Early morning coffee run ride.
As you can probably guess from the fact that I never even posted my weekly blog last week, things have been crazy in the McCarthy Household. Work has been more hectic than usual, training is ramping up, and in the middle of everything, we are completely re-landscaping our front yard ourselves.
In the midst of all this chaos, I have been trying to take time to enjoy my family, my friends, and to enjoy the training process itself. Up to this point I have been actually preparing myself to be at a level where I can even do the first week of a full Ironman training schedule. I was not a strong swimmer, and I have been spending 3 days a week for the last seven months swimming at my local rec center pool. I have gotten to the point where I can swim about 2,000 yards in a little less than and hour, and I no longer feel like I am going to drown. I am nowhere near where I was hoping to be at this point with my swimming, but at least I still have almost six more months to improve my stroke and increase my speed.
So last Sunday, two days before the beginning of my Ironman training it finally happened--I fell off my bike. And I am not even sure that fall is exactly the word for what happened. I think it might really be classified as tipping over. I was going up a driveway and unclipped my right shoe so I could stop. When I pushed down on the pedal to get myself up the incline, my shoe reengaged itself and I was headed straight for the garage door. My only option was just to tip myself over and hope for the best. I landed on my right shoulder and bumped my right knee and foot as well. I was sore, but thankfully no permanent damage. Not a great start to a time when I really need to be at my very best.
Tuesday was D-Day--do it day, but I must admit that despite all the anticipation and preparation, I actually missed my very first day of training. I was fighting a little cold, my shoulder was hurting, and I actually had to be on the road by 6:30 am to attend a meeting in Riverside. This was a hard decision for me because I also knew that there was no way for me to make it up--I had eight hours of work followed by three hours of tutoring, a dinner date with some friends, and even I need a little sleep.
The next morning I was up at 3:30 am, so I could be in the gym pool by 4 am. I had a 7:30 meeting with some teachers, so I knew I had to complete my workout by no later than 6:15. If you can believe it, there were actually three people in the pool before I even got there. Honestly, I could not believe how many crazy people would be up swimming at that god awful hour. A nice couple decided they could double up in a lane, so I could complete my swim workout. I jumped right in and completed the 1,900 yards my workout required, and I added an extra 200 for good measure. I figured that my training had brought me to be able to do 2,000, and I was not going to do any less than that.
At about 5 am I finished my swim workout and headed to the locker room to change. I cannot believe how many things I had to remember so that I would be prepared for both sports and a shower and change for my work day. Spin class started at 5:30, and I knew I had to be on my bike by no later than 5:15, so I attempted to change quickly. One thing I learned this week is that wet, chlorinated skin and a tight sports bra do not mix. I honestly spent more than 10 minutes trying to untwist my bunched up sports bra and pull it over my my shoulders and back--and I don't have much to pull it over. It seemed the more I fussed with it, the more bunched up it became. I began to contemplate attending class without my bra, but I knew that the up and down nature of spin class would require some restraint, even for my tiny bosom. After 20 minutes I was finally in my bike clothes, on my bike, and ready for the workout.
After 50 minutes of spinning I rushed to the shower so I could make it in time for my early morning meeting. However, when I looked in my carefully packed gym bag, I had forgotten shampoo, a razor, my foundation make-up, and my pair of shoes ended up being two very similar, but different shoes. I decided that I better rush home to clean up, and thankfully made it to my meeting with a couple minutes to spare--and this was just Day 1 (well technically Day 2, but from here on we will forget about that first missed day)!
Day 2 was a lot smoother. I woke up at 4:15 am, so that I could get in an hour bike ride on my trainer before meeting my running buddies at 5:45. The thing I love about the trainer is that I am able to catch up on my favorite TV shows as I get my exercise in. Today's selection--Ellen. I know I said that Ellen was going to take the backseat to Jillian and The Biggest Loser, but the truth is I haven't even watched one Biggest Loser this season. I missed the first two episodes, and I refuse to watch any of them until I can get the back stories on all the contestants. So Ellen it was. At 5:30 I was off the bike and into my running clothes for a quick 3.5 mile pre-dawn run with Joe, Scott, and Danielle (Kay was with us in spirit).
On Day 3 Emily was able to meet me for our swim and bike workout. Em is a swimmer, so she was able to give me a few pointers today. My kick is definitely my weakness, so she pushed me to make more splash and point my toes in a little. Good thing, my kick was stronger. Bad thing, my legs felt like jello before we even hit the bikes. Today I remembered to bring a slightly larger sports bra, so I could avoid the wrestling with my undergarments. We decided to do a random hill climb function on the stationary bike, and my jello legs were definitely pushed to their absolute limits. By the time we got back in the car 2 1/2 hour later, I was a little shaky in my legs, but so happy to have my workout done by 8 am.
In the midst of all this chaos, I have been trying to take time to enjoy my family, my friends, and to enjoy the training process itself. Up to this point I have been actually preparing myself to be at a level where I can even do the first week of a full Ironman training schedule. I was not a strong swimmer, and I have been spending 3 days a week for the last seven months swimming at my local rec center pool. I have gotten to the point where I can swim about 2,000 yards in a little less than and hour, and I no longer feel like I am going to drown. I am nowhere near where I was hoping to be at this point with my swimming, but at least I still have almost six more months to improve my stroke and increase my speed.
