Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Following the PLAN

I am still fighting this head cold. But didn’t let it stop me. I had to get my hair done this morning so it was 11:30 before I headed out for my scheduled 30 minute run. It was about 40 degrees but there was a mean wind. Once again I over dressed. I am too use to the early morning runs and never know how much I need to wear in daylight.
I ran 3.32 miles in the 30 minutes, 9:02 pace. I didn’t feel great and the wind was awful.
After the run, I changed and rested for 30 minutes. Then I got on my trainer for an hour. Lucky for me there was a movie on that kept me distracted, otherwise I don’t think I could have finished the whole hour. I was slow but got the time in.
I got my room booked in Panama City today for race weekend.
Haven’t found the perfect top yet but I have time for that still.

Monday, January 29, 2007

Nothing Exciting

The plan yesterday called for a 2 hour ride. Since it was cold out, I did it inside on the trainer. I rode while watching a movie. I did discover that I can fall off my bike even when it is on the trainer. I needed to turn up the TV, so I unclipped my right foot and bent over for the remote. As I was getting back up, I leaned too far left. The bike, me, and the trainer all started falling over. On my way over, I grabbed the open bedroom door and managed to right myself. Too bad there aren’t thing out on the open road to grab onto to save me from hitting the ground.

This morning I got up at 5:30 and went to the rec center to swim. I did a 250 yard warm up, 2 x 1000 main set, and a 250 yard cool down. I have a bit of a head cold so swimming was a bit more of a struggle today. The 2500 yards took 51:57.

I rushed home got the kids and myself ready and was at work on time at 8.

After getting the kids to bed, I got on my trainer for the scheduled 45 minute easy ride. I was so thirsty the whole time and drank an entire bottle of water. I hope they seriously meant easy because I took it very easy.

Tagged

I was tagged by TriJack:

1. Describe a memory from your first triathlon ever
I decided at my friend's birthday party June 18, 2005 to start doing triathlons. I ordered a bike off e-bay and learned to ride. I did my first tri July 30, 2005. When I got out of the pool, I just walked to T1 and talked to everyone around me. I never even thought about transition time affecting my overall time. That first transition took me 3:02. I was shocked when I saw the results.

2. Describe a memory from your most recent triathlon
My most recent tri was the Music City tri 9/17/06. I was backing out of the garage to pick up Lana when my cell phone rang. Her son was sick and she couldn't go. It was my first time to go totally solo to an event.

3. What's the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you in a tri?
At the Waterfront Tri in Chattanooga, the run part has you running up these stairs that are part of their waterfront, then over a glass bridge. I have this insane fear of bridges. As I was "running" over the bridge I was clinging to the railing and looking up at the sky. I got some really strange looks.

4. What's the most thrilling thing that's happened to you in a tri?
Going back to Cedars, my first Tri, this year and making just over an eight minute improvement on my time.

5. What is something you discovered about yourself by doing triathlons?
That I can do more then I ever thought I could.

6. What is The Big Goal that you're working towards?
Right now it is Gulf Coast Half Iron but some day I would like to finish a full Iron Man
I tag Lana, Kate, and TriSaraTops.

Saturday, January 27, 2007

It's Official

Guess who is officially signed up for the Gulf Coast Triathlon??? That’s right, me!!!! I am so excited. No more slacking and the diet is going to improve. It is time to get race ready!! And you that means shopping too. I have to find a cool new tri top. I can’t do my first half iron in the same old top.

Friday, January 26, 2007

A Partner

Yesterday I dropped the kids off at school and then headed out on my temp run. The plan called for a 60 minute run with strides every 10 minutes and then five 20 second stride back to back after the run.
I had a great run and ran 7.33 miles in 1:07:40, 9:14 pace. Average heart rate was 158 and max was 174. I ran the same old route but doing the strides made it a little more exciting.
After the run I did 30 minutes easy on my trainer. I think I might have taken it a little too easy but I just can’t get and hold a high cadence. I will have plenty of time to work on that Sunday when I have a 2 hour ride scheduled.

