I went to check out the gym at UBC today in an attempt to see if I could drum up some enthusiasm for gym workouts. My ploy didn’t work. The Bird Coop is just another gym.
gym workout
30min (tired)
10min stretch
spin class
45min spin easy – ignore all instructions from Alan;)
Avg HR 118, Max 150
Avg Cad 91, Max 120
This first race of the year is in the bag. I know, I raced in Steveston, but that one was more about the brunch then the race. This is the first race of the year where I felt that pre-race excitement and actually had a race plan. I didn’t sleep well and my tummy was mildly off in the morning more likely from the nervous energy then from the Saturday night beer.
Here was my plan (i.e., the instructions from Coach Drew):
Here’s how the race went:
Continue reading
Ok, I’m trying not to be discouraged by getting dropped again on the group ride. Lots of positive self talk, lots of patience, and lots of looking at the bright side. I had a nice leisurely ride with Mary. The day was gorgeous, absolutely lotus land Vancouver weather.
bike workout
1h:30
HR < 145
brick run
20:00
HR < 155
I’m getting quite practiced at coming up with excuses for why I can’t do my Friday workout. This week, it’s because I have dinner plans with good friends. A dog walk and stir fry with Deb and Luke sounds like a perfectly logical reason for skipping my strength workout.
It was JJ’s birthday today. We had cake after the workout. Some serious lemon yumminess. I felt obliged to eat Elvis’s piece. The workout was mostly at pace stuff.
run group workout
1:00:39
Avg HR 132, Max 158
469 KCal probably exactly cancelled out by the two pieces of JJ’s birthday cake
I have the Wed workout hangover. I’m grumpy, tired, and hungry.
I stayed up way too late last night (decompressing for the intense workout), and again on Wed eve (decompressing from very charged interactions). As a consequence, I think this hangover might extend into Thursday. If it acts now, the cold could get it’s second chance.
I skipped swimming today. The physical fatigue from my intense day was enough.
Heres the results of my strength test, before (Sept 12/06) and after (Feb 6/07)
Ok, so I admit I’m a weakling. Gym workouts are not my style. I don’t have it in me to dress up and blow kisses at my beautiful self in the vast and all surronding mirrors for my workouts. If I was more like the rest of the folks I see at the gym, maybe I would be improving faster. As it is, I spend the minimal amount of time necessary with the strutters at the gym. I run outside past the window of folks who stare at me from their treadmills. Those gym folks are truly an interesting breed.
Spin workout (the workout after my workout).
It was a time trial in the pool today. I knew it and I was looking forward to it. I’m amazed at my major shift in attitude. The pool no longer intimidates the H – E – double hockey sticks out of me. During the run, I was talking to Madeline about how freaky your first time trial can be. I know, I know, don’t worry girl, it all gets better from now on.
swim workout
5 min warmup
4 x 50m drill
50m visualize
100m TT – 1:28 (right time?)
100m easy
400m TT – 6:57 (last year’s time – 8:19)
50m easyrun workout
1h:10min easy
I was dropped again at the ride today. It could be Jake, it could be the cold, or it could be my fitness. Whatever it is, it’s early enough in the season that it doesn’t really matter. Watch out, I’ll catch you speedsters later!
2.5hr ride, Richmond, UBC, back home
HR < 145 except for about 30 min segment keeping up with group
cleaned my bike instead of running the brick workout
PS. I skipped my gym workout yesterday. Andrew and I went out for lunch instead.
It takes me two or three tries to get out the door. I talk to you about rescheduling an appointment, then totally forget we’re meeting. I have no idea where my keys are. I sit at my computer wondering what it was that I was just about to do.
I have a head cold and it’s making me stupid.
am workout
bike commute – 1hrpm workout
The group was doing a time trial at the track. Alison’s blog has the full details. I mainly just ran around in a head cold induced daze waiting for my ride home. I did the mile time trial with Clayton at an even pace for 7:42.
I didn’t get much sleep tonight because of my inability to breathe. At 1 am, I finally gave up on tossing and turning. After some dishes, a load of laundry, another shot of sinus drugs, and an hour or so of reading – I fell back to bed exhausted enough to sleep.