Week in Review 2/21/11-2/27/11

Last week was a recovery week. My body was really tired from the Tempo workouts I have been doing in Race Preparation that is going down this weekend!! I am so excited about this race mainly because I am putting the time and effort into my running and it is making some great progress!

My coach sent me an awesome race plan for this coming weekend and I hope Know that I will be executing the plan!! Hopefully the weather cooperates! I have been reviewing this over and over again, reading what she has outlined. Im going for it. Even if Im puking at the end!!

I have been trying to stay positive about the weather and get outside and run as much as I can. It beats riding that darn Treadmill or should I say DREADmill??! Ugh!

I had a really great week otherwise. Nothing too drastic!

Here is the week in Numbers
Strength: 1 hour
Swim: 4800 meters - 1 hour 30 min
Bike- 2 hours 30 min- trainer rides
Run- 19 miles- 3 hours 25 min

TOTAL time- 8 hours 25 min 34 sec

Happy Training!!!

Turn your thoughts around- You can do anything!

Today was a easy run day as I am on a recovery week. On Saturdays, I try to meet up with the Lake Effect Run Club. This is a group of people joining together for the sake of enjoying each others company and running. It has a range of people from 5min milers to 12min Milers. I know I say this all the time, but I honestly love running with this group. They make you feel welcome. As you know there can be some stuffy people in the running world. And there are some in our neck of the woods. But, I will not trash anyones character.

Onto today's running. My daughter, who is 7, begged me and begged me to take her running this morning. I told her it wasn't going to be easy for her as I was running the Tipp Hill Run Course. It is a hilly course in Syracuse, NY that is 4 miles long. She protested and said she still wanted to join. I finally gave in and said ok. It was a mere 20F when we started running, so of course we were bundled up in some layers as the wind chill took that number down to 7F.

We were running smoothly, around 9:30-9:45min pace, until Mile 1.5 when my daughter says she cannot run anymore. I reiterated that this wasn't easy and that she had to keep running to keep warm. She decided she would try again. We got to the 2.5 mile mark and she just started balling. Once again I reminded her that this was her decision and no one elses. We ran walked the rest of the way. She made it 3 miles in 40min!! I think that is pretty darn good!

She kept saying to me on that last mile. I cannot do this mom! I looked at her and said you are awesome right now, you need to have faith that you can continue and stop with the negative thoughts. She did, and we finished. She is a little tired, but,she did it. Free willingly I may add with a little push from me.

I had another woman say to me when I asked her if she would be joining us for repeats at The parkway tomorrow say, "I cannot keep up with you guys". I looked at her and said how do you know if you didn't try once!

The reason I say this is because I have doubts, I think I cannot do a pace my coach has set for me, but I try, and I try harder. I can do it, I can do anything if I erase those negative thoughts out of my mind. I've been doing it and the only way to getting better is pushing yourself and TRYING! Don't just say I can't, Try. Who cares if you fail?!! I certainly don't! All I know is that makes me more hungry to try again when I do fail. Your body is stronger than you think it is. Why not try and push it to the next level??

Happy Training!

Saucony Fastwitch 5 Review

Sorry, Yes, I know this was supposed to be blogged about Yesterday but when you are ticked about not getting in the pool again in the morning because the lifeguard fails to come to work, Work was crazy with the flu bug, and you have to get the little one to gymnastics, then watch American Idol, The priorties shifted a tad bit!

Onto the review

 Coming in two awesome colors as shown here, I couldn't decide which one I wanted so I eventually went with the white ones for now. I have been running in the Fastswitch 4s for the last 6 months and frankly they were getting a bit stinky from me not wearing socks.

This is what Saucony is advertising about this shoe: The Saucony Grid Fastwitch 5 shoe is lightweight and responsive for fast training days to fast race days. This women's racing flat sports a breathable mesh upper with a dual-density SSL EVA midsole. The XT-900™ outsole of the Saucony Grid Fastwitch 5 flat provides enhanced traction and durability.

This shoe is a stability shoe for the moderate pronator when running and since my gait is off a hair, I am a mild pronator with my right foot. These shoes are perfect.

When I got them I was surprised to see that they changed alot to this shoe. More mesh openings to the forefoot and a little more tread to the sole. Not to mention the sole says "u R Losing" so when Im running ahead of someone they see my message, If I can get my leg that high!!

