Rest Day, spring cleaning and The Wiggles

Monday is a rest day in my world. Didn't feel like I needed one as last week was recovery, but I do as the coach asks. Was over at Jenn's yesterday for a few minutes as I wanted to possibly take a couple of tri tops off her hands. They just do not make these tops for those of us who have carried big healthy babies and breast fed those big healthy babies...if you know what I am saying!! She was spring cleaning and that got me on a kick for the rest of the day yesterday. Trying not to throw stuff out but rather recycle or put on Kijiji. I live with a major pack rat so this is harder than it sounds!! Looking forward to The Wiggles...13 more sleeps. Yes...I bought tickets. Paid far too much for them and should be embarrassed as there are children starving in this very city and the money could have gone to much better causes. BUT I have decided that in my spring cleaning, all my kid's used toys and kids clothes are NOT going on Kijiji but to charity. And on my trip to the grocery store this week, I will donate a case of baby formula to the food bank. My little give back. Our house did not fare well during Earth Hour...trying to get kids bathed and fed and in bed right around that hour proved difficult!! Tried to just have one light on at a time but when all of us are all over the house...eek!!
On the agenda this week, a friggin hard bike ride tomorrow. Justin's note was "You may want to crank up the iPod with some fast tunes for this one!!" Nice. A swim on Wednesday morning and I do not have a bike ride planned for Wed night so need to talk to him to see if I should not be throwing one in for fun.

1500 meter time trial

After a horrible sleep and up way too early with my youngest one, I made it to the pool today. We did a warm up and about half way through the warm-up I looked at the board and there was 1500 meter TT written down. I had jumped into lane 8 as that is where I have been swimming all winter. Granted I have to bust it, to keep up there, but I DO keep up!! The coach told me to move down into lane 7. Not happy, was I. I wanted to get in behind those fast guys and put down a solid swim!! But then it is all about perspective and working the situation so it works for you...right? So down into lane 7 I go, a little pissed and immediately tell the boys there "I'm leaving on the next red top." Or in other words "I'm leading." Snotty? Bitchy? Too aggressive? Don't care!!! I wanted a good swim today. When it was all told, came in at 22:47. Pretty happy with that. Did the first 100 on 1:23 and held (right around) 1:30s the entire way. Ran into lots of traffic the last 250 meters but nice and steady and exactly what I wanted to do. Interestingly, I find out afterwards, the guys in lane 8 did the 1500 as a pack swim...they took turns leading each 100. So would get a rest for 10-15 secs each 300 meters. And combined, they did their 1500 in 22:30. HOO RAH!!
(And I claim I am not that competitive...hee hee hee!!!)

Cold Toes

The workout today was an hour on the trainer or if weather permitting up to 2 hours outside. The current temp at 6:00am was minus 3. But I could not face that trainer!! So, I took my mountain bike out for just over an hour. The actual workout was supposed to be an easy spin, keeping my cadence at around 85-90 and my heart rate low, no higher than 132ish. Done. Felt GREAT to be outside!! That is until my toes froze. The good news is that my "transition" was literally about 13 seconds!! Bike into the garage, helmet off and away I go for my run. 30 minutes in total with the first 20 minutes straight off the bike at my steady state heart rate. JP's instructions were get off the bike and start the run immediately at that higher heart rate, no warm up as legs should be warmed up from the bike. No problem. I was surprised how awesome I felt off the bike and ran the 20 minutes right in where I was supposed to be. But I could not feel my toes for about half the run. Met a couple of guys on their way to the Roastery, so we finished the last 10 minutes or so together. On the agenda today, clean my car...with hauling two kids around, we could seriously live in there for a week with the food that has been left behind. ewwy!!

Look at my Widget!!

Officially under 100 days!!! EEEEK!!!!

In other news, have had an okay recovery week...some serious recovery happening here. Have done very little as I have not felt 100%. I have been feeling like I am on the verge of something so I opt to sleep rather than workout. Have a bike ride and run planned for tomorrow and a run and swim planned for Sunday. So we will see how I feel after/during those. But looking forward to next week...I better get better real fast!! The good news is that my number is holding steady this week at 153. I guess my attention to what I am putting into my mouth is working out for me!

Went to my book club last night. Book Club Rocks! (That makes me laugh cause that is our group on Facebook...such nerds...) Ten very different ladies so we have some really good discussions and some really good laughs and always too much wine. There are a few accountants, an attorney for the Federal Justice Dept, a stay at home mom, a minister's wife, a triathlete (okay...that's a joke!!) And THE FOOD!! OMG!! The next book is "Bel Canto".

