Mind over Matter

So I am not good at keeping up on this...I rode for 3 hours in the basement on Sunday, cycled outdoors on Monday for a leisure 1 hour ride, swam for 1 hour Tuesday morning, ran Tuesday evening for 30 minutes, rode outdoors Wednesday for 2 hours and ran for 50 minutes tonight. I have to swim tomorrow night for 1 hour, run for 3 hours 10 minutes Saturday and cycle outdoors on Sunday for 3 hours 30 minutes minimum (I may head to Stratford and back...we'll see what the wind is like). I thought I was tapering after my last 3 hour run, but I found out I'm not quite yet :( I will be (for running anyway) after Saturday :) I can get through this and will persevere even if the weather is crappy!! Mind over matter :)

I'm Back

Apparently I just needed to take an almost 2 month hiatus. With the new weather comes a revitalized me!!

I finished my 3 hour run today (it ended up being 3:01:49 as I was determined to hit 20 miles and was so close at 3 hours that I just finished it). Mara is such an amazing animal!! She ran the whole distance with Tim and I. She is very tired now, but so are we.

Yesterday's ride was 2:30:00 and was VERY good. I did a good job of staying in my suggested heart rate zones, which was difficult to do at times. I definitely need more practice on the bike to get faster and more efficient. I need to find some bike races where I am forced to try to hold on with the other cyclists.

After the ride, we went to the pool and put in an hour swim. I still don't like getting into the pool to do my swim workouts. I try so hard to think of the Caribbean, but for some reason, it is still not appealing :( I think I don't like smelling like chlorine for days after!! I use some great soap/shampoo, but it still doesn't get that stink out!!

I am going to go replenish my nutrition...I all of a sudden got very hungry thinking of all this exercise :)

Just the Girls!!

Today Mara and I ran with two of my girlfriends at their pace (average 9:50) for 1:34:21. It was AWESOME!! It was a very easy run for us and I feel great now!! It was so nice to have girl time where we can chat and run and catch up on things. I enjoy running with Tim, but I really enjoy it when I get to have girl time :)

I am going to go take a nap and rest up for the coming week. I have lots of increases this week...in strength training, running distances, seat time, and time in the pool. Hopefully the pool water is warmer this week than last week!!

Thanks Ron for fixing my Bike!!

Today I biked at the garage in Des Moines with other Zoom athletes. I had a great workout until I popped a tube in my tire...UGH. I rode almost 28 miles in 1:50:56. I was suppose to ride for 2:20:00. I took my bike into the shop and they fixed the tire rim and replaced the tube for free as I have popped 4 tubes since Christmas and they found out that the plastic covering in the rim was pinching the tube and blowing the tube. Good thing they have it fixed and I hope I don't pop any more tubes!!

After the ride I went to the gym and lifted weights today for about 40:00. This was a great workout today!! I am looking forward to tomorrow's easy run...Next week starts to pump things up!!

New Saddle...YIPPEE!!

Today was a weight training program this morning for one hour. I was specifically told by my coach that I should not do more than 2 sets of each exercise today and this coming Saturday as I will be stepping it up a bit next week. This was hard for me to do as I normally do 3 sets of each exercise...so to compensate for the fewer reps I increased my weights. She didn't tell me not to do this, so it is ok...right???

I also got on the bike in the basement this afternoon for one hour. The best part...my new saddle (bike seat) came in the mail today and I actually had a comfortable ride!! No pain in the a**!! (Hehe) I think I might be in love with my new saddle (don't tell Tim). Saturday will be the true test (2.5 hours will tell all)!! I will keep you posted.

I am actually ahead on this week's workouts...I was suppose to do the ride tomorrow. Now I can do my long Sunday run tomorrow morning and have a day of rest on Friday and Sunday of this week...I won't know what to do with myself this weekend...and Tim is gone to a Men's church retreat, so it is just me and the girls!! I love to be able to relax and enjoy my time :)

So much for the Caribbean!!

I ran 6.82 miles this morning on the treadmill doing a fartlek routine. I ran for 60 min and then 5 min cool down with a total distance o 7.02 miles. After school I went to the pool and swam for 40 minutes (1650 yards) in FREEZING cold water. What happened to the Caribbean temperatures? It is days like today (when it is cold outside and in the pool) that I don't want to get in the pool and swim.

Wonderful Ride Depsite the Blizzard

I had a great ride for 60:00 in the basement this afternoon despite the blizzard conditions outside and the very sore bumm from my cheap, stock saddle. I ordered a new saddle and it was shipped today. I hope it is here before this weekend's long ride!! I wish I had a solution for the wicked Mother Nature. I am starting to wish spring would hurry to get here!! I miss the sunshine and could use a good dose of vitamin D!!