I Can Do Hard Things

I thought I would try spin class today.  I didn't get up out of the saddle - the past few times I did that it seemed to irritate my ankle.  So far today, it feels good.

I had a hard time being motivated during class.  It is Monday and I am tired.   I was going to babysit 10 million kids, and it is a early out day at school.  Just having a hard time getting excited!  

But now all the kids are gone, workout is done, and it is beautiful outside and we are going to play after school!

I dutifully hit snooze this morning and didn't regret one minute of the extra 2.5 hours of sleep!  I worked out after hubby got home from work.

Elliptical - 1.5 miles (I went 5 minutes longer than last time and NO ankle issues - YAY!!)

Bike (20 minutes) - 2 miles

Aqua run - 4.8 miles (48 minutes)

5 min warm up

2 sets of 2:30sec (30 sec recovery) (2 min recovery between sets)

5 min cool down

I'd better get a move on my favorite part of the Olympics since they are over (though I didn't watch much, I more referring to the general theme of the Olympics):

1.  I love to watch the athletes raise their arms when they cross the finish line (and to see the expression on their face). To me, this is the compilation of of years of training (physical and mental) and overcoming beasts (because they all have them).  The "crossing the finish line" is the moment that they have been envisioning during all the training session.  It is glory!

2.  Singing the national anthem.  This is the second "glory".  To know you are the very best athlete in your country, much less the Olympic games, is a dream many dream of but few accomplish.  I love to see them sing it and see the tears roll down their face (I'm sure many tears were spent getting to that podium).

3.  Watching the "this is where they have come from" video clips.  I love the music they always play.  I love seeing them struggle and overcome.  I hope someday to have my own video clip.

 Done.

I love putting on a wet swim suit when I've just rolled out of a warm bed.  

Aqua run 62 minutes (6.2 running miles)

5 min warm up

3 sets of 1:30minutes (30 sec rest) (2 min rest between each set)

5 min cool down

Hope to get a bike ride in when hubby gets home from work.  It is to beautiful outside!

I am 8 weeks RECOVERED today (it sounds like I need to be at an AA meeting)!  Hip hip hooray!  It could mean nothing or it could mean everything!

I've been following Pete Pfitzinger's aqua running schedule and now I am going to following his "Returning from injury" program.  I want to do this right and not re-injury and make a stupid mistake.  

Pfitzinger says a good test to see if you are ready to run is to walk briskly for an hour.  If you don't have any pain, then you can SLOWLY come back. 

Tonight was my walk (and walking on a treadmill for an hour is NOT AWESOME!!!).  Luckily I did find a good show in HGTV.  I was overly aware of any sign my body was giving me.  My knees started to ache and I even got a side ache.  Those subsided after a few minutes. I felt clumsy too.  It's been a while since I've been on the milly!

My heel was a bit sore - but sometimes I find that if I have been on my feet all day, they will be sore. I am going to try to stay off my feet for the next few days.

But nothing from my ankle.  Notta - zero - zilch - NOTHING!!!  I'm not getting too excited yet; I am pool running and swimming for the rest of the week.  If I still feel good, then I will start the recovery program. 

The best part of the workout tonight is: NO SWIMMING SUIT!! 

Walk on treadmill at 4.1mph - 1 hour - 4 miles (6 running miles)

30 minute bike ride (3 running miles)

Pool run 62 minutes (6.2 running miles)

5 min warm up

8x5min hard (1 min rest)

3x45 sec hard (15 sec rest)

5 min cool down

I really need to stretch.  I haven't been doing it because I don't feel very comfortable stretching at the pool in a wet suit and when I get home life gets crazy.  I can tell that I haven't been stretching and I am tight tight tight!

Does shoveling the driveway with my kids count as miles?  Off to build another snow fort!

I met Callie at the rec center today.  It is always nice to have a friendly face meet you at 5:15am! 

I was REALLY really nervous to start my "comeback" today.  I thought for sure, I would refracture it or break it from being clumsy on the treadmill. Just nerves!

My ankle feels fantastic (no pain), but my heel was still achy.  Before my stress fractures, my feet always ached at the end of the day from being on them all day long.  So I'm not sure if this is injury or normal life. 

Walk 10 min

Run 5 min

Walk 5 min

Run 5 min

Cool down

Then off to the pool.  I only had 25 minutes till needed to be home.  So I swam and was on my merry way. 

I will rest for 2 days then run on it again!

Met Callie at the rec this morning and jumped into an ice-pond of a pool.  Brrr..... 

I admit, I was feeling a bit grumpy.  My heels were feeling so sore yesterday.  I rubbed and rubbed them in hopes to rub out all the soreness (which I think irritated it).  I went and got some heel pads and some KT tape.

I was feeling sorry for myself all evening.  

When I got up this morning, they were still a bit achy after being off them all night.  But they felt good during the pool and have felt much better today.  Who knows!  I think I am going to wait an extra day or two till I run on them again.

