Swim Sets.

 I am sore from my workout from Wednesday of swims sets but hoping today will be a little easier. Heres what IRONMAMMA has in store for me today....

Planned swim time 1 Hour

400 free
200 kick with fins
100 free

10X50 on 50. Moderate pace

300 6 kick switch drills with fins

4X100 free on 2:10

200 cool down

I know I am swimming right as my Lats have been achy. A good ache. Not a ache that I cannot handle.

I did get alot of cramps in the inner thigh the other day when I was swimming. I wonder if I was a little dehydrated. Anyone else experience this?? I am going to try to drink on my rest intervals today...we will see how that goes. I've only cramped up once before and that was AFTER a 2 hour run...hmmmm...

Also the 6 switch drills with fins is an awesome drill....here is the video

Frustrated Cyclist

My post today is about my ride yesterday. I clearly do not get why people do not pay attention to the road. Me as a cyclist and driver, I pay attention when I am driving. I dont text, I don't call anyone unless its an emergency and I watch my surroundings.

I am very frustrated with some drivers out there who think that they own the road and can be aggressive to cyclers. It baffles my mind when men/women in trucks, cars, minivans rev their engines or give you the finger! Come on!

I had a hour ride to do yesterday and since my butt didn't get up until 7am, I didn't have time to do it in the morning. I took the great opportunity I had at 5pm to ride outside. The weather was a balmy 77 degrees here and I just couldn't pass up the opportunity!!

I had to stay in zone 2 which for me is 130-143. I pretty much stayed in this zone averaging about a 18mph speed, not overdoing it. I was enjoying my ride. I couldn't ask for a better night. Nice breeze, warm crisp air, fallen leaves, so beautiful. I then headed back home after a half hour out and as I was approaching a intersection, a man in an SUV decides hes going to turn right in front of me. Never EVEN looked at me as Im screaming bloody Murder!!! I almost, almost hit his passenger side, Good thing I have good bike skills and made it past him without hurting myself! I quickly turned my wheel to avoid danger. Ok, I he was on his cell phone and clearly wasn't paying attention!!!

Next I pull up to a red light and a man tells me I shouldn't be out any later as I don't have reflective gear on...REally?!! Really?!! Thanks for the input! It wasn't even dark out yet! and yes I can ride a bike! I know how!

Then as I am getting clipped in at the intersection as it was green now, a woman in a sedan decides she is going to honk at me and give me the finger and speed off!! I just don't get it. I obey the traffic laws, I do everything right and this is the treatment I get.

Needless to say after this my ave speed for the rest of the mile was 24mph. I didn't keep that last mile in Zone 2....Sorry coach!!

Enough said today. I am getting the stuff together for the Giveaway...Trust me it will be by the end of the week!! :)

Week in Training

Last week was all Recovery and Boy does it feel good to get going again!!! I don't know if everyone knows But I will be signing myself up for Beach to Battleship Full Ironman Distance Next year!!

This week started out with Functional Strength Training and Can I tell you, I am weak in strength...Weak, Weak, WEAK!!! Ok well maybe not as weak as I think I am but definately have alot of strength to gain!! I like the workouts. They are somewhat challenging but fun! One legged rows, kick backs with a stability ball, reverse crunches, planks, Reverse Negative Crunches....Yeah I feel it afterwards big time...120 count for abs...I better have abs of steel by the time Im done!!

I have 9 hours posted for this week of training. The last few weeks have been 5-6. So a little more for the next 3 weeks or so. I can definately handle this! I like that my coach says we are building an aerobic base...I need to have the mind set that we don't always have to go fast to see gains but to focus on form and cadence too. I nailed my run yesterday in both Zone 2 and cadence!!! Ahhh!! I finally know what it feels like to be light on your feet!

I even have swim sets to do this week!! Swim Sets!! I don't know what to do with myself!! I haven't done swim sets like this since Masters swim a year ago!!! I hope I can make the time cut offs! :) Its hard for my coach to guage this as I swim in a 50 meter pool not Yards. Ill show her I can get my swim on! (Does anyone else get dizzy from flip turns??!! I think I hold my breath or something??)

Enough of my ramblings....

I am thinking of a giveaway!!! Yeah!! More on that when I have everything together!!

Sunday Triathlon Funny!!

Got To Get this Book!! Especially When Ironman Training really Hits!!

