Hey All
Had a great training weekend. Saturday morning saw me on my bike at 7:00 a.m. for 4 hours. My trainer buddy stopped to tell me he bought a kinetic trainer like mine. My new little girl friend stopped by to say hi and to tell me she got a new "big girl" bed with a white blanket and an elderly gentleman enquired if I had gone 100 kms yet. Even the maintenance guys are getting in on the act. When I had 7 minutes left to ride, he told me not to hurry - that the gym stayed open until 4:00 p.m.
I was worried when I did not see Ron but eventually I heard a knock on the glass and there was Ron waving hello. Coach Paul stopped in as usual to see how I was doing and to drop off my cycling program for next Saturday.
Sunday saw me running 20 kms with Elaine Darling and Liz Valiant. Now my schedule said 14 kms but I had run 16 the week before and felt I was up for it. Sunday's run with these two chicks was one of the best I have ever had and is going to be firming entrenched in my memory for those days that my run sucks. The pace was perfect, the weather was great, and the company was outstanding. The kilometres flew by and before I knew it we were turning around. Since we are all training for Around the Bay, Elaine save some hills for us at the very end of our run.
Tonight I am back on my bike for an hour and then in the pool at 9:00 p.m. This week is expecially busy for me because I need to get my bike in for a fitting and tune up before it jumps in Coach Paul's trainer for its trip to Florida.
Later, Lisa
Monday, 30 January 2012
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
Down can be Good
Weigh in last night went really well. Body fat percentage - down 2.5%; lbs of fat lost - 3.5; litres of water - up 2; and lean muscle gained - .5 lbs. So I was pretty happy and was really pleased that my friend Jeff Drinkle was very successful last night as well.
In the pool this morning at 5:30 a.m. for Paul's swim class and then continued on after class to get my long swim in. Paul watched me for a while and came over and told me I should take no longer than 27 strokes to get from one end of the pool to the other. I was consistently taking 29. I am never sure if Paul takes into consideration that I am stumpy limbed person. While I would like to have the arm span of my friend Colin, I can't see it happening.
Off to bike class tonight. I have had to take time out of my triathlon training schedule this week to be Mom. Ethan, who is never sick, has been down with a viral infection since Sunday and no matter how old they get, they become momma's boys when they are sick. Occasionally life is going to get in the way and we have to take this into stride - until I turn pro. :)
Lisa
In the pool this morning at 5:30 a.m. for Paul's swim class and then continued on after class to get my long swim in. Paul watched me for a while and came over and told me I should take no longer than 27 strokes to get from one end of the pool to the other. I was consistently taking 29. I am never sure if Paul takes into consideration that I am stumpy limbed person. While I would like to have the arm span of my friend Colin, I can't see it happening.
Off to bike class tonight. I have had to take time out of my triathlon training schedule this week to be Mom. Ethan, who is never sick, has been down with a viral infection since Sunday and no matter how old they get, they become momma's boys when they are sick. Occasionally life is going to get in the way and we have to take this into stride - until I turn pro. :)
Lisa
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
A Solid Week of Training
Hey all:
Last week was a good solid week of training. Everything came together and I was happy without how things went. I felt strong on my bike on Monday, Wednsday and Saturday and in the pool on Monday and Wednesday. On Sunday my long run was challenging in that I ran with a faster group of people.
Saturday morning I was on my bike at the Whitby Rec by 7:15 a.m. I had anticipated arriving earlier but was not aware that it had snowed until I went out to leave. I did not take into consideration the extra time needed to clean off my van. Who am I kidding - Glen does this for me anyhow. But on Saturday I let him sleep in and I did it myself.
