Chilly Half Marathon Training: Day 4

So today I was supposed to go to the gym for cross training and weights.  Mike had to go into work early and I had to be at the pool all day so I had to switch my rest day from Saturday to today.  I'm feeling a bit grumpy and sad about it too.

I can tell I need to do something active because I'm antsy and restless.  I can't even walk the dogs since I'm at the pool working on my computer.  I did get the work done so tomorrow when I'm out for my long run I won't have to feel guilty about not working at home.

Last night I had my first Mini Meet since taking over the Swim Academy.  It went well.  We had 97 swimmers last night which I think was a pretty good turn out.  We even had a lot of private lessons come to compete.  Tonight is our 2nd Mini Meet so I hope we have a great turn out for it!

It's snowing today.  Just flurries and it's dusting the ground, but it's snow.  Tomorrow will be a cold run, but once we get moving River and I are fine.  It will be cold on Sunday too for the race.  I just have to run harder so I won't freeze.

The rest of the training week looks like this: Friday 10k run, Saturday cross training and upper body weights, Sunday 5k race.  It's a good first week of training.  I'm feeling good and strong this week.  I know the next 15 weeks will be great!

Friday in Ottawa

This week has been one crazy week!  I worked on recruiting packets for the University to set out at the meet.  I am currently at Provincials and trying to get some other work done in the evenings.  It does help that I don't have to be at the pool until the afternoon though.  I'm 2 days into the meet with 2 more to go.

I haven't run since Tuesday so I made it point to run today.  After my swimmer was done, I had an early dinner and came back to the hotel to let it digest.  I decided to go on the treadmill since I'm not sure about this area and the traffic is really bad since it's Canada Day weekend and I am in the capital. 

I did some speed intervals this evening. Not a lot of distance, but I did try to push the speed a bit to see how my knee would take it.  While I didn't go as fast as I normally would, I did kick it up.  My knee was fine.  I had no pain at all.  I was so glad.  Tomorrow I'll go about 4 miles as a nice easy pace to see how it holds up on a longer distance.  I'll do it on the treadmill again and I'll try to get a shorter run in on Sunday before I check out and head to the pool.

I'm so glad that I can run again.  I have found that it is my time to destress.  This past month has been hard for me emotionally.  I haven't had the physical outlet that I needed to clear my head to deal with everything.  Now I feel like my head is clearing and I can process everything again.  And, bonus, I'm not feeling like I could cheerfully stab someone.  That's always a good thing.

On the swim side, my little guys have been doing well.  I have one 11 year old girl that is just kicking butt in the pool.  She has really become a good little swimmer in those longer events that 11 year olds normally don't like to swim.  I'm so proud of all my swimmers though.  They have really worked hard all year and I'm glad they get to show how far they've come at this Provincial level meet.

Two more days of the meet and then its home to pack for Winnipeg!  We are all excited about that!

Enjoy your Friday night!

I'm Movin' Today!

I feel great right now!!!!!  My swimmers had an awesome weekend with two more Provincial qualifying times for 2 of them.  Huge time drops for almost all of them.  Great swims overall!  I was so happy!

I kept up with my training for week one.  I got up both Saturday and Sunday to workout.  Saturday I did 3 miles on the treadmill and Sunday I did 7.5 miles on the recumbent bike.  It really did help me get through the weekend. 

Today I walk with James to daycare.  He was so happy that it was warm enough and we had a great time.  That was a 3 mile round trip.  Going there the pace is a bit slower, but that's fine with me.  The company is what makes it the most fun.

I went to the gym and today was another cross training day.  I had to make some adjustments to the trianing program to account for swim meets and possible practice coverage.  Sometimes Sunday have to become rest days and sometimes they are cross training days without weights.  So this week I have 2 cross training days in a row, but that's okay.  I did 10.5 miles on the recumbent bike.  I like to read when I'm doing that because it makes the time go faster.  I am currently reading Michael Phelps' autobiography.  I'm trying to help my swimmers see that even world class athletes have issues like their goggles filling up with water during the 200 fly, but they still go on to set world records.  In doing so I have several biographies of swimmers that I am going to read.  Plus how can you slack off when you are reading about Phelps' training program.  It's not happening! 

