Showing Up [Week 3; 17 To Go]

OK so we get back from Florida - almost through 'the sickness' that had us down for nearly two weeks - at 90% and ready to kick out some workouts!  I skipped Monday, of course, and took Tuesday as a 'day off', but cranked through the rest of the week with some success.

This week I started 'strides' or 'pick-ups' in my run workouts.  This is a great example of every workout having a purpose.  Strides are introduced into workouts for a specific purpose - speed. I do them for bike and swim workouts as well.  Basically, after a good warm-up (10-20 minutes depending on the total length of your workout), you pick-up your run pace over 20 seconds so that you are going 'cheetah' fast by second 19/20.  Returning to a run pace effort of a 2 - 4 on a scale of 10.  Repeat this about every 5 minutes until your workout is done, using that last 5 minutes as your cool down.  What this allows you to do is to FEEL what it is like to run fast without putting too much stress on your body. 

As the periodization of training continues, there is LOTS of time to get in tempo workouts where there is an extended period (10-60 minutes) of high effort work.  These are HARD DAYS that you need rest before and after to get the biggest bang for your buck.  Picking up for short 20 second strides allows that 'interval' to occur without having to 'break the bank' so to speak with your workouts.

So enough about training, Sunday was Mothers Day - how awesome is that?!?!?!! I woke up to flowers and a card at the kitchen table and little T and I read 'Dad's' eloquent Mother's Day Ode to Moi outloud together.  A wonderful breakfast was made by DH.  We went for a beautiful drive to WI.  I got to go for an hour spin outside on my tri bike that I hadn't been on in a year and a half.  (ouch!)  And I returned to dinner in the oven and a glass of wine calling out my name.

To my two favorite men in my life.  You both made being a Mom possible :)  And you both help me be the best triathlete and Mom I can be.  It's not about crossing the finish line - it's about showing up at the starting line. I love you.