Just Another Manic Monday

I wish it were a Sunday.

The day started off with a bang, and the madness continued all day.  A rushed Monday am, not too unusual.  Traffic, of course, and not enough sleep.  But much to my surprise when I got to work to put on my heels to find two different shoes!  Not even close in style or height.  Pretty awesome, Andrea.

Arrive at work with a semi-large problem to troubleshoot (besides the shoes).  Then I walk to a customer and in the elevator this Asian man starts speaking what I think was Chinese to me, clearly thinking I must know it.  It's comical really, I can't make this stuff up.  After I try to help identify the suite he needs to go to and can't, I apologize and say I don't know where you need to go.  I get off at my floor and he follows me to reception in administration.  I feel bad for pawning him off to the receptionist, but didn't know what to do!  Sorry cousin, couldn't help ya.  The rest of the day included running around and being sweaty because it was hot as balls to arrive at the pool and wait 25 minutes to get into the water. 

Got in most of my 2400 yd swim (thank you water aerobics and waiting forever on the deck), and a very sweaty 30 min easy run.  Was starving after, but felt good.  Starting this week off on the right foot, literally and figuratively:

Week of 4/2-4/8

Monday: 2400 Swim, 30 min aerobic run
Tuesday: 90 min Bike, strength training
Wednesday: Interval Run Workout (5x4 min at 5K pace)
Thursday: 2400 Swim, 60 min Ride
Friday: Strength Training
Saturday: 10-mi Run (build)
Sunday: 62-mi Ride (Girls With Gears)

Had a great ride yesterday, 50 miles/20 min run.  Add that with a crazy hockey game, pigging out and a mani/pedi and a pretty good Sun.  Felt strong, and got to ride with a wonderful group!  Sat's run was not as great, but I survived.  I should've known better than to tempt the heat I'm not used to.  But got to see some friends on the run so that helped make a bad run more bearable.  I like being social on my long workouts :) 

Shins/calves have been tight so starting to ice and stetch better, and need to make foam rolling and using the bands/tennis ball a priority.  Along with playing around with better nutrition, I dabble currently.  In the words of Allison Hamer, treat your body like glass.  I need to be more mindful of my body and giving it some TLC and rest. 

Sh*t happens and everyday won't be unicorns and rainbows, but regrouping at the end of a less than perfect day with some quality workouts is always a good thing. 

My body is sleepy

Security deposit on the new place...SENT and RECEIVED!  Bear Lodge here we come: http://www.vrbo.com/250248.  Half a mile from Main St and another half mile to the beach, and apparently a quarter mile from the run and bike courses.  Sorry to hear of the athlete injury that resulted in this place becoming open.  But I see this as an opportunity that was meant to be for me in some way.  Now that I have my security deposit back from the original person, I'm debating what to write...it won't be all puppies and kittens.

Last weekend was full of good workouts, and a beautiful Easter Sunday.  Did the long run on Fri, not an easy thing on Fri afternoon.  But got through the 14 much easier than the weekend prior, and felt pretty good.  Nice surprise.  Had a good 50 miles of cycling with Doreen and Jen on Sat.  Hills were still tough on the Limerick loop, but we tackled them together and felt pretty decent. 

Week of 4/2-4/8

Monday: 2300 Swim, 30 min easy run
Tuesday: Bike, strength training
Wednesday: Interval Run Workout (4x7 min at 7:00 pace - this was the really bad workout)
Thursday: (This was the day I listened to my body, and skipped my swim/easy bike)
Friday: Strength Training
Saturday: 14-mi Run
Sunday: 50-mi Ride


Sat reminded me that I have some pretty awesome people in my life, that I've met through my love of endurance sports and TNT.  Some people think of hte distances as punishment (sometimes they may feel that way).  But I feel like those long workouts are my time to de-stress, to have my own kind of therapy and spend some QT with some of my favorite people.  So thanks for that. 

Easter weekend was a fun one with my sister in Princeton.  Enjoyed some sun on Sun, and napped in the grass while the kids played catch ;) 

This week has been interesting.  Tried to plan for some things other than training, and that backfired with last minute changes.  Workouts got completely juggled to different days, and my body feels good but I feel generally tired - and have all week.  Weird week.  Note what was scheduled and what I actually have done:

Week of 4/9-4/15

Monday: 2200 Swim scheduled - actually biked 60 minutes
Tuesday: Bike, strength training - actually swam my 2200
Wednesday: Interval Run Workout (4x7 min at 7:00 pace) - actually biked 60
Thursday: 2100 swim, 60 minute bike - actually did interval run (much better, but not fantastic)
Friday: Strength Training - will strength train and swim
Saturday: 12-mi Run
Sunday: 50-mi Ride/20-min Run

Chalking it up to life getting in the way.  It happens.  Planning to wrap up the week with solid long workouts (Thank God for a down run week!), including a transition workout.  Will start Monday fresh, on the right foot again. 

