In Search Of...

i want my negative split back...since i have come back from my injury...i have been to three track workouts...two of which were timed short distance speed work...99% of the time these are to be done negative splitting the set...getting faster as you go...i used to be so good at this...spot on every time...now...well not so much...i know that i am just coming back from being off from speed work for almost a month but i want it back...

we did partner 8x400 then 4x200 on the track...i stayed in the 1.38-1.40 range...i used to be faster...sigh...though i did have one of my coaches (miss super speed chrissie) as my run partner...man she s fast...so my rest interval was short...i pushed it...but could feel those last few were really tough...but hey i'm just glad to be back...

we did the 4x200 on our own...had three the same and then the last one one second faster...that was good...and again very happy to have had a speed session and no pain...

this morning i am sore...i have a feeling it is the combo of core wednesday morning, physical therapy wednesday afternoon, and the track workout...but it feels good...like i worked hard and know it...

just a little over a week left in my classes...then a few days off until finals begin...i have four...which is better than six...i have already started studying for my organic chem final...just an hour a day...but it's something...i feel much more human now that i can see then end of the semester ahead of me...and i don't have two tests every week...and a lab and two quizzes...and...almost there

a real weekend

for once...i took some time not to tackle a huge pile of homework and have a real weekend...and you know it was really really really nice...made me feel like myself again...i felt a burden lift and a smile return to my face...this is good news...as i was thinking that i was going to get stuck with that stress face but it goes away...

i started out friday going to get the sunglasses that i was supposed to pick out for my birthday....yeah that was like a long time ago so it was fun to finally pick them out...they are very sporty...i like them a lot...and got two pairs of lenses one that helps brighten contrast on low light days and one that is good for bright days...and polarized...very sweet...

and while i was at it...i had some clothing gift cards to spend...and actually got myself some jeans that don't have holes in them!...this is very exciting for me :) i was also surprised to find that i am not the same size i was the last time i bought jeans...ah...ironman...

saturday was a morning ride of 40 out on the bee caves loop from south mopac...i tried my best to hammer the hills...but at one point realized that getting rained on at 19-20MPH hurts...then home for a bit the groceries/farm/hummus making...then a baby shower/housewarming with good friends that i don't get to see enough...it was great to see everyone again...then off to a dinner at an austin staple...that i had never been to...it was really good...and excellent margaritas

sunday was a swim and a run...swim was great...run was hard...only 7 miles but it was hot and humid...misting at first...then just humid and windy...did get to run with Ben which i never do...(he's too fast for me)...then home to shower and off to brunch for a super great friend...to celebrate her birthday and a PR at the boston marathon...everything was delicious...and of course i had to have a piece of her famous banana cake...so good...

so i guess after blogging...i'll read a chapter or so in chem...but really not going to over do it...hanging out at the house...seeing friends and have some good training...it has been a great weekend...

things i need to learn and/or remember (not a complete list)

1. it's ok to let it go sometimes

2. not to take everything so seriously...(is that the same as #1?)

3. not to second guess myself...it only leads to error

4. take time to be proud of all that i have accomplished...big and small...i tend to forget them after they happen

5. the semester will end

6. embrace the hours when i can do nothing or anything

7. cupcakes are not always the answer

8. not to feel bad when my training numbers are in the low double digits for the week

9. it's really ok to skip a workout/class

10. that i know 100% of me wants to be a dietitian/athlete/wife/sister/daughter/friend (in no particular order)

11. baking is good for my soul

12. it feels good to play with clay

13. what getting a tattoo feels like

ok i could go on...and might later...but it's a start

10 miler

had my first double digit run since January yesterday....it was really great...felt strong and mostly pain free...felt little knee twinges on some of the uphill stuff but nothing bad...

i can't even tell you how big the smile was on my face when i was about a quarter mile away from being done...was running well, feeling strong and it started pouring...it was totally awesome...then about 5 minutes later the sun was out...

it was a great run...i could not have been happier :D

my own tri

woke up saturday at 5am...slipped out the door at quarter to 6 and was swimming in barton springs just after 6am...there were two other swimmers there so i took the middle and was able to swim with out too much sighting...other than some goggle issues on my first length...i had a great great swim...and thanks to elizabeth for telling me about the rain coming in sunday morning...i was planning to swim then but decided to do it saturday...barton spring some times closes during the rain...

then it was off to meet the group for a 45 mile ride...met at lost creek and 360 road north to parmer and headed out parmer for a bit...then back...i had a great ride...felt very strong...and was kind of mad that i hit almost every light on the way out parmer...i would get going then hit a light...argh...but still all in all a great ride...i pushed the hills on 360 on the way back....i have never felt stronger on those hills...

we are on week 2 of our vineman training plan...we had a 20 minute brick off the bike...so down lost creek blvd i went...my feet felt really numb for the first 5 minutes of the run...this is pretty typical...not sure what the deal is with that....but after a short time i have my feet back and the running was great...felt strong and quick...like i had picked up the pace on the way back in...

really quite happy with that workout...felling no pain in the knees/hips...was really amazing...

the rest of the day was spent doing homework...but that was good too...j was doing lots of stuff around the house...throwing some pots...cutting the grass etc...having a good weekend too...it is very nice to have him home...

happy bear

i made it through my first whole (slightly modified) track practice today...it has been months...i have no stamina...eek...but man it felt good to run on the track again...

i also graduated from my ART treatments today...and am only going to PT once a week...this is very good news...

now to build up all that i have lost *sigh*