My Saturday bike this week was 3:45. I finished watching "Million Dollar Baby" and "Red Eye". I also did the Monster Endurance class from the previous week that Paul had so generously dropped off for me. :) My trainer man was back and he told me about what bike shops he had been to and which trainer he was thinking of buying. Then an older gentleman stopped by and told me he had been watching me for over an hour and I had not gone anywhere. Everyone is a comedian and when I am on my bike, they have a captive audience. Ron stopped in to see how I was doing and to talk about that morning's spin class. And of course, Coach Paul stopped in on his way home to see how my ride was going and to drop off that day's spin class for me to do next Saturday.
A number of parents taking their children to swim class stopped by to see what I was training for and to hear about my fundraiser. One little girl in particular just charmed Paul and I. She wanted her dad to bring her over so she could say hi to the lady on the bike. During our conversation, she told me she had a "tricycle" just like mine at home. I supposed since I am pedalling away and going no where it might appear that I am on a tricycle.
Sunday found me running with the Running Room with a faster pace group than what I would usually run. It is so easy if you are running with the same person year after year to run their pace and not your own. And you dont have to challenge yourself. Coach Paul has been drumming this into my head for years. Since I have been training for Ironman Texas I have kicked my running up a notch. Tuesday nights I run with Susan, Michelle, Elaine and Christine - all faster runners than me and I am forced to pick up my pace or suffer their taunts and ridicule. They are a tough love group and don't care if you are tired or hurting.
On Sunday, I ran 16 kms with the 2:00 half marathon group from the Running Room. The fastest I have ever ran a half marathon is 2:15. I never thought to ask until about the 10 km mark which group I was in. Maybe I should have thought of that sooner. Susan, Elaine and Christine were all part of the group as well. The thing about these girls is that even though they say they will slow down if you are struggling, they lie. They are great for encouragement but slowing down is not an option. I am proud to say that I stayed with the group right to the 16 km mark. Then collapsed.
Only two odd things happened while training this week. I continue to swim after my 5:30 a.m. class on Wednesdays to get my long swim in. After the class there were only about 3 of us in the fast lane. After being tucked in like sardines in Paul's swim class and coming out unscathed, one of the two guys in the fast lane who swung his arms out to the side punched me right in the hand and jammed three of my fingers. It stung for awhile but no damage done.
The other odd thing happened at about the 13 km mark of our long run on Sunday. We were a little pack of 10 women and the pace setter Jack running up Anderson single file. Most cars are very considerate and move to the left hand lane to give runners a wide birth. Not so the little chippy in the speeding car with the stereo blaring. She decided just to come right through without moving at all. I am not sure she even saw us. I just heard Jack yell something and saw everyone diving for the grass so I followed suit. Seriously, it was 10:00 in the morning on a bright sunny day with 11 people wearing various neon colours.
Tonight is my monthly weigh in and body fat analysis and I am hoping for good numbers again.
Lisa
Last week was a good solid week of training. Everything came together and I was happy without how things went. I felt strong on my bike on Monday, Wednsday and Saturday and in the pool on Monday and Wednesday. On Sunday my long run was challenging in that I ran with a faster group of people.
Saturday morning I was on my bike at the Whitby Rec by 7:15 a.m. I had anticipated arriving earlier but was not aware that it had snowed until I went out to leave. I did not take into consideration the extra time needed to clean off my van. Who am I kidding - Glen does this for me anyhow. But on Saturday I let him sleep in and I did it myself.
My Saturday bike this week was 3:45. I finished watching "Million Dollar Baby" and "Red Eye". I also did the Monster Endurance class from the previous week that Paul had so generously dropped off for me. :) My trainer man was back and he told me about what bike shops he had been to and which trainer he was thinking of buying. Then an older gentleman stopped by and told me he had been watching me for over an hour and I had not gone anywhere. Everyone is a comedian and when I am on my bike, they have a captive audience. Ron stopped in to see how I was doing and to talk about that morning's spin class. And of course, Coach Paul stopped in on his way home to see how my ride was going and to drop off that day's spin class for me to do next Saturday.
