Kimberly in Training

Week 22: July 25 - July 31

2010-07-28T17:39:00.004-04:00

*Recovery week, but feeling eager! Next tri is only 3 weeks away.

Sunday: SheROX New England
Swim 1/2 mile: 14:02
Bike 12 miles: 51:15
Run 2.9 miles: 30:12

Monday: OFF

Tuesday: OFF
Actual: Swim about 1/4 mile (10 minutes in outdoor pool)

Wednesday: Strength

Thursday: Run 3 miles

Friday: Swim .75 miles

Saturday: Bike 10 miles, Run 2.5 miles

Week 21: July 18 - July 24

2010-07-19T10:47:00.003-04:00

Taper week, leading into Sunday's SheROX tri in Webster, MA:

Sunday: OFF

Monday: Bike 10 miles
Actual: Bike 14 miles

Tuesday: Run 2.5 miles
Actual: OFF

Wednesday: Swim .5 miles
Actual: Run 2.13 miles

Thursday: Run 2.0 miles
Actual: OFF

Friday: OFF
Actual: Swim about 1/4 mile

Saturday: OFF

Week 21: July 11 - July 17

2010-07-12T09:16:00.005-04:00

Times are in miles unless otherwise noted:

Sunday: Bike 12
Actual: Bike 14.4

Monday: OFF

Tuesday: Run 3.0
Actual: Run 3.0, Strength 30 min

Wednesday: Swim .75
Actual: Nothing

Thursday: Bike 10
Actual: Strength 30 minutes

Friday: OFF
Actual: Nothing

Saturday: Bike 12, Run 3.0
Actual: Swim about 40 min in outdoor pool, strength 20 minutes

This week was just . . . yikes. Bad. And next week coming up is supposed to be a taper into Sunday's tri. So, I think Sunday is going to be an interesting situation. I will either be totally slow and horrible due to under-training, or do a great job because I'm so well rested. Hopefully the later. :-)

Week 20: June

2010-07-05T20:49:00.005-04:00

I have two huge blisters on my feet and every time I run, they reopen. So, I'm taking the week off from running and focusing on biking and swimming.

Sunday (Happy July 4): Bike 12
Actual: Bike 13, Strength 30

Monday: Run 4
Actual: Run 4.06

Tuesday: Swim .75
Actual: Swim .5, Strength 20

Wednesday: Bike 10
Actual: Swim .75

Thursday: Swim .75
Actual: OFF

Friday: OFF
Actual: Bike 11 miles

Saturday: Swim (open water)
Actual: Swim 15 minutes, Strength 20
(Swim was interrupted by thunderstorms, but I'm glad to have gotten in the open water for a bit. It was good practice).

Week 19: June 27 - July 3

2010-06-28T09:51:00.003-04:00

Sunday: OFF

Monday: Run 3 miles
Actual: None

Tuesday: Swim .75 mile
Actual: Run 3

Wednesday: Bike 10 miles
Actual: Bike 9

Thursday: Swim .75
Actual: Strength 30

Friday: Run 4 miles
Actual Run 3.2, Strength 20

Saturday: TBD, possibly OFF
Actual: OFF

Total miles: 28
Total time: 3:56

Week 18: June 20 - June 26

2010-06-21T09:22:00.004-04:00

Measures are in miles unless otherwise noted.

Sunday: OFF
Actual: OFF

Monday: Run 2.5, strength 20 minutes
Actual: Run 2.5,

Tuesday: Bike 10 miles
Actual: Strength- 25 min

Wednesday: Swim .75
Actual: Swim .85

Thursday: OFF
Actual: Strength - 15 minutes

Friday: Run 3
Actual: Nothing

Saturday Bike 15, Run 2.5
Actual: Bike 17

I have to find a way to get my training in even though I'm working full time now. Lots of people do it. It's just hard for me to justify exercising after work when I haven't seen my kids all day. And early a.m.'s are OK, but last week I was exhausted. I think the key is getting to bed a lot earlier and just pushing through those early mornings. Striving to be better this coming week.

Week 17: June 13 - June 19

2010-06-14T13:40:00.004-04:00

Measures are in miles unless otherwise noted

Sunday: Bike 10
Actual: Bike 8.6

Monday: Swim .75
Actual: Swim .75, Strength 15 min

Tuesday: OFF
Actual: OFF

Wednesday: Swim .75
Actual: NADA

Thursday: OFF
Actual: NADA

Friday: Run 2.5
Actual: NADA

Saturday: Run 4 or Bike 10 (TBD)
Actual: NADA

Yeah. Bad week. Too much going on. So shoot me. I start again this week.

Week 16: June 6 - June 12

2010-06-07T16:41:00.004-04:00

Sunday: Bike 10, Run 1.5
Actual: Bike 8, Run 1

Monday: Run 3.5
Actual: Run 3.5

Tuesday: Swim 1
Actual: Swim .75, Strength 15 minutes

Wednesday: OFF

Thursday: Swim 1
Actual: OFF

Friday: Bike 15
Actual: Strength 30

Saturday: Run 3.1 (Mendham Patriot's 5K), Bike TBD
Actual: Run 3.1 (31:57)

Week 15: May 30 - June 5

2010-06-02T13:44:00.003-04:00

Sunday: OFF

Monday: Bike 12 miles
Actual: Bike 13.5/1 hr, 4 min

Tuesday: Swim 3/4 mile
Actual: Swim 3/4 mile, 30 min

Wednesday: OFF
Actual: OFF

Thursday: Run 3.5 miles
Actual: Nothing

Friday: Swim 1 mile
Actual: Run 2.4 miles

Saturday: Bike 12 miles, Run 3 miles
Actual: Nothing

Week 14: May 23 - May 29

2010-05-25T17:07:00.004-04:00

**No real "goals" this week - just working out when and how I wish. Real training begins again next week.

Sunday: JerseyMan Sprint Triathlon: swim .6, bike 20, run 3.1
Time: 2:35:18
Recap here.

