Hey Gang,
So last February I think it was I remember chatting with Greg about running efficiency. It made sense training your body to run faster while keeping the ticker under control so you don't collapse when trying to do something like an Ironman! For the most part I thought I was really getting there, I have come a long way....but still have a lot of room to improve.
In Feb/March this year I was working on having a faster leg turnover, getting the legs moving....again more efficiently. It was amazing to see how much my speed I got from doing this without killing myself aerobically. I was seeing improvements in that as well it was becoming more natural to run that way, but I was only doing it when I was told to, not all of the time. At some point among the many weeks off I have had due to illness I forgot about this.
Last week I had a lot of intervals and each time I was half way through the workout and almost dying until figured out I was running faster, but working waaaaay harder than I should be. It finally clicked, I need to start focusing more when I run and thinking about efficiency ALL of the time....not just running....and not be off in la la land the entire time (which is where I usually am when I run:). So I guess what I am babbling about is that I am finally starting to get it, I know what I need to do to get a little faster.
I did try to apply this to the 10km race I did on Saturday and for the first 5km it went well but then other factors like extreme cramping and asthma started to kick in. Chad was feeling just as crappy so I am glad it wasn't just me! The course was a 2 loop course with a big hill at the end of each loop...it was at that point on the first lap it became about survival for me. The second loop was slower, but I still made it through. My time was 52:15 by my watch and the official time was 52:39 I think. About the same as I was for the Moonlight run a month ago. One of these times I will not eat so much before I run 10 km and avoid the cramping situation all together.
The last couple of days have been about recovery. Nothing too exciting in that regard.
Rexy has bounced back to her crazy energetic self and is driving us crazy! It doesn't matter what it is but if she can pick it up and chew it she will. Yesterday she ate my book, the grocery list out of my purse, part of the yoga mat box....Every time I think I have puppy proofed the house she finds something new!
Happy Training!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
More zzzzzz's please
It turns out when I am worried about something I have a hard time sleeping. All week I could not figure out what was bothering me....and then after Rexy got spayed yesterday and made it through safe and sound I was out!
I brought Rexy into see Dr. Sean on Tuesday because she wasn't eating, throwing up etc...and if that wasn't enough had to bring her in again to get spayed. It was more nerve racking than normal since she had been sick since last Friday...I wanted to cancel the appointment but Dr. Sean (very patiently) explained to me that she would be FINE!
The good news is that everything went a-okay. She was excited to get to the vet clinic and the AHT said that she was a great patient all day. She has no intestinal blockages...it is just really inflamed and she has special food and pills to get that under control. She was funny last night with the morphine, but as long as she was snuggling up beside me she was good.
Training has been good, we swam on Monday night and it was a hard one. Ironman specific swim sets with the main one being 3 x 800m. The first set went by fast, the second my goggles were sucking my eyes out so that was all I could think about, the third I didn't think I was going to finish because there was only 16 min left until the pool closed. Darryl told me I could do it and I thought he was crazy. I did it! I could not pull myself out of the pool after, no one else was left in the pool, and I finished to the lifeguard standing above me telling me to get the hell out. Yay me!
I biked outside with the group on Tuesday. It was crazy windy, which seems to be the trend lately. It felt good to be out there is just shorts and a jersey though! Nothing exciting happened...just focused on not being blown into traffic!
On Wednesday I went for a run and it was an interesting one that's for sure. I was rushing to get out there before the snow started coming down...I didn't make it. I started out running into the wind with the snow pelting me, getting it in your eyes is the worst. I was running along and I looked over to see this guy outside vacuuming his lawn in a snowstorm...yeah I know...weird. I kept on trucking along, and on my way back the same guy started talking to me. I didn't hear what he said but it was something along the line that I shouldn't be out running in the snow and need to go home and get into a hot shower. Me being the nice person that I am told him I was trying to get my run in before the snow got too bad. THEN he said "not running at that speed you won't." Harsh...this coming from the guy vacuuming his lawn in the snow. In my defense I was doing 4 min tempo intervals and when I was going by him I was recovering between sets!
I was bad a skipped swimming on Wednesday. I was tired, it was snowing, I had to get up early...so with all of those excuses I talked myself out of it! Yesterday was a rest day which worked out well due to Rexy's visit with Dr.Sean, and today I have a run with some pick ups in there.
Chad and I are heading out to Medicine Hat tonight for a 10 km race tomorrow morning. This was the race I actually placed 3rd in last year...so hopefully no really really speedy people entered and I have a shot at it again! We will see!
