Impact a Hero 5K

Bob and I did the Impact a Hero 5K right here in Sugar Land. There was a big turn-out this year. It was an out and back course on Austin Parkway and pretty hot at 7:30when the race began. Bob and I started out together, but he sent me on since I was full of energy. I did 1:00/1:00's or variations of intervals for the whole race. My time was 41:30 - closer to the times I used to register in the 2006. I wore my new compression shorts and I think they really helped. I got them from Sweat It Out, the same place I get my sports bras. I highly recommend them.

8 Laps Early in the Morning

We had an 8:00am seminar this morning, so I went to the Aquatic Center at opening - 6:00am. All but one of the lanes were full with swim teams. The "open" lane had one other person in it who seemed determined to crash into me. I would have done more, but didn't want to have to maneuver around my lane-mate. I did two warm-up laps and then 6 straight. My time was 9:58. I took a few minutes to watch the teens do their laps and was intimidated at their times - 30 seconds to do 50 meters. And I thought I was doing pretty good at 1:30ish!

30 Minutes Running and 30 Minutes Spinning

I did 1:00/1:00 intervals this morning after a short warm-up.My left knee started to twinge after about 25 minutes, so I walked the last 5 minutes. I had planned to ride my bike in the early evening, but it rained. Instead, I set it up on the stationary platform that Bob loaned me and spun for 30 minutes. It worked really well, but it reminded me of being on a treadmill - you get your time in, but you don't get to go anywhere. I was in my hot garage. Even though the overhead door was open and a fan was blowing, it was still pretty hot. I would have preferred to have been outside.
We have an early seminar tomorrow, but I'm going to try to get up early and go for a swim before.

8 Laps

Since I didn't get all of my swimming in yesterday, I decided to swim again this morning. I went to the Aquatic center, did 2 warm-ups laps and then 6.

Our Own TRI with Some Issues

Me in the pool

Bob,Me,Susan and Jacque before our ride

Jacque, Susan and I met at the Aquatic Center to do our "wet" run of the TRI. Our husbands came along, as did Bob, to be our support team. There were a bunch of people there, all on swim teams. We got in the pool and started doing our 300 meters, when Susan and Jacque were told that they could not use the pool. I didn't hear the "orders" and kept going. I was at lap 5.5 when someone came and demanded that I get out of the pool. I couldn't believe it. I had checked numerous times with the life guards over the past weeks, including this past Friday, to make sure that the pool would be open. They assured me it would. Apparently it wasn't. What really gets me is that we pay $750.00 per year for our HOA fee which gives us access to the Aquatic Center, and these swim teams, mostly with members who don't even live in the area, get full access and get to kick us out. I am NOT HAPPY!

We got out of the pool, got on our bikes and rode the TRI route, doing 10 miles. Luckily Bob came along and stayed with me, otherwise I would have been by myself. Jacque and Susan, who have been taking spin classes, were a whole lot faster.

We all met back at the Aquatic Center, and then proceeded to walk for what we think was 3 miles (we didn't have the TRI route for the 3 miler). We finished in right about 2 hours. Considering our transitions were a lot longer than they will be at the TRI, we should be able to finish within the 2:20 time limit.

4.5 Miles at Oyster Creek Park

Bob and I did the loop at Oyster Creek Park this morning. We met at 7:00am so that we could beat the heat. The sun never came out, but the humidity made up for it. It was nice to see a bunch of FBFers out in the park.
Tomorrow will definitely be a rest day. The on to bricks bright and early Memorial Day.

10 Laps - 8 Without Stopping

I did 300 meters in 9:45,one of my better times. Interestingly, I wasn't going for speed, it just happened. I have discovered that if I keep my head in the water for longer, my time is better. I tried alternating my breathing between sides and nearly choked myself. I'll stick to what works.
Bob and I will walk tomorrow morning and then I will take a rest day on Sunday.

35 Minutes Walking/Running

After a 5 minute warm-up, I ran 1:00/1:00 intervals for 25 minutes. It was a struggle, especially considering the heat, but it was easier than the last time. I made it to my walking midpoint in 12:30 vs 16:00, so I obviously sped up. I'm going to try to stick with the 1:00/1:00's but go for a longer session next time. I'd like to be able to finish the running part of the TRI in 45 minutes or less.
Susan and I plan to do another mini TRI on Monday. We'll meet at the Aquatic center and go from there. This time we will have our husbands and Bob as our support team.

8 Laps

I did 6 laps after 2 warm-ups. I would have liked to have done more, but I was tired. I've got to get on a more strict schedule so that I can get a more rounded training. I've been enjoying swimming so much (never thought I'd say that!) that I've gotten out of balance with riding and running. I plan to run in the morning.

1 Hour Riding

Bob took off today, so we met in the morning and rode for an hour. It had been almost two weeks since I had ridden, and I was a bit sore when we were done.