Last night Lana called to see if I had a long run on tap for today. I told her my schedule only called for an easy 30 minutes but since I am concerned about the lack of running I was willing to bump it up to 6 miles. We set up to meet at the Rec Center at 5:15.

When I got to the Rec Center it was 21 degrees. Lana showed up and we headed out on the greenway.

It was so great to be running with Lana again. We talked the entire time and the miles just flew by. We ran the greenway and then an out and back down Highway 41. I broke off when we got back to the Rec Center and Lana continued on the greenway. I ended up with 6.11 miles in 57:24, 9:24 pace. Average heart rate was 157 and max was172. If I could just convince Lana to do Gulf Coast and jump into the plan I am doing then we could do a lot more runs together. Hey Lana, that’s a hint!!! :)

When I got back in my car it said 19 degrees. Not that there is a big difference between 19 and 21. Once the temps get that low it is just COLD!!!

My diet has really suffered this week but I have managed to maintain my weight. Hope I can make it through the weekend with some self control.

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Stupid Gamin

I got up at 4:25 this morning and drove over to the Rec Center. It was a balmy 24 degrees. On the way over I turned my Garmin on and it said low battery then went off. I had charged it the other day, and when it said fully charged I unplugged it but left it in the cradle. Could the cradle be sucking the life out of the thing??? It is fully charged again and all programmed for my run tomorrow. Hope it works.

So this morning I ran about 4 miles on the greenway in about 38 minutes. Then I went inside for Cindy’s toning class. She did tons of lunges using the slides. I sure hope my legs aren’t sore tomorrow. After class I rushed home and got the kids ready for school and myself ready for work. It was the 100th day of school and the first grade was celebrating. I had to take some pictures and help them count their cereal. Then I rushed to work.

I picked the kids up at 3:00 and we went home to change into our swimsuits and go to the Rec Center. The kids played in the kid pool while I did my long swim. I swam 2400 yards in 49:28. That includes the 2 times I had to stop for kid issues. I hung out with the kids in the warm water of the kid pool after I finished and waited to see if the one man swimming in the therapy pool was going to get out. He never did so we didn’t get to play in there before they closed.

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Spinning and Swimming

This morning after dropping the kids off at school and making a quick trip to Wal-mart, I got on my trainer. The plan was for “hills” today. I did a 15 minute warm up followed by 7 x 4:00 in the large chain ring and small rear gear with 1:00 recovery spin between sets. I finished it up with a 15 minute cool down. 15.55 miles in 65 minutes. My spinning needs work. I do fine with the big chain ring stuff but I just can’t get my cadence up for the spinning.
After the ride, I changed into my new swimsuit and headed to the Rec Center for a 30 minute recovery swim. I got this suit a few weeks ago and didn’t bother to try it on, after all it is the same size and style as the suit I have a home. Big mistake, all suits are not created equal. My old suit is a Nike and this new suit is a Speedo. It was like trying to get myself into my wetsuit. Too bad it didn’t help me float like my wetsuit does. I did 1500 yards in 29:50.
I am really concerned about the lack of running in this plan. I haven’t run since Thursday.

Monday, January 22, 2007

Catching Up

I haven't posted because I don't know what I am doing. I am a planner and hate being this wishy washy. I really want to do Gulf Coast but it just might not be in the cards for me right now. I am really depressed about it and hope things work out so that I can go. I am still training and following the plan. I just don't know that it is going to end with a half iron May 12th.

So about the training:

Friday I did a speed day at the pool. It consisted of a 400 warm up, 8 x 100 main set, and 6 x 25 cool down. After the swim I headed home, pulled on my bike shorts and shoes, and did a 45 minute trainer ride.
Saturday was a much needed rest day.

Sunday was 90 minutes on the trainer. I watched "John Tucker Must Die" and the time went by pretty fast. I really should have pushed a little harder because I only ended up with 20.44 miles in that hour and a half. But I was soaked when I finished.

