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!
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