Sunday, August 31, 2008

Sunday Run!

I decided to get up early again and run today. I did really well for myself. I ran more than I have in a very long time..like May..in one run. I did 2.8 miles in 40 minutes today. I actually did 2 miles in under 30 minutes again. I was very proud of myself. I also finished the month of August with the most logged miles in running with a final total of 16.5 miles. August was also my month for most logged miles in the pool of 22, 500 meters. It was a great workout month I just hope with school/work now that I can still continue to log all these miles/meters aka my workout. I guess it will happen since my life is pretty much eat, sleep, work, and workout! It's a great life!!!!

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Up Early on a Saturday to Bike!

Well I had a long week at school but I was up early every morning, except Friday(rest day) to workout. I felt refreshed, awake and ready for each school day. Monday I ran, Tuesday I bike, Wednesday and Thursday I ran again. Today I got up and hit the gym at 6:30am to ride the bike. I put in 11 miles this morning while reading an informative article about IEPs and interventions. It was very beneficial for me as an educator. I forwarded the articles on to my friend Stacy to get her profession opinon. Today I'm working at my second job, my part-time job, as an optical technician. I have worked here since 2000 while I attending school for my undergrauate degree and just never left. It's a great working environment and I get free contacts. Can you imagine, those of you that wear contacts, how nice it would be receive free contacts for 8 years!!!! My pocket book loves me. While as much as I love typing I should be getting back to filing paperwork.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Back to School..Back to School....

So I went to bed really early last night...like 7:30pm. I know I'm crazy. Well today was the first day back to school and I like to arrive early so I figured I hit the gym early. So I was up and at the gym by 5:30am. I ran 2.30 miles in 33 minutes. The mats were full so I headed home to shower up and head off to school. Overall, the day went well. I'm really beginning to like this early morning workout routine because now I can just head home and relax. Plus I can eat dinner right away and I don't have to worry about waiting to workout. Anyway, it's hard to believe another is underway. Tomorrow I'll be hitting the upright bike with Stacy at the butt crack of dawn. I can hardly wait. I'm thinking I will be going to bed early again, but not as early as last night.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Last Day in the Pool for a Week!

I'm really proud of myself today for swimming 3000 meters. I wanted to beat what I swam in June and so I did. I logged 22,500 meters in August. I wish I could have met my goal but with my allergies and the pool being closed I did my best. I am sure not ready for school to start tomorrow. So NOT looking forward to that at all. I did just finish my draft for Fantasy Football. I wasn't paying close enough attention because I drafted ALOT of players that have a bye week 4. Oops... so I loose that week or I do some dropping or trading. We'll see. Anyway, I'm thinking about plopping myself down on a couch and relaxing.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Couldn't Sleep

So last night I just could not fall asleep. The night before.. no problem, yet I was awoken an 1 1/2 into my slumber...not cool. Then last night so much stuff was running through my mind... I couldn't take it. I would have rather been running for real. Needless to say the alarm went off..which felt like 3 minutes later...and it was time for the gym. My mind was still going so it worked out all right. I did 2.30 miles on the treadmill...I even had a personal best today and completed both miles in 15 minutes a piece. I was so proud of me. My knees didn't hurt today either so that was good. Well I'm off to work... not really looking forward to a conversation I must have today with a fellow teacher. Hopefully it will go well (not a chance in Hell!!) I can only hope.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Beginning to like...

So I've now done an early morning workout 3 days in a row. I've swam, ran, and now biked prior to going in to work, yes I said it...work! I'm back to work. Grrrrr! I ran 2.1 miles yesterday which is good since I haven't ran in 2 weeks. I also did some ab work. Today I did 7.7 miles on the upright bike and walked to stretch out on the treadmill for 10 minutes. Now I'm off to school to sit and learn something.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Day Four of Swimming!

Well I did somewhat of a dress rehearsal this morning. I practiced getting up early to swim at the gym downtown and then head to work. The swim went great but I had to run an unexpected errand so the drive to school was slightly interrupted. I guess I will have to do it "for real" one day and hope I make it to work on time. I really do like working out in the morning though compared to the afternoon/after work. I think I'm going to try running tomorrow morning and then head to work. At least Y West is closer to my house and school. At least I did get 2000 more meters in today. I kicked my friend Stacy's butt in the pool today. She wanted to be done but I made her do 500 more meters. I think she silently wanted to kick my ass, but refrained. She said thanks after so it's all good. I figure I owe her.. she kicks my ass on the bike. It's kind of a give and take friendship. He he. Alright off to watch Travis play soccer. I hope it's not too hot and not too cold.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

