Week in Review

Oh my stars!  I'm so over winter.  This was another week of treadmill, treadmill, treadmill.  Plus it was too cold and snowy to even take the boy to the Y to get in a swim.  -8 degrees without the windchill is just stupid.  STUPID!  Soon, spring, soon.

Swimming - 1800 yards
Unfortunately, I missed a swim this week.  It was just too cold to take the boy outside.  And how can you get motivated to get into a cold pool when it is below zero outside.  Maybe I'll try to make up this swim next week.

Biking - 22.03 miles
There were only two bikes on the schedule this week.  One was just an easy spin and the other had some cadence work to it even though it was still considered easy.  Everything was a little on the lighter side this because of the race yesterday.

Running - 26.67 miles
Well, it's not as many miles as I'd like, but again, the week was centered around the race.  The week had mostly easy short runs with snappy parts to them, and one "track-ish" type workout that was done on the treadmill.  Although the weather was terrible yesterday for the race, it was nice to get outside for a run.  Guess I better bundle up, buttercup, and get those runs outside.  That marathon isn't going to run itself.

Strength - 0.5 hours
Only one strength workout on the schedule this week.  This was week three or four of this particular strength workout.  A quick glance at the upcoming schedule shows there aren't a whole lot of strength workouts left between now and the marathon.  Guess it's all about the miles now.

How was your week last week?

Last Chance Half Marathon 2015

Last year I raced A LOT!  This year I have very few races on the schedule with all of them intended to be RACED!  Today I ran a half marathon in which I had very high hopes.  My training has been going very well, I've got some speed going on, and I really thought I might be able to bust out a very fast race.

Brrr, I'm cold.

Unfortunately, mother nature had other ideas.  Yesterday we got dumped on, approximately eight inches of snow.  (Check out our playtime in the snow here.)  And then this morning the temperature was 13 degrees at the start of the race.  The race course is a one mile loop that you do again and again.  Honestly, I thought they would have cleared it better, but a good half of it was snow covered.  Not just a little snow covered, like ankle-deep in some places.  It was like running through soft sand.  It took a lot of energy and really zapped your pace.

Nonetheless, I tried my best.  The parts that were clear I ran hard and fast.  The parts that were snowy and slippery, I found the clearest spots and picked up my knees.  Although it wasn't as fast as I hoped, my paces were consistent - my slowest mile was 8:12 and my fastest mile was 7:59.  I latched on to some other girls who were running the same pace as me and we pushed each other to keep it up.  It really helped the miles pass by.

One of the girls I ran with.  We've already exchanged some texts and it looks like we'll see each other at the marathon.

In the end I ran a 1:45:39.  Not bad.  Not what I was wanting or had trained for.  I was the 7th overall female.  The winning female time was 1:37:30, if that tells you how rough the conditions were.  Unfortunately, right now, I do not have another half marathon on the schedule this year.  Maybe this fall I can find a good one and go after a big PR.

It was so cold I had icicles on my eyelashes.

 Top ten finish.  Not bad.

Playing in the Snow

We had a big snow storm blow through today.  With it, we got about eight more inches of snow.  But, today was the first time we also got 'warmer' temperatures, which allowed us to actually go out and play in the snow.  This was the first time Anderson has ever played in the snow.  We had a blast!

New Workout Clothes

There's something so awesome about getting new workout clothes.  At least for me, it helps me get pumped about my workouts. 

First, I got a new swimsuit this month.  I bought it from SwimOutlet.com for a whopping $17.99 plus shipping.  The whole thing cost me less than $25.  It is tiny!  I'm a card-carrying member of the Itty Bitty Titty Club and this thing makes me feel like Dolly Parton.  I sure felt like my boobs were going to pop out of it when I was swimming this week.  Hopefully it will stretch a little bit.  Or else, the lifeguards at the pool might get a great show.

Then for Valentine's Day Dave got me some new shorts and sports bra from Lululemon.  Honestly, I'm not a huge Lulu kind of girl, but I have heard great things about their running shorts and sports bra so I wanted to give it a try.  And it didn't disappoint.  The sports bra is TIGHT, which made me a little nervous for chafing, but I wore it on a 15 mile treadmill run and had no problems.  It did cut into my shoulders but I'm sure it will stretch with wear.  The shorts are the 4-way stretch speed shorts.  I have to admit, I freakin' love them!  They don't ride; they're the perfect length (I like my shorts on the shorter side); and I barely even noticed they were there.  I want, like, 20 more pairs of them in a variety of colors.  The shorts are definitely contenders for marathon-worthy shorts.

Now to save up my money so I can get some more workout clothes.

What's your favorite workout gear that gets you pumped up?

#BeBetter - Lent 2015

A few years ago when I was dealing with debilitating depression my therapist said I needed to fix my chemical imbalance before he could help me with my behavioral issues.  At the end of my pregnancy I went on Prozac and finally, finally started to feel like a human being.  Two years later I am still medicated and NEVER plan on going off the meds.  NEVER!  But there are certainly behaviors and activities in my life that still need corrected to help me be better.  I don't plan on going back to therapy; it's not something I enjoy.  But I am dedicating this Lenten season to being better - a better mom, a better wife, a better athlete.

