Thursday and this morning!

Quick update for yesterday:
Master's swim practice. We focused primarily on strength, incorporating two specific drills - fist swim and swimming with your feet tied together with a band. I forget the mileage but it was 1hr15min swimming (I added 15min of easy pull).

Indoor bike: I felt awesome on the bike for this workout. It was a total of 2:30. I SHOULD have ridden outdoors because it was literally short weather (almost!) but I had intervals and it is so much easier when you just have to worry about the HR and not think about hills, terrain, wind etc. I kept telling myself I will be riding outdoor this weekend no matter what!

I ended the day with some light stretching and a good massage that focused on the calves, quads and hamstrings.
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Now for today - this is my LAST AND FINAL DAY OF WORK!!! Yahooo!! Whippee! [dancing with my upper body as I type]. Almost everyone I have spoken too (that is everyone in the sport of triathlon or young or part of the Generation X) think this is the best thing I can do! Others however (older folk that just don't understand going for your dreams - (because one, they didn't do that, or two- they had no dreams!)) think I am crazy and ask HOW WILL YOU LIVE! Well, I plan to race and train hard - hopefully make a name for myself, but if not (and also), use a credit line and whack up a bunch of debt. Well kidding aside, I will be basically living off the bank and HOPEFULLY finding sponsors to help me live this dream. The plan is to re-evaluate in 5+ years. Don't get me wrong, I love being a pediatric physiotherapist but it is just too hard to juggle time for a focused career in both. Either way, I LOVE TRIATHLON and am thinking after I learn a TON from Chuckie I will be able to coach others using his expertise, my experience (that will come) and my background in physiotherapy and health science.

Training: This morning started with a great swim practice. We did more IM and drills than Free but I did manage to get in 3 300s at base pace. It has been awhile since I could do that - either from the drills and type of workout at masters or just too tired. From here on out, I think more SOLO swimming will be in the plan so that I can increase my speed and focus on my racing.

So the plan for the rest of the day is work, nap and RUN.

Mon/Tues/Wed

I am going to start updating this more regularly but here is what was on the schedule thus far this week:
Mon - easy PC spin indoor 1hour, Masters swim 1 hour -plus a nap :) and some work.
Tues - hard bike - aerobic interval of 1hr15min with w/u and c/d, Masters 1.5hours - 4800m with some base pace, Run on treadmill with 25min at higher HR - still aerobic though.
Wed - easy masters swim that included s0me sprints - 1hr15, 50min run on the KVR trail - and a nap!

I am up early because I will be doing Masters at 5:30. I always need to eat before so hence the time!

Last week review

Last week was a solid week with 19.6 hours of training. However, this number is truly irrelevant - its quality that matters as well. Yesterday I didn't finish my bike workout because of tiredness and my HR was not able to stay at the high aerobic intensity. I made a good decision I think on cutting it short and taking a much needed nap. I have been fighting a stomach bug and I think that was part of the culprit. I did manage to have a pretty solid week other than yesterday. I ended the day with a nice run however, and felt great.

Literally 10 days or so until I am back down in California! I was able to get out on the bike once this week for a 3hour ride. Sweating kept me cold.

Update

Well it has been a few days since I have written so I thought I would provide an update on training and life.

Training is now increasing slightly. Last week was nice. I continue to still have some residual fatigue in the legs/muscles. I went and had a massage last week and am booked for another this week. Yesterday I had some tough intervals on the bike indoor. I had to play more mind games with myself to continue riding. I managed OK, but am feeling the effects today.

Power cranks are being used. Last Sunday I went outside with them and literally shot my legs off me. It was tough because I was climbing 1-5% grade for an hour or so. It is only going to make me stronger!

The bike barn has been helping me out with my new training bike I got from Cannondale. It is a cheaper model than my race bike but I actually love how it feels! I think it has a bit of a longer stem (other bike in CA so cannot measure). I am going to have to get these measurements to Chuckie because I think I am way more aero than before - and it feels great. I also got an awesome BIKE BARN jersey that I plan to wear as much as I can!

