...beating my head against the wall. I would just like for one answer, ONE answer or solution that I provide to be enough in and of itself. No follow-up issues, or anything else to be added, or "just one more thing".
I take pride in my quality of work (most of the time) and do try to go above and beyond expectations the vast majority of the time. I try to anticipate the next question and answer it at the same time as the first.
Some days you're Sisyphus, some days you're the rock. I'm having a rock day. And the steriods have finally started to make me "puff"....grumble!
(Rest assured, I will return to my overwhelming attempts at a positive attitude shortly...as long as no one touches the "reply to all" button. Then all bets are off!! HA!)
Picture of the Day
Vacation Fun
June 17, 2009
June 16, 2009
Morning Run
Well, it felt good, anyway. Or at least kinda good. So maybe it didn't feel all that good, but I got it done!
Ran 4.6 this morning - didn't think it was that far - in about 47 minutes and some change. I really like running in the morning - just wish I could pry my lazy ass out of bed and get it done more often. It's a good start to the day and gets part of the "working out chaos" feeling out of the way. Lessens some of the guilt, if you will. I didn't sleep good again last night (too warm despite a freezing house and still friggin itching) but when the alarms went off I guilted myself up. I'm hoping that makes me CRASH HARD tonight after swimming. The route was easy, the run was easy and pressure-free. The new iPod arm band gizmo worked fine and I wasn't too opinionated on the new headphones - I will say though that if I mash them too far in my ears and they cut off all outside sound I FREAK out - hearing my own raspy breath and the sound of the cord bumping my back is instantly nauseating. Think I lose my equilibrium or something...just weird.
All in all, a good way to start the day. Now if I can just figure out my stomach and get it to cooperate on the schedule too, it'll all be fine!
EDIT: I also swam 3500yd in the evening. Didn't break any speed records, in fact have gained a small bit of time since I've not been swimming and have definitely switched the stroke into open water mode, but I did it and it's done. So there....that counts too.
Ran 4.6 this morning - didn't think it was that far - in about 47 minutes and some change. I really like running in the morning - just wish I could pry my lazy ass out of bed and get it done more often. It's a good start to the day and gets part of the "working out chaos" feeling out of the way. Lessens some of the guilt, if you will. I didn't sleep good again last night (too warm despite a freezing house and still friggin itching) but when the alarms went off I guilted myself up. I'm hoping that makes me CRASH HARD tonight after swimming. The route was easy, the run was easy and pressure-free. The new iPod arm band gizmo worked fine and I wasn't too opinionated on the new headphones - I will say though that if I mash them too far in my ears and they cut off all outside sound I FREAK out - hearing my own raspy breath and the sound of the cord bumping my back is instantly nauseating. Think I lose my equilibrium or something...just weird.
All in all, a good way to start the day. Now if I can just figure out my stomach and get it to cooperate on the schedule too, it'll all be fine!
EDIT: I also swam 3500yd in the evening. Didn't break any speed records, in fact have gained a small bit of time since I've not been swimming and have definitely switched the stroke into open water mode, but I did it and it's done. So there....that counts too.
June 15, 2009
Solid Weekend....
Good training stuffies. I was a tad bit of a slacker late last week, but old habits die hard. I'm trying to turn the bus around....
Friday - 5x800 - that's a bit of a misnomer to say it that way, because it wasn't a track workout. I just took my normal 6miler from my house to the north end of the Monon and back and put the intervals in it - figuring if I usually run about 10min/mile, to run an 800 would put me at about a 5:00 effort, with about 2:30 rest jog in between. If it clocks correctly, I'd have about .5mi leftover on the way home to cruise. The good news: it worked out just about perfectly and I took the extra time to schlep a bit. I did all the intervals and put in some solid efforts. The bad news: it didn't feel that spunky. In fact, it kinda hurt. Day 1 of the prednisone had my heart rate WAY high (combined with the lack of running activity/effort in awhile) so that was a bit tough to deal with, plus it was a tad muggy and just a tough run. Got a side stitch that almost brought me to my knees. Note to self: figure out why in the hell I get those with high effort levels!!!
Saturday - 3:38 ride, 62 miles. The Tour de Cure ride for the Amer. Diabetes Assoc. Turned out to be a blast. Started at the Speedway, went up to and through Z'ville then back down. Had a couple of decent little rollers in it and way too many SAG stops. We took two quick breaks at the SIHO supported stop to say hit to Cheryl and chat for a bit. The overall pace was pretty chill and we were having fun. Rode with Tanya and raised a little bit of money. Good times. Nothing too overwhelming.
