Can you believe September is over already? Man! That went fast.
September was all about the WORLD FREAKIN' CHAMPIONSHIPS!!! And, oh, there was still good training. Check it out.
Swimming - 13,036 yards ~ 7.4 miles
Yes, this is a weird number. That's because I did two 1000 meters swims in the ocean and I converted them to yards in my spreadsheet. I also passed 200,000 yards (114 miles!!!) for the year this month.
Running - 67.1 miles
Not many miles, but when you're training for a fast 5K there really doesn't need to be a whole lot of miles. Don't worry! There will be a lot of miles coming up in the next couple of months.
YMCA Visits - 11
Cost Per Visit $3.42
After Anderson started preschool and we returned from Mexico, I just got tired of taking Anderson to the Y. And frankly, I got tired of going to the Y. All of this will be changing soon. Another blog post on this soon.
October is here which means pumpkin everything (yuck), Halloween (my least favorite holiday), and miles, miles and more miles.
Showing posts with label YMCA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label YMCA. Show all posts
Saturday, October 01, 2016
Thursday, September 01, 2016
August Totals
How can it be September already?!?!
Although this blog has been nothing but crickets this summer, I have been training. I haven't been as consistent as I would have liked, but I'm getting it done. Less than two weeks until the big dance and I'm feeling ready.
Swimming - 26,300 yards ~ 15 miles
I swear my hair and skin are just going to fall apart with all this swimming. To be honest, I'm ready for a break from the pool, but considering it's my job to be in and around the pool every day, I don't see a break happening.
Running - 68.59 miles
Sure, I'd love to be running big miles, but the long runs stopped weeks ago in favor of short fast runs with lots and lots of intervals. Nowadays, long runs are about 7 miles. That will change after the world championships as I have a half marathon on the schedule.
YMCA Visits - 20
Cost Per Visit - $1.88
Some day soon I'd like to break up with the Y too.
Let's do this September!!!
Although this blog has been nothing but crickets this summer, I have been training. I haven't been as consistent as I would have liked, but I'm getting it done. Less than two weeks until the big dance and I'm feeling ready.
Swimming - 26,300 yards ~ 15 miles
I swear my hair and skin are just going to fall apart with all this swimming. To be honest, I'm ready for a break from the pool, but considering it's my job to be in and around the pool every day, I don't see a break happening.
Running - 68.59 miles
Sure, I'd love to be running big miles, but the long runs stopped weeks ago in favor of short fast runs with lots and lots of intervals. Nowadays, long runs are about 7 miles. That will change after the world championships as I have a half marathon on the schedule.
YMCA Visits - 20
Cost Per Visit - $1.88
Some day soon I'd like to break up with the Y too.
Let's do this September!!!
Wednesday, June 08, 2016
May Totals
May was a pretty good month. I buckled down and got the work done. I only missed a handful of workouts.
Swim - 24,850 yards ~ 14.1 miles
I wish I could swim more, honestly. Our daily lives don't always allow us to get to the pool as often as I should/want to. And I'm no longer able to go to masters in the morning since Dave started a new job in April. He goes to work WAY earlier now.
Run - 100.51 miles
Yay! I finally ran 100 miles in a month this year!!!
Strength - 0.5 hours
Well, something's got to give to fit in all the swimming and running and unfortunately, it was strength this month. MUST.TRY.HARDER.
YMCA Visits - 19
Cost Per Visit - $1.98
(And I'm currently interviewing for a new position/promotion that would make my Y membership FREE!!!!)
Overall, I'm really pleased with how May went. Things are starting to fall into place. It's exciting. I can't wait to move onto June!
Swim - 24,850 yards ~ 14.1 miles
I wish I could swim more, honestly. Our daily lives don't always allow us to get to the pool as often as I should/want to. And I'm no longer able to go to masters in the morning since Dave started a new job in April. He goes to work WAY earlier now.
Run - 100.51 miles
Yay! I finally ran 100 miles in a month this year!!!
Strength - 0.5 hours
Well, something's got to give to fit in all the swimming and running and unfortunately, it was strength this month. MUST.TRY.HARDER.
YMCA Visits - 19
Cost Per Visit - $1.98
(And I'm currently interviewing for a new position/promotion that would make my Y membership FREE!!!!)
Overall, I'm really pleased with how May went. Things are starting to fall into place. It's exciting. I can't wait to move onto June!
Monday, May 02, 2016
April Totals
Every month I hope for a hundred miles of running and so far I've fallen short. I either get sick or have a total meltdown and lose momentum. April was no different. I had one week where I just said fuck it and tried to survive life. So here's the numbers, in all their glory.
Swimming - 16,800 yards ~ 9.5 miles
During vacation I did not swim at all. Then I had a week where I just didn't want to do anything. This number should have been higher. I still had a great swim test, though. Swimming is coming along. I'm getting faster and learning new things. There might even be a swim meet in my future.
Running - 78.38 miles
The week I was on vacation I totally rocked my runs. Of course, I had baby sitting and didn't have to figure out when to go to the Y and run on the treadmill or when the track would be available. The week after I hardly ran at all. One of these days I'll put it all together. I did have a great 5K while on vacation. That's fun.
Strength - 1.75 hours
I'm trying harder to do basic strength training, mostly core work. I know this is important for being able to race fast and to keep from getting injured. These workouts only take 15 minutes. I hope to keep this up. My abs are starting to look pretty good. :)
YMCA Visits - 12
Cost per Visit - $3.14
Swimming - 16,800 yards ~ 9.5 miles
During vacation I did not swim at all. Then I had a week where I just didn't want to do anything. This number should have been higher. I still had a great swim test, though. Swimming is coming along. I'm getting faster and learning new things. There might even be a swim meet in my future.
