INDOOR TRIATHLON, Feb. 15, 2009

This was a new event this year, replacing the old standby of 15 years. Comparing the two events, the new location wins hands down. The Aquatic Center as its called is part of a high school complex near the lakeshore that is less than 10 years old. This school is a rival of the school my kids went to and have always had a very competitive swim and diving program. I observed all the trophies and awards won by both the boys' and girls' teams over the years. The pool is fairly new, 10 lanes, and has a big spectating area. The bike area was down the hall a ways from the pool in a "practice gym, but it was on the same level as the pool and locker rooms. And the run was right across the hall in the main gym.

Somehow, Jan and I did not get in the same heat this year, starting an hour apart. So I watched her start her swim, bike, and run and then went and got myself ready.

Being in a different venue, I didn't see too many of the old familiar faces from past years and noticed it was a considerably older crowd, as opposed to many more young adults and/or teens at the old location, maybe because it was held at a YMCA.

I hadn't spent too much time thinking about what I wanted to do goalwise with this event. I hesitate to use the word "race" because I participate, rarely race. Each leg was 15 minutes. But once I started getting focused on the task at hand, I figured I could do between 13 and 15 laps on the swim, 5 miles on the bike, and 15 laps on the run (10 to the mile).

The water was colder in the pool once I got in than it felt on my hand before starting, so it pretty much took my breath away jumping in. There were 4 men and 2 women in my heat, and the guys were all pretty fast. I just stayed steady and kept count to stay focused. Increasing my swim frequency and distance during January has certainly helped put me over the hump on the swim. I never have had a problem with swimming, but moving on to the next event was much easier this year than ever before. I finished 13 laps even on the ending whistle, 650 yards. More than the last two years.

Transition is always a challenge for me, and today was no different. To help alleviate some of the stress I get into trying to hustle to the bike, get the shoes, socks, and shirt on, get the bike set up, etc. all in 5 minutes, I wore my bike shorts over my suit for a change. I was glad I did, since I had to muscle my way onto the bike I had chosen earlier because of bike size. No way did I want a bike with too big a frame and a seat that could not be lowered! So I had to tell one of the male participants that another bike would be a better choice for him and please let me have this one because its smaller. And fortunately for me, the seat was perfect because time ran out to get prepared and it was time to pedal.

So the bike began and I see that I am spinning very easily, almost too easily and I realize after more than 3 minutes that that's basically what I am doing: spinning easily. So I try to add some gears, only to not be able to figure this particular bike out. After a few attempts and ending up with less gears than I thought I was putting on, I asked for help. Of course it was an easy fix, and I put on some more gears, but figuring my legs would pay for it on the run. The damage was done for my goal distance, however, because I did not begin adding gears fast enough to make a difference without practically killing myself. But I did reach 4.99 miles. Try as I might, I could not get that odometer to turn over to the 5 mile mark. (I think I did better than this on the bike last year.)

T2 was easy: just walk across the hallway, make a connection with your lap counter, get some water, stretch if time, etc. Nothing too hard here.

The run then was done on an inside track on the basketball court. On, not above like past years. And on the same level, too. No more climbing steps to the third floor!

We finally started, and round and round we go. It was 10 laps to the mile, so once I got started I decided I wanted to do 15 laps at least. The air was dry just like my contacts were, so I was finding myself squinting to be able to see. I've never had this much trouble with contacts at an indoor tri, and the contacts were starting to get so dry I was afraid they would blink out, so I pretty much partially kept my eyes shut and just ran. One thing on a track is the momentum carries you around easier than if on a treadmill, so the only part of the run that was tough was the dry air--my throat was now getting so dry I could barely swallow. The last few laps got pretty tough because of the throat thing, but I did make a quick dash off to a drinking fountain close by and was able to merge back onto the track and with the others in my heat easily enough. They called the one minute warning and I knew I would make my goal of 15 laps, but then I realized in the last 10 seconds that if I could kick it in some I could make it to the 1/4 lap mark and pick that up as well. So I met my goal distance and then just a little: 15 1/4 laps.

