Rough start to the week

After a great week last week, this week starts the opposite. Barely able to get through a mile and a half run, and this after a full days rest yesterday. What gives? Am I not cut out for this? Maybe this is just some whacked out fantasy made for someone else.

A Triathlon at 90.

Lawnmowers, weedwackers and motorcycles

Yes, finally, a day of sun! Out the door I went this morning to meet a riding buddy (poor thing is getting over pneumonia...she was happy to get outside!). Windows down, music playing, and the buzz of lawnmowers, weedwackers and motorcycles. I wasn't the only one itching for sun! Folks finally got to tame their lawns and motorcyclists got to ride free.
Needless to say, the SRT was packed full of people happy to be outside and not worry about torrential rains. By the time Martha and I finished our ride, I decided "what the hell! i'll go for a run. it's just too damn nice to go home." So, off came the bike shoes and helmet and on went the sneaks and visor (thanks Packy).
And, for 3 miles, I kept repeating to myself "must practice bricks more often." I almost forgot what it's like to run after biking. Took me about 3/4 mile to get my jogging legs to work. Whew.

What got me through? Staying hydrated on both the bike and the run. A banana and a Hammer Gel (Montana Huckleberry) after the bike, and a nice big juicy orange and some peanuts after the run.

I'm about a week away from being able to get back in the pool! As excited as I am about the thought, I'm also super nervous. Nervous that I will beat myself up for not being able jump in and swim 5,000 right away. Gonna have to leave the ego in the locker room.

Rain, rain and more rain...

This week has been anything but conducive to training outside. A little frustrating and unmotivating to say the least. But... I got through, and this morning (Saturday) the birds are chirping, AND THE SUN IS SHINING!!!

As for the week... mostly strength training and core. My shoulder is coming along fantastically, up to 30lbs on the lat pulldowns and chest rows! I should be able to get back to swimming in another week. Then I'll be able to fully train for this crazy dream of mine.

The weakest of the three disciplines for me is running. I was never a runner. Yeah, I played basketball in highschool, but that is short sprinting. And yeah, I played soccer as well, but I was goalie, not exactly the running position on the field. I always feel the most anxious about running; this is when the evil little voice in my head kicks in.. "You're not a runner.. just walk it." "Who are you kidding?" I admit, a lot of times I let that voice get the best of me. Yesterday I didn't.
A dreary, drizzly day in Philadelphia, I couldn't stand it anymore. I had to go running. I had tried the day before but torrential downpours put a quick end to that. I can handle drizzly. I have found that Valley Forge is the perfect place to train. A 6-7 mile loop around the beautiful historic park, a good mix of hills and flats. There's even a few water fountains and restrooms along the way!!
It was a great workout... the hill at the beginning was a bit unwelcoming so soon, but I got over it (no pun intended) and kept moving. By the end, I was running (okay, maybe doing the Kona Trot) much better than I ever have. I could hear myself think, and not the sound of huffing and puffing, my feet felt great, stopped and stretched a few times to loosen up the hams and IT band and hip muscles (residual effects of being hit in December still linger). By the end of the workout, I was feeling a-okay! I think it was knowing that I had a great big juicy orange and two more bottles of water waiting for me in my Jeep.
To make a good workout even better, and to prevent major soreness, I decided to take an ice bath. That shit is cold!! I'm just saying... Maybe when the temps outside are higher than the temp in the ice bath it won't be so bad...

happy sunny saturday!
get outside!

Valley Forge NP

What started out as a drizzly, dreary day turned into a perfect run (well, let's be real here... jog/walk) day! So instead of going to the gym, I hit up Valley Forge NP. I'm thinking this is my new favorite place to train. Great mix of flats and hills. I jogged the entire perimeter of the park (roughly 6 miles I think). Not to shabby time wise either.

However, the best part of the day came when I got back to my car. There was an older woman sitting in the car next to mine reading the newspaper. We struck up a conversation. She reminded me of my great aunt, Anna. She made my day, and I think I may have made hers as well.

I must admit, my timing for today was impeccable. Icky weather in the morning, turns to good weather, turns to torrential downpours when I finish my run. It's as if the sky opened just for me. At least that is what I'm going to believe.

Dinner time...

Here comes the rain again...