Running - 78.38 miles
The week I was on vacation I totally rocked my runs. Of course, I had baby sitting and didn't have to figure out when to go to the Y and run on the treadmill or when the track would be available. The week after I hardly ran at all. One of these days I'll put it all together. I did have a great 5K while on vacation. That's fun.
Strength - 1.75 hours
I'm trying harder to do basic strength training, mostly core work. I know this is important for being able to race fast and to keep from getting injured. These workouts only take 15 minutes. I hope to keep this up. My abs are starting to look pretty good. :)
YMCA Visits - 12
Cost per Visit - $3.14
Thursday, March 31, 2016
March Totals
*sigh*
This wasn't the best month. After my race in Myrtle Beach I got sick. Really sick. I got the flu, even after having my shot months ago, and spent five days in bed before I felt GOOD enough to go see the doctor. Unfortunately, you just have to wait out the flu so I spent several more days in misery coughing and snotting and sleeping. So, I missed a whole week of training. Then when I did come back, the cough lingered which made it hard to run and I lost a lot of motivation too. So, the numbers were low. As Nature Cat says, Onward and Yonward!!!
Swimming - 21,400 yards ~ 12.2 miles
Running - 36.1 miles
Strength - 1.25 hours
YMCA Visits - 12
Cost Per Visit - $3.14 (pi!!!!)
I am DETERMINED to get it done in April. April, you're my bitch!
This wasn't the best month. After my race in Myrtle Beach I got sick. Really sick. I got the flu, even after having my shot months ago, and spent five days in bed before I felt GOOD enough to go see the doctor. Unfortunately, you just have to wait out the flu so I spent several more days in misery coughing and snotting and sleeping. So, I missed a whole week of training. Then when I did come back, the cough lingered which made it hard to run and I lost a lot of motivation too. So, the numbers were low. As Nature Cat says, Onward and Yonward!!!
Swimming - 21,400 yards ~ 12.2 miles
Running - 36.1 miles
Strength - 1.25 hours
YMCA Visits - 12
Cost Per Visit - $3.14 (pi!!!!)
I am DETERMINED to get it done in April. April, you're my bitch!
Monday, March 21, 2016
Scariest thing EVER!
It was a typical Friday night at the pool. Lots of kids, lots of splashing, short staffed. We had just rotated lifeguards and I was on my 20 minute break. I was cleaning up around the pool when I noticed a kid in a life jacket venture into the deep end - a big fat NO at our pool. So, I walked around the deck to go talk to him and get him out of the deep end. As I'm crouching down talking to him, the lifeguard in the chair screamed my name. I looked up and the mom of this child had ventured into the deep end to get him. She couldn't swim and she was actively drowning.
Shit!
I immediately left the kid (he was fine; he was in a life jacket) and jumped in the pool. I swam to her quickly, grabbed her, and began kicking towards the shallow end. Because I was not the lifeguard on duty, I did not have a rescue tube which means my only flotation was my swimming skills. The woman freaked out and grabbed me around the neck, taking me down with her. In my head I was totally panicking and doing what I could do to keep the both of us safe. I kept hold of her, but I was trying to push her off to keep the both of us from drowning (we are taught escapes for this exact reason). Finally I was able to catch a breath and ask her to kick with me. She said she couldn't. Yikes! What seemed like an eternity later I was able to kick her the few feet to the shallow end where she grabbed hold of the rope and stood up.
My husband and kid were swimming at the time and saw the whole thing happen. Dave helped me get out of the pool, saying it was the scariest and coolest thing he's ever seen. I talked to the woman about what happened and grabbed my manager-on-duty to help fill out an incident report. There were several things we could have done better on this rescue - should have hit our emergency button, the other guard should have cleared the pool and thrown me a rescue tube, etc. - but the important thing was we helped the woman, no one drowned, and everything turned out just fine.
The rest of the night I was a wreck. I literally shook and cried sitting in the guard chair for the rest of my shift. I had a lot of adrenaline running through my body and thinking back to what I did was just scary. That night I had a nightmare about it. Looking back I'm so thankful we are so well trained, that I was in the right place at the right time, and that I'm in amazing shape and could perform the rescue without the use of a tube. It was so scary; I don't want to do it again any time soon.
Shit!
I immediately left the kid (he was fine; he was in a life jacket) and jumped in the pool. I swam to her quickly, grabbed her, and began kicking towards the shallow end. Because I was not the lifeguard on duty, I did not have a rescue tube which means my only flotation was my swimming skills. The woman freaked out and grabbed me around the neck, taking me down with her. In my head I was totally panicking and doing what I could do to keep the both of us safe. I kept hold of her, but I was trying to push her off to keep the both of us from drowning (we are taught escapes for this exact reason). Finally I was able to catch a breath and ask her to kick with me. She said she couldn't. Yikes! What seemed like an eternity later I was able to kick her the few feet to the shallow end where she grabbed hold of the rope and stood up.
My husband and kid were swimming at the time and saw the whole thing happen. Dave helped me get out of the pool, saying it was the scariest and coolest thing he's ever seen. I talked to the woman about what happened and grabbed my manager-on-duty to help fill out an incident report. There were several things we could have done better on this rescue - should have hit our emergency button, the other guard should have cleared the pool and thrown me a rescue tube, etc. - but the important thing was we helped the woman, no one drowned, and everything turned out just fine.
The rest of the night I was a wreck. I literally shook and cried sitting in the guard chair for the rest of my shift. I had a lot of adrenaline running through my body and thinking back to what I did was just scary. That night I had a nightmare about it. Looking back I'm so thankful we are so well trained, that I was in the right place at the right time, and that I'm in amazing shape and could perform the rescue without the use of a tube. It was so scary; I don't want to do it again any time soon.
Monday, February 01, 2016
January Totals
Sometimes (okay, a lot of times) I get overwhelmed at life. There's so much to do, so much I want to do, but I'm not a superhero. I can't get it all done. Most times I just blame myself for being a horrible mother (seriously, moms don't we all think this?)
