Week 15 came and went  - IT was a tough week mentally and physically.  

Now we're on to week 16.  This is the LAST week in the speed/quality phase and it's already almost done!  That means this is the LAST HARD week!!!  Week 17 begins taper phase and then I'm almost there!

In case you are wondering what I do with myself, I'm going to bore you with a detailed log of this last tough week.  Don't be jealous of my exciting existence.  

Starting with Munday Munday.  The alarm went off around 5:40.  IT seemed entirely too early. Mandatory snooze was in order.  Remembered the pool gets cleaned on Munday mornings so finally dragged myself out of bed close to 6.  Grabbed my pre-packed bag and drove the Panther to the gym.  All of the lanes were full in the pool.  Just my luck - pushing the time and apparently my luck.  Sat down on the step leading back into the gym to wait.  Oh, and I want to add that it was cold.  I first tried to look sad, hoping the swimmers in the pool would feel sorry for me and offer up their lane.  That didn't work so next I tried stink eye.  Finally, My. Flarer in lane 3 got out.  Now I was running really short on time and knew my leisurely swim had suddenly turned into a race.  Rinsed off in the hot shower and quickly ran and jumped into the heated pool, which didn't feel so heated on this fine Munday.  Got all 1500m in just in time for the 24-Hour pool cleaning guy to come on out.  After getting showered up at the gym it was off to cube wonderland!  Work was as per usual - not all that exciting.  Left promptly at 5 to head home and bike.  Procrastinated a bit at home and finally got on the bike at 6:45.  An hour and a half later, got off my bike.  Showered up, mixed up some muscle milk and made some toast.  All of the sudden, it was getting late and time for bed.  Packed up my swim bag for the next day and got in bed around 10.

Tuesday Tuesday - Alarm goes off at 5:30.  Get up shortly thereafter.  Pet Cal and Chloe.  Fill up the cat food.  Grab swim bag and out the door.  In the pool at 6:10.  Had it all to myself for about 1 minute.  Then it was filled.  AJP came shortly thereafter and shared a lane with me.  For whatever reason the pool was hopping.  I was a little distressed because I had a long workout, the other lanes weren't budging and there were people waiting!!  Another lane got out and 2 of the people waiting shared a lane.  Mr. Euro-Speedo-Snob showed up, grew impatient and then took off.  By some miracle, no one else showed up and I was able to complete all 2500m.  Showered up at the gym and then headed to cube wonderland for another enthralling day.  Had a little head ache at work so after my 8 hours, headed home.  Took a short nap on the couch with Calvin.  Then it was time for the run "quality" workout of the week.  Headed to the gym and warmed up on the treadmill for 1.5 miles.  Then it was time for the 800 m repeats.  I did 6 of them, wogging 400 m in between each 800 m interval.  It was intense.  After all of that, it was a 1.5 mile cool down.  This added up in total to over 7 miles.  I was a bit tired!  Got home just after 9, showered up, made a salad and was ready for bed.  

That brings me to Wednesday.  Wednesday is sleep-in/1 workout day!  Slept in until almost 7!  IT was so nice!  Got up and got ready for cube wonderland.  Then I was off.  After a full day at work (lucky to be busy today), came home and set the bike up on the trainer.  Today is bike quality workout day.  After spinning an easy 30 minutes, it was time for intervals.  Cranked up to a higher gear and did 6 minutes hard, 2 minutes easy for 6 reps.  Then cooled down an easy 30 minutes.   Showered up, cooked some dinner and now here I sit.  I'm really tired.  IN fact, it's almost 10 and time to pack up for tomorrow's swim workout.  Tomorrow is another early morning, but the week is almost done!  

Now you know, how boring I am :)  Hope everyone is doing well out there!  

Week 15 is here already - 4 to go!

The day started with an EARLY swim.  Whoever developed the idea of a time change is a cruel individual - As if "Spring Forward" really makes me feel happy and perky to have my alarm blaring at 5:30 a.m. (4:30 a.m. body time).  Crawled over to the pool and had a rather slow swim this a.m.  Now I am procrastinating getting on my bike.  Anyone got any extra motivation today?

Week 14 was good.  Speed/Quality workouts continued on, with the increase of repeats in each of the events.  It left me quite tired.  On Saturday I completed the biggest brick workout of the program in order to get both long weekend workouts done before my trip to the desert to cheer on AJP in the Desert Tri.  I started with a 50-mile bike all by my lonesome up the Coast.  It was a pretty day and I had a good time.  From there I came home, swapped clothes and headed out for a 90-minute run on the beach.  By this time, my legs were a bit unhappy with the rest of my body.  I crawled along at a pathetic pace causing me to get passed by even the slowest woggers on the beach.  Oh well.  I made it though!  Came home with just enough time to shower, pack and head out on my merry way.

Sunday I watched the Desert Tri.  It was fun to be a spectator rather than a competitor.  Even though the alarm went off at 5 (4 am body time), I took comfort in the fact I would not be running, biking or swimming that day!  The event seemed fun and I camped out underneath a nice palm in between events while AJP was sweating it out!  He did great though and I was glad to be there to support his efforts!

Well, I suppose I should go get on my bike now.  Ta Ta for now!

Gran Fondo = Gran Divertimento!

It was a beautiful weekend in San Diego - Record highs and lots of sunshine! Today was the first Gran Fondo ride in the United States! I think it was a big success. Over 1,000 cyclists gathered before 7 a.m. in San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood for one of two races - There was the century, complete with over 4,500 feet of climbing, and then there was the 45-miler. We opted for the 45-miler. All of the riders took off at the same time in waves and headed south on Harbor Drive. It was a superb morning complete with sun and perfect temperatures. We headed south towards Chula Vista and tried to avoid some of the "less aware" cyclists (including "steer clear")... Witnessed (or rather just missed) an accident at the railroad tracks. Eventually made it out to the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista. This was cool as I had never been out there. We actually had an aid stop in the training center and got to do a loop through and see all of the facilities - very cool and thought of dear sister Amanda. Looped around and headed back to downtown, finishing up in Little Italy to a victor's fanfare (wanted to raise my arms up Tour style, but refrained due to coordinational issues). The race was really well organized, especially for the first time this event was even held! The riders were (mostly) friendly and the pasta lunch afterwards, was kick-arse. Lots and lots of fun! I would definitely recommend to those around next year!

Yesterday was also a nice day, complete with a 90-minute run on the beach. The sun was stronger than I realized and I ended up a little fried/burned on my arms. Oops! Got to remember to get some sweat proof sunblock. But, guess I can't complain as it's in the teens back in Michigan right now.

This past week (week 13) was the first week of the Speedwork/Quality Phase. The program I used calls for one "quality" workout in each of the events. The run quality work was first on Tuesday night. This involved some 800 m intervals. I actually really enjoyed the workout as it really gives me a chance to push myself (speed) running. Wednesday was the bike quality workout. I did this by jumping up a few rings to increase the resistance for 3-minute intervals. Also fun (was also watching American Idol while biking, which increased my amusement)... Thursday was the swimming quality workout. I forgot what I was supposed to do, but knew the total distance was supposed to be 2300m so I threw in some 50 and 100 m repeats trying to increase my speed during the lap and resting 15 seconds in between. Fun Fun Fun! Now I'm on to week 14 - Can't believe it's week 14 already!!!! Sadly, muffin top remains though general strength and endurance have increased. Such is life!

OFF to bed. Sleep awaits! Peace.