When People Don't Show Up to Work

So I called the YMCA this morning to make sure the pool was open today as well as the time. I arrived at the pool and the lights were off. The doors were locked, and I was was wet. Well I had already put my swimsuit on and showered so I could hope right in the pool. When I went to get it there was another woman waiting too. So we waited, and waited, and waited....finally I ran to look down the hall to see if the lights were on yet. Anther girl was in the hall and asked me about the pool too. She said she would check upstairs. She came back with another swimmer and the information that the lifeguard got her dates mixed up, she was on her way. So we waited again. It wasn't until 11:45am that I finally got to get in the pool. I swam 2000 meters in 44 minutes. Once again I did an endurance swim. It felt great. I came home and proceeded to sit on my couch and drink a smoothie. I think I'm actually ready for the school year to start... I can't believe I said that, but I think I'm beginning to get a little bored. I think I like the idea of having work to do, but in all reality it's going to be A LOT more than I am asking for. This year is going to be a tough one, but I'm going to make it. Well tomorrow is my last day of vacation so I guess my wish for work to do will come true.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Endurance Swim

So I swam again. I think Phelps is motivating me. It could also be that I know that school is starting soon and the pool will be closed for an ENTIRE WEEK! So I decided to just pump out the laps in the pool today and take no breaks. I did 100o meters at a slow and consistent pace and then I sped up on the next 500 meters. Then I decided to sprint every other length. The final 500 meters I sprinted every other lap. I finished in 57 minutes!!! I am so proud of myself. I kind of like swimming without stopping. I actually think I'm finally starting to loose weight/inches. I've only worked my butt off (well not really cause it's still there) all spring and summer. It probably helps that I am currently 46 days caffeine, pop, and coffee free!

Friday, August 15, 2008

Yet Another Swim Day!

After a late night of watching Phelps win his 6th Gold medal and the women take gold and silver in gymnastics I headed to bed rather late. Yet I did manage to wake up at 6:30 am and hit the pool. I stayed pretty consistent for the first 100o meters. The next 500 meters I did some sprinting, which felt great. The final 500 I did in UNDER 10 minutes which for me is a personal best!!! I was able to sprint it out in 7 minutes so now I need to duplicate it tomorrow when I hit the pool yet again. I do not know what I'm going to do when I have to go back to school/work next week. Not to mention the week after that when the pool is CLOSED for an entire WEEK!! (tear...tear...) I guess I'll have to pick up the slack by doing some running and biking. Which will be a nice change. I'm actually curious to see how the new gloves I bought today will do when I ride. My hands seem to go numb when I ride, so I thought I'd try gloves with more padding. I'm off to relax and enjoy this 91+ degree day!!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Swim...Bike...but no Run!

Today was an early start to the day. My friend Stacy and I thought we would do a Tri of our own today. A swim, bike, and run. Well we started off in the pool by 7:15am and swam 1000 meters. I felt pretty good after that. The next step in the plan of attack was to drive to my place and take off on our bikes from here. We mapped a route on mapmyrun.com the other day to Sabin, MN and back. It turns out that it was 23.8 miles round trip, and we did accomplish that in about 1 hour and 50 minutes. We were cruising along and all was fine. We felt bad for the dead racoon on the side of the road, until we smelled it.. YUCK... PEE YOU...!!! Ok so we continued on. At one point we decided to up the speed and just pound it out.. it was great, it was fun, I was flyin...ok ok you caught me Stacy was flyin.. I was drafting:) But on the way back I was totally flyin, actually we both were...then again the wind may have been on our back. But I'm no meterologist so I cannot confirm that. It was a great ride and a slight bumpy ride. As we were riding I thought to myself.."gee we're gonna run after this, na I don't think so that would just be crazy." Just then my friend said, "hey I'm willing to scratch the run??!!" I was like ok sounds like a great idea. So it became a swim, bike, drink water, water, and more water. Overall, it was a great workout. The weather was beautiful (according to Hutch Johnson). Now I'm off to watch the fabulous Olympics and watch Phelps swim again.

Monday, August 11, 2008

The Swim that went On & On

Ok, so I took 2 days off from working out do to a sore back and some congestion. I'm thinking that 4 days in the pool last week wasn't the brightest decision. Anyhow, I slept most of yesterday. Some said I was "Lazy," but I prefer to think of it an involuntary muscle workout. So last night I forced myself to stay awake and am I glad I did, to watch the US Men's Relay Team win the GOLD! That was awesome. So that was motivation to get my butt up this morning and haul myself off too the pool. The first 1000 meters felt like they took 2 hours to accomplish. I couldn't get my body moving. The final 1000 meters went much better. I decided that sprinting was about the only thing that was going to make my body move and end what seemed like the swim that never ended.

Friday, August 8, 2008

8000 Meters by 8-8-08

I'm feeling very accomplished this week as I completed 8000 meters in the pool by 8-8-08! I must admit it took a lot to get my butt out of bed, but I was fully motivated to complete my goal. I'm thinking the task was a bit more difficult seeing as I biked 17.1 miles last evening. It was a great ride with only 1 near death experience. Basically a miscommunication with my riding buddy. I said "Yellow" and in my head I thought "GUN IT!" and she thought I meant "Stop!" So she stopped and I did my very best to brake, unclip, drag my foot, slide, wobble, and stear myself up onto the curb. I believe my heart was in my stomach or my stomach was in my heart... not too sure just know I was so glad I made it through in one piece. We will be discussioning our lingo for cycling prior to our next ride, for safety reasons:)