Wednesday bike ride

I am good at recovery weeks. No stress. No panic about how to get all those workouts in. Lots of sleep. Stayed up late last night and watched a movie. But getting itchy!! Seriously...and it is only Wednesday!! JP had some strict instructions about recovery week. Keep moving but no stress. Do either the Wed morning swim or the bike ride, don't do both. Okay, something has happened to me as I have chosen the bike ride!! Over the swim!! I checked my upcoming weeks and I see a field test snuck in there on the bike. eek! Apparently, my first one did not give the best information, probably because I had a headache, was late for the test and a bit frazzled. My HR zones are way off compared to my running zones. So he wants me to re-do it, preferrably outside and get as accurate data as possible. Because as he puts it "We have some serious cycling to do before July..." Yikes! Hopefully this crazy weather smartens up!!

Positive Failure

Day 2 of my recovery week is going well. Still woke up at 5:00...habit now...but went through several cookbooks and I am armed with a grocery list for the next week or so. My mom buys me a cookbook every single Christmas in hopes that one of these days I will actually use it in the kitchen. Has not happened yet, and besides, my sister got all the Martha Stewart genes. The two of them get going on cooking and decorating and general housekeeping tips...and I sit with a deer in the head lights look and politely nod my head like I am interested. The test will be at my book club meeting this week where there will be temptations of wine and all sorts of bad but goodies. Just got off the phone with Justin. Getting things set up for the next month. He made an interesting comment about "positive failure". I was telling him that my bod was spent on Saturday and the 30 minute run was a difficult one. He said that was GREAT! And I said "Huh?" That means we pushed just far enough, I did all the workouts and ran out of gas at exactly the right time. Positive Failure. Love it how he spins things like that!! So the goal over the next few weeks is increase the time and distance etc. Let's see how far we get now before running out of gas. Boy...can't WAIT!! He is also setting up minmum and preferred times on the bike. As in, if the weather is good, try to get in the preferred time. If it is bad, do the minimum on the trainer. And try to do some of it into a headwind...I laughed and said "Obviously, never been to Saskatchewan! Cause that's all we got!!"

Monday Rest Day

But not really, when the daycare is closed and I am at home with the cubs!! And their cousins are coming over today...4 little boys in one house. Help!! Took them to the pool yesterday and we climbed the stairs to the waterslide about 100 times...that counts as crosstraining. Looking at my schedule this week I am thinking "What do I do with all this time?" I know...get a handle on my diet. Because I am not happy with it currently...and kind of an important part of this triathlon goal. My number has not changed in 2 weeks...153. It has fluctuated all over the friggin scale but never lower than 153. Annoyed. Maybe that is just where I am supposed to be? But I could eat better....way better. So that is my goal this week, to try to get some sort of plan in place for my diet. And drink more water. And finish my book for the book club meeting this Thursday..."The Memory Keepers Daughter". I am about half way done and I have enjoyed it so far.

Freakin awesome swim

Well, it does feel good to get a great workout in now and again! Today at the pool there was just me and JeffH in lane 8. Jeff has qualified for World's in Vancouver this June...he is very fast! He came today in his Team Canada tri-suit to see how it feels. One of those things were it looks better on television but kind of goofy on a Sunday morning at our lane swim!! But all the best to him as he is very focused on this competition coming up. Anyway, we did a set of 200 meters with 15 seconds rest in between each. We held 2:50 - 2:55 for all of them!! I was very happy with this! The last couple I was fading but managed to pull them off anyway. Had to use my secret weapon...my kick... And this with a tired body and tired legs. Looking forward to a recovery week as I have never had one before. I think I will be good at recovery...

Suffer Saturday

Remember my giddiness only just 2 short weeks ago? Yeah...well that was short lived! Had hoped I could go outside today on my bike but the forcast was minus 9 when I got up and 0 for a high...not hard core enough for those temps!! So onto the trainer I go. 90 minutes. Done. Boy oh boy was a struggle to stay on there for the entire 90 minutes. Then out the door for a 30 minute run. Could NOT find my legs at all today on that run! Yikes. I hope that does not happen too many times. But lessons learned, I had not eaten properly yesterday at all and did not drink enough water. Off to the pool tomorrow morning. The good news...I made it to my first Recovery Week!! That's right, next week is recovery fun!

