Torture to my ears

I went with plan C on Friday. I ended up riding for 25 miles. Was a good recovery ride for the legs and kept it in a zone 2 for most of the ride. Only a few minor details made for a not so nice ride.

Saturday I got back on the bike for a 10 mile ride and a 4-5 mile run. There is a creaking sound that is coming from the bike while on the trainer. It has been bothering me and is getting loud enough that not even the headphones can drown out the sound. After about a mile of riding I decided that I was going to find the source of the sound before I did the workout. It was like Chinese water torture to my ears. After playing around with positions, tightening every bolt I could find, nothing worked. My husband lent a hand in trying to figure it out. We decided that I should change the tire. I was literally burning rubber off my current back tire. It was on the list of things to do but I was hoping to get through Dec before switching them out. I had purchased a cheap tire with the bike thinking I would use it right away for the trainer back in Feb. But really didn't do much riding indoors so it never got done.

So a lesson on changing a tire began for my husband. It was not a pretty sight. After finally getting the tire off the rim I was covered in black. Damn tire was literally disintegrating. Next step is to put the new tire back on. Now I have changed both tubes in my tires on my own. But never changed the tire out. The tubes that I have on the bike are thorn resistant. So much thicker than a regular tube. Combine that with a thinker tire and congratulations you have an impossible situation. I tried so hard with every muscle I had to get that tire to pop into the rim. Only had about 5 inches left and it was too tight. My husband couldn't do it either, which made me feel better. So now we take the tire off and switch out the tubes. Tried again and with everything I had and then with everything he had we finally got it on. Next step get the wheel back on the bike. Of course it's the back tire so it's much more difficult to line it up right. After a few choice words, stomping of the feet and basically a meltdown we got it on. Actually my husband did. I was so frustrated after this hour long episode. We had a mess to clean up. The floor had to be attacked with a vacuum, a magic eraser and a bottle of Windex. After all was said and done I got back on the bike for about 1 minute and could tell the difference immediately what a new tire feels like on the trainer. The torturous sound seems to be gone. However, I didn't really ride it long enough to be sure. I just couldn't I was too beaten up by the wheel.

Little did I know, I was more beaten up than I thought. After spending most of the day decorating the house for Christmas I sat on the couch that night in pain. The pain was from underneath my right shoulder blade. The kind of pain when you move your head it feels like someone poking you with a fork. God forbid I sneezed or coughed or even laughed. Friday night was awful. I could barely move. Shooting pains all night every time I would move an inch.

Well here it is Monday and I should be at the gym swimming, biking and running. I've gained 2 pounds last week with all the food and drinks over the holiday weekend. But no I'm at home waiting for the pain to go away. It's much better today but still sore. I think I exerted myself so hard with the tire that I strained a few muscles in my back. Tomorrow I plan on getting back to the gym. I need to get back in the pool. It's been too long.

Plan A, B or C?

Sometimes the best plan is not to have a plan at all. To take it day by day. Deal with what's given to you that day and nothing else. Out of the entire year I have to really concentrate on doing this now. I have spent the last two nights stressing over getting stuff done. And now that it is the day after Thanksgiving let the madness begin.

I never made it to the 5K. Weather was not what I call fun running weather. Cold, wet and a bit of snow on the ground. As the day went on it got even colder. So plan B was to go to the gym and get in a long swim before the kids were even up. But that cold day was staring me in the face at 6:30am and I just couldn't justify leaving. So now what, I didn't have a plan C. My ankle on my bad leg has been a little touchy the past couple of days so I thought that if I were to bike I may not be able to run on it afterwards for very long. So I decided to run first then bike for awhile. Plan was anything over 3 miles. If 4 felt good then maybe I would do 6. If 6 went well maybe just maybe 7. But I figured it would be about 4. Well I ended up running 13.1. Why? I'm not sure other than the fact that I could. The kids were asleep for most of my run. The husband kept me company for an hour of the run while he biked. By the time I was done there was no bike added to the day. I'll save that for this morning and give up my treadmill time to my husband who wanted to run yesterday but I hogged it too long.