The awards were after the last two heats, so we had a while to wait. I was into my usual dry coughing because of the throat irritation from the dry air. I always chew gum during the bike and run, but it didn't help at all this time. It was at least 3 hours before I could get the throat thing under control.

On to the awards. Age groups were 10 year spans, so I wasn't that hopeful of winning anything, but fortunately took 3rd in my age group, with Jan first, and we have no idea who 2nd place was. She wasn't there to collect her medal and we didn't recognize her name. We don't know our totals, so I don't know how they compare to last year or how I measured up against the others in my age group. I'm fairly certain that the bike probably kept me from taking 2nd place, but of course don't know for sure.

Now for the weekly wrapup: Week 6 (last week):

• Sunday: Run 3 miles; swim 1 mile; baby day
• Monday: Spin class; visit baby
• Tuesday: Run 3.5 miles;
• Wednesday: Spin class; weight class; visit baby at home;
• Thursday: Run 2 miles;
• Friday: Swim 3/4 mile
• Saturday: off (because of tri the next day).

One thing I found with my base training is that even though the indoor tris only have 15 or 20 minute time increments for each event, you are pushing yourself the entire time, and this whole thing went easier than ever and I wasn't wiped out after. My recovery was within 15 minutes, so that was very encouraging. You don't have that long time on the bike to get ready for the run. The 15 minutes seem long until you hit the middle and then boom! the time runs out before you know it.

Hope everyone's weekend--Valentines and/or races--went well and now its on to the next week!

SUNSHINE & SHORTS

Today was one of those miracle days we get so rarely in the winter: sunshine and almost 60 degrees! Woo hoo! I had planned to run in the morning, but it was raining AND we had a high wind advisory. I don't really know how much wind there was, but the combination of the two didn't thrill me enough to get up and get dressed to go out in the dark, especially when I knew it was going to be warm and sunny by lunch time.

I headed out, without shorts however, since I didn't believe it was going to really feel like 60 degrees--60 degrees when you still have many inches of snow on the ground does not feel as warm as 60 degrees does when it is dry.

But surprise, surprise! It really was warm. Right away. Not that "its warm once you get warmed up" feel, but right away. And while I had checked the wind speed before going out (7-8 mph they said), clearly that was recorded somewhere other than the downtown area. Going out, heading north again, it was fine, but I could feel the gusts hitting me from the west and the strong southerly breeze from behind. Where else would we be getting that warm air after all? Today, however, I did much better with the wind than Saturday, even though it was pretty much the same--20-35 mph. It was only a short, lunchtime run, so there really was no way to avoid the wind, so I just gutted it out, enjoying the moments when it was calm, and putting my head down when it was gusting. It wouldn't have mattered if it was a tornado, just to have that sunshine that has been missing for so long was such a treat. I did notice though that the sidewalks that still had snowpiles on them Saturday were almost clear today.

Weekly Wrapup, Week 5, 2009 Triathlon Training (last week):

• Sunday: 45 min. Spin, 1 mile swim (43:21--my slowest in a LONG time);
• Monday: Weights; 2 mile run;
• Tuesday: Swim 1/2 mile; run 3 miles;
• Wednesday: off due to that rib problem;
• Thursday: off due to that rib problem;
• Friday: off due to a dead battery (the car, not me!);
• Saturday: 7 on the 7th.

Monthly gym challenge totals from January showed I BEAT JAN! Woo hoo! On the swim distance and run distance anyway. The swim is a given, but the run is unusual.

Update on 200 situp challenge: Got behind a little last week but am up to 125. I have lost about a half inch on the waist. Part of that is from the situps, part of it is the other workout regimen, and part of it is strictly watching what I've been eating and drinking for the last 2 weeks at least. I find once you get about 2 weeks into any "diet" that it starts becoming more of a habit to either pick the right foods or eat more of the right foods.

Sleeping has been much better as well, taking the melatonin every night. I think I mentioned this, but if not, what I am finding is I fall asleep easier and even if I wake up I go back to sleep readily. I have been taking three 3mg tablets a night. I don't know if there is any magic dosage to take, but that works for me.

