Time to Rest Yet?

04/01/09 - Swim and Cross Fit

#1 - Swim
I don't really remember this swim anymore! HA! I know it was faster than usual. I'm gaining some speed, and I know it was around 2000m. How's that for a disappearing swim workout!

#2 - Cross Fit
Ouch! That's what I've been saying for a couple days. It started with Cross Fit. Pull-ups, push-ups, jumping on and off of things, weighted squats, weighted crunches, and a slew of other things have my body talking to me. It's saying, "I'm tired, stop grabbing the biggest weights every single time!"

04/02/09 - Run and Core

#1 - Run
What a run this was! We learned about a new path that sweeps through an open field, down along a lake, and then up a little hill to where the prettiest ocean swept tree resides. We started the route felling heavy, hurt, and in pain. We hit the first hill and decided that rather than injure and kill ourselves (did I mention how much my legs hurt right now), we'd loosen up with a walk first. We walked about .5 half, and then started again. Oh, my goodness the stiffness. I guess it just goes with the territory of 12 workouts a week that at some point you'll be tired. We skipped the run, and did a walk that seemed to make my tight and tired legs, warm and happy again.

#2 - Core
This class is one of the highlights of joining Nu2Tri. It progressively gets harder, and I find that I'm ready to meet the task. We had some super nifty 30lb weights to add to our routine tonight. Those paired with a squat and row were my favorite exercise of the evening. Of course, there's so much more that makes me happy! We place giant, thick rubber bands behind our shoulders and arms for more resistance with push-ups, we hold weighted balls while pushing into the air like superman for core, we use resistance bands and 10lb weighted balls while lunging, we get in a resistance band and try running backwards while our partners are pulling us the other direction, we toss weight balls to one another while balancing and hopping on one foot, we hold a band attached to high place in each hand so that our bodies can come parallel to the earth, and then do a pull up to a standing position, and SO MUCH MORE!

This class is not for the faint of heart. Even with all of these items (and more, like I said) our coach is tuned into each one of us, on every exercise. Every movement should be precise and at full effort, or he will see and he comes right to you for correction. I was doing the plank position while lifting my legs in the air, and felt my mat slipping under my arms.... literally the moment I felt it slip, he was standing over me to tell me that my shoulders need to stack over my elbows. Amazing! What a wonderful coach and class!

04/03/09 - Swim

Today will be my rest day for the week. I wanted to get a short workout in though, just to time myself on my race distance. We've got a long, hilly bike ride tomorrow followed by a run, and then Sunday will include a swim clinic and then bike ride (4 hour training)! I've gotta get the rest where I can, but I didn't feel right not timing myself this week on my race distance. I know when we get to the swim clinic that Coach is going to ask me my time, and I don't want to be unprepared.

I arrived at 6:00am and hopped into the nice warm water. Yes, I said warm! It was lovely! I started with my usual 400 warm-up of 100 each Swim, Kick, Choice, Pull. Rather than start into tempo, I did some stretching and went right into a timed 500m (20 laps).

I felt AWESOME during this timed set. So fluid, so calm, so relaxed. I kept wondering if maybe I wasn't going fast enough because it felt effortless. I decided that this was just practice, and I'd learn more about pacing later, so I should keep to the pace until the half-way point. Once I reached 300m's, I knew I was on the home stretch and I started getting quicker and quicker. Oh, and my big success of the day, I passed the guy next to me that was swimming WITH FINS! WOO HOO! That gave me the extra motivation to push my last 100m's and I raced into the finish.

I peered up at the clock, did a little math, and saw my time. 8:55. Not so bad. Not terribly good, but definitely a wonderful place to start from! Best part though, was that I wasn't even fatigued. I wasn't breathing hard, I didn't feel tired, and I was ready to jump right out of the water and get on my bike! I was exhilirated, and then totally ready to move into "rest day" mode!

I finished with a 200m easy pull, and was off to shower, and enjoy the rest of my Friday. I hope you all do the same!