No, I’m not developing a stutter. I discovered what a brick/brick is in terms of training this week, and it was pretty cool. Grueling, but cool. For those of you who go about your life never even knowing what brick training is, you’re not missing out on anything – trust me. It’s not like gelato or kobe beef or anything like that. But, if you do enough “bricks,” you can have all the kobe beef and gelato you want afterward.
For the purposes of my training this week, we focused on transitions. The “transition” in Duathlon (or Triathlon) is when you change from the run to the bike or bike to the run. In a race where seconds count, the time you take in transition could mean the difference between winning and losing. It’s that important. And so, what’s the best way to get quicker at transitioning? Practice of course! So on a sunny (and windy!) Saturday, I set up a transition station in my garage, and did this from my house:
Run: 1.5 miles
Bike: 8 miles
Run: 1.5 miles
Bike: 8 miles
Run 1.5 miles
Bike: 8 miles
The issue was that each time I transitioned from the bike to the run or vice versa, I had to go back UP my hill! I know you’re probably sick of hearing me whine about it, but tough. It sucks. It’s so friggin’ steep and to have to climb it six times in a matter of two hours was just plain nasty. But, you know I loved it because I’m sick like that.
When all was said and done, I rode/ran a total of 26.5 miles in 1:57:06 with my fastest transition being 28 seconds and my slowest was 45. Hey, I was getting tired at the end, what can I say?
WEEK OF APRIL 14, 2014
RUNNING: Despite this being a “down” cycle in terms of sheer mileage, I got in two very good runs with fast finishes. I did 8 on Monday with reverse splits – meaning the last four miles were faster then the first. In fact, I finished my last four in 6:40, 6:30, 6:20, 6:15. I did the same on Wednesday except it wasn’t on a flat trail and it was after we got two inches of snow and ice. Yes, you read that correctly. It was so bad, it collapsed our outdoor canopy:
This is not what you want to wake-up to on April 16th. WTH? So over it!
My outdoor run was less then stellar that day and I actually had a few choice words for the wind and ice. What? You don’t yell at the wind during a run? It can make you feel a lot better – trust me on this. Total running mileage for the week was 24, mostly great, miles.
CYCLING: I met up with CRS (coach rocket science) on Monday after my run. We met to work out little kinks in my cycling like cornering. I don’t corner well because, honestly, I’m afraid of crashing onto the road and getting run over by a car. I think that’s pretty reasonable. CRS thinks I’m a wuss and, after she saw what I do on my turns, she began the sentence with “I don’t mean to insult your intelligence but…” Needless to say, I learned a lot, including that my car needs new tires. Now, when the service guy at Toyota told me my two year-old SUV with 30K miles on it needed new tires, I totally blew it off. When CRS told me, I made an appointment to get new ones this Wednesday.
CROSS-TRAINING: CRS defined this week as “hip week.” I’m having some hamstring issues on my left side and she thinks it’s due to some hip imbalance/weakness. I did more then the usual number of clamshells, monster walks, single leg dead lifts and added some bridges with a single leg lift. It’s glorified physical therapy but it’s helping. A lot.
RACING: I’m so excited for my first race since the NYC Half in March. This is much shorter (5K) but for such a great cause – March of Dimes. If the weather cooperates this Saturday, it should be a great race and a fun day for the kids too.
FUEL: Two words – Easter candy. Yeah, right. I definitely do not eat Easter candy but, after all that transitioning and 10+ hours of training this week, I decided to treat myself to dessert at one of the two birthday parties we had this past Saturday:
Can you even see the cupcake in my hand? My husband thought this was hilarious.
THINGS I LOVE: Sleeping with the windows open. Besides the freak storm on Wednesday, this past week was filled with sun! Keep it coming Mother Nature!
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH: Creepy Easter bunnies. My brother-in-law is one of those crazy nice guys who will do almost anything you ask of him…especially if it’s in the name of fun for kids. He doesn’t have kids yet, so I can only imagine what will happen when he does. In the meantime, this happened:
Uncle Brian aka Easter Creeper
Most of the kids screamed and ran for their parents. Not mine. They like warm hugs from Easter Bunnies.
MUSIC: The song I’m singing and hearing most lately is “Happy Birthday.” We had two parties for the boys (family and then kids this weekend), two parties this past Saturday, another on Easter Sunday and two more before the month is over. August was certainly a good month to make a baby(ies).
