Adjusting

Life has become very busy. The months when I was able to train for an Ironman seem like a past life. Now I'm struggling to get 6 hours of exercise per week.

Side note: Even two years ago, I never would've believed that exercising 6 hours per week was possible for me, let alone that I would consider that a "down" week. It's all about perspective, isn't it?

Work is creating changes in my life right now. I have a couple of projects underway, one of which is nearing completion after two years and is creating a good deal of stress on my part with deadlines and questions and such. I'm surprised by how much energy I use just thinking all day. I'm also traveling more, which I like on many levels, but it makes having a routine a thing of the past.

I've given up on following any type of schedule, and am just fitting in workouts as I can. I'm only biking and running these days. I need to get some swims in, and soon... I have 4 tris coming up and I believe they all include a swim leg. Oy vey.

I did have a FANTASTIC swim lesson with a local tri guru a few weeks ago. He analyzed my stroke and gave me pointers and drills to help correct my issues. I had lots of issues. He tried really hard to find positive things to say about my swim. When words failed him, I suggested that my fat ass helps keep my lower body near the water's surface, which is a plus. He agreed. Winning!

Anyway, I've juggled types of workouts based on the time I have for a workout and how I feel that day. Feeling good? Tempo run. Legs tired? Recovery spin. Hard day at work? Hill reps on the bike or run. Can't make up my mind? Time to do a brick! And eventually, usually once or twice a week, life forces a rest day. So, it all works out.

I'm making the best of the situation while trying to keep my energy levels up for work and home life. It really seems to be working well, except I'm not getting any runs longer than an hour, and I've only ridden outside about twice a month (and lately, not over 90 minutes).

I think I've finally reached a point where I no longer think of how much fitness I've lost since the Ironman and instead think of how much time and flexibility and energy I've gained. I'm happy to be doing speedwork again (FINALLY) although I have a looooooong way to go to get back to where I was a year ago. For now, I'm enjoying the process and focusing on being healthy and well-balanced.

The only real issue I have right now is my lung situation. I'm beginning my fifth and final month of steroid treatment for asthma. I believe the meds have helped, and I hope the effects last. I'm still using the rescue inhaler, and more regularly than I'd like. It seems I got a good bit better, but have flare-ups triggered by allergies and humidity. Good thing it's not very humid around here....ha ha. (I ran in 100% humidity one morning last week. It was a short easy run, and my airways handled it well; not sure how I would've felt if I'd added intensity, which also is a trigger for me.) Overall, the asthma is worse than it was a year ago, but better than it was four months ago... So, who knows what will happen.

This weekend, I'll be racing my first duathlon. I'm excited about trying something new! I don't expect to do very well, as I don't have much speed at this point, but I'm going to give it my best, and have fun too. A race where I get to run twice? Awesome!

(Everyone, say it with me: How hard could it be?)

Plugging Along

It's been another busy week. At work, I'm transitioning to a new job focus. For 10+ of my 15 years at ERI, I've managed the day-to-day operations of inside sales. Now I'm passing off a lot of my daily tasks to someone else, and taking over outside sales. I'll be traveling more, re-negotiating and re-writing the contracts with our distributors and content producers, and growing that part of the business. We're also rolling out another online training option, which involves a lot of learning on my part; then I'll need to train the sales staff on the new options and manage the product launch. All of this thinking and learning has worn me out.

I also had a rehearsal and concert two evenings this week. As the first gig approached, I wondered why I was stupid/crazy/optimistic enough to even sign up for these a few weeks ago, knowing I'd have 12+ hours of workouts to fit in. But the material was low-key (Carnival of the Animals and Peter & the Wolf) and I really enjoyed myself. It was a welcome change from work and exercise. Plus, the money will buy me a new set of running shoes. Winning!

The easiest parts of my week were my workouts - which went well. No major breakthroughs this week, but I put good work in, which I'm sure will give rewards down the road.

Wednesday's long run (10.75) was thorougly enjoyable. Cardio-wise, I feel I could go forever. I'm not even tired after my long runs anymore, since I'm forcing myself to stay in Zone 2. (I remember the days of doing long runs on Saturday mornings, then coming home and sleeping the afternoon away because I was so worn out.) The usual aches and discomforts of long runs aren't setting in until mile 10 or so, whereas they used to show up at mile 6 or 7. And my Zone 2 pace is slowly getting a bit faster. More good news: I haven't had any knee pain during a workout in about two weeks.

I've been fighting a little head cold this week. Just a few years ago, a  cold would make me miserable for a week or more, then turn into sinusitis and bronchitis; now, it's just an inconvenience for a few days. Here's to being healthier! I don't have a runny nose, just some head congestion. The weirdest effect of it has been in the pool. When I flip-turn, I hear a little squeak from my sinuses. For the first 10 minutes of Thursday's swim, I couldn't figure out where this squeaking noise was coming from! First I thought it was my watch, then I thought it might be a clock buzzer, or maybe even a lifeguard whistle. But then I noticed it was happening only when I flipped. It was coming from inside my head! Weird.

Since it's raining again today, and I don't want to spend 3+ hours on the trainer, I've decided to ride tomorrow morning. I haven't ridden outdoors in 2 weeks. Last I heard, Ironman Texas is not an indoor race; so I'm flip-flopping my workouts for the weekend so I can ride outside. Why do I feel like I'm doing something wrong when I move workouts around? Tomorrow's scheduled run is just a recovery run to recuperate from the long ride; Monday is a rest day, so I will still have time to recover before starting next week's workouts. I guess it's just a mental adjustment. In the end, everything will get done and have the desired effect.