Have a great weekend and stay warm!
I brought Rexy into see Dr. Sean on Tuesday because she wasn't eating, throwing up etc...and if that wasn't enough had to bring her in again to get spayed. It was more nerve racking than normal since she had been sick since last Friday...I wanted to cancel the appointment but Dr. Sean (very patiently) explained to me that she would be FINE!
The good news is that everything went a-okay. She was excited to get to the vet clinic and the AHT said that she was a great patient all day. She has no intestinal blockages...it is just really inflamed and she has special food and pills to get that under control. She was funny last night with the morphine, but as long as she was snuggling up beside me she was good.
Training has been good, we swam on Monday night and it was a hard one. Ironman specific swim sets with the main one being 3 x 800m. The first set went by fast, the second my goggles were sucking my eyes out so that was all I could think about, the third I didn't think I was going to finish because there was only 16 min left until the pool closed. Darryl told me I could do it and I thought he was crazy. I did it! I could not pull myself out of the pool after, no one else was left in the pool, and I finished to the lifeguard standing above me telling me to get the hell out. Yay me!
I biked outside with the group on Tuesday. It was crazy windy, which seems to be the trend lately. It felt good to be out there is just shorts and a jersey though! Nothing exciting happened...just focused on not being blown into traffic!
On Wednesday I went for a run and it was an interesting one that's for sure. I was rushing to get out there before the snow started coming down...I didn't make it. I started out running into the wind with the snow pelting me, getting it in your eyes is the worst. I was running along and I looked over to see this guy outside vacuuming his lawn in a snowstorm...yeah I know...weird. I kept on trucking along, and on my way back the same guy started talking to me. I didn't hear what he said but it was something along the line that I shouldn't be out running in the snow and need to go home and get into a hot shower. Me being the nice person that I am told him I was trying to get my run in before the snow got too bad. THEN he said "not running at that speed you won't." Harsh...this coming from the guy vacuuming his lawn in the snow. In my defense I was doing 4 min tempo intervals and when I was going by him I was recovering between sets!
I was bad a skipped swimming on Wednesday. I was tired, it was snowing, I had to get up early...so with all of those excuses I talked myself out of it! Yesterday was a rest day which worked out well due to Rexy's visit with Dr.Sean, and today I have a run with some pick ups in there.
Chad and I are heading out to Medicine Hat tonight for a 10 km race tomorrow morning. This was the race I actually placed 3rd in last year...so hopefully no really really speedy people entered and I have a shot at it again! We will see!
Have a great weekend and stay warm!
Monday, April 20, 2009
The girl that I am
Hey Bloggers,
To start off Chad and I have a sick puppy :( She ate some rocks (yes she is still eating things!) and then on Friday started vomiting and had diarrhea (the rocks came up thank god). We thought she was getting better, she was eating a bit, drinking lots of water, having more energy...and then this morning whamo....more vomiting and diarrhea. Needless to say we are off to the vet tomorrow.
Back to training....
Thursday I wasn't woman enough to brave the weather and ride outside with the freezing cold wind, I was cold just walking the dog. Onto the trainer I went and had an awesome workout. I was pulling up those hills let me tell ya because my hamstrings were sore for 2 days after that.
Friday is my off day and this is where Rexy started getting sick...need I say more.
Saturday I had a hair appointment that I HAD to go to. With all of the swimming, biking, and running you gotta give a girl something so every 3-4 months I have a mandatory hair cut/highlight. I know some people don't understand...but this is my girly thing I do. So having said that I also got a phone call from my Aunt Nanette saying that they were coming in for the day! The choice visiting with the fam or go for a run....of course I chose visiting with the fam. No long run for me....even though I was actually supposed to bike as per coach Greg.
On Sunday Chad and I procrastinated biking for awhile, both of us just being lazy and trying to get up the nerve to go out against the cold wind. We parked out at the church and made our way out to Cochrane against the crazy wind. One of these days it isn't going to be this windy and I will be able to ride faster than 20km in an hour (uphill against the wind in my defense). Once we got out there we explored horse creek road a bit as it is part of the calgary 70.3 course. On the way back we were flying along, may heart rate finally in zone 2 where it should have been for the entire rides...oops. Cochrane hill was tough; first time of the year climbing up that bad boy. I was hurtin, but not as bad as Chad was! I need to remember to bring my inhaler when biking outside in the spring...sometimes when I can't really breathe (like yesterday climbing up that darn hill) it would be nice to have it! In total we went about 65 km in 2:50 with lots of climbing!
