That's an Improvement!

Tonight, I was able to double my swim distance that I swam yesterday. I think that this was a very good confidence boost on the heels of yesterday's not-so-good experience. I had written down a drill set from an earlier week of training and I think that was very helpful. Tomorrow night I will swim again and try to add a little bit more in hopes of doing an open water swim at Lake Murray this weekend.

I had a good time talking with one new tri newbie that we met yesterday and one tri friend (Fred) that we've met solely while swimming at Drew. The new tri newbie stopped us on our way out yesterday apprehensively and said she didn't want to bother us but we look like triathletes so she wanted to ask a question. She asked us about flip-turns and how a pool swim works. I personally don't do flip turns and don't see the benefit of them for triathlon training, although others may disagree. They aren't done in an open water swim and unless you are sticking to pool swims, you really aren't going to benefit rather it's almost more counter-productive like the benefit of pushing off the wall in my opinion. Today, she was back in the pool working with the Janice, the swim coach, on flip turns. She is doing her first sprint triathlon this weekend and wanted to be able to do them since it is a pool swim. Tonight's conclusion as she left the pool..."I think I will just duck under the lane lines." I had to giggle as I told her I would totally agree and it would also reduce the pressure she was putting on herself.

There was also a lady, she's a regular, that swims during the times we're at the pool. I shared a lane with her today. It was quite a compliment when she inquired about which swim fins I was wearing after beating her as she swam and I used the kickboard. I giggled and told her I wasn't wearing swim fins. She was quite amazed. I explained to her that my kick makes up for the upper body strength that I am lacking in the swim, especially the past two days returning to the pool. I thought, my ugly feet finally were paid a compliment :)

Swim, Bike Run...Gotta TRI!

On Friday, I went to see the ENT surgeon who performed my tonsillectomy. I had decided that I wouldn't tell him what I had done the night before until he had taken a look and given me his initial thoughts on my throat. In with the tongue depressor, light on and then his initial observation. He said that my throat was looking good and healing nicely. I responded with the news that I sure was glad since I had run 8.5 miles on Thursday night. He gave a giggle and said that was great if I hadn't had any problems. He then provided me with information about the lingering possibility of bursting a blood vessel but stated that the healing was far enough along that if it were to happen, it could be resolved relatively easy. I explained to him that I had tried to transition slowly and had avoided swimming so as to not ingest any unnecessary germs. Before leaving, he released me. Of course, this was followed by me sharing the news that I had a 70-mile bike ride planned for Saturday morning. LOL

We biked 72 miles Saturday morning. It was absolutely spectacular to be back in the saddle again. Other than some minor bike cage problems, we all successfully completed the ride and several ladies ran afterwards, too. I, however, wasn't ready to add that yet. During the ride, I made the decision not to compete in the triathlon I was scheduled to participate in next weekend. I think that pushing myself to compete after only a week back in training would result in me forcing myself regardless of how I felt for fear of a "DNF" and I absolutely don't want that. Of course, this decision was reinforced by today's afternoon swim.

How do I describe the swim today? Hmmm, perhaps a little short of disastrous. Only 700m. The only thing that would have helped me was a small motor or some self-propelling swimmies. I honestly thought the return to the pool would be as easy as the return to the bike and run. Boy was I mistaken. Breathing wasn't an issue although my throat did dry out much quicker. My arms and legs couldn't power me forward. I was sharing a lane with an elderly woman and at times I thought she could take me.

With this said, this week will include some extra swim workouts no doubt. I have added 3 building sets to the schedule. I am hoping that this will get me back on track perhaps a little quicker. Time's a ticking and the half is approaching...gotta TRI! :)

We Were Running With the Night

What an absolutely wonderful evening. I had the opportunity to have dinner with two friends I haven't seen in a while as a result of the tonsillectomy. Catching up with them and enjoying some "friend time" was the perfect way to set the tone for the remainder of the evening. I came home after dinner and allowed myself about 30 minutes to unwind and mentally prepare for what I wanted to accomplish this evening with respect to my run workout.

