So its been a while....

Yea, so I'm a bad blogger. And apparently people actually read this (I'm serious - who knew?). And I'm sorry to the people who I told I would update this a while ago. Clearly, I did not. Oops. So to make up for that, this will be a longer then usual post (I'll try to re-cap what I can from the last 2 weeks).

The official pictures from the Philly Tri are up! Check them out at the link below:

http://www.asiorders.com/view_event.asp?EVENTID=32064

My bib number was 629. There are some pictures that are not me (not sure how they ended up in there), but the rest look pretty good.

I did my first long ride over the GW Bridge on the 28th. Meet the team in the park and then headed up. We rode over the bridge and along 9W to Piermont and back. Did a total of 48 miles, my longest ride to date. I felt good during the ride, but I am sooo not a fan of riding over the GW. I've run over it before and was fine with that, but riding over it was whole different experience. I kept having visions of me falling of the bridge. But, I took it slow and made it out and back. And hopefully the next time I do it, it won't be so terrifying.

That Sunday (6/29), I did a long run with the team, which went well despite it being ungodly hot out. I also went for a short, easy swim.

Monday's are rapidly becoming one of my favorite days of the week since they tend to be recovery days. I did some stretching and used the foam roller (I am still pretty inflexible/tight despite all my efforts).

Tuesday was our speed workout. We did a tempo run that mimicked the course of the NYC Triathlon (which is next weekend). I'm not doing the tri this year because of a family wedding, but it is good practice since I am planning on doing it next year.

The rest of the week I did strength training, 2 rides, a brick, and lots of swimming. I felt like I was becoming a fish by the end of the week. I also did a long-ish run on Sunday morning. As it was the 4th, I was able to be lazy and catch up on my sleep (well, some of the days I did). Monday (7/7) was another recovery day.

This week has been a lower volume week, but the intensity has definitely been higher. Tuesday night I did a 30-minute time trial. Wednesday I did a strength workout. Thursday morning I did a ride in the park. I had a really good ride - felt really comfortable and strong on the bike. I can finally feel the strength workout paying off - Harlem Hill was easier to do then usual.

Today I am doing a time trial in the pool, tomorrow one on the bike and Sunday another running time trial.

A while

Ok, so its been a while since I posted. Not too much has been going on. Took the week of after NJ to recover and pack (I moved last weekend). Last week was pretty good training wise. Had a solid temp run on Tuesday night and did lots of xtraining and strectching during the week. Coach Josh said I looked much more loose then the week before (thank god).

This past weekend I did a long ride on Saturday morning with the team. Rode with Coach Andreas and he gave me lots of pointers, which was helpful. Did about 19 miles total. This week I am going to clip in for the first time! My friend Peter is going to meet me and help me do it. Wish me luck!

Sunday I did a long run - nothing super long, about 8.5 miles. Slowly building up my mileage. I also had swimming Sunday night. Did 2,900 yards total - about 1.65 miles! Felt great the whole time!

Long Swim

Thursday nights are usually my long Terrier swims. I couldn't go last night because of a good friends b-day party. Coach Megan sent me a workout to do on my own. I was good and got up this morning and went. Did a total of 2,000 yards which translates to 1.14 miles. A little shorter then my usual long swims, but I was on a time limit.

Going on a ride early tomorrow morning. My mom is coming in, so I can't go for too long, but just want to get out of the bike.

Running the adidas Run for the Parks on Sunday morning with Jenny. It's a 4M race, so I am going to go early and do 4 miles before then.

Excellent weekend

I had a great weekend on training. The weather kept threating rain, but it never ended up raining. On Friday, I had my last Jack Rabbit swim class. I am so glad they are over! My fridays are free again!

Saturday I went for a long ride with Shannon. Despite a brief mishap (oops, flat tire), I got 23 miles in. Felt awesome! I was super psyched (albeit exhausted afterwards).

On Sunday, I did my long run. Got a solid 12 miles in and felt the best I had in a long time doing it.

This week I am hoping to keep the momentum up!

Solid weekend

Had a great weekend of training! Finally got out for a bike ride =) It was a gorgeous day. Unfortunately, they cancelled team workout bc it was supposed to rain, but it didn't and was perfect weather! I did about 12.5 miles, which I am really happy about. It was also my first time riding with traffic (scary!). Felt good on the bike - discovered I need to buy some gloves and sunglasses - its bright out there!

Then I had my swim analysis in the afternoon. It was really helpful. My main problem is in my pull - everything else is good (body position, kick, etc). I'm going to go for a swim tonight and work on everything.

I also went to the Running Company and Spencer helped me find some shoes. Going to go for a run on the treadmill tonight before my swim to test them out.

Yesterday, was, unfortunately, not as nice, but I still went out for a run. Got about 11.3 miles in (which is actually farther then I thought I had run, so that's good!).

All in all, a good weekend!

