My runs have been very hit or miss lately.\u00a0 Some days I have just draaaagged asssss through the miles and it was all I could do to keep going (but also found that all I needed to do is slow down – 11 minute miles may be frustrating, but that’s all I have sometimes).\u00a0 Some days, I feel like a rockstar.\u00a0 I’ve been able to do some pretty fantastic 3-6 mile progression runs where after the warmup mile, I’m pretty easily running under 10 minute miles.\u00a0 For example this morning, I did 10:45, 9:55, 9:40, and 9 for the last quarter mile.\u00a0 I just have to have faith that even though the first half to full mile will suck, I usually perk up.<\/p>\n
Swims, I’ve been maintaining about 1 per week, about 30 mins for 1500 yds.\u00a0 I need to get some open water lovin’ in here this month before Rookie in May, but I’m just not concerned.\u00a0 I did just snag a groupon to finally get Zliten his Christmas swimming lessons, so that’s exciting!<\/p>\n
My eating has been fairly subpar (for me).\u00a0 As such, my weight and measurements really haven’t gone anywhere (I assume with the measurements, as I haven’t gotten the tape out in a few weeks).\u00a0 This week, I am trying something new: smoothies for lunch.\u00a0 Instead of spending my lunch break frantically preparing food, I’m trying out some new recipes.\u00a0 Today, I put in skim milk, chocolate protein powder, water, chocolate pb2, 2\/3 banana, and a squish of chocolate syrup (just tasted not quite right without it).\u00a0 Tomorrow, I think I’ll try the strawberries\/strawberry protein powder\/banana\/milk (trying to figure out a fat to put in there – c0conut oil maybe?).\u00a0 I’m having a small savory side with it (today, veggie quinoa pasta salad, tomorrow, maybe a greek salad).\u00a0 I couldn’t drink it all and saved the other half for a snack and felt really full today.\u00a0 Bonus!<\/p>\n
Also, I think that what I really need to do is the “eat 500 calories less than Zliten” diet.\u00a0 He regularly burns about 500 more than me, and we mostly split our meals down the middle (so he’s losing weight, I’m not).\u00a0 That’s a lot though – that’s like a whole meal less!\u00a0 I’m trying to eliminate more snacks instead of a meal then, because I really hate eating 300 calorie meals, I’d rather just try to suck it up and feel like I’m eating a real meal unless my energy levels are super low and I’m feeling bad.\u00a0 And honestly, the way I’m feeling after my lunch smoothie, I don’t need no stinkin’ snax!<\/p>\n
Working on the training program for us through the half ironman.\u00a0 Let me tell you, having 2 races a month and two vacations (one 4 days, one like 10 days) within a month and a half of race day (like, right during peak training time) is providing a CHALLENGE, but I think I have it conquered mostly.\u00a0 I’ve never followed anyone’s tri training program, just did my own by feel, and that’s what I’m doing this time (I’ve done a LOT of research and picked and chose what worked for me).\u00a0 I discussed with Zliten, and instead of a lot of long single sport training, we’re going to pile on the brickage.\u00a0 That is, instead of getting comfy with overdistances like wanting to bike 100 so that 56 feels like cake, we’re going to do more bike\/runs that are closer to half iron distance.\u00a0 And, of course, we’ll train with the caveat that if our body needs a rest, we’ll back off (and planning in more rest weeks than I have ever before so that should help).<\/p>\n
Fun Things I’ve Done Since Last Report:<\/p>\n
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- Went to a wedding with a candy bar and BBQ for dinner.\u00a0 I wished I could stay longer but it was Sunday night and work calls on Monday, so I had my sweets and danced my ass off for a bit and then headed home.<\/li>\n
- Had a board game and pizza day at work as a fun day not last Friday but the Friday before.\u00a0 We played a bunch of D and D board game and DAMN IT’S HARD.\u00a0 Then we went home and drank absinth and played more.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- Spent March 30th without pants or workout gear on.\u00a0 The most strenuous thing I did was hang out at the neighbors for a while.<\/li>\n