And now I'm into Week 6, 2009 Triathlon Training. This weekend is the indoor triathlon, so my schedule is lighter than other weeks. The real work isn't going to start until next month anyway, so for now its just base building.

Hope everyone is having a great week so far!

I've spent a lot of time in hospitals over the last 8 years--for deaths, illness, accident, and tests and surgeries for ailing parents. Today was spent at the hospital for the miracle that is birth: today my "baby" had a baby: Kerri Marie, 6 lb. 14 oz. 20 3/4", born 2/8/09, 8:42 pm.

Dad Justin, Kerri, Mom Alysha.

Dad and daughter.

All cleaned up.

It was a LONG day. The wait was worth it. She's like a little doll. The girl drought is over.

7 on the 7th--No facemasks needed

It was with great excitement that I planned to run the 7 on the 7th run today. The temperature at 7:45 am was already 47 degrees! Go figure on that one since it was 16 yesterday about the same time. No matter, I'll take it. I did notice the winds were about 17-20 mph however, so I still dressed in double layers except for my hands.

I decided to run from the gym figuring there would still be more streets clear of ice and snow than around my house. There was just enough melting action on Friday to pretty much figure side streets and sidewalks would still have patches of ice on them.

I headed out going north and almost thought I was overdressed, but once I turned west and into the wind, whoa! Now I was glad I still had on the Barney coat with the hood. I hadn't put it on yet, but within a couple of miles it was pretty obvious I was going to need it. The temperature did not factor in the wind chill, which was probably in the 30s. Running north or east, the winds weren't bad; south and west was another matter. It was so bad that after 3 miles I was almost tempted to head back to the gym and face the treadmill for the remaining 4 miles, but my mind would not let me do it.

So I came up with a plan to run west first, then south, then head back east, figuring the worst would be behind me in the earlier miles. Actually once I got away from downtown with the tall buildings and the river running through it, the winds were not as bad, but of course now I was faced with running on the "other side of the tracks" in the not-so-great part of town. Most people in those neighborhoods I found weren't usually up and about until closer to noon, so there wasn't much activity or traffic, allowing me to run mostly in the street. But it was a crappy run, no other way to describe it. Running into the wind was causing my heart rate to go up and stay up. Even walk breaks didn't bring it down enough to keep it down for any length of time, so I finally decided to run until it went to the max and then walk to get it back down, so it was pretty much a run some, walk some event today. After a while I ignored the monitor and just ran 2 or 3 blocks and then walked one. Doing this allowed me to relax and not worry about how much time I was out there, just enjoying the day and giving me a chance to do a lot of thinking.

When it was finally time to turn back, suddenly the winds shifted and once again I found myself running into the wind! How does that happen?? Actually, I noticed the closer I got to downtown again that the winds seemed variable, meaning sometimes I would be running into the wind, and other times it would be pushing me along. It totally reminded me of a March day, with sporadic sunshine breaking through the heavy clouds, warm temps, and gusty winds, all at the same time it seemed. Just enough of a hint of spring to come to make the run enjoyable from that standpoint.

I stopped keeping track of time after a while, but did notice my watch was at 1:24 by the time I finished, right at 12 minute miles, so I didn't do as bad as I thought I was going to do. I hope everyone who participated today had good runs and good weather! Only 41 more days until spring!

SIDELINED

This week, I got a little "off track" on my training due to what I thought was a training injury. Tuesday afternoon, sitting at work, out of the blue, my right scapula area started aching and was very tight. This is the same side that was broken in the bike accident, so I just figured it was from maybe overdoing it on the weights the day before. By that evening, my shoulder was hurting as well, and every time I took a breath I could feel it catch from the tightness. I stretched out the arms and shoulders and still didn't think too much of it until the next morning when I got up and wham! I could hardly move that side. Every breath hurt, and my scapula was really aching and painful now. I had planned to go to spinning that day and my weight class, but after it took me about twice as long to get dressed and ready for work (having already decided against the spin class), I started having doubts about my weight class that day too.