Sunday - 10mi run - 1:51, 2k yd Swim - :36. Long run in mega humidity. We ran AROUND a rainstorm (north as it came in, south as it was leaving) and managed to get a little damp for the last few miles, which helped keep it a bit cool and clear some of the muggy out of the air. Run felt kinda wonky - not really settled until about 3-4mi in. But the pace was super easy. I can tell I haven't been running much, legs are heavy and things are creaky, but that'll come back fairly well I suppose. Need to keep an eye on the left achilles - it was hurting almost all the way through the run yesterday, not sure if that's attributable to Sat bike or Fri run, but it wasn't that comfy. Did seem to loosen up a bit, or other things just started to hurt too. Need to also figure out the stomach again....not happy. Altogether - not a bad deal. Finished with little pressure and had a good time. Saw Dan and another on bike patrol - didn't even recognize us....putz. But they did look quite crisp in their little shorts and polos. Went to the gym (outdoor pool was closed due to the storm) and just glided through 2k, nice and easy just stretching and staying conscious of form and stroke. Catch still feels good and rotation, but I may be a little too long and stretched out when it comes to game time. Need to get out in the OW to judge. Need to get back to practice, too. LAZY!!!!
This upcoming wknd is the EC sprint. I despise the race but it's usually fun. Cookout afterward. Maybe I can just let loose and actually run. Should be some fun people there at least! Would like to focus on the swim and the run - just get through the bike and not wreck and avoid the crazies. Track workout on Thursday, too. Tanya's going to slave-drive me through it....I'm sure I'll cry for Mommy.
Friday - 5x800 - that's a bit of a misnomer to say it that way, because it wasn't a track workout. I just took my normal 6miler from my house to the north end of the Monon and back and put the intervals in it - figuring if I usually run about 10min/mile, to run an 800 would put me at about a 5:00 effort, with about 2:30 rest jog in between. If it clocks correctly, I'd have about .5mi leftover on the way home to cruise. The good news: it worked out just about perfectly and I took the extra time to schlep a bit. I did all the intervals and put in some solid efforts. The bad news: it didn't feel that spunky. In fact, it kinda hurt. Day 1 of the prednisone had my heart rate WAY high (combined with the lack of running activity/effort in awhile) so that was a bit tough to deal with, plus it was a tad muggy and just a tough run. Got a side stitch that almost brought me to my knees. Note to self: figure out why in the hell I get those with high effort levels!!!
Saturday - 3:38 ride, 62 miles. The Tour de Cure ride for the Amer. Diabetes Assoc. Turned out to be a blast. Started at the Speedway, went up to and through Z'ville then back down. Had a couple of decent little rollers in it and way too many SAG stops. We took two quick breaks at the SIHO supported stop to say hit to Cheryl and chat for a bit. The overall pace was pretty chill and we were having fun. Rode with Tanya and raised a little bit of money. Good times. Nothing too overwhelming.
Sunday - 10mi run - 1:51, 2k yd Swim - :36. Long run in mega humidity. We ran AROUND a rainstorm (north as it came in, south as it was leaving) and managed to get a little damp for the last few miles, which helped keep it a bit cool and clear some of the muggy out of the air. Run felt kinda wonky - not really settled until about 3-4mi in. But the pace was super easy. I can tell I haven't been running much, legs are heavy and things are creaky, but that'll come back fairly well I suppose. Need to keep an eye on the left achilles - it was hurting almost all the way through the run yesterday, not sure if that's attributable to Sat bike or Fri run, but it wasn't that comfy. Did seem to loosen up a bit, or other things just started to hurt too. Need to also figure out the stomach again....not happy. Altogether - not a bad deal. Finished with little pressure and had a good time. Saw Dan and another on bike patrol - didn't even recognize us....putz. But they did look quite crisp in their little shorts and polos. Went to the gym (outdoor pool was closed due to the storm) and just glided through 2k, nice and easy just stretching and staying conscious of form and stroke. Catch still feels good and rotation, but I may be a little too long and stretched out when it comes to game time. Need to get out in the OW to judge. Need to get back to practice, too. LAZY!!!!
This upcoming wknd is the EC sprint. I despise the race but it's usually fun. Cookout afterward. Maybe I can just let loose and actually run. Should be some fun people there at least! Would like to focus on the swim and the run - just get through the bike and not wreck and avoid the crazies. Track workout on Thursday, too. Tanya's going to slave-drive me through it....I'm sure I'll cry for Mommy.
June 12, 2009
Hmmm..me thinks I have it wrong
I've got this "sensible eating" thing a little off-kilter. Had to eat breakfast in order to be able to take the Prednisone to get right of the itching (poison ivy - LOOOOONG story there). I try to eat something for breakfast every day. I also try to get a snack in around 10-10:30a just to keep things going. Inhaled the breakfast (cereal) around 8:15, popped the pills and ate the banana in the car. Got to work and we had a new vendor-guy in here today and he brought us some treats while speaking of his product. So....the Paradise Bakery Cinnamon Roll "snack" at about 9:30 didn't really follow the protocol.
I'm sure the few beers I'm planning on drinking this evening won't exactly help the cause either. But it's Game 7 of the Cup finals. GO WINGS!
I also plan to throw in yesterday's skipped run between work and hockey as well. At least I'll be earning my beer, even if it is a day late. I'll throw in some extra swimming this weekend (as that's what I'll be "missing" today). Jeebus I need to pull my head outta my ass as far as this "training" thing goes. I start out with the best of intentions and then right when the season starts I always seem to jump (not fall - a headlong, sprinting LEAP) off the wagon and just screw up the rest of the season by being lazy. GRUMBLE. I'm sick of being a 'tard when it comes to this stuff. I can tell other people how to get in shape and what to do and how to be sensible, but I can't follow my own plans. URGGGG. Need to make some slight lifestyle changes to BE the person I WANT to be. (I'm such a broken record...I've been saying this for about 5 years now.)
