Last Week's Training Schedule

Last week's training schedule was deeply unmotivated. I was letting stupid things cloud my head and distract me from my focus. I am clearly a warm weather kind of girl as well and last week was a pretty cold week. I managed to do some workouts but I think with everything going on and the cold weather I just simply couldn't get motivated.

Here was last week's schedule:

Sunday: Core Workout

Monday: 1.5 Mile Base Run

Tuesday: Speed Drills - 3x 800's, 2x 400's, 2x 200's

Wednesday: Sick Day

Thursday: Spin Class

Friday: Rest Day

Saturday: Lots of Walking at the Mall

Sunday: 5K Race

As you can easily tell, my workouts last week were lazy and laid back. This week I am sticking to motivation and I am not going to allow anything or anyone to cloud my mind. Free mind, clear mind... that's my motto for the week. :)

God Speed and Safe Training,

Megan

Trek Women's Triathlon Series 5K Race - San Marcos, Texas

I completed my first 5K of the season on Sunday. What an amazing experience and atmosphere. I am pleased to say I completed - and I didn't come in last place! :)

The day started out early (and cold). We arrived at the mall for packet pickup - at a bright and early 6:00 AM. I got my time chip and went back to the car to put it on and try to warm up a bit. I ate a banana, peanut butter, and drank some Orange Juice. Many lessons learned on this event.

8:15 finally rolls around and it's time to line up for the run. The "gun" goes off and I start sprinting. I'd say the first 1/2 mile was completely up hill - which I was not prepared for. And to make the up hill running the worse, we passed a pig/cow farm and it smelled really bad - felt like it clogged my lungs. I got to the top of the hill and started to slow down. All of a sudden my sprinting caught up to me. I was being passed left and right. I didn't pace myself properly. My calves started to cramp and my butt started to burn. I felt as though the entire course was up hill.

I ran and walked, ran and walked. It was so cold I couldn't keep my body temperature warm enough to keep my legs and hand warm. I was wearing pants but that was not helping me stay warm. I was proud of myself for my strong finish, except when I crossed the finish line, I almost threw up on my mom. Apparently, orange juice does not sit well in your stomach when running. I am sticking to water and Gatorade next race. Orange juice was all I tasted. I was feeling queezy. I finished though. I also think that being sick a few days before a race is not the greatest thing ever. I set a time to beat and I know where i need to improve and what I need to work on.

I am very proud of all the women who finished the race and who got out there and completed the race - especially given the cold weather. My mom said she would do the race next year and I will be her support system. I will not be racing because I will be doing the Rock 'n Roll Las Vegas Marathon the weekend before so I will be in rest mode.

My sister and a few friends did the 5K as well. Congrats to everyone on strong finishes. :) The next 5K will be amazing! :)

God Speed and Safe Training,

Megan

Sick Day - Ugh

Have you ever noticed how when you are sick you tend to reflect on some silly things or think about past events or even future events? That was me today! I was sick all night (and morning until 3:45am) and spent most the night in the bathroom. I hate having a bug that everyone around here seems to be getting. Oh well.

After leaving work early, I came home and slept - a bunch. During the times I was deliriously awake, I reflected back on my training and past triathlon. I envisioned myself running faster than I have ever run before; I saw myself cycling faster than I have ever cycled before; I saw myself swimming faster than I have ever swam before. It was a great thought and dream. I want so badly to run right now but I know I shouldn't because I wouldn't have any energy. I am definitely going to run tomorrow. I have to... I have a race on Sunday I need to prep for and I NEED to make sure my muscles stay loose.

I know Miami is 10 months away but I feel like that is tomorrow. I get nervous when I think about it and I get worried that I won't achieve the personal goal I have set for myself. It will be hard to achieve for sure, but I want to push myself to new limits. I certainly will be happy just to finish the race, but I want to make sure I have pushed myself. I don't want to regret ANYTHING about that race.

I have a tough training schedule ahead of me. Right now I am focusing on my running and starting in January I will start swimming because that is what really needs the biggest improvement. I will add a few long rides in there but starting February I'll have brick workouts and longer rides and runs.

I enjoyed my reflection time today. I really needed it as I felt like my spirits were getting low. I am back on track now and I am ready to rock and roll. Tomorrow is a new day and I am ready to run.

I'll post my times as the races come and go. Sunday when I get back from San Marcus I will post my weekly training schedule from this week.

