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.

Because I Like Pain

I am going to swim practice. I have been disappointed in my swims lately, so I figured I better go.

Yes, I did just get out of my car after a 7+ hour drive back from Cleveland after my International distance tri, but as Toby said "You're totally coming. We discussed this last Monday :) After a long travel trip there is nothing better than to stretch out in the pool!!!"

But here is the problem, Toby makes me do the entire workout (which I wrote) and I have a feeling her swimmer friend will be there too. That is not a "stretch" swim.

Blah. I better go and change so I am not late... But if I am late, maybe I can skip part of the workout...

Ouch

That's how I feel right now. But in a very good way.

It was another 4:30 wake up call. Coffee was made, bagel was toasted, the car was packed and we were off to The Greater Cleveland Triathlon.

We got there nice and early so we could do our packet pickup and make sure our transition areas were set, as this was V's first International distance tri. I am fairly experienced in the world of triathlon, but going into this one, it was more about being with friends. And it showed. I forgot my race chip and swim cap in the car. Somehow I was covered in chain grease already (I blame it on putting on and off bikes in the dark). By the time we started walking to the beach, I figured I should start thinking about the event.

The Swim.
It was wet suit legal, which figures because I left my wet suit back in DC. I had the room, as I drove, but was informed that it had been so hot out, the wet suit wouldn't be allowed. Oh well. We had to walk the 1200 meters down the beach, as it was a point to point swim, which is just mean. But the swim was okay, all things considered. The swells were pretty bad so I am sure I drank a lot of Lake Erie. And my right goggle keep filling up. It was really REALLY annoying. I was getting passed left and right - an odd feeling for me in a swim. Not a great time, I am sure not a great placement, but all practice is good practice.

The Bike.
The benefit of going into a bike course you don't know is there are a lot of surprises. The bad thing is, I don't do that well. I did look at the elevation and knew there was at least 1 climb, but I was not expecting what I had to go up. Plus, there was a headwind the first part as well as a false flat. What was even more frustrating was the fact that I was getting passed by people on mountain bikes, in cages! I just could not go faster.
My other issue today on the bike, my nutrition was horrible. I didn't drink nearly enough or take in enough calories. I think because I didn't know what was coming, I was afraid to get stuck with a water bottle in my hand and looking up a hill. Or start eating a combo when I could be making up some time going downhill or having a tail wind. I know better, and should have done better. But I think I was around 1 hour 35 minutes. Not horrible, but I think I could have done better.

The Walk.
I don't have any idea the last time I went 6.2 miles. I am guessing Ironman... As well as things have been going for me with the run/walk, it sure wasn't today. Actually, the first 3 miles went really well. I was sticking to my run 1 minute, walk 1 minute and finished the first half faster than my last 5K at this race. However, then the pain in my foot started. And it was bad. Both at the ball of my foot and at 2 of my toes. I wanted to rip off my toe nails! So my run 1 minute, walk 1 minute turned into speed walking, without limping so I didn't throw off my knee or back, for the rest of the race. That is until I saw Merissa and had to run for the pictures. ALWAYS run for the pictures.

So, overall, I can't complain. It was a lot of fun and I am so proud of V.
Back to DC tomorrow and off to Bear, DE to do it all again Saturday.

New Present to Blain

In an attempt to buy Blain's love, I bought him a new present. Well, I didn't really buy it, but I permanently borrowed it from a friend, and will replace it later.

New Bar Tape! Look how awesome that green looks?!?! I am super excited to ROCK the Greater Cleveland Triathlon tomorrow.

After a really fun day at Soak City, I am ready to rest up for tomorrow's race. My biggest fear, it's going to be 62 when I start the swim. I wasn't expecting 'cold' weather!!! Oh well...

Wish me no flats and a pain free day tomorrow!

Good Story!

I am in Cleveland! And guess what? It ROCKS! I have already consumed the amount of calories I will be burning off on Sunday, but it was worth it. Who knew that Cleveland had such a cute Little Italy with the best cannolis I have ever had!

In addition to having a great dinner and dessert, I was also told a story I am going to do my best to type out.

A woman was going through a hard time and her friend asked her how she was doing. She picked up a rock, and threw it into a calm lake. She said "See how the lake is disrupted with the ripples and waves? It's bad now, but the ripples will eventually fad away and the lake will become calm again. However, that rock is now part of the lake, and always will be. That is how I feel. This situation will always be a part of me, but all will be calm again, in time."

Something about that story stuck with me. Whether a situation is good or bad, it is now a part of you, and in time, things will calm again.

Packing!

Yet another weekend. Another trip. This is getting fun!

This weekend I am off to Cleveland to visit Merissa and do a triathlon with her man. I am super excited to get away for a few days and spend some quality time with Merissa.

The race on the other hand... The swim, fine. The bike, it should be okay. I rode this morning with Mary Elizabeth and Blain seemed to be okay. I am still 100% worried about the back tire and getting a flat, but I have done all I can do, especially with help of my favorite bike shop. And the run - well, that is what I am most concerned about. It's a 10K... I always walk a good portion of the run on a tri, but this is 6.2 miles...

Either way, it will be a really good time and I am very excited. And besides, apparently, Cleveland Rocks.

What Was I Thinking?

Yesterday was in the 80's and low humidity. So was Monday. Did I attempt to run either of those days? No. Did I attempt to run today when it was back in the mid-90's with high humidity? Yes. Why? Because sometimes I make poor choices.

I am still working on my running form, but about 1.5 miles into it, I just couldn't run any more. I think my legs are still recovering from the weekend and they were just sore and tight. And it was hot. I was pouring out sweat. It was gross. I felt gross.

I really don't know what I was thinking.

But, it was another 2.25 miles!! I am holding onto my goal of running at least once a week!

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.

Thanks Toby

Once again, I didn't want to swim. I don't know what my deal is, but swimming, which I tend to love, isn't want I want to do. It's not that I would rather be biking or running, but sitting on the couch. Considering I did that yesterday when I got home, off to the pool I went. It also helped that I write and bring the Monday workouts otherwise I am pretty sure I wouldn't go.

And luckily, Toby was there. My goal was to swim an hour, and as much as I got done, that would be enough. Well, Toby had none of that. I tried to talk her into dinner after the warm up and was quickly shot down. The full 3400 was all she wanted to talk about.

So the full 3400 workout we did. I am not feeling as good as I would like, but I am sure it is better than I would be if I didn't go or left early.

Thanks Toby!

I Have Never Been So Happy To Be On My Couch

What a weekend.
90 miles yesterday.
33 miles today.I am tired. My stuff is everywhere. My lady parts hurt. My legs are tired. But I feel good. Today's ride was much better. After a rough day yesterday, I figured things would go better. But of course, Tammy had some bike issues. Nothing we couldn't fix, but still, a nice ride would have been nice. But the first 8 miles, those were probably the most painful 8 miles of my life. Not that the next 25 were much easier, but the first 8 were the worst.

Overall, it was a great weekend. We all learned a lot about our training, and a bit more about ourselves. You can't ask for much more during a training weekend. Except for Sonic of course. And now sitting on the couch.