weekly workouts // august 27

Monday, August 27 – while I enjoy post-race rest days, today I had a tough time not heading out for a ride. My sore, inflamed legs – ever sorer than after Chisago! – would have liked an easy, high cadence spin. But, sometimes life + responsibility calls, too, so Nick and I made a trip to Costco, my first ever visit. Whoa. That place is the epitome of super size America. Who needs a four-pound can of albacore tuna, four cans of scrubbing bubbles or a creepy jumbo teddy bear?!

Tuesday, August 28 – tonight’s ride was both fantastic and interesting. Fantastic because it had been a few days since I’d been in the saddle, and I missed my wheels beneath me. Interesting because some chain smoking lady in a gas guzzling SUV from 1997 rolled down her window and yelled at me to get off West River Road and onto the bike path. Five miles later, I caught up to her at the stoplight just over Franklin bridge. I smiled and waved nicely at first, but then she rolled down her window. I promptly told her I had every right to ride on the road, and she protested that I was holding up traffic. Um, I was inside the white line; how was I holding up traffic?! I caught up to you IN YOUR CAR WHILE RIDING MY BIKE! The light turned green, and she continued to argue, even though all the cars behind her were honking. Now who’s holding up traffic?!

Bike: 18.27 miles, 1:02:56.

Wednesday, August 29 – though my legs were itching to ride, Nick and I headed to Highland for outdoor lap swim tonight. I’m glad we did because it turned out to be one of the most fun swim workouts ever for a few reasons.

1. Swim draft! Yes, I was skeptical it existed, and I was surprised at how much it pulls you through the water. Fun as it is, though, the cycling draft is still way better.
2. Drills! I’ve been lap swimming semi regularly since January and had yet to do drills primarily because I’m not that confident I can keep up. After a 500 meter warm-up, Nick and I hammered out 5 x 200s on the five. Our times were consistent at around four minutes each. Nick lead the first four, and I lead the last. I could definitely feel the burn, especially on the fifth interval. And, I’m now wondering why I didn’t do them sooner; swimming goes by a lot faster with intervals! Plus, it was fun to chase the bubbles.
3. Diving boards! It had been at least 10 years since I’d done a spring dive. I felt like a kid again, swimming away my summer at the Hallock pool, playing copycat off the board, tag across the 12 feet and rehydrating with orange Crush.

Swim: 1,500 meters total, 40 minutes.

Another highlight today: This arrived in the mail. I completely forgot I signed up for some Minneapolis Team LUNA Chix swag on facebook, and lucky me, I won! Thanks so much, ladies! The water bottle has already been put to good use, and I can’t wait to try the bars 🙂 (By the way, these ladies are awesome, supporting women’s triathlon + breast cancer research with their countless training events, bike rides and mini tris around the city.)

Thursday, August 30 – a couple bike shops later, Nick had a new, inflated bike tire, and we were ready to ride. We didn’t have enough daylight for a longer ride – we got going close to 6:45 p – so the Ford-Franklin loop did the trick. Check out the evening’s spectacular sunset from the Franklin bridge… there aren’t many summer nights like this left.

Bike: 16.64 miles, 59:04.

Friday, August 31 – no better way to start the long holiday weekend than with the day off and an early morning vinyasa practice. I left class soaked in sweat, detoxed, and open to and excited about all the amazing possibilities just around the corner 🙂

Yoga: C2 vinyasa, 60 minutes.

The rest of the day couldn’t have been any better: new J Brand denim, my first pair of Toms, a Thule roof rack to haul our bikes (the trunk rack resulted in a few scratches… argh!) and a trip to the great Minnesota get-together.

Saturday, September 1 – not every bike ride is sunshine and lollipops. There was a LOT of darkness – and even tears – on today’s century+ ride. Blog post to come…

Bike: 116.03 miles, 7:20:32.

Also, who else is doing lululemon’s what the focus 30-day photo challenge? Today’s #wtfsept pic: centre.

Sunday, September 2 – today’s rest day featured sweet sunshine, lots of lake time and salted caramel ice cream. The perfect way to round out an incredibly wonderful summer.

Weekly stats

The season’s biggest bike week, but also the season’s lowest running mileage – um, zero – which is ok, given there aren’t many more days left to work on my sweet cycling tan lines.

Swim: 1,500 yards, 40:00
Bike: 150.94 miles, 9:22:32
Yoga: one class, 60:00

This week: Another week doing what I love… swimbikerunyoga love! You? Anyone racing Square Lake this weekend? Or, Ironman Wisconsin? We’re tentatively planning to be in Madison to cheer on a few teammates and friends! It’ll be my first time at an Ironman event… I may sign up on a whim for 2013 😉