weekly workouts // october 1

Monday, October 1 – today was all about family. Nick and I were at Telemark Resort in Cable, Wisconsin with my parents and sister + brother-in-law for a few days of much needed R&R. We didn’t do much today other than be tourists in Hayward, relax and eat too much 🙂

We also stopped at a great bike + ski shop in Seeley, Riverbrook Bike and Ski, where Nick found the wheels he’s gonna ride at Ironman Florida…!

Tuesday, October 2 – after a delicious brunch at the Brick House Café…

…Nick and I hopped on our bikes for a cruise around the Cable countryside. What a stunning day to be on the bike! Trees glistened gold, red and chartreuse under the bold blue sky, and we had the quiet Wisconsin roads to ourselves.

Bike: 32.01 miles, 1:55:49, strava route.

Wednesday, October 3 – after months of failed ride-together attempts, Nick and I finally got together with Damon and Dan for a spin. And, it was f-a-s-t and incredibly fun… plus, I snagged a few more QOMs on Strava 🙂 The ride also sparked my forgotten love of drafting in a peloton and really makes me want to ride with a team again. Watch out, 2013!

Bike: 25.12 miles, 1:24:41, strava route.

Thursday, October 4 – October swooped in today! While chilly and windy in MSP, I’m really glad I wasn’t in my hometown, Hallock, where nearly a foot of snow fell. Snow! Definitely not ready for that…

But, the chilly weather is perfect yoga studio weather. I didn’t make it home in time from work for Amelia’s C2 at the Highland Park studio, so I hit a C2 at the Grand Avenue studio. Though I felt a little off and uncentered, a solid hour of bending and stretching calmed my moving-a-mile-a-minute mind.

Yoga: C2 vinyasa, 60 minutes.

While dinner was excellent tonight – sweet potato, chicken sausage, spinach hash – I didn’t feel so excellent. Not because of dinner, but because I’ve been struggling with seriously uncomfortable GI issues. It’s been ongoing for a few years, flaring up when I’m particularly stressed (the last couple months of grad school were ridiculous) – and, the stress level has been pretty high lately. I’m hoping some meticulous food journaling and a trip to a GI doc will pinpoint what’s wrong, if anything.

Friday, October 5 – I woke up stupidly sore, especially my hip flexors, from yesterday’s vinyasa practice. I’m never that sore from yoga! Class wasn’t any more challenging than it normally is, either…

The pool was far too warm this morning. I’m usually freezing when I first jump in, but today it felt like bath water… far from ideal swimming temps. But, starting with a 500-yard warm-up, we stroked out another interval workout the same as recent weeks: 6 x 200-yards, alternating with hand paddles and pull buoys. I was actually in swim mood this morning and wanted to do at least another 500 yards, but it was already 7a, and I needed to get to work.

Swim: 1,750 yards, about 40 minutes.

Tonight’s festivities cheered up my not-so-happy afternoon. Over turquoise-frosted cupcakes, my sister and brother-in-law finally told us what they’re having… a girl! I am beyond – beyond! – thrilled to be an aunt! Congrats, a+c!

Saturday, October 6 – another first this week, as I ran my first-ever 6.2, the TC 10K. A chilly start, but I’m really happy with my time! Race report this week…

Run: 6.2 miles, 47:38, 7:40 min/mile pace.

Sunday, October 7 – it’s only October, and I already miss long Sunday bike rides. I’m a fair weather rider, so there was no way I was biking in the whopping 30-degree morning! So, when Nick left for an 18-mile run around the TC Marathon course, I hopped on the trainer for an hour (I was planning on at least 90 minutes, but knew if I didn’t cut it short, we’d miss all our friends running the marathon). The sweaty hour passed quickly thanks to the movie Crazy Stupid Love.

Bike: ~16 miles, 60 minutes.

What a day for a marathon! Lined with thousands of cowbell ringing, vuvuzela blowing, pots and pans banging fans, Summit Avenue was gorgeous as ever. It’s such a treat to have “the most beautiful urban marathon in America” right in our backyard. Nick and I cheered at Summit + Lexington with pal Sam and then headed east toward the finish. Oddly enough, we only saw two of the at least 10 people we knew who were running… not quite sure how we missed them!

Congrats to everyone on a fantastic 26.2 and 10-mile! Way to go, marathoners Hyedi, Sonia, Amine, Dave, Heather, Nick, Rob, Jeremy, Deion and Nate. And, nice running, 10-milers Andrea, Brent, Shannon (happy birthday!) and Carrisa! All of you are an inspiration! Pretty sure I need to run the TC Marathon in 2013… 🙂

Weekly stats

Kind of a meh week. Shorter days make me want to nest and chill on the sofa, not wake up at 5:45a to swim… or, really do much of all besides drink tea and each dark chocolate 🙂

Swim: 1,750 yards, 40:00
Bike: 73.13 miles, 4:20:30
Run: 6.2 miles, 47:38
Yoga: one class, 60:00

This week: Between work stuff and after work stuff, this week is busy. But, there will be two morning swims, at least two runs and likely a couple trainer sessions. And, my body is also craving the cozy yoga studio, so there will definitely be a couple more classes this week. Make it a fantastic week, everyone!