Chuckie has been busy with his Endure Camp. I miss the daily number of emails! Instead of 5 a day I just get 1 or less. :) I think it is good he is getting some time away from me though - he might get sick of me!

Home again

Well I made it safe and sound back to Penticton where the weather is relatively mild for this time of year (+4-6C). It doesn't match CA but I definitely am not complaining. My home town Prince George has tons of snow and lots of cold temperatures.

I have been slowly getting back into some training. Chuckie has me on a solid rest week so that my body may recover and hopefully come back stronger from out CA training. I have been using the Powercranks indoor a bit. Unfortunately my cleats have been changed in position on me (got them exchanged) and I am having troubles with medial knee pain. I think I solved it. I will find out tomorrow!

Exciting News has hit the forefront though! I have decided to give this triathlon career 100% and I quit my job! Yikes! I know the bank will love me for the amount of money I will need to loan in the next few years. :) and :( !

Day 26 - LAST RIDE :(

Well today was my last ride in Sunny Solvang until I head back down here for another month in about 1 month. I am not complaining that is for sure!

Today was spectacular blue skies, a great start with a local group ride and 2hr45min in zone throughout the 4hr45min ride. My legs were literally hitting bricks throughout the day and it was great to finish. It is amazing...when you think you can handle no more, you can. You just grunt through the negative crap and low n' behold another 30minutes goes by! I kept telling myself: 'Last ride...last ride...a break for a few weeks...you can do it...get your arse in gear....a few swear words....getting mad at Chuckie (why, no reason - just had to get mad at someone!)....being grateful Chuckie was there....back and forth from negative to positive. In the end, the positive thoughts won! And now I am done!

I got home, had some more fluids and food. We headed to the local track (made for Superstars - the best track I have ever seen) and I ran 20min at a snail's pace (I really do mean a snail's pace!). To finish the day Chuckie and I flopped our arms and legs in the pool trying to keep afloat for 20minutes.

Tomorrow I am OFF on a jet plane back home. I think my trip was a success and I know in a week I will be craving for more!

Day 24 and 25 - more learning on training

Yesterday: easy ride 2 hours (EZZZZZ) with some great photos and video camera stuff done for the upcoming Camps. 20minute run and 4300yard swim with 3000m of it as base pace. It was a good day. Chuckie had an unfortunate day with some Yahoo's but all in all, it was a day well spent. Lesson learned: STAY on Chuckie's good side! :)

Today: Chuckie and I rode 4-5 hours total. We rode to the beach, hung out, had a bite to eat and headed back in. It was a weird day of sorts because if I was feeling good we were going to try to get more time at the higher end aerobic zone but my upper back and stomach were aching. Too many beans (a bad food for me I think) the night before and I think the upper back pain was an accumulation of change in bike fit, BAD posture during resting and not stretching. We stopped throughout the bike ride to stretch and really concentrated on getting my body back into workable form. Right now I feel great! Oh, and I did a SUPER flop of 500yards.

Chuckie and I got to talk a lot during our time waiting at the library - and I have to say, that today everything he has been trying to explain to me CLICKED. It was like I finally switched on that brain of mine. I am sure he will have to continue repeating himself but I think I finally understand his premise on training AND not only does it make sense and works with his past esperience of coaching and racing, but I belieive in it! Believing is achieving. YOu have to trust your coach - and understand him/her. I get it now Chuckie!

Day 23 - best ride yet I think!

Yesterday Chuckie and I rode the best ride Jalama Beach. It was a great 4hour or so ride with some time 'in zone'. The beach was FANTASTIC!! I always forget to bring my camera and words just don't justify the park we sat and had a bite to eat.

Also on the agenda yesterday was a 40min run and a EZ flop swim of 1000yards.

Only 4 days left on my vacation!!! Yikes!

Day 22 - BACK attack

Today started fairly mellow with a 3900yard swim. Chuckie had me do some swimming with flippers. It was nice to mix it up - it makes you use muscles that are otherwise asleep most of the swim.