So last Sunday, two days before the beginning of my Ironman training it finally happened--I fell off my bike. And I am not even sure that fall is exactly the word for what happened. I think it might really be classified as tipping over. I was going up a driveway and unclipped my right shoe so I could stop. When I pushed down on the pedal to get myself up the incline, my shoe reengaged itself and I was headed straight for the garage door. My only option was just to tip myself over and hope for the best. I landed on my right shoulder and bumped my right knee and foot as well. I was sore, but thankfully no permanent damage. Not a great start to a time when I really need to be at my very best.
Tuesday was D-Day--do it day, but I must admit that despite all the anticipation and preparation, I actually missed my very first day of training. I was fighting a little cold, my shoulder was hurting, and I actually had to be on the road by 6:30 am to attend a meeting in Riverside. This was a hard decision for me because I also knew that there was no way for me to make it up--I had eight hours of work followed by three hours of tutoring, a dinner date with some friends, and even I need a little sleep.
The next morning I was up at 3:30 am, so I could be in the gym pool by 4 am. I had a 7:30 meeting with some teachers, so I knew I had to complete my workout by no later than 6:15. If you can believe it, there were actually three people in the pool before I even got there. Honestly, I could not believe how many crazy people would be up swimming at that god awful hour. A nice couple decided they could double up in a lane, so I could complete my swim workout. I jumped right in and completed the 1,900 yards my workout required, and I added an extra 200 for good measure. I figured that my training had brought me to be able to do 2,000, and I was not going to do any less than that.
At about 5 am I finished my swim workout and headed to the locker room to change. I cannot believe how many things I had to remember so that I would be prepared for both sports and a shower and change for my work day. Spin class started at 5:30, and I knew I had to be on my bike by no later than 5:15, so I attempted to change quickly. One thing I learned this week is that wet, chlorinated skin and a tight sports bra do not mix. I honestly spent more than 10 minutes trying to untwist my bunched up sports bra and pull it over my my shoulders and back--and I don't have much to pull it over. It seemed the more I fussed with it, the more bunched up it became. I began to contemplate attending class without my bra, but I knew that the up and down nature of spin class would require some restraint, even for my tiny bosom. After 20 minutes I was finally in my bike clothes, on my bike, and ready for the workout.
After 50 minutes of spinning I rushed to the shower so I could make it in time for my early morning meeting. However, when I looked in my carefully packed gym bag, I had forgotten shampoo, a razor, my foundation make-up, and my pair of shoes ended up being two very similar, but different shoes. I decided that I better rush home to clean up, and thankfully made it to my meeting with a couple minutes to spare--and this was just Day 1 (well technically Day 2, but from here on we will forget about that first missed day)!
Day 2 was a lot smoother. I woke up at 4:15 am, so that I could get in an hour bike ride on my trainer before meeting my running buddies at 5:45. The thing I love about the trainer is that I am able to catch up on my favorite TV shows as I get my exercise in. Today's selection--Ellen. I know I said that Ellen was going to take the backseat to Jillian and The Biggest Loser, but the truth is I haven't even watched one Biggest Loser this season. I missed the first two episodes, and I refuse to watch any of them until I can get the back stories on all the contestants. So Ellen it was. At 5:30 I was off the bike and into my running clothes for a quick 3.5 mile pre-dawn run with Joe, Scott, and Danielle (Kay was with us in spirit).
On Day 3 Emily was able to meet me for our swim and bike workout. Em is a swimmer, so she was able to give me a few pointers today. My kick is definitely my weakness, so she pushed me to make more splash and point my toes in a little. Good thing, my kick was stronger. Bad thing, my legs felt like jello before we even hit the bikes. Today I remembered to bring a slightly larger sports bra, so I could avoid the wrestling with my undergarments. We decided to do a random hill climb function on the stationary bike, and my jello legs were definitely pushed to their absolute limits. By the time we got back in the car 2 1/2 hour later, I was a little shaky in my legs, but so happy to have my workout done by 8 am.
One of the beautiful views along my Day 4 ride.
Day 4 had me doing 2 hour and 30 minute of up and down and very challenging hills from Temecula to Fallbrook and back with Karrie (I do get around, don't I?). I felt very strong going up the hills, even the ones I have found challenging in the past. In addition, I concentrated on being brave going down the steep slopes. I hit the brakes a bit, just not as much as usual. I must admit that I love being on the bike outdoors much more than either the spin class or the stationary bike work.
And once I finished my bike ride I only needed to do a 25 minute run to practice the transition from biking to running. It wasn't my best run. I was very tired and the week of intense workouts is definitely taking its toll on me. Those three miles felt like ten, but I pushed myself because I knew I needed to just get it done.
Sunday will be the last workout for the week, and the last workout before a much needed day of rest. I will be swimming about 2100 yards and then doing an hour and a half run with Emily at the gym. I am looking forward to the end of week 1--it was tough, but I WILL survive!
And once I finished my bike ride I only needed to do a 25 minute run to practice the transition from biking to running. It wasn't my best run. I was very tired and the week of intense workouts is definitely taking its toll on me. Those three miles felt like ten, but I pushed myself because I knew I needed to just get it done.
Sunday will be the last workout for the week, and the last workout before a much needed day of rest. I will be swimming about 2100 yards and then doing an hour and a half run with Emily at the gym. I am looking forward to the end of week 1--it was tough, but I WILL survive!
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