I can Only Imagine what is going through this guys head!!

Recovery Week Thoughts

I'd love to think this is what I could do this week but I think my coach wouldn't be too thrilled with me taking a week off!!

1. This week has been a recovery week and quite frankly I am getting a little antsy but understand that 
     recovery is important!!

2.  I have been really focusing on Cadence in my running. This is the frustrating part. I cannot get to 45
     strides per foot in 30 sec. I get 43, 44...Darn it!! Give me 45!!!

3. I also have been working in zones..recovery zone is the hardest mentally...

4. That reminds me I need to fix my Garmin to Incorporate my New Zones!!

5. Tomorrow is Continuous swimming for 30 min...including my new flip turn!! YAY!!

6. I have been getting my costume ready for the Halloween run next weekend....I know the suspense is
    killing you but you will have to wait!!!

7. I have put my applications in for the Surgical ICU NP position and the Urgent Care!!! Thanks for all the
    Input!

Thats all for now!!!

New Career Path

So, I have been thinking about a new career path. Not that I don't love what I do, but I need a change. You see I was a ICU nurse prior to taking a Nurse Practitioner job in Family Practice. I thought this is what I wanted to do. I enjoyed the people I worked with, I am practically my own boss, nice location, Great pay. But, I don't see myself doing this for 40 more years.

I am a ICU nurse at heart. I used to live and breathe trauma, codes, drips, ventilators, you name it, I've probably done it in some way or another. I think this is where my heart is at and am torn at what to do.

There is a Surgical NP position at the Hospital I used to work at available. I have asked my former Supervising Physician to write me a letter of recommendation which was the most awesome letter I have ever received! Even though I have put this all in place I still fear going back to the ICU even though thats where I want to be. I fear the loss of my skills for the last 2 years, being the person making the decisions when death is at the patients door...Scary right?!!!

I have also looked into a position at the Local Urgent Care. I think both would be suitable options for me.

Im torn as I have made great repore with some patients and I know they would be upset to see me go since there has been so much change in the last 2 years of my employment with the company I work for. But at the same time I feel I cannot compromise my happiness for these patients, for money, for anything.

I really have to think long and hard on this one...I will make my decision by the end of the month...

Eastwood Park to Park 5 mile Road Race recap

Today in Central New York it was a Balmy 60 degrees. Yes I said It Balmy. You see in New York in October you can have Nippy weather or nice sunny weather. You just never know. But, I am glad it was on the warmer side. I love 40-60 degree weather for running!

Eastwood Park to Park Run is a 5 mile run showcasing the beauty of Eastwood. It has some challenging hills but not too tough, per what their brochure says.

Packet Pick up was at My favorite Fleet Feet Sports Store Yesterday. We got a cotton long sleeve shirt with the same design as above.

Today went a little something like this...
7 am- woke up with a congested head with a snot nose. Great. Took some Sudafed
7:45am- Ate my Usual Breakfast of Whole wheat Bagel. Peanut butter and jelly on top and a Banana
8 am - Mixed My Hammer Heed Drink in 24 oz and started sipping on it
8:30am.- Decided to have a cup of coffee with just cream. No sugar in my coffee, hate sugar in it!
9 am- Was on my way to the race
9:15am- Parked, talked to my dad, saw a few friends, said hi on the way to the Bathroom
9:45am- Quick warm-up lap around the track at the Rink. Quick Swig of My Hammer Gel
10am- Race start. The national anthem was sung by a beautiful voice right before the start that I was smiling and loving that I am an American and free...

10:45:11- I finished the race after 2 snot rocket stops and 10 tortuous hills. (I think I counted 10?) Well maybe not all tortous. Just the last one at 13% grade!!

I finished in the middle of the pack of people. 16th in my AG 20-29. I really focused on my form and cadence in this run. I kept thinking damn...my cadence is high and I feel good for the most part but these people are passing me left and right! Oh well!! Someday I will be a fast runner....someday..

I wore my Fly By night Duathlon arm warmers, a Tank, Shorts and my baby Suacony Fastwitch 4s. A lady came up to me at the end and said. I thought you were crazy for wearing what you wore but I got hot fast and wishe I was wearing what you had on!! I get hot very fast and have learned what to wear depending on the weather!!

Me attempting to be good at my form beforehand!!