This is it. The week I have been waiting for. Well, I was really waiting for those two weeks I spent eating and drinking my way though Italy in May but, this is also a very big date on my calendar. On Thursday of this week I will leave for triathlon nationals in beautiful exciting Omaha, Nebraska!
WEEK OF AUGUST 1, 2016
RUNNING
Other than the news about the new female running emoji, I don’t have much to report here. The fact that I have not one but two half-marathons this fall has started to creep into my mind since I haven’t run more than say 8 miles in months! I guess I’ll have to sort that out when I get back…
Just a quick core session in between my run and swim. It was a gorgeous day at the lake!
Tuesday: 4 miles @6:51 as part of bike/run brick session
Friday: 4 miles with speed after swim
Saturday: 5 miles with last 10 min at race effort, after swim and bike
Total = 13 miles
CYCLING
I had to pack up and ship out my bike last week. I was so sad to see it go but getting back on my road bike was like slipping into a comfy pair of old running shoes. Plus, the weather (after a few days of much needed rain) was absolutely gorgeous!
Tuesday: 12 miles as part of bike/run brick
Thursday: 20 miles of pure bliss
Saturday: 20 miles as part of swim, bike run
Total = 52
SWIMMING
My coach is always looking for new and exciting ways to drown me. I swear she secretly reads this blog (Hi Becky!) and then, sensing my new love of the water, needs to remind me that I’m still in training!
She put what is called “hypoxic” training drills on my log for Monday. I should have sensed death when I had only a swim on that day. My main set was:
4 x 200 hypoxic drill, 20 second rest in between, done as:
50: breathe every third stroke
50: breathe every fifth stroke
50: breathe every seventh stroke
50: breathe as much as you need building to fast
Do I need to tell you that breathing every fifth and seventh stroke almost gave me a stroke? OMG! I could absolutely not hold out for seven strokes after the other two sets. It was awful! I had to keep stopping to catch my breath and I think I saw some of the elderly pool ladies laughing at me.
And, because having your toes done makes everything better, I got a pedicure in the shade of Rio green.
Monday: Drowning breathing drills | 2,625 yards
Wednesday: strength and speed 2,187 yards
Friday: 40 min open water | 1,784 yards
Saturday: 45 min open water race simulation | 1,865 yards
Total = 8,461 or 4.81 miles
FUEL
If you read my post on InsideTracker, you know I have changed up my breakfast and now have oatmeal with peanut butter, chia seeds and whatever fruit is in the fridge. I also pretty much live on Starbucks coffee and protein boxes for lunch, since a new Starbucks opened closer to home.
Word on the street is they are putting a Starbucks in Target! Those people are freakin’ geniuses! If they open a tapas bar and child care I will never leave. Plus, I can change clothes by buying a new outfit for $15 and I’m pretty sure I can make up some interval training sessions in their seasonal aisle.
THINGS I LOVE
Concerts! It was the second weekend in a row when my husband and I pretended we’re not over 40 by rocking out at a live show. This time it was Counting Crows and Rob Thomas at Mohegan Sun Area and one of them was fantastic. The other was a bloated, underwhelming, jerk who basically talked his way though his songs, which he managed to change so much that one one could sing along. We left after three songs.
Thank you Rob Thomas for being the complete opposite of that and, may I suggest you stop touring with them so more people will go? Just some advice from someone who knows nothing about music.
Rob Thomas sounding even better live than I thought possible!
Thomas came out into the crowd for his last song, This is How A Heart Breaks, and it was super boring which you can tell from this picture of me…bottom right…not psyched at all…
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH
Lack of motivation. Yes, even I become unmotivated at times and have to wrestle though it. I don’t know if it was the staying up until 2am the night of the Coldplay show or because I have started to taper for my big race. Whatever the reason, as I was wandering though the aisles in Target, this shirt called to me:
After announcing it on my chest, I realized that I absolutely could and was feeling much more motivated by week’s end. It’s good to know I have it in the closet, in case of emergency. It should come with wine.
