“Roll with it” has been my mantra this week. The week began with one of my kids still being sick (day four), a 55 degree run outside in shorts followed the very next day by 10-12 inches of snow and no school, a root canal and some seriously hard and long efforts in all three disciplines – run, bike and swim.
As you can imagine, there were lots of highs (running in shorts!) and lows (a root canal) but every time I felt my emotions start to swing, I just rolled with it. #CoolLikeAFool
Here is the play by play…
WEEK OF FEBRUARY 1, 2016
RUNNING
I have a serious love/hate relationship going on right now with my treadmill. I’m so happy I have it since by now, I would have missed several essential runs either due to my kids being sick or the weather. However, logging 14 miles on it because I have no excuse not to, while the boys run around like animals, is not my idea of fun.
Is it hot out here or is it just me?
But, I rolled with it and this week had equal runs outside and in. I’ll take it.
Sunday: 45 minutes of “fast feet” with 10 min warm-up, next 10 minutes alternating every 30 seconds concentrating on cadence of 90 spm or higher, 30 sec easy. Last 20 min alternate 1 min building to fast with high cadence, 1 min easy recovery. This run was hard but concentrating on what to do every 30 sec or 1 min made the miles literally fly by! Average pace: 7:46 My average run cadence was 189 spm so I guess I went with “or higher.”
Tuesday: 5 mile tempo run on a hilly course. Well, the “hilly course” ended up being me controlling the incline on my treadmill since Vaughn was home sick. It worked out fine but the sun was shining though the window and I tried my best to ignore it. Average pace 8:06.
At least I was able to run, right?
Thursday: 4 miles easy after hard effort on the bike. It was a glorious outdoor romp in shorts and a t-shirt. I loved it! Average pace: 8:16
Friday: 14 miles done as 3 warm up, 3 at marathon pace, 3 at half marathon pace, 3 at tempo (7:00), 1 at marathon pace and 1 cool down. I was looking forward to this until I woke-up to a blizzard and school being cancelled. I slogged though 14 miles on my treadmill and felt awful. I couldn’t hold the paces and the whole thing was a mess. More on that later… But, I finished the mileage, averaging 8:26. #Fail
Total mileage = 30
SWIMMING
I had a great swim week and am starting to see some improvement in the water! My nutritionist also explained to me the reason I’m so ravenous after my swim workouts is because I’m so inefficient in the water – HA! He didn’t say it exactly like that but, he didn’t have to.
Sunday: 2400 yards of muscular endurance
Wednesday: 2750 yards with pace changers
Total = 5,150 yards or 3 miles
CYCLING
Although I wasn’t brave enough to cycle outside this week, I’m still loving my bike trainer. I get so much feedback on the bike (pace, cadence, time, heart rate, average heart rate) plus, unlike the treadmill, I don’t mind having the TV on in the background, so it’s not so mind numbing.
I had a big heart rate challenge last week and it was my favorite workout. #Nerd
This is a sweaty and unfocused picture showing I am in heart rate sone 3.8 or high Z3, which is right where I should be.
Wednesday: 1 hour endurance ride with 30 second speed intervals every 5 minutes
Thursday: 1 hour of “over/unders” or staying in certain heart rate zones
Saturday – optional ride for 30 minutes that I snuck in before heading out to the mountain to snowboard!
Total – 2.5 hours
FUEL
If you read my Fact or Fiction – Nutrition Edition last week you already know one of the big changes my nutritionist had me make was eating full fat yogurt and milk. I’m loving the yogurt option but only went so far as to purchase 2% milk.
The other changes we made have been pretty slight but, I now start my morning with coffee and a hard boiled egg instead of my precious fig bars, which I save until after my workout.
I also had a semi-Pinterest win! #PinchMe
What the No Bake Energy Balls looked like on Pinterest:
And this is what mine look like:
Ok so mine are a little more misshapen but seriously, who can say they have perfectly round balls? Come on!
And, more importantly, they are delicious!
Here is more stuff I’ve been shoving into my mouth:
Yes, that is bacon and it was amazing!
Whole wheat blueberry protein pancakes (with VEGA protein powder) after my 14 mile slog on the treadmill.
I tried to trick my kids into eating the protein pancakes. As soon as Miles took one bite he asked, “Did you put medicine in these?” So I now have four extra pancakes and the boys had Annie’s mac and cheese. #RollWithIt
GEAR
It’s been a long time since I’ve used ropes to workout! Since Barre was cancelled this week and my coach gave me an extra long strength workout to do on Monday, I headed to the gym and added in some rope work. It sucked, which means it was exactly what my shoulders and core needed.
It was one of the best strength workouts I have done in a while and the hour kind of went by quickly. Sort of. Which is really the best I can hope for on strength day. #RollWithIt
THINGS I LOVE
Finally getting some snow! Even though it meant doing a long run on the treadmill and bribing the boys with more iPad time then six year old eyes should sustain, when we finally made it outside, it was fantastic.
I strapped on my snowshoes while the boys played and went sledding in the yard.
And, since it dumped on Friday we realized the only logical thing to do was to go snowboarding/skiing on Saturday. Obvi.