A number of parents taking their children to swim class stopped by to see what I was training for and to hear about my fundraiser. One little girl in particular just charmed Paul and I. She wanted her dad to bring her over so she could say hi to the lady on the bike. During our conversation, she told me she had a "tricycle" just like mine at home. I supposed since I am pedalling away and going no where it might appear that I am on a tricycle.
Sunday found me running with the Running Room with a faster pace group than what I would usually run. It is so easy if you are running with the same person year after year to run their pace and not your own. And you dont have to challenge yourself. Coach Paul has been drumming this into my head for years. Since I have been training for Ironman Texas I have kicked my running up a notch. Tuesday nights I run with Susan, Michelle, Elaine and Christine - all faster runners than me and I am forced to pick up my pace or suffer their taunts and ridicule. They are a tough love group and don't care if you are tired or hurting.
On Sunday, I ran 16 kms with the 2:00 half marathon group from the Running Room. The fastest I have ever ran a half marathon is 2:15. I never thought to ask until about the 10 km mark which group I was in. Maybe I should have thought of that sooner. Susan, Elaine and Christine were all part of the group as well. The thing about these girls is that even though they say they will slow down if you are struggling, they lie. They are great for encouragement but slowing down is not an option. I am proud to say that I stayed with the group right to the 16 km mark. Then collapsed.
Only two odd things happened while training this week. I continue to swim after my 5:30 a.m. class on Wednesdays to get my long swim in. After the class there were only about 3 of us in the fast lane. After being tucked in like sardines in Paul's swim class and coming out unscathed, one of the two guys in the fast lane who swung his arms out to the side punched me right in the hand and jammed three of my fingers. It stung for awhile but no damage done.
The other odd thing happened at about the 13 km mark of our long run on Sunday. We were a little pack of 10 women and the pace setter Jack running up Anderson single file. Most cars are very considerate and move to the left hand lane to give runners a wide birth. Not so the little chippy in the speeding car with the stereo blaring. She decided just to come right through without moving at all. I am not sure she even saw us. I just heard Jack yell something and saw everyone diving for the grass so I followed suit. Seriously, it was 10:00 in the morning on a bright sunny day with 11 people wearing various neon colours.
Tonight is my monthly weigh in and body fat analysis and I am hoping for good numbers again.
Lisa
Thursday, 19 January 2012
4 Months to Go
Four months from today will find me out on the course at Ironman Texas.
Today I messaged my friends Shawn, Michelle and Carolyn who will be doing Ironman Texas as well to see if panic had set in. Now I have known these three for a number of years from the triathlon community and they are a great bunch of people. And yes, they are as panicked as I am.
I remember training for my first ironman in Lake Placid and it was pure fear training because we (John, Susan and I) did not know what to expect. We clung together like wet puppies the day of the race. We were petrified the morning of the race but Coach Paul got us laughing. I have a really bad habit of either stiking my nose plug on the strap of my swim suit or in the pocket of my tri suit. Well sure enough, I was completely in my wet suit and I realized the little bulge mid thigh was my nose plug. I went to take off my wet suit but Paul said no - he could reach down and get it. Well what followed was a comedy routine straight out of Laurel and Hardy. Paul would not give up and he rooted around in my wet suit trying to find my nose plug. I swear I had a more thorough exam than my yearly visit to my gynecologist. Sue and John were doubled over laughing and other triathletes were standing around wondering what in the world Paul was doing. He finally admitted defeat and I stripped off my wet suit and grabbed my nose plug. Thank goodness Patty and her camera were nowhere in sight.
Because Ironman Lake Placid is done in loops I repeated saw friendly faces and that certainly kept me going. The swim in Texas takes place in a canal. The run is done in three loops but the bike is one big loop so I will be out there on my own - trying to not fall off my bike and be distracted by cowboys.
