I mentioned yesterday that I wasn't exactly a slave to my Myrtle Beach marathon training plan (as I usually am). I'm also supposed to be starting to train for May's Half Ironman triathlon this month, so last night I busted out the training plan. I'm not entirely following it until after the marathon (less than a month to go!) but I want to start incorporating more biking and swimming instead of easy runs.
The plan seems pretty intense, even this far out. It called for 20 miles on the bike today, and 25 miles on Wednesday, plus 4 swim days. Once I cut way back on the running that will be far more doable. Time-wise, at least.
Since it was icy, dark, and close to freezing out, the trainer will be my bike method of choice for now. I'm not complaining though. On grey, nasty days like yesterday, it's really nice to have the option to do my whole workout from the comfort of my living room.
Maybe "comfort" isn't the right word when referring to over an hour on the bike. I've been advised by full Ironman veterans that the butt pain really never goes away, so I'm trying to get on board with that.
To clarify, the bike trainer is just a little stand that holds my bike in place so I can ride it indoors without falling over. It's not a fancy shmancy machine or anything, so there's really no way to "ride 20 miles" like the plan says. I decided to do a 90 minute ride, and hopefully that covered it.
I did the same thing as last time with high resistance and some minute sprints thrown in every five or ten minutes, depending how into Felicity I got. That might be my longest time on the bike, and it really wasn't easy. It was great getting to watch TV though.
I was really tired after the ride, but I've felt really guilty about my many opportunities to do strength training lately. Like, I've been at the gym, I've had the time, and I've been just way too lazy. I really just prefer to zone out until the time runs out on a machine, rather than have to think about all sorts of numbers like weight, reps, concentrate on form, etc. I like my workouts physical, not mental, you know what I mean? It's really unlikely I'll do weights unless I'm in Body Pump or watching a DVD so all I have to do is follow the leader. Maybe I should request donations for a personal trainer.
35 minutes of No More Trouble Zones later, at least I'd worked all my major muscles (the ones I know about, anyway). If you are familiar with it, yes, I almost always skip the last 3 circuits, because I suck. If you're not familiar, be impressed that I did a whole 35 minutes of weights.
I left my Forever Lazy in Maryland while I was out of town this past weekend (purposely), and after my date with Jillian was over, I couldn't wait to take a long, hot shower and then be reunited. It was glorious.
This morning Lily and I did 7 miles, average pace 9:40, my legs were miserable after the bike trainer, and my lungs were in terrible shape as well, although I've heard it can be quite awhile before you are truly recovered from bronchitis.
I don't have any pictures, because it's really difficult to take a picture of yourself on a bike trainer, so I'll leave you with this. It pretty much sums up how I feel about any marathon.
I have to do report cards this week. FML. Cross your fingers for me.
I love that you say you were too lazy at the gym when you were probably taking a class after running and then not strength training.
ReplyDeleteDo you get insane parents when you do report cards? I want to hear about this.
I'd love if your doctor knew how much working out you were doing with your current lung condition. He'd be impressed and probably a little disgusted too. :)
ReplyDeleteI hate those last 3 circuits too. There is nothing in this world that I hate more than sore abs. It ruins every ounce of enjoyment in my day.
The only good thing about riding a bike indoors is watching TV. It's my saving grace!
ReplyDeleteI agree with your "estimate" on the trainer...at least if you are putting in a moderate level of effort during your time on the bike. I personally did a bike ride on my half-road/half-mountain bike the other day, and covered 10.2 miles in about 43 minutes (15.15 mph), so that should be really close.
ReplyDeleteSeems like you should be able to find a relatively inexpensive bike computer that would allow you to track the miles more closely...just a thought.
The Cateye CC-RD200 probably does everything you would need and is only $35 on Amazon.com...
ReplyDeleteum, i love the show felicity...have all the DVDs. i'm a big nerd.
ReplyDeletei hate feeling guilty about not strength training...i mean we do enough with running, right (and you do enough of the other stuff too - cycling and swimming)?
Do you not have a cadence/mileage computer for your bike? When I use my trainer, it tells me how far I've gone because as long as the tires are spinning, it counts as mileage. Also, my trainer came with a somewhat stupid DVD but it is a program I can follow. But you won't be able to watch Felicity if you are using that, I suppose. I can tell you what mine is next time I am near my bike. Its too far away now.
ReplyDeleteI'm tired just reading this - so I guess I'm lazier than you!
ReplyDeleteI need a bike trainer. If I say it often enough, maybe one will magically appear in my living room. :)
Tri training is gonna suck. You should be pacing someone doing a 100. Not that this comment is alllll about me or anything.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck with the report cards.
I am going to have to find that dvd! Workout dvds are the only way I ever do weights too! Way to go on the the 20 mile ride. Good luck with the report cards.
ReplyDeleteI secretly love weight training, but only in my home "gym". Then I can watch half hour sitcoms while still being able to pay attention to my reps. I am so lazy. Have fun with report cards! I assume you will then get 800 calls demanding to know why Little Johnny only got a B?
ReplyDeleteReports cards sound awful! Good luck at getting them wrapped up quickly. Great job on the bike ride! Pretty confident I've never done 20 miles on a bike.
ReplyDelete