Tonight I elected to head back to my running group. They've started doing workouts inside again since the days are getting shorter. It's not nearly as much fun doing circuits on an inside track as it is outside, but it's still a good workout. We don't end up running as much milage, but the running we do is a higher intensity and complemented with running stairs and strength training. Overall, it can be a tough workout.
Having not been in a few weeks, I felt a little out of shape when it came to the number of sit-ups and push-ups I was comfortable doing. Then we did this "lunge" type exercize called 'spiders' that doesn't hurt while you are doing them, but definitely come back to bite the next day -- having a half marathon this weekend, I only did a few of those, and I don't think I'll regret cutting it short! We also did the wall sit - ouch.. Haven't done that in awhile either. It was a good workout, and I'm glad I went. I think if I can make it once a week, it will be a nice complement to what else I'm doing.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Up the Ante
Tuesday night I found an open water swim workout on my calender. Hmm... who could be crazy enough for that? It is October, in Minnesota, and we've had frost almost every night this week...
Well, there is a small group of us who like to continue to "Up the Ante" so to speak. First it was the challenge of swimming in September without a race-goal, then it was a "full moon swim" then a "New moon swim." Now, I think we just lost our minds in Little Long Lake, and needed to go back to find them!
I had hoped to get a swim and run in beforehand, but I got out of work later than anticipated, and decided that the run would take priority. I had a very pleasant 6 + mile run. Then it was time to pull on the swimsuit under the warm fuzzies, grab the wetsuit and head to the lake.
There was a group of 8 of us, brave enough to "swim." One of our more crazy members stated that it wasn't a true workout unless you swam for 15min. I was happy to have lasted 5! The air temp was 52 degrees when I left my house (about 10 miles away), but it was still light out, so I'm sure that after it was completely dark the temp probably dropped at least 20 degrees! Ok,well not that much, but some I'm sure ;)
The air felt chilly as we stripped off our warm fuzzies, and pulled on the wetsuits. The chill was tempered by shots of Jack Daniels however, to get the inner fires burning. And off to the water we went. It was shockingly cold. It was so cold that it took your breath away, and 'stung' your bare arms (Most of us have sleeveless wetsuits). I wasn't willing to put my face in the water, so attempted to raise my body temp back up by a vigorus doggy paddle. Tonight's swim could also be called "How to drop your core body temp in 5 min or less." But there was something really neat about it (maybe it was the buzz from the J.D... but I regress)
The 1/2 moon, and crystal clear sky over the lake was amazing. And the comraderie really made it a super evening. Our "15 min Man" did make it for the full 15 min. But was overheard saying a few "choice words" when he checked his watch, and found out it'd only be 11 min...
Getting out of the water, and into our warm clothes, the air almost felt warm - well, at least not as cold as it did the 20 min prior! To raise our body temps back up, Aquavite was served along with some very tasty banana bread before heading off to the local Ox Yoke Inn for some real food (and Hot chocolate with Baileys.. yum) and good conversation.
I think one of the funniest parts was when we sat down for dinner, the waitress came over, and we said that we'd been doing an open water swim, and her comment was simply, "Because?"
And we all had to laugh, since we were rendered speachless.
Well, there is a small group of us who like to continue to "Up the Ante" so to speak. First it was the challenge of swimming in September without a race-goal, then it was a "full moon swim" then a "New moon swim." Now, I think we just lost our minds in Little Long Lake, and needed to go back to find them!
I had hoped to get a swim and run in beforehand, but I got out of work later than anticipated, and decided that the run would take priority. I had a very pleasant 6 + mile run. Then it was time to pull on the swimsuit under the warm fuzzies, grab the wetsuit and head to the lake.
There was a group of 8 of us, brave enough to "swim." One of our more crazy members stated that it wasn't a true workout unless you swam for 15min. I was happy to have lasted 5! The air temp was 52 degrees when I left my house (about 10 miles away), but it was still light out, so I'm sure that after it was completely dark the temp probably dropped at least 20 degrees! Ok,well not that much, but some I'm sure ;)
The air felt chilly as we stripped off our warm fuzzies, and pulled on the wetsuits. The chill was tempered by shots of Jack Daniels however, to get the inner fires burning. And off to the water we went. It was shockingly cold. It was so cold that it took your breath away, and 'stung' your bare arms (Most of us have sleeveless wetsuits). I wasn't willing to put my face in the water, so attempted to raise my body temp back up by a vigorus doggy paddle. Tonight's swim could also be called "How to drop your core body temp in 5 min or less." But there was something really neat about it (maybe it was the buzz from the J.D... but I regress)
The 1/2 moon, and crystal clear sky over the lake was amazing. And the comraderie really made it a super evening. Our "15 min Man" did make it for the full 15 min. But was overheard saying a few "choice words" when he checked his watch, and found out it'd only be 11 min...
Getting out of the water, and into our warm clothes, the air almost felt warm - well, at least not as cold as it did the 20 min prior! To raise our body temps back up, Aquavite was served along with some very tasty banana bread before heading off to the local Ox Yoke Inn for some real food (and Hot chocolate with Baileys.. yum) and good conversation.
