Some running, some disc golf and a one mile swim.

July is off to a good start with training. On Tuesday the 1st, I ran 2.5 miles in the morning, trying to loosen up my very very tight hamstrings. I weeded a couple days and that always gets them. Then later I swam what has become my usual 800-1000 yards at the Community Center. It was fine, nothing spectacular. Oh swimming.

On the 2nd, Wednesday, I walked the 2.5 mile loop in the morning. The temperatures had cooled and it was pretty nice out. Again I was trying to loosen up the legs because later that evening I wanted to run the free 5K that Roncker's holds in Loveland on the south side of the trail. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to really run, or just jog and just elevate my heart rate for a bit. Turns out, I ran faster than I've ran in months, and completely blew my mind. I ran a 9:30 pace. I don't know how it happened, having been struggling with 10:30 10:45...even 11 pace some days. I guess my only explanation is that I just got past the break in phase with getting back into training. Whoopee!

Thursday I took the day off. With friends coming into town, I was very ready to have some fun and do some triathlon workouts with Erika. Those of us who weren't working went disc golfing at a newer local course. It was fun. However, I got suddenly sick, and after 3 holes of chills, cramps and sweating, my body finally gave me no choice in the matter and I had to poo in the woods. Like a bear. It was pretty funny, gross and unbelievable all at the same time. And yay for carrying disc golf towels, but I'm going to pack some bio-degradable tp in my disc golf bag for the future. Oy.

Friday the 4th was another breakthrough workout day. In the morning, I just went on an easy run, not quite knowing what we'd do the rest of the day. Erika wanted to go swimming, and belongs to the Y, so we went to the Blue Ash Y (me as a guest) where they have an outdoor pool. I swam laps outside and it was fantastic! I also swam a mile!! Erika wanted to do a mile, and I said "sure" thinking I'd just kill time floating or something after I was exhausted with however far I could go...but I just kept going. I can't believe I swam that far! I have been doing 800s and feeling like, yep that's all I got today, folks. I don't know if it was the sun or maybe having someone to work out with. Whatever it was, it was terrific and I'm so happy and relieved about my swimming abilities right now. 

 

Saturday we went canoeing down the Little Miami for 9 miles with some friends, though probably 6 of those 9 were just floating. It was a little strange. I get the leisurely canoe trip thing, but it felt strange to be so inefficient. I was kind of bored almost. 

Sunday I didn't do anything too physical, but did go on a 72 mile motorcycle ride which was pretty fun. And it was with my old motorcycle! The guy I sold it too is a new rider, so we did a ride that I think is pretty fun from this area, and has some good things to practice. G followed in his miata, though I'm sure at the cautious new rider speeds we were going, it wasn't too fun for him. We stopped for brunch in Waynesville. It was great to finally get out on the motorcycle again...the weekend was so nice. I was itching to go and could have gone another 72 miles no problem. 

So that was the long weekend! Very fun-filled!

I'm in the process of getting a membership to the Y. The swim with Erika couldn't have come at a better time. I'm losing my free membership at the Community Center because G's company changed insurance providers again. So that benefit is gone. While waiting for her to finish getting ready after we swam, I saw a "member referral" process sign in the lobby. So, price-wise, the Y is going to be the cheapest place with some friends giving me a referral. Plus, I can't believe how awesome that outdoor pool experience was. I'm going to sign up tomorrow after an appointment at the Apple store to fix my phone and hopefully fonts on my computer. 

Sooooooo, that was a long winded update for a very full week... And now on to this week.

Tonight, I biked after work for an hour. I wanted to try to find some decent hills around the house that I could maybe do hill repeats on, but no luck. However, it was crazy windy. A storm was blowing over the entire time and pedaling down hill was still kinda rough. So even though I found no hills, pushing through the wind certainly made for a good workout. I forgot my water bottle though, which was annoying. Today I also started doing planks. Erika was talking about how they've benefited her training, and I've known for a long time now that I should start doing some strength stuff. So here's my weak starting point: 30 sec. I am doing the kind where you're on your hands and the kind where you're on your elbows/forearms. I don't know which is better, so I'm just going to do both. Seems like the elbow version is a bit harder. I did 4 sets today, each 30 sec. WEAK!!!

Tomorrow I plan to run a little in the morning and then swim around lunch. It probably won't be outside if the rain is all rainy.

