Tumbling Towards Something

I Hate Re-Runs

I don’t watch a whole lot of television. The only thing I regularly turn the television on for is Grey’s Anatomy or a Red Sox or Patriots game. And I can usually count on the sports to be new materail.  But I hate it when I am expected a new Grey’s Anatomy and then I get comfortable, plop down onto the couch, and a RERUN comes on. I’ve been looking forward to a new episode all week, and then they show one I’ve already seen. Come on ABC, get some new episodes out!

Went for Run

I procrastinated for a while, but finally got myself out the door for a 3.1 mile run The time was 31:15. Earlier this summer my time was around 27:00 or so. The huge time difference really shows my lack of running lately! I just want to finish with a decent time for the triathlon this Sunday.

(c) Amanda Graham

Swim: I haven’t had a pool to train in so I’m not too sure how that is going to go on Sunday. However, in the Cohasset Triathlon the swimming was my strongest leg.

Bike: When I did the Cohasset Triathlono I’d only ridden my current bike about once, even though I’d done training on an older mountain bike. I’ve also been doing more biking since I got it, especially since I’ve started hanging out with Pete as it’s a lot more enjoyable on a faster bike and with someone else.  I’m hoping to get a better bike time for this triathlon, but it’s going to be harder to compare because this one is only 10 miles and the previous one was 12 miles.

Run: During the Cohasset Triathlon I thought the run would be my strongest leg, but it ended up being in the middle. I finished with a time around 30 minutes so it was a solid pace for me as my best 5K time was around 27 minutes. Right now I’m only running 30-32 minute 5Ks though because I’ve fallen off on training. That’s a bit troublesome considering I’ve been running on fresh legs for these since I haven’t even been riding 10 miles before doing these runs.

Overall I’m expecting to better though, just because I now know just how far it feels like and I can push myself harder than I did for the Cohasset Triathlon. I’m also excited because Sunday’s weather is supposed to be beautiful.

Intervals Run

Today I did some intervals. I base my workouts off of the runnersworld.com triathlon training calendar. Today’s called for a 35 minute run with 3x Thresholds. That basically means run for a total of 35  minutes, and during that 35 minutes, do 3 sets of 3 minute intervals (3 min. 5k pace, 3 min. recovery pace). Back when I was training for the Cohasset Triathlon and running a lot, I could do these. However, I haven’t been running quite as much so I’m not quite at the 3 minute interval point yet. Maybe I run too fast during the intervals, I’m not sure. Either way, 3 minutes just ain’t gonna happen. So I did 4 or 5 sets of 2 minutes on, 2 minutes recovery instead. This may not be a perfect solution, but I feel that a) I’m still running and burning calories and increasing cardiovascular fitness and b) I’m still doing intervals which break down the muscle and then give it the opportunity to repair itself to a larger state.

Time was 24:55. I probably did about 2 3/4 miles. I’m working on getting back to measuring my distance but haven’t gotten there yet.

Oh, and I also taught some tennis lessons afterwards.

Bike & Run

I  just got back from a bike and a run, i.e. a brick workout. It was a short one as I have to coach a soccer practice at 5:30.

I don’t know the distances (saving up to get a bike computer), but the times were 30 minutes on the bike and then a 7-minute run. The run was probably about .3 miles.

According to my training plan from runnersworld.com I was supposed to ride for 50 minutes with 18 minutes of that at tempo speed (a little short of race speed) and then do a 10-minute run. So what I did was the modified version.

I’m a little concerned about my swim training since I haven’t been able to do it since the pool I used for the Cohasset Tri is closed for the summer. It’s not opening until Sept. 15th—only a week before the Nantasket Triathlon.  I’m open to any recommendations on places to swim for free near Abington, MA.

Fallen Behind

I seem to fall in and out of exercising and also writing about it. I am going to make an effort to get back into both habits regularly. The exercising has been going well, but I haven’t written a whole lot.

In summary, I’ve been biking with a new friend Pete. He just got into cycling himself and got a really awesome new road bike. It’s much more fun to train with someone. I’ve always known that, but had been loath to drive further than I was going to run or ride.  So I’ve been doing some cycling. I do need to adjust my front brakes, but hopefully will get that done today.

I’ve also gotten back into the running. Ran the other day, walked 3 miles yesterday for a fundraiser, and ran 3 miles today as well.

Most of this training is in preparation for the Fantastic Nantasket Beach Triathlon coming up on Sept. 21. I won’t be as well trained as I was for the Cohasset Triathlon, but I hope to finish in about the same time since I will be more used to my bike by then.

Today’s run: 3.1 miles, 34:04.

Night Running

Tonight I made dinner over a friend’s house and we ate, watched the Red Sox replay and figured out some stuff for the community tennis lessons we’ve been doing.

When I got home I felt like I hadn’t done any exercise at all today, so I went for a quick run. It was nice but it made me realize how dark my neighborhood is unless people have their lampposts on. I was glad to have my handy reflective belt on for safety.

Time: 12:19

Distance: 1.3 miles.

Exercizzle

Rode my bike to Island Grove today. It’s a town park with a swimming “pool” area from the lake. Considered swimming there but it was way too crowded withh little kids for me. Maybe earlier in the mornings….4.8 miles there and back, 24 minutes bike time.

Also rode down the street and back to pick up lunch. Gotta save gas!

And played tennis for about an hour and a half or so. My legs are way tired since they’re not used to tennis lately. Afterwards almost everyone there was going over to the track to run or walk…So I went to and did a quick mile in 9:36.

In NH for the week

I’m up New Hampshire at our summer house for the week so I’m not sure when i’ll be posting.

Went for a short kayak and then about 6 mile bike ride with my mom earlier today.