Three Workouts!!

Yes, that's right. 3.

1. It's Tuesday, so YOGA STEVE! And, with help from Yoga Steve, I was much better with my side angle pose.

2. I was planning on swimming tomorrow, but AJ couldn't make it so doing a workout with someone is always better than trying to do 5x200 comfortably hard on your own. So thanks AJ for making my 3000 much more enjoyable! And it was good to see you there too Arin!

3. Because workout number two was supposed to be tomorrow's workout, I still needed to do today's, which was a trainer ride. So, I got home from the swim and hopped onto Carlos for a good 45 minute ride.

GO ME!
Now I am tired. I should make my lunch for tomorrow. I should do some laundry. But, I think I am going to take a shower and go to bed. Tomorrow is long run day and I still have a tad bit of a sore throat.

Snowy Tuesday Snowy

With all the hype, it's FINALLY snowing. But that didn't keep me from my workouts! Mainly because they were all indoors.

Yoga Steve was tough today - lots of core and shoulder work. Needed, but after swimming yesterday, it was a bit harder. And my back wasn't very happy - and I really need to be careful.

Luckily, there was a happy hour tonight with the Tri Chicks - the 100 push up challenge people (and they are doing very well!). You know people are in training when no one orders more than 2 drinks (I only had 1!!), start drinking water at 7, and call for the check by 7:15. But we still have fun! Especially in the snow!

And the best part, I was on my bike trainer by 8. Yup! I KNOW! I put on Ironman 2001 (don't tell me who won, I only made it half way through) and biked my 40 minute workout. I feel awesome.

And tired.

Time Goes By So Quickly!

Man, I don’t know where the time went. I even had things to blog about this past week, but was not home a lot so I did not get the chance to post. So, because I forgot my yoga close this morning (sad I know, no yoga Steve today – but I did go vote, so that is something!), I am taking my lunch hour to catch you 8 readers up on my week – the best I can remember…

Wednesday was a meeting. It was triathlon related so it totally counts as a workout! Or something.

Thursday I went to masters swimming. I was pretty sore for a solid week of working out, so I jumped into the slowest lane for the practice. Yes, of the 4 lanes I am either last in the 3rd slowest lane and working my butt off to keep up, or I lead the slowest lane. Masters people are FAST! This was followed up by demanding food at Diane's place before watching Project Runway. And I will no longer be watching Project Runway because the winner SO SHOULD NOT HAVE WON!

Friday was probably my favorite day. I didn't feel like going for a run, but it was beautiful outside, so I went for a walk. I wound up at the National Gallery of Art and wondered why I had not done that before. I saw one of my favorite paintings, and head back to the office. It was a brisk walk on a lovely Friday. It just put me in a really good mood. This was followed up by two birthday parties and a bit of a late night.

That late night lead to a late start on Saturday for the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear. I was happy to be a part of the moment. And even happier to head home and watch on TV. There was a lot of walking, so that basically counts as a run. AND, there was a Halloween party thrown by tri people - so obviously a workout.

Sunday was a marathon. No, I am not talking about this marathon, but the marathon of cleaning. 5 loads of laundry, clearing out parts of my closet, cleaning my bedroom, and scrubbing half of my bathroom. Two of my favorite parents are coming to visit this weekend so cleaning was MUST. And seriously, cleaning my apartment is TOTALLY a workout. I was sad to miss out cheering for Rob, Janie, Charles, and everyone else, but I thought of them as I tossed old running shoes. And, I headed to this musical Sunday evening. SO GOOD! If you like that hippy story line and 70's rock music stuff.

This takes us to yesterday, Monday, November 1st. I did make it swimming with Toby, Jen, Jenny and a few others, but was late so I did my own thing. And that was 2200 meters straight. Because I wanted to see if I could. And I could. I think over all, I racked up a solid 2800 - which made me very happy.

But that isn't the most exciting thing about yesterday; it was Day 1 of our 100 Push Ups Challenge. 100 Push Ups?!?! Yes, that is crazy talk, but true. This was part of the meeting I was at on Wednesday, and Karen came up with this idea. And for some reason, a boat load of us tend to do what Karen tells us. So, there are about 40 women signed up for this 100 Push Up challenge, based on this plan. Oh, and I also signed up for the 200 sit up part as well. Yay off season!

I almost didn't write about this, but figured if I posted it, I have to follow it because someone might ask. And I can't lie. Or I try, but it's so obvious that I am lying no one believes me. So, it's posted and I can't take it back...

Now that I have caught you all up on my week, I am sure you can understand why I haven't had the chance to blog. Hopefully this is a trend that will not continue. I hate missing Yoga Steve!

Last Wednesday's Post

(Wednesday, Oct 27th post. It was half written and I knew what I wanted to say - it just took some time to write it out.)

A few things from yesterday...

