I ate a lot of paska this weekend. Paska is a white-flour, doughy, sweet Easter bread covered in icing and sprinkles (Russian Mennonite).
I also ran 10+k on Saturday morning. That was not a long slow run at all! But I woke up late, and felt rushed, and wanted to be done in an hour and not to carry along anything extra--no liquid, no food. It was a beautiful morning for a run. I actually got too hot and had to take off my jacket. I went fast rather than slow, and was home in under an hour. My goal for the 10k on Sunday is 55 minutes, or less. I'm hoping less, but after my run this morning, I know that might be over-reaching. Fifty minutes would be my absolute ideal goal, and I'm not sure my body is there yet. Will it ever get there? What does it take? ie. what does it take to run a half or a full marathon at a 5-minute race pace? I'm so not there yet. Sigh. I guess that's another level of fitness; I just don't know how to get there.
I also went a yoga class on Friday, and then took yesterday off. To eat the paska.
This morning, I was in the pool as usual and swam for 50 minutes. I did not go fast, but it was pleasant and smooth and mind-lulling. Then I went directly for a run at the track upstairs and pounded my way through 5k at a 5-minute pace. I wished I could go faster, but that was my edge, and even that was a struggle. My goal is to get faster, and to get faster I have to run faster. Duh. Sounds easy. I'm not sure how to build endurance at a higher speed, but I do have to remind myself that training runs are not the same as race pace runs. I can't "leave it all at the track" when I have to go home and look after four kids all day. (Kids have a holiday today; husband does not).
I came home and got a nap in before my husband left for work.
I did not buy a bike this weekend, but I did try a few out, and I think I know my bike. I just have to go and get it. Maybe today. If not, then tomorrow. But soon.
Tomorrow is my last spin class, so I need to be riding real wheels outside. On the road. Fast. Yikes. My helmet is many years old. I wonder whether I should buy a new one. This one has never been in an accident, but ... opinions?
I may run home after spin class tomorrow, to test out running after biking. It's about 5.5k, and most of it is downhill. Yes. I will plan for that.
:::
Last week: three runs, one spin, two swims, three yoga classes. (Runs were 6k, 7.5k, and 10k).
This week: four runs (including 10k race), one spin, one bike ride, two swims, three yoga classes. (No long slow runs planned, due to the race on Sunday).
Monday, April 25, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Day 267: Holiday
It's a holiday and my husband is home. We even slept in this morning. Of course, my alarm went off at the usual time (5:14am) because I'd forgotten to turn it off, but I had no trouble crawling back into bed and falling asleep again.
It's been a long week, despite being a short week. I've strugged mentally (and physically) to keep up with my routine. But I've stuck with it. The swim yesterday was dreamlike. The kundalini class last night, our last of this session, and my last until my children are done with their soccer season, was not rippling with energy. But I was content with my level of commitment. I was careful to modify whenever it felt like my shoulder muscle was in pain--ie. not good pain, but bad pain. It's important to know the difference. And I ended the class feeling satisfied, a little bit high, and smiling.
Today, I would like to get to a yoga class to stretch, but have to hurry. And also have to rely on the goodwill of my husband who has already spent the morning with the kids to give me extra writing time (today is usually a writing day, so I was upset by the prospect of missing it; holidays so often fall on Mondays and Fridays, which are my two regular and full writing days; and I resent it, and get stressed about missing that time to work. You have to understand that "work", ie. writing, for me is not like work. It's like breathing.)
Husband's looking a little frazzled. Kind of how I look after a day alone with the kids.
::::
I've just done something spontaneous. I've signed up for a duathlon. It's a 4k run, 30k bike ride, 4k run, and it's happening next month, almost in my own neighbourhood. It will motivate me to a) get a road-worthy bicycle, and b) get out on the road and practice. And it will give me a chance to test my endurance and fitness in advance of the triathlon, while leaving out the scariest portion of the race (to me): the swim. In fact, it will be a longer race than the triathlon. But I am terrified, actually. The road riding part is scary. I don't want to crash.
Here's hoping I can find a bike tomorrow. That's my goal for this weekend.
