SBBC Week 7 & 8

SBBC was supposed to end last Sunday but Amanda, the host, didn't want to end the challenge on such a tragic week so she extended it an extra week.

Ever since I started the Boost plan I have had no problems hitting the minimum 7 freggies every day.  The green smoothie gets the morning started with 3 servings.  Never in my life did I think I would look forward to drinking green smoothies!

SBBC Week 7


This was also week 3 of the metabolic boost.

Monday - 80 minutes Cycling, 64 oz water, 7 freggies
Tuesday - 30 minutes Run, 64 oz water, 7 freggies
Wednesday - 1 hour Pilates, 64 oz water, 7 freggies
Thursday - 40 minute Swim + 30 minute Run, 64 oz water, 7 freggies
Friday -  64 oz water, 7 freggies
Saturday - 1 hour - 40 minute Sprint Triathlon, 64 oz water, 7 freggies
Sunday - 65 minute Walk, 64 oz water, 7 freggies

Week 7 Points = 54.5
SBBC Total Points = 289.8


SBBC Week 8

This week rolled into the burn portion of the plan.  Basically, the burn is continuing to eat clean which surprisingly has been very easy to maintain.

Monday - 40 minutes Swim, 65 minutes Cycling, 64 oz water, 7 freggies
Tuesday -  35 minute run, 64 oz water, 7 freggies
Wednesday - 64 oz water, 7 freggies
Thursday - 64 oz water, 7 freggies
Friday -  64 oz water, 7 freggies
Saturday - 64 oz water, 7 freggies
Sunday - 40 minute Run 64 oz water, 7 freggies

Week 8 Points = 31
SBBC Total Points = 320.8

Why? Plus SBBC Week 6

I recently had the great fortune to run with someone that made it crystal clear to me why I continue to train.  Her name is Mary Lynn.  I have known her for a few years now through my local women's kayak group.  I ran into her 3 weeks ago at the Tuesday evening West Sixth Run Club.   She was training for a 5K with Krissie from Committed Coaching.  During our 3 mile run I learned that she is in the 70-75 age group, she married her high school sweetheart & is still happily married, she regularly works out at the Y among other things.  She ran the Shamrock Shuffle last March & won her age group!

After our run, I realized why I will continue to train even though I may never compete in anything longer than a sprint triathlon or 5K again.  I want to be active to the day I die.  I want to be doing this when I am 70.  I want to have the energy & strength to enjoy the endurance event called life.

I want to be doing all of these things for a very long time:

Swimming!

Cycling! 

Running!

More Cycling! 

Triathlon!

Kayaking!

Hiking!

SBBC Week 6

This is also week 2 of the metabolic boost.  I am still really surprised & happy with how that is going.  I took a few days off from workouts due a hectic week but I still got in all my water & freggies thanks to the boost.


Monday - 1 hour Pilates, 64 oz water, 7 freggies
Tuesday - 40 minutes Swim, 40 minute run, 64 oz water, 7 freggies
Wednesday - 64 oz water, 7 freggies
Thursday - 64 oz water, 7 freggies
Friday -  64 oz water, 7 freggies
Saturday - 1 hour Yoga, 45 minute run, 64 oz water, 7 freggies
Sunday - 45 minute swim, 1 hour Kayak trip, 64 oz water, 7 freggies

Week 6 Points = 49
SBBC Total Points = 235.3

3 Weeks Plus SBBC Week 3 AND 4

I have been a lazy blogger these past few months.  I have a lot to say but just don't feel like putting the effort in to write the posts.  If I am going to be completely honest, I have been pretty lazy with my training & nutrition as well.

I registered for the first tri of the season.  It is the Heart & Sole Triathlon and is 3 weeks from yesterday.  It includes a 400 yard swim, 15 mile ride & 5K cross country run.  There is a training day this Saturday that will cover the bike & run coarse which will give me a preview of just how out of shape I am.  

Here is a pic from our snowy WNC vacation last week.   We had hoped to do a lot of hiking but mother nature had other plans.  Instead we explored the area towns & ate & ate & ate.  