Whooo this was a book. I need to update more often...and start drawing again!

Really. I'm back.

It's July.

Crazy work thing is done, I'm slowly getting back to training and feeling not like a sloth, and ...ooh ooh! Look! I'm writing again! Now all I need to do is draw. Though I did kind of do that a couple weekends ago. More on that later.

I've missed writing and training and general absorption of life. It really did feel like I was stuck in a box from March - mid/end June. A 3 or 4 a.m. - 6 p.m. and then 10 - midnight kind of box. Miserable. A weird working prison. I do think it's important to jot down what I learned through that mess.

1. I really know what it's like to "not have time" now. I will never again say I don't have time for something. Because I do. But when I was in this crazy work thing, I absolutely faced the not enough minutes in the day kind of thing. It was terrible and surreal.

2. I met and got to work with some great people. Even through all the pain of the job, I must say that none of the challenges stemmed from those I was working with. I hope to continue the relationships.

3. I'm thankful for the clients that stuck with me. It's tough. How do you explain that you got yourself in over your head and there's no way out except to burn a huge bridge and ruin a bunch of stuff? I felt like I was constantly making excuses to people and it sucked. Every day I'd try so hard to get to things, and suddenly the day was over. I wasn't my working self. That was definitely the worst part of it all, even over the 4 hour average sleep. I enjoy what I do, and I really enjoy pleasing my clients. For that to have suffered meant all the work felt pointless.

So...it's time to put it behind me. I'll never get myself in that situation again. Lesson learned. Moving on.


I was eager to start working out again once I had the time. I have certainly lost a lot of fitness, but there's only one direction to move. I thought I could do the Mason Triathlon again at the end of June. It was my first triathlon I did last year and I wanted to own it this year. Easy-peasy short pool swim, easy bike, 5k at the end. But... I hadn't been swimming. I had to bag it.

But now that I've had a couple regular workout weeks, I'm happy to say I signed up for the Iron Girl Rocky Gap triathlon again! It's in September. It's such a great venue. Clear lake. That's the best part. I have time to get better and I'm planning to crush my time. The course is different this year, so I won't have a direct comparison, but I know how I did last year. And I think I can improve! :)

Some things I'm already doing different: I think I was trying to do too long of activities last year. I have been shortening my runs and swims but trying to do them more frequently and quicker. We'll see how it goes.

July is off to a good start. I ran and swam on Tuesday. Then I walked and did a 5K on Wednesday. Roncker's does a free 5K Wednesday nights on the trail. I was just going to make myself run, figuring it would be more enjoyable with people around. I've been sucking at running. Stiff, always hurting, and about a minute and half  2 minutes off my normal pace. But when we started, I just went. I don't know what got into me, but I held strong for the entire 3.1 miles at a 9:30 pace. That just seems unbelievable when all I've been able to do is struggle with is 11:00. So weird. Running is so mental.

Hoping to get some workouts in with my friend who's in town this weekend. Off to see them now!

Enough! It's Time to Write Again!

Ok. So, I keep holding off writing here until I'm "back in training" or at least doing regular workouts. Or have some rough idea of what the heck I'm going to be doing this year for fun. But work just keeps being crazy busy and I'm irregular in pretty much everything I do right now... except for work hours. So, whatever. I'm just going to start writing anyway. This blog was never supposed to be a perfect publication.

Hmmm a quick update... In summary things have been pretty fantastic.

•  Ran the Heart Mini 15K in March - ran the first half well, pooped out the second half. But I was really happy with that first half's pace!

•  Didn't do the Pig. I really wanted to do it, but after the Heart Mini things REALLY got crazy and I just couldn't be consistent with running. And the Pig Half is no casual 13.1 miles. I knew I'd be miserable if I wasn't trained well (been there done that), so I just didn't do it. Maybe a Fall half will be in my cards.

•  Triathlon. Oh triathlon...I'm coming back for you, I swear! I haven't swam since... February. BIG Sad Face. But getting to the pool is pretty tough when you start working at 5 a.m. at home. And then don't take a break all day. Ug. Soon things will be under control again!