They do run a little small so I do a half size bigger in these shoes.

Pros:
Lightweight yet durable to stand the impact sprint up to marathon distance
Breathability
Attractive Design

Cons:
Not as soft inside as the FastSwitch 4s- the 4s were like a pillow!! LOVED them!
Stiffer in the mesh upper area than last model
Skimped on the padding on the collar and tonge than last model

I really like this shoe but there is something that keeps aggravating my Left Big Toe and causing a blister which never happened with my 4s and I think it is because it is a stiffer design.

Happy Training!!

Treadmill Stress Test.

I will never get why they put me on a treadmill to meet my target heartrate.

Today I had a Treadmill stress test So my Cardiologist could view what my heart is doing under Stress

I had 2 lovely ladies who got me in a hospital gown, Bleck, and hooked me up to a 12 lead EKG strapping the holder around my waist.

Hopped on the treadmill and every 3 min the Treadmill would increase incline and speed. Every So often I got my BP checked as well. Sweating and hot as this is a little room nestled in the back of the cardiology office, I reached 85% Max Heart Rate at 5.2 mph with a incline of 16% after 15min. Phew! Within 3 min my heart rate was back down to 68. The nurses looked at me and said, you will have no problem with your Ironman.

I knew this going into my stress test but I wanted to make sure I wasn't going to have any medical issues going into training or during the race. I have a clean bill of health now and ready to rock! Not that I haven't been keeping up with my training anyways.

So there you have it!! P.S I got new Saucony Fastwitch 5's in the mail! So excited! Ill be doing a review tomorrow!

Week in Review- February 14, 2011-February 20, 2011

Last week was a typical week for me except for one thing. I suddenly feel like I am enjoying my running! I am seeing gains like no tomorrow! I have stayed true to my Zones like Coach Mary has said and it is totally paying off!

Started off the week with a sore throat but started extra Vitamin C and Fluids. My job even swabbed me for the flu. Luckly I didn't have it. I had a pounding headache and a sore throat thats all.

By Wednesday I had a Sinus Infection but nothing that deterred me from my workouts.

Friday I complained to my honey yet again about my nether regions. I really need to invest in a new seat. This upcoming week I will be perusing the internet and scoping out the softer seats. I have a hard time with firmer seats as I have no padding on this area. I can feel my bones digging into the seat as I ride. Not comfy if you ask me. So if you got any tips to make this easier let me know.

Saturday I managed 2 hours on my bike, 30 min on the Spin Bike, While watching New Moon,  then a 30 min run. I felt like I could run forever off the bike. I don't know why Im so fascinated by the Twilight series but I am. Im a sucker for romance, even when vampires and werewolves are the theme!!

Sunday I did a 1:24 run with 2 of my best running partners. I made them Do mile repeats with me all while groaning at first. By the end, they were loving them, wanting to do them again. We did 1 mile repeats x5. The goal was 8:20min/mi pace. Yeah thats not how it went- It went a little something like this 7:47, 8:00, 8:20, 8:40, 8:20. Eh, I tried.

I had a great email from my Coach this week that made my week a little more positive about the training Ive been doing. Heres the email-

"I have to tell you sister, you are absolutely rocking this program. You are an Absolute DREAM to coach. I can not wait to start your freaking season already because I fully believe we have PRs at every single turn here."

What a way to end a crappy Friday at work to get this message to birghten my weekend. Thanks Coach! Im trying!

Onto the Numbers

Swim- 4,200 meters- 1 hour 45 min
Bike- 5 hours 30 min - trainer riding
Run-  23.8 miles- 3 hours 14 min
Strength- 1 hour 30 min

Total Time: 12 hours 29 min

Happy Training!!

Operation Beautiful

I never thought the Above words would touch me so much as they have today. My friends and I went for our usual run with a twist today! Mile Repeats TIMES 5!! The last mile was rough for all of us but they all held through for me! I have never felt a closer bond to anyone as I feel with my running group. We talk about everything, can be silly with each other, whatever we want to do and that is the fun part!

