w15 in review - part 1

planning planning planning

keys to success.  I will figure out a way to move one of my long sessions to the middle of the week. I'm wedged up again on Sunday morning with competing opportunities and desires. The opening/closing times of the pool and the gym define access and give me some frustration since back in the USA, the limits aren't so narrow.   I really do need to get my lifting done mid-week too. Plus one mid-week swim. I've said this to myself several times, but I need to PLAN and make it a reality.  Making an appointment with myself - specific Day & Time will manifest ACTION rather than WISH.

The weather was really cruddy this morning and I needed to sleep and rest. So I didn't ride early, which I could have done. But I finished my long run last night at 1900, and need a little more recovery space. Plus I don't like going to bed at 2130!  I'm a big girl and I like to stay up late.  And I like poking around the house on Sunday mornings. I rush out every other day of the week.   I've also cleaned out all the crud from my gym and swim bags, washed sports bottles and clothing, and sorted training plans, instructions, and all bits of paper that make up my daily activities.

So, the plan is to get to the pool, since that's a key workout and I'm short on swim technique and see what time I finish. Then gym? before family activities. We'll see. (Perhaps I will bump my long ride to Monday afternoon, even though Judy will tell me not to.)  I feel incredibly happy to have the chance to do all these activities.

So the reality is this. I have to be in the city center at 1400 for the start of a concert performance by my boys. No one walked the dog, and they've left already to go to rehearsal. I asked my body what it really really wants, and it told me stretching and rehab, with some strength and rope skipping.  So, I'm taking the dog out, which I enjoy because I walk out to the tower and look at the sea.  then I'll train at home, and shower and hop on the tram.  Life is good.

Dog run

Done. So windy I got a head ache and sand in my eyes.  Huge black rain band soaked me. When you're out in the middle of the beach, there's no where to go but faster.

Enjoyed running at my marathon pace and my half marathon pace and a little 10k pace here and there.  Just nice!  Oh, and barefoot too.

w15 tempo swim

Swimming is my biggest limiter - to state it otherwise, it offers the most opportunity for improvement. I reviewed the Total Immersion Easy Freestyle lessons on video this morning before going to the pool. I swam 1500m in under 50 minutes, with rest breaks, etc., per my planned workout. I am pleased. What pleases me more is that I caught a mistake I am making with a premature withdrawal of my arm when breathing to the left. This has been causing me to sink. I can now correct it. Reviewing the videos deepens my knowledge. I see more technique and can apply the suggestions.

Today was just trying to swim the distance. I can do this.

two months

That's how long it took for me to decide to run another marathon.  I figure my second will definitely be easier and faster than my first. (Really, just about anything would be easier and faster....) I will start training after recovering from Bustinskin 72.3 in September. (Two miles were added to the bike. As if 70.3 wasn't enough already).

I explained to a friend at lunch why: the pure pleasure of long-distance running.  Here's another visual explanation.   I'm feeling particularly inspired by Shalane Flanagan, pictured below winning the 2010 US Half Marathon Championships in Houston: 1:09:41.   Maybe I'd run faster with gloves, arm bands and compression socks too!

Now to pick out a race! Fantasy races to be considered:

Cayman Islands Marathon (can't imagine where they could find 26.2 miles on Grand Cayman!). Think Warm. Think December.

Antartic Ice Marathon (could it be anything other than Ice??). Also December. Not Warm.

Or perhaps a half marathon on wheels in Verona:

The possibilities are endless! Stay tuned.

100 days

I am committed to my training. To doing what it takes. I have hay fever or something and slept in this morning, and took a colleague to lunch. That left evening. My younger son had his end-of the year violin concert at 6:15. We finished at 8:15. Rode my bike to the concert and then to the gym, on the way home. Lifted. Nice. I felt really strong. Then I got home and had some water and juice and dried apricots. And then went out with Odie for a "tempo" run. Planned 50 minutes. Ran 60 minutes. Took a different path in the dunes up into some hills, and then down to the water. At sunset and dusk. It was fabulous.

I was inspired by this essay by my coach entitled Evolving Goals.

It's way past my bedtime. So I'm signing off.

100 days.  On race day, I will be at my best ever.

Drive less. You know you can.

 

credit

w16 Done!

Today I lifted weights for an hour then went to the pool and swam for 45 minutes. My son wanted to join me, so I waited out front for him. I was glad he and his friend wanted to swim, even though it cut into my time in the water.  Then I went home and changed into my tri-suit & enjoyed the most delicious smoothie: mango, pineapple, coconut milk, protein powder and a handful of fresh mint leaves.  2.5 hour ride, followed by a 30 minute run.

 

I'm ready for bed!