This morning was another speed day at the pool. I got there at about 5:45 and they were already open. They only had two lanes set up and someone was in one of them so I quickly grabbed the other. I did the 250 warm up followed by a main set of 400, 4 x 100, 300, 3 x 100, 200, and 2 x 100. The plan called for a 3 x75 cool down but I did a 2 x75 and 1 x100 so that I was at the right end of the pool to get out. That is a total of 2300 yards and it took me about 45 minutes of actual swim time. That is my longest swim session to date.

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Jumping Right In

With my decision to do Gulf Coast, I also changed training plans. The plan I am using is actually a 20 week plan and there are just sixteen and a half week until race day. Joe, who is doing the race and using the plan, has assured me that the first 4 weeks are just prep work and next week kicks off base 1.
So today I jumped right into the plan. Thursday’s have been rest days for me for a while now but not on this plan. Today called for a 60 minute run. I got up at 4:45 and got ready. Lana had sent me a text message that she had to go into work early and would not be able to run after all. So I decided to just run my neighborhood instead of driving over to the Rec Center again. It was warmer this morning (38 with a wind chill of 33). I started out slow and picked it up for the last 30 minutes. I ended up running 6.44 miles in the hour. Nothing great but considering that I have run everyday this week and was due a rest day, I will take it.

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

So Excited

I got up at 4:25 this morning and drove over to the Rec Center. It was 27 degrees with a wind chill of 20. I tried to make today a tempo run. I ran the first mile as a warm up in 10:03, then I picked up the pace and race the next two miles in 8:27 and 8:40, then I slowed back down for the cool down mile of 9:57. My tempo pace wasn’t as fast as it should have been but I was COLD. Don’t I get to subtract like 10 seconds for every degree below freezing??
After the run I went inside for Cindy’s one hour toning class. She felt the need to do lots of legs today.
Cindy had the first bit of good news. The St. Pat’s 5k will be on March 10th so I can run it this year as well as the Tom King half the next weekend. While I was getting that registration form, I also picked up a form for the Sweethearts 5k that is Feb 10th. Ronnie agreed to run that with me as my sweetheart.
After class I rushed home and got ready for work and checked my daughter’s temperature. It was 99.6 and she REALLY wanted to go to school. Her reasoning isn’t because she loves school but because at the end of the year all the kids with perfect attendance get in a drawing for a bike. I wrote the teacher a note and dropped them off at school. No day off without pay!! BTW, she seems fine now, still a little warm but playing. Thanks for all the well wishes.
More good news came from Jill. She told me about a swim coach in Brentwood that has a triathlete swim class on Monday and Wednesday evenings. I have checked into it and hope to go for the “free trial” next Wednesday. It is a much better deal then that swim camp we were looking at.
Finally, I have decided to do the Gulf Coast Triathlon. My reasons for not going were really stupid. Price increase is February 1 so I will be signing up at the end of the month. Now I just gotta try to find a reasonable place to stay.

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Brrrrr

Someone turn the heat back on!!! It is cold here now!!!

I got up at 4:45 this morning and drove to the Rec Center. I ran 4 slow recovery miles on the greenway. It was 29 degrees and windy. I didn’t wear my heart rate monitor because I was wearing my swimsuit and was afraid that I would forget to take it off before getting in the pool. The run took 41:08, 10:17 pace.
After my run, I went inside and swam 1750 yards. (Yes, Joe. I am swimming inside at the Rec center. I don’t even know how cold the water is in my pool outside). They were uneventful and took 36:42. My swim still needs lots of work. Lana and I have talked about a swim camp weekend in February but is it $495!!! Is it worth it?
It has continued to get colder all day. When I left work to get the kids from school, it was 26 degrees. When Ronnie got home from work, he announced that it was 22 degrees.
I have a 4 mile tempo run (outside) scheduled for 4:45 in the morning. It is going to be cold. I don’t know that I am up for that. The Rec Center doesn’t open until 5, so I would only be able to get in 3 miles before toning class at 5:30. I guess I will make the call in the morning.
My daughter woke up this morning and said her throat was sore, but she wanted to go to school (she has perfect attendance). She was acting fine so I let her go. When she got home and finished her homework, she said her forehead hurt and fell asleep on the couch. She won’t let me take her temp, but she is hot to the touch. She might be messing up that perfect attendance (and my work schedule) tomorrow.