As the day went on, the mid-back, near the spine started really aching, and it was all I could do to stay focused at work because of the discomfort. I had started taking ibuprofen that morning and continued to stretch some throughout the day. By the time I left work, the pain was tolerable but still there, so I figured I would be okay by morning.

Wednesday nights are family night, so I had a houseful for dinner and pretty much was able to block out the discomfort in my shoulder/back, but by the time everyone left, I started becoming aware of pain in the right ribs (which had also been broken) and up into my armpit. All this brought back a lot of painful memories! I used the stick to work out some of the soreness and was really surprised at how intensely sharp the pain was. More ibuprofen and went to bed with the heating pad only to awaken about 4:30 am with pain that was so distracting I could not get back to sleep.

Thursday is usually a run/swim day, but even though my legs felt fine, my mind could not wrap itself around working out for any reason. After stretching, icing, using my shiatsu massager, and more ibuprofen, I went to work with a block of ice and my heating pad. I stuck the ice block under the arm and into the armpit and after about 20 minutes put the heat on. That seemed to help a lot, so by the end of the day I was actually feeling somewhat decent.

Still, on the way home, my mind somehow decided I should stop at the chiropractor's office just to see if there was anything that they could do to clear this up. I showed up without an appointment and was glad to see this was their slow day and they could get me in.

After an adjustment, I immediately felt much better. I asked if something was out of whack and was told I had "a rib head that was sticking up there." Well, so much for that! Glad I went in. I learned after my accident that my chiropractor was much more effective in helping me heal up than anything else I had ever done, and faster too. What I thought was a pulled muscle was actually just a displaced rib alignment, which can happen with as little as a sneeze.

Today I can breath without pain, have no pain or discomfort in the shoulder, ribs, scapula, or anywhere for that matter. I got ready to head to the gym for a spin class, only to have my car not start! Dead battery.

So this week has been 1 for 4. For all that, my legs should be more than ready for the 7 on the 7th tomorrow!

PEANUT SCARE

My "Wordless Wednesday" pic was of peanuts too, but I'm actually far from wordless when it comes to my annoyance with this whole peanut scare going on. For someone who loves just about anything made from peanuts, including peanuts themselves, I am finding this to be very limiting in some of my everyday choices. I'm here to admit: I'm a peanut addict.

But its not peanuts that are the problem. Its the mishandling of peanuts or peanut products by a company that was very callous in putting the public health at risk. Which makes my personal problem with this whole thing even more annoying in that one of our local merchants where I frequently shop has taken it upon themselves to totally erradicate anything made with peanuts from their store shelves, and those that haven't been removed you're forbidden to buy. No signs up anywhere announcing this, so imagine my surprise when, after checking repeatedly the recall list, I went shopping for some of my routine peanut product purchases only to hear when I got to the checkout, "I can't sell these to you." What?? Do I now need to show ID to purchase peanut items? "I don't know why," the clerk says. I know why, but it makes no sense, so why don't you take them off the shelves then??

Needless to say, I thought I was wrong in my assessment of the recall list, only to find out when I got home that I was right and the store was wrong. I contacted the store manager then to ask the reason for either emptying the shelves of anything that was contaminated or suspected to be contaminated or if you do get to the checkout forbidden to buy anything suspected to be containated, only to be given the lame answer, "We want to be sure." Yeah, I want to be sure too, which is why I checked the list first and the labels on the products second to be sure they weren't anywhere near the contaminated plant.

So my next step will be to try to reason with the higher ups to PLEASE return these things that are not part of the recall to the shelves and worry about the stuff that is contaminated.

I know, I know, the recall list gets bigger every day, and I am fully aware of this and willing to take responsibility for watching this list daily if necessary, just give me back my peanuts!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

DENNY'S GRAND SLAM TUESDAY

This is your Tuesday public service announcement:

Apparently, after their "successful" Superbowl ad, Denny's has decided to give everyone in America a free Grand Slam breakfast from 6 am - 2 pm. Get yours today.

