Well, last week wasn't very exciting due to the unloading week. One thing I did notice at the beginning of the week I was feeling pretty lazy....I think I am a little of an "all or nothing" person when it comes to my training. By Wednesday I had identified and corrected that behavior.
That being said I had a good week, I felt really strong during each workout. On Friday I went to the gym later so I could workout with Chad. I have been trying to work on power-endurance with my weight training, this will make climbing hills, getting away from a crowd of people in the water, etc a lot easier.
Weeellll, there was one point on Friday where I was sitting on the bench in between sets trying to breathe and telling myself it is okay if I can't feel my legs, arms, back, shoulders....ouch. I started out the workout with power cleans (a whole body movement where you move the bar from your feet to your head). Then I did Chads weird modified clean & jerk exercise (which are really good for triathlon training because you hit every muscle). The first 10 reps are super easy...then it gets hard. After an exercise for swmming (more shoulders and legs) I did step ups with an oblique crunch and shoulder press (this is where I couldn't feel my body). I was finally done with the pain from that workout only to go home and bike.
When I woke up on Saturday I felt good....quick recovery....and then I tried to lift my arms up. My shoulders and every muscle in my back was sore, it was awesome! My legs were fine which is good because with the -20ish weather I opted to stay inside and bike. I went for 90 minutes...all good.
I did brave the cold on Sunday (it was -16) and go for an easy 60 min run. I was worried about the cold but it was so nice out. No wind, the sun was out for a bit, blue sky. I had gone out for a girlfriends birthday on Saturday night, so I was a little worried about how I would feel, but that was the best I felt all day!
I made it through Montgomery, Alabama without a hitch. Chad thought I might get a capital wrong being hungover and all yesterday...but I survived! I am on my way to Tallahassee, Florida next; I should be there by Wednesday I think?
Chad also sold my Crosstrainer to one of his clients which is awesome because that means I have more money for my bike fund! Yay!
Have a good one,
Leslie
Monday, February 11, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
High volume = tired legs
This past week was the highest volume of training I have done since last summer:) Whoa....I was tired. Onto the good news though, I have an unloading week this week! Yeah. Sometimes it isn't the training load, it is not having enough time to do everything else you want to do in a day.
Back to Friday...I said I had to bike and swim. Well, I got the bike in for 75 minutes. I opted to go to Olive Garden and eat rather than swim....a girls gotta eat with all of this training right?
On Saturday I went for my first of many 2 hour runs. I felt good the whole time, and when I had to turn around I felt like I could have kept going, so that's a good sign. My legs were still pretty sore from the disagreement I had with lunges last week though. Once I got home Chad wanted to go to Speed Theory...so my hands helped my legs into the shower and then we were off.
Funny story, so Chad has been looking for a new gym bag for awhile. He is a power lifter and his belt, chalk, wraps, binder (Blah, blah, blah) doesn't fit in any bags. What does he walk out of Speed Theory with??? A very pricey triathlon transition bag (after all it is a ZIPP bag). I thought it was funny...I think he should do a triathlon now that he has a triathlon bag! He did say I could use it though.
Yesterday I had to work at the Tech Shop, so I didn't get my ride in until later on in the evening. I watched an entire disk of Lost, man that show is interesting. Strange things happen on that Island, not somewhere you would want to go on holidays. Anyway, I biked for 2 hours and 45 minutes. The first 15 mintues I wasn't too happy but then I felt good up until the last 1/2 hour. At that point my legs were feeling pretty fatigued. I think all of the Paralyzers and Jagerbombs I had on Saturday night weren't working in my favor yesterday:) I got it done and thats the important part.
Back to Friday...I said I had to bike and swim. Well, I got the bike in for 75 minutes. I opted to go to Olive Garden and eat rather than swim....a girls gotta eat with all of this training right?
On Saturday I went for my first of many 2 hour runs. I felt good the whole time, and when I had to turn around I felt like I could have kept going, so that's a good sign. My legs were still pretty sore from the disagreement I had with lunges last week though. Once I got home Chad wanted to go to Speed Theory...so my hands helped my legs into the shower and then we were off.
Funny story, so Chad has been looking for a new gym bag for awhile. He is a power lifter and his belt, chalk, wraps, binder (Blah, blah, blah) doesn't fit in any bags. What does he walk out of Speed Theory with??? A very pricey triathlon transition bag (after all it is a ZIPP bag). I thought it was funny...I think he should do a triathlon now that he has a triathlon bag! He did say I could use it though.
