I Haven't Done That In Awhile

My alarm was set for 5:45 am. My bag was packed. Tires filled with air.

So, I had quite the surprise when I woke up at 8:15. I had my alarm set for 5:45 PM and my phone was on vibrate, so I didn't hear that alarm either.

I guess sleep was needed...

(NOTE - at one point, I had more to say - I just don't remember...)

I Tried

I really did try.

Tonight was the Conte's hill ride and I was all set to go. Got up early, made it to work early, all so I could leave early. I got home, changed and headed out. And then I hit the traffic. I hardly moved for 30 minutes. I was email with Karen (seriously, no comments about e-mailing and driving. I went less than 1 mile in 30 minutes. I wasn't going ANYWHERE!) when I realized my fate. So, I posted my frustration on Facebook.

Luckily, Alejandro was also on FB, and said "Want to grab a drink instead? I am in DC". Well, it didn't take me long to decided to turn around, head home, get stuck in more traffic, and call it a failed ride. Friends are awesome that way.

So, Alejandro and I met up for a (few) drink(s) on a nice roof top deck in Cleveland Park. Unfortunately, Carolina didn't know Cleveland Park Bar and Grill had a roof deck, so when she came looking for us (sans phone), she couldn't find us. Next time Carolina, next time!!

Or maybe next time I should get over my fear of riding in rush hour traffic...

Ahhh... Taper

I feel like I have this question a lot. Can you taper if you didn't fully train? I always go with a yes...

In case you are not aware "Tapering, in the context of sports, refers to the practice of reducing, or tapering off, exercise in the days just before an important competition. Tapering is customary in many endurance sports, such as the marathon, athletics and swimming. For many athletes, a significant period of tapering is essential for optimal performance. The tapering period frequently lasts as much as a week or more." So this is the phase I am in before Sunday's 57.2 event.

It was the reason I skipped a lot of my swim today. Not because I'm lazy. Not because I wanted to go to dinner with people who finished first. Because I am on my taper. Yup, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

And I am pretty excited. Eagleman has notoriously had horrible logos and shirts. This years seems much better. Yay!

June 1 in DC Means...

It's hot. Gross, sweating the moment you step outside, deodorant doesn't work, never wanting to go outside, proof DC was built on a swamp - icky-ness. That also means storms pop up at any time. A perfect excuse to skip the Conte's hill ride. It had nothing to do with the fact that my legs are still sore from Saturday... Yup, nothing at all...

I do realize that I have a race in 12 days so I still need to do something. And that is why I have a trainer!! Yes, it's June and I am on my trainer, but I don't feel bad about that. I needed an easy ride to stretch out my legs, and it worked. Plus, I had a great system. The BEST show ever was on - gLee. I would take it easy at the commercials, in aero during the talking, and sprint hard during the songs. Before I knew it, 60 minutes.

And no hills :-)

Swim Fail

Today was not a great day. They happen, but that doesn't make them any better.

It was a super fast pool. There were about 3 new really REALLY fast people in lane 1. That dropped 3 people into my lane. Which made me very, very last. And lapped at a 300! That doesn't make anyone feel good - in fact it reminded me of high school - eek!

About 700 into the workout I was coming into the wall just as Hugh was pushing off (in the lane next to me) and we smacked wrists. Hard. It was so hard my arm flew back and I couldn't finish the full stroke. I got to the wall, a bit dazed. By the time I made it back to the other side, Hugh was laughing. Apparently, it didn't bother him too much.

Me on the other hand... It immediately started to swell and just hurt. I kept swimming, but after about another 1000, I just couldn't take it any more. Between the super fast people, felling blobby, and a pounding/throbbing wrist - I called it a night. 1800 - still not that bad.

When I got into the car to head home, shifting from park to reverse - HURT!! I knew I made the right decision.

I Chose Sleep

I don't like being one of those people who says they will be some where, and is ridiculously late, doesn't show up, or bails last minute. Well, this morning, I was. I haven't been sleeping well for the past few months and crawling out of bed at 5:45 just wasn't happening. This just doesn't make any sense because I was tired from my 3400 yard swim (that's almost 2 miles!), I went to bed at 10:30 but was up until at least 1. Again at 2:15. And one more time 4:30. So when the alarm went off at 5:45 - I reset it for 2 hours later, texted and e-mailed an apology to Brooke, Mary Elizabeth, and Karen, rolled over and went back to sleep.

The sleep was great. I know I made the right decision, but I am also on my second cup of coffee...

Still Trying to Figure It Out

Well, I was supposed to participate in a race today with Tammy this morning- but no, not for me right now. I really wanted to go, but knew it wasn't a good idea. I was going to go volunteer, however sitting in a car for a few hours, and not sure what I would be doing - while still having spasms, I figured wasn't smart either. So, the weekend was good but pretty uneventful.

Saturday I ran a boat load of errands and my back hardly had 1 twinge. It was sore, with some tightness, but that was all. When I got home, I threw in a movie to relax. After I got up, spasms on the left side galore. Interesting.... Sitting isn't good.

Sunday Arin, Brooke, Diane and K headed out to Sandy Point for an OWS. Now my Dr and PT both said I could swim, as swimming doesn't bother the back. Things felt okay and it was nice to do something. We relaxed at the beach for awhile but the sun never came out and grocery shopping needed to be done. And spasms - not so many...

So I am taking notes, trying to figure out what sets off the spasms, where they are, how intense, what I was doing. It's quite the web and I can't find any one solid, full proof, trigger.