JANUARY TOTALS

Run: 47 miles

Swim: 8 miles (14,080 yards)

Bike/spin: 6 rides, 5.25 hours

Yoga/Pilates: 3 classes (3 hours)

Strength: 4 hours

Ab work: 3 x week (12 workouts), up to 125 of the 200 situp challenge.

One thing that has helped me be more consistent is the 2009 challenge at my gym for swim, bike, run for the year: swim 50 miles; spin/bike: 75 rides; run/walk 300 miles. So I've got a good start for the year.

February goals:

Run: 50 miles

Swim: 8-10 miles

Bike/spin: 8 rides, 8 hours

Yoga/Pilates: 4 classes, 4 hours

Strength: 4 hours

Ab work: Try to finish with 200 situp challenge

And let's not forget my double digit challenge: 2 miles on 2/2. Today is usually not a workout day other than maybe weights, and I almost forgot about the double digit challenge of my own, so after my weight workout I headed to the treadmill to crank out 2 miles. I figured I would end up walking some, but surprisingly, I ran the entire time, and my heart rate stayed acceptable until about 1.5 miles but still never went into my highest zone. There are a lot of theories here for this, but one I'm wondering about, and its something I did in the past, was doing a warmup before running, warmup meaning something with legs and upper body. Nothing heavy or long, just maybe 10 minutes. I think I am going to have to try that again. I'm thinking by doing the weights ahead of time, the heart rate has a chance to come up so by the time I start running it stays more consistent. I don't really know, but its going to be something I'll at least explore a little further.

Last week's recap:

Week 4, 2009 Triathlon Training:

Last week was a "rest" week after 3 fairly intense, but steady building weeks.

• Monday: off
• Tuesday: run 30 min., swim 30 min.
• Wednesday: Weight class
• Thursday: Run 30 min. swim 20 min.
• Friday: off
• Saturday: Run 5 miles outside
• Sunday: Spin 45 min., swim 1 mile
• Ab work T, Th, Sat.

This week I'll be adding one spin class, and am planning on the 7 on the 7th challenge on Saturday. I still plan to use Fridays for off days, and Mondays as well other than weights. I'm trying to pace myself so by spring I'll have a good base and hopefully most workouts will go outside by then.

On another note, sleeping has become more consistent. I have been taking the melatonin and while I don't sleep straight through the night without waking, I am able to go right back to sleep until the alarm, so that seems to be a big plus. I'll continue to use until either I forget and seem to not need it or become immune to it.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

SUPERBOWL XLIII

Having a Superbowl party today? Still looking for that recipe that will wow your guests? Look no further. Behold, the Bacon Explosion, the latest sensation for all you meat lovers out there. No more boring chips and dip or chips and salsa parties. You haven't lived (but you just might die) until you've tried this creation. (Watch the video. Blogger was not going to let me upload this today, and I don't want you to miss the chance to try this before the day is out.)

The recipe can be found here.

And what about dessert? My daughter made these Superbowl cakes for a work party:

Enjoy, and may the best team win!

10 MOST ANNOYING PEOPLE AT THE GYM

Only one more day to go and most likely all the resolutionists--you know, the ones who resolve to hit the gym running on January 1, but by or before January 31, they're long gone. I couldn't help but laugh when I read this story.

Maybe you have a list of your own. So let's hear them!

I'll start with mine from worst to worst:

1. Male locker room attendant who after repeated complaints about and requests to NOT clean the women's locker room at 8 am, 12 pm, or 5 pm, or noon on Saturdays, still manages to be there without fail at those times.

2. The sweater/groaner on the cardio equipment next to you, sweating so hard he's flinging it all over you, and groaning so loudly you're not sure if he's going to have a heart attack but definitely blocking out sound in your headphones.

3. Women who can't use a hair dryer without replacing it to its holder on the wall. Just how hard is it to place it in its holder rather than on the counter or letting it fall into the sink?

4. Locker and cardio rooms that are consistently 79 degrees. I have been battling this one since the beginning of the month. You can't do anything without breaking out in a sweat.

5. Guys (always) who can't lift weights without dropping them on the floor after a set. When you can hear the boom of weights dropping on the floor when upstairs and in the shower and wonder if there's an earthquake happening, something's wrong.

