Windy Friday Ride

A 20 mile bike ride was on the training schedule for today. I went outside on this beautiful day only to find there was a deceptively strong wind. The wind almost tipped me over on one of the bridges that I went over! But other than that it was a nice ride. Afterwards, I drove up to Mark's law firm and we went out for a yummy lunch at O Steakhouse. The picture above is right outside the restaurant. It was a gorgeous setting and a nice afternoon break.

Swim and Run

Yesterday was a rest day, but today I certainly made up for that! After grading some DBQ essays (oh the excitement of vacation!), I went to the YMCA for a 60 minute swim. I ended up completing 50+ laps! Then it was back to the apartment for some lunch and a nap. After the nap, I headed out for a 6 mile fartlek run. It was pretty intense, but I feel like I accomplished a lot for training today!

Tip: Today I used a Motion Traxx Interval mix podcast for the fartlek run. It was very helpful to have someone/signal to stop and start the faster intervals! I highly recommend the Motion Traxx series.

Restorative Yoga Poses

Today was another rainy day in New England so I did not go to track practice; I did the workout on the treadmill instead! Also, tonight was yoga class at Quest and we did these awesome restorative yoga poses. The one pictured is a seriously intense groin stretch that felt amazing! I am more impressed with every class that I go to at Quest studio.

I am ready for this week to warm up so I can get outside and run and bike!

Goggle Suggestions???

Monday was a swim day and my legs were so grateful not to have to run or bike today :) I did a 40 minute swim that included 10 X 100s with my fastest 100 at 1:36. My BlueSeventy swim goggles are ok, but starting to really bug me because just a tiny bit of water seems to get in my eyes (enough to be annoying!) Does anyone have any suggestions for a good pair of pool/open water goggles? Thanks!

Biking in Bristol

I woke up early this morning so I could drive up to Bristol, NH to meet up with Melissa. We got on our bikes and began riding the Mooseman course. Not too far into the course we ran into some other S2 team members who were doing the half iron course. I'm definitely grateful that I'm only biking 26 miles! It was nice to run into them. We had a nice ride (always with the exception of Devil's Hill). On my way back to Concord, I passed a lot more cyclist attacking the half iron course. It was a gorgeous day for a ride and I was happy I survived a really intense week of working out. I only missed one swim workout and I will just tack that on to next week :)

Sunny Saturday

It was a phenomenal day for a run today and run I certainly did. I ran 12 miles today and it was quite the challenge. Have you ever been to Carter Hill in Concord, NH? I have to say that running up that hill is completely exhausting! Anyway, I managed to finish without walking, so I know I will be ok for the half marathon in a few weeks. I actually got a ton of sun as well, so at least it will look like I went on vacation this week :)

Friday was a rest day and I thoroughly embraced my rest time. It was also the last day of school before April vacation. I am not going anywhere, but intend on using the time to continue to train hard for the Big Lake half marathon in May! I also had a chance to meet up with some colleagues after work which was a much needed catch up session. I'm going to head to bed early so I can get to tri-swim early in the morning.

Rolling Hills and Steady Swim

After school, and a little catnap, I completed a rolling hills 6 mile run. It was a pretty good day for a run--almost a little too warm, but I felt decent after the first two miles. I find it always gets easier after the first major set of hills. I felt the burn in my quads and calves from the bike ride yesterday.

Now, I am off for a 30 minute steady swim to complete 6 days in a row of working out! I definitely got back on track after the English program was completed.

Cycling Smoothly

Today in school I had a chance to bring my class down to the art room for a Renaissance art presentation. During this time, I had a chance to paint an atmospheric perspective watercolor. Now mine certainly does not look as good as the picture above, but it was a relaxing thing to do. While I was cycling, I pictured the lovely mix of colors and took in the colors/sights around me. It made for a really enjoyable bike ride (except on the killer hills of course!). Anyway, I did a 20 mile ride today and then took the rest of the evening to relax. I'll do a swim/run tomorrow. I'm going strong this week and I feel great!

Track Practice

Guess which one I am...the hare or the tortoise?

I am such a slow runner! I did everything I was supposed to do without walking, but I definitely am at the back of the pack. There was a track meet at Memorial field today so we ended up running at St. Paul's school. Even their track is cushy!

After track practice, I attended a yoga for athletes class at Quest.

Overall, it was a very productive day!

Lap, Laps, and more Laps

It was a great start to the week as I hammered out 10 X200s tonight at the pool. I built on each 200 and eventually got the time down to 3:28, which seemed fairly strong! The swimming also helped loosen my legs after the 10 mile run yesterday! I already feel better about the direction of training this week!

Rainy Run

Today started out as a nice lazy morning, but eventually I needed to get some cleaning done as well. After I completed the cleaning, I went for a 10 mile run. It was quite difficult since I missed one run workout this week, but I still finished! It was my longest run to date and I completed it in some intermittent rain showers. Yuck! Hopefully the rest of this week will be much warmer and filled with some sun.

