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)


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


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


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


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  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)


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  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!