Monday: TBD

Tuesday: TBD

Wednesday: TBD

Thursday: TBD

Friday: TBD

Saturday: TBD
Actual: Run 3.54 miles/36 min

Week 13: May 16 - May 22

2010-05-17T13:49:00.004-04:00

Tapering off this week, in preparation for Sunday's JerseyMan Sprint Triathlon. I have to be honest and say I don't feel as primed for this as I'd like. I definitely haven't done enough bike-run bricks. But my only goal (well, aside from finishing) is to do better than last year, and that shouldn't be hard since last year was so abysmal.

Anyway, here's the plan for the week. Times are in minutes unless otherwise noted:

Sunday: Bike 60, Strength
Actual: Bike 66, Strength 15

Monday: Swim 30
Actual: Swim 35

Tuesday: Run 25
Actual: OFF

Wednesday: Bike 30
Actual: OFF

Thursday: OFF
Actual: OFF

Friday: Run or Swim, TBD
Actual: Run 30

Saturday: OFF

Week 12: May 9 - May 16

2010-05-10T08:21:00.003-04:00

Workouts are in minutes unless otherwise noted.

Sunday: OFF (Happy Mother's Day!)

Monday: Run 35
Actual: Run 35

Tuesday: Bike 60
Actual: Strength 30

Wednesday: Swim 40
Actual: Bike 45, Strength 15

Thursday: Swim 20, Strength 20
Thursday: Swim 37

Friday: Run 30
Actual: NOTHING: forgot about a.m. meeting I had to attend

Saturday: Bike 60, Run 20
Actual: Run 22

Ummm, was I supposed to follow this schedule. Oooops!
Total: 3.06 hours

Week 11: May 2 - May 8

2010-05-04T15:53:00.003-04:00

Training is in minutes unless otherwise noted:

Sunday: Run 30
Actual: Run 34 (3.2 miles)

Monday: Bike 45
Actual: Bike 33 (6.7. miles)

Tuesday: Swim 40
Actual: Swim 41 (1 mile)

Wednesday: Run 30
Actual: Run 30

Thursday: OFF
OFF

Friday: Strength 30
Actual: OFF

Saturday: Bike 19.5 miles (Practice run for the JerseyMan Race, Run 20 minutes
Actual: Bike 20 miles/1.5 hours, Run 11 minutes

TOTAL: 3.9 hours

Week 10: April 25 - May 1

2010-04-25T18:38:00.004-04:00

Sunday: Strength 40
Actual: Strength 40

Monday: Bike 45
Actual: Run 35 (3.4 miles), Strength 10

Tuesday: Swim 40
Actual: Swim 43 (1,760 yards/1 mile)

Wednesday: Bike 45
Actual: Strength 20

Thursday: Run 40
Actual: Run 20/1.9 miles

Friday: OFF
Actual: OFF

Saturday: OFF
Actual: OFF

TOTAL: 2.8 hours

Week 9: April 18 - April 24

2010-04-19T10:29:00.004-04:00

Times are in minutes unless otherwise noted:

Sunday: Bike 50
Actual: Bike 55

Monday: Swim 40
Actual: Swim 40

Tuesday: Run 40
Actual: Run 3.54 miles in 38 min, strength 15

Wednesday: Bike 45, Run 15
Actual: None

Thursday: Swim 40
Actual: Swim 40

Friday: OFF
Actual: Run 37/3.54 miles

Saturday: Bike 45, Run 20
Actual: Bike 45

TOTAL: 4.5 hours

Week 8: April 11 - April 17

2010-04-12T12:31:00.004-04:00

This is going to be a challenging week. Lots of "school stuff" going on during the time when I normally exercise, so this may be a bit fluid as I try to squeeze things in when I can.

Sunday: OFF
Actual: Hike 40, Strength 20

Monday: Bike 45
Actual: Bike 45

Tuesday: Run or Swim TBD
Actual: Nothing.

Wednesday: Bike 45, Run 15
Actual: Bike 45, Run 12, Strength 10

Thursday: Run or Swim TBD
Actual: Nothing

Friday: OFF

Saturday: Swim 45
Actual: Run 40

TOTAL: 3.5 hours

Week 7: April 4 - April 11

2010-04-04T21:25:00.003-04:00

Times are in minutes unless otherwise noted.

Sunday: OFF - Happy Easter!
Actual: OFF

Monday: Run 40
Actual: Run 35, Strength 20

Tuesday: Swim 40
Actual: Swim 40

Wednesday: Bike 45, Run 15
Actual: Bike 45, Run 12, Strength 10

Thursday: OFF
Actual: OFF

Friday: Run 35
Actual: Bike 38, Strength 15

Saturday: Bike 60, Run 10
Actual: Run 30

TOTAL: Just over 4 hours

March 28 - April 3

2010-04-01T22:54:00.002-04:00

Times are in minutes unless otherwise noted.

Sunday actual: Yoga 40, Strength 20

Monday actual: Bike 50, Strength 10

Tuesday actual: Swim 35

Wednesday actual: Bike 45

Thursday: OFF

Friday:

Saturday:

Week of March 21 - March 27

2010-03-22T19:09:00.003-04:00

Times are in minutes unless otherwise noted.

Sunday: Swim 30
Actual: Swim 40

Monday: Bike 45, Strength 20
Actual: Bike 45, Strength 20

Tuesday: Swim 35
Actual: Swim 35

Wednesday: Run 40
Actual: Bike 50, Strength 20

Thursday: TBD, possibly off
Actual: None

Friday: OFF
Actual: OFF

Saturday: OFF*
Actual: OFF

TOTAL: 3.5 hours

*Lots of off days this week, due to a death in the family and travel to VT for the funeral.

Week 4: March 9 - March 20

2010-03-10T16:20:00.005-05:00

Times are in minutes unless otherwise noted.

