old friends, new adventures and the importance of listening

So, it's been a while...ya know, since I've had anything interesting to say. I've been reading everyone else, hoping to gain some inspiration. But my wit has left me.

This must mean I'm tired.
Or maybe I'm not really witty.

Some fun things...
 - Friday, I picked up my bike from 1919. New chain, new bar tape, new cleats, and squeaky clean. That all changed Saturday. But it lasted for all of about 12 hours.
 - I swam alone of Friday morning. I almost never do this because I hate it. I much rather have some company. But my buddy didn't show. So, I pretended to know the girl in the lane next to me and compete with her. Even though she wasn't aware of our new friendship. Or competition.
 - Friday evening was dinner at Dewey's Pizza with my teammates that are doing HOS 200 in two weeks. We also had some spouses, children and SAG peeps. I think our party totalled 12 in all. Never in my life have I seen so much pizza consumed by so few people. Or so few people who are not overweight. Anyway, we discussed strategy and nutrition. And checked out the course profile. The three that did it last year then told us how much it made them never want to ride again fun it was.
 - Saturday was track work followed by bike intervals. Again. This is another workout I hate doing alone so my old asst track coach joined me and a training buddy. Let me just say that 4x2000 @6:30 pace makes me want to shit my pants when placed at the end of three 20+hr/weeks. Old track coach dominated these with ~ 6:15 pace. He's doing the Hawaii 70.3 in June. He thinks he can qualify for Kona in the 40-44AG. Saturday was his first time on the bike in close to a year. And this will be his first HIM. Ever. We had an easy warm-up followed by 3x6miles at TT effort. We (training bud and I) averaged about 23mph, (which I realize isn't super speedy, but you go out and do track work and then try it; suffice to say, it hurts). And dropped old coach. I suppose his sights aren't impossible...but me thinks there may be a humbling process...I think so many people don't realize just how much work this stuff takes. I will keep you updated. Ya know, if anyone is interested.

About a year ago, I really learned the importance of listening to my body. It's crucial in training at a high(er) level.

Yesterday, my body was screaming at me.

First, I slept through my alarm. And got a total of 10 hours of sleep. I did a quick loosen spin on the trainer, showered and went to help out with registration at the Germantown Road Race. It was cold and windy and rainy. And I was glad to not be racing myself. I did run into some of the cyclists that were in TN a few weeks back. I also met a triathlete. It was his first road race. I told him not to annouce his status. Unless he wanted everyone to know he couldn't hold a line.

After all that hullabaloo, I went home to get on the trainer. Instead, my body told me to take a nap. I guess it hadn't registered to my body that we got ample sleep the previous night.

And soon enough, the pup needed to go out. She timed it perfectly between thunderstorms.

I took that wake-up call as an opportunity to actually get on the trainer. My legs felt fine. But after two hours, I bagged it. I was tired. And hungry. So I ate. And made some hot cocoa and watched Up. Oh what a sad little story. For a Pixar movie, it sure was suspenseful. That mean Alpha dog...and that old man who wanted to capture Kevin...and how Mr. Fredrickson just wanted to uphold his promise to Ellie...awe.

And just before bed, I received good tidings of great joy...RECOVERY WEEK!!!!
Good thing. Just two weeks before HOS.

Recovery

Recovery  (rĭ-kŭv'ə-rē) - A return to a normal condition.

Normal (nôr'məl) - The usual or expected state, form, amount, or degree.

(The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition)


It's a recovery week. I thought I'd love this, that this week would be fun and light and full of short workouts in which I would feel fresh. I wanted to feel "normal". But I actually had to look up the meaning of the word because I'm still confused on how that's supposed to feel.

Turns out, I'm tired. And bloated. And my legs feel heavy. Is that normal? If so, I prefer to be an outsider.

In training news, we did a 500 for time at Masters practice on Tuesday. I just barely broke the 7min barrier with 6:59.6. It was after about 2k, so I'm not complaining. Much.

Spinervals last night and a run this morning that made me really want a massage.

Other than that, life is rather boring.

I did go to the tanning bed over my lunch break today. Ya know, for the Vit E. And maybe a little because I can't even bear (is that the correct usage, Zen?) to look at myself...bare. The pale pastiness has got to go. And I don't think that Vit E shot kicked in because my thought process on the way back to work went something like this.

[the song "Carnival" was playing on the radio] "hmm...I never really did like Natalie Merchant. Just something about her voice... Why the hell did she leave 10,000 Maniacs? I wonder if her voices grated their nerves too? Who came up with the name 10,000 Maniacs anyway? I wonder what 10,000 maniacs all together would be like...Why have I not yet changed the station? That lady on Jeopardy last night kinda reminded me of Natalie Merchant. She had that kind of hair...that chick was weird...with wanting to start a female accordian band. Smart people usually are weird though. Especially the ones that have such a wealth of useless knowledge. Funny. I know a lot of people like that. Oh, fuck. I have to go back to work. I wonder if my boss will be gone by the time I get back? what the hell is this car doing in front of me? and what kind of license plate is that? seems like i'm seeing a lot of them lately. oh. New Ohio plates. That makes sense. But fuck you for cutting me off. Drive faster if you're going to get in front of me! Seriously....you cut me off again?! I've got to get around this guy. Or lady with short hair. I think I need to grow my hair out. I'm having a horrible hair day. Guess that's why it's also not a gym-at-lunch day. Sheesh! Maybe i'm just going to start my period? Wouldn't that be a relief? That would explain why I feel like a fucking heffer. But no, it's probably just the whole recovery week thing. Amazing how just a week ago I was feeling fit and invincible. I need the weekend...it's supposed to be 50 and sunny....and we're supposed to ride outside. Oh, that will be nice..."