In addition to my hubby Glen, I will have Shawn, Michelle and Carolyn for support in Texas. I am sure I will see them on at least one loop of the run. Plus I will be taking my own personal cheerleader - Susan Typert - with me to Texas, and of course, Coach Paul, will be making the trek as well. Both Paul and Sue are able to keep me focused and calm which is a feat in itself. For my first half ironman in Muskoka, Glen drove me down with my face in a bag barfing and crying. What that poor man has to put up with. The morning of the race I was completely calm.
The week before Ironman Penticton, I was a total basket case. Crying, throwing up, screaming like a crazy woman. I remember going thru the arch at the Ironman Canada registration and seeing all those triathletes, and my son Ethan put his arm around me and said "you'll be okay now Mom. You are amongst your people." Too funny but right.
So I will continue to press on with my training. Paul will continue to alleviate my fears and I am going to have dinner with my Texas training buddies so we can mutually support each other.
Remember, it takes a village to raise a triathlete. :)
Lisa
Today I messaged my friends Shawn, Michelle and Carolyn who will be doing Ironman Texas as well to see if panic had set in. Now I have known these three for a number of years from the triathlon community and they are a great bunch of people. And yes, they are as panicked as I am.
I remember training for my first ironman in Lake Placid and it was pure fear training because we (John, Susan and I) did not know what to expect. We clung together like wet puppies the day of the race. We were petrified the morning of the race but Coach Paul got us laughing. I have a really bad habit of either stiking my nose plug on the strap of my swim suit or in the pocket of my tri suit. Well sure enough, I was completely in my wet suit and I realized the little bulge mid thigh was my nose plug. I went to take off my wet suit but Paul said no - he could reach down and get it. Well what followed was a comedy routine straight out of Laurel and Hardy. Paul would not give up and he rooted around in my wet suit trying to find my nose plug. I swear I had a more thorough exam than my yearly visit to my gynecologist. Sue and John were doubled over laughing and other triathletes were standing around wondering what in the world Paul was doing. He finally admitted defeat and I stripped off my wet suit and grabbed my nose plug. Thank goodness Patty and her camera were nowhere in sight.
Because Ironman Lake Placid is done in loops I repeated saw friendly faces and that certainly kept me going. The swim in Texas takes place in a canal. The run is done in three loops but the bike is one big loop so I will be out there on my own - trying to not fall off my bike and be distracted by cowboys.
In addition to my hubby Glen, I will have Shawn, Michelle and Carolyn for support in Texas. I am sure I will see them on at least one loop of the run. Plus I will be taking my own personal cheerleader - Susan Typert - with me to Texas, and of course, Coach Paul, will be making the trek as well. Both Paul and Sue are able to keep me focused and calm which is a feat in itself. For my first half ironman in Muskoka, Glen drove me down with my face in a bag barfing and crying. What that poor man has to put up with. The morning of the race I was completely calm.
The week before Ironman Penticton, I was a total basket case. Crying, throwing up, screaming like a crazy woman. I remember going thru the arch at the Ironman Canada registration and seeing all those triathletes, and my son Ethan put his arm around me and said "you'll be okay now Mom. You are amongst your people." Too funny but right.
So I will continue to press on with my training. Paul will continue to alleviate my fears and I am going to have dinner with my Texas training buddies so we can mutually support each other.
Remember, it takes a village to raise a triathlete. :)
Lisa
Monday, 16 January 2012
Equilibrium Restored
Hey All:
After my breakdown of last week, I went out Thursday night and had a great 10 km run. It was one of those times that the weather was good (the rain stopped long enough for me to run), I was not overdressed, which I have a habit of doing, and my pace although not setting any speed records, was such that I felt like I could have run for hours. These are the days that you remember why you are out there and you need these days to reflect back on because there are those days when you are questioning your sanity and ready to throw in the towel.
Friday night is my night off from training and it is my pizza night with my father-in-law Bill. My friends know that my Friday nights are sacred and I am not available. My father-in-law and I have grown closer over the years and although he thinks I might be a little long in the tooth to be doing triathlons, he is always supportive and I call him after each race to let him know that I am okay and how I have done.