So what's the plan for today? There is no plan. Not today. I may bike 10,20 or more miles, I may go out shopping and battle the crowds. I may go bowling. I might start unpacking the endless boxes of Christmas decorations. I might do all of these things or I may do none of these things. What I need to do is not get overwhelmed. I feel it in my body. It's rising to the top. I need to make sure I don't let it boil over. Been there done that and it's not pretty. Keep calm. The more I think about it I'd better start opening those Christmas decorations today.

We all scream........

I'm completely out of my routine. If you call what I do week in and week out a routine. Sure there are days that I don't go to the gym and right now I don't really stick to any plan, but man I'm really off course right now.

My kids have the whole week off from school this week. That can be a good thing and a bad thing. Yesterday I didn't work out. Today I only ran 6 miles on the treadmill. Tomorrow I can't work out as we have plans for most of the day. Thursday is Thanksgiving and we are either running a family 5k or if the weather comes as predicted there will be no 5k. If I don't do the 5k I'm supposed to go to the gym to swim. It's been, I think, a week since I've been in the pool. That's not a good thing. But who wants to get up at 6 get to the gym by 7, swim a few thousand meters then come home to start Thanksgiving day?? I'd much rather get up at 8 make some hot chocolate and sit with my kids and beg them to watch the Macy's day parade with me.

Maintaining my fitness for the next 5 weeks is going to be much harder than I thought. I struggled with the run this morning. Not sure why other than I was just not that into it. I should of gotten on the trainer for at least a 10 mile ride but that didn't happen. I can't even say that I was too busy this morning to get a longer workout done. I wasn't doing anything other than making my kids breakfast, getting them to help out with some chores and all of us getting showers. I'll spend the rest of the day having lunch with them. Maybe a few hands of 21, our new fun game to play, then to the orthodontist and for a treat Dairy Queen.

If you would ask my kids tonight at dinner was it a good day they would probably say yes. Dairy Queen will be the best part. So I'll keep that in mind the rest of the week. If the workouts aren't as tough, or shortened up a bit, or not done at all that's ok. As long as I see a small peanut butter blizard in my future and my kids are with me then it will be a good week.

Sweet Dreams

So yesterday was a very odd day. I didn't feel well all day and I really couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. You know that feeling you get right before you get a cold or worse the flu. I spent the day unable to make any decision with out making it into a huge deal. I couldn't concentrate. I couldn't sit still. My stomach flipped. I felt hot and cold at the same time. I took my temperature about 5 times but no fever. I had a small sore throat. I was convinced that today I would be hit with something that would be sending me to the doctor soon.

At one point during the day I was sitting at the computer playing a game and eating 3 big cookies. Thinking cookies and M&M's would make me feel better. I was unmotivated, uninspired and just wanted to go to bed. Then the phone rang. It was my Dad with a new theory about registering for the half iron man. We planned on waiting until the new year to register. Why give them $100 now when I could wait for another couple of months. But depending on when you register puts you in a certain wave of the swim. The sooner you register the earlier your wave start. So neither one of us want to be in the last waves of the swim. You never really feel like you are racing with anyone when you are at the back of the pack. It gets pretty lonely on the bike as it is for the shorter races. When you have to bike 56 miles all alone that can really break you down and play with your head. My father is not a fast swimmer. I don't consider myself a strong biker just yet. So I agreed with him to register now to be at the head of the pack. So it's official. I am registered for the half iron man in June of next year. And I did it while eating junk not working out that day and really feeling like crap.

I had no idea how I would feel this morning. The night wasn't too bad I wasn't achy and I didn't toss and turn too much. I would say it was a decent night. The first 30 mins I was up I knew I felt better for sure just didn't know how much. After my stomach calmed down a bit I knew I was good to go. So back to the gym I went. Got in a spin class and a 5 mile run. After my shower the stomach started up again and I got really tired but I definitely feel better than yesterday. I really think that as I get older sleep is becoming more important. I never sleep well and usually it didn't really matter. About once a week I would collapse and get extra rest then I was fine again. Now that doesn't seem to work. I think my body was telling me yesterday to slow down. It needed sleep and it was doing everything it could to get me into bed. Next time I will heed to it's advice and do what it's asking of me. It will only make me stronger the next day.

Here's hoping for some sweet dreams tonight. I have my 4th workout of the week tomorrow morning.