TV: We’re almost done with True Detectives and it’s giving us nightmares. It’s that good. I think next up is House of Cards. Anyone have other suggestions? Between training, planning for Spain, getting the kids ready for summer and freelancing, I have a ton of time for TV.
READING: I’ve been pouring over all the confirmation emails I’ve received from hotels, car rentals, and USAT information for Spain. I’ve officially started my binder. Remember when Mitt Romney had “binders filled with women?’ Well, I have a binder filled with every last detail for that trip. If I lose it, we may as well just stay home. I know I have issues but it’s the only way I can feel like I have control over this whole thing. Hold your judgment please.
RANDOM THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: Screw your courage to the sticking place.
[Tweet “Creeper #bunnies, brick brick training and the best month to make a baby!”]
How was your Easter?
How is the weather shaping up where you live?
Have you ever done a brick/brick workout?
When is Spain? I have become a weather wussy. 60 degrees still feels chilly to me! I prefer brick workouts to two a days. Something about being dressed and have to suit up again exhausts me!
I leave on May 28th and the race is June 1st! It’s getting close.
I totally agree with the bricks as opposed to two-a-days. It’s mentally draining for me. AND, you were in my head during those transitions yelling “YOU’RE STILL RACING! GO!” 🙂
Brick bricks sound fun…in a disgusting way! And creeper bunnies. No thanks! Ron took a selfie with one at an egg hunt over the weekend and it’s the creepiest thing ever. I have never, ever liked those suits!
You would love the brick/brick! It’s just a fun challenge and the opposite of boring.
You should totally post that pic! It made it a little better then it was my BIL in the suit but, man – so creepy!!! Who comes up with this stuff?
Yup, have no clue about Brick, Bricks, but just glad you got to indulge a bit extra, because of it (anything that allows for this is all good in my book). As for Easter candy, love your willpower, but me not so much and I truly tried not to buy that much to have in the house because of that, but of course everyone else gave the girls a ton of candy and god help me how this week with shape up, because of course it is that time of the month for me, too! Seriously, though hooray for a great week 🙂
Ha ha ha too funny! You know I have a thing for mini eggs but I still have the original bag I bought and I think I ate like 10. I feel like if I start, I won’t stop!!
I swear I think it’s interesting that we still put our kids with strangers dressed up in odd costumes and take their picture. Funny….I am going back to bed right now after reading your rubdown-holy cow! You are awesome-go for it! Girl power!!
Luckily it was Brian in the bunny suit but yes, I have taken them to the mall in years past and have done the creepy bunny pic.
Thanks for all the encouragement – always! Plus, I see your parents just about every time I’m running or biking and they cheer me on 🙂
A brick-brick and all you had was that tiny cupcake?! I hope you’re raiding the Easter candy today! I’m taking advantage of the beautiful weather to hit the trails so I can hit the candy basket guilt-free afterward!!
Oh I hope you had a lovely trail run! I did 8 this morning and it was gorgeous out there. Perfect day for Boston…or any run!! I may or may not indulge in some frozen yogurt after the boys’ soccer tonight 🙂
Wait — true detecctive is giving you nightmares?! I am a wuss so maybe I shouldn’t watch! 🙂 That easter bunny is the ting that is going to give me nightmares. WHOA. That was sweet of your BIL though 🙂 Another great week of training, you should absolutely have a binder that is a lot of logistics to keep together!
It is!! It’s the creepy factor and there’s a lot about kids and that just puts me over the edge, you know??
Thank you for understanding my binder 🙂
That cupcake is TINY!!
(Of course I would focus on the cupcake out of everything in this post)
OMG it was so small. I ate it in one delicious bite 🙂
I love that photo of you after explaining the gazillon hours of training you did this week and you are holding the tiniest cupcake ever! 🙂
Your brother-in-law looks like that creepy bunny from Donnie Darko! But that photo of ….Miles (?- to be fair he is side on), is really cute.
Spain is so close!! Yayayayay!! Good luck!!!!!!
You are RIGHT Britt – it’s Miles. You are good!!
I was laughing so hard taking that photo because my husband was cracking up. He had a little cupcake…and two rice crispy treats and possibly a piece of cake.
That brick-brick sounds pretty tough. I do understand the love/hate on that. I love to challenge myself but would truly be bitching about it while I’m doing it. I will have to do them too if I plan on doing that duathlon in August. Good for you on sticking to eating plan! Unfortunately between a wedding, friends, and Easter family get togethers, I am starting fresh today! Great workout week!
