Swim Update

Last night I swam and it was good :)

I guess I should back up a bit.

he week after thanksgiving we had a 'recovery week'. I used that to 'recover' The only running that I did was the coached workout on that Saturday. The problem was that it HURT. My lower legs hurt so bad that I couldn't continue running. It was so frustrating and so disheartening. (and yes I spoke to the coach about it) The thing that kept me going was that I felt like I had finally straightened out my swim stroke! The last little piece seemed to be to get my hands in the water sooner. As soon as I started having my hands enter the water near my head instead at full extension everything seemed to just 'click'.

That Sunday I set my new bike up on the spinner (the weather's been bitter cold of late and I've been avoiding working out outside) and road and road. The only issue there is that even with padded shorts on I still had trouble with the seat being really really really uncomfortable.

The next week was a nightmare... Monday was supposed to be a swim day but I didn't make it to the pool, Tuesday I had choir, Wednesday was the coached workout and running again. I warmed up lots... and stretched tons after word. It was still a struggle getting around the track but at least I didn't have to resort to 'just' walking. Thursday I had choir again, Friday I had to get my kids, Saturday I had two concerts (that I sang in) and Sunday I just collapsed on the couch and spent so time with my kids. I was really starting to doubt I could pull this whole - Triathlon thing off.

The next week... well it didn't get better. I didn't even make it to the coached workouts. I ended up taking the ENTIRE week off from training! I was spending a LOT of time trying to figure out if this is what I really wanted.

Guess what - it is, and I do. I think some of my issues and struggles might have to do with not enough sleep, not paying close enough attention to my nutrition and never giving myself time to recover from my cold (I was sick almost the entire month of November).

I came into this week determined to return with fire! Even though last night was nightmare of things to do, places to be and people to see I got it done and it felt GREAT!

I got off work at 5:00 but hubby didn't manage to get across town to pick me up until after 5:30. It was 6:15 before we finally made it onto the Bay Bridge and onto the freeways. We had to stop at the store on the way home and pick up a gift that was waiting for me (although they ended up not having it ready - so yet more delays) At the end of it all we ended up finally getting home at about 8:00PM. I quickly changed and grabbed my workout stuff and fueled up with some carbs. There was no way I was going to give myself an excuse not to go.

First though, I had to stop at the mall. _I_ had finished all my shopping but my kids hadn't and they needed me to pick up their gifts for their step brother and my husband (they picked out the gifts - I had to buy them). And so into the mall I went all decked out in my sweatpants and Team in Training Shirt :) As it always does hitting the mall took longer then I wanted and by the time I hit the gym it was 10:10. Still determined I suited up and hit the pool. I was really worried what slacking the past few weeks had done. I fully expected to be back at square one. But... I wasn't. In fact it turned out to be my strongest swim yet! It's possible that I never fully recovered from my cold? or that my body was in desperate need of some recovery time but whatever the reason something was 'on' last night. I only got 23 minutes in the pool (and the guy was standing on the edge of the pool waiting to close it when I finally finished) and I made it 1000 yards. To give you an idea why I'm so pleased, last time I did 1000 Yards in the pool it took me 35 minutes. The best part was how I felt. I was breathing every fourth or third stroke the whole time. I took only 15-20 second rest between sets and I did a whole 500 Yards without stopping and hardly noticed. Granted, I was tired by the end of it all but it was so so worth it!

It'll be interesting to see how tonights run goes. It's warmed up a little in these parts, but that's because it's started raining. The schedule calls for a 'Run' with three minute walks and 2 minute walks. I can't use the treadmill because the gym closes at 5:00 tonight so that probably means outdoor running in the rain after work tonight. Fun! :) At least I'll get to try out the new Nike+ that I got as a 'pre' Christmas present. I love gadgets! I'll have to write up a review after I've used it a few times.