weekly workouts // july 30

Monday, July 30 – I was actually excited to swim today. Shocker, eh?! Nick and I both got home from work a bit too late to make outdoor lap swim at Highland, so we hit LA Fitness. My original plan was just 1,500 meters (or, is the pool in yards? I need to check on that), but because Nick was still swimming when I finished that, I tacked on another 500. It turned out to be the fastest of the workout – and it was pretty fun to kick hard to try catch him. Note to self: Push harder in the pool = improvement. Also, one of these days I need to start drills.

Swim: 1,829 meters (or 2,000 yards), about 45 minutes.

Tuesday, July 31 – it’s nights like tonight that I don’t ever want to stop biking. Blue sky, 90 degrees and a light breeze = perfect cycling weather. And, with its swoopy corners, tree canopies, beautiful homes and minimal traffic, Minnehaha Parkway has quickly become my favorite road to ride.

Bike: 32.67 miles, 1:55:46, route.

Wednesday, August 1 – the highlight of today’s rest day: Dinner at Rojo with my favorite girls. The investment in grad school was worth every dollar because I met these lovelies.

Thursday, August 2 – just a quick solo spin tonight on the Ford-Franklin bridge loop and back to the Cathedral (Nick’s in Vegas for a bachelor party… who on earth thought four-day bachelor parties were a good idea?!). Strong legs and so much bike love.

Bike stats: 18.3 miles, 1:04:52.

So, I’ve been paying for a CorePower Yoga membership and not making time for my mat. Lame for two reasons: 1) It’s expensive, and not getting my bum to the studio is essentially throwing money away; and 2) My entire body has been begging for bending, twisting and stretching, and I haven’t been listening.

Taught by a favorite teacher, Brooke, tonight’s C2 vinyasa flow at the Grand Avenue studio couldn’t have been a better class to resume my practice. Pre-class savasana = instant relaxation. Down dog never felt so good. And, tripod headstand… still got it (inverting usually terrifies me, but upside down felt fantastic tonight… new perspective!).

At the end of class, drenched in sweat and radiating in yoga bliss, I recommitted to my practice: I will practice yoga twice a week by, well, immediately, starting this week.

Yoga: C2 vinyasa flow, 60 minutes.

Friday, August 3 – I have a bazillion days of PTO, so no better day to take one than today. After lollygagging much of the morning and running a couple errands, the bike called. My route was nothing new – Ford bridge, the Greenway to Hopkins, Isles, Calhoun, Harriet, the Greenway, Franklin bridge and back to Summit and the Cathedral (honestly, I’m growing a bit tired of it… new route suggestions, anyone?), but it always amazes me that I can knock out 50 miles in MSP so easily. We’re pretty fortunate to live in such bike-friendly cities.

Regardless of route, every Friday should include a long afternoon bike ride.

In my excitement to get out the door, I spaced the sunscreen (bad bad!). My tank and tri shorts tan lines just got sexier.

Bike: 50.07 miles, 3:04:59.

An evening with my sista was the icing on a really good Friday. After playing catch with Lucy for awhile in the backyard, we headed to Selma’s in Afton for some ice cream. A scoop (ok, two) of caramel collision turned into nearly three hours of catching up and conversation on the patio; it was long closed by the time we left. This – this! – is the essence of my #lifelove white space 🙂

Saturday, August 4 – I waited to run this morning in hopes of missing the rain, but as soon as I stepped out the door, sure enough, it started again. Nonetheless, a rainy run down Summit to the river and back was the perfect start to the day. Even better, I ran into my fab cousin, Margaret, about a mile in… so fun (Saint Paul really is a small city)!

Run: 6.28 miles, 53:18, 8:14 pace.

Rainy days also necessitate yoga. I wasn’t sure I even wanted to go until 30 minutes before class, but after a quick mat cleaning (the Manduka energizing gingergrass renew mat spray smells heavenly), I hustled to the studio and am so glad I did. Fave teacher Amelia radiates life love, and it’s contagious. I leave her class with clarity, compassion and more gratitude in my heart, every single time.

Yoga: C2 vinyasa flow, 60 minutes.

Sunday, August 5 – thanks to a mouse in the house last night – eeeeeek! – I slept poorly because all I could think about were the little rodents running rampant.

So, I slept in a bit, opting for a solo bike + run instead of P2. Same old bike route – Summit + Ford and Franklin bridges – and same old run route to the Cathedral, but the week’s lone brick was fast and fun. A brisk bite of *almost* fall-like air even necessitated arm warmers during the bike…!

Bike: 18.32 miles, 1:03:44.

Run: 3.59 miles, 28:55, 8:14 pace (consistent!).

There’s been a lot – a LOT – of yang lately. At the start of Saturday’s vinyasa flow, I mentally battled to relax and find comfort in child’s pose; my hips were that tight. Yikes. So, to balance out, I met my dear friend, Katie, for yin yoga at CorePower Yoga Edina. A series of static poses – cat pulling its tail! dragon! happy baby! – was exactly what I needed to begin balancing out the yang overdose. This class has been sharpied into my weekly calendar. #yogalove, hard.

A thousand thanks for practicing with me and for the uplifting, ever effervescent chat, Katie. I am so thankful for beautiful friends like you 🙂

Weekly stats

Factoring in three yoga classes this week – yoga counts, right? – it was the biggest training ever at just over 12 hours total.

Swim: 1,829m, 45:00
Run: 119.36 miles, 7:09:21
Run: 9.87 miles, 1:22:13

This week includes a few bricks, more running mileage + a track workout (or two), TWO yoga classes(!), some pool and open water swimming, and the Coldplay concert on Friday (I’ve been waiting for this concert all year!). Sure to be a fantastic week. What do you have on tap? Any races this weekend? Big training runs? A century ride? Make it great!