21 mph!!! & Yoga...Not for me!

I  really struggled with what workout(s) to do today. Since my daughter is now in school, I have lots of free/me time! And, there are so many classes at the gym(s) that I want to do. Today there were so many 'fun' things to choose from! But, I had to remember I have a 7 mile run tomorrow, so I needed to be careful what workout(s) I chose.

I chose to do two. The first was a bike ride. I ended up riding 10 miles. And, I kept my pace at between 15-16 mph (except for the warmup). That's GREAT speed for me!!!

The best part, though, was this little straight-way that I usually love to run. I RODE it this time. And, it's about 1/4 mile without any stop signs or anything. So, if you go back & forth, you get a good 1/2 mile ride (or run) with on the turn around to slow you down. Well, the first time, I decided to push myself and see how fast I could ride it. 19 mph...whew! I ended up riding this road 3 times, and by the last time I got my bike up to 21 MPH!!! WooHoo!!! Besides going down a hill, I'm pretty sure this is the fastest I've ever rode. I'm excited!

Later in the day, I tried a "mat science" class which is a combination of yoga & pilates. I tried this about 6 months ago but at a 5:45 am class. That one tended to be mainly pilates. This one, I think, was mainly yoga. Well, I didn't like it...at ALL!

First of all, I applaud those of you who do yoga. It is TOUGH! I just couldn't even begin to keep up with the others. But, also, I have 2 problems...1) I'm very inflexible 2)I have a ganglion on the palm near the wrist of one of my hands.

So, we were doing a 'downward dog' and the teacher said everyone should put their heels on the ground. Well, mine are probably 3 inches UP in the air! Really, my ankles do not bend much more than 90 degrees. So, the teacher comes and speaks directly to me and tells me to get my heels down. She pushes me down several times...it doesn't help! My ankles just don't bend!

And, we spent a LOT of time on our hands...doing planks, downward dogs, and all kinds of things. Well, besides not having the strength to do this, it was KILLING my ganglion. Ouch!!!

Lastly, I knew this was one powerful workout...and that I'd pay for it on tomorrow's run. So, I 'snuck out' the best I could after about 30 minutes. And, no, I will NOT be trying yoga again. Well, at least not anytime soon! I much prefer my pilates reformer!

I have a 7 mile run in the morning! My hubby is out of town so I've actually hired a neighbor to come over and 'sit' while my daughter sleeps. I plan on running from 6:30-8:00 ish. Whew! At least it won't be THAT hot out yet! We've now had 18 days with above 100 degrees!!! We set a new record several days ago. And, it doesn't look like we'll get relief anytime soon. Oh, well. My body is pretty much used to it...at least early in the morning!

Interval Running & Pilates

I REALLY doubted my ability to do the interval run my coach assigned me for today. I was to warmup for a mile then do an 11:00 pace for 2 mins followed by an 10:00 pace for 2 mins. I was to repeat this 6 times. Then, finish up 'easy' for a total of 4 miles. For the middle part, that would be averaging 10:30 miles for over 2 miles. My fastest 2 miler averaged almost 10:50! But, that was outside AND on hills. Still, this seemed REALLY agressive to me...and scary! But, I DID IT! YEAH!

I did walk the 1st minute, but completed the first mile in 13:00. Then, I ran the 11:00 & 10:00 for 2 mins each, 6 times. This was a HUGE mental challenge! In fact, I kept telling myself I only needed to do 3 sets, then I could walk. Then, of course, I told myself "just one more set & you can walk!" And, again...until I finished!

I actually set the treadmill at 5.5 & 6.0, so the 5.5 was a little different...I don't remember the exact number. Since that had me running for 24 mins at a 10:30 average, I actually ran closer to 2.3 miles at that pace! WOW!! If I could do my 5K at a 10:30 pace, that'd be quite a bit faster than my 'dream' pace!!! (My 'regular' goal is to hit 35 minutes and my 'dream' goal is 33!)