Saturday morning saw me back on my bike at the Whitby Rec Centre. This week the movies were "Awake" and "Million Dollar Baby". There was also alot of activity going on at the Rec Centre with the start of swim lessons. I became quite the attraction to small children. I offered assistance to parent's who could not find the pool and had an indepth discussion with a gentleman who had never seen a trainer before and thought that was the greatest thing ever.
Ron stopped in on his way to the second half of his brick. Ron accused me of sleeping in on Saturdays and not spinning with the rest of the Monster Class. I confess, I do get to sleep in until 6:00 a.m. now but I am on my bike and riding by 7:15 at the latest. Saturday's ride was 3 hours 30 minutes and the time flew by.
Coach Paul stopped in to see me on his way home from Monster Endurance Class and we chatted about a number of things - my upcoming training week in Florida, transportation of my bike, and where my head is these days. I have learnt over the years that I can tell Paul anything and he can make it better. And he did, so my head is squarely back where it should be and I am focused on Ironman Texas which is where I need to be right now.
Ironman Texas is 4 months from Thursday, January 19th. That four months is going to fly by and then 6 weeks after that is the Mont Tremblant Half Ironman (which I still have to tell Glen about). Yeah, maybe I better do that soon.
Lisa
After my breakdown of last week, I went out Thursday night and had a great 10 km run. It was one of those times that the weather was good (the rain stopped long enough for me to run), I was not overdressed, which I have a habit of doing, and my pace although not setting any speed records, was such that I felt like I could have run for hours. These are the days that you remember why you are out there and you need these days to reflect back on because there are those days when you are questioning your sanity and ready to throw in the towel.
Friday night is my night off from training and it is my pizza night with my father-in-law Bill. My friends know that my Friday nights are sacred and I am not available. My father-in-law and I have grown closer over the years and although he thinks I might be a little long in the tooth to be doing triathlons, he is always supportive and I call him after each race to let him know that I am okay and how I have done.
Saturday morning saw me back on my bike at the Whitby Rec Centre. This week the movies were "Awake" and "Million Dollar Baby". There was also alot of activity going on at the Rec Centre with the start of swim lessons. I became quite the attraction to small children. I offered assistance to parent's who could not find the pool and had an indepth discussion with a gentleman who had never seen a trainer before and thought that was the greatest thing ever.
Ron stopped in on his way to the second half of his brick. Ron accused me of sleeping in on Saturdays and not spinning with the rest of the Monster Class. I confess, I do get to sleep in until 6:00 a.m. now but I am on my bike and riding by 7:15 at the latest. Saturday's ride was 3 hours 30 minutes and the time flew by.
Coach Paul stopped in to see me on his way home from Monster Endurance Class and we chatted about a number of things - my upcoming training week in Florida, transportation of my bike, and where my head is these days. I have learnt over the years that I can tell Paul anything and he can make it better. And he did, so my head is squarely back where it should be and I am focused on Ironman Texas which is where I need to be right now.
Ironman Texas is 4 months from Thursday, January 19th. That four months is going to fly by and then 6 weeks after that is the Mont Tremblant Half Ironman (which I still have to tell Glen about). Yeah, maybe I better do that soon.
Lisa
Thursday, 12 January 2012
Keeping it all together
Hey all:
Training for a triathlon, especially an ironman, is a balancing act even on good days. None of us are pros - we all have jobs, spouses, kids, etc. and on top of that we have to fit in the time to train. Sometimes it can be overwhelming. Such was my day yesterday.
Monday night I did weights, jumped on my bike for an hour and then did Paul's advanced swim class. Tuesday morning I felt like I had been hit by a truck but I met up with my Tuesday night run club for a painful 8 km run.
Wednesday morning - when I was supposed to be in the pool - I was headed into my office early. I have worked for the same lawyer for 22 years since I left university. To say he is demanding is an understatement. In the 2 years before I was hired, he had gone thru 14 temps. I am always going 110% at my office.