6. People who do not clean the cardio equipment or spin bikes off after use. Just how many people do you think want to share your sweat?? Don't touch that!

7. People who hog all the overhead TVs and get on a piece of cardio equipment with a TV. Just how many news shows do you need to watch at one time??

8. Opera man. Every Saturday without fail he's in the weight room near the basketball court with his blaring opera music while he bounces a basketball over, and over, and over, and over ad infinitum, with it echoing up the steps and jarring your brain, annoying every inch of your being, and all the while doing nothing other than bouncing it.

9. The old guy who parks next to the door (he owns the parking lot) and then has someone from his office come pick him up and take him across the street to his office, where there is another parking lot he owns.

10. The parking lot czar (see above) who tells you he'd join you in the pool and hot tub if he had a suit. (Eww. TMI.)

I'd like to hear other gym horror stories, because I know we all have them!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

(Dream on)

HAPPY MONDAY!

And yes, it is a happy Monday for me, because today is an off day from training. As for work, well its always a good day to get caught up on the blogs that I neglected all weekend. And I thought this beautiful flower was much better to think about than the snowy, freezing weather we continue to have. I'm thinking happy thoughts! Week 3 of 2009 triathlon training went like this:

• Monday: Swim 1200 meters (31:10)
• Tuesday: Pilates (missed a lot of sleep on the weekend and just was too tired to run)
• Wednesday: Spin class followed by a 2 mile run; weight training class
• Thursday: Swim 1200 meters (31:02); run 3.5 miles (hr training)
• Friday: Off. Had a family (uncle) funeral to attend so it was a good day to take off
• Saturday: 6 mile run; 2000 meter swim (52:13 and no Tai Chi man!)
• Sunday: Spinerval DVD, 1 hour 22 min. heart rate training zone

I finally started getting better sleep by Wednesday and hope it continues. Maybe the extra training has something to do with it; maybe its the melatonin I've been taking nightly. If it continues to work, I'll continue to take it unless I find something contrary to taking it.

Jan and I actually did an outside run on Saturday, looking like ninjas with our face masks and hoods. While we started out together, that didn't last long, since I was trying to do heart rate training and she desperately wants to get her speed back up again. So basically I told her to go ahead and do intervals, waiting for my slothlike self to catch up at intersections. We ran downtown mostly since those streets were the most cleared and even dry in some spots. It was cold (about 7 degrees), but no wind, much better than yesterday or today where it is once again in the minus digits. (Thinking spring, thinking spring, thinking spring.) I followed this with my 2000 meter swim. It felt so relaxing and warm getting in that water after braving the elements. I didn't push it at all, just patiently swam lap after lap, keeping pretty consistent with my pacing. I was hoping for 50-51 minutes but went over. The odd (and good) thing for me again is my first 1/2 mile is slower than my second. I just wish all this would convert to my run!

The first indoor tri of the year will be February 15, this year at a new venue from the past 15 years. It was a disappointment that the Y cancelled this event after more than 15 years. Suddenly they decide its not a money maker?? But fortunately, someone else organized it at a different and newer venue, so that's the good part, as well as not having to run up 3 flights of steps for each of the 3 legs or run on a track that is 19 laps to the mile.

Hope everyone had great weekends, and I'll be catching up with you today and/or tomorrow!

TAI CHI MAN

With all the new people either joining the gym or starting out the yearly one month gym marathon, the pool is now occupied most mornings. In the past, it was either me or another woman, and that was about it. Now, up to 3 people at a time. Its crowded! LOL! Actually, its only a 4 lane pool and its short, so when 3 people are in the pool, you get some serious wave action going on. Good triathlon training though!

A while back, on a day when there were 3 of us in the pool, suddenly as I was finishing a lap in the lane near the steps, a figure appeared it seemed out of no where. And here I was, nearly against the wall and suddenly this guy is squeezing himself in next to me. Doing something, not sure what, but it wasn't swimming. After observing underwater for a few more laps, I determined he must be doing some sort of water tai chi, if there is such a thing.