SBBC Week 3 


Monday - 55 minutes Pilates, 64 oz water
Tuesday - 55 minutes swim, 36 minute run, 64 oz water
Wednesday - nada
Thursday - 38 minute run, 64 oz water, 7 freggies
Friday - nada
Saturday - 60 minutes Yoga, 38 minute run, 64 oz water
Sunday - nada

Week 3 Points = 33.5
SBBC Total Points = 86


SBBC Week 4 

Monday - 1 hour hike
Tuesday - 64 oz water
Wednesday - 64 oz water
Thursday - 1 hour, 50 minute hike, 64 oz water
Friday - nada
Saturday - 50 minute swim, 64 oz water
Sunday - 40 minute run, 7 freggies

Week 4 Points = 30.5
SBBC Total Points = 116.5

Really? This is my next injury?!? Plus SBBC Week 2

My Wrist.  Who knew this position could be so painful?

Since my last injury I have been really trying to stay on top of my cross training.  Cross training that mostly consisted of Pilates, Yoga & other random cross training classes I would pick up at the Y.  

Starting in January I was trying to get more pushups & planks in as well.  I noticed my right wrist would occasionally hurt so instead of straight arm planks I changed it to forearm planks & dropped the pushups from the plan.  In yoga I was feeling the pain as well.  An occasional twinge during plank, chaturanga & downward dog.  

I took about 3 weeks off from these activities due to my trip.  During my first yoga practice after the time off the pain was even worse.  I was confused since I hadn't done anything to aggravate it that I was aware of.   Yesterday's yoga practice was horrible.  The pain got to the point I couldn't put any pressure on it.  I have no idea what happened.  Not sure how to proceed with treatment since rest seemed to make it worse.  I am thinking it may be a trip back to my ART practitioner.

Although it doesn't bother me when I swim, bike or run, yoga is the plan to keep the rest of me healthy.  The good thing with yoga is there are a million & one modifications to poses.  In the meantime, I will switch to weights to get my upper body workout.  

Week 2 of SBBC was marginally better than the first week.  The biggest problem these days is that I cannot seem to get enough sleep.  For me there are 3 possible reasons why - sick, depressed or allergies.  Looking at the calendar, not to mention the weather channel, it is most likely the later.  Oh well - I know from experience I should be all good by end of April. 

SBBC Week 2 

Monday - nada
Tuesday - 64 oz water, 45 minute swim, 20 minute run
Wednesday - 64 oz water, freggies
Thursday - 64 oz water, freggies
Friday - 64 oz water,
Saturday - 64 oz water, 40 minute run, 60 minute yoga
Sunday - 64 oz water, 50 minute swim, 75 minute spin

Week 1 Points = 16
Week 2 Points = 36.5
SBBC Total Points = 52.5

65 Degrees + SBBC Week 1

Today was my first day back at the pool in 4 weeks.  A work trip to Asia and bronchitis have put quite a wrinkle in my training plan but I am now ready to get back at it.  

I showed up at the Y right at 10AM when they opened.  I quickly got ready & headed to the pool in hopes to get a lane before the morning rush.  When I opened the door I immediately noticed the pool looked different.  The water was super smooth & the color looked different.  There were 2 guards on the deck & they informed me the water temp was 65 degrees.  Apparently they had to drain the pool & refill it yesterday, I can only imagine why.   The water didn't have time to heat up to the balmy 80 degrees it normally is.

When they told me this I had a few thoughts run through my head.  One was, 'Humpf, well $hit, I haven't swam in 4 weeks & I am ready to get back in the pool, now what?'  My next thought was 'well, I have swam in 72 degree water without a wetsuit & it would be good to know what 65 degrees feels like.'   You know, because the triathlete/engineer in me LOVES data points!

So I decided, what the hell I am going to swim anyway.  Normally when I get in the pool I jump in & sink to the bottom then push back up.  Today when I jumped in it took my breathe away.  I had to hurry up & get back to the surface.  I then started to swim - I had to stop each 50 for the first few laps to catch my breath - it was so freaking cold.  I had 1500 yards on the schedule but thought I would just swim for as long as possible.  Stopping wasn't an option.  I lasted 18 minutes or 700 yards.  I was getting colder & decided to get out.

Now I know that if I ever show up to a race & the water is 65 degrees I better have my wetsuit.  I have swam in 72 degrees with no wetsuit & it was fine.  It's funny how big of a difference 7 degrees make.

Spring Bootie Buster Challenge

I signed up for the Spring Bootie Buster Challenge before I left in February.  It started this past Monday but with jet lag & bronchitis I am off to a slow start.  Fortunately I was feeling better this weekend & was able to get a few workouts in.