Don’t worry – we got my husband a helmet and he recovered nicely in the lodge with a beer.
And after I killed off my husband, I grabbed my only willing son to spend my last run of the day with. Best one ever!
Could my smile be any bigger? I’ve waited a long time for this!
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH
People overreacting to social media. I’ve seen more and more articles bitching about what not to post to Facebook or how many people are “fake-booking,” etc. Who cares? Post away! I mean, you look at it for about three seconds and move on, so just move on. #RollWithIt
READING
I’m in need of a new book! I finished “After You” for book club and hated it. The next club book is “The Kitchen Wife” which I have already read and absolutely loved. Please give me some recommendations while I continue to read “How Bad Do You Want It.”
TELEVISION
It would be great if they could please move the Super Bowl to Saturday. I guess that makes too much sense.
MUSIC
Two new hits this week! #New2Me
Obviously this first one has swearing in it. A lot of swearing and right from the start. You have been warned.
And this is my Bitmoji of me as Sia:
RANDOM QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Watching the opening ceremonies of the Super Bowl…
Miles: Is this like a whole big thing?
Me: It’s the Super Bowl. Whoever wins this game is the football Super Bowl champion!
Miles: What does that mean? I mean like why is it important? It doesn’t seem like it’s that important.
Me: *sigh* No, it’s not.
How was your week?
Do you have any good book recommendations?
How did you “roll with it” or not this week?
ok
take a seat
this is gonna get awkward 🙂
I LOVE HOW YOU WRITE.
I know I say that on the regular (as the kids no longer say) but I really do look forward to your posts and the glimpse into your world they provide.
Me and my perfectly round balls do I mean.
If I had balls.
They SO SO WOULD BE.
But when I make em? I give up and create squares.
I love everything about this comment. I have now read it five times.
Why is it I strive for perfection in my athletic training but not my balls? I could learn from you 🙂
So I had something to say but all I can think about now are square balls. Thanks Carla!
LOL!!! You are probably STILL thinking about it.
Roll with it is my mantra of the month of February. There are aren’t a lot of big or important races in February so I’m just training straight through the month and getting quality miles in as well. It’s hard though because it’s definitely the hardest month to train through. I’m glad you are able to get miles in on the treadmill. Do you have a TV hookup there too?
It is definitely a beast to train though and I have a hilly half at the very end of the month.
YES I have a TV where the treadmill is but, these days my kids are usually down there with me so it’s Disney Channel hell!!!…I put on my headphones and hear nothing but beats!
I think you had a great week! I mostly love the treadmill because I’m not a fan of cold weather running!! I so wish for a Saturday super bowl. I don’t have any book suggestions because my life…smh!!!
Yes to the Saturday super bowl!! Imagine how many people don’t make it to work or take the day off on Monday every year? It seriously would be good for the economy as a whole 🙂
14 miles on the treadmill? Oh hell no! Who are you?
I think your balls look just fine. A little misshapen, but hey, what’s not to love?
I have no idea who I am anymore Wendy but I’ve been trapped in the house with little people for 4 straight days now and it’s getting worse!!
I love your kids and hope everyone feels better soon!! Isn’t being able to ski/snowboard down the mountain with your kids the best?! Even though it took us like an hour to get down and my husband was about to call ski patrol because we were the last ones on the mountain, it was so great. And that pool picture – YES!! haha. That’s the best.
We are finally recovered – just in time for another snow day! UGH!!!!
Yes, skiing down with Vaughn (although yes, it took about 30 minutes on the smallest of runs) was THE BEST!
Thanks Christine 🙂
Ugh- 14 miles on the treadmill is rough!! I did 9 this weekend and that was bad enough, although it looks like I may be doing another long one next weekend. But, like you, I’m grateful to have the option!
I am definitely grateful for the option but 14 is way too much. Next time I’ll have to find an alternative!!
Good luck with your runs – treadmill or no 🙂
Vaughn would never have said that about the Super Bowl, I can tell.
Definitely not! He was also the one to ski the last run of the day with me and, when I said: Someday you will be so fast that you’ll say “see ya at the bottom mom” and take off – he said “I won’t ever leave you!” I mean, how good can it get?? I also said I would remind him he said that 🙂
Have you read Jhumpa Lahiri’s “The Lowland”?? Not a new book but I’m obsessed with it. And speaking of obsession, I am watching the weather forecast like a hawk, and every day Sunday’s forecast gets hotter rather than cooler… as of now, it is going to be 81 and sunny on Sunday…I’m going to overheat at the LA marathon…sigh… I am seriously impressed with you logging those miles on the treadmill while your kids relatively behave themselves.
I’m going to look it up as soon as I type this response – thank you!
Don’t worry too much about the weather. You cannot control it, all you can control is your preparation. You know what to do – hydrate, go slower, listen to your body, fuel though out. You are going to be GREAT no matter what!
You look like you’re about to “whip & nae nae” during that rope work, girl. And about those foods pics. I want it all.
You caught me – I totally did that!
I love the Sia bitmoji.