Anyway, I am accomplishing a lot. I work part time, I stay at home with the boy, I make sure the house isn't a complete mess (please do not show up unannounced!), and I am getting in lots of training.
Seriously, I'm exhausted. I'm doing as much swimming, if not more, than when I was training for Ironman. I'm doing nearly as much running as I would if I were training for a marathon. It's hard for me to wrap my head around when I'm training for a race that's going to take me less than an hour, but then I remind myself - it's the WORLD FREAKIN' CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!!
January, see ya later!
Swimming - 29,800 yards ~ 16.9 miles
I am soooo chlorinated!!! My skin is cracked and flaky. My head itches like crazy. All I smell is chlorine. And yet, I'm still loving swimming.
Running - 86.83 miles
I missed a few runs which probably would have gotten me over 100 miles this month. I got the running bug back and I'm enjoying running again. I had a good race this month along with a kick-ass run test.
Strength Training - 2.25 hours
Coach has a challenge for the month of February - do three strength workouts a week, every week. I love challenges. I'm hoping this number is a lot bigger in February.
YMCA Visits - 11
Cost Per Visit - $3.42
Anyway, I am accomplishing a lot. I work part time, I stay at home with the boy, I make sure the house isn't a complete mess (please do not show up unannounced!), and I am getting in lots of training.
Seriously, I'm exhausted. I'm doing as much swimming, if not more, than when I was training for Ironman. I'm doing nearly as much running as I would if I were training for a marathon. It's hard for me to wrap my head around when I'm training for a race that's going to take me less than an hour, but then I remind myself - it's the WORLD FREAKIN' CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!!
January, see ya later!
Swimming - 29,800 yards ~ 16.9 miles
I am soooo chlorinated!!! My skin is cracked and flaky. My head itches like crazy. All I smell is chlorine. And yet, I'm still loving swimming.
Running - 86.83 miles
I missed a few runs which probably would have gotten me over 100 miles this month. I got the running bug back and I'm enjoying running again. I had a good race this month along with a kick-ass run test.
Strength Training - 2.25 hours
Coach has a challenge for the month of February - do three strength workouts a week, every week. I love challenges. I'm hoping this number is a lot bigger in February.
YMCA Visits - 11
Cost Per Visit - $3.42
Saturday, January 02, 2016
2015 Totals
2015 wasn't exactly the year I thought I'd have. I thought there were be a new marathon PR and Boston qualifier. I thought I would get to race triathlon age group nationals in Milwaukee. But an major injury took out months and months of training and racing and everything changed. That's okay. Things happen for a reason. I'm moving on and experiencing new things, like LOTS and LOTS of swimming.
Let's review 2015!
Swimming - 215,550 yards ~ 122.50 miles
I swam all year long, but I didn't begin a lot of swimming until I broke my hip. Now I'm swimming nearly 10,000 yards a week and loving it.
Biking - 473.85 miles
In preparation for nationals, I was really spending quality time on my bike and learning about power, etc. When I broke my hip I stopped riding completely. I don't envision myself riding for training any time in 2016. There will be no triathlons this year. I SWEAR!
Running - 710.72 miles
You know, for having to miss over three months of running, this is a pretty good number. It's been a long time since I've had a year of 1000 miles. Hopefully 2016 will be that year. No injuries, please!!!!
Strength Training - 14.17 hours
Gosh, I wish this was a bigger number. As I get older and can't put in the mileage I once did, I should really be getting stronger to hold everything together. Maybe this should be a goal in 2016.
YMCA Visits - 184
Cost Per Visit - $4.53
I really used my Y membership this year. Now that I work there, I'm starting to feel like I live there. They should probably just stick a cot for me in a back room.
Races - 6
My races ranged from 5ks to the marathon to an aquathlon. I love to race and would love to race all the time. Coach doesn't love that idea so 2016 will probably be a little more strategic. 2016 will be a fast year. I have nothing planned over the 10k-ish distance. And maybe I'll do a swim meet. Maybe.
Picture of the Day!!
Once of my goals for 2016 is to take more pictures. I would love to say I'm going to do it every day in 2016, but let's be realistic. Life is busy and is quite boring in the winter. How may pictures of my kid sleeping do you need?
We got a babysitter this evening and went to see Star Wars 3D. Dave had already seen it but I wanted to see it too. It was really good. But, I love the Star Wars franchise. I'm not hard to please.
Let's review 2015!
Swimming - 215,550 yards ~ 122.50 miles
I swam all year long, but I didn't begin a lot of swimming until I broke my hip. Now I'm swimming nearly 10,000 yards a week and loving it.
Biking - 473.85 miles
In preparation for nationals, I was really spending quality time on my bike and learning about power, etc. When I broke my hip I stopped riding completely. I don't envision myself riding for training any time in 2016. There will be no triathlons this year. I SWEAR!
Running - 710.72 miles
You know, for having to miss over three months of running, this is a pretty good number. It's been a long time since I've had a year of 1000 miles. Hopefully 2016 will be that year. No injuries, please!!!!
Strength Training - 14.17 hours
Gosh, I wish this was a bigger number. As I get older and can't put in the mileage I once did, I should really be getting stronger to hold everything together. Maybe this should be a goal in 2016.
YMCA Visits - 184
Cost Per Visit - $4.53
I really used my Y membership this year. Now that I work there, I'm starting to feel like I live there. They should probably just stick a cot for me in a back room.
Races - 6
My races ranged from 5ks to the marathon to an aquathlon. I love to race and would love to race all the time. Coach doesn't love that idea so 2016 will probably be a little more strategic. 2016 will be a fast year. I have nothing planned over the 10k-ish distance. And maybe I'll do a swim meet. Maybe.
Picture of the Day!!
Once of my goals for 2016 is to take more pictures. I would love to say I'm going to do it every day in 2016, but let's be realistic. Life is busy and is quite boring in the winter. How may pictures of my kid sleeping do you need?