Being productive

Over the weekend, I cleaned my entire apartment. Actually, I unpacked my apartment. I had been wanting to do this since I moved in, but instead, I swam. and biked. and ran. So, this past weekend, I finally opened the door of that scary spare bedroom where boxes were piled and shit was scattered. And I converted that room into a closet! It took me 16 hours, but at the end of the day, I had this...

I ran for an hour on Sunday.

On Monday, I went for a short run and lifted weights on my lunch hour.

Then I came home and shaved my head. Seriously.

Tuesday, I ventured to Masters practice. 4:30 am came so quickly! After a thorough warm-up, Coach Aaron asked how I was feeling. After a little grunt, he let us in on the workout: 14x100 on 1:25, 1 min rest, then 10x100 on 1:20 where we could use fins, if desired. After six, I stopped. He asked if I was ok..."um, i just need like two weeks where you don't kick my ass. i need a break." So I moved over to the 12x100 on 1:30 lane to finish that first half of the set then put the fins on and led the lane for the 100s on 1:20.

Tuesday evening, I was innocently cracked out on FB when I got a PM from the crossfit instructor in town...which led to me committing to my first session on Wednesday morning.

Bright (actually, it was dark) and early, I was up and on my way to get "Rainerized". Ha. We started with a couple stretches, squats, abs, back, a run around the parking lot...then to the WOD which was lots of squats, pull-ups and push-ups. Those pull-ups kicked. my. ass. And hour and a half later, my arms were still shaky.

But, I had a ride scheduled with Judi and Mary. So, I ate and pumped my tires and lubed my chain and geared up. It was cold and windy out there!

We all met at Judi's and rode down to the river and across the ferry to KY so we could cruise down Rte. 8. It was an absolutely gorgeous day outside! The leaves are all changing and farmland is still green. It was a great ride with great company. I'd forgotten just how much I love my road bike.

This morning, I skipped out on swim practice. Simply because I was tired. And there was a very cuddly, snoring pug in my bed that really didn't want to get up. And because I know that soon, I'll be in full swim, bike, run mode. And I don't want to wish I'd really taken advantage of the few short weeks I get as rest.

I've never quite felt like this before. I'm usually so ready to be training for something. Anything. Yes, there's the 10k on Thanksgiving. And there's a 5k here or there. And then the HOS 200 and then Triple T. I know training will resume soon...but frankly, it's just been a HARD year, moreso mentally than physically, and I just need a break.

So, I'm taking it. And I don't feel guilty.

Especially considering I got am email from coach E this morn saying training starts Mon.

you know it's off season when...

 - you get to sleep in 'til 7 am.
 - you actually have to wait in line at the grocery store because you go during 'normal' hours
 - but that grocery bill is nearly cut in half!
 - you actually have time to walk the dog...other than as part of cool down.
 - you only have to do one load of laundry a week.
 - you only take one shower a day.
 - you get home from work and don't know what to do with your evening.
 - you get a whole new library of music.
 - you have time to cook. and clean. and spend time with friends who don't constantly swim, bike, run.
 - you actually have to watch your caffiene intake because you're no longer so tired by 8pm that it doesn't matter.
 - you finally understand why people have cable.
 - you eat whatever you want for lunch without concern of how it will affect your evening run.
 - you actually meet your friends for happy hour.
 - you're still awake when the first number on the clock turns to double digits.
 - your stripey tan lines start to fade.
 - you haven't consumed flavored syrup from a pouch in weeks!
 - and you don't panic when you see you only have three left in the pantry.
 - like the remainder of the population, your spandex is reserved for special occasions.
 - your bike is still packed in the box from your last race.
 - you don't sleep in compression tights four days a week.
 - you finally turn that spare bedroom into a walk-in closet.
 - you go out to eat and actually have food to take home.
 - you get give back a little and help at races.
 - but you still get a little twinge of race envy...

results...and what's next

Ok, so I finished th 3k swim, 80k bike and 20k run in 5:13.03, 18th of 38 in my AG. Middle of the pack. I will note that there were some wicked fast chicks in my AG though...first was 5th OA, ahead of many of the pros. But, as competitive as I can be at times, this race was really about participating. It was about doing the best that I could do and enjoying the experience, smiling along the race course, taking it all in...

And once it was all over, I was really grateful for some time off. And I still am. I'm going to masters practice and I'm running when Iwant. And I walked to and from work (about 5 miles each way) the other day.