The medicine has helped me feel real.  It has kept me from sitting in the bathtub crying.  I has helped me get out of bed every morning.  But, I still need work in the 'patience department' and that has become even more evident as my kiddo has reached his toddler years.  Some days I feel like it's an all-out war between Anderson and me.  Other days are great.  No matter what kind of day we're having, I never feel like I am being a good enough mom.  I'm sure that's true with all moms.  I want to try harder, though.  I want to find ways to connect with him and build him up.  I want to know that becoming a mom was the right choice.  I can be a better mom.

I never really wanted to be anyone's 'wife'.  Luckily, I married a guy who supports my independence, my decisions, my intellect, and my athletics.  Now that I'm a stay-at-home mom, though, I feel like a lot of the 'wifely duties' fall to me - childcare, cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, etc.  I've got to be honest, though, I don't love those things.  I grew up in a household of equality.  My dad was every bit involved in those things as my mom was.  So, when I feel like it's all my duties, I get a little pissed off.  And I hate to be that chick who is angry as soon as her husband walks in the door.  He gets to be the hero while I'm his frickin' maid.  Ain't gonna happen!  I need to be, again, more patient and encouraging.  I can be a better wife.

I was looking back at my training log from last February as I turned the calendar this year.  Holy wow!  I think I did less training than I did when I was pregnant.  And I was paying a coach to train me!!  Last year, I think, I expected to magically return to the runner I once was.  You know what?  It didn't happen.  This year I have dedicated myself to my goals.  I have begun to be a better athlete starting in December.  I have done nearly ALL my workouts since then.  I do them as assigned, in order (mostly), and without complaint.  I have found ways to get the family involved or found ways to keep the workouts from taking away from family time.  I will be a better athlete in 2015.

What ways can you #BeBetter?
What are your thoughts on this Lenten season?

How About Some Cute Pictures of my Boy?!

We are just weeks away from my baby turning two (boo hoo!!!).  He's starting to learn some letters; he's saying more and more words; and he's getting pretty good with routine and following instructions.  His favorite things are trains and cars (duh, he's ALL-boy).  He loves pizza and macaroni and cheese (#motheroftheyear).  And I love him so much it hurts.

Here's some pictures I've taken of him in the last couple of weeks.

 I think he's going to be a software developer like his dad.

They say often you raise yourself.  And I am.  And it's hard.  We know how to push each other's buttons and we have the same temperament.  Poor kid.  Some days we can go round and round.  He exhausts me a lot.  But those days he always climbs into my arms and tells me he loves me in his way.  This day he just wanted to be snuggled.  I didn't mind at all.

Speaking of going round and round with the boy...about once a week now he decides he does not want to nap.  Last week I fought him for THREE hours.  For three hours he sat in his crib - not sleeping, not crying, just sitting.  He would not go to sleep.  The next day was an easy nap time.  Of course, I had to take pictures.  Notice, he has got his favorite train character Wilson from Chuggington in his hand.  He calls him "Chug".

Anderson is very detailed, precise, organized, although not exactly worrisome to me.  I'm the same way.  Again, poor kid.  He loves to line up his cars when he plays with them.  Today he lined them up in a sun ray around his balloon.  This is exactly how he did it.  I did not help him with this.

I wish you could hear this picture.  He was making owl "hoots" and I was responding with a series of crazy "hoots".  He would laugh and laugh.  This kid has a great sense of humor.

There's your dose of cuteness this week.  Have a great day!

Week In Review

I swear this blog is more than just posts about my weekly training.  Boring!  Expect pictures of the kiddo this week, an "exciting" post about my new workout clothes, and maybe a race report *wink*.

But first, here's all the training I did this week.

Swimming - 5200 yards
Just two swims this week.  One swim was nice and easy with a lot of backstroke.  The other swim had a million x 75 yards (or something like that) with descending paces.  By the end of it I was swimming as fast as my T-Rex arms would take me and only getting about 5-7 seconds of "rest" between sets.  Coach!!!!

Biking - 22.89 miles
I had three bikes on the schedule this week.  One of them was optional and I just wasn't feeling it, so I only did the other two.  One bike was just a spin.  The other was a threshold workout.  Seriously, I have no idea what I'm doing but coach keeps saying I'm doing them perfectly, so I'll keep on keeping on.

Running - 33.15 miles
Unfortunately, I never made it off the treadmill this week - not even for the long run.  Is winter over yet?  Most of the runs were easy, although I did have a tough track workout with lots of 800s, which I nailed.  The long run was 15 miles...ON THE FREAKIN' TREADMILL!!!  I also had some pace stuff short run off the bike.  Lots and lots of miles (for me). 

Strength - 0.75 hours
No core work this week on the schedule.  Yay!!!  I did have one basic strength workout and a lunge matrix pre-long run.  Getting stronger!

