It’s barely July and I have so many questions. Should I do another 70.3 at the end of the summer? Is it safe to run outside when there’s chance of a thunderstorm? Are my kids having fun at camp? Should I start one of the 100 writing projects in my head? Why does customer service suck so badly? If I’m “just” training without a race goal, is that enough? And on and on and on…
As a planner of everything I’m having a hard time having no plans. Or am I? So many questions.
You may be questioning what the heck I’m doing in this picture? Jump kicks, and bad timing of a photo.
WEEK OF JUNE 25, 2018
RUNNING
Question: Is it dangerous to run outside if there’s a chance of a lightening storm and it’s currently pouring?
I’m so far removed from even thinking about running on my treadmill that I almost went outside during a threat of thunderstorms. Almost. I didn’t have the option of waiting until they cleared so I found myself doing intervals on the treadmill to the sounds of thunder. It wasn’t horrible.
Overall, running has been a little sluggish but I’m slowly getting back into training just in case I want to do another race…or two. We shall see.
Monday – easy run after bike | 3.68 miles
Thursday – treadmill intervals with strength training | 7.46 miles
Friday – aerobic build before swim | 6.81 miles
Total = 17.95 miles
CYCLING
Question: Is riding for 2 1/2 hours a big deal when you haven’t done more than 1 hour in two weeks?
I had one long ride of 40+ miles and I didn’t think much of it, until my low back started screaming at me, 30 minutes from home. I’m not sure what happened but luckily I had a massage scheduled for the same day. When my long-time massage therapist had her elbow in my hamstrings and afterward said “I felt like I was kneading clay!” I kind of figured it out. I guess I need to be better with stretching and rolling out my hamstrings. Ouch!
I also dropped my chain on that same ride and had grease all over my manicure. This is why I can’t have nice things.
Monday – easy ride before run | 15.8 miles
Wednesday – long ride | 42.3 miles
Sunday – big gear + tempo | 27.2 miles
Total = 85.3 miles
SWIMMING
Question: How long has it been since I swam and does it even matter?
It was so nice getting back into the pool after about a week of nothing but running at altitude and strength training in Colorado. Being rested and doing endurance swims is a little slice of heaven. I enjoyed these workouts as much as anyone who really doesn’t love to swim can.
Tuesday – endurance and form drills | 2,400 yards
Friday – 200s after run | 2,400 yards
Total = 4,800 yards
THINGS I LOVE
Question: Can you change your mind about a musician you haven’t cared less about for 43 years with one performance?
Bruce Springsteen is an American icon and most people cannot believe it when I tell them I’m not a fan. Part of the reason is years ago when I worked in corporate America, a super annoying co-worker absolutely loved “The Boss” and made sure everyone knew it, with his hideous cubicle shine to the man. This solidified my indifference to every Springsteen song ever played.
However, after seeing Bruce Springsteen on Broadway I have completely and totally changed my mind. The man is a genius. He was sensitive (I cried at least three times), intelligent, an incredible storyteller and one hell of a musician. He spoke so openly about growing up with a father who battled depression, a mother who is now 93 and in her seventh year of Alzheimer’s, and how many lifetimes he believed he has lived with Clarance, his lifelong sax player who died in 2011.
I must say, my first impression was “damn, he looks old!” but my lasting impression was he truly is THE BOSS.
I have to thank my husband for loving Bruce all his life, which motivated me to buy the tickets to the show, as my 12 year wedding anniversary gift to him. Looks like I was the one who received the gift. Thanks Bruce!
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH
Question: Does anyone want to take my money?
All I tried to do this week was buy a car and pay a cable bill. I couldn’t do either because people are morons and some companies are run on process with zero common sense.
As some of you know, my new car is cursed and has been back to the deanship for a plethora of issues, four times in eight months. I test drove a new car. I gave the sales guy (we’ll call him Bill, because that’s his name) the paperwork on my current car so he could “run the numbers.” I made an appointment with Bill for noon on Tuesday and when I pulled into the parking lot of the dealership at noon on Tuesday he texted me he was “busy with other customers so please wait in the lounge.” Ok. After 10, 15, 20 and then 30 minutes he told me he was sorry but couldn’t meet with me and let’s reschedule. I have not heard from him since.
I wanted to run back into the dealership, a-la Pretty Woman and just yell “Does anyone want to sell me a new car? Anyone? I have money to spend here!” Don’t worry Bill, I will be back with a new car and will go all Julia Roberts on your ass, including asking you if you work on commission. Big mistake, Bill. Huge!
As for the cable bill. The cable company is actually sending me a paper bill. In the mail. The regular mail. They seriously could not figure out how I could pay my now overdue bill online since there was an issue processing my account. I was on the phone with them for 45 minutes. I just can’t even.