I registered for Triple T  (http://www.americantriple-t.com/ohio/raceinfo.html) yesterday though. he he he... gotta start hill climbing soon. But for now, I'm enjoying the few weeks of rest that I have available to me :)

Here are just a couple more pics from Oz...

is it possible?

As seen on FB last night:
Amanda Lindsey just sucked at the TT.
   Sean____: I'm sure this morning had nothing to do with that :-) You'll get it next time.
   Edward______: What??? Are you finally admitting that you might be tired?

Edward would be my coach. This man has never commented on my status. To my knowledge, he never even checked it. But, of course, the night I complain, he sees it. And comments.

Sean is a fellow masters swimmer. He knows how kick ass our swim practice was that morning. I mean, warm-up was 10x50 with odds on :40 and evens on :50. Then another 900 on a pretty quick interval. And later we had 4x200 w/paddles on 2:45. And 3x100 all out.

Alas, swim practice doesn't usually leave me tired. And the time trial doesn't usually produce such poor results (it was horrible, but it was slower than I hoped. or expected. or wanted). And I rarely get nine hours of uninterrupted sleep. So maybe i am fatigued like coach says?

I was glad to sleep in (til 6:30), but by 4pm, I was thinking I might blow off this rest day and go for a run. But the universe tends to give you what you need...and i ended up having to work late. And just an extra hour of intense brain power left me drained of energy.

I came home to an email indicating we're taking it easy for the remainder of the week. And while this saddens me a tad, I trust my coach. So, here I sit, sleepy-time tea in hand, after having done laundry, dishes, vacuuming, grocery shopping, and NO swim/bike/run, willing to follow instruction. Mostly. :)

Signing off. Good night.

SIKE!

So, I was eagerly awaiting my training plan for the week. And yesterday, it arrived!!!

I couldn't wait to open it...

The message said "KEY WEEK! Get the hours in with efforts. Good luck!". I opened the spreadsheet and scrolled down ...and the excitement fell from my face...and I think horror replaced it. I tallied up the hours. Fifteen. Yes, 15 hours!! WTF?! I thought this was taper?

I suddenly got that same feeling in my gut that I got when I was a kid and my older brother would give me some amazing news, like "mom is letting us skip school today so we can go to King's Island"...and follow it up with "SIKE!!" and laughter.

But, I have Worlds less than two months after IMKY. And I trust coach. I'm sure there is some strategy to this insanity.

I did have intentions to go to the grocery. And I wanted to do another load of laundry. But I also knew at that point, that I had no energy to waste on tasks that could wait. And I was exhausted. So, I was in bed by 8:30pm...

And up again at 4:30am for swim practice. I've come to view swimming as recovery. Even if it's 3k at a good intensity. It's just not as grueling as running. or riding for hours on end.

Thankfully, today was a fun practice. We were missing a few people with vacations and kids starting school, so we did long sets...which I love!

Tonight is the Cleves Time Trial. The first time i get to test the speed on the new ride. Can't wait!!

New digs, fresh legs and the silver lining

Forgone race entry fees: $280

Medical and prescription co-pays: $1,234

Non-refundable deposit on summer beach house: $1,600

Getting out before the d-bag put me 6 feet under: PRICELESS

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The lease on my current place is up at the end of the month and it just so happens that it's time for me to live alone. Without question. As noted above, I was supposed to be going to the beach for the summer, but that is no longer the case. I searched on Craigslist all morning Tuesday and found a perfect spot. Just so happens it was the first place I called. And it's amazing! Historic and full of character. Ten frikin' windows! Two bedrooms. A spacious lavatory. A mile to the gym. Blocks to the levee. And the landlord, well, she used to be a competitive cyclist!

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I'm still resting and recovering. Coaches orders.

This weekend is the American Triple T. I'm registered. I won't be competing, but I will be attending. I will be cheering on my friends; the participating members of Cincy Express. A nice long weekend watching others suffer. I've never done this. And I quite look forward to it.

So, while resting, I've been spending some time in Hamilton, at my dad's. He's visiting my brother in Galveston, so it's quiet. It's peaceful up there. Half a mile to the river bank and a bike/run path. His yard is like a miniature zoo. There's a pond and birds and benches and cobblestone. I find it impossible to sit there and not feel God. Clubber is having a good time as well.

I went for a run along the river Monday evening. A woman pushing a stroller stopped me and asked how much I have to run to look this way. Ha! That was the nicest thing a stranger had said to me in a long time. My run was just ok. My legs were feeling a little sluggish. I was tired.

Wednesday morning, I awoke and went for a run along the same path. It was cool outside. It was different so early in the morning. Only a few walkers. The path winds through a park, a wildlife observatory area, an old field, woods, and ends at another park. My legs were churning beneath me. They were on auto-pilot, moving without effort on my part. I finished 11 miles in just under 85 minutes. I felt strong again. And all I wanted to do was lie down for a nap, but work was calling. And so I went.

And today is a new day. And there is always a silver lining. As a good friend of mine always says, "Hey, it could be worse. You could be on fire."