Sunday: Swim 45
Actual: Swim 35

Monday: OFF

Tuesday: Run 30
Actual: Run 40, Strength 20

Wednesday: Bike 45, Strength 15
Actual: Bike 45, Strength 20

Thursday: Swim 45
Actual: OFF

Friday: OFF
Actual: OFF

Saturday: Bike 60, Strength 30
Actual: Run 35, Strength 30

TOTAL: About 4.4 hours

Week 3: March 7 - March 13

2010-03-10T16:15:00.006-05:00

**Last week was a total bust. Between three full days of meetings an hour from my house, followed immediately by a hugely sucky cold, I only managed 45 minutes of swimming on Sunday and about 20 minutes of strength on Tuesday. Back on track this week though.**

Sunday: Run 30, Strength 30
Actual: Run 30, Strength 35

Monday: Bike 45
Actual: Bike 45

Tuesday: Swim 45
Actual: Swim 45

Wednesday: Bike 45
Actual: Bike 45, Strength 20

Thursday: Run 30
Actual: Run 35

Friday: OFF

Saturday: Run Morristown St. Patty's Day 5K
Actual: Run 5K in TORRENTIAL downpour. Felt like a warrior! Time 32:57.

TOTAL: Four hours, five minutes

2010: here I come

2010-02-20T22:11:00.003-05:00

So here we go again. Another triathlon season, more races.

My goal this year is to do at least four races and do them FASTER.

First on the docket, the JerseyMan Sprint Triathlon. This was my first race last year and I had problems on every leg -- swimming panic and lack of sighting know-how, then serious stomach cramps, puking and other um, issues, on the bike and run.

Unless I am hit by a bus, I don't see how I can't improve on my time for this race. ::fingers crossed::

Week 1: February 21 - February 27

2010-02-20T22:06:00.005-05:00

Sunday: Strength 60
Actual: Strength 60

Monday: Bike 45
Actual: Bike (spinning) 45

Tuesday: Swim 45
Actual: Swim about 33 (just over 3/4 mile)

Wednesday: Bike 45, Run 20
Actual: OFF

Thursday: Swim 45
Actual: Swim 45

Friday: OFF

Saturday: Run 30, Strength 30
Actual: Run 30, Strength 20

January 17 - January 23

2010-01-19T13:11:00.001-05:00

Sunday - OFF

Monday - Run 30
Actual: Run 30

Tuesday - Swim 50
Actual: Swim 45

Wednesday - Spinning 45, Strength 20

Thursday - Swim 35

Friday - OFF

Saturday - Run 45

January 3 - January 9

2010-01-08T12:33:00.002-05:00

Sunday: Off

Monday: Off

Tuesday: Swim 30, Strength 30
Actual: Strength 45

Wednesday: Bike 45, Run 15
Actual: Bike 45, Run 20

Thursday: Swim 40
Actual: Swim 35

Friday: Strength 45
Actual: Strength 20

Saturday: Run 30, Strength 30

Sunday: Swim 45

October 4 - October 10

2009-10-05T14:11:00.003-04:00

Sunday: OFF

Monday: OFF

Tuesday: Swim 30

Wednesday: Bike 45

Thursday: Run 25

Friday: OFF

Saturday: The American Heart Association's 5K Fun Run

September 27 - October 3

2009-09-29T09:39:00.003-04:00

Sunday: OFF

Monday: OFF

Tuesday: Workout at gym, TBD
Actual: Strength 35

Wednesday: Spinning 45

Thursday: Swim 30

Friday: Bike 45

Saturday: Harvest Hustle 5K Race
Time: 31:43 (10:12 pace)

Mainiac Triathlon Recap

2009-09-29T09:37:00.002-04:00

You can read it here.

In a nutshell, the swim was 11:37, the bike was 1:03:20 (fastest average bike pace to date) and the run was 32:20 (fastest 5K run to date).

Definitely a fun race!

September 20 - September 26

2009-09-21T11:01:00.003-04:00

Backing off this week in preparation for Saturday's tri.

Times are in minutes unless otherwise noted:

Sunday: OFF

Monday: Run 30

Tuesday: Swim 30
Actual: Swim 35

Wednesday: OFF
Actual: Run 20, Strength 10

Thursday: Bike 45, Run 15
Actual: OFF

Friday: OFF

Saturday: Mainiac Sprint Triathlon
(1/4 mile swim, 14.85 mile bike, 3.1 mile run)
Actual: Swim 1/4 mile, bike 14.85 miles, run 3.1 miles
1:53

September 13 - September 19

2009-09-15T09:17:00.003-04:00

Times are in minutes unless otherwise noted:

Sunday: OFF

Monday: Run 30
Actual: Run 33, Strength 20

Tuesday: Swim 30, and or Bike 45
Actual: Bike 45 (Stationary bike), Strength 20

Wednesday: Run 30
Actual: OFF

Thursday: Swim 45
Actual: Swim 23, Run 17

Friday: Bike 60
Actual: Bike 45, Strength 20

Saturday: Bike 45, Run 30
Actual: Bike 52

September 6 - September 12

2009-09-07T20:36:00.004-04:00

Times are in minutes unless otherwise noted.

Sunday: Run 30
Actual: Run 35, Strength 20

Monday: OFF

Tuesday: Swim (if pool is open) or run
Actual: Swim 39

Wednesday: Run 30
Actual: Nothing

Thursday: Bike
Actual: Nothing

Friday: Swim 30, Run 20
Actual: Aerobics/strength video at home: 30

Saturday: OFF

**Life kind of got in the way a lot this week. Back on track again.

August 30 - September 5

2009-08-31T11:44:00.006-04:00

Times are in minutes unless otherwise noted.

Sunday: Bike 60
Actual: Bike 45 (flat tire!)

Monday: Run 30
Actual: Run 32

Tuesday: Bike 60
Actual: Bike 50, Strength 15

Wednesday: Run 30
Actual: Bike 45, Run 15

Thursday: OFF
Run: 25, Strength 20

Friday: Swim (Open Water)
Actual: OFF

Saturday: Bike 60, Run 20
Actual: Walk all over NYC/hours-miles of walking; Strength 30

August 23 - August 29

2009-08-24T09:47:00.004-04:00

Well, it was nice being on vacation last week (literally - we road-tripped to Indiana to visit family), but it's back to reality this week. All I did last week was one run - in Indianapolis (which is AWESOMELY flat) - 2.6 miles in about 27 minutes. I have to get myself ready for the Mainiac Tri in Maine on September 26, so no more slacking off. I'm doing this tri with two friends who I'm sure are faster than me - time to buckle down and work a bit on speed, especially on the bike and run.