12 Laps

I couldn't wait to get to the pool this morning. I had a pretty stressful weekend. I did a lot more walking than I thought I would, but the shoes I was wearing were not kind to my feet.

I did one pair of laps to warm-up and then did 10 laps without stopping. My time was a little better this morning - 10:05. I haven't been on the bike since the 8th, and hadn't realized it had been that long til I just checked. I'll have to get some saddle time in this week - no excuses!

8 Laps

This morning I got out early, did 2 warm-up laps and then 6 without stopping. I am chairing a conference this weekend and wanted to get my last exercise in until Sunday.
I was able to lift up out of the pool for the second time this week. I banged up my knees, but I did it!

10 Laps total

I had a migraine this morning, but didn't want to forgo training, so I went to the Aquatic Center, did a two lap warm-up and then swam 8 laps without a break. The cold water actually felt good on my head. It took me 10:30 to do the 6 laps. Now I just need to squeeze in some biking. I am chairing a conference this weekend, so exercise will be nearly impossible starting Friday afternoon.

55 Minutes Walking

Bob took off today, so we met at 9:00am and walkied for close to an hour. It was a bit humid, but not too bad.

12 Laps

It was a little bit of a struggle, but I did it. After totally pigging out last night for Mother's Day and feeling like a blimp, I headed to the Aquatic Center this morning. I did a 100 meter warm-up and then 12 laps without stopping. My 6 lap time was 10:40. When I got out of the pool, the lifeguard told me that I had made major progress. That made my day!

I had my goggles on way to tight. When I got in the car I was shocked to see that the imprint was firmly embedded on my face. It's been about 5 hours now and my eyes are bruised. I look like I've had cosmetic surgery without any benefit. I guess one can only laugh!

4.5 Miles in the Park

Bob and I met at 7:00am at Oyster Creek Park. It had been quite a while since we had done 4.5 miles.The weather was very warm and muggy, so it was a bit of a struggle, but we did it. I am definitely taking a rest day tomorrow!

Should Have Taken a Rest Day

I forgot that there was no school today. When I got the the Aquatic Center, the swim team was practicing, plus there were a number of kids and parents playing in the open lanes. I did a warm-up pair of laps, then started what I had hoped would be six but when I was into my second lap I became extremely tired. I should have thought about yesterday and taken a rest day. I got out of the pool and headed home. Even though I was tired, I still wanted to log some exercise so I took a leisurely 30 minute walk.

A Very Mini TRI

Susan picked me and my bike up this morning. We drove to the Aquatic Center, did 400 meters (300 without stopping), got out, rode our bikes for 30 minutes and then walked for 15 minutes. Our transition time was pretty long since we had to unlock the bikes and then remount them, but it was good practice going from one activity to another. I feel more tired than I have during any other training, but I feel good about how it all went. My new seat is so much better. I wore a TYR bathing suit with a sports bra under it for the swim and then put race shorts on for the ride and walk. I definitely will get a TRI suit, but this worked fine for now.

30 Minutes Walking and Running

I tried to do 1:00/1:00 intervals after a 5 minute warm-up, but it's been too long since I've really run. Instead I did whatever intervals I could for about 18 minutes in the middle of the session. Like swimming, I'll build up to something more.

500 Meters Non-Stop

I'm becoming a "swimming fool." This morning I warmed up with two laps and then proceeded to swim 10 laps without stopping. I timed the 300 meters at 9 minutes, a whole lot faster than the 12 to 13 minutes Jacque and I had estimated when we did our first swim. The more I swim, the more energized I feel. I'm really starting to enjoy this!

8 Miles on the Bike

Bob and I took an 8 mile ride this morning. We were going to change out my bike seat, but the one I bought wouldn't work. Before we left, we checked the air in my tires, only to discover that they were missing about 40 pounds! No wonder it's been so hard to ride. I feel pretty silly.
The difference in the ride today was unreal. We're going to get the tubes changed so I'll be in good shape for the balance of my training and the TRI.
After the ride, we walked for about 12 minutes.

30 Minutes of a Run/Walk

It was very eerie outside this morning when I went out for a short run. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, so I thought, until I turned to the right and saw that the Northern side of the sky was pitch black. I had always wondered what it was like to be at the "dividing line" for a weather system. Now I know. I warmed up and then did intermittent intervals of running. Now that I've lost some weight and built up my lungs from swimming, it was a lot easier to run.

Pinch me- I think I'm dreaming.300 Meters without a Break!!!

This morning was a real breakthrough. I did 2 sets of pairs with a break after each set. As I was finishing the second lap of my third set I decided to go for 3 laps, and then as I was finishing the third one, I started imagining the headline of my blog - 4 laps in a row! - so I went for it. As I was approaching the 4th, I thought, why not go for the whole thing and I did!
I am so excited - 300 meters without stopping and I wasn't even tired. I am jumping for joy!