After another highly stressful day, compiled with guilt over missing my 5:30 a.m. swim class, and my body still aching from the neck down, I went to spin class. Coach Paul just had to ask me why I wasn't at swim class that morning and the tears started. I have been panicking about the fact that there are less than 5 months to Texas and pushing my training too hard and the dam just burst. Poor Paul. He knows how hard I can be on myself. He calmed me down and got me back smiling and on my bike.
Some days my life is a juggling act. If I could clone myself it would be alot easier. When you are training for a triathlon, you have to be a bit selfish and put yourself first. It is so hard for me to do and I continually take on more and more responsibility. My husband Glen says because I am Irish, if I didn't have anything to worry about, I wouldn't be happy.
As a mother, I have the guilt of leaving my children alot and seriously, without my Glen, I would not be able to do triathlons. I waited around 23 years ago for Glen to ask me out and I finally got tired of waiting and asked him out. Smartest move I ever made. The closer to ironman I get, the more responsibility Glen takes on so I can train. You have to let some things slide. For me it is housework because I hate it and am loathe to do it anyway. The month before Texas my house will look like an episode of "Hoarders" without the cat poop and rats.
Some days you just have to take a deep breathe and take a moment to regroup. I wish I actually practiced what I preach. Now I just have to worry about the fact that tomorrow is Friday the 13th.
This is a pic of Ethan doing his first Kids of Steel Triathlon when he was 7. Attitude is everything.
Lisa
Training for a triathlon, especially an ironman, is a balancing act even on good days. None of us are pros - we all have jobs, spouses, kids, etc. and on top of that we have to fit in the time to train. Sometimes it can be overwhelming. Such was my day yesterday.
Monday night I did weights, jumped on my bike for an hour and then did Paul's advanced swim class. Tuesday morning I felt like I had been hit by a truck but I met up with my Tuesday night run club for a painful 8 km run.
Wednesday morning - when I was supposed to be in the pool - I was headed into my office early. I have worked for the same lawyer for 22 years since I left university. To say he is demanding is an understatement. In the 2 years before I was hired, he had gone thru 14 temps. I am always going 110% at my office.
After another highly stressful day, compiled with guilt over missing my 5:30 a.m. swim class, and my body still aching from the neck down, I went to spin class. Coach Paul just had to ask me why I wasn't at swim class that morning and the tears started. I have been panicking about the fact that there are less than 5 months to Texas and pushing my training too hard and the dam just burst. Poor Paul. He knows how hard I can be on myself. He calmed me down and got me back smiling and on my bike.
Some days my life is a juggling act. If I could clone myself it would be alot easier. When you are training for a triathlon, you have to be a bit selfish and put yourself first. It is so hard for me to do and I continually take on more and more responsibility. My husband Glen says because I am Irish, if I didn't have anything to worry about, I wouldn't be happy.
As a mother, I have the guilt of leaving my children alot and seriously, without my Glen, I would not be able to do triathlons. I waited around 23 years ago for Glen to ask me out and I finally got tired of waiting and asked him out. Smartest move I ever made. The closer to ironman I get, the more responsibility Glen takes on so I can train. You have to let some things slide. For me it is housework because I hate it and am loathe to do it anyway. The month before Texas my house will look like an episode of "Hoarders" without the cat poop and rats.
Some days you just have to take a deep breathe and take a moment to regroup. I wish I actually practiced what I preach. Now I just have to worry about the fact that tomorrow is Friday the 13th.
This is a pic of Ethan doing his first Kids of Steel Triathlon when he was 7. Attitude is everything.
Lisa
Monday, 9 January 2012
I Go It Alone
Hey All.
Well Saturday saw me all alone on my bike at the Whitby Rec Centre. As my distances are increasing, I can no longer do Coach Paul's Monster Endurance Ride at Legends Centre on Saturday mornings. Paul has made arrangements for me to ride on the lower level at the Whitby Rec Centre.