Oh, and I graduated high school over 10 years ago. Comparatively, I'm not doing bad. SO....it's the little victories. GO WINGS.
I'm sure the few beers I'm planning on drinking this evening won't exactly help the cause either. But it's Game 7 of the Cup finals. GO WINGS!
I also plan to throw in yesterday's skipped run between work and hockey as well. At least I'll be earning my beer, even if it is a day late. I'll throw in some extra swimming this weekend (as that's what I'll be "missing" today). Jeebus I need to pull my head outta my ass as far as this "training" thing goes. I start out with the best of intentions and then right when the season starts I always seem to jump (not fall - a headlong, sprinting LEAP) off the wagon and just screw up the rest of the season by being lazy. GRUMBLE. I'm sick of being a 'tard when it comes to this stuff. I can tell other people how to get in shape and what to do and how to be sensible, but I can't follow my own plans. URGGGG. Need to make some slight lifestyle changes to BE the person I WANT to be. (I'm such a broken record...I've been saying this for about 5 years now.)
Oh, and I graduated high school over 10 years ago. Comparatively, I'm not doing bad. SO....it's the little victories. GO WINGS.
June 1, 2009
This is your ass being handed to you...
...when you don't do much training on a really consistent basis and then expect to go ride with some folks all diligently training for an IM. (PS - it doesn't matter what you think of their training, their aerobic engines are a bit more primed than yours...)
Went down to LOU with KS and NB to meet up with some folks from Traverse City, MI (GREAT GROUP) for a ride on the course. Feeling like I might have a slight advantage over a couple in our group - I DID ride the course last year, after all..so what if I got my ass handed to me then, too - we managed to finally find a place to park and get ready to head out. The goal was about 60 - 65 miles. We figured leaving from where River Rd. turns onto 42 would be a good spot, parked at a cute coffee house and away we went. (We'll just glaze over the speeding ticket I got on the way down and the appx. hour we spent trying to navigate to a place to park - KS sucks at directions)
First few miles were ok - feeling a bit of fatigue or lack of conditioning in my legs as we started uphill. Pacing was a big wonky - we'd slack going downhill and then power uphill with a faster pace. (This quickly frustrates the heavier riders that absolutely need to gather as much momentum as possible on the downhill portions to survive the uphills in mediocre fashion) This continued all day, for the record.
It just took the life out of me - completely demoralized me by the end of the day. We finally made the turn back towards the barn and I just gave up. I'm not doing the damn race, I'm not training for anything aggressive, I'm not 100% setup on Luc yet, let them motor uphill and I'll see them later. I had the damn keys so they couldn't go far. (Did I mention I was driving??)
Anyway, the ride totally took the life out of me. No fun. I'm missing power on the bike, not sure what needs to change for that but something sure as hell does fairly quickly. Not even feeling like I've got any fight in the dog anymore. It's not fun to me. Seriously contemplating hanging it all up.
Yeah, it was a bad day. Maybe it'll get better with a little distance (and rest and medication) but if I can't find the fun again, I'm not going to continue to push this rock uphill.
Went down to LOU with KS and NB to meet up with some folks from Traverse City, MI (GREAT GROUP) for a ride on the course. Feeling like I might have a slight advantage over a couple in our group - I DID ride the course last year, after all..so what if I got my ass handed to me then, too - we managed to finally find a place to park and get ready to head out. The goal was about 60 - 65 miles. We figured leaving from where River Rd. turns onto 42 would be a good spot, parked at a cute coffee house and away we went. (We'll just glaze over the speeding ticket I got on the way down and the appx. hour we spent trying to navigate to a place to park - KS sucks at directions)
First few miles were ok - feeling a bit of fatigue or lack of conditioning in my legs as we started uphill. Pacing was a big wonky - we'd slack going downhill and then power uphill with a faster pace. (This quickly frustrates the heavier riders that absolutely need to gather as much momentum as possible on the downhill portions to survive the uphills in mediocre fashion) This continued all day, for the record.
It just took the life out of me - completely demoralized me by the end of the day. We finally made the turn back towards the barn and I just gave up. I'm not doing the damn race, I'm not training for anything aggressive, I'm not 100% setup on Luc yet, let them motor uphill and I'll see them later. I had the damn keys so they couldn't go far. (Did I mention I was driving??)
Anyway, the ride totally took the life out of me. No fun. I'm missing power on the bike, not sure what needs to change for that but something sure as hell does fairly quickly. Not even feeling like I've got any fight in the dog anymore. It's not fun to me. Seriously contemplating hanging it all up.
Yeah, it was a bad day. Maybe it'll get better with a little distance (and rest and medication) but if I can't find the fun again, I'm not going to continue to push this rock uphill.