Marathon Training Week 3

Monday 12/16/2013-This was a spin day for me, and as it turns out, my last spin day. The resistance knob on my bike was broke and I was having an incredibly difficult time moving the knob in either direction. The instructor (the one I can’t stand) keeps looking my way and making comments about the lazy riders who are “skipping load increases”. She is going on and on about how some other rider would be happy to have lazy rider’s bikes, and if a participant isn’t going to do the work then they shouldn’t be in the class. At some point my resistance knob seized up completely and I couldn’t increase or decrease the resistance at all. I got so sick of the comments from the instructor that I just left. I’ve decided to get new pedals and a computer with cadence for my bike and ride my trainer from now on. As I said last week, my workouts and time are too precious to put up with shitty workouts!

Tuesday 12/17/2013-This should have been a 3 mile run day, but I knew that I was going to have limited time at the end of the week. I figured since I had cut my spin workout short the previous day, I could do my “long run” early. It was not a very “long run”, only 5 miles, but it felt pretty good.

Wednesday 12/18/2013-Swim day! The time clock was missing from the pool at the gym so I did a 2,150 yard straight swim. It was a great swim! I had the pool to myself for the first half and had my own lane for the entire swim.

Thursday 12/19/2013-Easy 3 mile run

Friday 12/20/2013-I was up a little late for the gym and saw that freezing rain overnight had left the roads a mess. My drive to work is about 45 minutes on a good day. As I was watching the news I saw that a Semi had overturned on the freeway I use to get to work. I decided to skip the gym so I could leave early for work. I did a few sets of squat presses, pushups, V-ups, and Russian twist before I got ready for work. I was really happy about my decision when it took me almost an hour and a half to get to work.

Saturday 12/21/2013-I had a session with my trainer today. There was a lot of squatting, pushups, pull-ups, and abs. I did my best not to complain. It was a really great workout and I hope my trainer has more like it planned for the future. I was feeling so energized that I polished off my last 3 mile run for the week. I ran my first mile at 8:40, second mile at 8:20, and third mile at 7:45. I got home and finished setting up for the early Christmas celebration we were hosting that night. I also got to spend some time with my little Raleigh who turned 2 years old! Happy Birthday dear sweet boy!

Sunday 12/22/2013-Rest Day!

Marathon Training Week 2

Monday 12/9/2013-This was the first day of my new job! I started out the morning with a 5:15 am spin class. Unfortunately, I do not love the early morning spin instructor. She plays pretty good music but she is not at all inspiring or encouraging. It’s pretty frustrating because I have no other options for other spin classes. I hope she was just having a bad day.

Tuesday 12/10/2013-Run day, 4 miles. I tried to keep it at an easy 9 minute mile pace but got bored and ran the last 2 at 8:30 pace. I felt good and didn’t have any soreness. I have no plans with my trainer this week because I don’t know exactly how my new schedule will work.

Wednesday 12/11/2013-Swim day! Got in the water early enough that I had my own lane for my whole swim. My new Ironman friend was in the water when I started and put the time clock at the head of my lane as he left for the day. This is what I love about being part of the marathon and triathlon community!

200 free warm up

4 X 150 (50 kick, 50 pull, 50 swim)

2 X 400 negative splits

4 X 50 Sprints

200 cool down

2,000 total

I think next week I might try to swim a time trial. It depends on how early I can get to the pool and how busy the lanes.

Thursday 12/12/2013-Run day, 30 minute tempo run. I ran a 5 minute warm up at 8:45 pace and then ran 25 minutes at 8:15-8:10 pace. I’ve never really understood tempo runs very well. The pace didn’t start to get really uncomfortable until the very end. I think next time I am scheduled to do a tempo run I will play with my speed a little more.

Friday 12/13/2013-Spin day, 45 minute class. That bad news is that the instructor was not just having a bad day on Monday. The good news, I didn’t even care because I knew I was going to be observing in the OR at work! I realize I may have to find other arraignments for bike workouts. Life is too short and my workouts are too precious to me to put up with an instructor I don’t like.

Saturday 12/14/2013-Rest day. I spent today catching up with my kids and cleaning my house after my first week of full time work in years. It felt so nice to cuddle with my boys! I also got some much needed Christmas shopping done with my kids.