It's been a long week, despite being a short week. I've strugged mentally (and physically) to keep up with my routine. But I've stuck with it. The swim yesterday was dreamlike. The kundalini class last night, our last of this session, and my last until my children are done with their soccer season, was not rippling with energy. But I was content with my level of commitment. I was careful to modify whenever it felt like my shoulder muscle was in pain--ie. not good pain, but bad pain. It's important to know the difference. And I ended the class feeling satisfied, a little bit high, and smiling.
Today, I would like to get to a yoga class to stretch, but have to hurry. And also have to rely on the goodwill of my husband who has already spent the morning with the kids to give me extra writing time (today is usually a writing day, so I was upset by the prospect of missing it; holidays so often fall on Mondays and Fridays, which are my two regular and full writing days; and I resent it, and get stressed about missing that time to work. You have to understand that "work", ie. writing, for me is not like work. It's like breathing.)
Husband's looking a little frazzled. Kind of how I look after a day alone with the kids.
::::
I've just done something spontaneous. I've signed up for a duathlon. It's a 4k run, 30k bike ride, 4k run, and it's happening next month, almost in my own neighbourhood. It will motivate me to a) get a road-worthy bicycle, and b) get out on the road and practice. And it will give me a chance to test my endurance and fitness in advance of the triathlon, while leaving out the scariest portion of the race (to me): the swim. In fact, it will be a longer race than the triathlon. But I am terrified, actually. The road riding part is scary. I don't want to crash.
Here's hoping I can find a bike tomorrow. That's my goal for this weekend.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Day 266: Epic Nap
Tired. Tired. Tired. I hope it's not burn-out. I think I'm fighting a virus, and have been all week. This morning, I got up and went swimming, swam for a happy hour, showered, came home, and went back to bed. No one in the house was awake yet. I told my husband to put a movie on for the little ones if I wasn't awake by the time the big ones left for school (and I gave him a few other essential instructions, the details of the day ahead that I keep in my brain on behalf of the whole family). And then I collapsed into a deep and epic nap. I slept for nearly two hours. I had a sense of what was going on around me, but nothing disturbed my sleep.
I'm awake now, and preparing for the day ahead, which is busy. I'm wondering: is this schedule in the least bit practical? I could probably complete the triathlon tomorrow with the training I've done. So what more do I need to do? Extra conditioning? I'd like to aim for a marathon, too, and there is the big trail race in the fall, but in the meantime, in the absence of an impossible goal, I'm not sure what to do with myself. Slow down a bit? Do I just need a few days of rest and I'll see clearly again?
Hm, did I just type: "in the absence of an impossible goal, I'm not sure what to do with myself"???? I wonder why I aim for the impossible. Maybe I need the challenge of a goal beyond my current capacity to complete. Or maybe I'm too tired for reflection and not thinking clearly.
Off to continue my day ...
ps Had a lovely early morning run yesterday, the usual 7.5k, and though my calf felt stiff at the beginning, it seemed to have loosened up as I went. But my shoulder is absolutely getting worse. Chiro appointment at noon today.
I'm awake now, and preparing for the day ahead, which is busy. I'm wondering: is this schedule in the least bit practical? I could probably complete the triathlon tomorrow with the training I've done. So what more do I need to do? Extra conditioning? I'd like to aim for a marathon, too, and there is the big trail race in the fall, but in the meantime, in the absence of an impossible goal, I'm not sure what to do with myself. Slow down a bit? Do I just need a few days of rest and I'll see clearly again?
Hm, did I just type: "in the absence of an impossible goal, I'm not sure what to do with myself"???? I wonder why I aim for the impossible. Maybe I need the challenge of a goal beyond my current capacity to complete. Or maybe I'm too tired for reflection and not thinking clearly.
Off to continue my day ...
ps Had a lovely early morning run yesterday, the usual 7.5k, and though my calf felt stiff at the beginning, it seemed to have loosened up as I went. But my shoulder is absolutely getting worse. Chiro appointment at noon today.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Day 264: Post-Half Hangover
Not sure whether it should have taken a week and a bit to set in, but I'm feeling a touch of post-race hangover. Last week, I was bubbling with energy, and this week, I feel just plain old tired. I'm able to keep doing everything, and haven't slowed down (yet), but my energy levels are not as happy and high.
