Randomness

So, there is a few things that I keep wanting to post but I forget every time I'm actually writing a post.

First off, my best friend Kat, sent me this super funny quote that explains my training really well:

"I have to exercise in the morning before my brain figures out what I'm doing."
—Marsha Doble

Secondly, please feel free to make comments about my blogs! I write this for you guys! Plus I could use a laugh at my expense!

Lastly, keep those donations coming! I'm doing really well thanks to all of you! Also, you may want to check with your company to see if they match donations and forward to your family/friends who I may not know. I will be volunteering at the AT&T National Golf Tournament in MD this weekend. A portion of the proceed will go to my donation account. So, if you will be at the tournament, stop by and say hi!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/nca/nattri09/ashields

Day 24. Swim / Run

Apart from being super tired today - not a bad workout. The run went much better eventhough I felt like a zombie with not enough sleep. My Nike+ iPod stopped working, I wonder if I need a new sensor. This is how I can tell how fast I run.

After the run, I jumped into the pool. The swimming is really starting to feel more natural. We are also building quite a bit on the distance we put in the pool. Today was a warm up, 4 x 50, 6 x 50, 3 x 100, 3 x 100, 100 cool down - a grand total of 1200m.

I'm starving - better go eat something...

Day 23. Rest Day

Sorry - I forgot to post yesterday, but it was a much needed rest day! I feel asleep at 8:30pm and woke up at 6am today and I'm STILL TIRED! I'm so glad I don't have to work on Friday and I can sleep all day if I want.

Day 22. Swim / Run

Yet another training day. My family is in town - so going to the rec center where my niece could go swimming in the kids pool while I did laps and ran around the track worked out for everyone. The run was just alright - I think I was just tired from Saturday's long workout and then from trying to entertain. The swim went pretty well - I put in 1300m which is only 200m shy of the actual race day. It took me 47 minutes to complete and that was with ample stopping every 50 or so meters. :) I need to get better about continuously swimming not just how many laps I can get in an hour. I know that next Sunday's milestone is to swim 300m continuous rather it be the freestyle or your safety stroke (mine is the backstroke) - so that is what I will try next week!

Since this week is our "recovery" week - that means no practice tomorrow, Friday or Saturday due to the holiday. I guess our bodies need a rest from the shock it has been introduced the three earlier weeks. I know for me - it's just keeping up with getting enough sleep is the hardest part. I also can tell that I am getting ALOT stronger, especially in my arms (since I never really used them before being a soccer player and runner) :) Buy your tickets here for the... gun show. :) Sorry couldn't resist.

Time for bed!

Day 21. First Brick

Whoops - I'm a day late writing this post. Anyhow - yesterday was madness! It started off with driving to Georgetown and then biking to Fletcher's Boathouse (2 miles down). That was all fine and good, until the huge storm we got on Friday had knocked down this enormous tree that blocked the path. So, I had to climb over this tree with my bike - I hope you have a good mental picture - because it was quite humorous. After that, we started our brick workout. The only problem was that there were millions of people on the trail - to the point where it was treacherous! There were way too many runners and bikers on the trail at the same time. The other problem was that when you were trying to pass the runners/walkers they wouldn't move over to the right so you could get around them without hitting the oncoming traffic! So, there was one time where I was either going to hit this lady in front of me or I was going to have to pass on the right (which is also a no-no). But, I was thinking safety first, so I passed on the right. And, she totally laid in to me - screaming away. I rather have her scream, then both of end up in a bloody pile on the trail. So, after that I made it to the run portion - and it was super weird to run after biking for 45 minutes. I'm going to have to learn to get used to that.

So, once I was all done - I had heard that one of the mentors had a horrible spill on his bike on the trail and he was taking to the GW Hospital. Another thing to add to this horrible day. I've decided that if the LLS folks pick trails that are this busy again on a Saturday - that I'm just going to do the workouts on my own rather than have to constantly start and stop to dodge people. One of the coaches said it was only going to be this bad today because of the picnic afterwards.

The picnic was a little lackluster as well - but maybe I was just in a bad mood. They had a spread of bagels, muffins, and juice out for us and each honored teammate said a few words and that was it! I thought there was going to be more to it. Anyhow, I didn't stick around long, because I still had 2 miles to bike and a tree to crawl over to make it back to my car.

What a day!

Day 20. Day Off

Woo - it's been 20 days - so that means my training has officially became a habit! Today was a day off - which was much needed since my sinuses have been out of control. So, I'm heavily medicated and spent the day hanging out with my mom who is in town visiting. I hope my sinuses clear up more for the long Saturday training. Wish me luck!

Day 19. Coach Led Swim

It's 4:30am and I can't breathe. Ugh - it's allergy season now. I was so stuffy that I contemplated not going to the pool today in fear of possible drowning. After laying in bed for a minute, I decided to get up and go to the pool in hope that the water/chlorine would help clear the air passages.

I'm pretty glad I went. It was nice to get in the pool and be in the humidity. I didn't get any coaching today, but I feel like I am getting more comfortable in the water. That's it for today -- woo hoo a day off tomorrow!