Today I have to run and make up the swim we missed yesterday as Chad and I got back from biking too late to go swimming. I think I need to work on some time management skills!
To start off Chad and I have a sick puppy :( She ate some rocks (yes she is still eating things!) and then on Friday started vomiting and had diarrhea (the rocks came up thank god). We thought she was getting better, she was eating a bit, drinking lots of water, having more energy...and then this morning whamo....more vomiting and diarrhea. Needless to say we are off to the vet tomorrow.
Back to training....
Thursday I wasn't woman enough to brave the weather and ride outside with the freezing cold wind, I was cold just walking the dog. Onto the trainer I went and had an awesome workout. I was pulling up those hills let me tell ya because my hamstrings were sore for 2 days after that.
Friday is my off day and this is where Rexy started getting sick...need I say more.
Saturday I had a hair appointment that I HAD to go to. With all of the swimming, biking, and running you gotta give a girl something so every 3-4 months I have a mandatory hair cut/highlight. I know some people don't understand...but this is my girly thing I do. So having said that I also got a phone call from my Aunt Nanette saying that they were coming in for the day! The choice visiting with the fam or go for a run....of course I chose visiting with the fam. No long run for me....even though I was actually supposed to bike as per coach Greg.
On Sunday Chad and I procrastinated biking for awhile, both of us just being lazy and trying to get up the nerve to go out against the cold wind. We parked out at the church and made our way out to Cochrane against the crazy wind. One of these days it isn't going to be this windy and I will be able to ride faster than 20km in an hour (uphill against the wind in my defense). Once we got out there we explored horse creek road a bit as it is part of the calgary 70.3 course. On the way back we were flying along, may heart rate finally in zone 2 where it should have been for the entire rides...oops. Cochrane hill was tough; first time of the year climbing up that bad boy. I was hurtin, but not as bad as Chad was! I need to remember to bring my inhaler when biking outside in the spring...sometimes when I can't really breathe (like yesterday climbing up that darn hill) it would be nice to have it! In total we went about 65 km in 2:50 with lots of climbing!
Today I have to run and make up the swim we missed yesterday as Chad and I got back from biking too late to go swimming. I think I need to work on some time management skills!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Back in the Game
Hey bloggers,
Here is whats been going on training wise over the last couple of days:
Tuesdays bike was awful...god awful...so awful I got off of the bike at 45 min and called it a night. I was a little disappointed, a little frustrated, but then yesterday I had an awesome day of training and the memories of my awful bike ride began to fade.
Started out with a 45 min run...and felt good. My legs felt good, really good, ahhhhh a GOOD run...finally. I can tell spring in here because it is harder to breathe right now (all you asthmatics out there know what I am talking about) and I now have to share the running path with a bunch of mean cranky geese (which I am really very afraid of).
Last night we had swim group. Greg emailed us the workouts and specifically says no slacking because I am not there....ahhhh he knows me so well. On the agenda was the mean workout where I was really really very cranky afterwards (500m, 4x 25 fast, 400m, 4 x 25 fast, 300m...you get the idea). This time we had pace stuff within the longer sets AND I could lift myself out of the pool when we were done! Big accomplishment! I couldn't do that after the first time, I had to go over to the grandma stairs to get out ;) It was a 70 min swim...and it was hard...and I was the first one in the pool (this never happens, I am always last).
Tonight is bike night again. I hope it goes better than Tuesday; its only supposed to get to around 10 degrees today so I don't think we will be riding outside! We made some plans to ride with Darryl on Saturday...the group rides are starting...so fun!
Happy Training!
Here is whats been going on training wise over the last couple of days:
Tuesdays bike was awful...god awful...so awful I got off of the bike at 45 min and called it a night. I was a little disappointed, a little frustrated, but then yesterday I had an awesome day of training and the memories of my awful bike ride began to fade.
Started out with a 45 min run...and felt good. My legs felt good, really good, ahhhhh a GOOD run...finally. I can tell spring in here because it is harder to breathe right now (all you asthmatics out there know what I am talking about) and I now have to share the running path with a bunch of mean cranky geese (which I am really very afraid of).
