Week 1 and Done

Week one is officially in the books. It didn't go exactly as planned, but I'm not totally unhappy with it.

Day	Planned	Actual
Mon	Rest/Slide	Rest
Tues	Swim #1, 30 min Run	25 min/2.69 mi run
Weds	15 min bike, 15 min run	20 min bike, 15 min run
Thurs	Swim #2, 30 min bike	Swim #2, Volleyball
Fri	Rest	Rest
Sat	30 Min Bike	Rest – Sick
Sun	30 Min Run	30 min Walk
Totals	4:00 hrs	2:55 hrs, 11.15

Best Workout of the Week

Wednesdays Brick Workout was by far the best of the week. It was 75 degrees and sunny. For starters, my awesome new Triathlon Club gear came in! It's so pretty, i'm so excited. Also, everything fits pretty well. 

My First real jersey!

Getting back on the bike was a little difficult but It wasn't too bad. It was still making that horrible noise and traffic was terrible so I just puttered around the neighborhood. It felt good to get relaxed on the bike again. Then I hopped off and ran for 15 minutes. I felt like I was going so slow but actually i was doing 10ish min/miles - so fast for me! All in all it was the perfect start to training. 

My Thursday morning swim was pretty good, too. Well, except for the waking up part. 

Best Meal of the Week

My goal for the week was to have a fruit or vegetable with every meal. Nailed it! Whether it was a cutie at lunch or applesauce with dinner I got in an extra helping of fruits or vegetables with every meal. It took some conscious effort, but I'm hopeful I can keep it up. 

Cheddar Veggie Omelettes on toast with Applesauce - yum!

What I didn't account for this week was the allergies. So tree pollen hit "high" on Tuesday and never looked back. Almost instantaneously my allergies went into full crazy mode. Stuffed sinuses, Itchy throat, the works. It only got worse through the weekend and I scrapped my run and bike. I hated to do it - particularly with the 10 miler coming up next week - but it seemed only right. I couldn't breathe through my nose and my chest started getting super wheezy! I'm going to try to stay on track this week. It's weird that the Triple Crown isn't my "A" race this week so it's hard gearing up for the bigger picture. 

#FuckTrees

I'm off work today - random vacation day I took just 'cus. It's about 65 degrees so I'm gonna take Ghost out for a spin. Wish me luck!

Happy Running!

Do you get allergies? How do you combat them?

What was your best workout of the week?

A Better Start

First brick workout of the cycle tonight!! 

But first, a recap of the first 1/2 of the week. Monday I missed body pump due to some work obligations. The work/home balance is constantly a struggle and it's never perfect. Hasn't been the last 2 years and it won't be for the next however many I'm there. If I'm at work too much I regret it, if I'm not at work enough I regret it. C'est la vie. So Monday was a real rest day. 

Tuesday I ran with some girls from work. I love running with them, even if they kick my butt. I love my co-workers and there's a special bond that comes from doing what we do. It's so nice to get out and do something that's not office related. They kicked my ass though. 

 Ellie definitely likes it when I'm home on time. 

Today was BEAUTIFUL! 75 and sunny and dry. Also, my triathlon club gear came in!!

I love it! I got a jersey and a tri kit. Wore the jersey & tri shorts for my ride tonight and changed into a regular shirt for the run. I did a 20 minute easy ride, mostly getting used to being on the bike. I definitely picked up some bad habits on the trainer! I did a quick "transition" and headed out for my short run. I felt really slow, like I was running in mud. My watch said I was pushing 10s though. Whaaaa? I'll take it!!

So the beautiful weather was short lived for now. The cold comes back this weekend. Looks like I might not be done with the trainer and the treadmill. 

This is gonna be hard

Tomorrow I officially start training for Muncie 70.3. 

Yesterday I ran a 10k and felt pretty good. 

Today I figured I'd take the bike out. It's beautiful out and the roads were pretty quiet considering it's Sunday. I managed to switch out my trainer tire for my real tire without any major issues. I was so proud of myself! I got all dressed up and headed out. Not without the dog making some epic drama out of it, of course. Oh well, to the road!

I got outside and I was nervous. The bike wasn't sounding right and I didn't think the chain was catching. I pulled the dérailleur and checked the cogs. Looked file. Still, the wheel didn't move freely. The pin was a little tight so I loosened it. That seemed to help. Ok, might as well go now. I clipped my right foot in and pushed off. The bike felt like it was bolted to the road. I tried to put my left foot down but I knew it was hopeless; I slowly tipped to the right until I hit the ground with the loud sound of metal and ass on concrete. Ow. 

The chain had in fact slipped off. I fixed it, further covering myself in grease, and clipped back in. I knew I had to get on the bike and go, lest the fear cement itself. I clipped in and got it to a more comfortable grad. Ok, this isn't bad. 

As I rounded a curve the front tire sounded soft. I did a loop and pulled back in front of the driveway. I tried to pump up he tire. Still soft. Tried again. Still soft. Assuming I had a flat, I set myself to checking the tube. I'd just done it with the back one, How hard could it be? Fought to get the tire off the rim, then checked the tube. No holes, nothing. Now to get the tire back on. I worked it back on until I had a good 4 inches left. I took the tire lever to it. No luck. I tried again and the tool slipped off and I actually punched myself in the face. I tried for 10 minutes without any luck before I gave up. 

That's when it hit me: this is going to be really hard. 

Running is hard, but it doesn't require any specialized knowledge. The only real 'fear' is of not knowing if you can make a certain distance. Triathlon genuinely scares me. Open water with so many people. Going too slow on the run & being denied a finish. And the bike. Oh god, the bike. I don't know how to fix it or take care of it. It hurts when you fall of of it. Ugh. 

So that's where I am. I feel defeated and frustrated. I feel scared and overwhelmed. This is going to be really hard. 

But I guess that's why I signed up in the first place, right?