TELEVISION
Question: Is there any original television out there I haven’t seen that is actually watchable?
Every once and a while I take the bait and click on articles for “10 Best TV Shows You’re Not Watching!” I actually saw some promos for this one but it wasn’t until I saw the trailer (and my husband was out of town) that I decided to give the show a chance.
Dietland is one of the more interesting things I have seen in a while, for so many reasons. It’s like a female gang version of Dexter. I love the main character Joy Nash (as Plum Kettle) and also, oddly, Juliana Margulies (as Kitty Montgomery), in a role that suits her, and the stereotype of an editor of a teen fashion magazine, perfectly.
Yes, it’s about body image, fat shaming and struggles all women have to endure on some level but it’s also about empowering yourself, the #metoo movement, questioning societal views on what is beautiful, supporting other women and exacting revenge on those who deserve it most.
The full season hasn’t aired yet (I have two episodes left!) but so far, I’m loving it.
APPS
Question: Do I really need another fitness app?
I don’t have a ton of apps on my phone but the majority of them are fitness and/or weather related. I recently saw someone post a very cool video of a bike ride on Facebook and I instantly checked out the app, because you know your training doesn’t really count until you post a recap of it to social media.
Cool, right?
The app is called RELIVE and I have no clue how much it costs. #sorrynotsorry
Relive is even cooler when you do a long ride or run with friends and take pictures along the way. I obviously don’t live in the most exciting place but the more “landmarks” that pop-up, the cooler the video which makes this a great option for recording rides and runs on vacation.
THE FINAL QUESTION(S)
Question: Do I want to do another race (or two) over the summer?
I’ve been wrestling with this one since 24 hours after crossing the finish line of my first 70.3 a few weeks ago.
First up is the Litchfield Hills Triathlon (an Olympic distance) on July 15. I have a score to settle with this race since I DNS’ed last year mostly because I was over racing and in a bad place with myself and training. Not so this year and, I feel like the Olympic distance will be fun. Yes, fun. I know.
I also have an opportunity to do another 70.3 Labor Day weekend in a cool, family oriented destination. The issue is I do not want to be tied to a training schedule over the summer. Between spending time with the boys and going on vacations, I don’t want to stress over getting my workouts completed.
Right now I have a training plan in place but I have full discretion to alter and delete as I see fit. I am super uncomfortable with the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants training regimen but, maybe it’s exactly what I need.
Question 1,002 is do I just take the summer off and resume training in the fall for a winter destination race in the Florida Keys?
So.many.questions.
[Tweet “The Rundown is asking all the questions and hoping you have answers! #helpawomanout #train4life”]
Do you have any answers? Do you train without a race goal?
What questions do you have for me?
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Hi! First time stopping by your blog – I liked your series of questions, although I am not sure I have any answers except this:
– you have to think for people today (so YES the person who works the cable and car dealership LOL)
– right now I am working out with no “race” in mind since my doctor told me not to – but I am low key trying to swim in hopes i can still do my half marathon in September!
Hi Amber and thanks for stopping by! I’m sorry I’m so late responding to you but I thought I already did!? #mybrainismush
And YES! Why do we need to think for customer service people these days? So frustrating! And I really hope you recover quickly (swimming and pool running are great ways to do that!) so you can run in September!
No worries! and OMG I ALWAYS SAY THAT “mybrainismush” to my students when I mix up things 😉 I’m not sure, maybe because people are not trained in how to do their job it’s just assumed? ALSO – pool running, a bit unsure how to do that LOL need to google it!
That is too funny!!
As for pool running – I wrote an article about it on the USA Triathlon web site…and also for Women’s Running. It’s super awkward at first (and super boring!) but it IS effective!! Definitely google some videos on how to do it properly and off you go! Good luck 🙂
I pretty much train aimlessly. I always like to be half marathon ready, so I can just jump in at any given moment. I do have races in mind that I’d like to do, but I wait to register until the day is close.
Your cable story is one of the reasons why I cut the cable. My antenna works great–upstairs. In the family room, which is on the lower level of our split level, it’s not as good. But with Netflix and Amazon Prime, we have a lot of options.
The car story, though–that I can’t get my head around. Usually they don’t leave you alone!
I feel like the olympic distances races as do-able at any time for me but 70.3 is a different animal!! I’m taking your approach for the July 15th race especially since the heat has been brutal (which I know you have been dealing with too) and will register when I know the weather will be decent 🙂
I feel like we could get by on a fire stick or Netflix alone! And the car is so beyond comprehension.
