Last week I accomplished something I never dreamed I could -- I swam more than three miles! Monday I swam 2,000 meters, Wednesday 750 meters and Friday 2,500 meters! On Wednesday I went to Cardinal Fitness to sign up for a membership because I was sick of not getting any biking or running in because of the 90+ degree weather. So, after I signed up, I spent about 15 minutes on the stationary bike and then headed to the pool. When I got there the pool was packed, so I asked this older lady to share a lane with me, and she wouldn't share! I was like what?! I couldn't believe it... but luckily the guy in the next lane was just about to finish, so he let me take his lane. I got a good swim in, considering I didn't get there as early as I'd hoped, but when I was in the locker room, that same lady said "well you didn't get a long swim in today, huh?" Excuse me lady, who are you -- my MOM?! I just ignored her....
Tuesday I skipped working out because of the heat (this was before I got that pass at Cardinal), but Thursday I spent 45 minutes on the stationary bike at the gym and completed 10 miles with an average heart rate of 143 -- not too shabby! Saturday I went again, this time with my dad who also has a membership there, and did a 10-minute warm up on the eliptical, followed by a half hour on the bike. (I got lost in the magazine I was reading and forgot to check how many miles and average heart rate...oops.) I was really struggling to get through the half hour on the bike, though, and I think I might have pushed myself too hard Friday at the pool. Or maybe I was still dehydrated from that workout.
Saturday night was filled with some non-training fun! The family, Adam and I went out with Katie, Josh and the rest of the Wetzel clan to celebrate Katie's mom's 60th birthday at El Toro and then back to their house for cake and opening presents... just a great time celebrating with friends! :)
Now I'm in Elk Grove Village for the week and I'm looking forward to seeing the future in-laws later this week for 4th of July! Of course, I'll try to get some training in this week too! Today was a pretty nice day (minus the crazy wind) so I got out on the bike for a 7.2-mile bike ride and was zonked. Not sure if my body is still tired from last week's workouts or its allergies bothering me...
Tomorrow, I'm off to the pool for another swim!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
It's too freakin' hot!
While I've been enjoying working on my swimming more at the pool, we haven't had a decent day (weather-wise) to get a good workout outdoors. Last Friday, Adam came to Champaign and we ATTEMPTED a run. We lasted 11 minutes. How sad. But, my heart rate was through the roof because, as I found out later, the heat index was 108. Freakin' ridiculous!
OK, so on to the good news -- I'm lasting a lot longer on my swims! Well, last Thursday I had to cut my swim short because I didn't get to the pool early enough and only had 20 minutes before open swim started and the lifeguards made me move so they could take out the lane dividers... but today I swam 2,000 meters in 54 minutes! OK, so I didn't swim those 2,000 without any breaks, but I was able to do a few sets of 200 without taking breaks! It's all about the small progressions :)
Over the weekend I didn't get any training in unfortunately. Saturday was busy with a wedding that Adam and I attended, but it was a blast so I didn't mind missing training for that! And Sunday was spent with my dad for Father's Day, of course!
Here's to hoping for some cooler weather so I can log some miles on that bike of mine...
OK, so on to the good news -- I'm lasting a lot longer on my swims! Well, last Thursday I had to cut my swim short because I didn't get to the pool early enough and only had 20 minutes before open swim started and the lifeguards made me move so they could take out the lane dividers... but today I swam 2,000 meters in 54 minutes! OK, so I didn't swim those 2,000 without any breaks, but I was able to do a few sets of 200 without taking breaks! It's all about the small progressions :)
Over the weekend I didn't get any training in unfortunately. Saturday was busy with a wedding that Adam and I attended, but it was a blast so I didn't mind missing training for that! And Sunday was spent with my dad for Father's Day, of course!
Here's to hoping for some cooler weather so I can log some miles on that bike of mine...
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
swimming success!
Yesterday, after a filling breakfast of a banana, apple and cinnamon oatmeal and coffee, I went over to the Urbana Park District pool to get a 3-month swim pass and work more on my breathing technique in the pool.
First of all, the facilities there are awesome! The pool was a good temperature and the place was so clean! A big step up from the YMCA where I used to do my swimming -- I really liked the people there, but the pool was heated too much and I just thought the pool was gross there -- just my opinion though! There was a lot of room in each lane too, so that was nice.