After the bike I had about 25 minutes to kill before meeting my trainer.  I got on the dreaded eliptical machine.  I think I hate the eliptical more than the treadmill.  I did about 20 minutes at an easy pace.  I'm trying to force myself to like to give me more cross training options.  It ended up being 1.5 miles.

Then my trainer killed my legs and core.  I know I have a weak core...very weak.  We did some TRX things.  I love the TRX!  We use it with my swimmers, but it is a torture device.  It was a good hurt though.  I do like using it.  I will conquer some of those exercises and make my core stronger!

So in all today I did just shy of 15 miles of cardio and an hour of leg and core work.  I feel pretty darn good! 

I have the day off and after my shower I have a few errands to run.  Tomorrow I my long run.  It's 4 miles and then we are doing upper body and some more core work.  Because of when I can get to the gym, I have to do it on a treadmill.  Ugh...I'm just going to put on my game face and get it done!  I can't wait for spring to get here so I can go for my early morning runs and then hit the gym after walking James to daycare.  I love running at 5am.  It's quiet and the temperature is wonderful.  There are no cars, no people...Just me and the quiet.  That will come soon enough!

Have a wonderful rest of your Monday!!!!!!!

Saturday in Buffalo

Oh brrrrrr...what a cold and very windy day.  Glad I had to be at a pool this morning.  The kids swam well and were excited by their times. I had to keep reminding them that it was in yards and not meters. They didn't care.

I did get up and run my 3 miles this morning.  Have a I mentioned that I really really really hate running on treadmills.  I did it though.  I wasn't going to go running through Buffalo in the dark so I sucked it up and ran on the treadmill.  Even with a TV on it, it didn't make it any easier.  I did get some amusement as I was stretching and getting ready to leave.  Two guys showed up at the pool and tried to get in.  I kept hearing this noise and loud talking.  I looked up and there they were trying to get their keys to work with a beer in each hand.  It was 6am.  I just shook my head.

The hotel we are staying at is really nice.  After my shower I had a nice breakfast and then headed to the pool.  It has been very windy and cold here all day.  The wind just keeps getting worse.  I did get to relax this afternoon though.  It was much needed.  Tonight the coaches are going out for wings.  That will be fun and tasty.

Tomorrow is my rest day so I will sleep in for about 15 minutes in the morning.  Then I have to try to get a few things printed out and its off to the pool for the day.  We should be back to the University by 9pm so I should be home by 10.  I have to get up Monday morning to walk James to daycare, but that will be fine.  I then have to go get my health card.  Busy day on Monday and that will start off a busy week.

Time to go have another cup of coffee and watch a bit of NCIS before we head out for wings.

Thanks Goodness It's Friday!

Wow, this week just flew by!  Usually short weeks seem to last forever, but not this week.  Maybe it was the fact that we have the Buffalo meet this weekend that made it go quicker.  Who knows.

I did have a morning practice so I was up at 3:30 this morning.  I wanted to put some soup in the crock pot for Mike and James since I was going to be gone this weekend.  I made ham, green bean and potato soup.  Yummy!  It was always my favorite growing up and since its supposed to be rainy and dreary I thought it would be a good choice for tonight.  I got that on and then finished up a few last minute packing things.  I headed out forgetting my coffee.  I swung into Tim Hortons and they were not awake.  It was 4:20 and it seemed to take forever this morning.

After my practice I went for my run.  Today I was to run 2-4 miles easy.  Well, I ran 2.6 miles, but my pace was a little to fast.  I really didn't realize it though.  I at the University through the arboretum.  That route seems to be all uphill.  I didn't think I would ever find a route that was uphill both ways, but I swear this one is.  I thought for sure my pace would be really slow, but it wasn't.  I was impressed with myself.

