Wednesday, December 2, 2009

November Totals

So it's December 2nd already. ya know what I've been up to?

Had a fantastic thanksgiving, but got absolutely ZERO pictures. dang. Still, it was great to hang with the big fam for a day. I actually got 4 (yes four) whole days in SC with my wife and kids. I'm still amazed. It was the first time in about 8 years that I haven't been stressed over some work thing, or had to go back into the office friday and/or saturday after thanksgiving.

I also did not accomplish anything at all over the holiday. Just played with the kids, and had a date with Kelley - we had a nice dinner and saw New Moon (and it was awesome, I felt like a teenage girl) while my mom was babysitting. I had some hopes of things to do, like repair the grape trellis's in the backyard. But I chose to play with the kids the whole time instead. It was wonderful.

I also got in a 5 mile run on saturday. Felt good and strong. I'm ready to ramp up the running a bit. I know increased mileage no more than 10% per week. but dang, it's getting good.

Screw Charlotte, NC. Normally the drive between Greenville and Raleigh is less than 4 hours. Wednesday night driving back it took me 6. Sunday headed G to R it took 7! The majority of the extra time was spent crawling through Charlotte. I got to see it at 7 mph on sunday. that's only 14 miles in 2 hours. I can run faster than that (at least @ tybee island in Feb) people! come on. Why does Charlotte have to bite down so bad?

Monday was mostly a recovery day. It's been a long stressful week on the job, we've got deadlines all week. Still, I did my tri power workout before work.

Tuesday was another story. Incredibly long and stressful day. But I did yoga before work so I felt centered and focused all day. Went to the pool for 800 meters of speedwork over lunch. It really gave me a great mental break to power through the long afternoon. Then I hit the bike for 20 miles after work.

Today's been fun too. Did my Tri Power workout before work, and got in speedwork on the treadmill (3 miles worth of 0.3 mile intervals with increasing speeds) over lunch today. The plan was to get in a long swim (1 mile at least) after work, but I saw lightning as I was driving to the gym. So I decided 5 workouts in 2 days was enough. But tomorrow is another day.

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So what happened in November?

Well, there was my first half iron distance triathlon, and the ensuing recovery. The numbers:

Swim: 7800 m, 4.875 miles, 7 swims (1 race 1.2 miles)
Bike: 106 miles, 3 rides (1 race 56 rides)
Run: 32.1 miles, 6 runs (1 race 13.1 miles)
Strength: 90 minutes, 6 workouts
Yoga: 2 hr 30 min, 5 sessions

Factor in the race recovery (1.5 weeks), thanksgiving holiday turkey & such, and that batchelor party in Charlotte and that's a lot of time away from the gym. Swimming rocks. I'm so glad to have a gym with a pool now. Getting 7 swims in last month is more than I expected.

The bike is another story. 3 rides? I'm sure there was more than that, and I left it off of the log. My log spreadsheet gets neglected sometimes when things get too busy. 106 miles is still not bad, but over half of that was during the B2B. 32 miles of running is pretty good under the circumstances. It's been actual running too, not elliptical miles while nursing a hip problem. It feels so incredibly good to get back into interval runs, tempo runs, and long runs again.

Strength training on my new plan (still the Tri Power workouts) is supposed to be 3 times a week, and yoga is twice a week all before work. 6 Tri Power's and 5 yoga's is pretty slack. Should be closer to 12 Tri Power's and 8 yoga's. Still, holidays.... race recovery... I'll take it with excuses.

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I'm not dead

It feels odd to only post once a week, but between the new job and workout schedule and heading back to Greenville every weekend it's all I've been able to crank out. However, I still have the following posts planned before the end of the year:

New Ride - Car
New Ride - Bike
New Ride - Wetsuit
Holiday Gift Guide - What makes a Training Smoker happy
2009 year in review
2010 preview & next year's mostly full race schedule

Have a great weekend!

12 comments:

Amber said...

I've been reading about your hardcore training on Facebook! Pretty intense still, especially for the "off" season.

That is a bummer about the drive. I HATE being stuck in traffic. Probably one of my biggest pet peeves ever!

Sounds like your Thanksgiving was lovely :)

Tyly said...

Thanks for the sweet comment!!! I really appreciate it. : )

teacherwoman said...

You've been busy, it's understandable! That commute sounds nasty.

I look forward to your next handful of posts!

joyRuN said...

had a date with Kelley - we had a nice dinner and saw New Moon

Sure you did.

I know you saw that flick by yo'self squealing away like a little school girl ;)

Georgia Snail said...

You lost me at "New Moon". I mean I continued to read your post but was unable to actually ingest any information I was reading.

New Moon!?!1!

I mean I totally get it if you are taking the girls...kinda like Ryan and his love for American Girl, but date night? You couldn't man up and go see Blind Side???

Now I have a secret weapon for Tybee...just drop a couple of copys of Twilight on teh race course...

Mel-2nd Chances said...

good call spending the extra time with the girls :) new bike??? looking forward to upcoming posts!

Jess said...

Sounds like you had a really fun Thanksgiving with the family! Don't worry about only posting once a week, you've got other things going on now and the blog will be here when you have more time!

Lily on the Road said...

Your Thanksgiving sounds awesome, isn't great to have family and kids you chillax with!!

2010 is not far away, from the looks of it, you're going to have some "pretty nice rides".

Wes said...

Holiday traffic in the big city sux dude. It took us two hours one year to get OUT of Atlanta on the day before Thanksgiving.

I'm getting ready to start this Tripower stuff, after having the book like forever. Do you follow the schedule or just wing it?

I can't imagine being away from my fam! I know the short term sacrifices area good thing, but I just have never had the stomach for it.

Keep rock-in it!!

Relentless Forward Commotion said...

Hi, new follower here! I'm down in SC and was at B2B too (marathon runner for a relay team). CONGRATS on finishing your first half IM!!

Unknown said...

You've had some great workouts lately..hello 3-a-days!! I'm glad you and the fam had a good thanksgiving, and I love that you went to see New Moon:)

Alisa said...

I'm excited to read your year in review report and to see what's on the plate for 2010!