As you can see, my kids were not so thrilled with being at the crazy busy mall and buying presents for other people.

Sunday 12/15/2013-Run day. It was only 9 degrees outside when I was ready to head out. Last Sunday it was about 25 degrees and my fingers were numb and then very painful by 6 miles. There was no way I would get through 7 miles with my fingers intact, so I took it to the gym.

I’m pretty happy with my time and how I felt during the run. I ran into my trainer at the gym and scheduled my next workout with him. I met another Ironman while at the gym and got some tips on peddle technique and cadence training. When I got home, I was able to spend the rest of my day with family and watch football! GoPackGo!

My RaleighBear wishes you a happy week!

Marathon Training week 1

Monday 12/2/2013-Started the week with a 1&1/2 hour spin session. This workout helped shake the last of the soreness from my legs.

I just happened to run into my trainer after spin and told him we were not on speaking terms. He pretty much laughed at me and I shook my fist back.

Tuesday 12/3/2013-Workout with my trainer which included squats, lunges, pushups, and some TRX work. Early in the workout I told him I still had a 3 mile run that day and could not be as sore as last time. We are back on speaking terms apparently. I’m sure I am the client every trainer hates. I whine and complain and try to sneak out of reps. Maybe my New Years resolution should be to complain less during my sessions (I’ll think about it).

After my session I hammered out 3 miles at 9:00 pace. This is about 15 seconds per mile slower than I have been running lately. I started out at a 8:45 pace but quickly had to slow down because I could feel my right quad knotting up. When I got home from the gym I stretched, rolled and iced my quads, and drank my beloved chocolate Vega Sports Performance protein. It’s the best tasting vegan protein powder I have been able to find.

Wednesday 12/4/2013-Swim Day!

200 warm up

2 X 150 (50 kick, 50 pull, 50 swim)

1,000 ladder (400 swim-40 seconds rest, 300 swim-30 seconds rest, 200 swim-20 seconds rest, 100 swim)

4 X 100 EBHE (25 easy, 25 build, 25 hard, 25 easy)

4 X 50 sprints on the 1 minute

200 cool down

2100 yards total

Great swim and I met another member of TriWi in the pool. Turns out he’s doing the same 70.3 as me.

Thursday 12/5/2013-Another upper body workout with my trainer and a 3 mile run. This time I was able to push the pace a little better with less soreness.

Friday 12/6/2013-One hour spin class. Not the usual Friday instructor which was a bit of a bummer.

Saturday 12/7/2013-Rest day.

Sunday 12/8/2013-Long run in the cold and snow. 6 miles with an average pace of just under 9 minute miles. I had to slow down due to icy roads and I was having a little trouble seeing because of the ice that kept forming on my eyelashes. I wanted to turn back early a couple time but toughed it out. The only reason I’m still running outside is to work on mental toughness.

The thumb and index finger of my left hand were numb for about 10 minutes after I got home. I will take any and all suggestions for winter running gloves. The rest of my attire was appropriate for the conditions. I thawed myself with the hottest shower I could tolerate and spent the rest of the day watching football!

   

Hope you had a great week!

 

 

When did this happen?!?

Earlier today while I was cleaning the bathroom my (almost) 4 year old son had to take a poop. Like most kids his age, he is very particular with his bathroom habits. He will only pee or poop in the exact toilet I was cleaning unless it is an absolute emergency. I asked if he could wait a second while I finished up with the cleaning. He said to me, “Mama, this is my bathroom so I don’t want you or daddy to pee or poop in this toilet any more.” “I’m not peeing or pooping, I’m cleaning it,” I explained. “Oh,” he said as he was then standing right next to me, “make sure you get that spot on the lid then.” I was a little shocked, when did he start talking to me like this?

Then, later, in Target he cried for about 45 minutes through part of Target and most of the ride home. Once I had finally gotten him to calm down the tantrum started all over again once we got home and it took about another 15 minutes to calm him again.