Wacky days

Alot of stress at work this week. Two of the guys are away, Herb is in Dubai, Greg is in Hawaii, the markets are shitty. My assistant has been sick all week...argh. The best thing to do is excercise!! Got on my bike and rode the crap out of it last night. No real workout, just got on and pedalled and pedalled and pedalled and felt alot better when I was done. Had a hot bath and an amazing sleep. Up today at 5:00am and out the door by 5:30. I still do not know why it takes me half an hour to get my gear on and out the door. I doddle and doddle and check the weather and read the news and fart around. But did my 90 minute run and it was a GREAT run!! I just have to say I loved every minute of it. Also have a funny story from today. I met a gal who was also running at the freeway bridge. She was a tiny little thing in silver running tights and a matching silver jacket. She looked like she was a good runner...you know, small, long legs etc. Anyway, as we were at the bottom of the stairs I did my customary "Mornin!!" and nodded my head at her. She turned her nose up and did not say a word back to me!! So up the stairs we go and I am thinking "Why, you little...!!" She took off on me over the bridge and I just could not have that. I ran my butt off trying to keep up with her!! I glanced at my Garmin a couple of times and we were running well under 9 minute miles!! Holy SH*T!! Okay...that is super fast for me. Finally after about 20 minutes, she stopped and walked and I went by her and said again, but with a bit of an edge in my voice "MORNIN!!!" And she STILL did not acknowledge me. Ha Ha Ha!! What a Grumpy pants! But I giggled the whole way home....

oops

After getting all fired up about doing all my workouts this week....did NOT make it to swimming this morning. I had a horrible sleep, tossed and turned all friggin night. Had received an e-mail yesterday that was very disturbing and just could not quit thinking about it. Other people's lives...

Anyway, Justin's specific instructions were to make sure I get my bike and run workouts in...he didn't mention the swim...so I actually don't feel all that guilty!! And I wanted to do a really good job on my bike tonight and my 90 minute run tomorrow morning. I have also misplaced my goggles. I think one of my kids was playing with them and I have not found them anywhere...and neither of them is fessing up. I have another pair but hate them. Stopped in to SportMart but they did not have any I liked (very fussy about my goggles!!). So, I need to get to Brainsport or Sportchek before I get the to pool again.

Make yourself a great day!!

A crisp morning run

What a gorgeous morning!! The alarm went off at around 6:00 and I had a small panick attack as the sun was just peeking over the horizon and I had myself convinced something was very wrong and I had slept in. I cannot tell you how happy I am to run in daylight!! Those were some long, dark, cold, dreary mornings out there this winter. Run went very well...got my hour and 10 minutes in. Got an e-mail from Justin yesterday and this week apparently is a very important one as far as training and distance and time goes. He advised me to try my very best to get all of these workouts in and that is what I will try to do.

Out of the funk

Today. A new day. Thank-goodness!! And a rest day ta boot. I have decided I need a tri suit for the summer. Where does one go for such things in Toon Town? Have looked at a couple of the running stores here and they carry some tri gear but only for pixies...and I ain't no pixie!! I had purchased a pair of tri shorts last summer and that is what I have been cycling in all winter but they are kinda tiny...and they ride up...if you know what I mean. And I am prepared to have virtually the entire field pass me on the bike after the swim at Stony Plain but don't want to have be yanking my shorts out of my butt at the same time...my point...cause there is one...I have been looking online at some websites but holy shoot the options are endless! What do the ladies wear? Jenna? Julie? Susi? Any other female reading this blog? The longer shorts? The shorter shorts? A one piece? Two pieces? Brands? Sizes? Help!!
Training this week...An hour and 10 minute run tomorrow...swim and bike ride on Wednesday, another run Thursday (1:30 again) and a brick on Saturday. Make yourself a great day!

crappy swim

Only lasted 38 minutes at the pool today. Not in the mood for a swim today at all. Went to Wal-Mart...never go to Wal-Mart in a grumpy mood...it just gets worse. That's all I have for you today.