After our run today we went to Ophelia's Cafe. This place is a gorgeous little cafe nestled in the Village of Liverpool, NY. Their mission is being "committed to empowering individuals, families, and communities to redefine beauty and health through initiatives that increase self-esteem, improve body image and introduce alternatives to dangerous desires for perfection; and to providing outreach, advocacy and educational services to those impacted by eating disorders, disordered eating and body dissatisfaction."

Their Vision "To begin changing culture and to empower individuals, families, and communities to embrace health, beauty, and happiness at any shape and size and to share a message of body celebration"

THEIR VALUES

Led by FAITH in Jesus Christ


Offering LOVE and ACCEPTANCE

Encouraging PERSONAL GROWTH

We RESOLVE to make a difference

INTEGRITY

Show RESPECT

Promote a sense of COMMUNITY

Live with PASSION
 
We stop here every Sunday and everyone is so nice and friendly and welcoming. Its truely one of my favorite places. As we sat down over our cup of Joe, I saw a flyer on the table that caught my eye. It read National Eating Disorders Awareness Week is Feb 20-26 and in recognition of this week they we starting early by Celebrating "Operation Beautiful" Transforming the way you see yourself one post-it note at a time.
 
As I posted in Previous Writings, I took Diet pills, Had activated Charcoal Shoved down my throat as I took too many, Did it all, So this touched me deeply.
 
The goal: to end negative self talk or "fat" talk. All you need is a pen and a piece of paper...leaving positive messages on the mirrors of public bathrooms- At work, teh gym, grocery store. Wherever! Scribble down whatever comes to your mind!
 
What an awesome concept. See more at http://www.operationbeautiful.com/
 
As I was thinking about this, the song from PINK (Perfect) Came on. It made me have tears in my eyes as this song describes how I feel somedays. But Im not LESS than Perfect, Im perfect to me!! Thats my motto and Im sticking to it!
 
Hope you all had a great week, Tomorrow Ill post the details of the Last week!!

Tuesdays Ramblings and Last Week in Numbers!

I cant believe I have been so Busy since Saturday! I hope all of you had a Wonderful, Mushy Valentines Day! I spent mine feeling not so hot after work but then a couple hours later was ready to Tackle my new Bike!

- I have to Say I LOVE LOVE LOVE my New Bike. Its like it Purrs on the Trainer! One thing I do have to do is switch out that lovely Seat and Get a White Adamo or Koobi Saddle. I have Been Looking at the Koobi Xenon Saddle and the reviews on it have been great so I might go with this one! Check it out at All3sports.com

- Today, I nailed my Tempo Run!! I had a Ave 8:32 for 4 miles. After this I thought I was going to blow chunks, but hey, I did it the way coach wanted me to. Just kidding I was fine afterwards!

- Swimming is back and forth. One day I feel good the next I am frustrated at how my swimming is going. I have a love hate relationship with the pool. Especially now that I am starting to incorporate flip turns into the deal. Hey, If I wanna act like I can swim I need to do it.

- Nutrition is iffy still. Darn Holidays always revolve around CANDY! I refused cookies yesterday but I did not deny myself a handful of Peanut M&Ms!

- I was thinking of changing to Carbo Pro Products/ First Endurance for Nutrition. Im still reading up on both. I have intestinal issues with everything So I want something that isn't going to make my stomach hurt

- I was really annoyed that a woman bigger than me, Plus size wore a Sports bra and Capris today at the gym. Let me tell you she had it all hanging out. But she wasn't ashamed of herself at all and I think this is what annoyed me because I am so self conscious and here she is saying she doesn't give a hoot. Shes going to be cool while she works out. I still wouldn't be caught doing it. I will admit I do wear only this on the trainer while in the comfort of my own home.

- Last note, the cold here stinks! It has been Freezing and Windy! Spring needs to get here FAST!

Onto the Numbers for last week. I did miss a few workouts due to my endoscopy and my needing a bucket to lean over afterwards for a while.

Ok Here you go:

Swim - 6000 meters  2 hours 45 min
Bike- 4 hours 35 min- Trainer
Run- 18.05- 3 hours
Strength- 1 hour 30 min

Total time: 11 hours 54 min.

Have a great week!

.And now For the Unveiling...MY NEW BIKE!

