Thursday, December 17, 2009

Baby, it's cold outside

What a week it's been! It started out on Monday as being nice and warm outside. Like 55 degrees. Tuesday, it was a little chilly as I got up and went to swim practice. I think it was in the 40s. I wore flip flops to practice. By the time I was headed to work, the temps had dropped into the 30s. And they kept sinking from there. It was a crisp 19 degrees on my way to practice this morning. Ugh. I just tried not to think about how I was going to have to strip down and get wet.

Luckily, it only takes a few hundred to get warm in the pool. Tuesday, we did a total of 4k. That included 29x100. It was all at easy pace, so it didn't really hurt.

I had a minor melt-down between swim practice and work. A good friend of mine happened to call in the middle of it. So, he picked me up for lunch...which was much needed. I have the most amazing people in my life.

Anyway, after work, I got on the trainer for my first focused bike workout of the off season. Twenty minutes in, I was dripping sweat. I'd forgotten what that was like! And having a focus for the ride makes it oh-so-much-easier to get through! I do so much better having a schedule. I mean, I'm going to exercise anyway, so it's better that someone else design what I'm supposed to do and how much of it I should do. If it were up to me, I'd probably just run five days a week, swim a few days, lift a couple days...and then, when I get back on the bike in the spring, I'll be wishing I'd been on it more in the winter.

Anyway, Wednesday morning was a run with strides. It was all of 17 degrees. But I just chose not to acknowledge that small factor. I just put on some layers and acted like it didn't matter. Those first ten minutes were COLD though. Then the sun began to rise and I couldn't help but be smiling at how beautiful it was on the bridge as I did my strides.

Luckily, I made it through the work day...and onto an easy spin. And then more cleaning. And baking. And watching movies.

Practice this morning was, um... tiring. Lots of sprints. Lots of kicks. A "half hour of power", which is as many hundreds as you can do on a specific interval. My lane was 1:20. And we ended with a timed 100 and  a timed 50. Did I mention it was 19 degrees out? I think my hair froze on the way home.

Tonight is nothing. Except cleaning out the car and maybe getting some groceries. Tomorrow is another cold ass run. With hills. And I can't wait!

10 comments:

Red Bike said...

"By the time I was headed to work, the temps had dropped into the 30s. And they kept sinking from there. It was a crisp 19 degrees on my way to practice this morning."

Sometimes I think I live in the wrong country. I don't think are English summer was that warm (it's winter now).

Tonight it's snowing lightly and the wrong side of zero.

Big Daddy Diesel said...

I hear you, all of a sudden its freezing, not fun, off to the southwest for some 70's and sunny weather.

Mike Russell said...

Get yourself a beanie to wear to and from swim practice. I walk out to the car with one on after I swim and it makes all of the difference in the world.

zencycle said...

It was 10 degrees here this morning

Tawnee Prazak, M.S., CSCS said...

Wait... I should probably know this by now since I've been reading your blog for a while, but where do you live??

Judi said...

brrr. i was dreading the water today but the y's pool was very warm. easy to swim in.

JP Severin said...

It makes me appreciate living in an 80 degree 70% humidity winter... enjoy the frozen hair! Sorry to taunt you.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you are getting in some great workouts! Awesome picture. There really is something about starting the day off with a run, even if it is cold!

Charisa said...

Enjoy the cold crisp run!

Marni Sumbal, MS, RD said...

I don't know how you do it! Brrr....that is cold!
Stay warm and enjoy the holiday!!
-marn