READING
Right now I’m reading the book Orphan Train which, so far, is just ok. So, I’ve taken to reading more stuff online like this:
Stop telling me I’m ‘beautiful.’ I’m ugly. It’s fine. | by Kristin Salaky | The Washington Post
Obviously the title is a grabber if I ever saw one. I love Kristin’s honesty and humor in this piece and I really love that a strong, smart woman is standing up and saying “beauty is not that important!”
What the Oldest Team USA Runners Can Teach You About Running | by ME | Women’s Running
I absolutely love writing articles like this one. The older I get the more motivation I need from guys like Bernie and Meb. I based the article on quotes from both over-40 Olympians, just to show how their attitude is everything!
PODCASTS
You know I love my podcasts and, when I found out Tina Muir would be interviewing Matt Long on the Runner’s Connect Run to the Top podcast, I could not wait to listen!
I read Matt’s book years ago. His story is incredible. He was hit (and sucked under) a BUS while commuting on his bike in New York City. At the time he was training to run a sub 3 hour marathon at Boston after qualifying with a PR of 3:15. After being sucked under the bus, his bike literally impaled him and he barely survived. After 40+ surgeries and countless hospital, physical therapy and grueling mental and physical work, he went on to finish another marathon (this time in NYC) and an Ironman!
Obviously, I highly recommend the book and listening to the podcast. Plus, Matt and I have the same philosophy – Train for Life!
RANDOM CLIP OF THE WEEK
If you haven’t seen this, be prepared to laugh until you cry…
[Tweet “Get inspired, laugh and get moving! It’s @usatriathlon #nationals week! #train4life”]
How was your week?
What is inspiring or un-movtivating you this week?
FIRST? I will absolutely meet you in any aisle for some intervals and yoga and cross training with the…thighmaster and ANYTHING.
and NEXT? I AM SOSOSO YOU AS WELL.
I cannot adult—until I announce it on my chest and POOF I suddenly can.
Same with my filter.
It’s gone until I announce on my tatas and then I find it again 🙂
I cannot think of anything else I would rather do than intervals with YOU!!
And, I totally thought of you when I bought that shirt. It’s amazing how you can do anything once you announce how you definitely can’t. 🙂
I can’t believe the week is here.
I honestly could not agree with you more about Target. Most of the ones around me have a Starbucks and those are only ones I choose. I was actually just thinking I needed to check out their seasonal sales now.
Me either!!!
And I seriously cannot wait for the Target/Starbucks combo! Glad you are already enjoying it…
I’ll meet you and Carla for Intervals. I claim Shake Weight first! 🙂 I can’t believe it’s race week – ahhhh!!! Btw – I just met someone from Omaha…want me to tell her to go cheer for you? 🙂
Sounds like a plan and YES, I would love to know at least one person there besides my husband and coach!!!
Think about it. You could totally live at Target. I know I could.
I had the same thought about my mileage–I haven’t run more than 8 miles in I don’t know how long. And lately I can barely squeeze out 5. I think I need that shirt. I’m hoping once it cools off I’ll get my mojo back.
Not only could I live in Target, I actually WANT to!! 🙂
I feel like once you put on the shirt, you can do anything. Hope you can find one at a Target near you!
That so textual clip was so hilarious…. the 4th of july one where the person sends 7 texts before the other one says thnx is not to dissimilar to texts between my husband and I…. If you look at our text chain, you’ll repeatedly see a ratio of 7 – 10 texts from me before there is a one word text from him, so……
Have a great time at nationals !!!!!!!!!
HAHAHHA!!! I thought you were going to say between you and your sons – but you and your husband is so hilarious!!!
Thank you Paria!
My fave of those Jimmy Fallon quotes is the one you show…your an angle…I mean – hysterical.
You are so going to rock Nebraska – they are going to ask – who was that woman that just crushed it?
You know I saw that on your FB feed, right? OMG I’m still laughing about “ok so obtuse.” Classic.
Thanks so much for ALL your support Shannon. I wish you could come with me!!