This morning, I found it difficult to get myself in the right head space for spin class. I just didn't want to try that hard. But of course, the further along I got into the class, the more I forgot about everything else and just went with it. That's one of the cool things about exercising hard--it takes you to a different place, a stripped down place. By the end, I actually felt like I could have kept going. Always imagine yourself doing one more minute, one more step, one more movement (that's what my friend K, kundalini instructor extraordinaire, tells us). Just imagine one more. Not ten, not a hundred, definitely not a million. One is possible. It's doable.
So I imagined, this morning, having to do one more set. And I imagined, yesterday, having to do one more kilometre. One day at a time. As they say.
Momentarily, I'm heading to yoga class to stretch in the heat. I am also feeling achy and need to be stretching more regularly. Developing another shoulder ache and looking forward to the chiro appointment on Thursday.
::::
In other news, I will soon have some news to announce, but I'm keeping it under my hat just for now. Next week!
This morning, I found it difficult to get myself in the right head space for spin class. I just didn't want to try that hard. But of course, the further along I got into the class, the more I forgot about everything else and just went with it. That's one of the cool things about exercising hard--it takes you to a different place, a stripped down place. By the end, I actually felt like I could have kept going. Always imagine yourself doing one more minute, one more step, one more movement (that's what my friend K, kundalini instructor extraordinaire, tells us). Just imagine one more. Not ten, not a hundred, definitely not a million. One is possible. It's doable.
So I imagined, this morning, having to do one more set. And I imagined, yesterday, having to do one more kilometre. One day at a time. As they say.
Momentarily, I'm heading to yoga class to stretch in the heat. I am also feeling achy and need to be stretching more regularly. Developing another shoulder ache and looking forward to the chiro appointment on Thursday.
::::
In other news, I will soon have some news to announce, but I'm keeping it under my hat just for now. Next week!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Day 263: Monday
This morning I reflected on the importance of simply showing up. I did not much feel like getting out of bed at 5:15. I did not feel peppy despite two days off (the party with dancing and drinks on Saturday night, the second of two late nights last week, did not help). I did not feel excited or inspired, and I certainly did not relish the thought of running post-swim. But I went through the motions. I showed up.
And it was a lovely swim. The pool was quiet, and I had the lane to myself for the entire 50 minutes. My muscles felt genuinely rested, and I discovered that my arm strength had improved enough to make my strokes more powerful and efficient. My strokes got sloppier toward the end of the swim, but overall, I enjoyed the relative speed and sense of comfort. And the spit-goggles worked again. My mind was free to wander.
After fifty minutes without any rest between lengths, I got out and took a freezing cold shower. Agh! The rec centre seems to be suffering from plumbing problems. And then I dressed in my running clothes, strapped on my son's watch, and headed upstairs to the ice-cold track. I tried to run faster than 5 minutes/km, but that's about what I ended up doing. The chicken arm man was mercifully absent until my last kilometre, and I was fast enough to avoid seeing him more than the one time. After all that mental whining and resistance, I cheered up at the track and decided to add a kilometre to my planned run: 6k. It was pleasant. Now, whenever I need a mental boost during a run, I just think, hey, you did a half-marathon, you can do this, no problem.
That sense of accomplishment is invaluable. As I ran around the track, I thought about how hard it is to do anything for the first time: you just don't know whether you'll be able to complete your chosen task. It takes a massive leap of courage and imagination. That's still how I'm feeling about the triathlon. And then what a weight lifts when the task has been accomplished: ah, yes, I can do that. I thought that I could, and I tried it, and I did it. The next one will be easier if only because you know what to expect. It's like having children. By the fourth, you're so much more relaxed about everything; yes, surprises can and do crop up, no matter how much experience you have, but experience is a gift. It gives confidence. And it expands your understanding of your own capacity to achieve and to do.
As I munched on a protein bar in the parking lot (I know, gross, but man, I 'd been looking forward to that bar for most of the run), I thought: hey, what a great way to start the day, and the week. And all I had to do was show up.