Just now, he told me I was taking too long to bring him a cup of juice. So he yelled from the couch, “just put a little juice in the bottom of the cup, add some water, shake it up, put the lid on, and bring it to me!” “WYLIE, please don’t order me around like that, it isn’t nice,” I told him. Now, I’m sitting here wondering if he is always like this or if we are just having a bad day. I mean, I know we’re having  bad day. I’ve been trying to cut my kids a lot of slack because so many things have been changing lately. I figured if I was having a hard time adjusting then my 2 and 4 year olds must be having a rough time too. This is getting ridiculous though, his behavior has to change. I think it may be a good thing that I am going to start working full time. I know that my husband will not tolerate this kind of rudeness.

Christmas Came Early

Christmas care early today as the FedEx truck pulled up to my house. I had gotten an e-mail two days ago that my Xterra vortex 4 wetsuit had shipped. As I was bringing the box into the house, my 4 year old was yelling, “It’s like a present!” “yes it is!” I confirmed. I pulled the brand new wetsuit out of the packaging and it was gorgeous!

A little background info. When I did my first (and only) olympic triathlon I was one of only three people in my wave without a wetsuit. I found this a little embarrassing but wasn’t too concerned. I LOVE swimming but HATE open water swimming, especially in some of Wisconsin’s weedy mucky waters. I’ve always wanted a full wetsuit since I started triathlons but have never been able to afford one. I feel I will be a little less grossed out and better able to focus if wearing the full suit. When I joined TriWI I was given a coupon code for Xterra wetsuits and couldn’t help myself.

Of course, I wanted to try it on as soon as I opened it. This proved to be a little more difficult than I had bargained for. As I was trying to wriggle into the neoprene I could feel myself breaking into a sweat. I must have looked totally ridiculous! I sincerely hope there is no 1/2 Ironman time prerequisite for donning a wetsuit in order to participate. I can just imagine the race officials approaching me, “we’re sorry Nataly, you’ve taken way too long with that wetsuit, you are clearly not qualified to race this distance.” Then I would have to plead, “but I look like a total badass once it’s on!” And I totally do look like a badass, my 4 year old told me so. So, okay, he didn’t actually say “badass”, he said I looked like batman, and by that I’m sure he meant batgirl, but I’m going with badass!

 

 

Reunited and it feels so…awful!

This past week has given me much to be thankful for, and one thing to abhor. Lets start with the things to be thankful for shall we? On my last day of work in my clinic, my co-workers had a little party for me and it was lovely. I have been very thankful to have those coworkers to help teach me the ropes of being a clinic NP.

I am thankful for my cooking skills and my family’s willingness to try the things I cook. A few of my dishes from this past week:

  

All vegan and all delicious!

I am also thankful for my sister and that she has found running. She did the Milwaukee Drumstick Dash 5K with me on Thanksgiving and it was absolutely inspiring! It was her very first race.

I loved that I got to take pictures of her during her race and cheer her on at the finish. She has supported me for years at swim meets, running events, and triathlons, I can’t wait to support her in her future endeavors.

I am thankful for an injury free marathon and some awesome transitional training.

This run was 1 mile at straight pace, 1 mile of hill repeats, and 1 mile of sprint intervals. I am especially thankful that tomorrow starts week 1 of my 24 week marathon training program! I am generally a more likable person when I am in training-eating my best and performing to my limits. It was unbelievably satisfying to pencil all of my mileage into my new calendar.

I am thankful that I am starting a new job next week in which I will be the main provider for my family. I hope my husband will be happy and content caring for our boys, creating his art, and spending more time with his family. My husband is an amazing dad and I know he will rise to this challenge.

There are a great many other things I am thankful for but right now I am going to elaborate on what occurred this past week that I am not so thankful for. I started working with my personal trainer again on black friday. My trainer is knowledgeable, pretty encouraging, and totally kicks my ass every time I work with him. I have taken about 2 months off due to lack of funds and also needing some time off. The workout he put me through on Friday was totally brutal! Even today, two days later, I am cringing every time I walk stairs. I can run like a champ, swim for hours, and spin like a boss, but jump squats and burpees make me want to cry. The main reasons I go to a trainer are to force myself to do strength training and to push through workouts I hate doing (mental toughness-a weakness of mine). I know I will build up my endurance again but until my appointment on Tuesday, my trainer and I are not on speaking terms.