Great Start, Poor Finish

I finally started getting on track last weekend and managed to follow my complete training schedule and then some (I know, overachiever). I stuck out a 60 mile ride in the cold, which I deserved because I started late. And of course the  sun came out again about 10 minutes after I finished, and again I deserved because I started late. I didn't skimp on the run off of the ride. It was such an accomplishment that we opened one of those Special Bottles of Wine that one saves for Special Occasions that when they come never seem to be Special Enough. Well, I deemed a successful ride as Special Enough. The wine agreed.

But things started severely lagging by mid week. I blame work, which seems to be getting in the way of training a lot lately. I lost yet another member of my team and one of my favorites. I spent a good deal of time trying to do damage control and it totally wiped me out. I went to be around 9:30 on Thursday and fell asleep immediately (which never happens) and didn't even wake up when Matt came to be roughly 30 minutes later (which also never happens as I am the worlds lightest sleeper). Needless to say, I still was not well rested the next day and the return of winter did not help matters. I've now done nothing for 2 solid days. Here it is Saturday afternoon and I'm still in my PJs trying to muster up the energy and motivation to do something.

It also hasn't helped that I managed to injure the ball of my right foot by siting at the table at book club. I have no idea what happened but it feels like I bruised the bottom of my foot. I did run once and it didn't bother me, but walking has been a little painful at times. Naturally it is not consistent. And on top of that, I walked into the plywood platform that sits underneath my trainer. I now suffer from Fat Purple Toe and of course it's the same foot. Let's just face it, I'm falling apart.

So, it's time to start over. Again.

The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible ~ Arthur C. Clarke

Another Excuse

I find it so hard to get started again after a day off. Should I be well rested and ready to go? I'm not. In fact, I think I'm more tired than before. Of course, it doesn't help when you spend 4 hours power interviewing people and trying to remember who's who. It doesn't help that after a 12 hour day at work, you come home to a dog that was sick everywhere (primarily carpet because pets only get sick on carpet). It doesn't help that instead of relaxing after a mentally draining day, you spend another hour scrubbing said carpet. And it doesn't help that you can't sleep after such a day.

I did get up and swim this morning, which actually felt pretty good. I don't usually swim well first thing in the morning (races are an exception) and typically go after work. But I went last week in the morning and felt great afterwards. I remember having so much energy at work and just felt wide awake. That came to a crashing halt by mid-afternoon, but still it seemed worth it. So I tried it again this morning and voila! Not quite the same magic as last week, but I did feel better than before I had started and it's great to start off the day feeling like you've accomplished something. Of course, it also meant that I was supposed to ride after work and it also seemed like there was a good chance to ride outside. But it didn't really happen. I left work late, felt cold and tired, and jumped on the trainer for 45 minutes instead. A cop-out I know. But at least I did something.

Tomorrow will be better. I'm heading to bed shortly and plan on leaving yesterday and today completely behind me.

totals:

swim = 2600 meters

bike = 15 miles (trainer)

Ouch...I'm Hurting

Sooo, I am unbelievably sore after yesterday's adventures in the yard. I honestly think I'm worse than I was after CDA. Everything from my waist down hurts. I woke up wondering how I was going to get through the day. Considering I could barely get up and down the stairs, running seemed daunting. But fortunately work was crazy enough that I just had to get away at lunch and a run was desperately needed by noon. I was hoping it would loosen things up. I wouldn't say that it happened, but at least I didn't really feel sore running. I guess I got into the zone and stopped feeling it. This was not the case when I got back to my desk. I tried to move as little as possible, which is not easy for The World's Most Fidgety Person. But I had constant reminders to be still. I decided to numb myself with a lovely Zinfandel when I got home (after riding of course, but all the more motivation). And now I can dream of my day off tomorrow.

So, does this mean I'm getting old? Not at all!

But it does mean that I have learned from my mistakes and will NEVER again go another full winter without de-pooping the yard. It was my first winter with a yard. How was I to know? It's not in the Homeowner's Manual.

Time's Up, Break's Over

Well, it's been months and it's time to start posting again. There has been lots of procrastination and not much to show for the last few months. I'll just blame it on life - last year was tough. But now it's 2010 and a start of a new decade, so no more excuses. I'm now about 4 months into training and well behind where I think I should be. Motivation has been tough. Work has been insane. And this weather has been, well, less than desirable is putting it mildly. But I ran into Cisco yesterday during my ride and he promised me that we're done with winter and that it's only going to be good weather from here on out. Power of positive thinking - if you think it, it can happen. Even when you're up against Mother Nature.

I'm about to head into another stabilizer week. I feel like I sort of need it but sort of don't. I've been working pretty hard during the week, but I having been slacking a lot on the weekends. And let's face it - when you work full-time, the weekends are what really count. But since we're only going to have nice weather, next weekend will already be better. In general things are coming along, but slowly. I ended up taking about 2-3 months off in the fall and it's taking a while to get back into shape. My swim and run are definitely getting back to normal. And I guess since I still suck on the bike, I'm back to normal there as well.

I've wasted yet another weekend, but at least I made progress in the home front. I have two garden boxes now built and the yard has finally been de-pooped! This is by far the best part of having dogs. To try and put it into perspective, Matt ran home to get tools, came back, and built the 2 4x8 foot boxes in less time than it took me to sift through the grass looking for smelly presents. And I started the other night, too! My back is killing me and I will never again go the entire winter without doing this. If I can get someone to change around the sprinkler system this week, we can have the boxes in the ground next weekend, and I can hopefully start planting after that - right on schedule.

Mud Hen 5K...Longmont CO

I decided to do this race about an hour and a half beforehand. After some logistical problems surrounding how I was going to get there, I didn't leave my house until 45 minutes beforehand and really had no idea where I was going. I arrive about 5 minutes beforehand and still had to register. Thank god for small races. I was able to accomplish all of this and still had about 2 minutes to spare.

Results:

• 24:59: pace of 8:03 per mile
• 52nd out of 338 finishers
• 11th out of 191 women
• 3rd out of 25 for 35-39 women
• 21:24 was the winning time for women
• 22:39 was the winning time for 35-39 women

All things considering, it wasn't too bad. I wouldn't say I pushed myself super hard. It was more for fun and I have to admit that I had fun.