Since then, I've been on the lookout for Tai Chi man, but until today I haven't seen him. And wouldn't you know it, on a day when the pool was "full," he shows up. And squeezes himself between me and the wall. I moved over as far as I could but barely escaped his movements every time I passed him. If he was half as good looking as the guy above, it might not have been so bad, but to be swimming and observing underwater that closely to someone who, let's say, left a lot to be desired bodywise, wasn't any eye candy. Not only that, he seemed oblivious to the fact that someone was within inches of his lunges, turns, and other arm contortions. I thought Tai Chi was supposed to be fluid movements, but his were more lumbering. Which may be why he chose the liquid form of exercise for the day.

On a better note, my swimming has once again become consistent in the time department. And I've learned how to keep track of laps without crashing into the end of the pool because I'm so deep in thought trying to do calculations (yes, I've done that more than once! If there was a helmet for swimming, I'd need one). I know they have those pool lap counters, but its just one more gadget I don't really want to fuss with and likely I wouldn't be able to read anyway without stopping or getting a magnifying glass. My goal is to get back down to 30 min. for every 3/4 mile. When I started 3 weeks ago, I was at 33:42 and today I hit 31:02. Even with the distraction of Tai Chi man within inches of my face, I managed to keep focused, keep count, and get a little faster than the other day. Or maybe I was just hurrying to get out of there faster?

FEAR OF FREEZING

Many of us are experiencing extreme temperatures along with all the snow right now. Once the thermometer dipped below zero, whether actual or windchill, I knew I would be forced to run inside. When it hurts your face to go out and get the mail, that's pretty much enough for me. I made the mistake of going out once last year when it was minus 5 and that memory hasn't left my mind yet. I still don't know how I did this when I first started running, no matter the weather, the wind, the heat, the cold, always outside. Am I a wimp now or what?? Or do I just have more sense? I'm going on the second choice.

So this week's runs have all been inside. To fight the boredom of the dreadmill, I have to have some sort of planned workout to do, otherwise I can hardly bring myself to get on it let alone stay on it the entire planned time. At least then I am challenged to see if and how I do.

Here's how Week 2 of 2009 training went:

• Sunday: 1 hour on bike trainer, zones 2 and 3
  
• Monday: weights (30 min.); day 1 of 200 situps challenge (67--too easy)


• 
  
  Tuesday: Swim 3/4 mile (32:07); run/walk 3 miles (HR training); pilates/yoga


• 
  
  Wednesday: 1 hour weight training class; day 2 of situps (75)


• 
  
  Thursday: Swim 3/4 mile (31:29); run/walk 3 miles (Yasso 800s x 4) (HR training)


• 
  
  Friday: off (due to a family issue) (I was supposed to bike but didn't want to do it late in the day to not have back-to-back workouts running into my Saturday plan)


• 
  
  Saturday: Swim 1 mile (41:27); run/walk 1 hour (intervals) (HR training); day 3 of situps (100)

The hardest part of this? Getting enough to eat and getting enough sleep. I have not slept well in months, meaning I sleep a few hours, wake up, stay awake an hour or more, go back to sleep for an hour or so. Nearly every night. And I don't drink caffeine and have tried just about every non-prescription sleep aid out there, as well as chamomile tea at night. Sometimes I've taken things to help me sleep and I still don't sleep. My mind is not in turmoil so I don't understand it. I'm rarely exhausted so its not like I'm craving sleep. I just feel I would do better with a little more, and preferably uninterupted sleep. And trying to make sure I have enough food with me all day to avoid snack binging. So everyday I have to load up the picnic basket for work it seems.

My current training schedule calls for increasing long workouts again next week and then yipee, the next week is a drop back week. I just hope I can get some more runs in outside next week or I might just lose my mind!

Stay warm everyone!

HEART RATE TRAINING

Typical for me, I tend to panic about things when it seems like they aren't going the way they should. Not outwardly, but I dwell on something until either I get it right or figure it out. Its in my nature. By nature I am a "fact finder" on the Kolbe scale. That's how I am most useful at accomplishing something.

