Feeling Sick

I caught whatever Skyler had. Kinda a bummer because I was on a roll this week. I toned it down a bit on Wednesday and Thursday. I did some ExerciseTV sessions so I didn't push myself too hard. My legs are pretty sore. Jillian Michaels is a good instructor. I wish she did triathlons and could train me everyday. This weekend I would like to do a long bike ride and run.

Long Run

Yesterday I did a long run. I ran 7.2 miles in 62 minutes. If you calculate that, it equals NOT FAST. I don't know what my running problem is but I need to get it fixed quickly. My workout runs need to be sub-8:00 runs. I think I will work on my strides. I'm going to avoid sprinting because of my sore quads. I'm not sure what I'm doing tonight. I brought some stuff with me, so I think I might hit the gym and do some cardio and weights. We'll see.

Bummed Out!

My triathlon was a bust, for two reasons. First, they cancelled the swim because of the uncertainty of the waves. That really bummed me out because the swim is my strongest leg. Second, the rest of my race was bad. I'm not sure if it was because I didn't feel the need to push my hardest, but I just didn't do well. My bike time was only a few seconds faster than last year and my run time was a few seconds slower. Overall, it was a crappy day. I was pouty for the remainder of the day. I really wanted to prove that I was a US champion who could qualify for a world championship race. Instead, it sucked!

So let's move onto the next race. Next up is the Disneyland Half Marathon on September 6. I've never run a half marathon by itself so this should be a challenge for me. I really need to work on my running because I haven't returned to normal since before my physical therapy last year. I need to ramp up my time and mileage. My quads are still hurting. I think it's from sprinting. I've been playing a lot of softball lately so I've been doing more sprinting than I should be. I will tone it down a bit.

I am rededicting myself to training. First it starts with nutrition. Eat at home more often. Let's say 3 meals during the week and one night on the weekend. Second, cut out more sweets, especially in social settings. If I get a craving, yogurt with fruit will be my solution. Third, incorporate more vegetables into my diet. Fourth, less cereal for breakfast in the morning.

I will add 10 additional minutes to my workout routine each day. I will also be doing 100 ab reps to help give my stomach a "facelift."

Yesterday I started it off by swimming for one hour. I swam 100 laps (2500m) in 50 minutes, then did a few drills. Today I will be running for one hour (I need to give my legs a few days to ramp up to a longer distance).

Tapering

Tuesday I swam for about 35 minutes. Later that night I swam for an hour (only part of that time was actually swimming)

Wednesday-nothing

Thursday- I ran 3.6 miles in 31 minutes. I wasn't running hard because I didn't want to push my legs. My hamstrings are still feeling sore. I wonder if it's just from sprinting in softball.

I'm not doing any more before my race. I don't feel as ready as I would like to be, but I think I will do fine. I would like to finish in 1:22:00 (1:47 faster than last year). I need clean transitions, faster bike, and faster run. Good luck to me!

Catch-Up

I raced in the OC Mud Run on Saturday morning. It was a lot of fun! My time was 54 minutes exactly. I wasn't thrilled with my time, but I didn't realize how hard it would be to run with muddy shoes. It was like running with weights on.

Yesterday I was too lazy to venture outside to do anything. I found Exercise TV on my On Demand and did three workouts--cardio, legs, and abs. I am pretty sore today but felt great last night.

Tonight I am swimming.

Tomorrow I am biking or running. Thursday is softball. Friday off. Saturday off. Sunday race!

Two Workouts, One Day

Yesterday I ran in the morning. Last night I went swimming with Carrie. It felt good to get two workouts in because I missed Monday.

Today I am going on a bike ride. I wish their were some hills that were closer to my house. I need the practice.

Saturday is the OC Mud Run. I am excited, but a little nervous.

I'm trying

After a weekend of laying in the sun, it's time to get down to business. Two big events on the next two weekends. Yesterday I swam at the Anaheim Hills gym. The weather is perfect for an outdoor pool. I swam 64 laps (one mile) in 32 minutes. Then I did some drills. My swimming seems to have slipped a little bit, so I am going to try swimming distances again.

Since I wasn't planning on working out after work today, I ran this morning. I ran 4.2 miles. I didn't time myself, but I don't think it was too fast. Hopefully I will be ready for this weekend.

Tonight I might swim with Carrie.

Tomorrow I would like to ride my bike.

Week Summary

Tuesday I went to the swim clinic and swam 2000 yards. We did some drillsand then a ladder. Skyler said he was a little tired halfway through but he finished strong, unlike me who faded at the end. I was trying to breathe on both sides, which is really hard for me. I get out of breath very easily.

Wednesday I went on a bike ride down to the beach. It took 43 minutes there and 36 minutes back. It was pretty windy. I need to do a 36 minute ride during my race.

Thursday-softball. My legs are still hurting from sprinting. I am going to lay off that for a while.

This morning I went for a morning run. I am having a very hard time running lately. I get tired easily, I am cramping, and out of breath. I'm not sure how to remedy. I ran 46 minutes this morning and I had to break at 20 minutes. 5.3 miles total. Not good. I need to work on my pace, at the same time I need to work on running further.

This weekend-Lake Mead!

Holiday Weekend

I remember the days when a holiday meant a holiday from working out too. Those days are long gone. Now, a holiday means that I have more time to train. Friday I went on a mountain bike ride with Mike and Skyler. We went to Ladera Ranch. There are no big climbs or descents, but it was fun.

Saturday I ran in a local 5k. It actually was 2.95 miles, which I did in 22:07 minutes. We rode our beach cruisers a lot that day too.

Yesterday I ran over to Orange High School and worked on 200 sprints. I think I need to be more careful with that because my quads are sore again, like maybe I pulled a muscle. Also, my shin splints are acting up again. I need to take it easy except for that I have a 10k race next Saturday.

Tonight Skyler and I are going to a swim clinic. I am so excited because I need someone to look at my technique to make sure I am swimming at fast as possible.

Bad Running Day

Yesterday I went running. It was hot outside! I was having a really hard time. I kept cramping or my legs would start hurting. I started and stopped a lot, which I hate to do because it makes the run so much harder. My total distance was 7 miles, but I walked about a mile of that and probably stopped about 6 times. Lame!

Today I would like to do a ride to the beach and back. To prepare for my tri, I would like to do twice the distance of each leg, but do it fast. I need to work on my sprinting. Last year my time was 1:23, a 10 minute improvement from the previous year. This year I would like to break 1:20, but that seems very difficult to do. I will need to shave 30 seconds from my swim, 2 minutes from my bike and 30 seconds from my run. I can do it!