I had a lull in my training after going to NY getting a little ill. I tried to work out, even when I returned by I constantly fell weak and dizzy. So I eased my way back in my workout and this is how things unfolded.
My training week started last week Sunday with an 18 mile bike with Rebecca and her friend Shani. The ride was through Virginia with some really nice hills, turns and scenery. I tried to keep a 12mph pace and for the most part, that was successful.
Monday, I went to the gym to do some running. Was having a headache so decided to skip the track. Though it was the treadmill, I did a great run for 30mins. I added some strength and core training and had a fabulous time.
Tuesday, I had my swim coaching. My coach had me working more on my technique and I realized I was not pushing behind to get maximum use of my reach.
Wednesday, OFF day.
Thursday, it was back to the pool to practice my drills. I ventured into deeper waters to get accustomed to that. I practiced my technique : breathing, kicking and my pull. I wasn't counting laps, as I just wanted to improve my technique with each length I swam.
Friday- It was back to the bike. This time I racked up 28 miles. I went on the Crescent Trail with my friend Shurouq. It was a nice warm day, and it took me two bottles of gaterade to stay hydrated. (Note to self - I need sunshades, as pollen and blossoms were raging war). On the way to Bethesda, I kept a 10-12mph pace on a slight incline. On the way back my pace was around 15-18mph. Wow, I loved it!
Today, Saturday I have a basic technique swim clinic with an excellent swim coach. I'm hoping to gain a few more skills and improve on my swimming. Class is from 12-2 (just realized after going to Tri Unify's site to verify time for blog.
Tomorrow, Sunday, I bike with Gregg through Rock Creek Park from 10am.
Monday - Run
Tuesday - swim
Wednesday - OFF
My best week of training EVER
In with the new
I've always been skirting the idea of changing my look to something I was more comfortable with. Somehow I never got to exactly where I wanted to go. The feelings returned and this time I decided to go for it, and change my wardrobe up some. With my girlfriends help (shopping is her forte), I sought out the styles that suited me and on my trip to New York last weekend I did some shopping and got some pieces for my wardrobe.
Today was my first day back to work since last week and I found myself a little nervous about getting dressed for work. I wondered what my supervisor or co-workers might think when I stepped in. It somehow felt like I was back hom
e in Jamaica where homophobia is very present, though it never affected me before. Still, I wasn't as 'outwardly' gay as 'butch' women appeared. I wasn't trying to appear more gay, I just wanted to be more me.
It was an odd feeling I had this morning, as I'm not used to feelings of uncertainty. However, I couldn't allow myself to not make that step so I donned my garb and went out into the sunshine. At the end of the day, I felt great and not because my supervisor thought I looked sharp, but because I felt like I made another big step in living my life for me.
Thanks also baby for always supporting me with everything.
Summary of past few days and the week to come
Saturday: Biked total of 26 miles.
Sunday: REST
Monday (today) : swim 8 sets of 2 laps (4lengths each) with about one minute rest in between.
Today's swim showed even more progression, thanks to Adrian, one of the lifeguards who gave me this drill to do. When he told me to do 2 laps, almost non-stop, I was wondering if I would be able to make it. However, I figured I would just go for it and see how it went. I used a pull buoy, placed between my leg, and simply used arm movements and rotated my body.
I'm getting it, and I'm so excited.
The rest of the week
Tuesday: Swim coaching - 45mins
Wednesday: Run - 3 miles (maintain 12min mile or less)
Thursday: Swim - 1 hour
Friday: Run - 3 miles (maintain 12min mile or less
Saturday: Bike - 1 hour
Sunday: Bike - 1 hour
Monday: REST
12 min mile
Today's run workout was aimed at completing three miles with a target time of 30mins. I realized that based on my conditioning, I wasn't able to do a 10min mile, so I aimed to maintain 3min laps around the 400 meter track. I did my one lap warm up and then stretched and then I was ready to go.
Laps 1-3 - Feeling good and keeping within the pace.
Laps 4-6 - Slowing down, but speeding back up to maintain the pace. Hydration included.
Laps 5-8 - Above a 3min lap pace and trying to push myself to keep up.
