Hot, hot, hot!

04/18/09 - Brick

So, what have I been up to lately, let's see. Saturday morning I woke up at 6:00am to find that I had only slept a possible one or two hours. I had quite a bit of trouble with sleep that night. I skipped our group ride and did a brick on my own. I road up into the hills, looped passed farms, cow pastures, and eventually back down to the beach. I did about 800ft of climbing, 18 miles of riding, and then jumped off the bike for 2 miles of running.

After this, I was supposed to register for the Santa Cruz 10k race, that was happening the following morning. The only way to register for the race was to go to the boardwalk, on a Saturday afternoon, at the busiest beach in town, with all the other race participants, and the thousands of tourists unloading in our town to enjoy the 80 degree weather! I headed down that way, and realized it was going to take hours, and cost me $20 to park, and then another $50 to run a route that I run all the time. Forget it! I met up with my bro and spent the rest of the day at the beach!

04/19/09 - Run

I woke up at the crack of dawn on Sunday to help PJ pin his bib number on for the Santa Cruz 1/2 Marathon! It's so exciting to be a part of races, I was a little bummed that I wasn't going to be joining him in the event, but then realized that I get to cheer him on. I dropped him at the start line, and then went and ran my own 10k. About half way through my run, I could hear the gun go off for his race, so I headed back home, put the dog inside the house, and then took off to hopefully find him on the course.

I was pretty sure of the pace PJ would be running, so I posted up at a few places on the course accordingly. I first got to see him at mile 4, and the look on his face was priceless. He had no idea that I was going to be out there. He looked great! Strong, and tall, and seemed to be taking the unwelcomed heat wave like a champ! I saw him again at miles 6, 8, and the finish. He finished fast, set a personal record, and then spent the rest of the day lazying at the beach with some margaritas! I'm so proud of the progress and work he's put into becoming a runner!

04/20/09 - Bike
Man was it nice when I woke up today. I knew I needed a rest day, so I decided to just ride my bike to work and take in the weather. On my way to work, it was in the 70's already and made my beach-side ride magnificent. I spotted pelicans, sea otters, sea lions, all basking in the light morning sun.

As the day progressed, the baromoter continued to rise. When it was time to leave work, my desktop thermometer was reading 96 degrees! I thought it was wrong... nope, record temps! I waited it out, but it didn't drop, so I headed back out for another ride, this time in the scorching evening sun. Riding along the beach in a cruiser is a nice slow way to enjoy the scenery, but I was on my road bike, and I was booking. The ocean breeze just helped reinforce how fast I thought I was going. Best part though, was the last hill I have to tackle getting up to my place. It is no longer a hill to me!!!! Could it be, that I'm starting to improve on the bike a bit? I sure as hell hope so!

Another week down

4/13/09 - 4/17/09

Whoa, I'm not sure where my daily posts disappeared to. They must be hanging out somewhere with my energy. Oh, it's Friday morning, so that means I'm nearing the completion of my week and feeling exhausted, sore, burnt, shredded... all my normal descriptives. Throw in a cuss word or too, and you've got a transcript from my inner dialogue during my swim this morning. This week I was heavy on the weights and resistance work, and I was really feeling it today.

Ok, so let's see what's been going on. I got a run in on Monday, Tuesday was yoga and a leg shredding spin class, that night I had a girl's night so I slept in on Wednesday and did a great Cross Fit Class with some of the best core exercises I've tried to date, Thursday was an intense triathlon fitness class, and this morning I swam. Tomorrow I'll get in a bike ride and run, and then Sunday I've got a 10K race. Then, I kick back, pour a large glass of ice cold, electrolyte enhanced margaritas, and enjoy the 85 degree weather at the beach.... yes, all this work means way less anxiety about putting on my swim suit!

Still Here

04/09/09 - 04/12/09

I was out of town camping for the weekend, so I'm behind on my posts. However, I'm happy to report (to myself) that I didn't skip a workout. I kept on track and still had room for lots and lots of champagne with my mom. Since the last time I wrote, I did a core class, a long swim, a bike ride, a run, and rested, aka, drank mimosas until the wee hours of the morning!

I got to run with my dog and fiance and we were joking about how my running times are shrinking along with me... I seem to drop a few seconds per mile with every pound. I'm at about a 10 minute/mile pace now, and feeling good! (I used to do 15 min/mile so you do the math!) Like I've said before, I'm a slow, bad runner, so for me this is pretty amazing!

Today I'll be doing yoga and spin, and then spending the rest of the evening in my pajamas in the company of my girlfriends, some pomegranate margaritas, and episodes of 90210!

The Big Squeeze

04/06/09 - REST!

This week launches a test of my ability to balance work, life, and triathlon. I'm having to rearrange workouts as they become longer, but also switch it up to ensure that my personal life is still in focus. Instead of track tonight, I enjoyed a restful evening of trying on bathing suits with my girlfriends.... did I say restful? It's more like panic stricken, torture, leaving me feeling that all this work is amounting to nothing.... I think I would have felt more rested if I'd just done our 7 mile track workout!

04/07/09 - Yoga and Run

Nice yoga at lunch today, followed by a short and sweet 3 mile run. I've been a little tired, and I've got family in town, so I'm just going to have to squeeze in the workouts this week as time allows. I'll be back in full swing once my family heads back home.