47 minute pool run

5 min warm up

1 min hard (1min rest)

2 min hard (1min rest)

3 min hard (1 min rest)

4 min hard (1min rest)

5 min hard (1 min rest)

4 - 3 - 2 - 1 - 4 min hard

5 min cool down

Callie and I were comparing songs on our Ipods during the work out.  It helped the time go by faster and fun to hear her music choice (she knows how to ROCK!!).

The nice thing about working out in the afternoon/evening is that I can get a longer workout it (in the morning, I have to get home so my hubby can get off to work).

Stairclimber - 1.75 miles (ankle felt GREAT!! I am going to try 2-2.25 miles next time)

Elliptical - 1.75 miles (ankle still felt GREAT!!  Again, going to go longer next time)

Bike - 33 minutes (10 miles)

Swim - half mile swim 21 minutes ( I wore my watch in the water and timed myself - I was much faster than usual.  Hooray). 

It was my second running day (hip hip hooray!)

 5 min walk

5 min run

5 min walk

5 min run

5 min walk

5 min run

10 minutes on stair climber

So far, my ankle and heel feels really good!  Going to see Brian Reagan tonight - I hope he is good (and clean).  Fun times!

What a fantastic weekend!  On Thursday night, Tim and I went to see the comedian Brian Regan.  I'm not really into comedians - occasionally, I will watch a Seinfeld episode and chuckle, but  that is the extent of it.  I had low expectations - I had bought the tickets for Tim's Christmas present.  He loves Brian! 

It really was funny.  There were a few jokes where I did have tears rolling down my face.  One of the funny parts of the evening is that Brian is constantly laughing at himself during the entire show.  It was very clean and we had a great night.

Friday night, we went to see the "Blind Side" at the dollar movies.  OUTSTANDING!  Sandra Bullock did a great job.  After the movie, I said to my husband, I hope that our kids are interested in a sport.  I don't even care if it is running, just something where they feel like they belong; are a part of a "team" (being active is an added bonus too).

Saturday morning, the kids and I went to cheer on Tim at the Rex Lee 5K.  Since he is not a blogger here, I will give his report.  His work sponsored the employees.  We saw him  shortly after the start and cheered him on at the finish.  He ran a 30 minutes and change.  He wore too many clothes and was roasting. He ran with some of his work buddies.  I love cheering on runners (I would have really liked to run, but it is the next best thing).  I will post the picture of the race once I figure out how to do it :)

I LOVE the BYU track.  I flew out to meet Coach Shane during my junior year in high school.  It was a turning point in my life and running career.  It was fun to see it again.

Today's workout was okay.  I did 45 minutes on the stair climber (5.25 miles).  My ankle was feeling a bit achy, so I thought I would get in the pool to swim.

Unfortunately, the pool was like 25 degrees.  Brrrrr.....  I only did 350 meters (10 minutes) and had to jump into the hot tub to get my blood moving again. 

I am suppose to run on my ankle to tomorrow, but am going to wait until Monday.  I'm getting excited, but I think I still have a long road ahead. 
 

Today was definitely not a high mileage, high intensity or high anything kind of a day. 

My ankle and heels have felt really good all weekend.  So onto another "running day".

3 min walk

7 min run

3 min walk

7 min run

3 min walk

7 min run

5 min cool down

Wowzer, I feel out of shape.  I still feel clumsy, slow, and mostly out of shape.  I had a few minutes after the run/walk till I needed to be home.  I was planning on doing the elliptical, but opted for stretching.  It was probably the best part of the workout.  I need to get back into the habit!

Met Callie J at the rec center this early early morning for some fine pool swimming.  My ankle is still really feeling good.  Hooray!  I'm going to do my run tomorrow outside. 

 5 min warm up

2 sets of:

6x2:30 min (30 sec rest)

5 min cool down

Finally - here is a picture of my hubby's race on Saturday (took me long enough to figure out!!).  Go Tim!

So my kids didn't catch a leprechaun in their trap.  What a bummer!  He did leave them a note and their 4 pennies (i.e. pot of gold).

It was a beautiful day outside!  So while my big kids went to a birthday party and my whippersnapper went on a date with dad, I worked out!

11.33 mile bike ride (54:33 minutes).  Man, I am SO SO slow on a bike.  I am going to get SMOKED in the mini sprint during the biking section.  But I did enjoy the ride, my newly downloaded songs on the Ipod, and the warmer weather.

 The last running entry on my Garmin was January 4.  Urghhhh.....

Today, I walked 2 min - 8 min run.  The program said to do 3 of these sets.  I didn't feel quite as clumsy, but it still me awhile to get into the running mojo.

 I ran 3.25 miles - 30:18.  My splits were 9:17, 9:22, 9:26, 9:37 (last .25).  AP - 9:23.  So I was slow, but I don't even care because I was running.  My ankle felt great.

I felt like I really worked out.  A good ego boost!

I was short on time tonight, so I made the best of the situation on the stair climber.  I only had 45 minutes and had to cut out my swim.  I felt so great (mentally and physically).  The stair climber said I did 5 miles.