The plan was to run with my training partner from the house, across the Lake Murray Dam and back home. This was going to mean cranking out 8.5 miles following two weeks off. It definitely was not completed in the time that I had hoped. Final time was 1:39. EEK! I focused on low HR zones and consistency. The only walking was to drink and to refill water bottles on the other side of the dam. We also ran the length Lake Murray Dam entirely in the dark. This was quite a challenge as it was hard to see foot placement unless a car passed or a runner/walker passed by with a flashlight.

Regardless of the final time, I felt very accomplished just getting back out there and getting in the mileage. Again, hoping to be released tomorrow by the doc. I wonder if he'll be surprised that I have been running and cycling. :)

Getting Back on Track

Last night was a double brick night, although not as long or as far as I've been doing. My training partner got to swim and since I haven't been released to swim, I rode the bike indoors and then ran the track. An hour long double brick. Still feeling great and strong...mending nicely! My hope is that the doctor says that I am 100% and can be released tomorrow. Cross your running toes :)

On the Road Again

Last night felt awesome! It wasn't my best time or the prettiest run but just being back outside exercising was well worth it. Temps had cooled down somewhat by the time I opted to venture out for a run. My training partner and I ran 3.5 miles. I opted to walk 3 of the bigger inclines/hills in an attempt to keep my heart rate in my zone. A lot of the reading I'd done about returning to exercise after a tonsillectomy has to do with extreme fluctuations in blood pressure. I felt this was the safest way to get myself back into it. Legs felt good and weight loss really feels good. I am hoping that I can keep the pounds lost off or at least half of them. Admittedly, I am bummed that I am doing 3.5 miles when the schedule this week calls for 16.5 miles. Unfortunately, we aren't always in control of what our bodies need. I can't believe it's 54 days until the half IM in Augusta!

My Mini Triathlon

Spin, run and shower. Okay, so maybe I could have skipped the shower but the spinning and running felt really good. Nothing strenuous, just enough to remind the old muscles that they have major work to do over the next 111 days. I definitely don't want them to forget that they have a job to do!

The Road to Recovery...Step It Up

I woke up this morning determined to endure whatever pain comes my way without the need for pain medication. I also decided that I would take Bailey for a walk up to the entrance of the subdivision. A whopping 0.8 mile! Off we went and surprisingly, that seemed to go much better than the attempt I made yesterday. We made the trip and returned home. Of course, this walk got me thinking...if I can do that, I can surely walk to the Lake Murray Dam and back. I was running this route in my sleep without any problems pre-surgery. I sent my training partner a message that I would be headed that way (she had met some buddies to swim and run up there) and I told her she could just pick me up on her way back. The entire route would mean walking about 5 miles with 3 inclines. Surely, an Ironwoman in training could accomplish this minor task.

I grabbed a bottle of water, turned on my iPod and headed out the door. Walking...slowly. I had made it back to the entrance of the subdivision without too much difficulty. Proudly, I turned right as if it were my first days of Ironman training. Just as I did then, I looked UP. Understand that this first right turn includes an incline that leads up to a redlight. Not an easy feat after 14 days of not working out but seriously, surely I can do it! After a few steps, I made the decision that I should probably go halfway to the dam. The more steps I took, the more it became evident that sometimes in life we set our sights on lofty goals much too quickly. In other words, we set ourselves up for failure. A few more steps...Goal #3 for the day...I simply want to make it up the hill to the redlight and I will turn around and go home...

The moral of this story is you should be able to eat more than toast before you decide to walk 5 miles. I didn't make it to the redlight, not even halfway. But, I made it out the door and a total of 1.5 miles. Yes, I was sweating. Yes, I was breathless. No, it didn't kill me. But, it was a start and we can't move forward in anything in life unless we get started. Even though I didn't achieve my original goal today, I did more than I did yesterday. For that, I am pleased.

And now, I must take a nap. I am exhausted!