Yesterday I had to work at the Tech Shop, so I didn't get my ride in until later on in the evening. I watched an entire disk of Lost, man that show is interesting. Strange things happen on that Island, not somewhere you would want to go on holidays. Anyway, I biked for 2 hours and 45 minutes. The first 15 mintues I wasn't too happy but then I felt good up until the last 1/2 hour. At that point my legs were feeling pretty fatigued. I think all of the Paralyzers and Jagerbombs I had on Saturday night weren't working in my favor yesterday:) I got it done and thats the important part.
This is a picture of me riding at home, with Lost on the tv. I better get comfortable since I am going to be spending a lot of time here in weeks to come!
I am going to go some weights tonight and go for a swim. On Tuesday I have a day off of training, which I am excited about. It was a long 10 days of training, but I feel fantastic so it was worth it!
In my Crossing America Challenge I am through Baton Rouge and a couple of hours away from Jackson, Mississippi. I am going to have to update every couple of days because the states I am into now are pretty small.
Anywho...I guess I should get back to work...Bye!
In my Crossing America Challenge I am through Baton Rouge and a couple of hours away from Jackson, Mississippi. I am going to have to update every couple of days because the states I am into now are pretty small.
Anywho...I guess I should get back to work...Bye!
Friday, February 1, 2008
Feeling Good
I have been pretty tuckered out over the last couple of weeks due to the volume increase in my workouts since January 1. All week I have felt really good and on track with my training. I was running on the treadmill last night and I was able to run way faster than I have ever before and keep my heart rate down. I had to keep bumping up the speed trying to keep my heart rate where I wanted it.
I also did some weights last night and holly crap my butt hurts today. Lunges....they are deadly. I haven't been as good at keeping up with regular weight training, maybe a couple of times per week. I did some olympic lifts on Tuesday and I was in a whole other realm of upper body soreness!
On Wednesday I braved the cold and went swimming. The air in the pool was colder than usual. I could feel it everytime I brought my arms out of the water. Brrrr. I swam for 60 min, had a lot of variety in my workout. Little did I know that If I would have swam for 7 more minutes I would have been in Austin, Texas!
I am out of Austin and on by way to Baton Rouge, Louisianna! I have to swim and bike tonight. I have a long run and bike planned for the weekend as well. It is supposed to snow tomorrow, but that's okay. I would rather run when it is -10 and snowing than when in is -30 outside:)
I also did some weights last night and holly crap my butt hurts today. Lunges....they are deadly. I haven't been as good at keeping up with regular weight training, maybe a couple of times per week. I did some olympic lifts on Tuesday and I was in a whole other realm of upper body soreness!
On Wednesday I braved the cold and went swimming. The air in the pool was colder than usual. I could feel it everytime I brought my arms out of the water. Brrrr. I swam for 60 min, had a lot of variety in my workout. Little did I know that If I would have swam for 7 more minutes I would have been in Austin, Texas!
I am out of Austin and on by way to Baton Rouge, Louisianna! I have to swim and bike tonight. I have a long run and bike planned for the weekend as well. It is supposed to snow tomorrow, but that's okay. I would rather run when it is -10 and snowing than when in is -30 outside:)
Monday, January 28, 2008
Too good to last
I will start out this post by pointing out that the nice hovering around zero degrees weather was too good to last. But -30 without wind chill, it has been awhile since I have experienced that kind of cold. The last 24 hours has made me realise that I don't miss the Yukon winters...brrrrr. So on that note, outside training will be minimal this week:)
Anywho, apparently my last post was boring (according to Chad:) so I'll try and make it more interesting. Where to start, Crossing America maybe??
I am now past Oklahoma City by about 30 minutes or so (I think) and I am on my way to Austin, Texas. I have yet to get a capital city wrong. In fact I can name every capital in the US now. I know I know, I am little ahead of myself, but I want to maximize the prize $$$. Once I am out of Louisiana it is going to be fast to get through the states along the coast:)
On Friday I didn't end up training, I have stomach problems from time to time and on Friday evening it was not pretty. I was fine so long as I didn't eat, but I couldn't train without eating and well round and round I went. The culprit I think was too many raw veggies. This week should be better...no raw veggies on the menu for this girlie.