::::
Last week: two swims, one spin, two runs, three yoga classes.
This week's plan: two swims, one spin, three runs, three or four yoga classes.
And it was a lovely swim. The pool was quiet, and I had the lane to myself for the entire 50 minutes. My muscles felt genuinely rested, and I discovered that my arm strength had improved enough to make my strokes more powerful and efficient. My strokes got sloppier toward the end of the swim, but overall, I enjoyed the relative speed and sense of comfort. And the spit-goggles worked again. My mind was free to wander.
After fifty minutes without any rest between lengths, I got out and took a freezing cold shower. Agh! The rec centre seems to be suffering from plumbing problems. And then I dressed in my running clothes, strapped on my son's watch, and headed upstairs to the ice-cold track. I tried to run faster than 5 minutes/km, but that's about what I ended up doing. The chicken arm man was mercifully absent until my last kilometre, and I was fast enough to avoid seeing him more than the one time. After all that mental whining and resistance, I cheered up at the track and decided to add a kilometre to my planned run: 6k. It was pleasant. Now, whenever I need a mental boost during a run, I just think, hey, you did a half-marathon, you can do this, no problem.
That sense of accomplishment is invaluable. As I ran around the track, I thought about how hard it is to do anything for the first time: you just don't know whether you'll be able to complete your chosen task. It takes a massive leap of courage and imagination. That's still how I'm feeling about the triathlon. And then what a weight lifts when the task has been accomplished: ah, yes, I can do that. I thought that I could, and I tried it, and I did it. The next one will be easier if only because you know what to expect. It's like having children. By the fourth, you're so much more relaxed about everything; yes, surprises can and do crop up, no matter how much experience you have, but experience is a gift. It gives confidence. And it expands your understanding of your own capacity to achieve and to do.
As I munched on a protein bar in the parking lot (I know, gross, but man, I 'd been looking forward to that bar for most of the run), I thought: hey, what a great way to start the day, and the week. And all I had to do was show up.
::::
Last week: two swims, one spin, two runs, three yoga classes.
This week's plan: two swims, one spin, three runs, three or four yoga classes.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Day 260: Experiment
I was going to take today off.
Due to some scheduling changes, I rose early Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week, and had therefore planned to skip any exercise today due to heading out to a concert last night (my siblings play in a band that must be seen and must be danced to, and they had a show in a city nearby). But when I woke up this morning, I realized that tomorrow my husband is working, and I'll be hard-pressed to get out for a long run, or even to a yoga class, and that Sunday is already packed with family events. Which left today; specifically, this morning.
So when I got out of bed, I pulled on my running clothes. All I have to do is put on the clothes, and it's like a superhero getting changed in a phone booth: I must fulfill this morning's destiny, as dictated by my wardrobe. (This is why I've come around to appreciating work-out gear and clothing. a) It's super-comfortable. b) It makes me feel like an athlete.). I had to get the kids off to school, a juggling act that requires me, on mornings when my husband isn't home, to be in two places at once (actually, it requires me to drive, which kind of sucks). So I asked a friend to walk my youngest daughter to the bus stop, and I walked my youngest son to his nursery school, realizing about a quarter of the way there that we were both completely underdressed (yah, it's sunny, but that wind cuts like a knife), and that he'd changed his mind about riding his balance bicycle. Suffice it to say: not a fun walk. But as soon as we'd arrived, and he got settled, I was off.
I made up my route as I went along, winding down familiar trails and streets. It usually takes my legs about a kilometre--and sometimes more--to settle in and get comfortable. Today, my legs never felt settled in. My lungs were calm and relaxed, but my muscles were weary. I had some pain in my lower left calf. I felt sluggish. But I also felt confident that I could tough it out and run for awhile. When I measured my route afterward (using the google maps distance measurement app), I'd gone 7k. That might be it for my running this week. My body seemed to be saying: slow down, take a day off, rest.
Somehow, I'd forgotten that yesterday was a crazy busy day. I swam for an hour in the morning. I went to a 90-minute kundalini class in the evening (lots of strength work and lunges), and then I went out and danced my butt off. I fell into bed about four or hours later than usual. And I was up by 7. Duh. No wonder my muscles were tired.
