Trainer Ride in Which I Sorta Talked to Myself

Around lunch time Tuesday, I hopped on the bike trainer for a one hour ride. I hadn't been on the bike in a while, so I wasn't really sure what I'd do. I just started the music and started pedaling.

I took it easy for about 10-15 minutes, spinning with quick legs but easy gear. I wanted to let my lungs and heart rate settle in. Still kind of burny-lunged since being sick. For an hour ride, there was no need to push too hard right away.

It's like Pandora knew my plan. Around the 15 minute mark, the music picked up to something I thought "hey, I'll work with this." And I began to work. I think it was just some pickups during a chorus. My mind wandered. Maybe I should really try to make an effort to get to those Y spinning classes; I'd push myself more if I did. Wonder what it'd be like to teach. It'd be fun to have a friend who'd bring their bike and trainer over and we could ride together. I could "instruct" a mini-class.... 

And then the next thing I knew I was shouting out cues and encouragement to a fake class.

I felt a little nuts, but after one song, I just thought it was crazy fun.

Oh how fun it would be to be an instructor! I could just sub maybe? I don't know. I am not sure how it all works. But it was really fun to think about the things that make a person push. The encouragement, the challenge. It would be really neat to see people working hard, getting results, coming to my class to workout because of how I lead it. I think back to Mel at Urban Active. She was spectacular, by far the best spinning instructor I've ever had. It worked for me.

At the 1 hour mark I finally finished, but I wanted to keep going.

I was clumsy with my words. That would definitely need some practice. But I was also winging it – shouting cues to whatever song came on Pandora. I just went with the music, which I know isn't always the best workout. I thought about that too. I'd come up with some smart interval classes, and spend the time crafting the music around that. But then I'd have some "random road rides" where it would change up sporadically, kind of like how it is on a real road ride. I might have to make it purposefully random, because I'm sure instructors aren't allowed or encouraged to "wing" a class.

I was excited when I got off the bike. Initial thought: Maybe I should become an instructor in 2015?!?! It'd be nice to get out and interact with people, from whomever would employ me to the students. But then I thought about how scary it is being in front of people, and how I'm kinda chubs, and who wants an out-of-shape-looking instructor...
But then I thought again about how much I enjoyed the prospect of trying to get someone to work, to really dig in and feel good. And I thought about how dumb it is to be afraid of things like being in front of people, because fear just holds you back from experiencing amazing things.

I like experiences. I want to do it. I'm still really scared. But I want to do it.

2.8 miles today...and was I holding back?

I ran with K after a meeting today. Earlier in the day I had no breakfast, but a salad for lunch with 2 eggs cut up, cuke, cheddar and ranch (barf) dressing. Oh and a few snap peas. Tea later in the day, with cream. 

The run went super well for me. We slowed and it wasn't because of me. I had to hold myself back. We clipped along at 10 pace, which felt easy. Later it was hard to run so slow (we were slowing). K eventually had to walk at the end. 

I certainly don't wish the feelings of struggle and having to walk on anyone, especially K... But wow it was so weird and different to be the person who wasn't struggling. 

My breathing was great. I felt strong. 

Yay!!

Wrapping Up & Goals

For the past couple of weeks, I've been fighting off a cold. It finally got the better part of me last Saturday. I went on a run with Krista, then came home and really started feeling bad. Aches, tired, dizzy...ug. I made it out Saturday night, after a long afternoon nap. Then Sunday I was pretty worthless. Monday and Tuesday were a struggle, as clients suddenly needed everything last minute and all I wanted to do was sleep. Coughing was getting worse- burning. And I had to finish shopping. I had no appetite, so that helped my diet along nicely.

Christmas eve and Christmas I tried not to hack on everyone. And now it's two days after Christmas and I'm definitely feeling better! Yesterday I went on a 2.5 mile run. Almost immediately, my lungs started burning. But I took it easy, and eventually the burning went away. I didn't even cough much afterwords, so I think that's a good sign.

I was thinking about going on a bike ride tomorrow, but it's supposed to be raining. It was a 20 miler that goes the speed of the slowest rider. So really, it could be pretty painful and cold. I may just stick to the trainer. I just want to get some outdoor riding in this winter. Keep things in check.

Yesterday I realized that the Heart Mini is only 11 weeks away. That sparked trying to really decide what I want to do next year for fun. And so here goes a list of goals.