I always spin on my Cannondale because, let's face it, I sweat buckets. My Cannondale has been with me for 7 years - I love it and it got me thru Ironman Lake Placid - but two seasons ago I invested in a new bike - Specialized Transition Expert 2010. My relationship with my new bike has been a love/hate relationship. It was not love at first sight like my Cannondale. My first race with my Specialized, it bucked me off onto my face on the pavement (See previous blog about Musselman). My Specialized is very small and light and I have not felt the same sense of security as on my Cannondale. In any event, my Specialized will be doing Texas with me so Paul suggested for my long indoor rides on Saturdays that I ride my Specialized. On Friday night, I dusted off my Specialized (it lives in my living room) and noticed my soft tires. To make a long story short - pump, pump, pump, boom. It was 10:00 at night and I was not in the mood to change the tire so my old faithful Cannondale made the trip with me to the gym Saturday morning.
The staff at the Whitby Rec were great and set up a table for me to put my portable DVD player on and at 7:15 a.m. I was off for my 3:15 hour ride. The first movie I watched was "Eastern Promises". Nothing like a little blood, guts and gore to get you motivated first thing in the morning. When I do my long trainer rides, my rides are based on time and heartrate. Watching Viggo Mortenson in the naked knife fight in the sauna kept my heart rate right up there.
I then moved to "Run Fat Boy Run" which is a hilarious movie about a guy that trains for three weeks for a marathon in England. The only person I know who could actually pull this out of their butt is my friend Sue Typert.
About the 2:30 mark, Paul and Christine stopped in for a visit and to see how I was doing. They told me about the "oatmeal" ride at Monster Endurance Class and then I did not feel so bad about not being there. :) I miss seeing everyone but I will still be at Wednesday's class.
Lisa
Well Saturday saw me all alone on my bike at the Whitby Rec Centre. As my distances are increasing, I can no longer do Coach Paul's Monster Endurance Ride at Legends Centre on Saturday mornings. Paul has made arrangements for me to ride on the lower level at the Whitby Rec Centre.
I always spin on my Cannondale because, let's face it, I sweat buckets. My Cannondale has been with me for 7 years - I love it and it got me thru Ironman Lake Placid - but two seasons ago I invested in a new bike - Specialized Transition Expert 2010. My relationship with my new bike has been a love/hate relationship. It was not love at first sight like my Cannondale. My first race with my Specialized, it bucked me off onto my face on the pavement (See previous blog about Musselman). My Specialized is very small and light and I have not felt the same sense of security as on my Cannondale. In any event, my Specialized will be doing Texas with me so Paul suggested for my long indoor rides on Saturdays that I ride my Specialized. On Friday night, I dusted off my Specialized (it lives in my living room) and noticed my soft tires. To make a long story short - pump, pump, pump, boom. It was 10:00 at night and I was not in the mood to change the tire so my old faithful Cannondale made the trip with me to the gym Saturday morning.
The staff at the Whitby Rec were great and set up a table for me to put my portable DVD player on and at 7:15 a.m. I was off for my 3:15 hour ride. The first movie I watched was "Eastern Promises". Nothing like a little blood, guts and gore to get you motivated first thing in the morning. When I do my long trainer rides, my rides are based on time and heartrate. Watching Viggo Mortenson in the naked knife fight in the sauna kept my heart rate right up there.
I then moved to "Run Fat Boy Run" which is a hilarious movie about a guy that trains for three weeks for a marathon in England. The only person I know who could actually pull this out of their butt is my friend Sue Typert.
About the 2:30 mark, Paul and Christine stopped in for a visit and to see how I was doing. They told me about the "oatmeal" ride at Monster Endurance Class and then I did not feel so bad about not being there. :) I miss seeing everyone but I will still be at Wednesday's class.