It has been raining and I got soaked on my run.  The trees were so pretty though.  I love running through the arboretum during the fall.  The colors are amazing.  Its so quiet too becuase all the leaves muffle everything.  It was drizzling for about the first 20 minutes.  Then it really started coming down harder.  It was still a soft rain just a lot more of it.  I got back to the pool and was soaked.  I can tell the shower felt really good after this run.

Tomorrow I will get up early to run on the stupid treadmill before breakfast and warm-ups.  I am running 3 miles at an easy pace.  I am just going to get on and do it.  I have 37 days until my next 5k and yesterday I registered for my very first 8k race in January.  I want to see where I am training wise.  I will be doing my first 10k at the end of April.  My next step after the 10k is a 10 miler and then a half-marathon.  I'm just going slowly into this.  I will do it and I will enjoy the time racing and training.  I'm just taking baby steps into it.

We leave for Buffalo this afternoon for a swim meet.  The kids should have a great time because it's in yards instead of meters.  They are going to really enjoy just swimming fast.  I thing they will ahve some really great swims as well.  This is our first meet so we are now off and running with the swim season.  Its going to start getting crazy really soon.  But it makes the year go by faster.

I'm going to get some work done at the University today and then we leave at 1pm.  I'm excited and really looking forward to the weekend.  Let's get it started!!!!!!!

Just a quick run

I got up this morning after sleeping in until 5:45am and headed out.  I was going along at a fairly okay pace when I realized I forgot my house key.  Then I started picking it up.  I didn't want Mike to leave and lock me out of the house.  I don't run with my cell phone so I couldn't call him and let him know.  So I shortened my run and ran faster. 

It felt good to push it on the second half.  I only did a mile and a half, but the last mile was really moving for me.  Maybe I should forget my key all the time.

Only 9 more days until the Warrior Dash!!!!!!  I am so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!  I'm a little nervous, but it's going to be a blast!  I'm really looking forward to it.  I have to make the t-shirt for James.  He wants one with a viking helmet on it.  He is then going to decorate it with fabric markers.  I'll work on that this weekend and he can decorate it on Tuesday.  He is so cute about it too.  He keeps reminding me that I still need to make the shirt.  he won't let me forget it at all.

Today I am at Provincials all afternoon.  I am hoping that the kids swim well.  I except one of the boys to do really well.  The others will be hit or miss.  We'll just have to see.  I'm there tomorrow as well, so I'll get up and go for a run again.  Saturday we have a wedding to go to and Sunday we are doing some housework.  It's going to be busy, but it will be fun!

Where has June gone??????

I can't believe that June is half over!!!!  I have been crazy busy with swim meets for 3 weeks in a row which has caused me to go into sloth mode.  Yuck!  I did get up and go for a short run today and I could feel every step.  Ugh...I have to get back on a good schedule.  I have a race on Saturday so I want to be in some sort of running shape, but I have a feeling that it will not go well.  I hope I'm wrong though.

Saturday will be a very busy day for us.  Mike has to help me take t-shirts to the University for tye dying.  I will demonstrate how to do it and then we head to Toronto for my next tattoo.  Ben, Mike's cousin, will be doing it for me.  I'm getting 2 cardinals in cherry blossom tree on my right shoulder.  After that we leave to head to Hamilton for my race.  Lots of driving, but lots of fun!

Sunday is Father's Day and I have to go to a swim meet to watch one swimmer go for her Pre-Req in the 400 IM.  She got her Provincial cut in the 200 fly, but still need her 400 IM pre-req.  She should get it though.  After that I have to head home so James and I can spoil Mike.  Not sure what we're doing yet, but I'll figure something out.  Last year we went to the air show, but that's not going on over Father's Day this year.  We'll see.

Well, off to do some work.  I think I'm going to get our bedroom organized and will work on the kitchen on Thursday since I have the whole day off.  Off I go!  If you don't hear from me you'll know the dust bunnies took me hostage.