In this case, it was figuring out this heart rate training. I have read all the info there is out there; I have practiced it in the past but gave up early on; and it wasn't until just recently I actually decided to give it a try again and figure out my numbers, based on the newest formula out there. But there was a couple of things I hadn't factored in, and after discussing this with a trainer at my gym, doing some experiments, and Chia's own meritorious comment the other day, I have come to a better understanding of how this will work for me.

First, the trainer indicated that your heart rate will be lower when swimming--something I knew and noticed--because of buoyance--something I didn't know. Second, she also indicated that your heart rate sitting on a bike will be lower than running because? Because you're vertical and the heart has to pump the blood farther when vertical. With that in mind, I should not be concerned if my heart rate is higher when running. She also indicated that how I felt was a better way to judge, which basically is what I have been doing anyway, which is another reason I wasn't totally alarmed at my high numbers, just a little frustrated.

At the gym, they have started an 8 week weight loss challenge for spinning, which includes learning your heart rate numbers and finding out your anaerobic threshold and learning to work within those numbers. I have not joined this group--not that I couldn't lose a pound or 2--but the days they meet do not work with the rest of my schedule. Instead, I got lucky and listened as some of the women who are working within that group talked about what they did in the class and decided to adapt that to my own training.

And Chia's comment the other day to push myself and then rest and repeat that to train yourself to run at the median heart rate is something I had been testing out anyway, but giving it more thought and putting it to a test I discovered that while running a steady pace my heart rate continued to climb into what my numbers indicate is the 90% zone for me, even while running incredibly slow, but when pushing the pace for short periods of time my heart rate did not climb abnormally higher but instead sort of hovered just a little higher. With rest, it went back down and I felt good enough to do another interval, going until my number again went into and stayed in the 90% zone. Oddly enough, I actually felt better even in that zone when running the intervals than trying to run a steady pace.

Today then I really tested myself, doing Yasso 800s on the treadmill (mainly just a boredom buster but also one of my favorite workouts on a treadmill). After warming up for 10 minutes, I ran 4 x 800 (1/2 mile) at a pace about 1 min. per mile faster than my steady pace and never did I go higher than 85%. To rest, I walked until I got my heart rate back into the 70% zone, usually about 2 minutes. Of course, the pace was still nothing you would consider fast, but the object was to get my heart rate into a zone and try to hold it there. I am guessing with more practice that my pace will increase, but even if it doesn't, I'm happy going with feeling good the whole run and finishing whatever event I start.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

ONE WEEK DOWN, MANY MORE TO COME

First training 2009 week done:

• Sunday, 50 min. bike trainer, cadence
• Monday, weights
• Tuesday run 30 minutes; swim 30 minutes; pilates
• Wednesday, 1 hour weight training class
• Thursday, swim 30 minutes, run 30 minutes, intervals
• Friday, spin class
• Saturday, 45 min. run; 30 min swim

It was an easy week. Eventually, I will add another spin class. The hard part is getting the run/swim days done on work days. If I swim in the am, it is hard to get to the gym at lunch because I can always be guaranteed some crisis coming up and preventing me from taking a long lunch, leaving an evening run, when I am at my low point of the day, and it is an absolute stretch to get me on a treadmill at that time of day. Added to that, I am attempting still the heart rate challenge, meaning trying my best to stay within my zones, which is nearly impossible when running. Biking and swimming, no problem. Running? I max out every time, no matter how slow the pace. Please, someone, tell me this will pay off eventually??

200 SITUP CHALLENGE

Just what I needed to add to my winter challenges. Marci had this on her blog, the 200 situp challenge. I had actually started my own situp challenge back when I started the 100 pushup challenge, and had gotten to 100. Since then, I've been doing at least 50 at a time most days, and the weight training class I've been taking for the last 6 weeks also has an ab portion at the end of the class, where we devote 10 minutes straight to ab work, so I think I'm in good shape to start this challenge. There's nothing that helps you look better than trim abs and well shaped arms. So let the challenge begin!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

(the real reason for global warming)