Every night I feel wiped this week, I think it's work.  Wait, I know it is.  My body doesn't hurt like it has other weeks, just tired and sleepy.  Will attempt to remedy this over the weekend with extra sleep. 

Tonight had a decent run workout, and sweat more salt out than I feel normal for this time of year.  But felt good.  Now I will watch the Phils, snuggle and have a brewski to cap off the day :)  Happy Friday tomorrow.

Hello Andrea, Please Don't Panic

Not the best way to start an email to me...but this was how the one from the owner of the house I rented for the race began...apparently "an unexpected situation has come up and they unfortunately are not going to be able to rent their home this summer."  Translation: I am not renting you our house that you put a deposit on months ago, and you now must find other lodging for your Ironman.

I started to write a great blog post this week about how pretty great my long trainings were, and the week started off to be.  Then yesterday happened, a bad run workout (really bad).  Combine that with a long work week, my lady time coming (aka Bob), and feeling pretty tired...to top it off with this email, and the week went from good to not so hot. 

So for my 2 hour workout tonight, I spent more than 2 hours researching new houses.  My legs were fatigued and sore, and I sat in so much traffic I missed my pool window anyways.  So seeing the email right before I started driving was fantastic.  Doreen, told you I couldn't sit on this!

This week I think is just a reflection of working hard, and being tired because of it.  It feels good to know I'm not the only one feeling it.  Two long workouts last weekend without a rest day after has caught up, and that is bound to happen sometimes.  We rode a real tough 52-miles on Sunday that wiped me, but was a great ride.  Put it into perspective, Andrea.  Everyone has bad training days, yours just feel more frequent sometimes.  People don't always post about the bad ones on Facebook. 

An Italian told me recently, working out for at least 1.5 hours a day is bound to catch up and not every workout is going to be great as a result.  Also that I need to take a day.  A lean, mean, triathlon machine said it's better to listen to your body and take a day when you need it.  That's no new advice, sometimes this stubborn-ass just needs to be reminded of that.  I know my Coach would agree. 

Tough training days aren't fun, but are normal. 

The silver lining in all of this is I have talked to some really nice people in the Lake Placid area - Erica Jane, this reinforces the magical nature of this place.  Two people had their properties rented, and referred me to neighbors (who unfortunately have their places also rented).  One of those kind souls talked to me for 10 minutes, and said if he can help to call (he also told me he can get good golf deals for the golf enthusiasts in my support crew).  Problem isn't solved, but sent lots of emails and hope to hear from some people in the coming days.  Lesson learned: some people really are good people, and Lake Placid is wonderful. 

So after taking a night off and problem-solving, I feel much better now.  Hoping for a good workout tomorrow and Sat, and to take a rest day for Easter. 

Thank you, Lake Placid.

Thanks Caballo Blanco, You Will Be Remembered

http://rwdaily.runnersworld.com/2012/04/a-lesson-from-micah-true.html

A friend shared this on Facebook, and it hit close to home.  Micah True, aka Caballo Blanco, became a legend as an amazing marathoner who tapped into the Tarahumara Indians.  Christopher McDougall made him famous to the world when he wrote about him in Born To Run, a great book. 

Micah True was found dead on Sunday, in the Gila wilderness alone after he went out on a run.  No signs of injury or trauma.  It is sad for the running world to lose him, and he will be missed but always be remembered.  And he's one of the few people who passed away absolutely doing something he loved.  Would be the best way to go.

The article above is short, but made me think.  Micah True went for a run, and never returned.  The RW writer made the point this could happen to any of us.  Many times I've thought I could get injured in a race...but could also during training.  I've had friends get hit by cars running and cycling, or collisions with other athletes and other accidents.  You never know. 

I don't always think before I go out to run or ride, about anything really except getting my workout in or what I have to do after.  But I think I'll make it a point to not just say bye when I leave, but maybe more I love you's now.  A good way to leave the house and nice to know I can tell Mike that and leave on a good note.  Always good to remind those you love them that you do, and a great way to start a workout.  You never know what the future could bring.