Today Mother Nature reminded us that spring is not here yet, by dumping a big 'ole load of snow on the Twin Cities Metro area. I was actually hoping to get snowed in, but I don't think that's really going to happen. Oh well.
As far as training goes, Tuesday was a run and weights day. The morning was beautiful, and I was kicking myself for not running outside. I elected to run at Snap Fitness on the treadmill because I wanted to get a strength training workout in, too. That morning it was of course, temperate and clear, and simply beautiful. It made you think that spring is just around the corner. But I trudged along on the treadmill instead, and watched the sun rise outside the gym. I ended up doing 5 miles. It felt harder than it needed to be, but I think that was because I didn't have enough pre-workout calories on board. The same thing happened with the strength workout, I just felt tired and out of energy. I think it was truly because I'd only had a gel before I left, instead of a couple scoops of Sustained Energy (a liquid, protein & carb training supplement.) Sustained energy works really well for me, and for some reason I figured a gel was enough. Guess now I know! :)
Wednesday was a swim day. Our coach, Lisa, wasn't available to be there that morning, so she texted me a workout -- long, straight swim. 1000 without fins, 1500 with fins. I felt pretty good overall. The first 1000 went by quickly, and I was pleased with how I felt. The 1500 with fins, seemed like it took a long time, but it wasn't "hard." Just mentally long. After I finished the 2500, doing flip turns at almost every deepend turn around, I still had time to get in a 300 cool down, so that makes it my longest pool workout yet in an hour. I felt really good about what I had accomplished.
Thursday's are busy days for me. I have a networking group meeting at 7:30 - 9am every week, and then it's off to the farm. And since I get to the farm later than usual, I'm typically there later than usual. So by the time I get home, I don't have the energy or the willpower to workout. I could take Thursdays as a "rest" day, but I like to do that on Fridays before the long weekend workouts. So that means I need to get my workout in before my 7:30am meeting -- and well that puts me getting up at 4:45 to workout, shower, eat, etc. I've been good about getting up and hitting the bike trainer. That's the easiest to do. No travel, no hassle. Get up, throw on a T and bike shorts and head to the basement. I did an easy 40 min. spin today.
Well, that's all for now. I may end up going for a run tomorrow, to get that 2nd run workout in this week.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Monday Workouts
Monday's are typically a good training day for me. We start the day with a coached swim workout at the local pool, then my day allows for a second workout, too.
To get 3 workouts in all 3 sports done in one week, twice a day workouts become a regular habit. It's definitely not always easy to figure out when you're going to get the 2nd workout in between work, and life, but it is important.
Today we hit the pool for our coached swim this morning. Getting out of bed at 5:40 am is definitely the hardest part of the workout! Especially to head out into the cold after being all cozy in your bed. We swam 2300 yards today, and it felt fairly good. I finally was able to do all of the cycle 4 intervals on the 30 seconds, so that was a break through for me. Breaking up the workout into various intervals and sets helps the distance go by faster. It's all a mental game!
After the swim I try to get in a bike workout as well. It seems to working if I simply do them back to back. Otherwise if I wait until later in the day, the likelihood that I skip a workout is much greater!!
I came home and had a bite to eat, and then hit the bike trainer. I was hoping to get in an hour workout, but my legs were tired. Especially after yesterday's run and today's swim. But I found the 'Ellen Degeneres" show to be highly entertaining this morning, and survived an hour spin on the bike. She plays upbeat music, and there's not too many commercial breaks, so that helps the time pass as well. I don't watch any daytime television, so it's kind of refreshing when I do. I couldn't watch those shows regularly, because I do find them somewhat annoying.
Well, that's all I have to report for today. Tomorrow will be a run and strength workout, so I'll keep ya' posted.
To get 3 workouts in all 3 sports done in one week, twice a day workouts become a regular habit. It's definitely not always easy to figure out when you're going to get the 2nd workout in between work, and life, but it is important.
Today we hit the pool for our coached swim this morning. Getting out of bed at 5:40 am is definitely the hardest part of the workout! Especially to head out into the cold after being all cozy in your bed. We swam 2300 yards today, and it felt fairly good. I finally was able to do all of the cycle 4 intervals on the 30 seconds, so that was a break through for me. Breaking up the workout into various intervals and sets helps the distance go by faster. It's all a mental game!
After the swim I try to get in a bike workout as well. It seems to working if I simply do them back to back. Otherwise if I wait until later in the day, the likelihood that I skip a workout is much greater!!
I came home and had a bite to eat, and then hit the bike trainer. I was hoping to get in an hour workout, but my legs were tired. Especially after yesterday's run and today's swim. But I found the 'Ellen Degeneres" show to be highly entertaining this morning, and survived an hour spin on the bike. She plays upbeat music, and there's not too many commercial breaks, so that helps the time pass as well. I don't watch any daytime television, so it's kind of refreshing when I do. I couldn't watch those shows regularly, because I do find them somewhat annoying.
Well, that's all I have to report for today. Tomorrow will be a run and strength workout, so I'll keep ya' posted.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Running outside again!
It's been a long time since I posted to this blog, but I hope to be back on here more frequently since my 2009 goal race is a short 29 weeks away. But who's counting?? :)
I've been working on getting in 3 workouts a week in all 3 sports (swimming, biking and running) each week along with a session or two of strength training. That is seeming to be more challenging that I had anticipated. Even now with workouts being about an hour or so long. So I'm learning how to manage my time better and figure it out before the training volume begins to increase.
Today Matt and I organized a small group of training buddies to run the Lakes in Minneapolis. I think we were both anticipating a warmer day, but it was about 2-3 degrees when we left the house this morning. At least the sun was shining, and it wasn't terribly windy. But having not run outside this winter, it sure felt cold. We met up with our friend Brad, and headed out for a nice 10 miles around the Lakes. We met up with Jennifer and Jonathon who were doing a shorter run. Then we all headed to YUM for breakfast. Oh, it's so good. I couldn't help myself, and the dessert counter was calling so Matt and I split a double chocolate cookie sandwich. That washed down with a cup of coffee was simply sinful!
Today was one of those mornings that I really enjoy -- a good workout, good friends, followed by some good food. Ahh, life IS good. (And winter IS nearly over!)
Until next time!
I've been working on getting in 3 workouts a week in all 3 sports (swimming, biking and running) each week along with a session or two of strength training. That is seeming to be more challenging that I had anticipated. Even now with workouts being about an hour or so long. So I'm learning how to manage my time better and figure it out before the training volume begins to increase.
Today Matt and I organized a small group of training buddies to run the Lakes in Minneapolis. I think we were both anticipating a warmer day, but it was about 2-3 degrees when we left the house this morning. At least the sun was shining, and it wasn't terribly windy. But having not run outside this winter, it sure felt cold. We met up with our friend Brad, and headed out for a nice 10 miles around the Lakes. We met up with Jennifer and Jonathon who were doing a shorter run. Then we all headed to YUM for breakfast. Oh, it's so good. I couldn't help myself, and the dessert counter was calling so Matt and I split a double chocolate cookie sandwich. That washed down with a cup of coffee was simply sinful!
Today was one of those mornings that I really enjoy -- a good workout, good friends, followed by some good food. Ahh, life IS good. (And winter IS nearly over!)
Until next time!
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