Brick #2

After seriously seeing every single hour on the clock Friday night, turned the alarm off around 4:30 and conceded that I was not doing that brick workout in the morning but was going to have to rearrange the day a bit to get it done. Thought that if the cubs sleep until around 9:00, at least I would get a few solid hours of sleep. But because nothing normal in my life ever happens, they wake up around 6:30...ON A WEEKEND!! argh. Had a crazy busy day but The Universe was telling me over and over to get the workout in somehow!! Got a message from Jenn "Have a good brick!" AHH!! Took Matthew to the theatre and had lunch with another tri-friend and she asked "Did you get your brick in today?" AHHH!! Ran into Jenn and Charlie Browne at the bike store "How was your brick workout?" AHHHHH!! Finally, got to it really late in the afternoon...did just over an hour on the bike and about a 45 minute run. Was weird to be running outside in the middle of the day! Too much traffic on my route where I normally run down the middle of the road and had to actually go on the sidewalk yesterday. Anyway, felt good to get it done, legs feel really good this morning, and I am off to the pool!

The New Super Hero Helmet

Sometimes all they want is Mom

Heading home from work yesterday I was having the feeling I was going to have to choose between my bike workout last night or my run this morning. I am really wishing I had of got a good sleep on Sunday night as no sleep and then that 90 minute run Monday am has really wiped me out for the rest of the week. But when I got home, the decsion was made for me. My little one (22mos) was cranky and clingy and only Mom could do anything for him. After supper he came and sat on my lap and we read books and played games and fooled around for the majority of the evening. And by the way, running around the house with a giggling little boy on your back should count for something!! My friggin quads are stiff today!! He would not leave me alone....not complaining one bit but literally nothing got done last night!! I was baking the silly shamrock cookies well after they had gone to bed. But I did get up for my run today. Holy smokes, my legs were tired!! Struggled through it and got the hour in. Up next is a walk tomorrow and another brick on Saturday and swim on Sunday.

Nutrition advice from JP

Got the following e-mail from Justin today:

Nutritionally speaking, the harder you go the harder it is to eat. I can give you several very simple tactics for nutrition:
Experiment with the nutrition you will use for your event in training.
Shoot for 250-350 calories per hour in the form of carbohydrates. A glucose/fructose sugar combo seems to work best for most people.
Make sure that you are matching your fluid intake with adequate electrolyte amounts and with enough carbs. Liquids are easiest to take in and can provide all three in one drink.
You can train to eat while working out. Practice it and get in the habit of taking in a little bit of something every 10 to 15 minutes. Set a timer if you have to. Eating a whole powerbar at once is hard to do. Cut it into quarters and eat a bite every 15 minutes instead and follow with some fluids. 250-350 calories is a half a power bar and 24 ounces of energy drink. Or a gel and sports drink combo. Stay on top of your eating by taking in a little at a time and that will really help. For workouts longer than an hour, you will benefit from a sports drink to make that workout better and to help you recover for the next workout.

Garmin is a good estimate within 10% or so. Problem is that you can’t take in that many calories while exercising. For longer events, you should shoot for as many calories as possible while still being able to put out the required effort and without gastric distress. Some experimenting is involved and I would say that at least 200 cal per hour no matter what is a good start point.

work sucks

So, I work in one of the tallest buildings in downtown Saskatoon on the top floor...the 9th floor!! Remember, this is lil ole Saskatoon. Anyway, I have a wonderful view of the river and the bridges and the trails that continue to call to me to come out for a run. Especially on a sunny, warm day like today. I am addicted to this business of triathlon. I am really enjoying the challenge of it all! I was beat last night after my morning run and a busy day. Fell asleep on the couch at around 8:00pm!! Got to my swim this morning. Not much to report from there. It was a nice easy swim and exactly what I needed to stretch the muscles and limbs. Supposed to do a bike workout tonight and I imagine I will get to it but I have to bake cookies for the preschool for their field trip tomorrow. I have borrowed some clover leaf cookie cutters and I am thinking sugar cookies with some green food coloring and VOILA!! I told my 5 year old of this idea on the weekend and he has repeatedly asked when we are making them. I also had one of the hard(er) core tri guys stop into my office for a coffee today...actually he drank water and I drank coffee (oops)...but it was really good to pick his brain about stuff. After I told him what I was doing etc. he said his biggest concern is that I don't over train. I have read this several places as well. And I really (really) need to study up on nutrition and eating properly. I hit THE WALL yesterday at about 2:00pm...so tired...if I had not of gotten an e-mail from GP to egg me on to the swim today....I likely would not have made it!!

It was really, really close...