Tip: I tried out GU Proctane gel shots today and they definitely gave me a strong boost of energy!

Kickboard Race!

I never did find my motivation yesterday, but I was up bright and early today to get to tri-swim practice. It was an awesome workout and we finished with a 50/50 kickboard/freestyle race. I am actually pretty decent with the kickboard :) At swimming practice we were told that many of our fellow triathletes have been named All-Americans! It is just so amazing to me that I have the privilege of training (although I am just in the very early stages) with such incredible athletes! Congratulations to the S2 All-Americans!!!

After swim practice, I headed upstairs for an intense spin workout. Since the weather has not been cooperating, spinning seemed like a good option for the weekend.

Woo hoo! It was a great day :)

An Evening Ride

Last night, Mark and I enjoyed a nice evening bike ride around Concord and Loudon. We did a 19 mile loop with a few hills, but it was mainly flat or downhill (my favorite!). Anyway, this weather today and for the rest of the weekend is soooo depressing. It actually snowed this morning!!! All I want to do is get under a blanket and hide from the cold. I need to somehow find motivation to go for a run and get to the pool tonight. I better get home and find that motivation! Big Lake is in 2 weeks and I felt more prepared 2 weeks ago than I do this week.

Yoga for Athletes

My body took a slight timeout this afternoon for a nap--and I slept right through track practice! Oops. I did end up doing the workout on my own, but I was a little bummed I missed the group workout. I did head over to Quest Yoga for a Yoga for Athletes class tonight. I really felt every stretch in my muscles. I think I should be doing yoga more often.

The picture today just represents a peaceful place :)

I'm Back!

After a VERY BUSY week with the exchange program, I am focused and ready to work hard! I did manage to get in a lot of walking in NYC and a short run on Sunday. However, today I was back in action. I completed a 16 mile hilly/easy pace bike ride and then completed a swim workout at the YMCA tonight. It consisted of a brief warmup, 10 X 100s (my fastest was 1:39) and then a short cool down--30 laps in total. I feel refreshed and ready to hit it hard this week!

Tip: If you miss several workouts due to circumstances beyond your control just get back on track asap and enjoy the fact that your body got a little rest!

Hopkinton Hills

This evening I biked to and from Contoocook for a total of 24 miles. It was my first ride alone this year so I was a bit nervous. I still don't know how to change a flat tire if I get one--I should probably learn! It is funny that I carry all the stuff to fix it, but I have no clue how to use the tools! Anyway, the ride to Contoocook on Hopkinton Road is very hilly. I can feel the burn in my legs. Tomorrow I leave for NYC for the English Exchange. I will not be able to get in much working out (except walking), so it is good that I got in a solid ride tonight.

Walking Tours

The past two days have been very busy for me! I have been playing tour guide for the English Exchange program at our high school. Yesterday we went to Hampton Beach and Portsmouth, NH. The students had a great time and the weather has certainly been cooperating. I had to take the day off though because I was tired from the long day. Today was a day trip to Boston. We walked part of the Freedom Trail. After, Loren, the two English chaperones, and I walked to the North End (of course we stopped at Mike's Pastries!) and did a little bit of shopping in the Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market area. I managed to get in a nap late in the afternoon and then quickly went to the YMCA for a quick treadmill speed workout:

1.0 mile EASY Warm up
5 minute stretch
4x400 @ 5K pace with a 200 recovery between each.
800 @ 10K pace with a 200 recovery
800@ 10K pace with a 200 recovery
400 @ 5K pace!!!!!
COOL DOWN

All in all, I am hanging in there with the workouts, but I know after the exchange is over, I will have to train very hard for Big Lake and the Mooseman!

Easter Day 2010

Happy Easter everyone! It is certainly one of the nicest days I can remember for this holiday. Yesterday was a wonderful day in Boston. We went to Harvard Square, walked through the common and then browsed Newbury Street. Today, I took Karen grocery shopping (which she loved because in England they do most of their shopping online!). I also managed to get in a 6 mile run. This week will be a challenge with all the day trips for the exchange and the NYC trip Thursday - Saturday. I am going to do the best that I can and then really push next week!

Saturday Swim

Yesterday I was unable to get a workout in because our guest from England arrived! Karen (chaperone from the Piggott School in Reading, England) is very friendly and I look forward to showing her around the area on this beautiful weekend! I did get to Tri-swim early today and then did a 5 mile fartlek workout on the treadmill after. I think the plan is to head to Boston and check out Newbury Street and Boston Common.

AM Run

I wish that I could go running a beautiful beach like in this picture, but alas, I must run on the sidewalks of Concord early in the morning. I did an easy 3 mile run at 5:30 AM and now I am finishing up my day at school. The English exchange chaperone arrives tonight so I wanted to get my workout in before she comes to stay with us. Ok, this was a short blog today, but I don't have very much to write about!