Laps 9-10 - Falling off the pace and now a 1:30 behind. Focusing on slowing my breathing down
Lap 11 - Telling myself only one lap more to go...increase speed a bit
Lap 12 - Final lap, legs tired but speeding up a little, sprint final 100m to finish
Finish time - 37:30 - 3 miles
Walk one lap to cool down, and then stretch.
I can swim laps, finally!
Yesterday, I went to the pool with the intention of putting it all together, and just do it! I knew what I needed to do. I've been practicing since January to do it and since its almost 3mnths from my big race, I figured I'm bound to have a breakthrough soon! But, no pressure...I just went relaxed and excited.
I did my regular warm-ups and then I just went for it. The next thing I know, I'm touching the wall on the opposite end of the pool. I did it, but I didn't want to get too excited yet, so I wanted to see if I could duplicate it. And I did, again and again and again!!
I felt such exhilaration at my accomplishment. This meant, I could do it. This meant my time and effort was beginning to pay off. Now, I can hardly wait to go back to the pool. I'll sneak a quick workout either this evening, or on Sunday
The week in review
Well technically, we'll be starting with yesterday. I didn't do any training from Tuesday evening to Monday, so one entire week. It was my birthday weekend, and well I was enjoying it to the max. Yai to 25.
Yesterday however, I had my first swim lesson with my coach at 1pm and then by 4 I was rolling out with Rebecca for a bike ride. We rode 8 miles together, and it was alright. We couldn't flow as we wanted to, as the bike trail also crossed roadways at certain sections. But, all in all, it was a good experience.
Today, I ran 30mins, for 2.5 miles. I wanted to complete 3 miles in 30 mins to stick to my 10min mile, but that didn't work out. But its fine, as I'm sticking to my training plan.
Tomorrow, I swim again and hope to make some significant progress there.
Sunday Bike Ride
Sunday was supposed to be my rest day. Saturday I didn't go for my ride because I had a swim class in the afternoon and then work, so I skipped the ride and decided to do it Sunday, depending on how my body felt.
So Sunday, the weather is awesome and I couldn't pass up a day like this. So I decided to bike to the Bike Ride, to get my bike looked at (the seat adjusted possibly and to look at my new pedals for any adjustments). On my way a woman and I made eye contact, we stopped at a light together on our bikes and we said hello. Our brief conversation led to her inviting me to join her friends for a bike trail ride in Georgetown. It sounded like a great idea so, of course I went along.
Shurouq. her two friends and I met up in Georgetown and off we went on the Capital Crescent trail. I was the only one on a road bike, as the others were riding mountain bikes, but we stayed on the paved trail. It was scenic and felt so great. I fell once on the way due to some ice, and I was trying to avoid a few people who were coming in my direction as the snow was on the trail on their side. So, I was locked in and couldn't unlock in time so down I went. When I got up, my handlebar had shifted and my knee was bruised. I knocked the handlebar back in place and off we went again. We rode about 9 miles on the trail and then stopped in Bethesda at the Whole Foods to sit on the steps outside and have our lunch. The company was great, but soon it was time to head back.
On the way back, I got a chance to really fly on my racing bike...wow phenomenal feeling. This is where I now need to mention my second fall. Luckily it was not when I was going at high speeds, but it was almost at the same spot. This time the bike and I slid on the ice, and I rolled. It must have looked worse than it was as my new bike friends rushed to me to ask if I was okay. I really was fine, so off we went again. My third fall happened after we left the trail. My cleats had locked in and I didn't realise, so I braked and was ready to put my foot down, and there we were (me and my bikr) heading to the pavement. This fall was not nice, I might have bruised my hip and sprained my wrist in the process.
The other two friends departed and Shurouq
I also had a minor bike issue, which must have been caused by the last fall. My back wheel came right off, but luckily I was in a stopped position when I realised, so Shurouq helped me fix it, and off we went. We didn't catch the Bike Rack before they closed, so we headed on to Takoma, where we parted ways.
I must have covered about 30miles in total. Looking forward to my new bike computer so I can properly estimate. Now what a bike ride!!!