Wow!! Thanks to a couple of you for your e-mails today asking about my run!! YES. I DID IT!! But gang, it was a close call. I had every excuse not to do it...not a great sleep, up three times with kid stuff, an annoying cough at around 12:30am, I'm too tired, its too early to do this before work, it is too slippery out, its too dark now that the snow is almost gone, I have to be at the playschool early today as I am the parent helper...but then what would I write on my blog? The alarm finally went off at 5:15am...put on all my gear...looked at the weather channel and it was only minus 3. Perfect. Don't waste these days!! Out the door and I felt really sluggish and tired and no drive at all!! This was going to be a tough one. But I have always thought, THESE are also the ones that count. Just put my music on and very slowly found my running groove. It was a perfect morning and as I rounded the corner to come home, there was a big orange light straight east. THE SUN!! I will have to get a picture of it one morning as it really is beautiful. I live in an old area of town and they built the streets on mile grids. It is exactly 2 miles that last stretch and I am a geek and always imagine that is my last two miles of my race. What are my legs going to feel like? What am I going to feel like? And today I was thinking as I saw that sun, how many runners are out right now all across North America watching this!! cool!! Just shy of 9 miles in 90 minutes. That one is in the tank!!

My triathlon wish/want/need list

After I changed my bike tire on Saturday afternoon, all by myself, with my almost-2-year-old helping, I cleaned out all my tri gear. Got it all organized. I am such a nerd!! However, it got my thinking of the list of things I should be getting myself in the next little while.
1. A bike helmet - kind of necessary!! I cannot for the life of me find my old one. This does not hurt my feelings any, as an old boyfriend's mom had given it to me for Christmas one year...that has gotta be about 12 years ago!! Was time for a new one anyway.
2. I have one tube left for my bike. Again, kinda necessary! And floor pump. I just have little hand pump and I am not confident I am getting enough air in my tire with that little thing.
3. Some sort of a bottle holder for my bike. The one it came with was, well, it was UGLY! I immediately took it off and I should invest in another one cause me thinks I am going to need it.
4. Runners. I have found "my runner". The Saucony Omni 6. I think I should invest in another couple of pairs.
5. A new wetsuit. The one I have is ancient. I used to waterski in it!! It's purple...need I say more.
6. A cool visor. In spring/summer, I run with a hat that says "BPI Small Cap Tour 1995". You should see it, it is disgusting!
7. Bike gloves. Do I need bike gloves? I don't know.
8. A major bike tune up. My seat broke late last summer and I MaGyver'd it. I should really get that fixed properly and I want some sort of a computer thingy that tells me stuff. As well, I am not sure my brake pads should look like that.
9. Some cool cycling gear. If I am not going to be fast, I might as well look great!
10. Could use some new running pants.

Up for the week...a big run tomorrow...an hour and a half! Ugh! Then a swim and bike on Wednesday, another run on Thursday, a WALK on Friday and a bike-run on Saturday. No problem!!

800 meters of hell

Me. Tired. I had a decent sleep, not great but okay. But woke up super tired after yesterday. Not really sore but just an overall tired. Still made it to my Sunday swim. Looked at the workout and right smack dab in the middle was an 800 meter steady swim. Must be spring because everyone was there today, which means my favorite spot in lane 7 was full and I had to jump in with the big dogs in lane 8. All I could think about for the first 45 minutes was that silly 800 and how in the hell am I going to keep up? And when it finally came around, our fearless lane leader Jeff, (who has qualified for the short term world championships!!!! This means he is super FAST!!) says "Let's light it up!" and the fun started. The 800 was supposed to be done a 75 meter steady swim and then a 25 meter at race pace. So, me, bringing up the back of the lane, would lose them on the 25 race pace and it would take me the enire 75 meters to catch them. The long and the short, it was a hard (but not quite at race pace) 800 meter swim for me!! And I was TIRED!! I had wanted to use this and take a break so BAD....just get your head together, put your head down and swim! And if it was easy, everyone would do it!!
And I got some really good advice from one of our local hard core triathletes at coffee afterwards that I will share. I was asking him what should I be eating during a brick workout? I had eaten a powerbar in between my bike and run yesterday and first I had to CHOKE it down and then it sat in my belly for a good 30 minutes into the run. yak. He told me that the key is to find out how many calories you are having to replace and then find something that your body absorbs the easiest. I think I got that right....??? It made sense to me at coffee!! Something else to figure out...

The things I will do for a Roastery coffee...