1. I am now a member of the Capital bike share! Charles got his membership key, and the price goes up after October 31, so I joined too. Even if I don't use it much, I believe in the idea so it was worth the money. The hard part though, is the helmet issue. Sometimes I think it might be easier to hop on a bike and go to my destination, however I don't plan on carrying a helmet with me everywhere I go. This is especially important to me right now as my friend Ryan was hit on Saturday, on MacArthur Blvd, a very bike friendly area we frequent often. No worries, he is okay, just a bit sore and scrapped up.
And there is a large difference between riding and hopping on a capital bike share bike - but there is a common factor, the car. I plan on buying another helmet to keep at work and it may just become part of my work bag. Stylish!!
AND, I kept harping on Charles to get helmet as we debated the pros, cons, data, stats, etc. However, I took a pretty bad tumble a few years back, broke my elbow - after landing on my head. So, it's really a no argument with me. And I am happy to say that Charles is now the proud owner of a nice new blue helmet.

2. Yoga Steve! I am really starting to LOVE Tuesday's. Yoga Steve just puts me in a good mood. I may not be making the progress I would like, but slowly I will get there. After all, what can I really expect since I go once a week.

3. Swimming. Yes I went to yoga, but I also went swimming too. For some reason, I was just in a really good mood - unlike prior swims. The lanes were crowded, due to the Masters team I am apart of but was not swimming with which took up half the pool, but AJ, Toby and I had a really good swim. 3100 meters good!

4. Times, they are changing. I was supposed to go to watch the high heel race, but I knew the week would be busy with little time to workout. And after my wonderful weekend in Minnesota/Wisconsin - I needed the workout. So, I chose to swim instead of drinking, eating and watching the race. Luckily Ang, who was throwing the party, completely understood, as she is also a triathlete and has been super busy too. It really helps when friends are so understanding about skipping things for workouts. Especially because that will start happening more and more as I train.

Yoga Steve!! Well, Yesterday

I meant to write this yesterday, but ran out of time. Again.

I was still pretty sore from Sunday's kick butt hike, but knew I should do something. Running was out. I couldn't drag myself to the pool, and went out with Jess on Monday and had a board meeting on Tuesday. Bike - no, not yet.

Then Charles reminded me that it was Tuesday. Yoga STEVE!! So off to yoga I went.

It was a pretty tough class, but so good. I was dripping sweat within 20 minutes and had some great stretching poses. Yoga Steve kept coming over to fix my poses - aka, made them much harder. But I was really happy because I made progress on one pose - Shoulder stand to plow. My should stand was much higher with straighter legs, and when I moved to plow, my toes were super close to touching the ground!!! Yes, Yoga Steve did come over and help but still - it was progress. My hips and hamstrings still need a lot of work, but I am slowly getting there. Now that I am around more, I will hopefully be able to make this a weekly event again.

And maybe some people (*cough* Charles *cough*) can make it to class with me...

Another date with Yoga

Yoga Steve + only 4 people in the class = lots of attention and tweaking of poses = PAIN!

But in the good way. It was a small Tuesday yoga class, but another good one. I just really like the 45 minutes to an hour of relaxation during the day. It's a nice break from the swim/bike/run. And I think the 3 long weekends have taken a toll on my body, especially the legs.

I am pretty excited to take the weekend off and cheer everyone on Sunday. I am debating on whether or not to bring my bike and ride up there in New Hampshire. I should. I think Karen and I will have the room in her car. And I heard there is ice cream... but I am pretty lazy and could use a relaxing weekend.

Yoga is a workout!

I took another class with Yoga Steve today. I had to cut it short because I had a 1 o’clock meeting. Yoga Steve’s class is from 12:20 – 1, but last week, he went until 1:15. Which would have been awesome, but alas – stupid meetings and doing my job.

Anyway, the gym in my building is currently being redesigned, which includes the room where all the weights and yoga classes are held. Because there is no room, we hold yoga class in the hall way, on the way out the building if you are going for a run. This is all fine, however I know a few people who go out for their run during this time frame. My friend Scott was coming back from his run and I swear, he went by me 3 times just to mock my poses. On one pass he smirked and said “Come on, do a real workout”. He said this as I had a puddle of sweat forming under me as I was in some sort of warrior/triangle pose.

I will be the first to admit that I originally thought yoga was just a good stretch. Oh no. I was wrong.

Yoga Steve!!

Something is going on at the office and it stinks. Silly work. But it pays the bills and allows me to do these activities I like. So after a not so great day and a half, I took lunch at the gym. And not weights, or the treadmill, or stationary bike - but yoga.

Karen and I sometimes go swim at the Y, followed by yoga, and of course dinner. I ran into the Y yoga teach in my office hallway, YOGA STEVE! He told me he started teaching classes on Tuesday. As it is Tuesday, off yoga I went.

I am not very good at yoga but I found it very relaxing. It was a nice break from the day and the calmness lasted about 15 minutes into the afternoon.