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