04/08/09 - Swim and Cross Fit

Started the morning with a great 2000m swim. This has quickly become my favorite way to welcome my day. Some quick 150m sets left me feeling weak in the arms, but I followed those with fast 50m's that brought me back to feeling strong again!

Tonight, we'll have cross fit where we put our muscles and endurance to the test. Hopefully I'm up to the challenge!

Transition Time

04/04/09 - Bike and Run (BRICK)

Today we had a brick training, meaning we were going on a bike ride and following it with an immediate run. This is known as T2, or the second transition in a triathlon. It's no easy feat to jump off a bike and start running, it sends your body into a little bit of shock at first. I was tired before I got there, so I was a little anxious about how this was all going to play out for me today.


We started out our 15 mile bike ride in Aptos, CA. We were told there were going to be a few hills.... the understatement of the day! I had a really tough ride, I think that I'm still building up my legs for cycling, but I also haven't rested in nearly two weeks, so I was burnt out before we even got started. The first hill put some distance between me and the other riders, but I quickly got back in line again on the downhill. It was the next hill, the hill that NEVER ended, that did me in!

I realized that I'm fine on quick, steep climbs, but the long, slow, never ending climbs just kill me. We were climbing and I was hoping once we got around the corner we'd stop, but it just never came! Finally, we hit a short downhill and I was able to catch up with people. It seems I have a knack for the downhills. No brakes for this girl (especially when I see another hill in front of me)! I know the route we were on was gorgeous, but I was so overwhelmed by fatigue from all the climbing that I didn't see it. After that short downhill, we went right back to climbing again! OUCH! I've learned along the way, that during endurance events, every athlete has a "Don't F#@$ with me!" moment. Well, I was definitely having one on this bike ride. A few encouraging words from a friend left me wanting to get off the bike and throw things at her! So, I chugged out a "get out of here" with the last breaths left in me, and trudge forward on my own. This was hard. I considered stopping, crying, cussing, freaking out, but I knew those wouldn't get me up the hill any faster. So, I just kept climbing, at a crawl's pace until it arrived.. the peak!

After all that climbing, we got to enjoy a super fast trip down the windy, country road. All I kept thinking was thank god we were doing such a short ride today. They trimmed about 10 miles from the ride since we had a big workout ahead of us tomorrow, and I couldn't be more happy about it!

I got back to my car, threw the bike in, pulled on my running shoes, and was off running.... and this time I was actually running! I couldn't believe it! Normally I sort of just move along with my feet barely leaving the ground during a brick, but this was a decent pace. I stopped at the 1 mile mark to stretch out a little, and then finished the last mile feeling strong, and really ready to run. I could have easily done a 10K!

04/05/09 - Swim and Bike (T1)

We were at the pool early this morning with our bike and cycling gear in tow. We set up our transition areas on the pool deck. I laid a towel down next to the bike, laid out my cycling shorts, helmet, sunglasses, gloves, and shoes. Then we gathered in a meeting room to learn some information about the first transition in a triathlon, from swimming to cycling, or T1.

After some good info, we hopped in the water for a swim workout. I know my swim times, and thought that if I placed myself in lane 3 that I'd be in a good pace group. Lane 1 housed the quickest swimmers, and then the paces slow as the lanes go on. I was in a lane with another woman, and after the warm-up, I should have moved lanes. She was too slow to be in lane 3 and I was a too quick. We were definitely an odd couple.

We started with a 600m warm-up, 150m each Swim, Kick, Choice, and Pull. Then followed it with 12 x 25m of body positioning drills, including swimming with your eyes closed! That was freaky! I count my strokes when I swim freestyle, so at least I knew about when I'd hit the wall, but I had to really force myself not to open my eyes!

Our first set was 400m's of drafting. By getting in really close to the person in front of you, you can draft off of them, and decrease your energy output as they pull you along. This exercise was useless for me because I was so poorly paced with the woman in my lane. I was going slower than my warm up/cool down pace, and couldn't even kick. I felt like I was just kind of hanging out in the lane!

Luckily that ended, and we moved on to a 200m pull. Then some 50's... which I now can't remember how many we did. And next on to 6x100m's that increased in speed. We started slow, and then finished as fast as possible.

After that, came our race swim that was supposed to mimic our swim in a triathlon. I started at the same time as lanes 1-3. I was jamming. I felt strong, quick, and got to the wall to see that I was the first one in, by A LOT! I had lapped them! I was so excited, that I didn't notice someone was pulling me out of the water! Our coach had me by the arm, and before I knew it, I was out of the water and running to my bike. I was so excited, that I fumbled a little with things, but managed to pull my bike shorts over my swimsuit, and clipped on my helmet and shoes. I ran with my bike down the to the transition start, and off I went!

I was just in total awe of my swim effort.. first! I couldn't believe it! Of course, all those great athletes were right behind me, and the guys all passed me on the bike, but I wasn't really concerned. This was a new experience for me. I wasn't just leisurely running a half marathon, not really caring about my time, and just having fun, I was RACING. I gave it everything I had on the bike. I was pounding the hills and crouching in the drops to be more aerodynamic on downhills. I finished strong and really proud of my accomplishment. Our coach came over and told me what a great job I did, I guess I surprised him.... I think I surprised myself as well!

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!

Short and Sweet

03/31/09 - Spin and Yoga

Yoga was good, spin was great. That's about all the energy I have right now. Feel a little lost due to lack of sleep, burnt quads, and a full-effort swim workout at 6:00am. I'll be dreaming of my bed until the moment I've sunk in for the night.