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January 23, 2008
Busy, Busy!
Things are busy around here at the Shutt place - mostly in preparation for our trip to the midwest this weekend! I've been fitting in some extra workouts each day so I don't miss any training and then of course there is all the household jobs. O is currently out grocery shopping while I'm doing the laundry and...um...well...blogging! :)
But of course we all know training comes before household duties so I made sure to get in my 3000 yd swim this morning which was a confusing maze of a main set including some sort of sequence like 175/25/150/25/125/25/100/25/75/25 and some 50s and there were 100 kicks in there and, oh yes, some pull. Good thing I had it all written down! I think I did it correctly too because I did indeed end up at the right end of the pool when all was said and done!
Then came work (boring). Then, once home I set out for my run. This time of year I don't have any speed work but I do have a "tempo" workout in each sport. Well the tempo involves keeping your HR down below what Mark calls our aerobic max (basically it's like zone 1 and 2) which all last year meant that it was just another run, bike and swim for me. Because I had such a hard time keeping my HR down below my aerobic max, tempo day didn't really allow for anything much faster.
Somewhere along the line, this has seemed to change though. Today I was actually having to push a little harder and found myself watching my HR monitor like a hawk to make sure my HR wasn't too LOW! Quite a change of events! All last year it was - dang, HR too high, slow down...dang, HR too high again, slow down. I don't think I ran much faster than 8 minute pace EVER (except during speed workouts and races) and sometimes would have to run 9 minute pace to keep my HR in the correct range.
Today I found myself running 7:20 pace in the midst of my run. What. The. Heck? I was surprised to say the least. Surprised because 7:20 pace used to yield a HR in the 170s (or at least high 160s)! Of course I don't suspect I'll be able to start doing all my runs at 7:20 pace but I have to tell you - after a year of frustration and trying to build a better aerobic engine and base, today felt awfully rewarding. (now watch - tomorrow I'll be running 8:30 pace and my HR will be in the 160s! :)
Regardless, after the run I did some strides and then hit up the weight room for my lifting session that is usually on Friday but now switched to tonight. The weight room was very busy but I didn't have to wait too long for any one piece of equipment.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go get that laundry... Have a great night everyone!
Posted by beth at January 23, 2008 8:03 PM
Comments
YES! I know and love that feeling of a lower HR at a faster speed! Cool news, I am so stoked for you. AND with the swimming... I am laughing, I am about that same darn level-if I end up at the right end of the pool I counted right! ha ha! Enjoy your trip and I am excited for you to report an even faster FASTER faster time on that same HR come this season!
Posted by: Bree at January 23, 2008 8:58 PM
Nice Job Beth! Awesome that your aerobic engine is performing SO WELL - very cool stuff. You must have felt like you were flying along! Excellent. Like Bree, I had a great laugh when I read your comment about ending up at the right end of the pool for your swim. As someone who is notorious for loosing track of her laps, I can relate. Have a very safe drive and enjoy your weekend!
Posted by: Marit C-L at January 24, 2008 10:55 AM