Swim Analysis

This weekend I am doing an underwater swim analysis with the Terrier's. They videotape you swimming underwater and then can correct things that are wrong, either body placement, stroke, etc. I am very excited about this!

In addition to that, I have a very busy weekend! Going to go for a ride - hoping tomorrow morning, but its supposed to be raining, so if so, I'll go on Sunday. Swim analysis on Sat. afternoon, and a long run on Sunday. I am also planning on stopping by the Running Company and having Coach Spencer help me find some shoes. The Mizuno's I bought in January just aren't really working anymore for me.

Update

So I know its been a while since I've posted...my un-motivated week continued into the weekend. I decided not to do a long run at all. I was feeling sick again and just wanted to rest. I think it was a good idea. I was much more ready to workout this week because of it. On Monday I did some solid cross training at the gym. Then on Tuesday, I worked out with the Terrier for a run workout. We did drills and a 60 minute base run. Coach Josh talked about our long runs and doing them. He said unless we're sick there's no excuse. Yea, yea. Thanks Josh :)

Then on Wednesday, I did more cross training (elliptical and bike), plus some BOSU trainer work focusing on abs and inner thighs and some additional abs work (planks, ball situps, etc). I really enjoy doing stuff on the BOSU trainer - I feel like it really makes you work. Don't know what a BOSU trainer is? It's like half a balance call with a plank on it (don't think that really described it, lol, so here's a picture:

Thursdays are usually Terrier swim nights, but the pool was closed this week for cleaning, so we had a dryland swim clinic - exercises to do to strengthing shoulders. Was good. Tonight I have my JackRabbit swim class so I'll still get some pool time in.

This weekend is St. Paddy's day (ok, so its actually Monday, but we're celebrating this weekend). Because I know I am going to be hungover on Sunday and won't get a run in, I'm going to force myself to get up tomorrow morning and do a run. It's going to be hard, but I have to do it. If I don't, all I'll hear in my head in a small voice is Coach Josh telling me to run!

Taking a rest week...

I know its been some time since I updated, but I'm having an unmotivated week, so I am taking it as a rest week. It's always good in long term training to take a week off of running and just recover, so thats what I am doing. For me, its more of a mental recovery - getting ready for the intense training thats going to start soon. I've just been exhausted this week and wanted to rest. I did workout still though, including a bike ride on Monday night (it was gorgeous outside, I couldn't rest). I also did some swimming - my JackRabbit swim class workout. And last night was my Terrier swim class. Had a good workout out - swam a total of 1.37. Our main set was 1,600 yds hard - almost .93 of a mile (olympic distance swim). Felt good afterwards. I always love my Terrier workouts. Everyone is so nice and we have a good time. A couple of us have been talking about possibly doing a tri together.

This weekend going to do a long run and rest. Nothing special planned :)

Busy weekend

I've been busy at work, sorry I haven't updated lately.

Last week I attended my first official Terrier Tri workouts. I joined a triathlon club here in the city. Thursday night, I went to swim practice. They have several different swim classes based on level. Right now, I am in the beginner class, but our coach said he'll move me to intermediate soon. It was a good swim. The longest I had ever done yet - 1,800 yards - a little over 1 miles! Felt tired, but good.

On Friday morning, I got up and went to Terrier Bootcamp. In other words, an hour of intense cross training. Felt good doing it, but man was I exhausted afterwards. Definitely was sore the next day.

On Saturday, I went swimming. Did my Terrier Tri workout for the week - 1,600 yards. Insane! Another one of my longest swims.

Sunday was Terrier Tri group run. This was not at all what I expected. I assumed it would be like TNT. Everyone shows up, goes on there own run doing loops. Nope. We all ran together. When you were done your mileage or time, you just stopped. Plus, we didn't really run the loops - only a little. Most of the time we wandered throughout the park and on the trails. Since it was a group run, I definitely ran a little faster then I normally would. Assuming between a 9:15 and a 9:30. And it forced me to not stop when I got tired which I liked a lot. Had a great run and wasn't too exhausted afterwards. Did about 8 miles, which is exactly what I wanted to do. Felt great!

Yesterday, I took it easy. Went for a quick swim - 560 yards. Then I did a yoga later to stretch and relax. I just did this yoga video that I had, but I don't love it. I got a recommendation for Yoga for Triathletes, which I think I am going to buy.

Tonight there is a Terrier group run, but I think I am going to skip it and just do the gym. It's only like 35 degrees out and supposed to rain at some point. I've also been fighting the sniffles all weekend and think its in my best interest to stay in.

Running filled weekend

Definitely did a lot of running this weekend. Got up on Saturday for my last long run prior to the marathon. And it was raining. And not a little bit of rain, a lot of rain. But marathon training does not wait for nice weather, so I ran. In the rain. Got the 20 miles done. I felt good, towards the end I started to get some rubbing in my shoes from the wet socks, but other then that it was a good run.