God Speed and Safe Training,

Megan :)

Training Week 1 - Down

Week 1 for training has been completed. I am motivated but had a difficult time running the past couple days --- IT HAS BEEN SO FREAKIN COLD!!! I'm not a big fan of running on a treadmill but may have to give in due to the weather and being difficult to run in the cold. This morning around 7:00 I got in my car and it said it was 28 degrees. Really?!?! Tomorrow morning is supposed to be colder. I seriously live in Texas to try to get away from the cold weather. OYE! :)

So this week broken down for training:

Monday 11/30 - 2 Mile AM Run

Tuesday 12/1 - Evening Spin Class and a Light Jog

Wednesday 12/2 - Evening Spin Class (my mom joined me on this one - it was fun!)

Thursday 12/3 - Sprint Drills (not very many due to track being wet)

Friday 12/4 - Brisk Walking

Saturday 12/5 - Rest Day

Trying to get into training slowly as to not get any injuries and to get my body used to running. This week, however, I have to really start stepping it up. I have a 5K race on Sunday (12/13) and it is going to be the first of a few before my triathlons start. My trainer and I are trying to get a base-line time down so we know how (and where) to improve on my running.

The race is apparently hillier than expected. I am not looking forward to that much but it's okay... I can do it. :) No excuses but stay focused! I'm really excited to be working on this and achieving a goal I have set for myself. :)

Anyway, I am watching football right now with my dad and mom - Texas and Nebraska. So far a pretty decent game. Both defenses are apparently playing pretty well. I'm going to head back home soon and head to bed. I need to run in the morning and then do some hill workouts tomorrow in preparation for the 13th.

God Speed and Safe Training,

Megan

Vitamins and Ironman Cozumel

Today I purchased a Women's Multivitamin from The Vitamin Shoppe. They are specialized for Endurance Sports for Women. We'll see how they help me during training. They are supposed to provide additional energy as well as additional potassium to help with cramping and cranberry to help keep everything in check. I only purchased one bottle to make sure I like them and then if I do, I'll go get more. :) Good times.

I've been tracking Ironman Cozumel today as well - I love the iPhone. It helps motivate me with the times and stories of the people who are competing, winning, and finishing the race. Such an amazing feat everytime someone registers and then completes those events. That will be me someone - maybe not winning but I will finish an Ironman someday... hopefully sooner rather than later! :)

I am so ready to start my training tomorrow with my trainer. We will see how it goes though. He's going to be tough on me - which is good - just what I need to help me get through the year in training.

Tomorrow AM I will be doing a short "pace run" to start getting my body used to waking up early to work out and get my body in gear. I know I can do this - I just know I can. I hope this training will help me actually be a competitor - not just someone to complete an event.

Anyway, I need to finish getting some stuff together for the training.

God Speed and Safe Training!

Megan :)

Ironman 70.3 Miami

Today I registered for IM 70.3 Miami. Crazy, Crazy, Crazy. I got with my trainer last night via Yahoo! Messenger and we set my training schedule. It won't be easy - but nothing ever is. I'm really excited and I know I can achieve my goals through hard work and dedication. The next 10 months are going to be tough and tiring but I can do it.

I have a good support system around me with my family. I think it will be good for me to have them there supporting me and helping with training and staying on track. :)

God Speed and Safe Training,

Megan

Training Start

Today I am working on my training schedule with a friend of mine who is a trainer - text messaging is AMAZING. We are going to work on my endurance and speed on the bike and run. I want to get better - faster before July when I am planning on completing an Olympic Distance.

Maybe my sister and I can complete it together. She has been training as well to compete in a Oly distance and a Half-Ironman as well. I know she can do it just as much as I know I can do it. I'm giving it until July to get my run and bike time down. In March I'm thinking of doing a sprint triathlon. I am hoping to get my transitions down during that tri and work on my swim speed.

I am excited to start this new adventure in my life. I feel like so many doors are opening for me right now. I'll discuss more later... just waiting for a really important email to come in before I spill any beans. :)

Because of this being a crazy busy week with the holidays, we are trying to get the training schedule started next week. When we get it together, I'll post an example week of what my training will look like. I know we are going to up the miles run per week, as well as adding in some major biking.

It's going to be tough but how can I get any better if I don't push myself to the limits every day?

Well, that's it for today... I'm going to finish up working on my schedule and get ready for an early morning jog. :)

God's Speed and Safe Training!

Megan