Goals for this week:

Sunday: OFF (Drove home from Indiana)

Monday: Bike 45
Actual: Bike 40

Tuesday: Run 30
Actual: none

Wednesday: Bike 30, Run 20
Actual: Bike 55

Thursday: Swim 45
Actual: Swim 35, Strength 25

Friday: OFF

Saturday: Bike 60
Actual: Run 34, Strength 20

Third tri's a charm

2009-08-17T17:16:00.002-04:00

NEXT!

Mainiac Sprint Tri

Maine? Why Maine? Are you insane? In the brain?

Um. Yes. Possibly. I also have two good friends in the Boston/NH area who have agreed to do this with me. Plus you get a free beer after the race.

How COLD will the water be?

Not cold at all. For a polar bear. Or a beluga whale. Water temps are predicted to be between 58 and 62 degrees. Actually, I think for Maine, that's downright balmy.

You do realize this swim in in the OCEAN, don't you? Something you said you'd NEVER do?

Hmmm? What? Did you say something? Mmmm. Beeeer.

Did you order the pink "ALERT" swim cap?

Surprisingly, I did not. I blame being distracted by the offer of free beer. I am simple like that.

You know, you can just buy beer? In like, tons of stores right near your house. And not have to freeze, sweat or risk being eaten by a beluga whale to get it.

True, but what fun is that?

Are you going to be singing "Maniac" from Flashdance the morning of the race?

Already there, dude. Already there.
"She's a maniac, maniac, oh oh. And she's dancing like she's never danced before-ore."

Recap: Women's Revolutionary Triathlon

2009-08-16T21:44:00.003-04:00

Wondering how today's race turned out? Check out my recap at my main blog,The Gav Menagerie.

Stay tuned for details about my next race in September . . .

August 9 - August 16

2009-08-10T10:53:00.005-04:00

Sunday: Off (travel back from MD)

Monday: Bike 60, Run 20
Bike 45 (hills, hills, hills)

Tuesday: Swim (open water) 30
Swim (open water) .5 mile/20 minutes

Wednesday: Run 20
Actual: OFF

Thursday: Swim 30 (pool)
Actual: Run 20, Strength 25

Friday: OFF

Saturday: OFF

Sunday: Women's Revolutionary Triathlon
Swim .25 mile, Bike 10 miles, Run 3.1 miles

And then it hit in the face like a brick shot out of a cannon

2009-08-02T16:33:00.004-04:00

So, if you pay any regular attention to this blog, and really, you probably don't. But if you did, you might notice that my training lately has been a little . . . irregular? Scattered?

And if you did think that, you would be right. Reason #1 is that I've been thinking lately that I just had SO MUCH TIME until my next tri. SO MUCH TIME to train and get myself back up to speed. Because after all, my next tri is August 16 and that is a WHOLE LONG WAY OFF.

Except, well, it isn't.

Because yesterday I looked at the calendar and it was August 1. Meaning I have 16 days.

Six-teeeeen days.

Fuck.

And that's bad, because while the swim & bike distances on this tri are a lot shorter than than the first one (quarter mile swim vs. a half mile swim, and 10 mile bike vs. 19.5 mile bike), the course is SIGNIFICANTLY more challenging.

The bike course is very, very hilly. The climb out of transition is about 1.5 miles long, and parts of it wickedly steep. Then there's the loop through the park - more hills, not steep, but long. My legs are like jello after one loop, and the course requires two.

I'm not thrilled, but with some weekly riding of the course, I have gotten to the point where I can climb all the hills without stopping, though like I said, my legs are all shaky and my time is, well, not great.

Then there is the tricky issue of the descent back to transition. It's really steep and I am a big chicken. I ride my brakes the whole way down and that's with just ME on the course. What's it going to be like with other cyclists - the faster ones whizzing by and having to pass the slower ones (if there are in fact any slower than me). The hill is not only steep, it's curvy.

Quite frankly, it scares the ever-loving crap out of me. And the hill does empty directly into the transition area.

I can't imagine what the plan is for avoiding a 100-bike pile-up in the transition area. I'm just blindly hoping they have a plan to avoid this.

::sigh::

Then there's the issue of the run. It's a trail run, also hilly, and also full of ruts and big roots sticking up all over the place.

It will be a minor miracle if none of the athletes in this thing walk away unscathed.

I've been in a bit of denial about all of this, which, I think, has been part of my lack of motivation in training.

But now that it's August 2?

I'm making the most of the next two weeks.

August 2 - August 8

2009-08-02T16:20:00.005-04:00

Sunday: Run 35, Swim 30
Actual: Run 35, Swim 45

Monday: Bike 75
Actual: Bike 65 (hill training)

Tuesday: Swim (open water) 30
Swim (open water) 38 min (1 mile), Run 22 (2 miles)

Wednesday: OFF

Thursday: Swim 35
Actual: Bike 30, Strength 20

Friday: Bike 40
Actual: NONE (packing for trip)

Saturday: Run 30
Actual: Run 30, Strength 20

July 26 - August 1

2009-07-26T09:26:00.004-04:00

Times are in minutes unless otherwise noted:

Sunday: Bike 75, Run 20
Actual: OFF (thunderstorms rolled in just as I was heading out)

Monday: Swim (Open Water) 30
Actual: Bike 60

Tuesday: Run 30
Actual: Strength 20

Wednesday: Bike 60, Run 15
Actual: Bike 65, Run 10

Thursday: Swim 35
Actual: Swim 40

Friday: Run or Swim, tbd
Actual: None

Saturday: OFF
Actual: Strength 20

July 19 - July 25

2009-07-20T08:53:00.003-04:00

Times are in minutes unless otherwise noted:

Sunday: Run 30
Actual: Run 35, Strength 15

Monday: Bike 45
Actual: Bike 20 (more mechanical problems - ugh!)