1. Heart Mini Half Marathon - March 15.
2. Flying Pig Marathon - May 3.
3. Various sprint tris that are close and convenient throughout the summer.
4. Something biking long? I still haven't done any biking events.
5. Fall Marathon - Columbus?


So, thinking more about triathlon, I really think I need to back off a bit and just stick to a fun sprint here and there. Until I have the desire and time to really focus on swimming, sprints are plenty fun. Maybe even some duathlons. I missed running a lot last year. I want to get back to running.

My breathing continues to be better. I'm really hoping that this diet change I've made will allow me to have fun again, and maybe even have some cool performances. Maybe, just maybe, if I work hard, I can run a half marathon PR again.

Busy Day and Long Run or 5K

I've had a busy day. Just a lot going on, got up early, felt the urgent need to find something to wear to G's Xmas party tonight so did some brief shopping. It's a classic case of "well now the afternoon is gone" and I don't think I'll work out.

I also didn't work out yesterday.

In reality, I may lift. I did some squats and other leg stuff this morning while I waited for tea to brew. I did counter pushups. I am not ever sore from those, so I guess I need to do more.

Tomorrow morning I'd really like to do a 5K in Loveland. It's a Christmas themed one, and I don't really have anything even red or green...but it's free with canned food and sounds like a good enough reason to run with some people. I would not expect anything stellar for time. Maybe...just maybe I could pull off 10 pace. It'd be good practice.

The problem is I'm already tired and there's this Xmas party tonight...so tomorrow morning may be rough. Not because of alcohol. I'm just dragging a bit.

Alternative idea would be to run long. Like 6 miles. But the newfound overachiever in me wants to run this 5K tomorrow and then run 6 Sunday morning. Because I didn't do anything yesterday or today.

And obsession is starting to kick in big time.

Sub 10-min per mile pace

Tonight, when it was just about dark, I set out on my run. I despise this early darkness. It had been cloudy all day. That didn't help the sun get its last weak rays into the late afternoon. I knew I'd finish in the dark. 

I decided I'd push it a bit. I started out so smooth ad thought maybe it could stay that way. So instead if 3, I did my 2.5 mile loop. I almost tripped over a branch in front of a car at the end. Stupid darkness. 

My pace was sub 10 within the first mile. 9:58 I think. Then I slowed a bit in the middle, struggling with some slight inclines. So I pushed at the end, unable to see my watch but wanting to see sub 10 when I stopped. 9:56 was it. 

I'm certainly happy I did this. I wonder about how hard it was though. I felt weak more than I had trouble breathing, so maybe that's good?

I'm trying to stay positive. Trying to believe I can get better, and people will want to run with me again. 

1 hour 10 minutes on the trainer

I finally got on the bike. This morning I had two sausage links, a stick of string cheese, and coffee with 4 T of cream for breakfast. That cream was spread over 2 cups of coffee by the way.

Then I got on the bike around noon. I decided to ride steady for a half hour. I tried very hard to keep my heart rate below 160 and my pace at 16 - 16.5 mph. This meant either quick legs in an easier gear, or not so quick cadence in a heavier gear. I alternated. And I tried to focus on belly breathing. I had fun watching my heart rate fluctuate. I could take some deep breaths and bring it down a few points. Interesting.


So here's the ride, all done to my mix:

Time: 1:10:00
- 30 minutes of warmup then steady pace 16 - 16 mph with HR below 160.
- 20 minutes of playing with the music, pacing differently, pushing. Still trying to keep HR down.
- 20 minutes of heavier pushing. Got HR up to 171. Includes cool down (probably 5 minutes)

Max HR: 171
Avg HR: 159

Summary: Good workout. Felt strong. Felt when I was weak, but don't think it was abnormal.

After all that time, I felt fine. No crashing, well yet I guess. I had a salad with walnuts, cheese and cucumbers drenched in walnut oil and vinegar. I had a cheese stick right after I got off the bike. I'm about to make some tea because I'm very thirsty.

No Biking Yet

Well, I didn't get up early to ride like I had hoped to. I was so wired last night...and then this morning I was so very groggy. It has been something I've noticed since the new diet. I have a really hard time getting out of bed. I'm not sure why.

So I've made my list for the day, and will do a small piece of work to get a client off my back and then shower. I'll ride later...when I like to ride anyway :) Maybe around lunch time.