On Sunday, I did the Poland Spring Marathon Kickoff 5M in Central Park. It was cold (only 53 degrees), but a nice cold. Ran it nice and slow (still recovering from the 20 miler, so no need to push it) and finished in 47:46 - a 9:33 min per mile pace. Not bad for my first race from Chicago.

Only 20 days until Philly!

Weekend Run

Went for my first "true" long run since Chicago this weekend. Did about 13 miles and let me tell you it was tough. My legs definitely took a long time to feel good again. But I did it and its over. One last long run next weekend - 18-20 miles - left before Philly.

On a side note, went looking for road bikes this weekend so I can do some tri's next year. I am freaking nuts!

Weekend Recap

This weekend was our pre-race trip the trails - 20 miles total (10 out and 10 back). The Chicago team went to New Jersey and ran actual trails (you know, dirt, rocks, trees, etc). It was hot and humid. Not one of my best runs, but now its done and the marathon is less then 30 days away! OMG!

This weekend is Reach the Beach. It's a 200 mile relay race in New Hampshire. We're heading up to NH on Thursday night and start running Friday morning. I am very excited - should be excellent.

Short run on Saturday

This Saturday we did a short run - only 8 miles. Nice recovery from last week's 20 miler and prepping for next week's 20 miler. Other then that run, took it a little easy, did cross training on Monday, but otherwise off letting my toe rest. On Saturday afternoon, I stubbed my toe at my friends pool and took off a chunk of skin. It's still slightly tender, so I didn't run so it could heal for this weekends run.

Tonight is group training. We will be working on pacing.

Tuesday night workout

Last night's workout wasn't too bad. Did a farlek run (which is pretty much a run with bursts of speed in it) for a 5 mile loop. It was cooler out, but still pretty humid. Run went good. My legs were still slightly sore from the (almost) 20 miler on Saturday, but other then that good.

This Saturday is a dip week - only running between 6-8 miles. Should be nice.

Hottest run of the season

So this weekend was the hottest run of the season (and the longest). It was like 85 with an 85% humidity - I was sweating before I started running. Despite the heat, still managed to get in a long run. Coach Michael decided to change this up this weekend and we did a "Bridge Run". What's that you ask? We ran the bridges! Started at Riverside, ran down the Westside Highway, across at Chambers and over the Brooklyn Bridge (like last week), except we turned around at the Brooklyn side and ran back to Manhattan (too bad it was too foggy for a good view). We then ran up Centre to Delancy and out and back over the Williamsburg Bridge. Then up the East River Running path, up 1st Ave to 72nd and back to Riverside.

Total mileage: 19.33 miles.

And, on top of it being hot and humid and a long run - it was hilly! Never run over a bridge? Trust me - its a hill (both directions!)! Man was I tired afterwards!

Brooklyn Bridge Long Run

So this past Saturday for our long run, we did a run to Brooklyn. It was a gorgeous day to run - cool tempature and not too hot. Ran from W72nd st down the west side highway to Chambers. Then we ran east on Chambers to the Bridge. Over the bridge and through Brooklyn to Prospect Park. Once in the park, we did 2 full loops. Ran about 17 miles :)

Saturday Long Run

This past Saturday was a perfect day for a long run. The weather was much cooler then it has been and I loved it. I am discovering, having done a summer and winter training season now, that I prefer running in the cold to running the heat. I have much better runs and they are faster too. Anyways, this weekends weather was perfect (almost perfect I should say - could have been a little cooler) and I was able to get in 16 miles. Took me 2:43 - which is a very good pace for a training run. Afterwards, we have Connection to the Cause, which is an event where the honored teammates speak about the Society and TNT. It's always a good event and never fails in making me cry.

Saturday Long Run

The hot and humid weather continues. During Saturday's long run, it was 75 degrees with 92% humidity. I have never sweated so much in my life. Did 14 miles, which was one less then my goal, but I would have died if I did the last mile, so I cut it short. Talked to the coaches and they said that was a wise decision. Running when your body can't handle it requires a longer recovery time and does more damage then good.
Got up early this morning and did some cross training exercises. Squates, lunges, pushups and ab work. Starting the week off right.

Recent runs

Training has been going well lately. Ran 13 miles over the week. Definitely felt tired at the end, but it was ungodly humid, so that's to be expected. Training was last night, did a tempo run. First 1 mile was a warm-up and then ran the next 5 at a tempo pace (not all out racing pace, but faster then a casual run). Felt good during the run. Made sure to hydrate all day and eat a good lunch. Definitely helped. 15 miles this weekend. Supposed to be hot and humid all weekend, always fun.

Recap

Well, I wouldn't call last week my best week of training ever...didn't really get a lot of good running in. Missed our Tuesday night practice b/c of a work thing and couldn't go to Sat. b/c of a wedding. Hoping this week is better...