biggie on the bike, but as a person on foot - it felt a little more difficult! My hipflexors are a little sore today again. I think I need to figure out a way to run outside more often - I don't think the treadmill gives me anywhere near enough of a workout.
So since I managed to screw up my weekend activity schedule, I'm adjusting my weekly schedule to align with it and I'll move to the new schedule next week. So this week I'll be doing the following:
Mon: swim & core
Tues: run & strength
Wed: swim & core
Thurs: run & strength
Fri: REST
Saturday: move to the previous schedule I posted - so I'll run and do a bike ride this day.
Even though I wasn't all that active this weekend, I did manage to do quite a bit of reading about people who are active. Does that count? No? OK, then. Anyway, I'm reading Born to Run and wow...what a great book! Once I got the hang of the author's story telling style (he's a little into jumping around a lot), it's really compelling. The story is about the Tarahumara who are a tribe of super athletic distance runners in Mexico. The book is inpsiring me to want to run long distances, if you can believe that. It's also got me thinking about barefoot running again. It was something that I really wanted to try when I first started this training but then felt that maybe it wasn't a good idea for someone with my foot trouble. Since starting this book, I've done even more research on this and I do think that this might be REALLY good for me specifically because I have this foot trouble. I'm going to start slowly. I'll do some barefoot running on the treadmill and I'll start working out barefoot. I'll also NOT be buying myself new running shoes. In fact, I'm thinking about wearing a pair of inexpensive old Pony sneakers I bought awhile back. They fit well but they are mostly flat without any structure or support at all. I'm just not sure how to transition to these, or if I should just start using them since I'm not doing any long distances yet anyway. I'm just excited about this. I'm excited about possibly finding a way to run without pain. How amazing would that be??
Sunday I did manage a run. I ran outside again but this time it was pouring rain. I also took the 'hilly' route which meant that I had a few rollers to deal with. No biggie on the bike, but as a person on foot - it felt a little more difficult! My hipflexors are a little sore today again. I think I need to figure out a way to run outside more often - I don't think the treadmill gives me anywhere near enough of a workout.
So since I managed to screw up my weekend activity schedule, I'm adjusting my weekly schedule to align with it and I'll move to the new schedule next week. So this week I'll be doing the following:
Mon: swim & core
Tues: run & strength
Wed: swim & core
Thurs: run & strength
Fri: REST
Saturday: move to the previous schedule I posted - so I'll run and do a bike ride this day.
Even though I wasn't all that active this weekend, I did manage to do quite a bit of reading about people who are active. Does that count? No? OK, then. Anyway, I'm reading Born to Run and wow...what a great book! Once I got the hang of the author's story telling style (he's a little into jumping around a lot), it's really compelling. The story is about the Tarahumara who are a tribe of super athletic distance runners in Mexico. The book is inpsiring me to want to run long distances, if you can believe that. It's also got me thinking about barefoot running again. It was something that I really wanted to try when I first started this training but then felt that maybe it wasn't a good idea for someone with my foot trouble. Since starting this book, I've done even more research on this and I do think that this might be REALLY good for me specifically because I have this foot trouble. I'm going to start slowly. I'll do some barefoot running on the treadmill and I'll start working out barefoot. I'll also NOT be buying myself new running shoes. In fact, I'm thinking about wearing a pair of inexpensive old Pony sneakers I bought awhile back. They fit well but they are mostly flat without any structure or support at all. I'm just not sure how to transition to these, or if I should just start using them since I'm not doing any long distances yet anyway. I'm just excited about this. I'm excited about possibly finding a way to run without pain. How amazing would that be??
Friday, January 15, 2010
Back at it - for real
So the year started off ok, I was running and swimming and doing strength training videos with some regularity despite a tough work schedule - and then I got sick. Sort of. I don't know what caused it but on Tuesday night I was struck down with an extremely painful bout of gas. It was the strangest thing. I was in severe pain through my entire abdomen. Bloated and horribly painful. I was not nauseaous, farty or burping either...just pain. About 3.5 hours after it began, I started letting massive amounts of air out my mouth. It was like I was doing these super long, super quiet burps...where the air just came rushing out. It was the strangest thing ever! Anyway, it was a couple of days before I could eat right and before I started sleeping normally again. And of course, still working like a fiend... so I haven't done much of anything in terms of training since a run on Sunday.
So...now I'm going to focus on getting back on track. Today I am eating correctly and recording all my food. I will be doing a strength workout of some type this evening. Tomorrow will be a run and a bike ride. Sunday will be a swim. I've actually decided that 1) I prefer to run outside if I can and 2) that I want to run on Mon/Wed/Sat instead of Tue/Thur/Sun like I was doing before. This is because I prefer to swim on Tue/Thur/Sun (before I was only swimming twice a week but I want to up that to three times). So my schedule will look something like this:
Mon: run
Tues: swim & core
Wednesday: run & strength
Thursday: swim & core
Friday: REST
Saturday: run & either bike or strength
Sunday: swim & either bike or strength
As it gets lighter, I'm going to add in another weekday bike ride and I'll try and start doing my runs outside. If I need to find more time to increase my training (or to do something else), I'll either opt to do my strength or my run before work OR my run at lunch time. Swimming could also happen immediately after work if it's not too busy then...but it's always hard for me to leave work on time, so I hate scheduling anything for that time frame if I can avoid it.
I also had a bit of a smack in the head last night. I found that my inner fat girl was whining about reigning in my diet and I gave her a good smack down. Actually, I think I convinced her that it would be fun to eat right for a week and then step on the scale...right?! FUN, I tell you!!! ;-)
So...now I'm going to focus on getting back on track. Today I am eating correctly and recording all my food. I will be doing a strength workout of some type this evening. Tomorrow will be a run and a bike ride. Sunday will be a swim. I've actually decided that 1) I prefer to run outside if I can and 2) that I want to run on Mon/Wed/Sat instead of Tue/Thur/Sun like I was doing before. This is because I prefer to swim on Tue/Thur/Sun (before I was only swimming twice a week but I want to up that to three times). So my schedule will look something like this:
Mon: run
Tues: swim & core
Wednesday: run & strength
Thursday: swim & core
Friday: REST
Saturday: run & either bike or strength
Sunday: swim & either bike or strength
As it gets lighter, I'm going to add in another weekday bike ride and I'll try and start doing my runs outside. If I need to find more time to increase my training (or to do something else), I'll either opt to do my strength or my run before work OR my run at lunch time. Swimming could also happen immediately after work if it's not too busy then...but it's always hard for me to leave work on time, so I hate scheduling anything for that time frame if I can avoid it.
I also had a bit of a smack in the head last night. I found that my inner fat girl was whining about reigning in my diet and I gave her a good smack down. Actually, I think I convinced her that it would be fun to eat right for a week and then step on the scale...right?! FUN, I tell you!!! ;-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)