Easy Friday

Today it actually smells like spring, and I'm loving it! The temps this week have started to rise, and we're hitting the mid-40's. Feels like a heat wave compared to earlier this year. But I can't let my hopes get too high, with 6 inches of snow forecasted for this weekend. At least it won't last more than a day or so, and then we'll be back to 40's. There really is light at the end of the winter tunnel!
I've been pleased with the fact that I've gotten in my workouts this week as planned. Or as planned as possible. Life really does get in the way sometimes, and you can't let it get you down.
Tuesday I slept in, and then hit the gym after work. It is ALWAYS harder to workout on the backside of the day. My legs felt like lead, and I suffered through 4 miles on the treadmill. I did do a strength workout too, and I'm glad I did. My goal is to lift twice a week, to keep building muscle. I'd like to lift 3 times a week, but I just don't think that's feesable. Then I'd be doing 9 workouts each week, and as the swimming, biking, and running distances get longer, adding in another strength workout would be too much. It's all about balance.
Wednesday morning I was up and off to the pool fully expecting Lisa to kick our butts, after having swam on our own earlier in the week. Unfortunately, she was unable to make it, and we had to suffer on our own. I've decided that I swim much harder when she's standing up there than I do when I'm on my own. I still got in a good quality 2350 yards, but it wasn't nearly as intense as it might have been with her there. But that's how it goes, and I'm still pleased with my effort.
Thursday was looking like a light day on the farm, and I was very excited at the idea of being able to get in both workouts. Typically Thursday's are busy, and I only get in my 5am bike ride. This week I was up and got in a really good 45 min on the trainer before my networking meeting, and then I was off to the farm. I didn't have many horses to ride, and it looked like I was going to have a good break between riding and teaching afternoon lessons to get in a run and strength workout. Well, as many of you know, life on the farm, rarely goes as planned. I needed the vet to come out to do some health papers, and of course they called to say they were on their way when I was in the middle of my run. Luckily I was only at the Snap in Watertown, a few minutes away, so I could go back to the farm. But it was still very frustrating to get interrupted in the middle of my workout. After meeting with the vet I didn't have enough time to finish my 3 miles, so I went and got a latte instead. You've just got to roll with it, right?
Now it's finally Friday, and I'm enjoying a day of "rest." No workouts scheduled before the weekend. It's nice to have the extra time to catch up on things like this.
Until next time!

More Training

The last few days I've been disappointed by the fact that it just plain cold out again. I'm longing for the days when I don't have to wear my Mt Everest-down jacket. It doesn't even have to be summer just yet, simply warm enough to only need to throw on a fleece, and I'd be happy.
But that is not the case just yet, so I continue to train indoors.
Friday I lost all motivation, and elected to take the day off from training. Saturday morning I got up and did an hour and 20 on the bike trainer. Ugh. It is SO boring, but I try to change it up by doing some big-gear intervals and that does help the time go by a little faster. Sunday was a "long" run. We woke up to the windchill being -17. If that doesn't take the motivation out of your sails, I don't know what would. After putzing around for part of the morning, Matt and I finally decided that it was time to go hit the treadmill at Snap Fitness. I find the treadmill to be as boring as the bike trainer, so I was less than thrilled. At least at Snap you can watch TV -- you have to read the subtitles if you don't have a FM tuner, so you can get plenty of stimulation -- run, read the TV, listen to your iPod. 8 Miles later, I got off the treadmill. My left leg gets sore from that much running on the treadmill so I must have some kind of an imbalance. I don't have that one-sidedness outside. I think there's enough terrain changes outside that I don't have that overuse problem that I get on the treadmill.
I currently enjoy Monday's since I haven't been going to the farm. It allows me to get in some quality training right away at the start of the week. Today unfortunately, Coach Lisa wasn't able to make it to the pool, so we had to swim on our own. I was worried at what I'd be able to do after pizza and a little too much alcohol last night (I don't typically drink Martini's and 1 martini, and I was over the edge, whew! That hasn't happened in a LONG time!!) Anyway, I still managed a good quality 2250 yards in 1 hour. I was pleased with that effort. Then I came home and immediately hit the bike trainer. 1 hour of easy spinning, and I felt like I had a good start to the day. I spent a lot of time in front of my computer today, and do feel a little stiff. I'm used to much more light activity, and that really helps the muscles from feeling to sore and tight. I should probably spend some time stretching, but I have a hunch at this hour I'm simply going to go straight to bed!
Until next time, happy training!! :)