Last night we had swim group. Greg emailed us the workouts and specifically says no slacking because I am not there....ahhhh he knows me so well. On the agenda was the mean workout where I was really really very cranky afterwards (500m, 4x 25 fast, 400m, 4 x 25 fast, 300m...you get the idea). This time we had pace stuff within the longer sets AND I could lift myself out of the pool when we were done! Big accomplishment! I couldn't do that after the first time, I had to go over to the grandma stairs to get out ;) It was a 70 min swim...and it was hard...and I was the first one in the pool (this never happens, I am always last).
Tonight is bike night again. I hope it goes better than Tuesday; its only supposed to get to around 10 degrees today so I don't think we will be riding outside! We made some plans to ride with Darryl on Saturday...the group rides are starting...so fun!
Happy Training!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Sad Day
My Dad messaged me yesterday to tell me that our family dog had passed away. It was a sad one to be sure. Chess had been sick off and on for awhile so she is in a better place now. We will miss her....Monday, April 13, 2009
First Outdoor Ride
Hey guys!
I was a little MIA last week cuz I got the flu on Tuesday and it lasted until Saturday...nasty. I was home sick from work on Tuesday and Wednesday and the only time I left my bed was to run into the bathroom! I have been on solid food for a couple of days now and starting to feel better.
On Thursday I went to work... and took Rexy for a walk...and slept. Very exciting day I know!
On Friday I was determined not to be couped up in my house another day (I was starting to go crazy) so I ventured out with Rexy to the dog park. I did have to stop and rest a lot going up the giant hill...it amazing how something so simple can be so hard once you have been sick. I did make it down to the river though and tried to get Rexy to go swimming!! She won't quite swim yet but she will go in up to her chest when chasing a stick! I do have pics, but since our computer is broken I won't be able to post them for awhile :(
On Friday evening Chad and I went over to Greg's so they could put Chad's bike back together (it does look pretty sweet though!). What a production that was. It turns out putting the cables through the frame was a little harder than anticipated. We got there around 8 and they didn't finish until 12:30, there was a lot of cursing but they got it back together!
Saturday I think I took Rexy for another walk (we had quite the week of walking since that was all I could do;) No complaints from her I am sure! That night we met up with Darryl and Lisa for some running shoe shopping, dinner, and a movie. We went to see Monsters vs Aliens...which was in 3D and funny!
Yesterday I decided to give this training thing everyone is talking about a try and Chad and I went for our first outdoor ride of the year! We went out to Crossfield and rode out to Madden. It is always COLDER and WINDIER in Crossfield. After taking forever to get our gear on we were ready to take on the wind. It took us 75 min to ride 20 km. We were not moving fast, but sure got some strength work in against that wind!!! I can't believe we were on our bikes for 2 hours and only went 40km...who does that??? We were getting cold by the time we got back but it was sooooo nice to be riding outside!!!
I am not quite 100% yet, but almost there and I can start up the training again. I was starting to get bored by not being able to train!! Oh and we were in Lululemon on the weekend and Chad got into talking to this lady and she was saying that you can apply to be an ambassador for them; give them feedback on clothing etc. So I think I am going to give it a go. I wear the clothes anyway so why not get a little bit of a discount? I have to get everything together for it and bring it into the store and chat with them!
Happy Training!
I was a little MIA last week cuz I got the flu on Tuesday and it lasted until Saturday...nasty. I was home sick from work on Tuesday and Wednesday and the only time I left my bed was to run into the bathroom! I have been on solid food for a couple of days now and starting to feel better.
On Thursday I went to work... and took Rexy for a walk...and slept. Very exciting day I know!
On Friday I was determined not to be couped up in my house another day (I was starting to go crazy) so I ventured out with Rexy to the dog park. I did have to stop and rest a lot going up the giant hill...it amazing how something so simple can be so hard once you have been sick. I did make it down to the river though and tried to get Rexy to go swimming!! She won't quite swim yet but she will go in up to her chest when chasing a stick! I do have pics, but since our computer is broken I won't be able to post them for awhile :(
On Friday evening Chad and I went over to Greg's so they could put Chad's bike back together (it does look pretty sweet though!). What a production that was. It turns out putting the cables through the frame was a little harder than anticipated. We got there around 8 and they didn't finish until 12:30, there was a lot of cursing but they got it back together!
Saturday I think I took Rexy for another walk (we had quite the week of walking since that was all I could do;) No complaints from her I am sure! That night we met up with Darryl and Lisa for some running shoe shopping, dinner, and a movie. We went to see Monsters vs Aliens...which was in 3D and funny!