Well, gang...it's done!! My first serious brick workout. Got up at 5:00am and was on the bike by about 5:15. Did an hour and 20 minutes...okay this was 10 minutes shorter than what I was supposed to do but I noticed that my front tire was flat (?). Not sure how long it had been flat but now my tire changing skills are going to be put to the test sometime this weekend!! Off the bike and change my clothes, all of them. I was dripping sweat and had to change everything as I did not want to head out into the cold with wet clothes. I was SO excited to run!! Something is seriously wrong with me...at the first corner, a guy in a truck was watching me and I wanted to go up to his window and tell him "I was on my bike for 80 minutes this morning and NOW I am running!! I am just a bit closer to my goal!! Isn't that COOL!!" But it was only about 7:00am and he would have most likely called the police. Anyway, Justin had advised me to try to get on my running legs as soon as possible after my bike. My "transition time" was horrid at around 10 minutes as I could not find my lip gloss...and Julie has just said "OH for HEAVEN'S SAKE!!!" But out the door I head and the first 10-15 minutes were okay, and I found my legs very soon after that. The run went really good, ran the entire hour. Garmin tells me I averaged about a 9:51 minute mile so that is pretty good as that is what I normally run even if not just off the bike!! I was expecting to be super, super slow so had to run around the Broadway and Victoria bridges a couple of times to fill up the hour as I had promised myself a Roastery coffee at the end of this!! But it is DONE!! And the coffee was excellent...and I walked home from the Roastery enjoying the sights of Broadway and the sun coming up. A perfect day so far!!

Grumpy people today

I have encountered three grumpy people today...what gives? The sun is shining, it is a gorgeous day, and it is Friday. Cheer up ya goofballs!!
Anyway, I just got of the phone with Justin. I told him I was not going to the cycling camp tomorrow as it was on the track and I have lost my bike helmet. I have known about my helmet for about a week and have not taken the time to go and get another one...if the truth be known, I really don't want to cycle in a pack on that track!! I heard a story from last year of a newbie who fell and broke her collar bone. EEK!! I felt like a bit of a sissy telling him these things (he, the Arizona state cycling champion...) So he tells me the idea for tomorrow was to try to put in 2.5 hours of activity. I love it when he uses the word "activity"! It just sounds so EASY! We changed the workout a bit and I am to do 1.5 hours on the bike, on my trainer and an hour run. Good luck to me!!

Rest day today and other stuff

Today is a rest day. And I was beat last night. Had a friggin amazing sleep!! Tomorrow I do my very first (serious) brick workout. A friend told me about a week before Frank Dunn last year, I should probably try to run after a bike ride, just once before the race. And I said "Why ruin the surprise?"
I have been reading some blogs over the last few days and several of them have been tagged to share 7 things the world may not know. I have not been officially "tagged" but one blog said "If you are reading this, consider yourself tagged". So here you go:

1. I have to pay for things with exact change. It drives my husband around the bend as sometimes it takes me forever to pay for something as I dig through my change purse for the dimes, nickels and pennies.

2. I was going to write "I still hold the 1500 meter freestyle 11&12 girls age group club record here in Saskatoon." But I checked the website today to make sure I was not lying and lo and behold, the record has fallen...January 31, 2008!!!

3. I wear a clean pair of running socks every time I go for a run.

4. I have been in a coma. My mom's car was hit by a train when I was 4. Back before car seats, thank-god, or I would have been crushed. The windows blew out of the station wagon and I was thrown from the car. It was spring and the grass was long and they could not find me for quite awhile.

5. I have not slept with the closet door open since I saw the movie "The Grudge".

6. My favorite movie of all time is "Seabiscuit". Those darn animal movies again!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVT2MPNCqgM


7. When I go through a Tim Horton's drive thru, I always pay for the order behind me.

And there you have it!!

