Monday, January 26, 2009

The Weekend Report with Courtney S.


I can't remember if I mentioned it or not, but Zeus Goose the Cane Corso pup has cherry eye. Joy. Friday after work I took the little guy in to get checked out. After we returned from the vet, I got myself dressed and made my way out the door for a non-iPod, listen to the footsteps and falling snow/sleet only run of four miles. I know, I know, four miles ain't shiznit. But, to me, it really was. At a frigid 25 degrees and wind gusts of 25 mh, I was a bit, um, chilly. I made it back to the house not long after sundown, but was I was nearing my street on that particular patch of street lampless darkness, I remembered a run in which it hit me: I was going to finish Ironman Florida in the dark. I was thinking that maybe I would finish Redman in the daylight, but with a sunset of 7:30pm, I would have to finish at exactly 12hrs, about 30min faster than my goal time. So, maybe there will still be some trails of light on the horizon.

Saturday morning I went to work and taught some swim lessons. Aahh, swim lessons. Nothing like my bright and shinny self at 9am on a Saturday teaching nine 3-5year olds how to put their faces in the water. Actually, the kids aren't that bad (it's the parents.. err. wait..). Once I made it home I threw my leg over the bike and got to pedaling. In my kitchen. I set the trainer up in the kitchen so I could keep and eye on the dogs (and the dog's eyes). Also, some friends of the Husband were at the house laying the slate tile in the fancy-schmancy master bathroom. Be jealous. It's been since August of 2006 that the shower was last functional. My ride was set for two hours, however, after an hour and twenty minutes, I found myself at the vet yet again, to pick up more medication before they closed. I planned to get back on the saddle when I made it home, yet housework was piling up, and I made the executive decision that sometimes house priorities need to come before training. Gasp!

I hung out with Alygator in the afternoon, doing a whole lot of nothing. We tried the new sushi bar in town, which, to our surprise also has 4 hibachi grills as well. The sushi was excellent and after a mere two glasses of white, we called it a night. I feel asleep with the dogs on the couch watching Pineapple Express.

Sunday morning we planned to run early and be done with it. However, Alygator FINALLY set up a Facebook account so we took the majority of the morning for her to explore her new found world of Social Networking Websites. About 3:00 I said enough and got dressed. The temps were hovering around the 19 degree mark, but with less wind, the five miles were not only warmer than Friday's but, dare I say it, FUN. I ran with the iPod this time- after I dug through three purses and two workout bags to find it. These runs were far from fast, but the snowflakes on both trips were fun. Also, it's nice to have the path only to yourself. I never saw another runner Friday, and Sunday my only company was Alyson. Alyson, by the way, made Sunday her farthest run EVER. I remember how exciting those are. Long runs. Well, long enough.

This morning I found myself in the middle of a main set consisting of 10 x 200's build. Yes, 10 x TWO HUNDRED YARDS. My arms are tired but the gradual increase in yardage is good for me, and, well, makes me happy if nothing else.

There's KMA spin class tonight, however, Coach Lady has me to ride only an hr with a lower HR than what the Class workout is, so I'll be doing this in the kitchen too. Then I'll finally get to snuggle up to the husband- he spent the weekend working in Houston at supercross- and drink a glass of wine, which, will ultimately be my night cap. Rest day tomorrow, I'm really looking forward to it.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Mind Games

We're playing those mind games together
Pushing the barriers planting seeds
Playing the mind guerrilla
-John Lennon


I did not want to go to spin class tonight. No, let me restate that. I couldn't give a phuck less about going. Long day at work. Dog with an eye issue. Husband making travel plans. Sore from yesterday. Yesterday's THREE workouts.

Yet, I went. I was late, and started setting up in the corner. Then I realized I forgot my clycling shoes. I drove home. Got the shoes. I made up new expletives. Not really sure what the mean or how the sounded, but if you can speak in tongues, and better yet, understand tongues, you would have been embarrased for me.

