I sort of took last week off of running. I managed two swim days, several long walks with my mom and a cross training class with my friend JS. This time I was the person leaving the pool of sweat behind me at every station we did. It felt really amazing to get out there and do some exhilarating working out! Sadly, I have been very lax in this area since my trainer and I took a break. It made me realize how out of shape I really am and how much I really need to get back at it. Especially if I want to run relay races with my cousin! My only dilemma – I don’t want to pay 400 bones to be a member of any gym or club. Why the heck can’t I just pay a drop in fee once a week or twice? I tried to get that response from the center where we were, but the lady behind the counter was too focussed on making protein shakes and kept ignoring me. Now I was there at lunch, really lady do you think I have time to wait for you to prepare a shake on your machinery that is apparently all busted up for an answer. Needless to say, I wasn’t overly impressed with the customer service – the trainer was great. Will I go again, probably, if for nothing but the workout. Will I join that specific location if they can give me a good rate – no chance in Hello!
Swim was great this morning, as usual, all Monday morning swims are amazing. I love getting up, and going for a swim. Today we did DPS – which I know is Distance Per Stroke, however I have no idea how to calculate, determine and know WTF it is for. I do know that I swam hard for 20 minutes solid – how many laps – not a clue – I lost track after 10. That may have been when I started to get dehydrated and really just wanted a drink of water. Surrounded by and swimming in it, but not going to drink it – it’s all chemicaled up. I caved in and stopped for a drink from my water bottle then had to pick up the pace for the 5 seconds it took me to sip my water. It cost me a lot, I had to let someone go in front of me because I needed water. Oh well better that then pass out in the water. I even changed strokes for a length or two – just to get my breath.
My recovery time between strokes was way too long, so I tried to remember to push my arms down hard when my fingers hit the water. Yep this is where the cross training classes would come in handy – need to get some strength from something!
It was tough trying to remember to stroke, breathe, stroke, keep kicking, breathe, push hard, breathe, stroke, kick, stroke, kick, breathe, push hard, extend, are you extending properly, keep kicking, push harder and keep your fingers apart for crying out loud! Sometimes we are our worst critics. I need to get waterproof headsets where I can listen to music and just swim! LOL – like that would happen. I am improving and that is all that matters, eventually it will all come to me like water off a duck’s back.
Bacon Brent was there too. The way he feels about water is how I feel about bikes. He continues to inspire me to realize that I can ride a bike and conquer this fear. He is not a fan of water, yet he gets in the pool twice a week and pushes through it all. When Spring rolls around, I hope to remember that today I decided I would never let riding on the road make me afraid! I would embrace my ability to pedal and enjoy the ride.
I also realized that based on the races I have signed up for I will have 10 races under my belt by December 31, 2012. They are races of all different types, 5Ks, triathlons, ½ marathons, 7.5ks of hills and 10Ks. Had we have run in NYC this Spring I could have said I have run from coast to coast, but alas not this year. Perhaps next year my husband and I will be able to do a run on both coasts together and not sleep in.
That being said, a huge thank you to everyone who has supported and encouraged me to keep going: this includes my sister in law who invites me out to run with the women, my WW buddy who ran with me in a 1/2, my coworkers for encouraging me to go do the tris with them, my friend LC for still being my friend after all the times I bail or don't call or hang out because I have to be out running or training, Bacon Brent for getting me out on the road and riding with confidence, my parents for their patience when I say I can't because I have to run, my brother and his wonderful wife for their encouragement and support and inspiration to know that I am stronger than I think I am and most importantly my hubby for flying from one end of the continent to the other for races he didn't participate in, for tossing buttertarts my way and being there for the last minute bit of love to get me to the finish and my daughter for always encouraging me and giving me advice and offering to run with me and for sharing hot tub time to recover!
No comments:
Post a Comment