I walked for 1 minute after the 6 intervals, then finished up my last mile...about .7 miles. I started at about 13:00 and bumped it up a click faster at each 1/10th of a mile! Afterwards, I walked for about 3 minutes and did a long stretching session.

For the first 3.1 miles, my time was 34:50. That beats my 'old' 5K PR from last week of 36:23!!! (But, I did hang on to the treadmill probably a dozen times...never more than 10 seconds and usually only for a few.) The total 4 miles was at 45:55, which is a 11:29 pace! I'm thrilled!

I showered, got to read for about an hour while waiting for my daughter's camp to be out, ran by McDonald's and got an oatmeal, then headed to my coach's house for pilates reformer! This is my 3rd session, and we did a lot of new things! I'm really enjoying these sessions. And, my dd tried it out, too!

My coach has down 'swimming' for tomorrow, but I'm debating on that. In fact, I sent her an email asking if it was OK to do a different workout. I know it is important to rest my legs some. I have another 'big', scary run on Thursday! But, there are several classes at the & that I'd love to try...I could do a level 2 step class (love step, but I know it isn't resting my lets), "bodycombat" (martial arts, cardio-intervals), "bodyjam" (a dance type class), or "absolutely yoga" (but, I'm unsure about yoga). These would all be new to me! And, I love trying out new classes. I could also do the elliptical or something, but I prefer a group class.

I'm waiting to hear back from my coach, and will swim if she thinks that's best. I'm hoping to be cleared to try the Step or something else, though.

Endurance Spinning

So, today's workout was 45 minutes of endurance spinning. I used to do spinning classes about 8 years ago and I did a spin class last week. But, ALL of my spinning has been interval work! It has LOTS of variety & jumps & you get to change it up every song. Well, NOT SO with an endurance ride!!! You just pedal fairly hard and steady! It's TOUGH!!! And, not near as fun. But, it's EXACTLY what I needed!

Tomorrow: I have a TOUGH 4 mile interval run on the treadmill. In fact, I'm not sure I can hit the speeds my coach wants me to! (though I've felt that way before and did it) And, I have an hour of pilates reformer with my coach! Should be interesting!

Today's Run...another 5K Pr!

I enjoyed Zumba with my daughter last night, and a great 3 mile run today. My coach had given me a challenging workout, and I went to bed worried that I couldn't do it. But, I was determined to do my best!

My assignment was to run 3 miles...the 1st mile at 12:38, 2nd at 11:38, and 3rd at 12:15. Well, I did even better than that! I did 12:34 (better by :04), 11:27 (better by :11), and 11:31 (better by :44!). I ran the last mile at about 12:00 for the first half, and then picked up speed. I ran close to 11:00 and even below for the 2nd part of it.

I hit 3 miles at 35:31!!! (Yeah!)

I had decided I was going to go for 3.1 miles to see my 5K time. I PUSHED it that last 1/10th of a mile. Ran an 8:58 pace for almost 53 seconds. 5K time: 36:23! My outdoor PR was 36:40! So, I beat it!!! Yeah!

This was a HARD run, but I'm learning a lot! I'm learning that:
I can see a hard workout, give it my best, and SUCCEED!
I need to see a challenge that looks hard, and yet I enjoy pushing the limit & beating it!
I CAN RUN for 3.1 miles WITHOUT walking! I've now done it 3x!

I have pilates this afternoon, too. It's my first hour session and my first 30 minute session left me barely able to walk!! So, I'm hoping it's a great workout, but that I can still do a bike ride tomorrow night. Yep! I'm hoping back on the bike after last week's fall...same group & everything! I WILL ride without falling tomorrow night, right!?

Another 1st...waterskiing!!!

                                        

This weekend I learned to waterski! Yep! I'm 41, and I've tried twice before (about ages 10 & 17), but I actually learned to waterski this weekend!

Yesterday was my first try. One of my husband's friends was my coach. He got in the water with me and told me what to do and held my skis for me.

