Its getting good (I think)

This past weekend was a little slack; I have to say I lost a little steam. I blame work for it - I had to work over the weekend and then on Monday evening - which screwed up my routine - oh well there will always be reasons why not I guess. I really did not want to loose momentum, so like a good athlete I made a workout schedule for the week and I really want to beat it ! I swam 74 laps (1 mile) yesterday, which was tough; not because I was tired but because my leg kept cramping. I had to tell myself that I have to keep going on - what if I cramp on race day; so I did and finished the mile. Today, I did pilates at 7 am and a crazy spin class at 7pm. Can't remember the last time I went to the gym twice in one day - the momentum is building - Yesssss! Building my core is key to success; I have to be strong deep down !        

Visualization

It was a cold damp evening; I walked up three flights of stairs quickly; I really did not want to be late. I entered the room to the far left; it was dimly lit, stuffy and hot – not what I was expecting. There was soothing music playing in the background. Everyone had taken his or her place. I walked up to an empty spot and began my one-hour journey of what would be a most grueling spin class. It is so difficult to push yourself sometimes – I try and keep myself motivated through visualizing.

I actually imagine what it would be like when I am running on race day – people cheering, me getting to that finish line, would I see familiar faces or would I not. When I spin I think about the wind, the circular motion of the wheels propelling me forward. I enjoy swimming so I don’t need to visualize as much to keep me going. Another tactic that helps me is interval training especially on my runs. I break down every mile into 200 or 300 meter intervals and vary the speed. This helps me get through the mile and makes my goals smaller and easy to accomplish which makes the mile just fly by.

I have once again started logging my workouts – to see my progress you can click here. I post my goals every Monday for the week and then try to track successfully against them.

Team In Training Information Session

What a day ! I woke up this morning to meet my wonderful trainer Terrance. We did a grueling workout in the pool. This was the first time that I have run in water - it is quite an experience and very grueling. We interspersed 10 laps (20 lengths) of running and swimming with push ups and planks - did this routine three times. It is so interesting how heavy ones' body feels when you hoist it out of the pool. I felt like I was carrying a huge piece of lead on me when doing my push ups. I Hope to get to a mile soon; which will be to do this routine four times.

In the evening I went to the Team in Training information session. I got there at 6:30 - there were about 50 people - most of whom were doing this kind of thing for the first time. The program consists of raising money and in exchange getting a group of people who are training with you and a coach who would train you all for the big race day. They seemed to have their stuff together - so I signed up; which means that I have to raise $2,700 by June 1, 2010. I figure 27 people need to give me $100 each - how tough can that be ? I say this now - we will see in time how giving people really are. The training starts end of Feb and will consist of group runs, bikes & swims three times a week; as well as clinics that will help you with technique. I look forward to starting !

Back to the Grind

I did not train while I was in India or over the Christmas - New year break (not surprising); which means I have had to start from scratch this week and build up my stamina. The good news is that I am going to attend a Team in Training session next week and this time round I plan on getting the location right ! Click here to see a schedule for when you can attend on of these sessions. Hope to get back in the swing of things by the end of January and then post more often about the trials and tribulations of triathlon training. My plan by the end of this month to run 4 miles at a stretch, Swim for an hour, and go to as many spin classes as I can - starting at 6:30 am tomorrow. Hope to get the holiday laziness out of my bones.