Back in the Saddle

I'm back! After both enjoying my first triathlons and the frustration of lingering shin problems in 2008, I'm back for another year of training. After enjoying a few months of running, yoga, and pilates, it is time to get the 2009 training plan going. I picked out my first target race of 2009: the Stillwater Half Marathon and picked out a training plan on the runners world website to use. I will have to do some thinking about how to incorporate swimming and cycling training for the triathlons I still have to pick out for 2009. More to come...

4/9

Yesterday was a rest day.

I had an AWESOME workout this morning. I got up early and went to spin class for a 50 minute work out. Then I went and swam for 45 minutes and it went really well! I noticed I did much better sharing a lane and swimming straight. I also noticed that I was able to breath regularly without gasping for air and I think I was keeping my head down rather than pulling it all the way out of the water. Each good swim makes me feel more confident about going back to swim again and I am starting to want to do it more often. I think I have two more lessons and I am looking forward to seeing what my teacher has to say.

4/6 and 4/7

4/6: 20 minute run followed by 30 minutes on elliptical.

4/7: 30 minute run followed by 25 minutes on the stair master.

My Saturday workout(yesterday 4/5)

I had a fabulous workout! I went to spin class and then body pump. Both were intense workouts but I left feeling energized (and hungry). Today I am slightly sore in my hamstrings and shoulders... but it is certainly bearable.

4/4/08

After a lovely date night with Jim last night, and a day off, I got a run in today and a SWIM. That's right, I actually got back in the pool and felt really good about how it went. I know I am going really slow, but I could tell my body was more relaxing, my legs were going slower, my breathing was controlled, and I started getting into a breathing patter. Maybe this is starting to work out after all... Just gotta actually swim more often.

April 2

No swimming... and none tomorrow.

I did take my Thursday spin class and it went well! I felt energized during and afterward, the back to back classes were manageable.

Tuesday April 1

Well, yesterday I took the day off... After a morning full of disappointment and avoidance, I did not go swimming.

Today I had a great workout. I took Ben's cycle class at the midtown Y, which I usually cannot attend because of small group. It was a great more moderate workout and I feel like I can go in tomorrow and rock my Wed. class. I also ran 20 minutes afterward and felt great, although I could feel my feet cramp a bit at the end. I think that's just me getting used to running again... My priority tomorrow needs to be swimming, so I will get it done. I am throwing around the idea of swimming early in the morning but am not sure I will pull that one off.

First week of April (March 30- April 5)

I had a good workout today... 30 minutes stair master and 20 minutes slow run. Then I lifted weights. Looking at these training books makes me realize how much there is to know about triathlon training. It can be a little overwhelming. Here is the tentative plan for this week:

• Monday: Do I dare go back to that horribly boring spin class?? I'll decide in the morning. Regardless, I need a good hour swim practice. Abdominals.
  
• Tuesday: 30 minutes stair master and 20 minutes slow run.
• Wednesday: Evening spin class, 20 minutes slow run before class. Abdominals.
• Thursday: Body pump and swimming?
• Friday: Off?
• Saturday: Spin class

Well... this is it tentatively. I may change things around a little bit.

End of the week

Well, this week kind of sucked. I avoided my workout plans because I was so discouraged about how much I stink at swimming. Today I feel more encouraged because I had a great workout. I did 15 minute run, which felt great and then my 50 minute spin class. When I got home, I did 3x10 leg lifts for abs and 3x10 full planks for abs. Yesterday I did 30 minutes stair master and 15 run. I took Thursday off.

I need to find some new inspiration, especially in the swimming department.

3/25 and 3/26

On 3/25 I did do 35 minutes on the stair master and then 15 minutes running slowly. Running is going well.

This morning (3/26) I could not find my bathing suit so I just did the spin class. I will have to make up the swimming tomorrow or Friday. Or both. I tried a new abdominal exercise routine I found in womens' health but did not like it. A few of the exercises required a little too much stunt work on the balance ball. I did like the leg/arm V-lifts, which I'll keep doing. The other ones I won't. I did three sets of planks at the end after I decided I didn't like the exercise routine.

Monday 3/24

These dark mornings are killing me... no early morning swim. No time. 30 minutes on the stair master and then 15 minutes slow run around midtown track. The run went well. I felt good, slow, but no tightness or pain in the shins. My swim lesson tonight was good- no more flippers. I got some help on my difficulty managing my breathing- breath "from full to half." Also, I should try not to breath out at all during the first stroke after each breath. Blugh. Swimming is hard. In addition to the practice without flippers, I realized that I need to keep practicing the skating drills. It was recommended that particularly the underwater switch and the arm one. My goal at this point early on in training should really be to do more swimming.

Workout Profile for Week of 3/23

Sunday: Happy Easter! Day of rest.
Monday: AM workout: 30 minutes stair master, 15 minutes slow run, 30 minutes swim practice; PM swim lesson at 8:00.
Tuesday: 30 minutes stair master, 15 minutes slow run, lower body strength training, abdominal routine at home
Wednesday: AM workout includes 50 spin class and 45 minute swim practice
Thursday: Body pump class (50 minutes strength training) 15 minute slow run
Friday: Abdominal routine at home
Saturday: 90 minute spin class, 15 minute slow run, upper body strength training

This is the second week of running after taking the winter off. I started last week using my new shoes- New Balance 1011.