Tuesday: Bike 20, Run 30
Actual: Bike 30, Strength 20

Wednesday: Bike or Run TBD
Actual: Run 25

Thursday: Swim 35
Actual: Swim 40

Friday: OFF

Saturday: Bike 75, Run 15
Actual: OFF

July 12 - July 18

2009-07-13T15:54:00.007-04:00

Times are in minutes unless otherwise noted:

Sunday: Bike 45
Actual: Bike 45, Strength 15

Monday: Run 30
Actual: Run 25

Tuesday: Swim 30 Bike 45
Actual: Swim 20, Strength 15

Wednesday: Bike 45
Actual: Run 25, Strength 15

Thursday: Swim 30
Actual: Swim 45

Friday: OFF
Actual: Strength 20

Saturday: OFF

**I'm having mechanical problems with my bike, which should be resolved next week hence the lack of biking.

July 5 - July 11

2009-07-06T15:17:00.004-04:00

Times are in minutes unless otherwise noted:

Sunday: Off (Traveling)

Monday: Bike 60
Actual: BIke 45

Tuesday: Swim 45
Actual: Run 20, Strength 40

Wednesday: Bike 45, Run 30
Actual: Run 30, Strength 10

Thursday: Swim 30
Actual: Swim 30

Friday: Run 30
Actual: Bike 35

Saturday: Off
Off

June 28 - July 4

2009-06-29T21:52:00.005-04:00

Good grief, for one reason or another, it has been week after week of light exercise.

June has been a total waste on the training front and while I'd like to think this week will be different, it's not off to a great start (I'm still wiped out from last week's flu) and it's ending with a holiday.

But—BUT—I am going to do my best with what's left. And July I'm resolving to hit the ground running (and biking and swimming).

Sunday: OFF - sick

Monday: OFF - exhausted/recovering

Tuesday: Swim 45
Actual: Swim 45

Wednesday: Bike 45
Actual: Run 30

Thursday: Swim 60
Actual: Swim 45

Friday: Run 35
Actual: Off

Saturday: OFF (HAPPY JULY 4th!)

June 21 - June 27

2009-06-21T20:05:00.004-04:00

Sunday: Off

Monday: Bike 35, Run 20
Actual: Bike 45, Strength 20

**REST OF THE WEEK CLOSED DUE TO FLU**

Better luck next week.

June 14 - June 20 (Vacation)

2009-06-21T20:03:00.002-04:00

I was in San Francisco last week with my family, so I didn't have any formal exercise, but we did some hiking and lots of walking.

Back on track this week as I return to the "real world."

Next up . . .

2009-06-09T22:02:00.003-04:00

Women's Revolutionary Sprint Triathlon.
1/4 mile swim, 10 mile bike, 3.1 mile run.

I was considering one in July too, but it filled up. Ugh. I snooze, I loose.

Time to start looking at September races . . .

June 7 - June 13

2009-06-09T20:27:00.006-04:00

Times are in minutes unless otherwise noted.

Sunday: Off

Monday: Bike 30
Actual: Bike 30

Tuesday: Swim 45
Actual: Swim 45

Wednesday: Bike 45, Run 35 (Course for next triathlon)
Actual: Strength 20. Spent the evening looking through Target's garbage cans instead. Gross, but not very physical.

Thursday: Bike 40, Run 20
Actual: Bike 40, Strength 30.

Friday: TBD
Actual: Nothing

Saturday: TBD
Actual: Nothing - surprise birthday party for me!

May 31 - June 6

2009-06-09T20:24:00.002-04:00

**I left for a two-day business trip on Sunday and never had a chance to outline my goals, so this is just actual workouts for the week.**

Sunday: Off (Travel)

Monday: Bike 30, Strength 25

Tuesday: Run 22, Strength 20

Wednesday: Bike 35, Strength 15

Thursday: Run 25

Friday: Off

Saturday: Off

May 24- May 30

2009-05-25T14:51:00.004-04:00

Measures are in minutes unless otherwise noted.

Sunday: Bike 60
Actual: Bike 70 (15 miles)

Monday: Hike 60
Actual: Hike 60

Tuesday: Run 30 or Swim 45 (TBD)
Actual: Bike 35, Strength 30

Wednesday: Bike 30 or Swim 45 (TBD)
Actual: Run 33 (5K), Strength 20

Thursday: Off
Actual: Swim 50

Friday: Run 30
Actual: Bike 50 minutes (about 10 miles), Strength 20

Saturday: Swim 45
Actual: Off

OK, so I didn't stick to the schedule AT ALL, but I think I managed to work out more than I'd planned.

TOTAL: 368 minutes (6.1 hours)

May 17 - May 23

2009-05-17T19:01:00.005-04:00

Times are in minutes unless otherwise noted:

Sunday: Off

Monday: Bike 30, Run 20
Actual: Bike 30, Run 20, Strength 30

Tuesday: Swim 45
Actual: Swim 35

Wednesday: Bike 45
Actual: Run 35 (3.2 miles)

Thursday: Off
Actual: Off

Friday: Swim 30
Actual: Strength 20

Saturday: Run 35
Actual: Off

May 10 - May 16

2009-05-17T18:10:00.002-04:00

**No goals this week. Just working out when and however I feel.**

Sunday: Off

Monday: Off

Tuesday: Swim 45 minutes

Wednesday: Off

Thursday: Run 25 minutes, Strength 25 minutes

Friday: Bike 1 hour

Saturday: Off

Looking for a race recap?

2009-05-10T10:54:00.003-04:00

I posted it here since more people know about that site.

I will say all that fretting about the weather was for nothing. It was perfect: cloudy/partly sunny, mid-70s, no wind.

Now, onto the next one . . . . stay tuned.

Countdown: Two days

2009-05-07T19:35:00.002-04:00

Today I am feeling: Better. With the exception of my race packet, everything I need is in this house. Went out for a nice, easy bike ride today (just 6.5 miles) and feel . . . well, ready.