I think one of the funniest parts was when we sat down for dinner, the waitress came over, and we said that we'd been doing an open water swim, and her comment was simply, "Because?"
And we all had to laugh, since we were rendered speachless.
Monday, October 10, 2005
Fall Goals
These are a few of the goals I came up with on tonight's run.
1. Stay consistant, healthy, and injury free.
a. Consistant training including no more than 1 complete rest day per week.
b. Cycling twice a week, at a minimum of 1 hour per workout.
c. Swimming twice a week, at a minimum distance of 1 mile per workout.
d. 1 easy brick (bike to run) workout per week.
2. Maintain a 10 mile long run base.
3. Execute each week's training plan (no excuses for missed morning workouts!)
4. Monitor eating habits, and make better choices.
1. Stay consistant, healthy, and injury free.
a. Consistant training including no more than 1 complete rest day per week.
b. Cycling twice a week, at a minimum of 1 hour per workout.
c. Swimming twice a week, at a minimum distance of 1 mile per workout.
d. 1 easy brick (bike to run) workout per week.
2. Maintain a 10 mile long run base.
3. Execute each week's training plan (no excuses for missed morning workouts!)
4. Monitor eating habits, and make better choices.
Steps toward inspiration
Tonight I had planned a moderately long run - somewhere over an hour. After work I didn't keep moving, and found myself napping on the couch... oops! So I dragged my butt out the door for a 4 mile run. This was my compromise between my longish run and none at all...
But what I found while I was out there was a little thing called inspiration. It doesn't happen very often where I return from a run with so many ideas I have to write them down. Tonight as soon as I came in, I sat down with a pen and paper. It'll take some time to actually work them out, to where they are a little more comprehensive, but I've got them! What a cool feeling.
But what I found while I was out there was a little thing called inspiration. It doesn't happen very often where I return from a run with so many ideas I have to write them down. Tonight as soon as I came in, I sat down with a pen and paper. It'll take some time to actually work them out, to where they are a little more comprehensive, but I've got them! What a cool feeling.
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Good Intentions
Well, all of a sudden it's sunday night, and I'm not sure where the weekend went. I think I got a little spoiled by having all/part of the weekends off lately. I did have today off, and it was a gorgeous day. Sunny, clear skys, started cool (ok, downright cold) then warmed to low 60's.
Thursday's training was a nice evening trail run. About 5 miles, 50 min or so. It was nicely rolling, and the first cool day of running this fall.
Friday, I contemplated going out on the bike, but that's about as far as I got. I took it as my rest day - thinking I might long run saturday morning
I should know myself well enough by now, that if I'm going to run early, I should find someone to train with to help hold me accountable. Getting out of bed at 5:30am on a saturday morning to go for a solo long run, is highly unlikely to happen. I'm really good at setting my alarm, and then hitting snooze without getting up - and I can do that for a LONG time! Over two hours that morning! Yikes. I worked all day saturday, and it was a great day - sunny, cool, but warm sun. So I elected instead of running after work, to go out on the bike. The biking days are numbered, so I thought I should take advantage of my inclination to get out on the bike. I did an un-satisfying 14 miles, about 52 min. I felt slow, tired, and uncomfortable. Ah well... at least I got out there.
I thought I might have time today to get a long run in. I was volunteering at an Adventure Race, and figured that since the racers would be out for 3-5 hours, I might have a little time to get out there. I didn't... but it was fun at any rate. Chatting with the racers and enjoying the good weather was a plus. I liked being out there, and being a part of it... so I was ok with missing this workout. But this is where I know that I need to be a little more serious about my training if I'm contemplating an IronMan in the future. If I'm serious about my IronMan, then I need to be serious about actually getting up at 5:30 on a saturday morning for a solo training run... So at least I know what I need to focus on.
Until next time - Kate.
Thursday's training was a nice evening trail run. About 5 miles, 50 min or so. It was nicely rolling, and the first cool day of running this fall.
Friday, I contemplated going out on the bike, but that's about as far as I got. I took it as my rest day - thinking I might long run saturday morning
I should know myself well enough by now, that if I'm going to run early, I should find someone to train with to help hold me accountable. Getting out of bed at 5:30am on a saturday morning to go for a solo long run, is highly unlikely to happen. I'm really good at setting my alarm, and then hitting snooze without getting up - and I can do that for a LONG time! Over two hours that morning! Yikes. I worked all day saturday, and it was a great day - sunny, cool, but warm sun. So I elected instead of running after work, to go out on the bike. The biking days are numbered, so I thought I should take advantage of my inclination to get out on the bike. I did an un-satisfying 14 miles, about 52 min. I felt slow, tired, and uncomfortable. Ah well... at least I got out there.
I thought I might have time today to get a long run in. I was volunteering at an Adventure Race, and figured that since the racers would be out for 3-5 hours, I might have a little time to get out there. I didn't... but it was fun at any rate. Chatting with the racers and enjoying the good weather was a plus. I liked being out there, and being a part of it... so I was ok with missing this workout. But this is where I know that I need to be a little more serious about my training if I'm contemplating an IronMan in the future. If I'm serious about my IronMan, then I need to be serious about actually getting up at 5:30 on a saturday morning for a solo training run... So at least I know what I need to focus on.
Until next time - Kate.
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