my, my my...

...how things have changed this month. Not sure if this was mentioned a month ago, but Heidi told me to enjoy February and whatever I did, "do not look at March!!" This message was sent to me via email a month ago. And look at us now, we have not only made it through all the March's workouts, but we're feeling good & optimistic! A tad sore after this weekend, but nothing major.

I tell my friends about our 50 mile bike rides or 12 mile runs and they look at me like I am crazy! And while that might be true, I firmly believe that anyone can do anything!! Its fear that holds us hostage from accomplishing new things. I've heard this so many times... "I could NEVER do anything like that". UH, sure you can! Trust me, we are very slow triathletes! But my goal (or Heidi's) has never been to get top 10 in our age group. We are just racing to have fun & find out just how far we can push our mom bodies.

From the beginning of this journey we have taken one day at a time. I truly focus on the workout for that day. Ask me what I'm doing this sunday. I have no idea, but I do know it will involve a swim/bike or run workout. And an easter egg hunt.

So, for anyone out there wanting to TRI something new..... doesn't have to be triathlon or run related.... YOU CAN DO IT! I find it very rewarding breaking my own little mental records..... like we swam 2600 yards the other day, never done that. Or in a couple weeks we'll ride 60 & 70 miles on a bike. NEVER done that!

I am grateful for my family & friends who make this possible. Especially to my hubby, Phil & 2 boys, Ashton & Parker. Thanks for allowing me to get out on this skinny branch of 70.3 training. I am blessed with the most supportive family!

Good Monday.

It seems that Monday's are the best days for me to blog!  My mood is usually the best because we look forward to an easy tuesday run (always 3-4 miles) and then an off day!  I have started getting anxious heading into the weekends.

We had to swap days again this weekend because I had to work on Friday.  I have found that work gets in the way of training quite frequently- and I only work 10 hours a week!  I really do not see how working adults train for a half- or even more a whole- ironman.

Saturday was our 12 miler.  It had its ups & downs.  The run overall was a really great run for me.  At the end I felt better/stronger than I did on the 10 and 11 miler's.  And it even went .3 over the 12!  Usually Heather & I get to our goal mark and STOP... walking the rest if we still aren't back at the truck.  This week we actually felt like we could run more if we needed.

Yesterday we hopped back on the bike for a 30-mile bike ride.  We had at least 30mph wind on the way out.  It was AWFUL.  I would attempt to draft behind Nathan but I simply could not avoid any of the wind.  I couldn't even ride straight!  The way home was SO FUN!  We were going 20+ without even working hard!  I was very happy to get home.

An easy 1500 swim this morning.  Heather & I both admitted that we did the 2600 much easier than we did the 1500 today.  We are both very sore today.

Going to go enjoy this "easy" week!  The sun is out ALL week.  That will definitely help my training spirits!

Tuesday March 23, 2010

Today's workout was a hilly 4 mile run. Our instructions were to run hard up the hills & easy the rest of the run. We choose to run on our road, which is SUPER HiLlY!! Most of the hills are short, but there are 2 hills that are very long & steep. We did awesome. My legs are still sore from the weekend and especially 11 (hilly) miles on Sunday.  But we ran our legs off up each & every hill.

I am encouraged by our training. We are getting stronger with each workout.  Loving the day off and swim days! And really looking forward to next week......EASY WEEK!!! This doesn't mean that we are off all week, just our workouts are shorter & less intense. It will be a chance for muscles to recover & me to get some laundry accomplished.

by: Heather

Heidi Rambles.

I am blogging today because my mood/spirits have improved since the weekend!  Late last week and through the weekend I felt overwhelmed by life.  The workouts have gotten so long that I don't have time (or energy) to get anything else accomplished.  I hate going into the weekend with a dirty house and that is exactly what happened.  And the workouts just get more intense through the weekend.  I have pulled through the weekend, am in a better state of mind, and am learning to use my time more wisely during the easier days.

