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!

It comes in like a lion

March is here and we have some slushy snow and were under a freezing rain warning.  March is trying to roar.

I had an easy 4 mile run this morning.  At the 2 mile mark I did hill intervals.  I did 6x:45 seconds of hills at a 12:30 pace.  It felt pretty good, but I did run an easy 4 miles.  I am going to do weights tomorrow instead of today so after the run I came home.

Tomorrow I head to Ottawa for Provincials.  I have 3 swimmers swimming and I know 2 of them are really excited.  My two 11 year olds are so pumped for their first Provincial meet.  They've worked hard and I hope they swim well this weekend.  It's a long drive, but it will be worth it.

Last night Mike made fish tacos for dinner.  They were really good, but a bit spicy.  I'm one that loves spicy, but this just didn't hit me right last night.  I would have them again though.  Tonight I'm making chicken taquitoes.  Those should be good.

Well, I'm off to make some centerpieces and have some breakfast.  Enjoy your Thursday!

Rest Day

I am so antsy right now.  I think part of it is that the practices I normally have on Wednesday mornings weren't there.  The University swimmers are off to Sudbury for their big meet and I didn't have them for dryland. Our coaches meeting was canceled because of that meet.  I'm the only one in the office and I am bouncing off the walls.  Since it's only 9am that is not a good sign.  I do have work to get done, but I don't know if its enough to last all day.  I'm hoping that it is though.  If not, I will have my workouts written for the rest of February. 

Today is my true rest day.  I have to force myself not to go out for a run.  I am accomplishing that by leaving all my running stuff at home.  It still doesn't make it any easier.  Now that I'm on a schedule I am finding that I don't like the rest days.  At least not one like today.  Normally I am really busy on Wednesdays and don't realize that it's a rest day so it goes by quickly.  Today, not so much.

I will be working on a ton of swim stuff so off I go to finish the newsletter, workouts, test set result sheets, reward beads, and entry fine tuning.  See my list is long.  Now I have to just pace myself so I'm not all done in an hour.

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!!!!!!!

It's Friday!

Yesterday I did get to the gym, but it was a gong show.  I had what I thought was the flu, but I've decided that it was probably a reaction to the vaccine I got on Wednesday.  I felt horrible.  I was achy all over like I had the flu.  I ran for 25 minutes and only got a mile and a half.  I then decided that running was a losing battle so I got on the recumbent bike and did a couple of more miles.  I did work out with the trainer and while I enjoyed it, I felt horrible afterwards.

I went home and crawled into bed.  I stayed there until it was time for practice.  I went to practice and was miserable the whole time.  I felt bad that the kids had to put up with me feeling like that.  When I got home I had some soup and went to bed.  Mike was really good last night.  He took care of me and made sure I had the soup and Fresca that I needed.

This morning I let myself sleep in and then got up to get ready for the swim meet.  I feel so much better!  I almost went for a run tonight, but I hadn't eaten dinner so I thought I had better to that first.  I have my alarm set and I'm ready to go for tomorrow morning.  I'm so ready to get a good run in in the morning.  I feel really sluggish today since I didn't do anything.  I'm so ready to go!

Today was the first day of Regionals and my swimmer swam well.  They looked good and had some great time improvements.  I was happy and they seemed happy.  I hope tomorrow goes just as well.  I know it's going to be a long day, but it should be a good one.

I'm off to bed now so I can get up at 5am for a run.  I'm so excited about it!!!!!!!!  I love that I"m on a schedule now and I plan on sticking to it!

First real snow of the winter

We are supposed to be getting about 2 inches of snow tonight.  We are all very excited here!  James has been waiting for it to snow so we can go sledding.  I'm hoping we get some and it sticks and it's as much as we are supposed to get.  We want to go sledding tomorrow!!!!

After dryland practice today I was going to go out for a run, but we are getting freezing rain right now.  Ugh...It's getting really slick out there.  I am getting a gym membership after the first of the year so I will be able to go run on a dreadmill when its bad like this.  It's just icky and icy out right now.

James and I went grocery shopping this morning because he's making dinner tonight and Thursday night.  We are having breakfast tacos tonight and homemade fish sticks on Thursday.  He really is a big help grocery shopping.  He picks out the fruit and veggies to go with everything and he decides on the lunch stuff.  James is really good at eating healthy things.  He keeps Mike and I on track.

I got up this morning and went in for dryland.  Only 7 swimmers showed up, but they worked hard while there.  We have a 2 hour water practice yet this afternoon.  I hope more are planning on showing up.  If they don't practice over these two weeks, January won't be pretty.

Right now James is starting on his Thank You cards.  He's busy working on them and we will start mailing them out tomorrow.  He is doing a good job, but we are spacing them out over the next few days so he won't get bored.

Well, I'm off to finish writing my torture...I mean workout...for tonight. Have a great day!!!!

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.

Back in the swing of things

Last week was crazy!  School started for James.  Swimming started for me.  Time just slipped away from me.