The experiment referred to in the blog title is about changing my exercise time. I wondered how it would change the rhythm of my morning to exercise immediately upon sending the kids to school, then shower, and get on with my day. No nap needed because I wouldn't be getting up early. My conclusion is that it's okay in a pinch, but not ideal. I was home and showered by 10am. But it took me longer to get myself organized for the day. I've made the nap a routine part of my morning, and it's not disruptive, it's just part of the flow of the day. Rise early, exercise, shower, home in time to make breakfast and see kids off to school and often to get supper into the crockpot, too. Then a power nap, usually about 40 minutes, then up for more food and coffee which I take up to my office and enjoy there. I'm usually sitting at my desk by 10, already feeling a sense of accomplishment. So I'm going to stick with it. But it's good to know that on mornings when I don't have the option to exercise early, a quick run can be tucked in, too, without sacrificing much time.
Due to some scheduling changes, I rose early Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week, and had therefore planned to skip any exercise today due to heading out to a concert last night (my siblings play in a band that must be seen and must be danced to, and they had a show in a city nearby). But when I woke up this morning, I realized that tomorrow my husband is working, and I'll be hard-pressed to get out for a long run, or even to a yoga class, and that Sunday is already packed with family events. Which left today; specifically, this morning.
So when I got out of bed, I pulled on my running clothes. All I have to do is put on the clothes, and it's like a superhero getting changed in a phone booth: I must fulfill this morning's destiny, as dictated by my wardrobe. (This is why I've come around to appreciating work-out gear and clothing. a) It's super-comfortable. b) It makes me feel like an athlete.). I had to get the kids off to school, a juggling act that requires me, on mornings when my husband isn't home, to be in two places at once (actually, it requires me to drive, which kind of sucks). So I asked a friend to walk my youngest daughter to the bus stop, and I walked my youngest son to his nursery school, realizing about a quarter of the way there that we were both completely underdressed (yah, it's sunny, but that wind cuts like a knife), and that he'd changed his mind about riding his balance bicycle. Suffice it to say: not a fun walk. But as soon as we'd arrived, and he got settled, I was off.
I made up my route as I went along, winding down familiar trails and streets. It usually takes my legs about a kilometre--and sometimes more--to settle in and get comfortable. Today, my legs never felt settled in. My lungs were calm and relaxed, but my muscles were weary. I had some pain in my lower left calf. I felt sluggish. But I also felt confident that I could tough it out and run for awhile. When I measured my route afterward (using the google maps distance measurement app), I'd gone 7k. That might be it for my running this week. My body seemed to be saying: slow down, take a day off, rest.
Somehow, I'd forgotten that yesterday was a crazy busy day. I swam for an hour in the morning. I went to a 90-minute kundalini class in the evening (lots of strength work and lunges), and then I went out and danced my butt off. I fell into bed about four or hours later than usual. And I was up by 7. Duh. No wonder my muscles were tired.
The experiment referred to in the blog title is about changing my exercise time. I wondered how it would change the rhythm of my morning to exercise immediately upon sending the kids to school, then shower, and get on with my day. No nap needed because I wouldn't be getting up early. My conclusion is that it's okay in a pinch, but not ideal. I was home and showered by 10am. But it took me longer to get myself organized for the day. I've made the nap a routine part of my morning, and it's not disruptive, it's just part of the flow of the day. Rise early, exercise, shower, home in time to make breakfast and see kids off to school and often to get supper into the crockpot, too. Then a power nap, usually about 40 minutes, then up for more food and coffee which I take up to my office and enjoy there. I'm usually sitting at my desk by 10, already feeling a sense of accomplishment. So I'm going to stick with it. But it's good to know that on mornings when I don't have the option to exercise early, a quick run can be tucked in, too, without sacrificing much time.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Day 259: You gotta swim
No. Actually, I gotta swim. I gotta swim and swim and swim.