On Saturday I went for a long run. I was trying to change my screen settings on my Garmin while I was running so my run turned out to be 1 hour 42 min. I was off by 3 minutes, but that's okay. I felt pretty good for the entire time. I have been eating the Swedish berries while I run and they help a lot. They can get a little frozen....but they taste so much better than the Sport Beans I was using. I probably have 5 or 6 for my runs that are 90+ minutes and coupled with HEED, it is a beautiful thing. Sometimes I wish I didn't have so many digestive issues, but I guess it keeps me on my toes!
I had to work on Sunday at the Tech Shop, so I only biked for 60 minutes last night and I will go home to do my long ride tonight. Chad has purchased season 1 and 2 of Lost, so I think I will hit up the first disk of that tonight. I have heard good things about it, so I should be in for a good ride!
Other than that normal training week for me. I hope it gets a little warmer by Saturday so I won't resemble Frosty the Snowman while I run outside this week. I also have to keep Chad away from my Swedish berries, he doesn't seem to like the fact they are for training only:)
Anywho, apparently my last post was boring (according to Chad:) so I'll try and make it more interesting. Where to start, Crossing America maybe??
I am now past Oklahoma City by about 30 minutes or so (I think) and I am on my way to Austin, Texas. I have yet to get a capital city wrong. In fact I can name every capital in the US now. I know I know, I am little ahead of myself, but I want to maximize the prize $$$. Once I am out of Louisiana it is going to be fast to get through the states along the coast:)
On Friday I didn't end up training, I have stomach problems from time to time and on Friday evening it was not pretty. I was fine so long as I didn't eat, but I couldn't train without eating and well round and round I went. The culprit I think was too many raw veggies. This week should be better...no raw veggies on the menu for this girlie.
On Saturday I went for a long run. I was trying to change my screen settings on my Garmin while I was running so my run turned out to be 1 hour 42 min. I was off by 3 minutes, but that's okay. I felt pretty good for the entire time. I have been eating the Swedish berries while I run and they help a lot. They can get a little frozen....but they taste so much better than the Sport Beans I was using. I probably have 5 or 6 for my runs that are 90+ minutes and coupled with HEED, it is a beautiful thing. Sometimes I wish I didn't have so many digestive issues, but I guess it keeps me on my toes!
I had to work on Sunday at the Tech Shop, so I only biked for 60 minutes last night and I will go home to do my long ride tonight. Chad has purchased season 1 and 2 of Lost, so I think I will hit up the first disk of that tonight. I have heard good things about it, so I should be in for a good ride!
Other than that normal training week for me. I hope it gets a little warmer by Saturday so I won't resemble Frosty the Snowman while I run outside this week. I also have to keep Chad away from my Swedish berries, he doesn't seem to like the fact they are for training only:)
Friday, January 25, 2008
Like a fish
I went for a swim last night and I was in the water for 70 minutes. It has been a long time (probably last summer) since I have had a swim workout over an hour. I have felt a little awkward in the water lately, except when I do pull and drills. So last night I did a lot of pull and I had a great workout. If only I could remember to count all of my laps I would know how far I go. According to my counting I did 2500m, but that doesn't match my workout....so I think I did 2800m. The important part is that I enjoyed my workout!
After my training session tonight I should be past Oklahoma City, which means more capital quizzing for me!
I went to my first spin class on Wednesday. It was really good to have some else telling me what to do. I did some weights right after the class and then ran after that for 45 min. Holly molly my legs did not like me. I think that was harder than doing a brick workout:)
I have my long run and bike this weekend, so it should be a good one!
After my training session tonight I should be past Oklahoma City, which means more capital quizzing for me!
I went to my first spin class on Wednesday. It was really good to have some else telling me what to do. I did some weights right after the class and then ran after that for 45 min. Holly molly my legs did not like me. I think that was harder than doing a brick workout:)
I have my long run and bike this weekend, so it should be a good one!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Cramping Up
I had another pretty good week of training, I didn't get in all of my workouts in but that happens sometimes. I got in a long run yesterday and a 2 hr 15 min bike on Friday, so that is the important part. My bike ride was really good; I felt strong the entire time!
My run yesterday was for 90 minutes and I had the dogs with me again. They always make things interesting:) The snow was hard to run in, parts of the trail were clear but there was a majority that hadn't been cleared yet. Running through half a foot of unpacked snow is tough. Needless to say I was running a little slower and in some parts where the snow was flying sideways my eyes were pretty much closed!