So I started out on the swim, with an easy pace to get warmed up. After about 200 meters, I was getting the hang of my breathing technique that I had practiced on Saturday and my speed increased. I also noticed during this workout that I was able to do sets of 100 meters without stopping, whereas on Saturday I could only do 50 before I was worn out. Toward the end of my workout, I was getting little lazy on my form, but it was probably because I was getting worn out and hungry! But I still finished the workout, which totalled 1,000 meters, within 22 minutes! I was so psyched! I never realized what a difference the right breathing and swimming form would do for my times! I left the pool feeling confident about the progress I'd made in just a couple days and made it my goal to get to the pool three times a week.
Today I had planned on going running or biking, but since it was raining off and on all morning, I decided to take the day off of training. Tomorrow, I'll get back into it with another swim at the UPD pool!
First of all, the facilities there are awesome! The pool was a good temperature and the place was so clean! A big step up from the YMCA where I used to do my swimming -- I really liked the people there, but the pool was heated too much and I just thought the pool was gross there -- just my opinion though! There was a lot of room in each lane too, so that was nice.
So I started out on the swim, with an easy pace to get warmed up. After about 200 meters, I was getting the hang of my breathing technique that I had practiced on Saturday and my speed increased. I also noticed during this workout that I was able to do sets of 100 meters without stopping, whereas on Saturday I could only do 50 before I was worn out. Toward the end of my workout, I was getting little lazy on my form, but it was probably because I was getting worn out and hungry! But I still finished the workout, which totalled 1,000 meters, within 22 minutes! I was so psyched! I never realized what a difference the right breathing and swimming form would do for my times! I left the pool feeling confident about the progress I'd made in just a couple days and made it my goal to get to the pool three times a week.
Today I had planned on going running or biking, but since it was raining off and on all morning, I decided to take the day off of training. Tomorrow, I'll get back into it with another swim at the UPD pool!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
my 'aha' moment
Every triathlete has that moment when they realize what they need to do to perform better in their races. I had my moment, in my third year of participating in triathlons, during my swim Saturday evening.
Adam and I had gone over to the pool after purchasing new swimsuits, googles and a new swim cap. Since I hadn't practicing swimming in a few weeks, we were going to just see what I could handle. We adjusted the strap on my new googles, but then when we were trying to stretch out the swim cap, it split right down the middle of the top of the cap! Since I didn't have any extras with me, I was stuck swimming with my hair just pulled back into a ponytail. OK, well I could still get in a good workout -- it just would feel different without the cap. So we started out really easy, paused after each lap, just trying to get used to the water. I kept getting water up my nose, though, and was getting frustrated. I still hadn't found my rhythm that I've heard other swimmers talk about. I had improved my time from when I first swam a 1/2-mile two summers ago, but I always felt I was struggling against the water. That's when Adam showed me what the problem had been all along -- my breathing technique.
He had shown me in previous swim practices how to rotate your body and breath to the side after you bring your head out of the water. I had always gotten water up my nose or in my mouth, though. This time, Adam spent a lot of time just taking me through the motions and I finally realized I wasn't turning my body enough to lift my head up enough to get a full breath in! Once I got it, I was so excited, I didn't want to stop swimming. Of course, my endurance isn't quite on the same level as my excitement, so I could only do 100 yards without stopping. But I felt like it was one of the best swims I'd had because I was learning something basic, but so essential to becoming better at the sport. Though we took a lot of breaks, we got a lot of laps in while we were there for a little more than an hour.
Friday, I also got a good run workout in! I measured this loop around adam's neighborhood, which is .8 miles. So early Friday afternoon, I ran around the loop 4 times. I did do some walking throughout the workout, so I wasn't working on my speed, just endurance. I had an average heart rate of 175, which is kind of high, but I think the time of day might have been a variable in that. The early afternoon can be one of the hottest times of the day, but its the best time that fits in with my schedule, so it's just something I'll have to adjust to!
Now back in Champaign, I'm hoping to get a pool membership at the Urbana Park District, which my dad found out has some pretty good rates and decent lap swim hours. I'm hoping to get in a swim tomorrow so I can keep up with my breathing techniques -- now that I've learned it, I need to practice, practice and practice so my old habits are gone and I'm gliding through the water with more ease!