 I can't believe how sore I am from my bike ride yesterday.  I totally need to do it more often!  Must stretch soon!

Off to sew my 3 girls Easter dresses.  Urghhhh....I do this every year.  By the time I finish the first one, I think to myself "I still have 2 MORE dresses to make".  This is going to be the final year - I'm going to buy them in 2011.  Done.

Walk 2 minutes, run 10 minutes (I did 3 of these sets as per the recovery program).  I felt good aerobically.

My ankle definitely felt sore after.  I probably shouldn't have done the stair climber yesterday backed up to a run.  Urghhhh....That makes me made at myself.

Wowzer!  I went to the Timp Mini Sprint this morning at the AF rec center.  It was AWESOME!  I have such a new found appreciation for those athletes. Talk about HARD CORE.  The announcer said many were getting ready for the St George Ironman in May.

Those poor swimmers came booking out of the pool soaking wet (and barefoot).  There was steam coming off of them it was so cold.  

I met Missy today and saw her fancy smancy bike.  She looked superfly!  She did an amazing job and was WICKED fast.  Hip hip hooray for her awesome race!

My ankle felt sore this morning, so I pouted, moaned, and felt sorry for myself.  After working in my garden all day, I felt better (I planted a few extra raspberry bushes, carrots, onions, spinich, lettuce, broccoli, and peas.  I trimmed up my strawberries. I'm ready for some fresh veggies)

I went for a bike ride this evening and am really glad I did (I ate way too many Butterfinger Easter eggs).

 29:23 minutes - 5.7 miles

I swam 1600 meters this morning.  Usually when I swim, I look at the clock when I jump in the pool and look at it again when I hop out to figure out my time.  Using that method, I swim 1600 meters in 52 minutes.

Today, I wore my watch and swam it in 44:04 minutes.  I like my watch methods lots better :)

I wanted to see what my 350 meter splits were (350 M is the swim length for the mini sprint I signed up for last week...it is gonna kick my trash!!!!). 

1 - 350M 9:28

2 - 350M - 9:41

3 - 350M - 9:39

 A few rest laps

4 - 350M - 9:20

 Now I have something to work off of.  I hope to get a bike ride in this evening.  My ankle is still sore, so I am not going to run for a few days.  STINKY!!!

55:55 minutes - 10.71 bike ride

Though I love this warm weather, my allergies have kicked in full force.  I was up all Monday night with sniffles and drips.  YUCK!  I took a very small dose of Children's Benedryl and I felt hung over all of today.  

But I had to get outside and kinda of enjoy the pollenly air.  My ride was slow (had to stop lots to blow my nose).  I am getting more comfortable on a bike and "bike butt" isn't so bothersome.

Ankle feels better; I'm hoping by Monday, I can do a run/walk.

1600 M swim - 42:42 minutes

First 14 laps - 9:16

Second 14 laps -  8:54

Third 14 laps - 9:30

8 recovery laps -5:47

 Last 14 laps - 9:13

During those last 14 laps, my arms were ON FIRE!!!  I was really breathing hard tonight - maybe it was the allergy/sinus thing.  I just need to do an 8:54 during the mini sprint.

It has been a weekend of stinkiness.  This is why:

1.  One daughter with a case of the throw-ups and squirts.  'Nuff said.

2.  I went to see the orthopedic sports medicine doctor as to why my ankle was still hurting after I did everything he said.  His reply, "it still needs more time to heal".  Sweet (feel the sarcasm)!  So I just spent $45 buck-o-roos on the mini tri sprint and I may not even be able to run the 3 miles (it's only 3 miles for pete's sake).  So I have to stay off it for a total of 12 weeks (I started to run on it at 8 weeks per his instructions).  So hopefully the first or second  week of April I can slowly come back (again). 

It is hard when your mind is ready, but your body isn't.

3.  I went and rode the tri bike course today and totally got my "arse" trashed.  WOW that was a HUMONGOUS hill (twice).  I couldn't make it all the way up (even with a good song on).  I was about 2/3 of the way up and my legs and lungs were on fire.  I am going to ride it again with my hubby on this week so he can give me a few pointers.

4.  I have had it up to HERE with my kids saying potty words.  I had 2 girls sent to bed early (with no bath - can do that in the morning).  Mom's not taking it any more.  Plus, while we went to look for new bikes, they were CRAZY (if you can imagine 3 - 5 year olds being out-of-control in a store full of bikes).  I have had it with all of them.  "FOR SALE - CHEAP!!!"

Stinkiness sums it up!

After riding the mini sprint course last weekend, hills (big ones) have been on my mind.  I found a route with lots of them to help me get stronger (it can't hurt to do them even if I don't do the tri).

I always feel better after I exercise.  I haven't been as motivated the past little while, so it was nice to clear my mind.

9.32 miles (including 4 BIG hills)

49.35 minutes

I rode the same course as yesterday (I cut out one hill - too windy).  The wind was crazy and I thought a few times I might tip over.  

8.26 miles

46:56 minutes