Extra!!!  I also went to water aerobics with my mom.  While I can't say I found this workout particularly difficult, it was a nice evening with my mom.

Week In Review

100%, y'all!  100%!!!!  I did ALL of my workouts last week including two optional workouts.  Who the heck am I???

Swimming
I did three swims last week: one pretty long one and two shorter ones.  There was speed, there was a long set, there were drills, there was backstroke, and there were even flip turns. 

Totals: 5900 yards

Biking
There were also three bikes this week.  One was a cadence workout; one was a threshold workout; and one was "just" a spin.  My poor lady bits don't want to ride the bike for a few days.

Totals: 34.2 miles

Running
I don't know how many runs I did this week.  It felt like a lot.  There were shorter runs: one off the bike and one before and after a strength routine.  There was some speed work including a shorter speed set and a longer run with longer repeats.  And then there was the long run - 14.42 miles in shorts, outside!!!!

Totals: 30.42 miles

Strength
I even did all the strength workouts.  Seriously, who am I???  This week started with a new basic strength routine that was really challenging on my T-Rex arms.  I was sore for days.  Then there were two more short routines: one for the lower body and one for the core. 

Totals: 1 hour

Another big week is coming up.  I told Dave the other day that I didn't work this hard when I was training for Ironman.  The hours might have been longer but I certainly didn't challenge myself like I am now.  Dave said he has never seen me this dedicated.  I sure hope it pays off this year.

Thursday Things I Shoudn't Admit (and some awesome #tbt)

This might be the most awesome post I have ever done...

Back in the sixth grade I had my first broken heart.  I had been "going steady" with a boy for quite a while and then I guess I broke up with him.  I really don't remember.  What I do remember is that I wrote a verse (rap, thankyouverymuch) to Biz Markie's "Just a Friend".   Here it goes.

We used to go together
And now we're a nothing
I decided to dump you
And that was a dumb thing
So now I want you back
And I don't know why
I've got a few reasons
But I am too shy
So now you've got a new one
I guess I'm just jealous
So when I ask you out
You don't have to say yes
You can say, that we are just good friends

And to make it even more awesome.  Here's a group of my friends from sixth grade camp.

That's me in the middle with the tiny pin-head and the half shaved head before it was cool for girls to shave half their head. 1990 y'all!!!

#LikeAGirl

I didn't watch the Super Bowl.  Well, I watched the last few minutes when the Seahawks called the worst play in the history of worst plays.  Then I flipped to the Cooking Channel and watched "Unique Sweets."  I didn't even watch any of the commercials.  I'm so lame.

The next morning I was checking out my social media sources and my Instagram feed was flooded with all these #LikeAGirl pictures of running and biking and whatnot.  So then I searched around the internet to figure out what the heck they were talking about.  That's when I found a bunch of YouTube videos from Always.  This was my favorite:


I have to admit, it made me cry.  Such a sucker!

I found my favorite #LikeAGirl picture from a previous race I had done and posted it to Instagram.  I think the picture speaks for itself.

What's your thoughts behind #LikeAGirl?

Bike Test #2

In the past years of triathlon, I'll be honest, I kind of blew off biking.  I just don't love it.  I'd rather spend my time on things that make me happy like swimming and running.  But this year, with qualifying for the national championships, it is time to get serious about my weaknesses - biking.  I'm learning more about how to actually push myself and it was time to test that again with another bike test.

Last bike test, I think, coach was a bit disappointed with my results.  She was right, I needed to push myself more, have confidence in my abilities.  If she had asked me to run a mile at a 6-whatever pace, I wouldn't even blink.  Why can't I do the same with biking?

This time I challenged myself, pushed outside of my comfort zone.  I spit, I snotted, I coughed, I saw my heart beat outside of my chest.  And in the end, I did better. 

Coach said I made progress - 6 whole watts.  That doesn't seem like a lot but I suppose it is okay for now.  I'm a little low on my mass-to-wattage ratio.  I'll keep working, though, and pushing myself.  I'm sure in a few weeks there will be another test and another chance for me to find confidence and do better.

Week in Review

This was a rest week but I had no idea that rest week meant getting sick and spending all of Saturday in bed.  So, I didn't get in all my workouts - not even close - but I did what I could do.

Swimming 
I had rearranged my week so that I could have a rest day on Monday after last week's long run, but then I got sick and missed my solid swim.  I only got in one swim that was super short.

Swim Totals: 1450 yards

Biking
One cadence/threshold ride and a bike test is what the week had in store.  I'll write about the bike test tomorrow.

Bike Totals: 22.12 miles

Running
Unfortunately, running wasn't a high priority this week once I got sick.  I had a headache, literally, all week and the head just pounded with each step I took.  I did a run with some drills, a warmup/cool down run to a strength session, and a "long run" on the treadmill of 7.3 whopping miles.

Run Totals: 12.3 miles

Strength
This was my fourth week of doing the same strength session.  I'm totally a master of it now.  Too bad it changes next week.

Strength Totals: - 0.5 hours

Rest week is over.  I'm feeling better.  It's time to get back to work.