On my first try, I got pulled a little. He told me I needed to let the rope pull me up - not try to stand up. By the 3rd try, I got up and went a little ways. Yes! By the 4th try, I went far enough that they picked up my 'coach' and I was on my own. On my 5th try, I was skiing!!! I went for several minutes. WOW!!! What a feeling!

I had one more 'failed' attempt and one more successful ride. It was amazing!

Today we went again...after a HARD, 2 mile run. I had my fastest 2 miler EVER! (with my neighbor who is 61 and a FAST runner!) My goal: to learn to steer!

My first attempt was another 'failure', but I got up on the 2nd try...and skiied for a long time! I was even steering myself! I would go from one wake to the other! But, I was afraid to go over the wake. Finally, when we turned around, I went over the 'low' wake. Wow! I was even able to stay up while I went back over the wake. (I didn't know this was a 'no-no'! I was going on the inside of the boat's turn! Not safe...lesson learned.)

Anyway, I finally wiped out and I was DONE. I was so tired.

I woke up this morning with some aches and pains. Well, after the 2 miler and the long ski session...I'm SO SORE!!! I have a hurt ankle, a sore thigh, and my back is in prettty bad shape. I'm having trouble standing up, but feel fine when I'm sitting. **sigh** I guess I forgot how old I am!

But, I'm thrilled with my waterskiing. I can't WAIT to do it again!!!

Help! I'm SUCTIONED to the CEILING!

                                                         

Yikes! The ceiling has a mighty suctioning force! My daughter was taking photos of me with her iPod & flipped this upside down & we both got a good laugh!

But, really... I tried this today!
                                                          


The first time, I tried it against the wall. But, I found I didn't need the wall (but I DID need a pillow) so I headed to the middle of the hallway. I was so excited! Just like my handstand, this is something I used to do as a child. So, I feel very child-like!

Anyone want to accept this challenge? (Oh... and I just love seeing my 'skinny' little belly. It makes me happy! Ha!)

No Hip Pain! & On My Own

Yesterday I had my bike refitted and a flat tire fixed. Well, it went flat again almost immediately! (After 1 mile.) I honestly don't know if something was wrong with the tube, or I ran over some glass (again?), but they fixed my tire again today...for free. So, I was excited to try out my bike and see how my hips would do. After my last 2 rides, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to do the long rides (like the MS 150 next spring) that I had dreamed of.

So, while my daughter was at swim practice, I went on almost an hour ride. I rode for 12 miles... and NO hip pain! Yeah!!!

Unfortunately, I do have a ganglion on my left hand that hasn't given me much problems in the past. Tonight, however, it was hurting. I had to keep readjusting my hand. It also helped when I moved my big Garmin watch away from my wrist. I hope I can figure out how to ride with this ganglion!

After I picked up my daughter, we went outside to have dessert. My daughter hopped in the pool for a short swim, and I decided to do a little strength exercising. My plan had been to go to CrossFit for a 2nd trial class today, but my dd really didn't want to go. And, I didn't want to make her go.

So, I did some ab work. Then some lunges...until my legs were BURNING. I did some tricep dips on the side of the spa. Then, I decided I'd try to jump up onto the spa. I think it is 18 inches. I could do it! So, I did that about 15 times and it felt wonderful.

Next, I headed out to the yard and tried a few handstands. Hmmm... my daughter was laughing. I wasn't getting up very far. I decided to try it next to the fence... and I could get up all the way! I could even get steady enough to be off the fence a bit! WOW!!! I'm 41, and I felt like a kid! I ended up doing this about 10 times...sometimes for about 10 seconds. I wonder if I'll feel it tomorrow???

My husband came home while I was finishing this up. I told him he had to come outside so I could show him my new 'thing'... AND embarrass our daughter! I don't know what he thought, but I was having a lot of fun! I'll try to get a photo tomorrow. I'll have to figure out what to do with my shirt as it is kinda falling down.

What about you? Have you tried anything new lately? I hope you are ENJOYING the journey!!!