Back on Track

Alright, so things are..going.

Being sick really took it out of me.  A few skipped workouts and a few shorted/easy workouts, and now I’m back full steam ahead.. but still have a nagging runny nose.  L  seems like everyone is sick, so I guess there’s no escaping it!  At this point it’s not really holding me back, so just dealing with the runny nose is annoying but…Live-able.

Swimming is..swimming.  There are better days and there are worse days.  I think I might be marginally improving but there’s really not much to go off of at this point.  And I need to just quit worrying about it.  I do think a couple more lessons would be good, because I find myself really focusing on my form and trying to get it right, but I know it’s pretty disastrous.  Hopefully fixing up my form will help with everything else!

I do feel like I’m going backwards as far as running goes…running faster is a lot harder than it was just a month or two ago.  On the other hand, I know that’s “ok,” and expected..even intentional.  As my coach even pointed out to me, you can’t always be the best at something, and the important part is to peak on race day :) So, trying not to get too down about that and realize that it’s all part of the process.

Being Sick is Lame

Oh good, I’m sick.

I woke up a couple days ago with a sore throat…which usually means I’m getting sick.  But it was ok all day, so thought it would be alright.  Yesterday, I was officially sick.  I’m not sure if I feel better or worse today, but definitely sick. :(

Still doing my workouts, just really keeping it easy…which is fine.  We’ll see about tonight and tomorrow, though.  I just want to be better!

The good news is that when I swam this morning, I did do a couple 100’s a little harder, to see where I was at.  Already a little faster, so that was really encouraging!  Then I backed it back down and did the rest super easy, but at least I felt better about it.

Now for lots of soup..and froyo.  Hmph!

Swimming Again!

Well… I started swimming again.  As in, that tattoo is “healed enough” and it’s now on my schedule so I have to do it!  Slathered up my leg with lots of BlueSteel, and... what?!  2500yd, really?!  Pretty sure my longest swim workout all summer (aka ever) was 2500 yards.

Let’s just say it was awful, but hey, at least I did it.  My awesome new Garmin FR920XT decided to be dumb and only really recorded/showed me stuff for the first 150yd, but it kept the timer going so I thought it was still recording but when I went to upload—nope, just 3 minutes worth.  Ugh.  Oh well.  It wasn’t really something I want to remember ;)

In any case, it got done.  It took forever and a day, and my form was awful and all that (excuses, excuses) but I swam 2500yd, dangit!  Actually I think I added some extra because I was keeping track in my head as a backup and kind of forgot where I was once or twice.

I also swam really chill.  As in, I didn’t push myself.  I really only have one speed when I swim, and that is SLOW.  I feel like I can’t push myself, I just don’t know how to or don’t have the strength or something.  So I just kind of plodded along, didn’t really exert myself, but also didn’t have a panic attack and was able to breathe the whole time, so there’s that.  I know that I need to get faster in general, but half of that will be learning how to just exert more effort in general.  I have no problem pushing myself hard biking or running but I just can’t do it in the water.  Things to learn.

Back to the gym for a full body strength session tonight.  I get bored and don’t really like strength training because it’s a different “type” of workout and while it’s hard, it’s a different kind of work.  Not nearly as much fun as running or biking.  But on the other hand, I know it’ll be really good for me so I’m happy that I am being “forced” to do it now (and have guidance).  Plus, I have some awesome new shoes sooooo there’s always that bright side :)

2015 has Begun!

Yup, the start of 2015 means the start of real training again, and with an actual coach now!  Coming up on a week and I have to say—it’s great.  I love having a real schedule again, and secretly love being back to 2-a-day workouts!  Don’t get me wrong, December was absolutely fantastic, and I spent it mostly relaxing and spending time with family and friends.  I did work out a fair amount too, but it wasn’t anything focused, and just kind of as I felt—which was the point.  But now, it’s great to be back!  Having a coach to actually tell me what to do, and give me a schedule and strict workouts, is really great.  There's less of me thinking, and more just doing it.  I'm also doing some strength and core stuff which is awesome-- always knew I needed it but didn't know how to go about doing it myself, so having that direction (and accountability) is great, and I'm excited for the outcome.

Along with that comes the back-to-work schedule, too.  Which means early alarm clocks, which I am definitely still getting used to again.  I’m already tired, and as Shawn pointed out, “just wait until a few months from now”…. Oh boy.  Oh well, at least I’m expecting it :)

Suffice to say, I am still highly motivated and enthused and sooo excited for this year!  Big goals this year, and it feels so good to be back to chasing them!