After the swim Chuckie called and said pack your bags - warm clothes, food and all because we are heading up Broadcast Peak. Its a good route up around 4500ft. The plan originally was to do the ride twice. Unfortunately the first 30minutes of the ride my back was hurting a lot. It was almost enough for me to swear with Chuckie around but not quite. :) I think he has only heard me swear once - something I do regularly but not around people. (Except when things are EXTREMELY tough!). Anyhow, the climb continue to be hell for me but with Chuckie around, I was able to muster up the hill. He showed me a few tricks of the trade to help with preventing back pain and relieving it - all while riding. It was helpful. By the time we got to the top I was feeling much better. The wind was rather chilly and so after the 30min or so of descending, another attempt at the climb would have probably caused those tight muscles of mine to cramp up even more.

Chuckie is smart. We brought warm clothes, played it safe and above all...I learned a few more things today!


All in all it was a good day that ended with a 4pm Nap and some good stretching of the back and hamstrings.

Day 20 + 21

Yesterday: 3900yard swim with a 2oooyard TT: 40sec fast than two weeks ago! This is exciting! 4hr20min ride that was broken up because I couldn't find Chuckie! We were trying to meet up together but must have just missed one another. I ended up coming home, emailing him to make sure he was OK and then headed out again. I kept telling myself: What would Chuckie Do? :)

Today: I am tired and right after this post and a quick hello to Erik I am off to bed. We did a mellow swim (3100yards) because my body wasn't moving so swift in the water. I ran 45minutes and then we road mellow for ~3 or so hours with some video camera action! I haven't seen the pics but I am excited to see how I look on the camera!

Day 19 - EASY/Rest Day

Well the rain showed up again in Sunny Solvang (pronounced Sol- vanG [emphasized G sound) for anyone that cannot say it like me!). I had a pretty easy, lazy morning where I organized a lot of my stuff (that I keep piling and increasing daily for who knows where). The plan was an easy day of sorts: 1hour indoor ride EZ spin, 50min run outside EZ, and a 1000yard flop. Everything went well. Running is S-L-O-W-L-Y coming along. I look like an ogre trying to run though (or at least that is how I feel). In due time ....

Now for the good stuff! Cocymela is a company that has sponsored me with clothing that I honestly wear everyday! The clothing is for lounging, Yoga, training - anything - you name it! I even wear it to work. It is stylish, trendy and extremely comfortable. This may sound like a great advertisement (and it should really!) but it is more of a HUGE thank-you to such a great company. DAVE at Cocymela is awesome and really lives on the mission statement of Cocymela: Living the life you love! And that is exactly what I am doing! THANKS COCYMELA!!! In Chuckie's words, I look like I've walked straight out of a photo shoot, though compared to his "attire", almost everyone does! Anyway, I just want to say thanks to DAVE at Cocymela for all the great clothing. Be sure to check them out at www.cocymela.com!

Day 17 + 18

Yesterday: ez day. 3500yard swim where I got to pick 1500m of it! That was the best part! 20min mellow run and a 2hour ez spin.


Today: Epic ride 6hr37min (again!). I managed to get a solid 3hr22min in my higher end aerobic zone. It was a fun ride with some local riders. We attempted to go to the pool but there was a local swim meet.

Day 16 - a great run, AWESOME swim and good bike - all in Sunny weather!

Yesterday was a great day. I started off with a 49 min run (didn't want to break the 50min barrier just yet) just as the frost was melting and the sun was rising. Chuckie picked me up for a swim - in which prior to I felt a bit tired. I knew when I started the warm-up things felt pretty good. The actual main set was 2x1000s broken but because I was on form today we ended up doing 4x1000s broken. It felt awesome! (I am a bit scared to how I am going to feel this morning though!).

Just after lunch we went for a easy very mellow 2hour20minute ride. I was done early for the day so got in a few chapters of the great book I am reading. Reading is one of my favorite hobbies when lazing around is called for!