I didn't get any runs in last week and I could tell.  I was grumpy and sluggish the whole week.  I got up today and ran.  It felt good.  With each step I could feel my mood getting better.  I ran with the radio on and it seemed like I wasn't running at all.  I love the morning talk shows.  I need to get my iTunes moved to this computer so I can download some podcasts to listen to.  I'm thinking I need to download the Sports Junkies since I miss them so much.  The talking makes me feel like I'm having a conversation and it makes the time go faster.  Music is okay, but I have found I run better with talking.

Swimming is back in full swing.  Last week was good.  Getting them back in the routine.  I have a wide range, but it will be fun.  It's a good group and I enjoy them.

James loves school.  His first week went great.  He loves his teacher and his classmates.  He told Aunt Kristie that he only learned a tiny bit though.  He's so funny about that.  This coming weekend we are going to a Renaissance Faire at a local park on Saturday.  I think he'll enjoy that.  On Sunday we are doing the Terry Fox run with the swim team and then going apple picking. Birtch Farms is where we do our picking and they are having their apple festival this weekend.  It's a great place.  They have lots of stuff to do for the kids and a corn maze.  This will be our 3rd year going here and we love it.

Yesterdy I finished Sylvie's Care Bear.  It looks really cute.  I have to get it framed yet and I'm doing that on Thursday since I don't have swimming that day.  Here is the finished product.

I am starting on another Star Wars project as soon as the black cloth I ordered comes in.  I have 2 more to stitch and then my neices and nephews are done.  Right now I'm working on some holiday tea towels to kill time.  I can't even do James' betta fish as the pattern has come in yet.  That's all right.  I'll get a start on these towels.

Mike is in Pennsylvania again this week.  He's spending more time in the States then I am.  This flight was fairly uneventful he said.  I'm glad because the last time he was there it was quite the adventure.

Everything is clicking right along.  Tomorrow is my long day and then I have Thursday off.  Gearing up for a busy weekend and then another really busy week.  At least it keeps me off the streets!

Just Keep Swimming

The swim season itself is winding down.  I have 5 kids swimming Provincials this weekend and a couple swimming Open Water Provincials on Wednesday.  As far as practice and water stuff that's it for me until September.  Now, all the other stuff is just ramping up.

We are in the midst of a huge publicity/fundraising/sponsorship push.  I'm printing up flyers and finishing up a media package to hand out to businesses.  I will be hitting the pavement to get sponsors for our t-shirts, meets, heat sheets, and many other things starting next week.  I have to be honest...it's a bit out of my comfort zone as I have to talk to strangers.  I will be fine though and am excited to take on this challenge.   That means that my printer is going all time, but that's okay.  It also lets me be creative and have some fun.

I'm also getting things in order for next season. I'm starting on my short course training plan and looking at my group make-up.  It should be a great season and I'm really looking forward to September.  Just have to get through the summer first!

Summer evenings with the family

I am really enjoying my evenings at home.  We get to eat dinner together and then we take the dogs for a walk.  The past two nights have been great!!!!!

Tonight we stopped at a playground and James had a ball.  The dogs ran around like crazy.  James played for about 20 minutes.  Mike and I just enjoyed being outside together.

We got home and James went into his room to read.  He read for a good hour before he came downstairs to read to us.  His books of choice....Captain Underpants: The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby.  He loves those books.  He was reading and cracking himself up.

Right now I'm so beat as I didn't sleep last night.  Things were racing through my head.  I finally fell asleep about 1:30 and had to get up at 3:45.  It's been a long day.

Tomorrow I get up early and go for a run then head to a coach's meeting and practice.  I should be home by noon though.  Thursday and Friday I'm at Provincials.  Saturday is a wedding and Sunday we are cleaning and relaxing.

It's a busy week, but I love it that way!

It's too cold!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes...way too cold.  We are supposed to get snow tonight and tomorrow morning.  I'm so over snow now.  It's almost May!  Where's the warm weather!!!!!!

On a lighter note, I got my Bondi Bands today!!!!!!!!!!  They are really neat headbands that help keep the hair and sweat out of my eyes.  Yes, they are sweat bands, but made out of a better material and they can be used as ear warmers.  The also have hats and other items.  I love them and am sitting here wearing one now.  Yes, I am a geek!  Here is a link to their website http://www.bondiband.com/

So I haven't gotten a single run/ride in this week.  I'm such a lazy bum.  I haven't been sleeping well since we got back from Team Champs.  I'm hoping that that gets fixed tonight.  Friday we are going to Niagara Falls for the day.  I will get a lot of walking in that day.  Saturday I'm hoping to get a run in.  Sunday we go to Pat and Kristie's house for Easter.  Monday I should be back on schedule. 

For the month of May I actually have a somewhat normal swim schedule.  That will be so nice.  I have been trying to plan everything out for the next few month.  I will be in meetings and training throught May, swim meets in June, and running races in July.  It gets really crazy!

My next race is May 1st.  I'm running a 5k and Mike and James are running a 3k.  James is really excited.  I'm glad that we aren't running at the same time so I can take pictures as they start/finish.  I am excited that he wants to run with me.  By the end of the summer he will have run 3 races; a 3k, a 5k and a 1k.  He will really enjoy it.  Once school is out, I will take him out a few evenings a week for short runs.

I'm glad I have Friday off.  I think it's a well needed rest.