Spring Break

I have not posted in awhile.  I hate to say I am training for any sort of race.  As soon as I do, I feel like my training falls apart and I am back to square one...setting goals that are never met.  I also am trying not to be hard on myself.  It is hard to exercise, work 40 hours a week outside the home and take early childhood ed classes.  I am grateful I can even squeeze in some exercise.  Sometimes at the expense of my sleep, but I am doing the best I can.

After my 11 mile run in late January on a Saturday morning, I did a shorter run that Sunday.  My knee hurt the entire time but it was not terrible.  It throbbed that whole Monday at work.  All I did for workouts that week was swim with my tri friends on that Wednesday.

February came.  I had a fundraiser dinner the first weekend.  I felt very behind on everything.  I spent a whole Saturday working on fundraising and early childhood ed classes.  I felt like I did not get a weekend.   Rob and I had communication issues.  Work felt stressful.  One thing after another.  My workout regiment was inconsistent.

I got the referral end of January to see a PT about my knee.  I finally went in mid February.  It was very informative.  Most of the IT band problems are as a result of weak hips.  She basically said the stretching and rolling I have been doing is fine.  It has not caused any damage or made anything worse.  It is like putting a band aid on the pain and it is not strengthening what needs to be strengthened.  I am doing five different exercised to strengthen my hips every night.  I have been pretty consistent with that.  I have to do some dynamic stretches before I run.  She said these are better than static stretches which are basically for after running...not beforehand.  She does not want me running more than 3-4 miles at a time right now.  She also does not want me doing squats or lunges.  I can only do squats with a band right now.  The stretches are helping.  I feel like I stretching areas of my hips that I have never stretched in my life.

My workouts the last couple weeks have been a little inconsistent.  I had really bad PMS this week and it affected both my moods and my sleep.  I also feel like I gained a lot of weight.  I think I have gained ten pounds since the fall.  I lost an unusual amount last fall from being sick with two GI bugs two and a half weeks apart.  I also was very stressed out with my new job and going back to work in general.   I would like to do the Hagg Lake triathlon in July.  I don't know if I want to do the sprint distance or olympic.  I think I will decide as we get closer.  I would like to do another marathon next fall or winter if my hip strengthens.

Last week I was right on track getting great workouts in.  Then I left work Thursday with a sore throat, chills, and extreme fatigue.  I ended up not going into work on Friday.  I tried to rest during the weekend.  I still have a bad cough and get coughing spells.  I cough to the point of gagging. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were all bad nights of sleep mixed with insomnia and coughing despite taking medicine. Last night was the first night I went without cough medicine and I slept pretty well.

Tuesday (3/27):  Ran 3:08 miles with an average pace of 10 minute miles

I made myself run today.  I was fighting with myself to get out the door.  I knew once I got going, I would enjoy the outside air.  I went a little slower than normal.  It was good getting outside again despite not having worked out since last week Thursday.  I am loving Spring Break.  I am welcoming the much needed down time with open arms.  I am glad Rob is home too.

Wednesday (3/28) Centergy

Wow it was so refreshing to go to Centergy.  The workout did not hurt nearly as bad as last two weeks.  Except I had to leave during the rest and recovery portion because I had a coughing fit that almost ended with me gagging.  Yuck.  I hate this cough.

Thursday (3/29) Group Ride

I went to Ride with the older two and they did awesome.  It was a great workout.

Friday (3/30)

I ran 3.31 (but it was probably closer to 4--Map My Run glitched) miles through Woodmansee Park over to Sumpter Park.  I felt slow at times, but I did not push myself to go super fast.  I have been hovering around the 3 mile mark since I started PT and I wanted to increase it to 4.

Saturday (3/31)

I did about 10 minutes of weight in the weight room...which I never been in even though I have gone to the same gym for like five years.  I liked the slower pace of doing weights on my own instead of going to Power.  I am really concerned about going to Power with all the lunges and squats.  My PT does not want me doing them unless someone is helping me with form.  Then I swam 1,000 yards afterwards and did a mix of pull, free, and kick.

My cough is significantly better and my sleep is getting normal again.  I am very sad to see Spring Break come to a close and get hit with reality on Monday.

Sunday (4/1) = Rest

I planned on finally getting my bike out today.  Come to find out my pump broke.  I lost the nozzle piece to it.  I was so disappointed and frustrated that I went to Fred Meyer to buy a new one.  I had to return something anyway.  They only had one for kid's bikes.  So I drove all the way to Big Five.  Which was closed of course with it being Easter.  Why am I driving all the over the place on Easter to buy a bike pump?  Because I am PMSing and pretty much crazy today.  That is the only reason I can justify it with.  So I finally bought one from Wal Mart.  It was a little confusing figuring how to change the valve to a presta valve.  I finally figured it out and put air in my tires.  So hopefully I can ride later this week.  I like biking.  I hate bike mechanics.  It makes me anxious and crazy.  I need to get over it.