The rains have commenced, thus taking the training indoors. Judging from the forecast, I will be a gym rat for the next week, if not longer. I'm not completely happy about this, it wouldn't be so bad if I were able to start swimming. That is still to come though.
So for now, core and leg strengthening, and cardio/endurance work, all of which are certainly needed.
Good news in physical therapy... strength is returning! I started doing some lat pulldowns, rows and a few free weight exercises. Granted the poundage is minimal, but 7 weeks out of surgery, I'll take it! Just motivates me more to push harder (but not too hard as to re-injure myself) and make it to that start line on October 2.

Kukulu ka 'ike i ka 'opua

First 20 mile ride! Definitely stoked. Feel great, for the most part. My shoulder is pretty sore but I expect that right now.

What I always have with me on long(ish) rides... 2-3 bottles, at least one filled w/ gatorade (usually frozen overnight so it's more like a slushie by the time i get to it!), Hammer Gel Montana Huckleberry for fuel, RoadID. After the ride, it's usually a big-ass orange and more water. And the best post-ride activity, laying in the grass, looking up to the clouds...



Kukulu ka 'ike i ka 'opua

Summer To-Do List

Since classes have ended and all of my grades are turned in, summer has officially begun. The question now is, where to begin summer?
On the To-Do List:

• Train
• Revamp courses for Fall
• Prepare to go back to school in the Fall as a student
• Train
• Relax
• Write
• Train

The second question.... how to manage it all. When I was little and needed to start a project for school I would get so anxious. My mother's words always helped, and still do, "The hardest part of anything is getting started." Every time I think of these words I envision  the World Book Encyclopedia, 3x5 note cards, and numerous other papers spread out across the kitchen table and my 3rd grade, 7 year old self sitting and staring, wondering "Where do I start?" Then my mother's words, and I picked up the encyclopedia and began reading about the Pueblo Indians and jotting notes on notecards.
So... how do I tackle the above list? With mom's words, the memory of my first research work and a love of everything on that list. I will get through it... all the while keeping you updated!

Aloha and happy summer!
-M

Two thumbs up from the surgeon and the physical therapist!

Today marks 7 weeks since my shoulder surgery. Yesterday I had my 2nd follow-up with the surgeon. He was beyond impressed with the progress I am making. Range of motion is good, strength is getting there. And I have my physical therapist Steph to thank! Thanks, Steph!!

With that news, I am able to get back in the pool, limited to kicking for now, but still, progress. And let's be honest, swimming is all about kicking and core. What better way to get back than sporting the fins and a kickboard for awhile?

Time to get chlorinated...
happy swimbikerun, or whatever version you choose.

Quick post...

10:45 minute mile!!!! Beyond super stoked!
More later...

Be active...

Back in the saddle...

Just when I thought my 70.3 dream was completely unreachable, I hopped on my bike ("Orange Crush" or "Creamsicle") on a mild--65 degrees--windy day along the Schuylkill River Trail. 15 miles may not seem like much right now, but it is a huge step in what has become a long, frustrating recovery. Not only did I clock 15 miles on Friday, I did the same on Saturday. Am I sore? A little. But it is a damn good feeling.

Before my ride.... homemade super smoothie! Orange juice, banana, mixed berries and pineapple and chia seeds. One word: YUMMY!
During my ride.... water and gatorade aplenty. HYDRATION. HYDRATION. HYDRATION. This is something I cannot say often enough. I make my swim team bring water bottles to practice and make them take "water breaks." Do they hem and haw? Absolutely. Have their complaints of cramps and fatigue gone down. You betchya!
After my ride... stretch, water, and a super yummy orange.

So maybe this dream isn't so unreachable after all...

Running. It breaks me every time. On this beautiful Sunday (Mother's Day) I headed to Valley Forge National Park...which, by the way, if anyone needs to practice hills, the place for repeats! Sunny, not to hot (70 degrees) and a park full of happy families celebrating mom. Normally the crowds would have steered me away, but seeing so many families of all ages enjoying such a beautiful day, I stayed and set out on my jog. Just wish their happiness would have transfered to my feet. My feet were killing me!  I have no idea why this was so, but it was. My shoes? I don't think so, I've worn them enough. Sore from riding 2 days in a row? Highly unlikely. All I know is that I was quite pleased to be finished w/ the 4 1/2 mile jog-that-turned-into-a-walk.

How to end a crummy training day? GRILL OUT!! Loving the fact that I now live in a place w/ a useable courtyard and neighbors with similar interests. Turns out, I wasn't the only one with the brilliant idea to grill... a great way to end the day, meeting neighbors, talking swimbikerun, enjoying wine and good veggies... My feet will recover.