We got a babysitter this evening and went to see Star Wars 3D. Dave had already seen it but I wanted to see it too. It was really good. But, I love the Star Wars franchise. I'm not hard to please.
Thursday, December 31, 2015
December Totals
Wow! December went fast. I have never been so stressed in my life. And consequently, I caught my second cold within four weeks. So, I had to miss yet another week of training. I did get some done, though, including a LOT of swimming. Here's how it all broke down.
Swimming - 37,000 yards ~ 21 miles
Holy cow! That's a lot of swimming. That's nearly a mile a day of swimming! I even had one week over 10,000 yards. I am LOVING swimming right now. I can't wait to see how much it improves in the coming months.
Running - 52.23 miles
Sigh. In my head, I love running. When it comes to getting out the door, I'm severely lacking in motivation. Running just feels so labored and difficult. I feel fat and like I'm running in sand. I keep telling myself, though, that I cannot get better unless I ACTUALLY do the workouts.
Strength Training - 0.75 hours
When it comes to the first thing I skip in my training (besides running) it's going to be strength. If I have 15-45 minutes in my day, I want to spend it doing NOTHING! I will try harder. I will try harder. I will try harder.
YMCA Visits - 8
Cost Per Visit - $4.70
Now if I could only have a month where I stay healthy and actually TRY to do the workouts.
Swimming - 37,000 yards ~ 21 miles
Holy cow! That's a lot of swimming. That's nearly a mile a day of swimming! I even had one week over 10,000 yards. I am LOVING swimming right now. I can't wait to see how much it improves in the coming months.
Running - 52.23 miles
Sigh. In my head, I love running. When it comes to getting out the door, I'm severely lacking in motivation. Running just feels so labored and difficult. I feel fat and like I'm running in sand. I keep telling myself, though, that I cannot get better unless I ACTUALLY do the workouts.
Strength Training - 0.75 hours
When it comes to the first thing I skip in my training (besides running) it's going to be strength. If I have 15-45 minutes in my day, I want to spend it doing NOTHING! I will try harder. I will try harder. I will try harder.
YMCA Visits - 8
Cost Per Visit - $4.70
Now if I could only have a month where I stay healthy and actually TRY to do the workouts.
Tuesday, December 01, 2015
November Totals
How is it December already? I blinked and it's suddenly winter. And as awesome as it is that I have nationals behind me and worlds to look forward to, I'm really struggling with motivation and juggling it all. I'm not working a ton of hours but I work nearly every day. There was a stretch this month where I worked 12 days in a row. I work in the evenings which is my favorite time to workout and therefore, I usually wind up skipping my workout instead of doing it earlier in the day. Or things just get crazy. Like yesterday I worked 7 hours at the pool. I should get 20 minutes down every 20-40 minutes. During this time I planned on swimming and putting together a whole workout in separate segments. Unfortunately, things didn't turned out as planned. During my morning work schedule, the lap lanes were completely packed. There was no way to fit me in. Once I did find 20 minutes available, I discovered I didn't have my cap and goggles. Then during my evening shift, 4 hours worth, I only was out of the chair or not teaching a class a total of 30 minutes. During that time I cleaned up and ate my dinner. I had good intentions yesterday but put nothing into practice.
Excuses no more. December, it's on!!!
Swimming - 16,850 yards ~ 9.6 miles
Seriously, I should be swimming this much nearly every week.
Running - 55.55 miles
Ugh!
Y Visits - 10
Cost Per Visit - $3.76
This is deceiving since I, personally, do not have a payment for my individual Y membership. So this is basically Anderson at child watch or Dave if he's just doing whatever. Plus I'm at the Y probably 10 times a week!
I need your help. I need your motivation. Leave me a note with a cheer!
Excuses no more. December, it's on!!!
Swimming - 16,850 yards ~ 9.6 miles
Seriously, I should be swimming this much nearly every week.
Running - 55.55 miles
Ugh!
Y Visits - 10
Cost Per Visit - $3.76
This is deceiving since I, personally, do not have a payment for my individual Y membership. So this is basically Anderson at child watch or Dave if he's just doing whatever. Plus I'm at the Y probably 10 times a week!
I need your help. I need your motivation. Leave me a note with a cheer!
Thursday, October 08, 2015
September Totals
Hey look at this! The husband found a way to get some of my GoPro pictures.
Anyway, let's talk about September. I did some running, lots of swimming, and lots of working. Here's the lowdown.
Swimming - 30,100 yards ~ 17.1 miles
So much swimming. So much more to come.
Running - 45.27 miles
Getting there, slowly, but surely.
Strength - 1.5 hours
This was probably more as I would do my rehab exercises throughout the day and then not record them.
YMCA Visits - 11
Cost per Visit - $3.42 (They finally got us on the employee discount!!!)
I have no idea what October will bring as it is the end of the season and it's a long way to go before my goal race next September. Tune in, though. I've got big thoughts...
Nice T-Rex arms! Raaawwwrrr!
Swimming - 30,100 yards ~ 17.1 miles
So much swimming. So much more to come.
Running - 45.27 miles
Getting there, slowly, but surely.
Strength - 1.5 hours
This was probably more as I would do my rehab exercises throughout the day and then not record them.
YMCA Visits - 11
Cost per Visit - $3.42 (They finally got us on the employee discount!!!)
I have no idea what October will bring as it is the end of the season and it's a long way to go before my goal race next September. Tune in, though. I've got big thoughts...
Tuesday, September 01, 2015
August Totals
August was the month I got back to running. Well, jogging anyway. Nevertheless, it felt good to do it. I didn't have a training plan or clearance to schedule a race so I found it hard to stay motivated but I did do a little.
Swimming - 4500 yards. This is pathetic. I will have more yardage than that in the first week of September. You would think since I am at the swimming pool every day working that I would at least jump in during my breaks and swim a little.