First and foremost thanks to all of you who follow my blog and gave me some kind words on my undergoing my Upper Endoscopy. I am happy to say I feel much better today. The procedure took about a half hour. I was given Fentanyl, Versed AND propofol which really made me light headed and wanting to vomit. I almost did in my honeys truck!! Thank god he is so supportive!!

My doc found a little area that was healing in the stomach. She did do some biopsies but I think everything looked good. I will meet up with her in a few weeks. I feel like Im falling apart at 30! Of course I got a headache today and I cannot take any Motrin or Aspirin Products. So Im suffering a little.

Onto my next BIG news!! I walked into talk to Bill over at Advance Cyclery today in Syracuse, NY. I walked in and he greeted me with you are in LUCK girl! He told me the Felt Tri bikes were in and He knew I was looking and he had just one up my alley. It was the B-16 model. New this year, Carbon Fiber, all Ultegra for a pretty good deal and a discount because I am a CNY Tri member. I looked at it on the rack and let me tell you....I GOT THAT AHHHH Feeling!! I said yes! Lets do it! I got on the bike for a quick fitting and then took it home to the trainer where I will ride it next week to work out the tweeks. I am so excited!

Heres my NEW baby!!

I am so excited that it will even match my team kit! Not to mention we are now sponsored by Zensah! I have been looking at Green Compression Socks all day! If you haven't looked into Zansah you should! They have good prices on all compression wear! They have been featured in Multuple magazines including Runners World, Bicycling, Apparel Magazine as cutting edge compression wear!

Today was a 2:30 ride on the old bike with a 30 min run. My dreams of riding this bike have begun! Tomorrow its a kick butt 1:30 run OUTSIDE!! Im no wimpy Treadmill runner (For the most part!!)                                                     

HAPPY TRAINING!!!

Tomorrow is the day

Tomorrow is the Day I will be under anesthesia getting a endoscopy. I went through all the pre testing and Passed..Now I have to fast and not eat anything pretty much the whole day tomorrow since my procedure isn't until 12:45!! I cannot believe they expect a person to wait to eat this long! .

I put off my run tonight and am going to do it tomorrow after my bike workout. Making it a little brick because darn it, thats what I feel like doing!

So Im going to suffer through not eating until possibly 2pm tomorrow, eat a hearty meal and get to work!!

My daughter tells me her throat hurts tonight. Sure, she has a fever of almost 101F. Great!!! I think she might have a case of Strep! Just what I need right now as I just stated to the lady who called my today from the Endoscopy office that I am without fever or illness in the last 3 days!! Hopefully my smooching of my little one today does not affect me!! She is supposed to be in school tomorrow while I am on Fentanyl and Versed!!

Cross your fingers!!

I am so READY for Spring!

I love the winters in New York, most of the time. This winter has got me really bummed! One day it is nice out, next we have 5 inches on the ground! Spring needs to get here soon!

I was thinking of how eager I am to race this upcoming season. I have never been on top of getting my race schedule together as I have this year. I am thinking of doing a Race in June but cannot find one that will fit with my schedule. I have a race every month besides June! My honey laughs at me because I want to race all the time. He doesn't understand why its so maddening to me and not to him. Must be a guy thing.

I am going today AGAIN to look at a new Tri Bike. I so want a Felt B-12 and I think Im going to tell the shop to order it. I would love it to be in PINK but of course I have to settle for the only color that it comes in which is black and white. Of course I can spruce it up with Pink wheels, handlebar tape, pedals.... Ok Im getting excited about the vision of this bike! I am so picky these days with my bike selection. I am back and forth with what I want. I cannot believe I am doing this. I guess I want a bike that when I walk in and see it the light shines on it and I hear the angels sing in the background just like in the movies!! That has yet to happen.

I have been hanging on to the fact that there were these awesome green knee high running socks at Dick's Sporting goods store. I have been thinking about them all week. I want to race in them in a few weeks. I know, Im silly like that! It better be 40-50 degrees because I want to wear shorts for Pete's sake!