Monday, January 15, 2007

Hello Track

Warning: Margaritas and nachos are not diet foods. Furthermore, consuming margaritas will lead to additional bad diet choices.

Who knew!

So I fell off the diet wagon last night and went out for Mexican. Then ate fudge when I got home. Oh well, it is a new week and the fudge is now gone!

Weight lose to date is three pounds.

This morning I got up at 6:00 and headed over to the track. It has been a LONG time since I have been there. Nothing has changed. The gates were still locked and I had to use the super secrete combination to open the lock and get in. I did a 1 mile warm up, 6 x 800 and a 1 mile cool down. I had no goals other then to live through the work out. Mission accomplished. I don’t like speed work anymore then I ever did but am glad it is done.


It was 64 degrees this morning, that will be the high. It is supposed to get colder all day with temps getting down to 27 by tonight. Brrrrr!

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Almost Perfect

The weatherman couldn’t have been more wrong this weekend. It was suppose to storm all weekend but instead it has been unseasonable warm. Ok, it is cloudy and windy but it is not raining.
Yesterday we had a 9:00 basketball game to cheer at. Then we came home and cleaned house most of the day. I finally managed to get on my trainer for an hour at 4:00pm. Then we went to a pool party at the Rec Center.

Today I headed out for a run at about 1:45. My super cool running skirt and warm temps made for a great run. If it hadn’t been for the wind and traffic, it would have been the perfect day to run. I felt great the whole run and ran faster then I have run since before the marathon. Even after running 6 miles I felt like I could have kept going.
Here is what Garmin has to say about the run:
Tomorrow kicks off training for the Memphis in May tri. The good news is that is it MLK Day and the kids are out of school so I am off work. That means I get to wait until about 6:00 am to attempt my speed work.

Friday, January 12, 2007

Long Run

After dropping the kids off at school, I headed out for my run. According to my car, the outside temperature was 50 degrees. It was cloudy and a little windy. I wore way too many clothes.
I ran 10 miles in 1:34:51, 9:29 pace. It was hard. I ran past my house at 9.8 miles and had to force myself to continue for the last 0.2 miles. My average heart rate was 169, max heart rate 183. Splits 9:17, 9:15, 9:24, 9:26, 9:39, 9:27, 9:31, 9:38, 9:40, and 9:36. Guess I started out to fast and I paid for it in the end.
On the other hand, the diet is going very well and the scale has been my friend all week. But tonight is a challenge, Bunko.

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

A Plan

I got up at 4:30 this morning and went to the Rec Center. I ran outside on the greenway and through town. It was a nice change of scenery, even if it was too dark to enjoy. The downside, it was COLD (24 degrees). There was some ice on the sidewalks in town and I slipped once. I manage not to fall. I ran 3 miles in 27:34 then headed inside for toning class. I did 200 crunches while I waited for class to start. The class was good and I was surprised that it was not crowded. Have the resolutioners dropped out already?

The kids were fighting tonight so got sent to bed about 30 minutes early. I took advantage of the extra time and got on my trainer and did the first 45 minutes of the Have Mercy DVD. I looked like I had just gotten out of the shower when I was done.

Tomorrow is my rest day and that is what I plan to do.

I have a plan. Well, sort of. I have decided, in pencil, that I am going with the Memphis in May Olympic Distance Tri May 20th. Training starts Monday. I am going to do speed work on Mondays, Tuesdays I will swim and ride my trainer, Wednesdays will be 4 mile tempo runs followed by toning class (I just can’t get up any earlier then 4:30 and I want to continue the toning), Thursdays will continue to be my rest day, Fridays I will do my long runs starting with 8 miles and going up to 15, Saturdays will be either rest or swim, and Sundays a longer bike.

I am still thinking about the Atomic Man half Iron in September. It is close to home. Training would start the first part of May for a 20 week program. I need to see how the sprint distances I want to do would fit into the training.

