Oh NO!

Can it be Thursday already. Wow how time flies when you're having fun. I can't believe I haven't posted all week.

Monday was a nice rest day.

Tuesday:
I did a tempo run. Running 6.8 miles or and 8:34/mile pace per hour until I reached my max heart rate, than after about 15 minutes I had to continue to lower how fast I was running to keep my heart rate below 146bpm. So all in all that was a good run. I then did my swim which totaled 1000m in drills 200 warm up; 100 pull; 100 kick; 12-25's rest for 15 secs; and 6 50's rest for 20 secs.
I also did my strength training.

Wednesday:
I rode my bike- but my legs felt like they were pushing cement blocks. I didn't sleep very well the night before, so I now know lack of sleep affects performance. I rode for 45 minutes.
I only had to swim for 15 minutes continually- swim part done. I did lots of stretching too.
I also saw my sports Chiropractor and massage therapist. Okay, so maybe the massage therapist part sound glam. But, it's not. He's working out the knots I have in my hip. OWIE. But, hey it feels better today. Sports massage is a part of training. Thank goodness insurance covers it and it's only $20 a trip. It helps prevent injury, I guess that's why it's covered.

Thursday (Today)
I ran for 30 minutes at a steady pace keeping my HR under 146.
Swim drills-
WARM UP 200
6 X 50’s - REST 20 SECONDS
1 X 300 - REST 1 min
3 X 100-REST 20 SECONDS
WARM DOWN
That's 1000m total.
I also strength trained and will do more stretching later

That's all for now!

Another week down

Aah. It feels good to have a had a great week of training. Our ride this morning was wonderful. We rode for 1:45 (approx. 29 miles) and I kept my HR under 143. I had to slow a few times, but the good thing is that I was pedaling at a pretty good speed before my alarm would go off.

Erin is here on spring break, and the Penman and McFeely ladies came over for breakfast, then we all went to Yoga. Sunday yoga is in it's 3rd straight week now. Andrea and I go. Jen usually works out in the gym. Erin joined us for yoga today. She felt weird doing the poses. I felt weird the first time I did yoga too. Andrea didn't think the class was as hard and isn't giving herself any credit. She's getting STRONGER. The class was just as hard. Andrea had an easier time of it because she's starting to build muscle.

I still enjoy yoga and it's doing wonders for my tight muscles. I got Cate from the amazing kids care all ready to take her swimming, but she was ready for a nap instead. I went home, and Cate didn't even make it to Chandler Blvd when she conked out.

That's all for now.

Ciao!

4:30am

Some of the information here may be a little gross to some. So if you get grossed out easily then don't read this post.

Time to get up and get ready for the run @ 6am.

There's a morning ritual that runners, and probably any endurance athlete has.

Mine is to get up at least 1.5 hours before run time.

Drink 16 oz of water, drink 1 cup of coffee and have 1 cup oatmeal with 1 tbsp of brown sugar. Then I get dressed and the entire time I'm hoping I'm able to hit the bathroom before I leave. Finally, that moment comes and I feel relief- the BM. I'm ready to run!

I met a group at the Pointe @ South Mountain this morning. There are various runners there. From someone whose training for the marathon Olympic trial to Tammy and I. We head up the rear. As I said I'm training with my heart monitor now. Today, we ran 7.5 miles and I kept my HR @ 146. That's just the top of my zone 1. Unfortunately, I again didn't set my watch correctly so I don't have all the cool stats I so look forward too. Very frustrating. So this is now my mission. To make sure my watch is set correctly!! What's the point of having one if it's not set.

My run was great. Tammy has done several triathlons and is a wealth of information.

My bladder has still not adjusted since having a baby. I guess I need to be more vigilant doing kegels. Once I stop running- I just might as well as pee right there. I practically did that today. I had to walk because my HR was getting high, then I stopped for a moment. Then ugh oh. I quickly found the nearest bush I could find and squatted right there. My shorts, got wet, my leg and the arm of my long sleeved shirt. YUCK. Thankfully, I had my water bottle and rinsed off where I could. This happened midway through the run, so I was dry by the time we got back.

