Up and Running...and Riding...and Biking...you get the picture

Hey Ya'll
   So have you decked your halls? Are you wrapped and ready? CHRISTMAS IS HERE!! I can't believe it! Between training, work, keeping up with the hubster, traveling and getting our own house holiday ready I haven't had much time or energy to blog but wanted to give a little pre christmas update.

So training is officially in full force. 6-7 days a week ya'll. The real.deal. In short...

How I feel:

How I think I'm supposed to feel:

How I feel when I get my rear in gear and get my workouts done:

I want to share my workouts with you so you know what I'm up to and to be some sort of cyber-accountability if that makes sense. However, with respect to my coach I'm not going to post all the details of the workouts she's given me but here's a short synopsis of what the last two weeks have looked like:

• Monday Dec 8 - still had stitches in my finger so I did a row+arm bike combo for 45 mins
• Tues Dec 9 - 21 mile tempo bike ride+ 4 mile run
• Wed Dec 10 - Work ran late so I flexed this to be my off day
• Thurs Dec 11 - 20 mile/1 hour bike interval training
• Fri Dec 12 - 4 mile run+1000 yd mixed interval swim. I did my FIRST SUB 30 MIN 5K! 
• Sat Dec 13 - 52 mile endurance ride out in Hocklely w/ major headwind for the last 20 (not fun)
• Sun Dec 14 - 7 mile run. I was supposed to also do a 1600m swim but the day got away from me and I never got in the pool this day. 

• Mon Dec 15 - 2200m swim
• Tues Dec 16- 21 mile tempo ride
• Wed Dec 17 - 4 mile run+2600 meter swim. Did my second sub 30 min 5k ever!
• Thurs Dec 18 - was supposed to do an hour bike but work ran late, we had church and were getting ready to head out of town so it didn't happen. Lame-oh-I-Know
• Fri Dec 19 - 1 hr progressive ride. I caught the 5:30am Rev class at Define Houston which was the best best best ever as per usual/the only way this hiney was getting up that early before going to work
• Sat Dec 20 - 3 mile endurance run. Some of my best splits so far!
• Sun Dec 21 - 6 mile endurance run with intervals. Did my fastest outdoor mile (9:39!). I have NEVER done speed work before so I am definitely seeing the changes!

And this week:

• Mon Dec 22 - 20 mile/1 hour bike w/ lots of climbing and sprints+2700m swim with intervals
• Tues Dec 23 - 20 mile tempo bike ride+6 mile endurance run
• Wed Dec 24 - 2800m tempo swim
• Thurs Dec 25 EAT ALL THE CANDY OFF DAY
• Fri Dec 26 - we are going out of town and I only have access to a road and my tennis shoes so just a 4 mile endurance run+25 minute home strength circuit routine
• Sat Dec 27 - 4 mile endurance run
• Sun Dec 28 - 25 min home strength circuit routine

So as you can see we are in full swing...and it's busy..and I'm tired but I just keep picturing that finish line and putting this year and this accomplishment behind me and it just continues to spur me forward. I am so excited.

As far as diet goes - let's just say I'm trying really hard to be as good as possible...but...ALL THE SUGAR! FOR REALS.

Also on another aside as a general public service announcement- twice now as I've been swimming at the gym and I'm like at least halfway through my long swim and totally getting into my groove - some old lady water walker has gotten into my lane and started waywardly water walking (today's lady was in red tipped tube socks too boot) all through my lane! LADIES...

Come one - just go get in the other lane with the other water walkers. You have unintentionally put me in the aquatic version of this:

I mean don't get me wrong - you get on with your tube sock wearing water jogging self but please PLEASE don't make me a personal acquaintance with the lane rope as you do it. K thanks. 

Ok everyone - whew that was a big catch up but at least you know what I've been up to. Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas! We will be traveling so I will probably not get to update again until after we get back but know how loved you are this season. I just love this season of love and celebration of my sweet sweet Savior. Hope yours is as happy as mine and one to never forget. 

and

Because I'm all about that base...

That's base people...not bass...

No offense Meggy T but I think we've done enough talk and work about the "treble" shall we say.

So the last few weeks have been all about building base! I have been working up my bike and run mileage all through November and started officially working with my coach on Dec. 1. She was so sweet in sending my first week's workouts - described as "pretty generic." Oh man guys - it was definitely the kick in the pants that I needed to realize this is the real.freaking.deal people. Like get to that gym for 2 hours of cardio already on a weeknight kick in the pants.

And then do it again the next day.

And the next.

Something tells me this will be a theme. Not that I already didn't know this was going to be a big undertaking but there's just something jilting about seeing it on paper/email/trainingpeaks.com

So this week looked like:

Monday: FIRST DAY WITH THE COACH! GET MY WORKOUTS! I AM PUMPED! Supposed to swim... then in a moment of  pure brilliance I sliced my hand open with an immersion blender while cooking dinner, got 5 stitches and suddenly swimming wasn't looking so likely. Strong start HB...strong start.

Tuesday: Still feeling crummy after my blending blade battle and work ran long so off day.

Wednesday: 4 mile continuous run averaging 10:30/mile

Thursday: 1:20 min spin and 30 min row workout (to supplement for not swimming)

Friday: off 

Saturday: 5 mile run with my sister! - running 10 min intervals - averaging 10:47/mile

Sunday: I have 40 miles on the bike scheduled...so up and at em early in the AM hitting the road! Maybe getting in a row too afterwards for some "swimming".

Stitches out next week so I'll be back in the pool!

Hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving and are loving this Christmas season! See ya next week!

PS...this guys=awesome. May we all groove like you sir. 

Ok. Peace.