Weekly Training Update: 7/28-8/3

Notes from the week

• This training plan is getting R-E-A-L. Crazy real. I had a 14 x 400 workout on the plan, which also had a 2-mile warm-up and 1-mile cool down tacked on. If my math is right (and it's probably not), the workout would have been 8+ miles. I get the point of it. I do. But I don't know who, at my pace, with my schedule, has time for that. I'm cutting warm-ups and cool downs to make it work the best I can.
• Running with friends is the best. Running with all sorts of friends is even better. I didn't have to go out by myself once this week, and I will be forever spoiled. The house across the street from me is for sale, and I am trying to convince folks to purchase it as a timeshare, which would allow all of my running friends to be nearby.
• I have sort of forgotten that I am training for a triathlon. I did not get in the water once last week nor the week before. Biking has been marginally better but because of the most stressful week of work in my entire career, I did not get away for any spin classes. The Go Girl Triathlon is in less than three weeks, and it is time to get my rear in gear.
• Tami and I did our long run on Friday, and it was 190 percent awesome having it complete before the weekend. Sure, it made for some tired legs on Saturday but I loved the freedom on Sunday.
• My weight training has been a little different coming back from vacation, and I really want to get myself on my own lifting plan rather than relying on my classes for a resistance workout.

The week, in training:

Monday, July 28
CROSS TRAIN | Boot camp
The workout was based off 30-second segments, working up to 4-minute intervals. There were eight exercises total, each done for 30 seconds ... at a time. Programming genius that I am, there were 3 minutes of pushups.

Tuesday, July 29
RUN | 5.7 miles
Time: 53:54     Pace: 9:27

Early a.m. run with my BRF. And it was GLORIOUS. The cool temps + reserved pace made for a great run. I had some strides on the plan so she obliged me and we did 4 x 20 seconds.

Wednesday, July 30
RUN | 5.75 miles
Time: 50:57     Pace: 8:51

Plan: 2-mile WU; 14 x 400 at 3K pace w/2-minute recovery; 1-mile CD.
 Going into this, I knew I wouldn't have time to do whole workout. I compromised with 1-mile WU and 12 intervals.

Thursday, July 31
REST? 
I don't have anything marked for this day but I don't remember taking two rest days. Whatevs.

Friday, Aug. 1
RUN | 10.01 miles
Time: 1:34:50     Pace: 9:28

Workout: 2-mile WU; 4 x 1 mile @ 10K pace; 1-mile CD
Goal pace for the repeats was 8:20 but thanks to the awesome support of my husband, we were able to nail it - with negative splits. 8:13, 8:11, 8:08, 8:00. It was definitely tough at the end and I sort of wanted to die but I really showed up. The weather didn't hurt either thanks to the second coming of the polar vortex.

Saturday, Aug. 2
RUN | New Haven 10K
Recap here.

RUN | 3.84 miles
Time: 39:00     Pace: 10:09

Pushing a stroller in the heat - not so fun. Running with a friend - the BEST.

Sunday, Aug. 3
REST

Let's Go Girl!

It all started with a bike - a Giant Avail that I named Peaches.

I had told Mark that I wanted her. No. I needed her because 2014 was going to be the year of the triathlon.

I spent hours riding on her this winter, set up on the trainer in the basement, to get myself ready. I even got myself to the pool to swim laps ... once. But without a race on the calendar, my motivation was as lukewarm as the YMCA pool.

It wasn't for a lack of good intentions or searching. I browsed the local tri group's page and Trifind but nothing seemed to fit. I even started to fill out the registration for a local series but the thought of a triathlon in Indiana in April seemed like a less than ideal first race. Others that were later in the season conflicted with travel plans and other life things.

I was beginning to feel guilty for, well, guilting Mark into buying a road bike for me when just the right opportunity came along.

The Go Girl Triathlon in Indianapolis! 

I am excited to announce that I am ambassador for the women-only race, which will be Aug. 23 at Eagle Creek State Park. The USAT-sanctioned event includes a 500-meter swim, 10-mile bike and 3-mile run, which I think is perfect for my first foray into a multi-sport event. 

The event is managed by Tuxedo Brothers (follow them on Facebook and Twitter) and benefits The Julian Center, which provides services to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and other life crises.

With the race a little more than six weeks away, you can assume that my pool trips will be a little more frequent.

Triathlon vets: Any tips for me? And who wants to join me?!?

Disclosure: I approached Tuxedo Brothers about becoming an ambassador for the race, providing blog posts before and after the race in exchange for a comped entry. I am not being compensated in any way, and all opinions are my own.