Can’t believe it’s here!! So funny that when I think of this epic race Omaha Nebraska doesn’t come to mind either. I don’t think of anything but steak when I think of Omaha.
Finally something I’m good at, the breathing drills! I remember my swim coach had me doing those breathing drills and they were the ONLY thing I was good at. Yup my super power is I can hold my breath a decent time. Yours is everything else!! We’d make a great time. At least in my mind 😀
I’m obsessed with target. Our stores put in the Starbucks a long time ago and it changed my life. I don’t get to enjoy it nearly as much as I’d like to these days but just wait. I’m coming!
We’ve defiantly been watching all the Olympics and enjoying the heck out of it. Best thing I’ve seen was the women’s cycling event. Did you SEE that shit???? Omg don’t wanna spoil but I was white knuckle watching the last few kilometers like crazy. Even replayed it. Women are AMAZING.
That’s you!!
Holy crap – I seriously cannot believe you can do those breathing drills! That is seriously amazing and you must have rocked childbirth 🙂
Of course I saw the women’s cycling!!! OMG!!! My husband totally doesn’t get it but I go crazy watching it. Love, love, LOVE!!!…and so not me but thank you!
Your description of the perfect Target had me LOL! We don’t even have Target up here. I just drove down yesterday and dropped a zillion bucks on a bunch of stuff. I LOVE IT THERE. And umm… that drowning swimming drill seriously stressed me out just reading about it! AHHHH!!!!
I do not know how you survive only going to Target every once and a while but, at least you can drive to one!!!
That swim breathing (or not breathing) was ridiculous. I’m lucky to be alive.
I am so jealous of all your recent concerts!!
Good luck in Omaha Nebraska… I was there once, it was weird. But their hospital is really nice! that is about all I can offer about Omaha. But there is a huge Mexican population there, and they have a 1 mile long street of anything you can imagine Mexican. But I doubt you will be needing some thick blankets and tortillas.
That Fallon clip was hilarious!! “You must me an Angle” ja ja!
Good to know about Omaha and let’s hope I do not see the inside of the hospital!!! And I could maybe use some tortillas but with the temps where they are now, I definitely will not need a thick blanket!! hahaha – thanks!!
That Fallon clip was hilarious – thanks for sharing, Fall is always great on a Monday. You crushed another week of training – especially that fast 4 miler AFTER a swim! I’m so excited for you for race day – and then for your two fall half marathons 🙂
Thanks Laura! I always have to watch clips of Fallon since I never stay awake that late 🙂
Our Target has a Starbucks, genius!
I’m so excited for you this week… can’t wait to hear all about it!
Woohoo! Thanks Laura!!
ha yes, we saw that Aniz Episode just the other day (we DVR Jimmy Fallon because we are 88 years old). Also we have always had a starbucks in our target so I’m feeling a bit spoiled haha ALL the best this weekend!! I will be rooting for you as ALWAYS! Kick butt mama! Can’t wait to hear all about it <3
Right there with you on the DVR – I could never stay up that late. So sad!!
Thanks so much Nellie!!!
Hooray for the final week! I hope your coach does not in fact find new and exciting ways to drown you. 😉
Soooooo jealous you saw Counting Crows. I went once about 15… 17… something like that… years ago at a music festival and LOVED them. It was pouring rain and as soon as they started playing Rain King it just stopped. Crazy.
Me too!!
Thanks Laura 🙂
I love the Rio Green polish! 2 concerts…party animals, lol! Wishing you all the best this week.
LOL – thanks so much Joi!
I’m so excited for you!!!! You are going to be amazing this weekend. I’ll be cheering for you!! And I think I need that t-shirt because I literally cannot since returning home from vacation. Jet lag stinks!
I mean how flippin’ awesome was Coldplay!!? I think I’m still on a high from that show!!
As for Starbucks in Target, I’ve been hoping that they would do that for years. When we lived in Indiana there was a Starbucks right when you walked in the door of the Target & the grocery store…so much more enjoyable!!