Adam and I had gone over to the pool after purchasing new swimsuits, googles and a new swim cap. Since I hadn't practicing swimming in a few weeks, we were going to just see what I could handle. We adjusted the strap on my new googles, but then when we were trying to stretch out the swim cap, it split right down the middle of the top of the cap! Since I didn't have any extras with me, I was stuck swimming with my hair just pulled back into a ponytail. OK, well I could still get in a good workout -- it just would feel different without the cap. So we started out really easy, paused after each lap, just trying to get used to the water. I kept getting water up my nose, though, and was getting frustrated. I still hadn't found my rhythm that I've heard other swimmers talk about. I had improved my time from when I first swam a 1/2-mile two summers ago, but I always felt I was struggling against the water. That's when Adam showed me what the problem had been all along -- my breathing technique.
He had shown me in previous swim practices how to rotate your body and breath to the side after you bring your head out of the water. I had always gotten water up my nose or in my mouth, though. This time, Adam spent a lot of time just taking me through the motions and I finally realized I wasn't turning my body enough to lift my head up enough to get a full breath in! Once I got it, I was so excited, I didn't want to stop swimming. Of course, my endurance isn't quite on the same level as my excitement, so I could only do 100 yards without stopping. But I felt like it was one of the best swims I'd had because I was learning something basic, but so essential to becoming better at the sport. Though we took a lot of breaks, we got a lot of laps in while we were there for a little more than an hour.
Friday, I also got a good run workout in! I measured this loop around adam's neighborhood, which is .8 miles. So early Friday afternoon, I ran around the loop 4 times. I did do some walking throughout the workout, so I wasn't working on my speed, just endurance. I had an average heart rate of 175, which is kind of high, but I think the time of day might have been a variable in that. The early afternoon can be one of the hottest times of the day, but its the best time that fits in with my schedule, so it's just something I'll have to adjust to!
Now back in Champaign, I'm hoping to get a pool membership at the Urbana Park District, which my dad found out has some pretty good rates and decent lap swim hours. I'm hoping to get in a swim tomorrow so I can keep up with my breathing techniques -- now that I've learned it, I need to practice, practice and practice so my old habits are gone and I'm gliding through the water with more ease!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
training plans
Since my last post last Tuesday, I've done two runs and two bike rides, but no swims. I've looked into getting a summer membership at IMPE at U of I, but for a non-student and non-alum, the prices are RIDICULOUS! So I'm looking at some other options....
I have been trying to get outside more (weather permitting) to build my endurance. Last week I went for a bike ride with Kyle and his girlfriend, Michaela, and we traveled on some of the bigger roads in champaign. It was a nice ride -- a medium intensity, but for a longer amount of time. We ended up riding for a little more than an hour. Not sure how many miles, but Kyle and I guessed it was between six and eight. I was little sore the next day, but nothing I couldn't handle! :) Average heart rate for this ride was 149.
Over the weekend, Adam came to visit me in Champaign and we went for another ride -- about 40 minutes, with a break after 20 to visit some friends. Unfortunately, my allergies were bothering me again and the rest of the day my right eye was bloodshot. Not fun. Still, it felt nice just to get outside and be on the bike. Average heart rate was 139.
This week, I've mostly been doing runs. On my last run, my heart rate average was 166, a lot better than that first run I had. Each time I head out on a run, I feel stronger than the last time, so I know I'm making improvements, even if they are tiny.
I'm finding that I'm putting a lot of pressure on myself this year with the race and disappointed in where I'm at in my training. With the triathlon in just a month, I'm not feeling that I'm far enough in my training to be where I want to be by race day. I'm looking at some other triathlons to compete in later in the summer so I can use this race as a practice for whichever other one I pick.
Training for triathlons does make you challenge yourself physically, but I think its the mental road blocks you have to conquer that are most important. In my personal experience, I've found triathlons to be similar to the mentality of yoga -- you have to accept yourself for where you are in your training/practice and always look to improve. If you start to beat yourself up over how you should be better, stronger, faster, you really will only hinder your progress. This is something I struggle with nearly everyday, but with enough practice, I'm hoping I can conquer the mentality that I should set realistic goals and reach for them, while recognizing my limitations.