We re-arranged some workouts due to snow on Sat- and cold temps on Sunday.

Thursday we did hill repeats (as scheduled).  We rode to the hill- about 20 minutes- then up THE hill 5 minutes, repeat, repeat, repeat.  Four hill repeats (doesn't sound like a lot but 5 minutes climbing a hill is quite challenging for my legs!).  Then back home- with another very long & steep hill.  DONE.  Felt great.

Friday- the biggest workout yet.  A triathlon.  1000 swim, 50 mile bike, 2 mile run.  The most I had ever biked was 30 miles.  Plus, my legs were not fresh after the night before.  Less than 15 hours later we started this!  I knew it was going to be a challenge and it was.  I was hurtin' on the bike- and for sure on the run.  There was quite a bit of headwind (not sure exactly what it was but enough to make me mad!) on the way back.  I lost my good attitude.  It took us 4 hrs 34 min.  It was also my longest workout so far.

Saturday- I loathed getting in the pool.  Again, our biggest swim workout.  2400.  It went by quicker than I thought and I actually felt less sore.

Sunday- 11 mile run.  It was still a little icy and called for rain nearly all day.  We decided to go later in the day and found no ice (or rain) on the roads, trail or sidewalks.  I was not looking forward to it at all.  Heather had picked an extremely HILLY route which scared me.  Turns out I had a great run.  Felt really good miles 2-7 (I never have a great first mile or two).  Started hurting about mile 8 but finished with good spirits and I have found that is better than anything!

My legs are very sore today (Monday).  We had a swim workout this morning.  I didn't use my legs as much as usual and managed to get through it with good spirits!

Screamin' legs

Heidi:
This week is by far the hardest week yet.  My legs have been sore for a solid 7 days!  On our 4 mile run this morning they were screaming at me!  Our "easy" run days have become a bit more intense.  We run a mile slow, 2 miles fast and finish with a slow mile.  Today we had a MAJOR steep hill in the middle of our fast mile.  It was intense.  I have learned that I take at least 2 miles to warm up.  After mile 3 I feel so much better.

We have been doing a great job of fitting our workouts in our schedule.  And our husbands and families have been super amazing for taking the kids during our workouts.  Nathan & I talked in depth about it before we even started because this is just as much a commitment for him as it is for me.  The workouts are getting longer so it is beginning to get more difficult to arrange & squeeze.  Heather & I have both realized that we are getting so tired from our long workouts that we are noticing things around the house not getting done!

After our 4 mile run this morning we started our rest day.  Tomorrow is off for us!  I have been dreaming of this day for a week!

I will enjoy it while it lasts!

Sunday Brick-March 14th

Yesterday was the kinda day that before this training I would have NEVER gotten on the bike. It was cloudy, cool (mid-40's) and looked like it would rain any minute. But at this point we are too scared to skip a workout! We are still not quite confident that all this work will equal the finish line on June 6th. And to skip a brick, long workout on Sunday, well, its just not gonna happen! And especially not because of a few sprinkles & cool weather.

Thankfully the rain held off. We did get wet but mostly from drafting & the roads being wet.

Here was the workout: 30 minute bike/1 mile run. repeat, repeat. On paper it looked easy, but its never easy to run after biking. And the wind made the bike feel like we had our brakes on...But we did awesome and I feel we pushed ourselves, especially on the run!

Dad & Nathan joined in our fun! Only the crazy call it fun....

by: Heather

Saturday Swim-Mar 13th

As with everything our swim workouts are getting longer. And I continue to learn about nutrition & when & how much to eat. Note to self: Do not begin a swim workout on an empty stomach. It was the 1st time, in recent memory, that I felt myself "bonking". (for a non-tri person.... this means running outa energy, no more gas in the tank.) I still had about 15 laps to go and realized it was either get something in my tank or quit the swim. Luckily, I had packed a banana in my gym bag. So, I got outa the pool & went for my snack. It was perfect timing and I was able to complete the swim.

by : Heather