Yesterday I decided to give this training thing everyone is talking about a try and Chad and I went for our first outdoor ride of the year! We went out to Crossfield and rode out to Madden. It is always COLDER and WINDIER in Crossfield. After taking forever to get our gear on we were ready to take on the wind. It took us 75 min to ride 20 km. We were not moving fast, but sure got some strength work in against that wind!!! I can't believe we were on our bikes for 2 hours and only went 40km...who does that??? We were getting cold by the time we got back but it was sooooo nice to be riding outside!!!
I am not quite 100% yet, but almost there and I can start up the training again. I was starting to get bored by not being able to train!! Oh and we were in Lululemon on the weekend and Chad got into talking to this lady and she was saying that you can apply to be an ambassador for them; give them feedback on clothing etc. So I think I am going to give it a go. I wear the clothes anyway so why not get a little bit of a discount? I have to get everything together for it and bring it into the store and chat with them!
Happy Training!
Monday, April 6, 2009
Quick Update
Hey guys!
Last week was so long ago I can't remember too much of what I did and/or how it went. I did get my new trainer though...which is super duper awesome. I had it all put together-I am a girl so I followed the instructions in order....then at the end when all is said and done it says to add another piece in for 650 tires. Grrrrr. Why didn't they put that at the top??? So I had to take it apart, add the stupid piece, and put it back together. Did I mention I did this at the beginning of spin class???
The weekend was good. I went out with my girlfriend on Friday night so I didn't get on my bike until late Saturday night:) I knew it was going to be hard a little hungover and super tired. It turns out if you are up until 3:30 in the morning your dog still gets up at the same time! Once I did get going on the bike it was a tough one. Greg had be doing some power stuff and I started out really easy (and I am glad I did) because every 30 m in I had to increase by 10 watts....not so bad until you have to do it for 2 hours!
Sunday morning I got up early and did my long run. The Glencoe Icebreaker was on and so I was a lot of people I know out there racing! I found it motivated me a bit to run with everyone running a race around me. I did 90 min, it should have been 97 min or so. I am really bad at time estimations when I have to mix up the pace; I did 3x8 min during the last half of my run. I ran 7 min faster with those in there!
Last night we went swimming and my friend Alan joined us! Poor Greg was at home coughing up his lungs...I hope you feel better soon, chest colds suck! I was having a crappy swim, I was working on my stroke and drills and stuff...but it wasn't working so I got a little frustrated and pulled a Chad a got out of the water. I thought I was in the water for 45 min, Chad thought 35 min, so lets go with 40 min!
Other than that I am still doing my parade of doctors appointments. Due to my skin burning off when I get out of the pool and when I put lotion on it I went to buy new products again! I think I need to move away from Alberta to somewhere with a little more humidity and maybe that will help!
Well until next time...happy training everyone!
Last week was so long ago I can't remember too much of what I did and/or how it went. I did get my new trainer though...which is super duper awesome. I had it all put together-I am a girl so I followed the instructions in order....then at the end when all is said and done it says to add another piece in for 650 tires. Grrrrr. Why didn't they put that at the top??? So I had to take it apart, add the stupid piece, and put it back together. Did I mention I did this at the beginning of spin class???
The weekend was good. I went out with my girlfriend on Friday night so I didn't get on my bike until late Saturday night:) I knew it was going to be hard a little hungover and super tired. It turns out if you are up until 3:30 in the morning your dog still gets up at the same time! Once I did get going on the bike it was a tough one. Greg had be doing some power stuff and I started out really easy (and I am glad I did) because every 30 m in I had to increase by 10 watts....not so bad until you have to do it for 2 hours!
Sunday morning I got up early and did my long run. The Glencoe Icebreaker was on and so I was a lot of people I know out there racing! I found it motivated me a bit to run with everyone running a race around me. I did 90 min, it should have been 97 min or so. I am really bad at time estimations when I have to mix up the pace; I did 3x8 min during the last half of my run. I ran 7 min faster with those in there!
Last night we went swimming and my friend Alan joined us! Poor Greg was at home coughing up his lungs...I hope you feel better soon, chest colds suck! I was having a crappy swim, I was working on my stroke and drills and stuff...but it wasn't working so I got a little frustrated and pulled a Chad a got out of the water. I thought I was in the water for 45 min, Chad thought 35 min, so lets go with 40 min!
Other than that I am still doing my parade of doctors appointments. Due to my skin burning off when I get out of the pool and when I put lotion on it I went to buy new products again! I think I need to move away from Alberta to somewhere with a little more humidity and maybe that will help!
Well until next time...happy training everyone!
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