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March 6, 2007
The Writing is on the Wall
First my dad informs me that he is going to Austin for a conference. Then my co-worker (who didn't know of my Austin scheme) tells me her and her husband are going to Austin for a trip. Next I wake up and discover that it's 12 degrees with a -2 windchill and we are supposed to get 3-6 inches of snow tonight. Quite frankly, only one conclusion can be drawn. Roxy and O - pack your bags - Austin here we come!
I seriously can't talk or think about our weather anymore though. It only causes heartache and pain for everyone involved... :)
Anyway, this morning I went to the pool. Surprisingly I didn't want to get into the freezing cold water (note the sarcasm). But then I reminded myself of how cold that water (wetsuit or not) was going to feel in May in a lake in Columbia, MD. And I got my butt in gear. I seriously need a kick in the pants sometimes.
AM swim workout:
2500 yds total @YMCA
wu: 300 easy, 12x25 w/15 sec rest descending
ms: 100 w/15 sec rest (1:20), 200 w/30 sec rest (2:42), 300 w/45 sec rest (4:03), 600 w/1:30 rest (8:02), 3x50 w/30 sec rest (40, 40, 39), 3x50 w/20 sec rest (38, 38, 38), 3x50 w/10 sec rest (37, 37, 36)
cd: 250 easy
After work I scooted on home for a run and ride. I opted to run first because it was still very cold and the thought of going out to run after I'm all sweaty from riding inside does not appeal to me. The run was 60 minutes. I did a pace check on the track - 8 min pace today. I can definitely tell my pace is getting faster at my new lower HR ranges.
I especially noticed this HR phenomenon on the bike today. Holy cow did I have to work a lot harder than usual to keep my HR up! Part of it, I'm sure, is from being a little fatigued but I also think I'm finally starting to see the effect of getting fitter. My coach said this would happen but I'm just incredibly impatient and don't like to wait around for stuff like aerobic development. I think in the long run I'm going to be really glad it was forced on me. Anyway, my ride was 1:15 today. 3 hours total today.
I'd like to note that I've taken to wearing 2 sweatshirts to bed. I usually wear a short sleeve, long sleeve and then 1 sweatshirt but by adding the 2nd sweatshirt (that is hooded no less) I've been able to maintain some semblence of warmth. This in addition to my fleece pants, wooly socks, about 8 blankets and then finally Roxy curled at my feet of course... I'm thinking of wearing my winter hat tonight too. Do those of you who live in cold climates ever forget what it feels like to be warm? If I try with all my might I just can't recall what it feels like to walk outside and be hot. Clearly I need a trip to Hawaii!
Posted by beth at March 6, 2007 8:45 PM
Comments
With all of the layers of clothes and dog in the bed, I'm surprised there's any room for me in there. Also, we can't move to Austin---how would I follow my beloved (yet miserable) Pittsburgh Pirates???
Posted by: O at March 6, 2007 9:36 PM
Do you sleep outside in a tent or something?! I've never heard of anyone having to wear that much to bed! Maybe it's your lower body fat :-) I'm a cold person (always) but even I do not wear that much to bed.
Posted by: Alison at March 6, 2007 9:54 PM
One good thing about my last apartment was my landlord paid for the heat-which was always on full blast in the winter since I couldn't control the temperature myself. I used to sleep in t-shirts with the windows open.
The pool is so cold!!! I feel your pain honey!
Posted by: Audrey at March 6, 2007 10:47 PM
We just have a really old, drafty, cold house. And we have our thermostat programmed to drop way down at night in an attempt to save $$$ on gas. Sooooo when I get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom I realize how cold I am and the shivering begins.... :) However with my new 2 sweatshirt scheme I'm doing pretty good!
As for you O - you can follow those miserable Pirates in Austin via a little invention they came up with a few years ago - the internet!
Posted by: Beth at March 7, 2007 6:56 AM
i'm curious to know how the flip turns are going. have you started doing them in your regular workouts?
Posted by: regular reader at March 7, 2007 10:13 AM
Ahh...the flip turns!! Yeah, haven't really integrated those yet into the main sets. I still play around with them every once in a while. I suppose I feel no real need to push myself because my swims are all in open water this year...and I'd rather spend time working hard on my swimming fitness instead. You've got me thinking again about those flip turns though...
Posted by: Beth at March 7, 2007 10:20 AM
wow... i thought spring was right around the corner for you... if you love mild winters and HOT summers you will love the south...
Posted by: Kranky C Dale at March 7, 2007 4:25 PM