•  There is now a big sliding door in the back of our house! And a deck is being built. And a wall is in the garage so we now have a laundry room and "basement" storage area. So awesome. Someone sawing a hole through your cinder block and brick house does not make for easy work days. But the dogs and I have prevailed.  It's been me and Mack for almost 2 weeks now. Some of our conversation: "Hi Mack...going to a meeting!" "Hey Mack, going for a run, I'll be back in a few!"  Mack to me: "I need a haircut." :)  He's a super nice man and I feel like I should make him lunch. If I had more time and food in the house, I would. Maybe next week...

•  Went to Florida for a quick get-a-way (tagging on G's business trip) and now have a HUGE appreciation for getting away from work. People always say it. "I need to get away." But really, I did. I had an entire day where I walked, sat by the pool for a few hours, went on a run and had more pool time. The entire weekend was amazingly refreshing. Now I know that even though I didn't have time to do it, doing it anyway was mandatory.

•  I'm in a wedding this Friday. I have to do last minute shopping for jewelry and a slip/keep-the-boobs-in-place contraption. Then I need to paint my toenails. And I need to come up with some artwork for a sandwich-board-style chalkboard sign for the bride and groom that they thought would be cool to have somewhere on the wedding grounds. Eeek! It will probably be a Thursday night/Friday morning kind of thing.


So...now.
Now I'm really trying to run in the mornings. The weather has broke. I think. My work schedule should start to get better end of May/beginning of June. I'm still mega-stressed, but am working through it way better. There are a few other things going on right now that are pretty difficult, but I'm focusing on the happy and good. Even when there isn't time to work out, it kinda still has to happen. Not for getting better or winning or anything like that, but just for the mind and body.

And finally. What I would normally be writing about here anyway... I ran yesterday. 3 slow miles where I felt like I was dragging a small child behind me. But I did it. And last night we went karting. I'm so sore! And the seatbelt cut my neck so now I look like I have a hickie there. Great timing. I'm putting neosporin on it, hoping that will make it fade before the wedding! If not, I suppose makeup could do the trick.

Today. Perhaps a short short bike ride. It's going to be beautiful outside.

Next week... swimming?

Winter. Go Away.

It's been a while... My March is not looking so full...Bleh.

Last weekend, I had a project derail my chance to run 8 miles again. This week has been better, and I'm focusing on running and biking more. Swimming will come around again. I'm just not that worried about it right now.

I've done a couple rides on my bike on the trainer recently. I want to be able to hit the roads feeling pretty good whenever this stupid weather decides to be better. Spinning classes are great, but it's quite different from the bike.

Tonight I did a ride to music and it was pretty great. I pushed and it was rough, but it felt good. My heart rate was up and never really came down, which I have a hard time preventing in spinning classes. Too much fly wheel nonsense–I look at my watch and I'm all the way back to 134 or something. Anyway, good quality 45 minutes. Short and purposeful.

This morning I ran 3.5 miles. I tried to just run strong. I managed a 9:44 pace, which I suppose isn't too shabby (for me) given how little I've been running. So that's encouraging.

I registered for the Heart Mini and have decided it's just going to be an awesome training day. No pressure, no goals. Just run and enjoy it. I haven't had the best month, so there's no sense in keeping the same goals. It's all about having fun anyway, so that's what I'll do.

Friday it's going to be 54º.  I WANT TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE.

Miami Whitewater Park

Saturday morning I finally made it out to Miami Whitewater. It was warm and sunny - perfect weather to get 8 miles in. There is a loop there that is 7.8 miles around, which was going to be close enough for me. It's hilly and scenic, and such a nice change from the neighborhood.

The lake was still a little frozen.

I wasn't feeling like I had an 8 miler in me, to be honest. I swam for the first time in two weeks the day before, and also went for a 2 mile run that afternoon that was quick. But I just figured I'd go slow and take my time.

The first couple of miles forced me slow, because there was icy run-off going over the path that made for a solid sheet of ice on the trial. I used my broomball ice-running skillz and trotted lightly over those areas. Sometimes I could get in the grass, which was good.

Frozen/thawing flooded areas off to the side of the trail.

After than stint, I really knew I was in for a rough 8. I just felt sluggish. So I threw out any thoughts of pace and just moved forward. Part of the trail was closed because of erosion. I didn't remember what it looked like before, but I know there wasn't a drop-off to the right of the fence. I went up on the horse trail to get around it.

About a couple feet to the right of the wood fence is a complete drop-off.