- Saw Hunger Games on April Fools Day.\u00a0 No foolin’, I enjoyed the movie a lot.\u00a0 They skipped some of the nuances, but they definitely did the books good and I’m just sad I couldn’t watch the next one yet!<\/li>\n
- Made some EPIC chicken and bok choy in garlic sauce.\u00a0 I finally figured out awesome chinese food at home – it does just take a little chicken broth and flour to make it right.\u00a0 I used brown rice flour so it’s a little better, I suppose.<\/li>\n
- Booked our trip to San Diego this summer.\u00a0 We plan on spending most of our time there with Zliten’s parents, but also are hoping to get in a nice long bike ride early AM Saturday and run America’s Finest Half Marathon on Sunday.\u00a0 Finally, a race in a different state!<\/li>\n
- Went to Camp Gladiator boot camp.\u00a0 If I didn’t absolutely need to do traditional training for tris, I might blow off run\/bike\/swim for a month and do this.\u00a0 It’s super fun!\u00a0 We played freezetag!<\/li>\n
- 10 mile ride and 6 mile run at Pflugerville.\u00a0 We plan on making good friends with the lake this year.\u00a0 Didn’t have time to swim, next time for sure!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- Played D and D (the actual role playing game) all day good Friday.\u00a0 It’s an amazing core workout, the guys make me laugh so hard!\u00a0 And, I fireballed FIVE trolls to death and ended the game early.\u00a0 Ha!\u00a0 Being a wizard is a good thing… here’s me triumphing over the fallen beasts…<\/li>\n
- Did the Mighty Texas Dog Walk, with this cutie pie – he only has 3 legs but that totally doesn’t stop him at all!\u00a0 He was definitely in the first quarter of finishers, he just wanted to run run run run *sniff sniff pee* run run run run *sniff sniff peeeeee*.\u00a0 He definitely tired his owners out.\u00a0 However, he was definitely a sleepy dog after… apparently he barely complained when his parents left to go out later.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- Between this and the next entry, had brunch, a short nap, got groceries, swam, lifted weights, and got all gussied up.\u00a0 5 hours definitely was productive!<\/li>\n
- Had fancy birthday dinner with my good gal pal D in which we ingested: blue cheese with honey, pork cracklins, garlic bean sauce on toast, a pimms cup, spicy pickles, a cauliflower steak, buttermilk pie, and sticky toffee pudding (lots of tastes and sharing around the table).\u00a0 So yum!<\/li>\n
- Then, we went to the Kung Fu saloon and I kicked ass at skeeball (I won almost EVERY game and they had it set up as a competition), drank grape vodka, watch people play an epic game of Jenga, played Jenga ourselves, and had a thoroughly fantabulous evening. \u00a0Here we are watching an epic match of centipede.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- On Easter, we slept in (OMG 9:30 wheeeee), went to my parents house.\u00a0 We ate ham, played cards, played bocci ball, ate pound cake, played more cards, and then got home and had a little relaaaaaaaaax time. \u00a0Not the most flattering pic but whatevs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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<\/div>\nSo, please forgive me for not blogging, but as you can see, iz been bizzy.\u00a0 This is ommitting the fact we’re still training 5-6 days a week and I’ve been working hard to meet a deadline at work (met today! woohoo!)<\/p>\n
This week, hoping to just train and relax as much as possible, as Thursday is bike maintenance class, and this weekend is the 10\/20 (10 mile run race) and Dad’s 79th b-day celebrations, so we’re booked.<\/p>\n
Now, I’m off to log some more miles because I’m off work earlier than expected and get my crunchtime on!<\/p>\n
Questions of the day: What’s the awesomest thing you’ve done in the last 2 weeks?\u00a0 Any suggestions on how to conquer my pedals on my bike better?\u00a0 How long do you need to warm up for on a run before you feel like you’re really IN THE ZONE?\u00a0 Any bets on how long it will take me to come back and blog? \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n
- On Easter, we slept in (OMG 9:30 wheeeee), went to my parents house.\u00a0 We ate ham, played cards, played bocci ball, ate pound cake, played more cards, and then got home and had a little relaaaaaaaaax time. \u00a0Not the most flattering pic but whatevs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n