Biking - 8 miles. One bike ride. I'm over the bike.
Running - 39.79 miles. It's not much but it's a lot more than it was. And it was actually running/jogging and not walking.
Strength Training - 2.42 hours. My sister is a certified personal trainer and offers her friend a circuit training class twice a week at the local church. Last week I attended. I've got to hand it to her, it was not easy. I was sore for days. Good job kiddo. I might have to check it out again.
YMCA Visits - 16. So, August was supposed to be the month that my employee discount kicked in. But, we still haven't seen it yet reflected in our credit card. I only counted the visits by the husband and the kiddo and not mine since my new discount gives me a free membership. However, I still counted the full price in the calculation so...
YMCA Cost per Visit - $5.33. This would have been a lot less had I counted my visits.
September is going to look a lot different. I started training with my coach again on August 31st. I can't wait to get back to a regular training schedule with races on the calendar.
Swimming - 4500 yards. This is pathetic. I will have more yardage than that in the first week of September. You would think since I am at the swimming pool every day working that I would at least jump in during my breaks and swim a little.
Biking - 8 miles. One bike ride. I'm over the bike.
Running - 39.79 miles. It's not much but it's a lot more than it was. And it was actually running/jogging and not walking.
Strength Training - 2.42 hours. My sister is a certified personal trainer and offers her friend a circuit training class twice a week at the local church. Last week I attended. I've got to hand it to her, it was not easy. I was sore for days. Good job kiddo. I might have to check it out again.
YMCA Visits - 16. So, August was supposed to be the month that my employee discount kicked in. But, we still haven't seen it yet reflected in our credit card. I only counted the visits by the husband and the kiddo and not mine since my new discount gives me a free membership. However, I still counted the full price in the calculation so...
YMCA Cost per Visit - $5.33. This would have been a lot less had I counted my visits.
September is going to look a lot different. I started training with my coach again on August 31st. I can't wait to get back to a regular training schedule with races on the calendar.
Saturday, August 01, 2015
July Totals
Is my exercise in July actually worth an entry? Not really. I was lazy. I gained a lot of weight. I got a job. I got busy. The calendar has now turned and I SWEAR I will get back to regularity soon. Really soon.
Swimming - 3800 yards
After only being allowed to swim with my hip injury, I am just tired of swimming. 3800 yards should be a daily workout, not a monthly total.
Biking - 10.55 miles
Two bike rides. Two effing bike rides.
Running/Walking - 28.22 miles
This is nothing to brag about, but after weeks and months of no running, it feels so good to get back to it. I've been doing peppy walks with the stroller and even throwing in some jogging intervals. I've also put the elliptical machine to work at the Y.
Strength - 1.25 hours
Y Visits - 11
Cost per Visit - $7.76 - I have no idea how I'm going to calculate all this next month when my membership becomes free. I guess I have to stop counting my visits and only count Anderson and Dave's. Right?
I'm so glad this month is over. I'm ready to move on.
Swimming - 3800 yards
After only being allowed to swim with my hip injury, I am just tired of swimming. 3800 yards should be a daily workout, not a monthly total.
Biking - 10.55 miles
Two bike rides. Two effing bike rides.
Running/Walking - 28.22 miles
This is nothing to brag about, but after weeks and months of no running, it feels so good to get back to it. I've been doing peppy walks with the stroller and even throwing in some jogging intervals. I've also put the elliptical machine to work at the Y.
Strength - 1.25 hours
Y Visits - 11
Cost per Visit - $7.76 - I have no idea how I'm going to calculate all this next month when my membership becomes free. I guess I have to stop counting my visits and only count Anderson and Dave's. Right?
I'm so glad this month is over. I'm ready to move on.
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Week in Review
Because of my busy week saving lives and the exhaustion that comes with it, working out fell to the wayside this week. Plus my hip was incredibly sore after so much kicking in the pool. I didn't do much - one swim, one bike, one weight lifting session, and two walks on the treadmill. And all of that was finished by Wednesday. Thursday through the rest of the weekend, well, I was just too tired. I'll try again next week.
Swim - 300 yards
Yep 300 yards. That was the swimming portion of the lifeguarding test. I wonder how much I actually swam the rest of the weekend with the abundance of rescues we had to do?
Bike - 5.29 miles
I did one bike on Tuesday evening. It was only a half hour on the trainer. I'm sick of biking. I don't like biking. When I get the all clear to go back to running, I think running is going to be my primary focus.
Strength training - 0.25 hours
Toe raises, dips with feet on the stability ball, dirty 30s (bicep curls, shoulder/flys, tricep kickbacks), side planks, reverse crunches, chin-ups, back extensions, horizontal rows, pushup rows, and skull crushers.
Walking - 3.5 miles
Most days we were given an hour for lunch. I would eat my lunch quickly, by myself, and then hit the treadmill for a slow walk. Yes, I have not technically been cleared to walk for exercise, but I'm also going 20 minute/miles. That's what I would do if I were taking the dog for a walk. I'm assuming it's alright.
It's now been eight weeks since I last ran. I'm starting to get itchy. I need to run. I want to run. Thursday I have my doctor's appointment. I don't have my hopes set very high for running, but at least there is a light at the end of the tunnel now.
Swim - 300 yards
Yep 300 yards. That was the swimming portion of the lifeguarding test. I wonder how much I actually swam the rest of the weekend with the abundance of rescues we had to do?
Bike - 5.29 miles
I did one bike on Tuesday evening. It was only a half hour on the trainer. I'm sick of biking. I don't like biking. When I get the all clear to go back to running, I think running is going to be my primary focus.
Strength training - 0.25 hours
Toe raises, dips with feet on the stability ball, dirty 30s (bicep curls, shoulder/flys, tricep kickbacks), side planks, reverse crunches, chin-ups, back extensions, horizontal rows, pushup rows, and skull crushers.