When I got back to spin, I put my shoes on, and mounted my bike. The warm up was nearly over. Then my HR monitor kicked the bucket. Actually, it did a while ago, but I forgot the new strap, so I had to borrow. More expletives (in my head this time, appearantly someone couldnt get a babysitter and had to bring their two kids to class. Im sure that was fun for them.).

Let it go. My subconcious spoke. Just let it all go.

So I did. I let everything that wasn't Here and Now leave my mind. I focused on the task (PAIN!) at hand. Leg crank series. Power and strength. Turning the damn pedals. 3 to 9, 9 to 3. Physically tough? yes. But I've done tougher. Mentally straining? Sure, but I've focused more. Today was about tuning out everything that didn't matter or that I couldn't do a damn thing about at This. Exact. Moment.

A tought entered my head: Go home, it's just 30 min early. This is 30 min you'll never get back in your life... yes, that's right, 30 min. This is 30 min you cannot come back to later and try to train in it again. The time is fleeting. No one is turning the big wheel to move the island to another time dimension.

It's just a mind game.




Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Two Classy Ladies




True politics aside, Michelle Obama is a classy and stunning woman. I am very pleased that Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Biden and First and Second Ladies, respectively. They long young and fresh. Very vibrant. They MAKE me like them. How can you not!?

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Day One Complete

Yesterday's swim, bike, and stretch workouts didn't seem that awful. Although, the yardage in the swims were a bit higher, the bike was about the same as the last few spin sessions (um, DIFFICULT). As things would work out, today is slated as a rest day, which is convienient since I have a few meetings, seven lessons and am director on duty at my gym this evening. Oh, and there's this little thing going on in DC right now that I'd like to take a moment to watch.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Social Networking Status: Non-existent

Last night my dearest husband started talking to me about a certain social networking site. He then went on to call me obessesed and addicted. ME? Hmpf. As he went on, he dared me, well, challenged me (ok told me) not to get on for five days. No problem! But, that was only 12 hrs ago, and I'm already itching to check it out. Actually, I more or less stalk old and current friends. I like to see the status updates, review posted phots, and see what people are talking about. So, I'm taking a forced hiatus. He's right, really. I get on the damn thing way too much. I have access from my phone so I check it during the drive to work, drive home (and gasp) ever so often during the day. 'Tis time to break the habit! I need social networking site rehab!

I however, did say I would last until Friday. I'm hoping that if I can go that long, then I won't feel the need to check it so often (Like when I first stopped drinking Diet Coke twice a day. I went cold turkey. It was AWFUL. Then the cravings just went away. Now I can "socially" drink my Diet Cokes without a real relapse. However, don't you dare try to take my coffee away. I have back up. And she has back-up.).

I'm pretty sure that my blog is RSS'ed to my social network site. So if you're out there... have fun while you can because I'll be checking back in a week!

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Get Ready for This

Well, I see this week's workouts. I'm going to have to step out of my current (lazy) comfort zones and HTFU. Well, that includes my husband too. I have to really get him invovled, althought I can always tell that he gets disappointed a touch when I get lazy and out of shape. He told me once he likes telling people that I train a lot, and am a triathlete. It makes me proud when he can brag!

So, here's week one's projected totals:
PLAN Totals
Type Distance Duration
Rest
Stretch 01:00
Weights 01:00
Bike 75.0 mi 04:00
Run 12.0 mi 02:00
Swim 5600.0 yd 02:00
Total Plan Duration: 10:00

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Gorilla Multisport Athlete Coaching

I am SO happy to announce it:

I've joined up with Gorilla Multisport to be coached by Gail Leveque. Based out of the Dallas, Tx area, Gail has coached for more than seven years. Her favorite quote is befitting:
Its a little like wrestling a gorilla. You don't quit when you're tired,
you quit when the gorilla is tired.

Gail's personal athletic achievements are awesome- top five finishes at several 70.3's, 3 time USAT all-American, a top twenty age group finish, and top FIVE age group finish at KONA Ironman World Champs (2006 and 2004, respectively).

Gail can be aggressive and straight at you as I am, and that's what I need in a coach. I'm so excited to start with her. We were discussing February, but it looks like workout #1 is Monday.

Yay!!! Go Gorillas!