Last Day of Team Champs

Boy am I wiped, but I have this last day to get through.  The 12 and unders had some great swims.  They raced well and scored points.  Today is the last day.  We had some good swims at finals from the 13 and overs.  I hope that prelims went well this morning and we got a few more kids in tonight.

I got up early with the intention of working out, but I was so tired that that didn't happen.  I ate some breakfast, saw the older kids off and then went back to sleep.  I was so tired.  I know I will sleep on the ride home as well.  I did put my glasses in my bus bag so I can take my contacts out after we get going. 

It's been a good weekend.  I talked to Mike and we decided that we want to come up here in August for a visit.  I love it up here.  Well, aside from the snow this morning.  That is just too much for April 17th.  Ugh...  It's really pretty and peaceful.  It reminds me a lot of Zanesville, Ohio with the rocks and how the town is built. 

Heading out to the pool in a just a little bit.  I really hope the kids swim well.

Team Champs: Day 1 Part 2 & Day 2 Part 1

Yesterday the little guys did awesome!!!!!!  We had 2 10 and under boys score us points in the 100 fly and I'm pretty sure that we had a few 10 and unders get us points in the 100 IM.  One of our 12 year old girls scored in the 50 Free as well.  They were all excited and wound up after their swims.  They are ready for today.  The older kids are now at the pool getting ready to swim their events.

Last night I think there was a herd of elephants in the room above me.  The kids from another team were bouncing around.  Finally at 9:00 pm I called the front desk.  I was tired and I jumped a few times when they crashed on the floor.  I was not happy, but maybe that means they won't swim as well.

This morning I got up and used the fitness room in the hotel.  I did the recumbent bike and felt pretty good.  I only did 7.4 miles, but it still felt good.  I had a good breakfast and now I have some time to relax before I have to leave for the pool at 11:15.  The session is only going to be like 2 hours so it will be quick.  I may try to get another workout in while I'm there, but I'll have to see.  If not, I'll get up tomorrow and workout again before the long day at the pool and the long bus ride home.

It's turning out to be a great weekend for the kids.

Team Champs: Day 1 Part 1

Got up at 4:30 and made myself go back to bed for another 2 hours.  I will be needing all the sleep I can get so I need to take advantage of it now. 

I did get up at 6;30 and was out for my run by 7:00.  Mike gave me directions to the house where he grew up.  It was nice 2 mile run.  It was butt cold, but a nice run in spite of that.  I did have some problems breathing in the cold which meant I had to walk for a short bit to get my lungs to stop spasming or whatever it is they were doing.  It was a very brisk walk, but I still don't like having to walk.  It did notice that it is getting better and I am running longer in the cold before that happens.  Maybe that means the running is helping.  I can only hope.

I got back to the hotel and had a nice breakfast.  The kids were filtering in and out. There was a couple that was complaining a bit about there being so many kids there eating breakfast.  The kids weren't bad, but there were about 6-8 of them getting food.  It's a small area and people have to wait.  Apparently there are 2 other teams that will be staying here starting tonight so tomorrow morning will be interesting. 

I'm going to just relax for the rest of the morning and maybe try to get my book read.  I am getting excited for the races today!  I hope the kids swim well!

Team Champs: Travel Day

Well, we made it up to Sudbury.  The kids have eaten and are tucked into their rooms.  I called Mike and our hotel is about a 15 minute walk from his old house.  I'm going to take a run tomorrow and check it out.

It is cold though.  I want to to get out and get a run in though.  I'm getting up before everyone so I can go out and have a nice quiet run.

We don't have anything until 1:00 tomorrow.  There are only 2 sessions so that will be nice.  I'm hanging with the 12 and unders and going to finals Saturday and Sunday.  I really do enjoy Team Champs.  The kids have fun.  It seems to be a good meet for most of the swimmers.  It's fun to watch the little guys get paired with the big guys as bus buddies.  They all have so much fun.

I'm hoping to get some pictures for the newsletter and watch some really great swims!

Right now it's bedtime for me!