weekly workouts // september 24

Monday, September 24 – what a beautiful September night! It seemed like ages since I sat on Nick’s wheel down river road… nothing like drafting at 23 mph! A couple miles from home we started brainstorming dinner ideas, deciding on homemade pizza, so we biked to Great Harvest in hopes of picking up a gluten-free crust (it was closed). While turning around on the sidewalk on Selby, Nick tipped and tumbled slow motion to the ground. After triple checking he and his bike were ok – they were – I could not stop laughing! My sunglasses in his jersey pocket, on the other hand, were crushed. Oh, well… loved those Ray Bans, but it was time for some new cycling shades anyway.

Bike: 19.78 miles, 1:09:47.

Tuesday, September 25 – rest day happy hour. Happy birthday, Hammer!

Wednesday, September 26 – pretty sure a rock could have swam faster than me this morning. Ugh. No matter how hard I pulled, how hard I kicked, I seemed to just float. Needless to say, it was a long 1,750 yards. The workout started with a 500-yard warm-up, followed by 6 x 200-yard intervals, alternating with hand paddles and a pull buoy. Only a 50-yard cool down, as I was ready to rip off my too-tight goggles, which leave craters around my eyeballs.

Swim: 1,750 yards, about 40 minutes.

Tonight’s run was equally sluggish. Despite the perfect fall evening – 60 degrees, clear sky, no breeze – my legs felt far from springy… more like clodhopper-y! My heart rate seemed higher than normal, too, so I surprised to see a 149 bpm average after uploading my Garmin. Also, for the second time since Sunday, my Garmin didn’t start recording immediately, missing about a third-mile. Bah!

Run: 3.52 miles, 25:59 moving time, 7:23 min/mile pace.

Thursday, September 27 – tonight’s ride could have ended badly. It started off with a lot of rattling, and over every single bump in the road, it seemed to get louder and louder. My first thought: one of my water bottle cages was loose – this happens often because one of the bolts is stripped – but after listening a little closer, the rattle seemed to be coming from the front of my bike. After a quick tap on the front tire, I determined the source: My front tire wasn’t secured on the fork. Five miles averaging 20 mph with a loose front tire? Yikes. After tightening it at the Ford bridge, the rest of my late afternoon ride was lovely. The trees are absolutely beautiful… Minnesota autumn at its finest.

Bike: 18.38 miles, 1:05:50.

Friday, September 28 – I swam solo this morning and did the exact same workout as Wednesday. Not ideal, as I know I should switch it up, but at 6a on a Friday, it was easier than thinking of a new workout. While I didn’t feel fast, it felt better than my last trip to the pool. My goal for the rest of the off-season: swim a minimum of twice a week.

Swim: 1,750 yards, about 40 minutes.

This yoga slacker needed some serious savasana tonight. The instant I lay down on my mat 10 minutes before class, I was out; my mind cleared, my tight neck muscles relaxed and the week’s worries disappeared. Class was pretty chill and before I knew it, I was back asleep in savasana. Pure bliss.

Yoga: C2 vinyasa, 60 minutes.

Saturday, September 29 – it’s been years since I’ve ran a 5K (my first-ever 5K was Laura’s Run in Hallock when I was probably 12), so I really had no idea how today’s race would feel. I had a great time for a great cause. Race report this week…

Run: 3.12 miles, 23:42. Cool down: 0.8 miles, 7:19.

It was far too nice outside to just run today, so after a quick bite to eat after the race, I hopped on my bike for a spin on my favorite MSP route: around Nokomis, Minnehaha, the lakes and the Greenway. If you weren’t outside today, you missed out – BIG TIME – on this spectacular September Saturday. There aren’t many days like today left.

Bike: 30.19 miles, 1:46:01.

We spent the rest of the day celebrating with friends. Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness, Jenna + Austin!

Sunday, September 30 – this morning I yoga-ed and chatted with lemons at life in luon, a little get-together at lululemon MOA to learn more about living a blissed out life you love (in luon or not). Being back in the store where I once elevated others to greatness was fantastic, as was catching up with the lovelies I met while working there.

Yoga: 30 minutes.

Nick and I hit the road early afternoon for a few days of R&R with my sister, brother-in-law and my parents at Telemark Resort in Cable. Northern Wisconsin is gorgeous! I’m already looking forward to the Birkie in February 🙂

Weekly stats

I’m still feeling like a bit of a slacker. The off-season is tough! Plus, I haven’t felt the best this week thanks to some anxiety and being gluten-ated.

Swim: 3,500 yards, 80:00
Bike: 68.35 miles, 4:01:38
Run: 7.44 miles, 57:00
Yoga: two classes, 90:00

This week: Today marks October 1 – how did that happen?! – and fresh starts and exciting possibilities. I can’t wait to see what this month brings! As for workouts… there will be a bike ride in northern Wisconsin, morning swims, a couple yoga classes and my first 10K.

How’s your week shaping up? Who’s racing TC Marathon on Sunday?!