SBBC Week 1 

Monday - nada
Tuesday - 64 oz water
Wednesday - 64 oz water
Thursday - nada
Friday - nada
Saturday - 40 minute run, 64 oz water
Sunday - 18 minute swim, 60 minutes yoga, 7 freggies

Week 1 Points = 16
SBBC Total Points = 16

All SBBC participants received a pair of Lock Laces.  They arrived a few weeks ago while I was out of town but yesterday I finally put them on my running shoes.  I always use these types of laces but this is the first time I have used Lock Laces.  They are by far my favorite.  They were super easy to install & they come in lots of fun colors.  I think all SBBC folks received hot pink.  They would have looked better on my old New Balance shoes that are pink & yellow.

Thanks for stopping by!

Meh

Meh - that is how I have felt since returning from vacation.  I just can't get myself motivated this month & frankly, I don't care.  Actually, it has been pretty nice to sleep in every weekend & nap on a Sunday afternoon.  In fact, last Sunday I spent the entire day in my PJs.  I read my book club pick, I caught up on my DVR'd shows, took a nap & made a big pot of chili.  I did not swim, bike, run, yoga or any other fitness activity.

It's funny, I see all the Saturday group runs going on & I really want to run with them but so far I haven't been able to motivate myself to get up early on Saturday.  I still run on Saturdays but it is later in the morning.  Maybe when it warms up it will be easier to get out this so early.

Honestly, running is the only thing I have been doing regularly   I am happy with how it is going especially when I think back to this time last year when I wasn't able to run at all.  I have been averaging about 10 miles a week since Thanksgiving.  Even though it has been cold the past week I am still getting my runs in outside.  I was in Minneapolis for work a couple of weeks ago & I ran 2 of the 3 morning outside when I was there.  It was actually pretty awesome & a great way to see the city even though it was cold!  I hope to continue to slowly build my weekly running average to 15 miles a week.  The key word is slowly.

Now swimming & biking have been in the dumper this month.  I haven't been on my bike or to a spin class since our December rides in Florida.    I have managed a little better in the pool but not much.  I have made it to the pool a whopping 4 times so far this year.

Part of the lack of motivation is due to the fact that I have no grand race plans this year.   My main goal is to maintain a Sprint triathlon level base fitness all year.  Basically, I want to be able to complete a sprint triathlon at a moments notice.  It may not be a PR performance but I can comfortably complete it.  I do want to do some new races in my area.  Here are a few of the races I am contemplating - I have not signed up for any of them yet.

Heart & Sole Tri - Versailles, KY - April 20th - First in Philly's Race Report
Tri for Joe - Cincinnati, OH - May 25th  - Big Daddy Diesel's Race Report
Trybee Island Sprint - Tybee Island, GA - June 9th
Asheville Triathlon - Asheville, NC - July 21st
Armco Park Triathlon - Lebanon, OH - August 4th
Atomic Sprint - Oak Ridge, TN - September 28th - Tri Fatty's Race Report

I am on track for the 13 in 2013 challenge.  I have signed up for #2 - Tackle the Miles virtual 5K the week of 2/1 - 2/8.   You can sign up HERE - it's a freebie.

Oh I signed up for this January challenge but it was dismal failure.  Pushups were hurting my right wrist so bad that I could barely do a downdog in yoga.  So after the first week I quit the pushup challenge.  I am thinking about giving the Fab Abs challenge a try in February though - still some pushups but not nearly as many.

Since the HBBC went so well I plan to do the SBBC.  It runs March 4 - April 21st.  Which is perfect timing since I will be returning home from China on the 1st & will be ready to get into the spring training groove.

I got this in the mail on Friday - a thank you to the Bia Kickstarter supporters.

I cannot wait to get my Bia Watch on my wrist this Spring!  If you missed pre-ordering one on Kickstarter they are having another pre-order special.  You can order your own Bia watch at intro pricing & get a 30% discount for life HERE!

My final rambling today - I may not be doing a lot of Swim, Bike & Running lately but I have been reading a lot about it.  I am currently reading Swim Bike Mom's book Triathlon for the Every Women.  Let me tell you it is a great book!  One of my next posts will be a review of the book AND a giveaway!  I pre-ordered 2 of these books last fall because I knew it would be that good & I would want one to keep & one to share.  Stay tuned!

Well, I guess I did have a few things to say today.  Congrats if you made it this far!