With that said, I'm hoping I can increase my training over the next few weeks so I feel confident to race on July 12.
I have been trying to get outside more (weather permitting) to build my endurance. Last week I went for a bike ride with Kyle and his girlfriend, Michaela, and we traveled on some of the bigger roads in champaign. It was a nice ride -- a medium intensity, but for a longer amount of time. We ended up riding for a little more than an hour. Not sure how many miles, but Kyle and I guessed it was between six and eight. I was little sore the next day, but nothing I couldn't handle! :) Average heart rate for this ride was 149.
Over the weekend, Adam came to visit me in Champaign and we went for another ride -- about 40 minutes, with a break after 20 to visit some friends. Unfortunately, my allergies were bothering me again and the rest of the day my right eye was bloodshot. Not fun. Still, it felt nice just to get outside and be on the bike. Average heart rate was 139.
This week, I've mostly been doing runs. On my last run, my heart rate average was 166, a lot better than that first run I had. Each time I head out on a run, I feel stronger than the last time, so I know I'm making improvements, even if they are tiny.
I'm finding that I'm putting a lot of pressure on myself this year with the race and disappointed in where I'm at in my training. With the triathlon in just a month, I'm not feeling that I'm far enough in my training to be where I want to be by race day. I'm looking at some other triathlons to compete in later in the summer so I can use this race as a practice for whichever other one I pick.
Training for triathlons does make you challenge yourself physically, but I think its the mental road blocks you have to conquer that are most important. In my personal experience, I've found triathlons to be similar to the mentality of yoga -- you have to accept yourself for where you are in your training/practice and always look to improve. If you start to beat yourself up over how you should be better, stronger, faster, you really will only hinder your progress. This is something I struggle with nearly everyday, but with enough practice, I'm hoping I can conquer the mentality that I should set realistic goals and reach for them, while recognizing my limitations.
With that said, I'm hoping I can increase my training over the next few weeks so I feel confident to race on July 12.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Getting back on track
So I fell off the training bandwagon for awhile there. I really should have made time for it, but I guess that's just the way life goes sometimes.
I went on vacation to Florida with Adam and our friends Mindy and Nick to visit Adam's family and had a great time. It was nice to visit with them and have some time off from work. One of the first nights there we went to Hard Knocks, where you can play laser tag. This is no ordinary laser tag game, though. They had different missions and we played for more than two hours. The next morning I woke up and every muscle in my body was hurting -- how could I get THIS sore from laser tag? I hadn't even been this sore after my first triathlon!
By the time I recovered from that, we were on our way back to Illinois and it was time to start packing for my move back to Champaign. Saturday we moved my things home and yesterday was the first time I've trained since my last swim!
I decided to go for a run, but since I work nights its hard to get up before the weather gets hot and humid. There is a loop around our house and the surrounding streets which is .6 miles, so I ran four laps, but I had to take a break after the first two to get more water. It was extremely hot and my heart rate average was 176 -- way too high! But it felt great to get outside and be moving again.
Unfortunately my allergies are giving me problems today, so I'm going to stay indoors for my workout -- maybe pop in a workout DVD and do some weight training as well. Hopefully they'll clear up soon so I get get out on my bike!
I went on vacation to Florida with Adam and our friends Mindy and Nick to visit Adam's family and had a great time. It was nice to visit with them and have some time off from work. One of the first nights there we went to Hard Knocks, where you can play laser tag. This is no ordinary laser tag game, though. They had different missions and we played for more than two hours. The next morning I woke up and every muscle in my body was hurting -- how could I get THIS sore from laser tag? I hadn't even been this sore after my first triathlon!
By the time I recovered from that, we were on our way back to Illinois and it was time to start packing for my move back to Champaign. Saturday we moved my things home and yesterday was the first time I've trained since my last swim!
I decided to go for a run, but since I work nights its hard to get up before the weather gets hot and humid. There is a loop around our house and the surrounding streets which is .6 miles, so I ran four laps, but I had to take a break after the first two to get more water. It was extremely hot and my heart rate average was 176 -- way too high! But it felt great to get outside and be moving again.
Unfortunately my allergies are giving me problems today, so I'm going to stay indoors for my workout -- maybe pop in a workout DVD and do some weight training as well. Hopefully they'll clear up soon so I get get out on my bike!
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