Walking - 3.5 miles
Most days we were given an hour for lunch. I would eat my lunch quickly, by myself, and then hit the treadmill for a slow walk. Yes, I have not technically been cleared to walk for exercise, but I'm also going 20 minute/miles. That's what I would do if I were taking the dog for a walk. I'm assuming it's alright.
It's now been eight weeks since I last ran. I'm starting to get itchy. I need to run. I want to run. Thursday I have my doctor's appointment. I don't have my hopes set very high for running, but at least there is a light at the end of the tunnel now.
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Lifeguard Certification
This past week I took steps toward securing a new job by getting my lifeguard certification. I'm not going to lie, I kind of felt like a tool doing this. I just kinda figured that lifeguards were 16 year old babes who just wanted to work on their tan and flirt with the boys. Y'all, I was so wrong!!! This was one of the hardest physical weeks I've experienced in a long time. I was soooo exhausted by the end of the week.
The week started off with per-requisite testing. It consisted of a 300 yard continuous swim, retrieving a brick off the bottom of the deep end and swimming on your back with it for 25 yards (timed), and a two minute hands-free tread. Surprisingly, we actually weeded out a few in the class who were unable to perform these tasks.
Then we started on the classroom portion of the class. We learned about rules and scanning the pool and we watch real videos of people drowning and needing some resuscitation and some dying. It was awful! Some other land stuff we did was CPR, AED, rescue breathing, first aid, choking, etc. The pool stuff was really difficult. We learned how to properly jump or slide into the pool. We learned all the rescues from simple stuff like handing the tube out to the person so they could get back to the wall or just getting in and lifting a person until they can touch, to really complicated stuff like passive underwater spinal rescues that involved deep water backboarding. On Thursday we spent 3-1/2 hours straight in the pool doing rescues. I slept like a boss that night!
Thursday afternoon we took the written tests. The first one was CPR/AED. It was 40 questions, multiple choice. I missed two and passed. Then was our lifeguarding written test. I had wanted to study for it and take it on Friday, but the reality was there was no way I was going to have time to study. So I took it and didn't miss any. And then got made fun of by the instructor for wanting to study for it. Yep. I deserved that.
Friday was our in-water test. We did three tests, each getting progressively harder. One was a simple deep water rescue. The second was a shallow spinal rescue. And the third was a deep water passive rescue that included using the backboard and then doing the CPR/rescue breathing techniques.
And....I passed! I am now a certified lifeguard!
Plus, the instructors like what they saw and said I could get a job at the Y. So I'm currently in the process of going through the application and orientation and then hopefully I can start working. I'm not going to lie, there are parts that make me very nervous about being a lifeguard. For example, I know that they audit you in the first week which means you perform a real (acted out) rescue in the water while the pool is open. If you screw up, you could lose your job! And the thought of doing a real rescue and possibly losing someone scares the crap out of me. It's not likely, but it could always happen. It will be good for me, though, to get back to working. This is not going to interfere with me raising my child. I am going to be working in the evenings and/or the weekends. It will be good for me to get out of the house and have adult interaction. It will be nice making some money again. It will sure go a long way towards renovations in our house or just buying all the toys I want (hello standup paddleboard!!!).
It was a great week. I made some new friends and learned lots of new skills. I'm excited for the challenge ahead!
The week started off with per-requisite testing. It consisted of a 300 yard continuous swim, retrieving a brick off the bottom of the deep end and swimming on your back with it for 25 yards (timed), and a two minute hands-free tread. Surprisingly, we actually weeded out a few in the class who were unable to perform these tasks.
Then we started on the classroom portion of the class. We learned about rules and scanning the pool and we watch real videos of people drowning and needing some resuscitation and some dying. It was awful! Some other land stuff we did was CPR, AED, rescue breathing, first aid, choking, etc. The pool stuff was really difficult. We learned how to properly jump or slide into the pool. We learned all the rescues from simple stuff like handing the tube out to the person so they could get back to the wall or just getting in and lifting a person until they can touch, to really complicated stuff like passive underwater spinal rescues that involved deep water backboarding. On Thursday we spent 3-1/2 hours straight in the pool doing rescues. I slept like a boss that night!
Thursday afternoon we took the written tests. The first one was CPR/AED. It was 40 questions, multiple choice. I missed two and passed. Then was our lifeguarding written test. I had wanted to study for it and take it on Friday, but the reality was there was no way I was going to have time to study. So I took it and didn't miss any. And then got made fun of by the instructor for wanting to study for it. Yep. I deserved that.
Friday was our in-water test. We did three tests, each getting progressively harder. One was a simple deep water rescue. The second was a shallow spinal rescue. And the third was a deep water passive rescue that included using the backboard and then doing the CPR/rescue breathing techniques.
And....I passed! I am now a certified lifeguard!
Plus, the instructors like what they saw and said I could get a job at the Y. So I'm currently in the process of going through the application and orientation and then hopefully I can start working. I'm not going to lie, there are parts that make me very nervous about being a lifeguard. For example, I know that they audit you in the first week which means you perform a real (acted out) rescue in the water while the pool is open. If you screw up, you could lose your job! And the thought of doing a real rescue and possibly losing someone scares the crap out of me. It's not likely, but it could always happen. It will be good for me, though, to get back to working. This is not going to interfere with me raising my child. I am going to be working in the evenings and/or the weekends. It will be good for me to get out of the house and have adult interaction. It will be nice making some money again. It will sure go a long way towards renovations in our house or just buying all the toys I want (hello standup paddleboard!!!).
It was a great week. I made some new friends and learned lots of new skills. I'm excited for the challenge ahead!
Thursday, July 02, 2015
I'm Getting a Job
I feel like I have been living at the Y this year. I've done a TON of swimming (seriously, 58-1/2 miles already). I have become quite comfortable taking Anderson to child care. They know him, they know me. I really feel at home at the Y.