Current stressor: The weather. There are reports of possible thunderstorms on Saturday. Do you know what one of my biggest phobias is? BEING OUTSIDE IN FREAKIN' THUNDERSTORMS. :::runs screaming through house:::

OK, in fairness, weather.com removed thunderstorms from its forecast for Saturday and other sources say they're most likely in the afternoon. But still, I'm stressing about this. I know there's nothing I can do about it, but I'm still stressing. Please think non-lightning thoughts for me.

Projected water temperature: 62 degrees, taken from the center of the lake yesterday. Brrrr! I went with the sleeveless wetsuit, so let's hope the activity itself is enough to keep me warm.

Stuff I must remember not to forget: Practice transitions, pick up race kit and pack up stuff!

Countdown: Three days

2009-05-06T10:33:00.004-04:00

Today I am feeling: EXHAUSTED. I had a horrible night of sleep last night. First, I couldn't fall asleep. Then, my four-year-old came into our bed and spent the next five hours kicking me in the back.

Also? Anxiety dreams have started. Most are the usual stuff: I get there and don't have my bike or I get lost and can't find the park. But in last night's dream I am running when Mark comes by in the van with the girls and picks me up because he wants to show me some houses. Then, he drops me off back on the course WITH THE GIRLS. So I have to "run" the last mile dragging a kid in each hand. Weird.

Projected weather: No real change. Weather.com says showers and 75. Mac weather widget says party sunny and 73.

Stuff I have to remember not to forget: Pick up wetsuit tomorrow and then practice transitions. I plan do this in the front yard if anyone in the area is bored and looking for some cheap entertainment.

Countdown: Four days

2009-05-05T13:30:00.004-04:00

Today I am feeling: neurotic

Must remember not to forget: to buy Body Glide, energy food and a racing belt from the running store

Projected weather on Saturday: It depends on the source. Weather.com says 72-degrees and showers. The weather icon on my Mac's dashboard says sunny and 75.

Projected water temperature: Temps at the water's edge are averaging 66-degrees. They are taking temps from the middle of the lake in a day or two.

Decisions I need to make:Long-sleeve or sleeveless wetsuit? Leaning toward sleeveless. Yes, it will be colder, but I'm concerned about the sleeves being too constricting (I've heard it takes extra arm strength to swim in one) and given my schedule on Thursday, I'm not sure I can get to the pool with it to practice. Besides, you warm up once you get swimming, right?

Week 13: May 3 - May 9

2009-05-04T10:29:00.008-04:00

(Training tapers off this week in preparation for Saturday).
Times are in minutes, unless otherwise noted:

Sunday: Off

Monday: Bike 25, Run 15
Actual: Bike 25, Run 15, Strength 20

Tuesday: Swim 30
Actual: Swim 30
(46 laps aka 1,150 yards)

Wednesday: Bike 30 or Run 20
Actual: Nothing

Thursday: Light swim with wetsuit TBD
Actual: Bike 20

Friday: Off

Saturday: Jersey Man Sprint Triathlon
ACK!
Actual; FINISHED triathlon. :-) :-)

Finding inspiration where ever I can

2009-05-01T12:48:00.003-04:00

I find myself drawing inspiration (or more accurately mantras that I cheer myself on with) from some of my children's books and movies lately. I don't know if that's just because that's what I'm exposed to the most, or if these are just tried and true motivators. What do you think?

When swimming: Finding Nemo
The scene when Dory, Nemo and a bunch of other fish are caught in a fishing net and need to escape.
Just keep swimming! Just keep swimming!

When biking (especially uphill): The Little Engine that Could
I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.

When running: The Tortoise and the Hare
Slow and steady wins the race.

Week 12: April 26 - May 2

2009-04-27T11:50:00.005-04:00

Times are in minutes unless otherwise noted:

Sunday: Swim 45
Actual: Swim 48
(Lost count, but around 76 laps.)

Monday: Run 35
Actual: Run 35 (3.2 miles), Strength 15, Walk 40 (1.7 miles)

Tuesday: Off

Wednesday: Bike 60
Actual; Bike 40 (10 miles), strength 30
(There was a line for the stationary bikes; I had to cut it short)

Thursday: Swim 45
Actual: Swim 45 (1 mile/72 laps)

Friday: Bike 30, Run 30
Actual: Bike 30, Run 20, Strength 15

Saturday: Off

Total: 315

Week 11: April 19 - April 25

2009-04-20T11:51:00.003-04:00

Times are in minutes unless otherwise noted:

Sunday: Off

Monday: Bike 60
Actual: Bike 60, Strength 30

Tuesday: Bike 30, Run 30
Actual: Nothing, off

Wednesday: Off
Actual: Bike 45, Run 20, Strength 20

Thursday: Swim 45
Actual: Swim 45
(74 laps - 1 mile +2/68 crawl, 4 breast stroke, 2 backstroke)

Friday: Bike 40
Actual: Strength 25

Saturday: Bike 60, Run 30
Actual: Bike about 60, Run about 30
(15.5 mile bike, 2.7 mile run)

Goal: Focusing heavily on biking and running this week, both trying to build speed and endurance after the transition. I did a "tri of one" on Saturday, 4/18 (1/2 mile pool swim, 16 mile bike, 3 mile run) and while it went well overall, the hardest by far was the run.

Week 10: April 12 - April 18

2009-04-13T12:39:00.005-04:00

Times are in minutes unless otherwise noted.

Sunday: Off (Happy Easter!)

Monday: Swim 30
Actual: Swim 30

Tuesday: Bike 30, Run 35
Actual: Run 35
(3.2 miles)

Wednesday: Swim 45
Actual: Swim 45
(72 laps = 1 mile, 68 crawl, 4 breast stroke)

Thursday: Bike 40, Run 35
Bike 35, Run 25
(Bike 8 miles, Run about 2.3 miles)

Friday: Off
Actual: Walk 30

Saturday: Swim 1/2 mile, Bike 12 miles, Run 3 miles
Actual: Swim 1/2 mile, Bike 16 miles, Run 3 miles
(Swim 23 minutes, Bike about an hour, Run about 34 minutes)

TOTAL: About 318

Week 9: April 5 - April 11

2009-04-05T20:21:00.006-04:00

Times are in minutes, unless otherwise noted.