A very cold run

Before I get to that, I have to say to ChrisG that I am really sorry for not (ever) making it to the Wednesday night bike rides. I thought I could make those and I told you I would do those with you and I have not kept up my end of the deal!! The classes start at 6:00pm and I have learned it is nearly impossible for me to get there for then...with work and daycare and supper etc. If it was just half an hour later, I would be okay. BUT I do the workouts at home...so that should count for something? Last night was an hour on the bike. A warm-up and then 2 sets of 2 minutes in zone 4 and one minute in zone 2, repeat that 5 times. A five minute easy ride in between the two sets. Man that is tough to get up into zone 4! It takes me a couple of trys but once I am there, it is all good. But I am in the very low zone 4. And I sweat buckets in my basement. Drink LOTS of WATER!! I have to.
The schedule also called for a run this morining, 50 minutes. I went out and quickly realized I was not dressed nearly warm enough. I should have looked a little harder for my winter running pants...but when is this weather going to warm up? I felt like I was being stubborn just wearing my light pants (I'll show you Mother Nature!! I can run in minus 25 in these pants!!) but my legs were beat RED when I got home. And i only did 40 minutes because I was VERY COLD!! But motivated to run very fast those last few hundred meters...
Next up, a bike ride and run on Saturday. There is a cycling camp that was included in my Wednesday night class, but I got the e-mail this week and the ride is on the track...I am not really comfortable with that!! So I think I will do the workout at home and then do my run from home.

Wow...feeling really dumb...

I have just spent the last hour trying to figure out how to log into this thing...why were they asking me for a Google account? And why was my e-mail address not recognized? I don't understand what just happened? But here I am...after resetting my password a zillion times and getting really frustrated. And what the hell is a "cookie"?
Moving on to more postitive thoughts....Thank-you Jenna for posting that picture of the fat...seriously, thank-you!! I have one word...Ewwwy!! I am starting to feel really good and fit and the weight loss is a bonus. Got to my swim this morning. My goals this week were to drink more water and get to my Wednesday swim on time...I am always late...I have no excuses for being late. So today, I was on time...yey!! We did some warm up and the main set was 12 times 150 meters, one hard, one easy. We did them on 2:15. Brad and Curtis had some boy flirting thing going on today and ignored me which was just fine as I wasn't in the mood to really talk to anyone...nothing wrong, just one of those days with alot on my mind and needed the space and the swim to think about some stuff. And my concealer is in over drive today. New goggles and BIG rings around the eyes...niiiice.

Sparkles in the Snow

I was so excited to go for my run today, I barely slept. That is ridiculous, I know, but I am sensing, looking at my training schedule for the coming weeks, the challenge has begun. Bring it on!! Was out the door at around 5:30 as I had an hour and 15 to do with 3 intervals of 10 minutes at my steady state heart rate with a 5 minute easy run in between. JP says "and at the TOP of that HR". Yes SIR!! So I did 4 intervals and in the range he was looking for. It was a gorgeous morning, until I turned the corner onto Sask Cres...the wind!! But I live in an older area with lots and lots of great big trees so it seriously wasn't too bad, just once in awhile it would smack me in the cheeks. The footing was horrible in places, as it has snowed just a bit last night, just enough that you couldn't really see where the icy spots were. But that fresh snow is so pretty!! Isn't it? I love the way it sparkles. And I did not really notice that until my 5 year old pointed it out to me one evening and we stood in our back yard on a calm night and took it all in. Anyway, at around the 50 minute mark, I was thinking, holy smokes, I still have 25 minutes to go! But got it done, so this is good news. Swim tomorrow morning and bike ride in the evening. And the number...153. That's 7 pounds, kids!! SEVEN!! Next time you are in a grocery store, have a look at a pound of butter....I have lost 7 of those since January 1.

I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BgyhHBoz50

The weekend was fun buuuuuttt...

...now it is time to get focused...again. This past Saturday was a rare rest day but the weather was so nice I thought I might get up and go for an easy run, keep in the routine. I'd had a crazy, busy week and was super tired when I got up on Saturday morning, puttered around the house for a bit and then went back to bed. Convinced myself that I should really take the rest day even though i had not done much all week. Got to my Sunday swim yesterday. Was a good swim in lane 7 again. I had decided I felt like leading that lane as I barely keep up in lane 8 and my stroke goes to hell when I get tired. So in lane 7, I can lead and get a great solid workout, thinking about high elbows, body roll and keeping my head down...not an "omg I am barely hanging on" workout...if that makes any sense. Did some shopping on the weekend and got some new lipgloss...I bought it for the name..."bad kitty". That made me laugh and I had to buy it...not quite my color but I am making it work!! Looking forward, today is another rest day, tomorrow is a hard (for me) run and longer than I have ran (half marathon excluded) in a very long time. Swim on Wednesday morning and a bike ride Wednesday night and that is as far as I have looked. I know I do my very first "brick workout" on Saturday!! Keep y'all posted.

Dancing Queens

Dance Dance Revolution...so much FUN!! And I broke a sweat...