On a side note. My running was so exhilarating last night. I don't know why I felt good but I just went with the flow! I forgot my heartrate monitor watch and didn't figure it out until I got to the gym. I said screw it and ran anyways. I went by feel. Let me tell you, being free, not strapped in and looking at my watch every 10 seconds made me actually run faster! I did check every now and then that I was in my zones though by putting my hands on those metal sensors. I was in the Zones baby! I had to do a 15 min Zone 2 warm up followed by 15min x2 Zone 3 with 5 min rest in between, followed by a cool down. My Ave HR 158. Zone 3 speed was 8:34 and 8:32!! Last week they were 9:05 and 8:56!! Hmmmm...to have a monitor or not?? HMMMMMM...Ok coach..yes I know...training in Heart Rate zones is making me faster...I believe that NOW!!

Last week in Review

Another week block of training in the bag! I never thought I would enjoy working out as much as I have over the last couple weeks. This has been my stress relief from work and everyday life. I think about everything and anything when Im training.

Last week went exceptionally well. I have to admit that I did skip a trainer ride because it was my Honeys birthday and we went to Outback for dinner and drinks. Hey, I need a margarita every now and then too!!

I have been playing with my nutrition and diet as well. Trying to figure out what works for me and what doesn't. Im getting there. Its a work in progress definately. But I am making strides. I was thinking about getting the new book on Ironman nutrition.

Im getting ready for the Shamrock 4 milers and they had great deals on GREEN things at Dicks so I picked up a few things. I also went online and got some CEP Green Compression socks! Woo hoo! I think they will match my Train-this outfit as well!! :)

I have been picking up some great running friends to tag along with me on my long runs! Time flies when you talk the whole time!

Here are the numbers!!

Strength 1 hour 30 min- Mixed in a little ab workout as well.
Swim- 2850 meters ; 2 hours
Bike- 4 hours 35 min- all trainer riding
Run- 21.82 miles- 3 hours 44 min

TOTAL 11 hours 49 Min!

Onto this week!! Enjoy!

Random Ramblings

I have been absent from the bloggy world for the last couple days!! Gasp! Not that I couldn't find anything to write, but that my life is getting a little crazier every day.

I am focusing on the Shamrock 4 mile race coming up in 3 weeks so coach has me doing some tempo runs, which this week I was on cloud nine because I love to run FAST!! Im hoping to PR this race. Last year I did it in 38min, I think. This year I want 35-36min.

Today I cycled on the Trainer for 2:30 hours while watching Twilight. Now I see what all the fuss was about!! I really enjoyed the movie and the time went by so fast!! I will just say that Edward Cullen is so dreamy! Ha ha! I told my boyfriend that we are going to the movie store to rent the next 2 movies. He rolled his eyes at me of course!

After the Ride, I quickly changed and met My friend T and the Lake Affect Run Club to run the Shamrock Run that is going to be going on March 5th in Syracuse, NY. Its a 4 mile run but I got there late and I only did 3.2mi but this was great as I planned on doing a easy 30 min run. I felt great the whole time running!! I wanted to go faster but knew that I had to keep it easy.

 

On the note about the Run club. I absolutely love these people! No where have I felt such a great feel of friendship and comradery involved as I see in this club. We meet at various locations, run, and then chat about everything and anything over some coffee and grub. Im glad I met these people! Im even meeting some of these crazy runners tomorrow to run with me for my 80 min endurance run!! If the weather is good of course!!! We are supposed to be getting another snow storm!!

 

Until Tomorrow...Happy training!

 

January is gone...1 month closer to SPRING!!

As I am typing this I am preparing myself for another snow storm that is hitting the east coast tonight!! I want it to stop! Let it be Spring Already! I went into the gym to swim this morning with no snow on the car, come out there is 2 inches on the car. I think I need to move! The weather can be such a drag when it takes you 20-25 min to get to work and really on a good day it only takes me 10! I need to take up some more winter sports!

Last month was a great month. I got to meet some awesome people from the Train-This team. I am so interested in their training as well as my own!

I had some oh no moments, and pulled through as well last month...so onto February!!

Here are the mothly stats! Thank you Training Peaks for making it easier on me!

Strength: Hard core heavy lifting...coach wants to see me get BUFF!! 6 hours 13.33% of training
Swim- 7.25 hours- 8299 meters  16.11% of training
Bike- 18.17 hours- Trainer/Spinning- 40.37% of training
Run- 13.58 hours- 62.74 miles- 30.18% of training

TOTAL 45 hours 40 min!!

PHEW!!!
Happy Training!!! :)