Lisa
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
2012 The Serious Training Begins
Happy New Year!!
Not that my Christmas and New Year's were not great, but I am glad the holiday season is over and I can get back into my training schedule. With the travelling to my family's - just outside of Sarnia - it creates some problems trying to get all my training fit in and also, resisting my mother's cooking. Seriously! Do I look like I am starving?
I absolutely love going home to my parents because they live quite a distance out in a rural area. It is a totally different way of life and so relaxing. On any given day, you are lucky if even 3 cars drive by my parent's. I stopped on my way to my parent's at the cemetary and left a cow ornament for my brother Kevin. It had become a joke over the years between us and every year I bought a new cow ornament for his tree.
But the time for relaxation is over. Ironman Texas is less than 5 months away and my training for Texas has kicked up this month. On New Year's Day I did the Resolution Run with my son Ethan. I think this is probably the last time I will be able to beat him. In the last year, he has shot past me in height and I think my days are numbered.
Monday night I was on my bike for an hour and then in the pool for Paul's triathlon specific class. Paul showed no mercy to anyone who might have partaken of too many Xmas treats and put us through our paces. The swim has never been one of my strengths and I have to constantly work at it.
Last night I braved the cold with my Tuesday night run club for a brisk 8 km run. All that was visible was our eyes. After a relaxing soak in Sue's hot tub, I headed home.
5:00 a.m. came early this morning and I was in the pool once again for Paul's swim class at 5:30. Still no mercy. Because I have long distance swims now, I stayed in the pool for another 45 minutes and did lengths. Paul stuck around for a while to see how I was doing and offer some pointers.
Tonight is the first Wednesday night spin class of the year. Because my distance are increasing for everything, I will no longer be up at the front of the Saturday morning spin class with Christine. I will be spinning on my own at the Whitby Rec Centre. There are benefits in that I don't have to drive so far but on the down side, I will miss seeing everyone. Anyone who wants to stop in, I will be on the lower floor behind the plant - please bring coffee. :)
Lisa
Not that my Christmas and New Year's were not great, but I am glad the holiday season is over and I can get back into my training schedule. With the travelling to my family's - just outside of Sarnia - it creates some problems trying to get all my training fit in and also, resisting my mother's cooking. Seriously! Do I look like I am starving?
I absolutely love going home to my parents because they live quite a distance out in a rural area. It is a totally different way of life and so relaxing. On any given day, you are lucky if even 3 cars drive by my parent's. I stopped on my way to my parent's at the cemetary and left a cow ornament for my brother Kevin. It had become a joke over the years between us and every year I bought a new cow ornament for his tree.
But the time for relaxation is over. Ironman Texas is less than 5 months away and my training for Texas has kicked up this month. On New Year's Day I did the Resolution Run with my son Ethan. I think this is probably the last time I will be able to beat him. In the last year, he has shot past me in height and I think my days are numbered.
Monday night I was on my bike for an hour and then in the pool for Paul's triathlon specific class. Paul showed no mercy to anyone who might have partaken of too many Xmas treats and put us through our paces. The swim has never been one of my strengths and I have to constantly work at it.
Last night I braved the cold with my Tuesday night run club for a brisk 8 km run. All that was visible was our eyes. After a relaxing soak in Sue's hot tub, I headed home.
5:00 a.m. came early this morning and I was in the pool once again for Paul's swim class at 5:30. Still no mercy. Because I have long distance swims now, I stayed in the pool for another 45 minutes and did lengths. Paul stuck around for a while to see how I was doing and offer some pointers.
Tonight is the first Wednesday night spin class of the year. Because my distance are increasing for everything, I will no longer be up at the front of the Saturday morning spin class with Christine. I will be spinning on my own at the Whitby Rec Centre. There are benefits in that I don't have to drive so far but on the down side, I will miss seeing everyone. Anyone who wants to stop in, I will be on the lower floor behind the plant - please bring coffee. :)
Lisa