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

I Can Still Swim

This morning I got up and went to the pool. I have been avoiding the Rec Center because of all the new years resolutioners. I haven’t swam in ages, but today I decided to brave the crowd. I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of people there. I was the only person at the pool. The water was warm and it felt great to swim. I did my 1750 yards in 36:41, an improvement from my last swims.
I rushed home to get cleaned up and get the kids to school. I had volunteered to help the second graders assemble books they are writing. I spent two and a half hours at the school. When I got home I ate a bowl of vegetable soup and then got on my trainer for an hour. I just watched a movie and should have pushed myself a little harder. Afterwards I did some ab work.

Phil thanks for your comment. I know I am in a rut. I was thinking yesterday that I need to start “speed work Mondays” again. I hate speed work and since I am currently without a plan it is really hard to make myself do it. so, I need a plan. Using David’s race calculator, I figured out an 18 week program for the Gulf Coast Tri (half iron) should have started Sunday and an 18 week program for Memphis in May Tri (Olympic) starts Monday. Yes, it is time to get a plan and get back to work.

Monday, January 08, 2007

Tech Troubles

Ok, Ok! I admit it the picture was taken a year and a half ago (and about 15 pounds). Marathon training caused me to “justify” eating stuff I shouldn’t…”I am going to run 15 miles tomorrow, I deserve these cookies…I just ran 20 miles, I deserve to have a Route 44 slush”. Anyway, it is time to get over that kind of thinking, and relose those 15 pounds and at least another 5.

The good news, the 2 pounds were gone again this morning. And, right up until I drank 2 glasses of wine for dinner, I was doing very well on my eating today.

So this morning, I got up at 4:45 and ran my 6 miles of neighborhood loops. BORING. It took forever for my Garmin to get a signal again. I don’t know what is going on with that thing, but at least it is working.

I am also having trouble with my laptop. The wireless connection is “very low”. I can’t connect to the internet and if I do manage to connect it is VERY slow. Lucky for me, my daughter is letting me have a turn on the desk top.

Sunday, January 07, 2007

Paying the Piper

Amazing how one night can undo a whole week of being good. Last night we went out to the Mexican place and this morning I when I got on the scale, I had found those two lost pounds.

I got up at 5:15. My Garmin had a hard time finding a signal so it was 5:45 before I started actually running. I felt the need to run a little longer to help burn some of those extra calories. Since it was still dark, I ran the neighbor loop for a total of 8 miles in 1:18:09, 9:46 pace. 1231 calories, that should cover the beer I drank last night.

I have been really good today and even managed to skip the rolls at O’Charlie’s tonight. I LOVE bread so that was a huge sacrifice for me.

For the record, according to the charts I NEED to lose more like 30-40 pounds. I am just shooting for 20 right now. I will work on the rest once I reach this goal.

Saturday, January 06, 2007

Another 6 Mile Run

I got up this morning at 6:00 and ran my normal 6 mile route. It looked and felt like it was going to rain but lucky for me it never did. I wore my MP3 player for the first time in a LONG time. I had hoped that it would keep my mind off the running and maybe my pace would increase. No such luck, it still took 57:16 to run the 6 miles, 9:33 pace.

I don’t know if I have mentioned my scale fetish but I weigh myself several times a day. Every time I pass the scale I get on. Some mornings I will weigh myself 5 times before I leave for work. This morning my weight was still the same as yesterday morning’s weight (both times I checked it before running) but after my run I was 3 pounds lighter. I know it was water weight but I sure liked seeing those lower numbers.

Justjunebug I ordered the skirt from skirtsports, it is a limited time thing. And Bob, that is not me in the skirt, if it was I wouldn’t be trying to lose 20 pounds.

Friday, January 05, 2007

More Excuses

I took yesterday as a rest day. I had set my clock but when it went off at 4:45, I just couldn’t get up to run in the cold. I wasn’t too tired, I had gotten plenty of sleep, I just couldn’t stand the thought of running in the cold. I know I could have gone to the Rec Center and either run around the tiny track or run on the dreaded treadmill but I just can’t stand being among all those New Year resolutioners. So it was a rest day. I was due anyway, last rest day was Christmas.