This morning, I took my friend T's advice and tried spitting into my goggles before affixing them to my face. Gross. I know. My friend N, who swims with me, said, "Did you just spit into your goggles?" I was trying to do it in a subtle way (plus she doesn't wear her glasses when she swims, so I thought she might not notice). "Uh, yes." But it worked. Or maybe I just fit them on better this time. No leaking, no fogging.
Some freaking out, though. It's not the swimming in the pool that freaks me out. It's the swimming in the lake. With the other people. Who are racing. And therefore in a hurry and probably kicking and splashing aggressively as they strive to complete the distance. And therefore maybe kicking me. And my goggles?! And my wetsuit. I've borrowed a wetsuit. My massage therapist is a triathlete and personal trainer (another Ironman Woman!), and she loaned me her wetsuit. Now I just have to figure out how to get in and out of the dang thing, and, um, swim in it. Apparently, it makes one more buoyant, but slightly restricts the arm movement. In order to practice swimming in it, I will have to get over my embarrassment hump. I've never seen anyone at the pool in a wetsuit. Will I look like a fool? A tool? Will I sink like a stone? The answers to the first two questions really don't matter, but that last question needs to be answered definitively before the triathlon takes place.
Some other tips from my massage therapist:
1. Swim wide. Avoid the crowd. Don't panic. (She didn't say what to do if I'm already panicking and I'm on dry land and the triathlon is still two months away).
2. Pull the cord on the wetsuit while running toward the bike transition area.
3. Don't eat in the transition area. It's a gong-show. Get your bike, get going, get your heart rate down, then drink and eat.
4. Practice running immediately after a bike ride. The blood goes to your legs during the bike ride, and therefore out of your feet. It's a weird sensation.
5. Wear bike shoes that clip in for anything more than 10k, or your feet will go numb.
6. Ask around at the local bike shops for used/cheap new tri-bikes.
7. Don't try anything new during the race.
Today's swim was lovely. The length is 25m on Thursday mornings, and there are a bunch of teens training in one section of the pool. I like the length. I was in a good rhythm. It was a good swim. (My nap afterward was most unsatisfactory, but hey. You can't have it all).
This morning, I took my friend T's advice and tried spitting into my goggles before affixing them to my face. Gross. I know. My friend N, who swims with me, said, "Did you just spit into your goggles?" I was trying to do it in a subtle way (plus she doesn't wear her glasses when she swims, so I thought she might not notice). "Uh, yes." But it worked. Or maybe I just fit them on better this time. No leaking, no fogging.
Some freaking out, though. It's not the swimming in the pool that freaks me out. It's the swimming in the lake. With the other people. Who are racing. And therefore in a hurry and probably kicking and splashing aggressively as they strive to complete the distance. And therefore maybe kicking me. And my goggles?! And my wetsuit. I've borrowed a wetsuit. My massage therapist is a triathlete and personal trainer (another Ironman Woman!), and she loaned me her wetsuit. Now I just have to figure out how to get in and out of the dang thing, and, um, swim in it. Apparently, it makes one more buoyant, but slightly restricts the arm movement. In order to practice swimming in it, I will have to get over my embarrassment hump. I've never seen anyone at the pool in a wetsuit. Will I look like a fool? A tool? Will I sink like a stone? The answers to the first two questions really don't matter, but that last question needs to be answered definitively before the triathlon takes place.
Some other tips from my massage therapist:
1. Swim wide. Avoid the crowd. Don't panic. (She didn't say what to do if I'm already panicking and I'm on dry land and the triathlon is still two months away).
2. Pull the cord on the wetsuit while running toward the bike transition area.
3. Don't eat in the transition area. It's a gong-show. Get your bike, get going, get your heart rate down, then drink and eat.
4. Practice running immediately after a bike ride. The blood goes to your legs during the bike ride, and therefore out of your feet. It's a weird sensation.
5. Wear bike shoes that clip in for anything more than 10k, or your feet will go numb.
6. Ask around at the local bike shops for used/cheap new tri-bikes.
7. Don't try anything new during the race.
Today's swim was lovely. The length is 25m on Thursday mornings, and there are a bunch of teens training in one section of the pool. I like the length. I was in a good rhythm. It was a good swim. (My nap afterward was most unsatisfactory, but hey. You can't have it all).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)