I also got a longer swim in, I love it when the pool is at 50 meters. Less turning equals more swimming! Lately I have been cramping a lot when I am swimming and I can't figure out why. I might be a little low in sodium, but I am working on getting more in. I also get a lot of calcium, magnesium, and potassium as well as tons of water, so I can't figure it out. I'll cramp in my feet, toes, but the worst has been in my Achilles tendon. It was so bad that I am still sore, which led me to taking the day off today.
In my crossing America Challenge I am 1 hour past Santa Fe, New Mexico on my way to Oklahoma. I haven't gotten a capitol city wrong yet....so my fingers are crossed. Chad has been quizzing me like crazy. I know them all now, but I have a hard time keeping some of them straight! Practice, practice, practice!
My run yesterday was for 90 minutes and I had the dogs with me again. They always make things interesting:) The snow was hard to run in, parts of the trail were clear but there was a majority that hadn't been cleared yet. Running through half a foot of unpacked snow is tough. Needless to say I was running a little slower and in some parts where the snow was flying sideways my eyes were pretty much closed!
I also got a longer swim in, I love it when the pool is at 50 meters. Less turning equals more swimming! Lately I have been cramping a lot when I am swimming and I can't figure out why. I might be a little low in sodium, but I am working on getting more in. I also get a lot of calcium, magnesium, and potassium as well as tons of water, so I can't figure it out. I'll cramp in my feet, toes, but the worst has been in my Achilles tendon. It was so bad that I am still sore, which led me to taking the day off today.
In my crossing America Challenge I am 1 hour past Santa Fe, New Mexico on my way to Oklahoma. I haven't gotten a capitol city wrong yet....so my fingers are crossed. Chad has been quizzing me like crazy. I know them all now, but I have a hard time keeping some of them straight! Practice, practice, practice!
Chad and I also went to Bow Cycle today. We are both looking to buy new bikes, so we wanted to go and check them out. I know which bike I want, but Chad wasn't sure so we spent sometime looking around. I wasn the Cervelo p2 carbon and I think Chad is looking at the Quintana Roo kilo. He is going to start riding with me in the spring which is awesome, cuz it can get lonely after awhile. They also had a Symmetrics jersey hanging up, so that was pretty cool to see (my friend Zach from elementary school rides with them).
I have a busy week coming up, but if my motivation stays high I'll be fine!
Monday, January 14, 2008
Feeling Focused
Last week was one of the best training weeks I have had in a long time. In my crossing America Challenge I am approximately 45 minutes past Phoenix Arizona.
I got in a couple of good swims last week, the longest only being about 2150m. I felt good in the water and that is important. When I have a crappy swim I find it hard to be motivated to get back in the pool. Tom Price sent me a bunch of swim workouts and it has kept me interested in the pool. Every coach is a little different and so it has been a good change up.
I biked a lot last week, which made me realize how important frequency in this type of training can be. I biked for 2 hours last night and felt good the entire time. When I bike on the trainer I tend to forget about nutrition, so last night I made sure to take in calories and electrolytes. It made a HUGE difference. What didn't help is Chad hitting my rear brakes all of the time when I wasn't paying attention:)
Running last week was pretty good. I did 90 minutes on Saturday and I felt good the entire time. I had been using sport beans, sharkies, gels, etc. while I run, but they tend to upset my stomach. I think its because they cram so much stuff into them. Sonja from work told me that when she was training for her marathon she used Swedish berries during her longer runs. I think I am going to give that a go. I used fruit snacks on Saturday with an electrolyte drink and it was much better!
I also did my first brick workout since my last race, and I could feel it. I did a 60 minute bike followed by a 30 minute run. My legs were tired before I even started biking, so by the time the run came around the first 10 minutes or so were not very much fun. I felt okay from about 12 minutes to 25 minutes....the last 5 minutes all I did was stare at the time on the treadmill! Tom and Darlene (Chad's parents) got me one of those watches that plug into your ipod for Christmas and it is pretty fun. I can control everything on my ipod from the watch and I can put my ipod in my pocket etc.