A few weeks ago, our swim lessons were moved to the big pool because there weren't enough life guards. Surprisingly, our Y is short of life guards this summer. Several of the guards talked to me about taking the certification and getting on staff. They know I can swim and they know I'm there all the time anyway. So I got in touch with the swim director and he talked me into it. I hemmed and hawed for a week until he asked me if I would do it. Then I got a babysitter for Anderson next week so I could take the certification class.
And here I am. The prerequisites are a short swim, a 2:00 tread without hands, and a brick dive and retrieve. If you pass those then you continue on with the training and CPR and whatnot. In addition to getting a job, I also will get my membership for free and a discount on classes. Plus if any of my hours need childcare I can do that at no additional charge. Although I'm not thrilled that I will probably be working evenings and weekends, I'm going back to work and making a little money and basically doing what I do every day anyway.
Wish me luck!!!
A few weeks ago, our swim lessons were moved to the big pool because there weren't enough life guards. Surprisingly, our Y is short of life guards this summer. Several of the guards talked to me about taking the certification and getting on staff. They know I can swim and they know I'm there all the time anyway. So I got in touch with the swim director and he talked me into it. I hemmed and hawed for a week until he asked me if I would do it. Then I got a babysitter for Anderson next week so I could take the certification class.
And here I am. The prerequisites are a short swim, a 2:00 tread without hands, and a brick dive and retrieve. If you pass those then you continue on with the training and CPR and whatnot. In addition to getting a job, I also will get my membership for free and a discount on classes. Plus if any of my hours need childcare I can do that at no additional charge. Although I'm not thrilled that I will probably be working evenings and weekends, I'm going back to work and making a little money and basically doing what I do every day anyway.
Wish me luck!!!
Wednesday, July 01, 2015
June Totals
Wow! June went fast! It was a jam-packed month filled with some working out, much loving on my boy, and lots and lots of work around the house. Oh, and I took a picture every day and blogged every day (except for last Wednesday - darn it!).
Swimming - 15,700 yards ~ 8.9 miles
Really, I should have swam a lot more than this considering it was the only exercise I could do for the majority of the month. I had a hard time motivation myself, though, to go to the Y and just pull in the water. By the end of the month I was doing a little kicking, but generally these workouts are slow and short.
Biking - 28.92 miles
I got the green light to ride my bike in the middle of the month. I have done some spinning, although keeping it light and all inside on the trainer. The most I've done is 40 minutes. I'm hoping to build back up to an hour soon.
Walking - 2 miles
I have yet to be cleared for aerobic walking, but I have done a little, keeping it nice and light and SLOW on the treadmill. Seriously, 20 minute miles. I want to walk more, but I'll keep it super slow and easy until the doctor officially gives me the okay.
Strength
I don't have any official numbers to report, but I have been doing some strength. I've mostly kept to seated weight lifting and core, although I have done very light weights standing up. No lunges or squats just yet.
YMCA
I feel like I've been in the YMCA one billion times in the last 7 weeks (more on this tomorrow), although it was really only 20 visits between the three of us in June. That's a cost per visit of $4.27.
My next doctor's appointment is in the middle of July so hopefully the swimbikerunwalkstrength numbers will only continue to grow as the summer goes on.
Swimming - 15,700 yards ~ 8.9 miles
Really, I should have swam a lot more than this considering it was the only exercise I could do for the majority of the month. I had a hard time motivation myself, though, to go to the Y and just pull in the water. By the end of the month I was doing a little kicking, but generally these workouts are slow and short.
Biking - 28.92 miles
I got the green light to ride my bike in the middle of the month. I have done some spinning, although keeping it light and all inside on the trainer. The most I've done is 40 minutes. I'm hoping to build back up to an hour soon.
Walking - 2 miles
I have yet to be cleared for aerobic walking, but I have done a little, keeping it nice and light and SLOW on the treadmill. Seriously, 20 minute miles. I want to walk more, but I'll keep it super slow and easy until the doctor officially gives me the okay.
Strength
I don't have any official numbers to report, but I have been doing some strength. I've mostly kept to seated weight lifting and core, although I have done very light weights standing up. No lunges or squats just yet.
YMCA
I feel like I've been in the YMCA one billion times in the last 7 weeks (more on this tomorrow), although it was really only 20 visits between the three of us in June. That's a cost per visit of $4.27.
My next doctor's appointment is in the middle of July so hopefully the swimbikerunwalkstrength numbers will only continue to grow as the summer goes on.
Monday, June 22, 2015
Week in Review
Again, not much to report about last week: two very short swims and a bike ride. Maybe there was a walk? I don't remember. I'll have to check on that.
I did a short swim (1000 yards) on Wednesday where I was fed up with the crazies at the Y. You can read about that here.
The next day I put my patience in my back pocket and did a slightly longer swim of 1200 yards. This one was a straight swim (with a pull buoy, of course).
I also did my first bike ride since the hip injury. I rode 30-ish minutes yesterday on the trainer in the granniest of granny gears for five miles. I also did some core and arm strength but nothing to write home about.
In other news, this lack of running and training? Yeah I've gained 4 pounds in 5 weeks. I've got to get back to running. I DO NOT want to diet (or let's be real, eat well).
I did a short swim (1000 yards) on Wednesday where I was fed up with the crazies at the Y. You can read about that here.
The next day I put my patience in my back pocket and did a slightly longer swim of 1200 yards. This one was a straight swim (with a pull buoy, of course).
I also did my first bike ride since the hip injury. I rode 30-ish minutes yesterday on the trainer in the granniest of granny gears for five miles. I also did some core and arm strength but nothing to write home about.
In other news, this lack of running and training? Yeah I've gained 4 pounds in 5 weeks. I've got to get back to running. I DO NOT want to diet (or let's be real, eat well).
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Oh, YMCA (and my short fuse)!
