Realization

So, after my second 11-hour work day this week, I had a realization: it is simply unreasonable to expect me to have enough energy left after working an extended shift to still make it to the gym for a good workout at 8+ p.m.  (Yeah, I missed my workout again.)  So I have concluded that I will not stay late for overtime again until after my Ironman.  Even though I feel bad not helping my company out.  And even though none of my raters will be able to stay late if I don't.  And even though overtime pay would be really nice.  That's just how it's going to have to be for the next two months.  I feel bad and good about this decision.  Bad because of the things I just listed, but good because I know I'm prioritizing something that's really good for and very important to me.  I'm also really excited to use the next two weeks I have off to get ALL my workouts in and hopefully get into a routine for the remaining time before my race.  Bring it!

A-OK!

And... whew!  I felt infinitely better today!  I could actually breathe out of my nose, and I think I could count on both hands the number of tissues I needed today.  Praise the Lord!  I didn't sleep well last night, but I wasn't even too tired today, which surprised me.  So, no excuses NOT to go work out tonight!

When I got to the gym for my swim, I was excited to use the outdoor pool since it'll be closing after this week.  Unfortunately, that pool was closed because apparently someone pooped in it...  Uh, yeah.  Swimming inside should be just fine.  Here's what I did:

Warm-up
4 x 200  Swim/pull/kick/drill x 200

Main set
1 x 400  Free - pace
2 x 300  Free - pace
3 x 200  Free - pace
4 x 100  Free - pace

Cool-down
1 x 200  Free - sighting drill
1 x 200  Easy

In all: 3200 meters (2 miles) in 1:15.  Not too shabby!  And so far my shoulder seems o.k.  We'll see how it feels tomorrow...

Feeling Icky

Well, I woke up this morning feeling really congested.  Since then, I've been really sneezy and my nose has been running non-stop.  I seriously can't go three minutes without blowing it, and I've already gone through an entire box of 200 tissues today.  So, yeah.  My swim obviously didn't happen today, and I'm o.k. with that.  I'm not sure exactly what's wrong, but I'm praying that the medicine I just took and some sleep will have me feeling better by tomorrow...

IM Louisville

Well, the Hubby and I had planned on driving down to Louisville early this morning to go watch the Ironman there today.  I was really excited to see how everything was set up and just feel the excitement of the event.  I also thought I could write a couple of Yahoo articles about what I learned and saw.  But...  We went to bed pretty late, and I didn't think it was such a good idea to drive down there on only three or four hours of sleep, hang out in the sun all day, then drive home after the race ended at midnight.  And THEN to have to work bright and early Monday morning.  So, I've just been watching parts of it online today instead.  It's obviously not the same as being there, but it's still exciting!  This way, too, I could follow the leaders and see them out on the course.  And I could track my athlete friend Jess who was competing.  And I could get some housecleaning, grocery shopping, and cooking done throughout the day as well.  Good decision.  After all, being at the race might have been good mental training for my own race day, but getting ready for the coming week will do more to help me get through my all-important workouts.  So, let's do it!  Here's to a great training week!

Adventure!

Some of my college girlfriends and I have been trying to find a time to get together and catch up for awhile, and finally we settled on this morning at 10:00.  I wasn't thrilled about the time since I usually do my long rides on Saturday mornings, but I decided to make the best of it.  I searched on mapmyride.com and found a 36-mile route in the area where we were planning to meet.  With the 5.5 miles to and from my home, I figured 47 miles was good.  I planned to set out at 7:00 a.m. to have plenty of time to meet them at 10:00.  Of course...  I was tired and moving slowly, plus it was still a little dark out at 7:00.  I also had to stop at Kroger briefly to buy a couple Luna bars on my way out, so I ended up really starting my ride at about 8:00.

It started off well, though at one point I got a little lost because I didn't see a road sign on a subdivision I was supposed to ride through.  But I called home and the Hubs looked at a map online for me and got me back on track.  From Sharonville, I rode through West Chester, then to Fairfield.  I caught a cute little bike trail from there up to Hamilton, then looped my way back down to West Chester to meet my girls.  With getting turned around a couple times, having to look at my directions every few turns, more hills than I'd been expecting, and of course my late start, I didn't make it to the gathering by 10:00.  It was actually more like 11:00, and one of the girls had to leave soon after I arrived.  But at least I got to see her briefly and catch up with the other two for another hour or two after that.k

All in all, it was a fun little adventure!  I rode 47.2 miles in 3:12.  Not fast at all (I think I averaged 14.6 mph), but it was still a good workout.  I loved the freedom of just riding from my house rather than having to pack up my bike and drive somewhere, even if the roads near home aren't the greatest for cyclists.  I also loved riding in a new part of town, having a purpose in where I was eventually trying to end up, and having the accountability to get me out the door before it got too late and I got lazy.  The only bad thing about the day was the sunburn I got on my face and chest...  I'd put sunscreen on, but apparently not enough.  After all, I hadn't planned on sitting out in the sun for an extra two hours while we all chatted!  Oh, well, though.  No biggie. :-)  And I did NOT make it to the gym for a swim today, since it was already close to 2:00 when I got home.

Nada

So, I didn't wake up early for anything, and I didn't have any energy left after work to do anything this evening either.  Guess I'll just be lazy today and hopefully make up for it tomorrow...

Ride Anyway

So I didn't lift after the ride tonight, but at least I rode!  We did about 25 miles in 1:45.  Not much else to report!  My shoulder is pretty sore after my swim yesterday, so I don't know if I'll want to swim again already tomorrow.  Perhaps I'll just lift instead since I didn't do it today.  Then maybe I can swim Saturday afternoon after my ride...  We shall see!