I didn't get weights in very often last week, on Friday after my brick workout I just wanted to go home and lay on the couch for awhile...so that is what I did. Hopefully this week will be a little better for weight training and core work:)
I got in a couple of good swims last week, the longest only being about 2150m. I felt good in the water and that is important. When I have a crappy swim I find it hard to be motivated to get back in the pool. Tom Price sent me a bunch of swim workouts and it has kept me interested in the pool. Every coach is a little different and so it has been a good change up.
I biked a lot last week, which made me realize how important frequency in this type of training can be. I biked for 2 hours last night and felt good the entire time. When I bike on the trainer I tend to forget about nutrition, so last night I made sure to take in calories and electrolytes. It made a HUGE difference. What didn't help is Chad hitting my rear brakes all of the time when I wasn't paying attention:)
Running last week was pretty good. I did 90 minutes on Saturday and I felt good the entire time. I had been using sport beans, sharkies, gels, etc. while I run, but they tend to upset my stomach. I think its because they cram so much stuff into them. Sonja from work told me that when she was training for her marathon she used Swedish berries during her longer runs. I think I am going to give that a go. I used fruit snacks on Saturday with an electrolyte drink and it was much better!
I also did my first brick workout since my last race, and I could feel it. I did a 60 minute bike followed by a 30 minute run. My legs were tired before I even started biking, so by the time the run came around the first 10 minutes or so were not very much fun. I felt okay from about 12 minutes to 25 minutes....the last 5 minutes all I did was stare at the time on the treadmill! Tom and Darlene (Chad's parents) got me one of those watches that plug into your ipod for Christmas and it is pretty fun. I can control everything on my ipod from the watch and I can put my ipod in my pocket etc.
I didn't get weights in very often last week, on Friday after my brick workout I just wanted to go home and lay on the couch for awhile...so that is what I did. Hopefully this week will be a little better for weight training and core work:)
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Things are Looking Up
I haven't written lately since I didn't have much to write about! I had a really bad chest cold/fever/headache/nausea thing going on, but I am well on my way to being healthy again. I still have a little bit of a hacking up my lungs syndrome, but that is pretty minimal.
I couldn't train for about 5 days and I was still pretty tired all last week so I had to ease my way back into training. My first workout was on Wednesday last week and I did a really easy ride for about 60 minutes. I also threw in a few leg exercises at the gym. My first run was on Thursday and it felt soooo good to be working up a sweat and to actually be doing something. I don't think it sounded so good to the people around me on the treadmill....I was coughing a little bit at the beginning:) Easing into the weekend I went swimming and for a little bit of a longer run.
On Sunday I started feeling a little more energetic. This week training has gone really well. I am just doing some gradual base training right now. Since biking is my weakness I am really focusing on putting my time in on the bike. The other part of my program I focus my training around is my weekly long run. Gradually starting to log the miles in there.
With all of this training I make sure to have 1 full day off a week so my body can recover. I also made my training plan and have my periodization all laid out up to Ironman. Now comes the challenge of staying motivated throughout the rest of winter! It is always easier to train in the summer when the days are long.
The other good news is that I am a couple of hours past Salt Lake City, Utah. Everyone will be proud to know that I have not gotten one state capital wrong....yet. I am working on it though and get people to quiz me all of the time. By Sunday I should be through Phoenix, Arizona!
I couldn't train for about 5 days and I was still pretty tired all last week so I had to ease my way back into training. My first workout was on Wednesday last week and I did a really easy ride for about 60 minutes. I also threw in a few leg exercises at the gym. My first run was on Thursday and it felt soooo good to be working up a sweat and to actually be doing something. I don't think it sounded so good to the people around me on the treadmill....I was coughing a little bit at the beginning:) Easing into the weekend I went swimming and for a little bit of a longer run.
On Sunday I started feeling a little more energetic. This week training has gone really well. I am just doing some gradual base training right now. Since biking is my weakness I am really focusing on putting my time in on the bike. The other part of my program I focus my training around is my weekly long run. Gradually starting to log the miles in there.
With all of this training I make sure to have 1 full day off a week so my body can recover. I also made my training plan and have my periodization all laid out up to Ironman. Now comes the challenge of staying motivated throughout the rest of winter! It is always easier to train in the summer when the days are long.
The other good news is that I am a couple of hours past Salt Lake City, Utah. Everyone will be proud to know that I have not gotten one state capital wrong....yet. I am working on it though and get people to quiz me all of the time. By Sunday I should be through Phoenix, Arizona!
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