I saw a lot of people with dogs. It was nice to see people in general. There were a few cyclists too. I suppose when it's not crowded this would be a fun loop to do without having to slow down for people often.

I was really done at mile 5 and began the torture of counting down until I would be finished. It was hard to just zone out about the miles when they were painted on the trail in bright white. My steps were small and my progress was slow. When I got to 7, I told myself I only have to make it to 7.75. That was my compromise.

Pretty grasses along the trail. Didn't see any horse riders...maybe too cold still.

It felt good to be done, though I wasn't done with being outside. Even though my pace was terrible, it was still a good amount of time on my feet so I know the run was worth it. Next time I'll go on fresher legs so I can work on some pacing.

And now, back to cold weather we go. I'm glad I was able to enjoy this day at least...hopefully some more warm ones are sprinkled in sooner than later.

Dear Swimming...

I decided it was time to get back to swimming today. For one thing, my morning was free. For a second thing, I haven't swam in quite some time, since two Fridays ago actually. So it had been two weeks, and it was time to get back to it. But in that time off, I've had some swimming reflection and decided I have something to say.

ahem.

Dear Swimming,
     Hi. I know it's been awhile. Two weeks to be exact. I'm sorry about that, but I needed some space. You were getting kind of clingy (or maybe that was just my suit). I'm not saying you pushed me away, but, I just needed to have some time with my pals Running and Cycling. Turns out Cycling wasn't really available, but Running and I have had some nice talks.
     It wasn't you, it was me.
     It's no secret I'm just not that good at you. I'm not that good at running or biking either. But I've gotten pretty comfortable with those activities and where I fit with them. Of course I'm always trying to get better, and I do beat myself up about things now and then. I get down that I can train so hard and still be slower in a 5K than a 90-year-old smoker carrying a large bear on her back while pushing a baby jogger filled with sacks of potatoes. Uphill. And I get frustrated that I can't run with people because I'm not fast enough to keep up. But, I keep doing it for many reasons, but mostly because I like it. For cycling, I feel like I have potential and I love it. My abilities aren't so far off from others', and that makes it pretty exciting.  
     And then, there was you.
     I didn't know anything about you when I attempted my first triathlon last year. I had dabbled in the pool a couple times, but didn't know how to swim properly. I watched YouTube videos about you and read articles on triathlon websites. I learned some drills and became friends with the pull buoy. I increased my number of days with you and finally started to see some small progress. And now, looking back to where I started, I realize I have made a lot of progress. Even from September of last year when I did my first swim-in-a-lake triathlon, I have made progress. I mean, I haven't choked on water in the middle of a set in like 5 weeks.
     You have made me stronger. You have helped my breathing and asthma (it seems). You have given me something to do when I can't do running and biking. And, most importantly, you have introduced me to all your senior friends at the community center who are perfectly content with floating on their backs...and always have a smile for me.
     And so, after some chatting with Running, I realized I like you a lot. I just hadn't been looking at you through the right pair of goggles.
     - cymbal crash -
     You and I...we work. And I'm going to stop trying to make you something you're not (Running or Cycling) and appreciate you for what you are (terrible terrible Swimming). And, I'll also appreciate me for where I fit with you now. I look forward to our future together!

Much love,
Steph

Belly Bloat

There's a delicious cereal that makes me feel terrible after eating it: Kashi Go Lean Crunch. No clue what odd ingredient or mix of ingredients is in this cereal that doesn't agree with me. The list looked like it was full of normal cereal-ish ingredients. Oh well, now I know.

I tried to let the cereal digest as much as possible before I headed out for a run in the SUNSHINE and 47 DEGREES!! It didn't matter that I felt icky, it was just nice to be out.

I started off strong before Unhappy Belly talked me into slowing down. So I barely managed a 10:07 pace for the first mile, and then took it really easy for the second mile. The easy pace should have really felt easy, but it wasn't. I felt like I had a few cans of pudding in my stomach–that's the only way I can describe it. Very full, jiggly, and uncomfortable.

For the last mile I decided I'd pick it up no matter what, so I pushed it. It was rough and I only managed a 9:29 pace for that mile, but I suppose it was a good effort.

I can't seem to get my laces tied right. The top of my left foot keeps hurting after I run, and I think it's because my laces are too tight. Maybe it's time to figure out the heal lock for these shoes.