This morning it was raining so I got on my trainer this afternoon after work. I rode for 1:45 while watching a movie and talking on the phone. My trainer and bike computer gave different distances, 23.06 and 22.16. Which is right? How does that compare to road riding? Who knows, and I guess it doesn’t really matter; I burned a few calories and was soaked when I got off the bike.

On the diet note I have lost 2 pounds, only 18 to go!!! Hope I don’t blow it again this weekend.

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Back In Business

Well, my Garmin was back working today, don’t know what is going on with it. Customer Support still has not contacted me, good thing it is not out of service.

I got up at 4:45 to run. It was about 30 degrees and dark. I stuck to the small neighborhood loops and ran 6 miles in 55:34, 9:15 pace. I am happier with that pace; after all it was cold, dark, and early. I am the queen of excuses.

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Dead Garmin

This morning I got up at 6:10 only to discover that my Garmin, which I had put on the charger last night, was dead. I tried plugging it back in, nothing. I tried putting it on Ronnie’s charger, still nothing. Finally I gave up and just headed out with just my watch, gasp! I ran my normal 6 mile route and again was very slow, 59:35 9:55 pace. I have no splits, no heart rate, no calories burned, nothing but time and an estimated distance.

After my run, I tried some more to get my Garmin working again but could not get it to charge. I gave up and called customer support. The recorded voice told me that it would be about 20 minute hold time and I could try the on line support. I hung up the phone and logged my problem on the web.

I still have not heard back from customer support but I decided to plug it in again tonight and now it says “charging in process”. I guess I will see if I have my Gamin, and all my numbers, for my run in the morning.

Monday, January 01, 2007

Kicking Off 2007

Ronnie had to work this morning and there was NO way I was getting up early to run. So, I waited until he got home. Even then I thought about staying in my jammies and writing the day off. But since I knew that was not the way to kick off a new year, I laced up those shoes and headed out the door. It was cold, cloudy, and there was about 10 mph winds. I thought about writing it off again. I knew that I had ground to make up after the weekend of bad eating. Off I ran. I decided to run my other route. I added a mile loop in my neighborhood at the beginning and the end so ended up with 8 miles in 1:17:35, 9:41 pace. I am trying really hard to focus on the fact that I am burning more calories running slow and not on the fact that I really don’t feel like I could go any faster. Lost fitness???

2006 Wrap-Up

Friday night involved WAY too much wine, but I still got up at 4:45 on Saturday morning to run. I ran 6 miles slower then I have run in a VERY long time. Then we went to Ronnie’s mother’s house for Christmas. I got up Sunday morning and ran 6 miles on the hills by my mother-in-laws before heading to Ronnie’s Aunt’s house for one last Christmas celebration.
Then we drove the 4 hours home and got ready to go to Amy’s for a New Year’s Party. Beer and junk food and now I am starting over on my quest to lose 20 pounds.

Now for my 2006 wrap-up:

In 2006 I ran 1439.1 miles, cycled 1244.5 miles, swam 31.8 miles, did 24 hours and 45 minutes of toning and flexibility classes, and 4 hours and 50 minutes on my trainer.

I ran my first marathon in April and my second in December improving my time 20+ minutes, but still missing my 4 hour goal by 4minutes and 23 seconds.

I ran 2 half marathons setting a new PR of 1:52:38.

I did 5 sprint distance Triathlons placing in my AG at 4 of them. 1st in one, 2nd in one and 3rd in two.

I did my first Olympic Distance Triathlon in July and my second in September.

I did my first duathlon in August and got 2nd place in my age group.

I ran 2 5k’s. One was the “I run for the party” and was more for the party then the run.

I ran my first 10k.

I rode my first century.

I had my first DNF, a metric century that I rode about 7 miles and crashed.

All in all, it was a very fun year of training and racing. I hope to have as much fun in 2007.

Happy New Year Everyone!!!!