June 19th 2010

http://www.midwestsportsevents.com/highclifftri.html

Dear Joelle,
Congratulations! You are now registered for High Cliff Half Iron Triathlon. Please check the event's official website for updates: http://www.midwestsportsevents.com/



Registration Details
Confirmation #:
20299454-111909133930
Location:
High Cliff State Park (Map)
Purchased at:
11/19/09
Category:
Half Iron - Individual
Name:
Joelle Segrue

Quietly Optimistic

Another week has come and gone and I'm proud to say that I got 5 days of workouts in. Didn't get much shopping done but my house is clean. So two out of three isn't bad.

Did things a little different this weekend. Sat I decided to do a 20 mile bike on the trainer. That trainer is now named the beast. I swear it is so much more difficult to ride on a trainer than on the open roads. I average about a comfortable 17mph on the bike outside and a hard slow pace of 14-15mph on the trainer. I am not looking forward to the 50 mile bike rides I will have to get in before the weather gets warm enough for me to take it outside. 50 Miles on a trainer will take from lunch to dinner time. All I can hope for is that when I do take it back outside it will seem like a breeze. I had planned on running after the bike for a few miles but changed my mind instead. My body was telling me enough save it for tomorrow.

So yesterday I quietly planned a long run. It's been awhile since I have done one. I think the last one was over a month ago and it was 7 miles. Funny I call that long now. It wasn't all that long ago that 7 miles would be just an easy day when I was training for the marathon. I wanted to see if my leg could handle the run and if I felt any improvements in it during the run and after. Well I'm happy to report that I ran 10 miles at a comfortable pace of 9:40 with the last mile at 8:34. My heart rate stayed in check. Never reaching 150 until mile 7. I could feel my shin pain however I have to say at times I forgot that my leg hurt. That is a huge milestone. Wait until I tell the PT today she'll be ecstatic after she yells at me for running 10 miles. I iced right after I was done in hopes to keep the pain that I knew would hit later in the day at bay. By the evening my leg started to ache. But it was more in the hip and groin area than the shin. I have had issues with that area for over a year now but choose to ignore it. My shin hurt but again not as much as I would have thought. I got my nightly massage and ice to the shin and it was off to bed. This morning it's more sore than before I ran yesterday but no sharp pains of any sort. Maybe there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I may be seeing it soon.

This week more of the same routine. I'm waiting for the cable guy to get here this morning so I can enjoy my bike trainer rides a little more. Our CC isn't working properly and it double letters and adds a few extra as the words go across the screen. Has to do with new digital boxes we had to put on. I need the TV to work so I can read it and listen to music on my ipod at the same time. Now that is multitasking. Riding a bike, listening to music, watching TV and reading it. If only I could figure out how to get the laundry done and the house cleaned at the same time.

A Minute if I'm Lucky

It's been a good week so far in the land of keeping fit. After my 3 days off last week I got myself back on the bike for a 20 mile ride on the trainer and a 3 mile run. Monday was a 5 mile run, spin class and 1500m swim drills. Tuesday was a 3 mile run and a 2500m long swim. Wednesday was a 5 mile run and a 10 mile bike. Today is a rest day..........yes.

I found myself the other day while I was running starting to visualize the finish line of the 1/2 iron man. I have no idea what it will look like or how many people will be there cheering me on but that really wasn't what I was seeing. What I was visualizing was the line. The finish line. The chip timing mats. The volunteers who line the last 30 yards to make sure you don't fall, trip or pass out. As I was thinking about this the adrenaline started to flow. I got that feeling that only happens the first time you tackle an endurance event. Like the first time I crossed the finish line of my first marathon. Everyone that I did after that was just not the same. The last 30 seconds of my first marathon were the best 30 seconds I have ever felt in terms of endurance and accomplishment. It was something that I did on my own and was all about me. No one else. I didn't want the feeling to go. I actually slowed down probably adding a few seconds to my time just to enjoy the moment. I am convinced that again I will get that feeling for the 1/2 iron man. I know this because the anticipation is already there. The visualizing is already starting. I will be preparing for a feeling that lasts if your lucky a minute for the next 7 months. 7 months for 1 minute. Let me tell you it will be worth it.

Came across this last night. It's from the IMFL race this past weekend. These are the people I admire the most. These are people just like me. Someday I hope to tackle the ironman. One step at a time though, one step at a time.

Ironman Florida 2009 at Midnight from Ray Maker on Vimeo.