Sunday: Swim 30 laps, Bike 45
Actual: Swim 30 laps (18 minutes), Bike 45

Monday: Run 30
Actual: Run 30 (2.9 miles)

Tuesday: Swim 30, Bike 40
Actual: Swim 30, Bike 30
(swim 36 laps [1/2 mile] crawl, 4 laps breast stroke; bike 7.5 miles)

Wednesday: Off

Thursday: Swim 60
Actual: Swim 60
(84 laps [1 mile + 12 more laps] crawl, 2 laps breaststroke)

Friday: Run 20
Run 20, Strength 25

Saturday: Bike 19.5 miles (triathlon course)
Actual: Bike 19.5 miles (105 minutes)

TOTAL: 363

Panic makes perfect

2009-04-05T13:57:00.003-04:00

Today, the triathlon club at my Y sponsored a swim/spin brick workout (30 laps in the pool, followed by a 45 minute spin class).

I showed up having no idea how they planned to run things. As it turned out, it was set up like 2/3 of a triathlon: everyone enters the pool at the same time, swims his/her 30 laps, runs down the hall to a “transition area” to dry off and put on sneakers, and then up to the spinning room. Your 45 minute spin starts the minute you begin pedaling.

There were four of us – two men and another woman. The two men completed an indoor practice tri at the Y last month. They both swam 20 laps in 9 minutes. The woman was a swimmer – a real, competitive swimmer - with three triathlons under her belt.

I did my best to retain my composure as they negotiated for position in the pool.

“I’ll be the slowest,” I assured them.

We finally agreed to split two lanes four ways and just swim up and back in a straight line, which was ideal to me since that way I wouldn’t have to worry about slowing someone down behind me.

We entered the pool at the deep end. I quickly adjusted my goggles and swim cap and the volunteer said, “Ready? Set? GO!”

I pushed off the wall as hard as I could and instantly dislodged my goggles. The right side started slowly filling with water.

But I didn’t care, because I was keeping pace with the two people on either side of me.

”I am as fast as them,” my delusional brain quipped. “I can swim faster than I thought.”

The confidence was short-lived.

As it turns out, to keep up with them, I was swimming erratically – too fast for my own good.

On the next stroke, I turned back into the water too quickly, gulping water instead of air.

I coughed underwater and came up on the next stroke gasping. I couldn’t catch my breath.

My heart started to race – a combination of panic and lack of oxygen. I felt like I was suffocating under the water. I couldn’t get enough air and my chest was starting to burn.

Panic. I am panicking.

I haven’t had a good panic attack in the pool since the early days of my lessons this past fall and all the bad feelings of failure, fatigue and terror came rushing back to me.

Plus, I still had that nagging little problem of my goggles filling with water.

Still, I reached the wall at the same time as the man and woman on either side of me. But the woman executed a perfect flip turn and was off like a shot. The two men turned quickly too. I pushed off from the wall hard again, this time completely dislodging my goggles. They hung off my face at an odd angle – one eye only partly covered (something that has NEVER happened before – what the hell?)

I stopped briefly to fix them, standing at just shy of the drop off in the pool. The three other swimmers were well ahead of me now.

GO! my brain shouted. Go! Go! Go!

So I went, still pushing too hard. I hated being so far behind and I was trying to swim way too fast.

I swallowed more water and the burning in my chest grew. What’s more, my right goggle was STILL filling with water. A few feet from the wall, I came up sputtering and actually dog paddled (DOG PADDLED, PEOPLE!) the rest of the way to the wall.

I clung there, chest heaving, gasping for air. I emptied and readjusted my goggles. My fellow swimmers were already half-way through their third lap.

Calm down, Kim. Get a grip.

Taking a deep breath, I turned and swam away – trying desperately to regain my composure.

I adjusted my breathing from every third stroke to every second in an attempt to get more oxygen and bring my heart rate back to a normal level. I also – finally – slowed my stroke. With all three of my competitors nearly a full stroke ahead of me now, the need to keep up with them was fading. I was going to be last. But I was going to finish, and that was what was important.

I focused on swimming at the somewhat slow but steady pace I’ve worked so hard to achieve in the last few weeks.

And from there, it got better. Slowly, I felt my functions return to normal. I resumed breathing every third stroke. I focused on form and taking good, deep breaths when I came up.

On my 25th lap, I turned at the shallow end of the pool to see it was empty – my competitors had finished and were on their way to the spinning room. Back at the deep end, the volunteer yelled out, “four more laps, Kim,” and I shouted back “thanks” before pushing on. I gave the next four a little more gusto and finished in just over 18 minutes – four full minutes slower than the fastest swimmer (the woman –yay!).

The transition and spin were uneventful, but I kept replaying my inauspicious start in the pool in my head.

On the upside, I learned two important things:
1. Make sure that my goggles and swim cap are on securely before starting.
2. More importantly, don’t get too swept up in keeping up with those around me. It’s good to be competitive, but not to the point of foolishness.

And even more on the positive side: After the spin, I felt good. I could have easily run (and would have if I’d had my running shoes with me).

Bottom line: Don’t panic. Be confident in yourself. And practice, practice, practice.

Which is all pretty good advice for most things in life, actually.

Week 8: March 29 - April 4

2009-03-30T10:27:00.006-04:00

Times are in minutes unless otherwise noted:

Sunday: Off

Monday: Bike 35, Run 25
Actual: Bike 35 (8.7 miles), Run 20 (2.1 miles), Strength 20

Tuesday: Swim 45, Bike 35
Actual: None. Stuck in work late.

Wednesday: Bike 50
Actual: Nothing. Sick.

Thursday: Swim 45
Actual: Swim 60
(78 laps total. 72 laps crawl [1 mile], 4 laps breast stroke, 2 laps back stroke)

Friday: Run 5K
Actual: Run 23 minutes (2.2 miles), Strength 20

Saturday: Off

TOTAL: 178*

*OK. So I had a pretty bad week here, but I know exactly why. Being out until 3 a.m. on Saturday, hungover on Sunday and then exhausted pretty much all week thereafter (as well as sick from Tuesday on) all took their toll. So no more drinking for a while. I've learned my lesson there for a while.