I’m not gonna tell you whether to train for the Labor Day race or not but I’m behind you either way!! I haven’t watched dietland, I’m saving it (and many other series) for when baby comes lol I’m always planning ahead
Thanks so much Nellie!! And you will love Dietland and are smart to save it for when you will *really* need it 🙂
I can relate to all the what to do next questions… I am eyeing a few 5ks, weather permitting, but have no idea what to do about the fall… do I have time to build for a marathon? Do I want to? Not sure!
I think we all go though it! I just wish triathlon season was winter 🙂 of course I can MAKE it so with a destination race, right? Good luck figuring out your plans too. Taking on a marathon (like 70.3) is a big commitment!!
I may have a few answers 😉
I know what your answers are!!!
Get the Peloton app, they just release a whole new digital package
Thanks for the advice. My best friend swears by that app so I may have to check it out…
Our apartment starting sending paper bills also, just like your cable company! We auto-pay online even. It’s baffling and leaves me just asking, why?
This month I’m training without a race goal, just the goal of surviving when I visit the Midwest in a couple weeks and go from running in 55 degree temps to 80 degree temps. Or, if it thunder storms like it is prone to do, I may try to figure out the answer to that question!
Good luck! The weather here has been brutal with heat and humidity. I’ll be heading to the treadmill again today b/c I can’t get out until 9am and it will be deadly by then!!
Yes to all the questions because I can’t remember them all. I need to check ou Dietland – sounds good. Have you watched the Handmaids Tale? You must because it’s soooooo good.
OMG of course I have watched Handmaid’s Tale!! It’s amazing but also seriously scary, especially right now.
Thank you for giving me the green light on everything 🙂 #youraisemeup
I may need to check out dietland….. all these training / racing dilemmas…. You could just sign up for another half ironman with no goal and train when you can and skip workouts when your summer schedule doesn’t allow it rather than try to make up the missed workouts and see what happens… you could let go of time goals… I’m sort of having some of the same dilemmas over here…. do I sign up for races and just train the best I can and completely let go of time goals…. will see
Btw, I just saw your husband’s comment… inquiring minds want to know his answers
I definitely need to let go of time goals since I won’t be able to train with singular focus. I’m ok with that but I’m just afraid I won’t even be able to be race ready for a 70.3…which is fine, I just need to take it one day at a time!
Good luck figuring your goals out too. It’s so tricky with summer and kids and on and on…
As for my husband? His answers are DO NOTHING…which is why I don’t ask him!! 🙂
To be fair it would be less “do nothing” and more beach, eating, and drinking! 🙂
I have no answers for you. I have a question of my own though! Will I have serious regrets about doing a whole day in Sonoma… on a bike??? Because that’s what we’re doing next Friday. Friday the 13th, in fact. LOL!
Oh, Hillary… *sob*
Hell no!!! That sounds amazing and also very dangerous – LOL!! I always see those biking tours when we’re there and think “after the second winery I would need an Uber with a bike rack!” Stay safe my friend and have the best time!! Obviously the Friday the 13th thing is a GOOD omen.
I feel like it has been forever since I have commented here!!!! First off I am very much the type that thinks it will never happen to me so I basically don’t think twice about running in a thunderstorm. In fact a few days ago it was bright and sunny when I started running but by 1/2 way through it was cloudy and thundering like crazy…oh well. (I am not endorsing this mindset…I just have it).
As for running another race….I have to just say that I live 35 minutes from the Keys! Which race are you thinking about?
I feel like it has too!!! How are you??? And, when you live somewhere where thunderstorms are sometimes a daily occurrence, you probably HAVE to have that mindset or you would never run!
I haven’t picked a specific race but I get emails about triathlons in the keys and would love to do one there!!
Maybe the real question you should be asking is this: What would Bill do? Ha!
My two cents on the race goal: take the summer off and enjoy your workouts with no pressure and crush the next big one. xoxoxo
Very funny. 🙂
I think I have to agree with you about the summer. I’m still debating the triathlon this Sunday but probably not going for another 70.3. Thanks Jess!
Training without a race goal is my life. Somebody told me once they call that “zen runner”. lol. I don’t even wear a GPS (which proves it was an unnecessary investment for me. 🙂 I just like to go out and just run. I know– makes me odd.
That makes you great! I love that this is how you train and I would have to agree with the “zen runner.” My new goal is “zen triathlete!” Thanks 🙂
I love your revamped design, Allie! To answer your questions:
1. Sure, I have lots of answers. They may not be the answers to your questions, but still.
2. I ONLY train without a race goal, and it works for me…but you know I don’t race.
3. My question for you is why have you not booked plane tix to the Florida Keys yet? A winter destination race for sure!
Thanks Dana!
1. I know you have ALL the answers and most are from great books 🙂
2. Yes, I do.
3. I know, right? Seems like the only logical option plus, my husband and I were married on Key West so there’s history!!