Soon.....

The calm before the storm is here and I am having trouble getting motivated. I feel like I should be taking it easy just because soon I will be a crazed person running around with my head cut off.

I wonder how am I going to keep up with these workouts and handle all the other things I do when the holidays roll around. Most years I am done with my Marathons or any racing of any kind and I let that all go while I concentrate on other things. Like baking, shopping, decorating, hosting, cooking, cleaning, wrapping, holiday functions, 2 birthday's, potlucks, bowling, band concerts, school shows, physical therapy, doctor's appointments so on and so on. This year I have all that and still getting my butt to the gym at least 3 times a week. I decided today that as long as I get in 3 quality workouts I will be able to keep my fitness level up. I may not get any better at swimming, biking or running but I can maintain what I have now. That's about the best I'm going to do I'm afraid.

I thought about giving up some of the more time consuming holiday traditions I do. In particular the holiday baking. Making 120 dozen cookies is about 40 hrs in the kitchen and takes about a week from start to finish. This doesn't include the ingredient list and the time to go out and buy all I need. It's something I have done for about 15 years now. I hate cooking and baking. I hate spending time in the kitchen. But the feeling when I'm finished and the looks on friends faces when the cookies arrive at their houses is priceless. Kinda like crossing the finish line of a race. I thought about giving up decorating the house to the point that it looks like it should be in a magazine. But that too brings me pleasure. When I sit at night after a long busy day, I can enjoy our beautiful trees (yes, more than 1 Christmas tree) and everything else that puts a light glow throughout the house. It brings me a sense of calmness. If I didn't go all out I'd just be sitting there at night thinking I should of taken the time to give it my all and not skimped out. Just like a race. Give it your all and you will be happy no matter what the outcome.

I guess my point is that I will take another day off today. It will be the 3rd day in a row that I give myself a break. I have spent some of that time Christmas shopping, running errands and going to PT. Today I think I'll stay home and enjoy the calm before the storm as it's just right around the bend.

I'm Winning...

I see it's been over a week since I have blogged about my mundane life. It's also been over a week that I have been fighting a new battle. The battle of staying healthy. It's been tough but so far I'm in the lead.

My husband started this all with the loss of his voice and a girlish laugh. A laugh that would bring tears to my eyes because he sounded so ridiculous. After the voice came back so did a sore throat. Then a few days later the cold moved to his head along with one of those annoying coughs that I think annoy everyone else as much as himself. Now he's fighting the sore throat again. This has been going on almost two weeks with him. This is a man that rarely gets sick and when he does it last only a few days. I should be so lucky. I have been trying to convince him to go to the doctor. He is wasting precious time getting on an antibiotic if it's needed. Instead he keeps waiting it out to see if it moves again or gets worse. So that puts me at risk along with the kids. Let the battle begin.

So I spent last week fleeing away from him whenever possible. I started taking Airbourne, Vit D and Vit B6. We took turns sleeping on the couch at night. Whether it was sympathy symptoms or I truly am fighting something off I don't know. I spent one night last week with a sore throat, one with an upset stomach, one with clogged ears and a bit stuffy and last night I was so achy I wanted to scream and tear a few limbs off. However I refrained. Every morning I wake up exhausted. I did make it to the gym Monday and Friday of last week for some good workouts and I rode the trainer and ran on Sat. So still 3 workouts during the week long battle of staying healthy. Typically I would have done more but I figured some extra rest would help just in case the bug was waiting to pounce.

Today I again woke up tired but decided enough was enough. I need to get back to it. So it was a 4 mile run followed by spin class followed by 1600 meter swim followed by an hour long PT session. Feeling tired but in a good way. The sun was shining today. That always helps. I'm hoping the Vit D will help with the Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) I really struggle with that when the cold winter months set in. But today the sun was out bright and I loved every minute of it. My house is sunny due to the trees loosing their leaves out back. The sun shine pouring in and a new view of the wet lands in the back always makes me smile.

What doesn't make me smile is my sick husband who needs to get his butt to the doctor. I have managed to dodge the bullet so far. My youngest is not as lucky. Yesterday the sore throat and a squeaker voice. This morning more of the same. I'll be keeping a close eye on him for the next 48 hrs and then we are off to the doctors if need be.

Airbourne anyone?