Week 7: March 22 - March 28

2009-03-22T21:39:00.006-04:00

Times are in minutes unless otherwise noted.

Sunday: Bike 60
Actual: Bike 90, strength 15

Monday: Run 20
Actual: Run 25, Strength 20

Tuesday: Swim 45
Actual: Swim 35 (got to the pool later than planned and only had 35 min before it closed)

Wednesday: Off

Thursday: Bike 35, Run 20
Actual: Bike 35, Run 23, Strength 20

Friday: Off

Saturday: Swim 30, Run 25
Actual: Swim 35, Run 25, Strength 20

TOTAL: 343 (!)

So you want to hear something funny?

2009-03-22T21:20:00.004-04:00

According to the 13-week training program that I'm following, I'm supposed to do an open water swim this week. Which? BWAHAHAHA!

Hello? It's March. In New Jersey. Today's high was 52 degrees and the rest of the week is expected to be in the 40s.

When I signed up for my inaugural triathlon, I was trying to avoid something in the dog days of summer. You know? Those 90something-degree days with 80% humidity when it takes every ounce of effort just to stand and walk 10 steps to the fridge to get a cold drink? Because who wants to run and bike in that?

What I did not consider was the lack of open water swimming there would be in the weeks leading up to a May 9 triathlon. Sure, spring generally comes earlier here in NJ than it does in say, New Hampshire, but not that much earlier. The reality is most lakes don't even open for public swimming until Memorial Day, which comes a solid three weeks AFTER my tri.

Sooooo, I don't think I'll be dipping my toe into any lakes this week. Or perhaps any lakes at all until the morning of the race when according to the registration site, the lake will be a balmy 65-degrees. Brrrrr. And I thought it was cold on the bike this afternoon. Methinks I ain't felt nothing yet.

Week 6: March 15 - March 21

2009-03-14T16:46:00.006-04:00

Times are in minutes unless otherwise noted.

Sunday: Swim 45
Actual: Swim 45

Monday: Bike 45, Run 15
Actual: Bike 45, Run 15, Strength 15

Tuesday: Off

Wednesday: Swim 45
Actual: Nothing (Exhausted to the bone marrow)

Thursday: Bike 30, Run 25
Actual: Swim 45

Friday: Run 35
Actual: Bike 35, Run 20, Strength 25

Saturday: Off

TOTAL: 245

Week 5: March 8 - March 14

2009-03-08T20:34:00.003-04:00

Times are in minutes unless otherwise noted:

Sunday: Run 30
Actual: Run 35, Strength 10

Monday: Off

Tuesday: Swim 45
Actual: Swim 45

Wednesday: Bike 30, Run 20
Actual: Bike 36, Run 20, Strength 15

Thursday: Swim 45
Actual: Swim 45

Friday: Off

Saturday: Run 30ish (Participating in the Morristown St. Patty's Day 5K Run)
Actual: Run 34:12 :-)

TOTAL: 241

Pedal power

2009-03-08T20:19:00.001-04:00

All this time, I've been thinking I was going to have to pedal the 19.5 miles of the triathlon on my mountain bike. Which? UGH.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my mountain bike. It's great for, well, mountainy, traily, muddy, bumpy riding. Road riding? Notsomuch. It's smaller, fatter, nobbier tires make it about as efficient as a Hummer.

But an entry level road bike starts at about $1,000 and that? Just isn't happening right now.

So I've been out riding my mountain bike, thinking, "Wow, this really sucks. This is going to absolutely kill my time." Meanwhile, Mark's been pouring over Craigslist looking for a bike for me and this weekend he hit pay dirt.

Ta da! Meet my new bike:

I've already taken it out for a spin and it's a dream. What a difference! Maybe, just maybe, I won't finish this thing in last place after all.

Week 4: March 1 - March 8

2009-03-02T14:04:00.000-05:00

Measures are in minutes unless otherwise noted:

Sunday: Swim 20
Actual: Swim 45

Monday: Bike 45
Actual: Nothing. Snowstorm + stomach ache = no working out.

Tuesday: Off

Wednesday: Bike 30, Run 25
Actual: Bike 36, Run 25, Strength 15

Thursday: Swim 30
Actual: Swim 45

Friday: Bike 30, Run 25
Actual: Bike 40, Strength 15

Saturday: Off
Actual: Bike 40 (<-- Testing out the new bike)

TOTAL: 261

Week 3: February 22 - February 28

2009-02-22T18:17:00.001-05:00

Sunday: Off

Monday: Bike 40, Run 25
Actual: Strength 10, Bike 35, Run 20
(I never checked and thought that's what I was supposed to do. Will make it up).

Tuesday: Swim 25
Actual: Swim 40

Wednesday: Off

Thursday: Swim 35
Actual: Swim 45

Friday: Bike 30, Run 25
Actual: Bike 30, Run 20, Strength 15

Saturday: Off

TOTAL: 215

Week 2: February 15 - February 21

2009-02-13T19:56:00.000-05:00

Times are in minutes unless otherwise noted:

Sunday: Scheduled - bike 40
Actual - bike 45

Monday: Scheduled - swim 20, run 25
Actual: swim 30, run 25, strength 15

Tuesday: Rest

Wednesday: Bike 35
Actual: Bike 40, strength 20

Thursday: Swim 30
Actual: Swim 45

Friday: Run 20
Actual: Run 20, strength 20

Saturday: Rest

TOTAL: 260

Week 1: February 8 - February 14

2009-02-08T22:06:00.000-05:00

Times are in minutes, unless otherwise noted:

Sunday: Scheduled - n/a
Actual - bike 50

Monday: Scheduled - swim 15, run 20
Actual - swim 30, run 20

Tuesday: Scheduled - rest

Wednesday: Scheduled - bike 35
Actual - bike 35, strength 20

Thursday: Scheduled - swim 30
Actual - swim 40

Friday: Scheduled - run 20
Actual - run 20, strength 40

Saturday: Scheduled - rest

TOTAL: 255