Can I have a moment to just vent?
Maybe it's the summer heat. Maybe because I can't run and it's driving me batty. Maybe because it has rained every day this week and it's been hard to find activities for the kiddo and me. Maybe it's because the kiddo hasn't taken a nap this week. Whatever. I about flipped out at the Y this morning.
School is out for summer and the Y is crawling with kids. Summer camp is held every day from 9-noon, which is in the range of time in which I go to the gym. Summer camp has reduced the swim lanes down to 3 or 4, depending on the availability of the outside pool. Because it was pouring down rain this morning, the outdoor pool was not open for camp. Therefore, there were only three lanes available for lap swimming. And when I got out to the pool deck, they were all full. There was a very large older man waiting on a lane, so I stood there and waited too. One lane already had two people in it and the two other lanes were only occupied by one person each. Both were not very good swimmers. Neither could hold a straight line and both had such bad form that they were taking up the whole lane. One of the ladies I see there every day and knew I didn't want to share a lane with her. The other was swimming backstroke with her arms literally out to the side. Let's say if you're swimming with your hands above your head you're swimming with your hands at zero or 90 degrees. Her arms were flailing at 45 degrees. Understand? Anyway, she came to the end of the lane and asked me if I wanted to share. She said she only had a few minutes left. I asked the very large gentleman if he wanted it, he was first, and he let me go ahead. By the time I got my cap and goggles on, she had already hopped out of the pool. Why did she even ask me to share? So, I did the nice thing and asked Mr. Large Man if he wanted to share. He reluctantly said yes and warned me that he had a lot of gear. He did. He had a snorkel and GIANT fins. I mean, giant. They were like scuba fins but stiffer. By the time he got all his junk together I had already swam like 500 yards. When he did get swimming he was terrible. Look, I shouldn't critique. I'm no Michael Phelps. But geesh. He was splashing and flailing and not even using his fins at all. Shoot. If I was wearing those fins I would have been across the pool in three seconds. At one point I came up for air and he splashed me full in the face. Awesome. I'm used to open water swimming. I can handle that. The another time he about took my arm off with his. I was hugging the line to tightly I was touching it with every stroke and he still clothes-lined me. By this point I had had enough. I had only swam 1000 yards but it was enough. I hopped out, collected my kid, and went on home.
Seriously, what time do I need to go to the pool to not have to share a lane or at least share a lane with someone who can actually swim?!?
Maybe it's the summer heat. Maybe because I can't run and it's driving me batty. Maybe because it has rained every day this week and it's been hard to find activities for the kiddo and me. Maybe it's because the kiddo hasn't taken a nap this week. Whatever. I about flipped out at the Y this morning.
School is out for summer and the Y is crawling with kids. Summer camp is held every day from 9-noon, which is in the range of time in which I go to the gym. Summer camp has reduced the swim lanes down to 3 or 4, depending on the availability of the outside pool. Because it was pouring down rain this morning, the outdoor pool was not open for camp. Therefore, there were only three lanes available for lap swimming. And when I got out to the pool deck, they were all full. There was a very large older man waiting on a lane, so I stood there and waited too. One lane already had two people in it and the two other lanes were only occupied by one person each. Both were not very good swimmers. Neither could hold a straight line and both had such bad form that they were taking up the whole lane. One of the ladies I see there every day and knew I didn't want to share a lane with her. The other was swimming backstroke with her arms literally out to the side. Let's say if you're swimming with your hands above your head you're swimming with your hands at zero or 90 degrees. Her arms were flailing at 45 degrees. Understand? Anyway, she came to the end of the lane and asked me if I wanted to share. She said she only had a few minutes left. I asked the very large gentleman if he wanted it, he was first, and he let me go ahead. By the time I got my cap and goggles on, she had already hopped out of the pool. Why did she even ask me to share? So, I did the nice thing and asked Mr. Large Man if he wanted to share. He reluctantly said yes and warned me that he had a lot of gear. He did. He had a snorkel and GIANT fins. I mean, giant. They were like scuba fins but stiffer. By the time he got all his junk together I had already swam like 500 yards. When he did get swimming he was terrible. Look, I shouldn't critique. I'm no Michael Phelps. But geesh. He was splashing and flailing and not even using his fins at all. Shoot. If I was wearing those fins I would have been across the pool in three seconds. At one point I came up for air and he splashed me full in the face. Awesome. I'm used to open water swimming. I can handle that. The another time he about took my arm off with his. I was hugging the line to tightly I was touching it with every stroke and he still clothes-lined me. By this point I had had enough. I had only swam 1000 yards but it was enough. I hopped out, collected my kid, and went on home.
Seriously, what time do I need to go to the pool to not have to share a lane or at least share a lane with someone who can actually swim?!?
Monday, June 01, 2015
May Totals
The month started off so strong. I was getting back into running after taking time off after the Athens Marathon. I was excited about trying again at the Cleveland Marathon. Unfortunately, I started having some pain in my hip. We all know how that turned out: broken and torn. The end of the month consisted of lots of nothing and then the beginning of a bunch of swimming to come.
Swim - 15,300 yards ~ 8.7 miles
Bike - 38.64 miles (all indoor on the trainer)
Run - 57.5 miles
Strength - 0.25 hours
YMCA Visits - 17
Cost per Visit - $5.02
Unfortunately, I'm probably not going to meet my goal of 1000+ miles of running this year. That's okay. It's better to take care of myself. I might get a thousand miles of swimming, though.
Swim - 15,300 yards ~ 8.7 miles
Bike - 38.64 miles (all indoor on the trainer)
Run - 57.5 miles
Strength - 0.25 hours
YMCA Visits - 17
Cost per Visit - $5.02
Unfortunately, I'm probably not going to meet my goal of 1000+ miles of running this year. That's okay. It's better to take care of myself. I might get a thousand miles of swimming, though.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