My morning of exercise was done by 7:15am. YEAH!!!! I grabbed Caroline and Cate and we went to Einstein's for breakfast.

Here's a picture of Cate enjoying her bagel.

It always feels good

when your workout for the day is completed.

Cate is doing better, so I was able to make it to the Y. I rode the bike for 50 minutes and kept my HR in zone 1- zone 1 for me means 115-142 bpm. Even though I stayed in zone 1 around 130ish, my legs were hurting. So I guess I need to get my legs stronger. That will come in time. Following the bike, I got in the pool and swam continually for 15 minutes. I was getting tired toward the end and my left calf is acting up. BUMMER. What the heck did I do to it? But, the swim felt GREAT! Could I actually be liking the swim? Who knew?

Cate is napping. I just finished my lunch. A yummy casserole of brown rice and lentils topped with cheese. I added avocado and salsa on top of that. It really is quite yummy and filled with carbs- the energy I need to go go go.....

Time for my chores around the house-

Ciao

A Sick Baby and little sleep

Makes for a difficult day. Bruce was off to work and I was off to work here as the COO of the Penman-Ozer Clan. Cate was MISERABLE.

When Cate took her nap this morning I did my running workout on the treadmill. I warmed up for 8 minutes, ran for 3 miles and then cooled down for 5 minutes. I now train using a heart rate monitor. I needed to keep my heart rate between 119 -146 beats per minute. I kept it steady @ 130. Today is supposed to be an easy work out day. It was easy.

I had planned to go to the pool later when Sara got home from school. Unfortunately, when Cate woke up from her nap she still was running a fever and was not her usual happy camper self. She was MISERABLE. So, I called the triage nurse, and they told me to bring her in. Sure enough our little baby cake has her first ear infection. We stopped at the pharmacy and got her antibiotics- motrin and around dinner time she seemed happier. Thank goodness!!!

I still had planned to go to the gym to swim. The pool at the Y stays open until 8:30pm. Well not tonight! It was raining with thunder and lightning. The pool was CLOSED. That's okay. I'm exhausted from lack of sleep. Sleep is probably more important. I hope we ALL sleep better tonight.

JUST DO IT

The famous Nike slogan. It's true. Now matter what your goal is. JUST DO IT.

The weeks of my struggle in the pool are paying off. It's suddenly easier. And over time I know I'll be faster. As my friend KK reminded me (an old wise triathlete with weathered skin, a long braided pony tail, and a gentle kind voice) I'm not trying to be a swimmer. My goal is to be a triathlete. True. But, shouldn't try to be fast at swimming? Eventually he said. Right now, if I kick too much during the race I'll never make the run. I think he was kindly trying to tell me that I'm not a 20 year old. That I'm a "master" (that's what they call the "old folks") So just give it time. Okay, so I'll JUST DO IT and will just give it time also. Time for my body and mind to get stronger. It's a process. But a process I do seem to enjoy.

I did my swim workout today. I did intervals including a 200 warm up. I forgot the intervals- but, I swam for about 50 minutes. I can really feel it in my upper back and arms. I also biked 12 miles today. It was windy- but the ride was good.

So Andrea, Jennifer, Donna and Alyssa: If you're reading this. JUST DO IT- you'll love yourself for it. Bruce, I know you're reading this so JUST DO IT- or I will end up beating you on the bike. :)

It's Tuesday

And today I swam almost 30 laps I think. I swam 8, and then the gal in the lane next to me was chatting about her upcoming race and my upcoming race. I had a little rest, and then just continued to go to almost 30. I lost count. I felt relaxed and was just concentrating on gliding the pool.

I also ran for 30 minutes today and tonight Bruce and I strength trained at the gym.

Bruce was kind enough to let me get a Triathlon Coach. It's with Gage Total Training- this will be the team I will be on for the race. I just received my calendar of workouts and I must say I'm glad I decided to get a coach.

That's all for now. It's time for bed.