I can usually get in the groove with a long treadmill run but some times they really are a trudge fest. I’ve luckily been able to run a lot outside the past week which makes me happy. I am totally converting from always choosing the treadmill if it is too cold, rainy, whatever!
Ha ha – thank you!
So glad someone is running mostly outside. We’re getting more snow today so it looks like it will be either treadmill or yaktrax this week!
Miles and I ask the same questions about the Superbowl. 14 miles on the treadmill is seriously tough (been there, hated those runs) and that workout sounds so hard, so I’d say it was a #win that you got it done!
I’m glad you two think alike. I love hearing his comments about things we take for granted, like the over-the-top grandeur of the Super Bowl!
I’m going to take a ‘W’ on that run for sure. So awful.
Thanks Laura!
On Miles and the Super Bowl: An Illuminated and grounded Child he is!
On the snowfall: I’m jealous. To be able to go out the front door, run in snow shoes or XC ski: priceless!
On your balls: they’re still awesome fuel!
On FB and PC: political correctness is destroying America and the American spirit!
On 14Miler on TM: Un.fu****.real! If you can put yourself through such hell and torture, You will win all your races in 2016!
Run to overcome- Meb Keflezighi
Devil at my heels- Louis Zamperini
On your comment: you are hilarious!!! Thanks for the laugh on this snowy day.
As for your book recommendations, I have read both and LOVED! Thank you.
Louis Zamperini (Zamp, as we called Him) was my HS pastor at Hollywood 1st Presbyterian of Hollywood. He was the consummate practical joker, and an awesome skier too.
I’d like to think that some of what made him so exceptional rubbed off on me. When I’m hurting in swim/bike/run practice/race and need to summon all my inner strength, I think of him lost at sea 30 days out, with sharks raking the bottom of the raft with their fins, or the bird!
Clearly, I don’t have shit to complain about, ever!
He was?? That is beyond amazing! How fortunate you are to have had that influence and YES to not having shit to complain about in comparison. His story, his life, just everything about him was a HUGE inspiration!
I always think about how he forgave The Bird. Just wow.
I’m sorry that the kiddos are sick! it’s just the worst when they are sick! I will always prefer the running, and refusal to do homework than a sick kid! 14 miles on a treadmill!! You are my hero!
I’m loving the picture of your husband on the floor after his fall… only an awesome wife will take a selfie with the fallen husband, before helping him off the floor!
I would recommend Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff. Excellent book about the two sides of a marriage.
My week was ok, I’m training for a Marathon, and learning to “roll” with the long runs.
I’m glad you appreciate the pic of my husband. We were both laughing so hard. He came down the mountain behind me and just plopped himself there.
I just bought Fates and Furies! THANK YOU – it looks fantastic.
When it comes to marathon training – “rolling” is a MUST! Good luck 🙂
You are so inspiring! I had to laugh at the inefficient swimming comment. I used to train triathletes (only the swimming portion) for a varsity team, and no matter how fit one is, swimming brings about a whole new set of challenges. Focus on your breathing, on gliding, and on piercing water. That should help. 🙂
I’m glad you can understand that and thank you for being so kind…and for the tips! My coach always tells me to “GRAB it, STAB it and GO!” so that is on repeat in my head while I swim. Thank you!!
Yes, this is the time of the year when the sickness cycles around and around. The treadmill while not fun at times is a necessary evil. Way to get it done this week mama!
Thank you! I know you have had the same issues. We need to have some sort of treadmill Skype 🙂
You are so awesome for that 14 miles on the treadmill! Way to stay strong and get it done!!!
Yes, yes to Super Bowl Saturday! I missed a lot of the game, because hello I have a 3 and 5 year old that have to go to bed! Not that I was really sad to miss the game, but still… yes to Saturday!
I want to eat all of your food!!!
So fun that you got to ski with your son!! xoxo
We stayed home for that exact reason and then my kids had a snow day yesterday! Grrrrrrrr.
I know you have a pretty amazing weekend coming up in LA….looking forward to stalking your Instagram 🙂
I always find it so funny when I try to make recipes that I find on pinterest. MINE NEVER EVER EVER look like they’re “supposed” to! ha!
And if YOURS don’t then NO ONES will!!!
I have a new book review post up right now, Allie! And Fates and Furies is on it (saw the comment above.) And I just pinned those balls (heh heh) – yours look great even a little misshapen (heh heh again).
Did you put medicine in these?….classic.
Thanks Dana! I started reading it already and it’s VERY interesting.
Thank you for so graciously complimenting and pinning my balls 🙂
I made the change to full fat yogurt as well and haven’t looked back. I can’t bring myself to do it for milk though, it’s like drinking heavy cream. I can’t really tolerate milk anyway. Isn’t that weird? I can do cheese, ice cream, yogurt but milk is terrible for me! remind me the dates of your tri in MD again so I can put it on the calendar 🙂
That is not weird at all. I drink very little milk and usually just with cereal. I would never dream of having it as an actual separate beverage. Columbia TRI – May 12-16 is when I will be in town 🙂
Before I had kids I drank a glass of milk with every meal!! Ok, it’s on the calendar!
You did?? Well, that is just weird but, as you know having kids changes your body in some major ways!