That’s exactly right Kris! In the moment I was cursing the wind and my hill but also loving it. It’s so great you understand that.
In lieu of dessert, I may have had two or three glasses of wine at a happy hour on Friday night so, there’s that!!
I’ve done brick workouts, but that brick brick sounds killer! And wow, one seriously creepy Easter bunny. 🙂 We had a blast meeting up with cousins for the day on Saturday- it was such beautiful weather, finally!
That’s so great Laura. The weather really enhances everything, doesn’t it? Maybe it’s because we had such a rough winter!
I’m sure you would also love to hate the bricks 🙂
I find your recaps of your training so interesting, even though I cannot relate AT.ALL. It’s like watching those cooking shows when I can barely boil pasta. And the cupcake? Hilarious. You certainly know how to pig out, Allie!
Thank you so much Dana! Sometimes I sit here and write these and think “does anyone really care about this besides me?” It’s kind of in line with what you were saying on your blog today. I needed to read this. THANKS!! Now I’ll go have the other half of that cupcake. I was saving it – ha ha ha!!
I had a great Easter with my family, finished off by going to the movies. No creepy Easter bunnies here in France. Its actually bells that bring Easter eggs… I have never figured out why ! We are having great weather, and have been for the past 6 weeks. Can not complain.
I am impressed by your training ! Keep it up !
Oh I would much prefer the bells bring the eggs and treats! It sounds lovely there. Thanks for the update!
I can’t say I cared too much for the snow that we just got, but I am loving the weather right now! I have the french doors open in the kitchen while I am typing away…it’s wonderful. Really I should be cleaning the kitchen instead of reading blogs, but one is a lot more fun than the other. Sounds like the training is going great though and it’s smart to work on those transitions!
How can you possibly be expected to clean on a day like today? You just sit in the sun and keep reading my friend 🙂
No bricks here – I would not do well!!
I’m laughing that you got are getting new tires after CRS gave her opinion!!! (we just had to get new ones at around 30,000 miles, too – crazy!!)
I love your hair in the picture of you with the tiny cupcake!!!
Oh, and I’m right there with you on the binder thing – makes my life so much more manageable!!!
I’m so glad you picked up on the tire thing AND that you had to do it too!? What the heck??
Thanks for the compliment on my hair! I just switched hair dressers and this is the first time I’ve really loved what she did. I think I’ll keep her!
Today is glorious here – 72 and sunny! Woohoo! Of course it’s still a bit too cold for my sundresses, but I suppose I could do a jean jacket and a maxi dress.
The Easter Bunny photo, and the cupcake one both cracked me up. You go, girl!
Hope to see you during Spring Bring! Easter was pretty great. Cassidy.. I mean the Easter Bunny…got tickets to Disney on Ice. Scarlet wanted to see it with Cassidy. I did work while Des napped.
And ate three times the sweets you apparently ate!
Ha ha ha – that is great! I’m glad you got some “alone” time with your sweets.
I love sleeping with the windows open too and my hubby hates it, so we battle it out. Weather is getting beautiful in DC, so excited! Had no idea what a brick workout was 🙂
Now you know! You would probably love it 🙂
The hubs and I fight about the tv being on (he wants it on, and I do not!) but we can agree on windows open!
Brick Brick doesn’t sound like fun! I love how everyone honed in on the size of the cupcake! ha! And the creeper Easter Bunny? no thank you! 🙂
It was the tiniest thing ever but very, very good!
Started hyperventilating after reading your training schedule. Please send me that cupcake to make up for this inconvenience.
I had better send you a dozen of those tiny things.
That is the smallest cupcake ever! But you look so happy to be eating it!
I think it is really clever that you set up a transition station in your garage!
I love the Easter Creeper. He’s my new favorite!
It was delicious!
You are the first one to love the Easter Creeper 🙂
THAT is the whimppiest cupcake I have ever seen, LMFAOOOOOO !!!! I would be laughing right with your husband, but at the same time APPLAUDING YOU for your will power 😉
AND WHATTT TF am I seeing on the ground on April 16th. VOMIT! Seriously. NOT OKAY!
Tell me about it! I almost puked when I woke up to that. Let’s hope we’re now DONE with snow…since it’s almost freakin May!
I know you love that cupcake 🙂
Whoa mama you are getting SO STRONG! Look at those splits at the end of your 8-miler! When I pop this baby out i need to come to VitaTrain Camp to get back to where I was before, ok?!
Good luck at your 5K!
That would be SO much fun!! Thanks Emma 🙂