"I feel good..."

So here I am in the midst of week number two of truly getting back into a workout routine, and I'm feeling good!

Last week, I ran, played basketball, went swimming, and went to spin class twice! I'm definitely proud of myself.

So far this week, I ran, went swimming, played basketball and went swimming again already, and it's only Wednesday today! I also managed to fit a couple of dates in between all of that too. Now that's crosstraining! lol :)

This weekend will be back to skiing and snowboarding as crosstraining, and I'm super excited to get out to the mountains again. My long run this weekend will have to be on Monday, but that's fine as it's the Family Day long weekend here in Alberta and I have Monday off!

I am riding a wave of good endorphins this week, and ♪♪ "I feel good..." ♫as James Brown so eloquently sings...gosh I hope this is how I feel once the kilometres start increasing as this triathlon training progresses....

Swim training: fear, anxiety...success!

So I finally went swimming tonight! After a few weeks of talking about how I should go, and could go, I finally went, with my triathlon training buddies Shauna and Elisha. Never underestimate the power of training buddies!

I was initially a bit fearful and anxious, partly because I haven't swam in five months, and partly because this wasn't going to be just a few casual laps...we were going to "swim training!" This meant that we were going to be following a pre-planned program, alongside many skilled swimmers, with the assistance of a coach.

However, when we got to the pool, I have to say the prospect of just doing some prescribed laps was far less daunting than when I had done the swim leg of my last triathlon in the very same pool about five years ago. I wasn't going to be racing tonight, just training!

I was also worried that I'd be the slowest person in the pool, but I wasn't, this time anyway! The workout we followed was actually quite manageable, even in the 50m pool. The coach stopped me at one point to talk about my arms, and ask why I was using a dramatic "S" curve under the water. I'd been coached to do that in the past, and it was just the way I knew how to swim! He got me to try using my arms in a straighter position instead, and it gave me a lot more power. Coming to swim training was worth it just for that learning point alone!

We did 1500m of swimming in total tonight, and I felt really good for most of it. The final 400m was with swim fins on, and that was fun and fast...until I got a serious leg cramp in about the final 25m, so I had to swim in kicking only one leg - quite the sight I'm sure!

I kept saying to myself throughout the afternoon that going to swim training tonight was going to be my, "Do one thing everyday that scares you" event. Well, it didn't scare me as much once I got going, that is for sure! I'm glad I took that step outside my comfort zone in the name of progress. I am looking forward to swimming again next week!

And once again, in regards to my training buddies, in the words of the musical group The Wanted, "I'm glad you came!"

First "long" run of 2012 done!

Yesterday's workout didn't happen. I was proud of myself for waking up in time to eat a healthy breakfast and get myself to the gym in time for Saturday morning spin class...I got there with time to spare, and then... when I went to grab my workout bag from the car, SURPRISE!

I forgot my running shoes at home!

I screamed, I cursed, I pounded the steering wheel, and I literally cried as I drove home. I took care of my frustration by debating whether I should go for a run or not, and sink into the sofa under a soft, fuzzy blanket and watch Grey's Anatomy on the PVR instead. Lame, I know, but calming down and forgiving myself was the priority.

Today was much more successful. I headed to the Running Room this morning to resurrect the Sunday morning long run!

I got to run 9km with my friends Tanis & Jocelyn (& others in my pace group), and then go for post run treats at the Wild Earth bakery with my long-time running pal Tess.

Unfortunately, I couldn't run with Tess because during my 6 week hiatus from running, she diligently kept training & sped up, & I naturally slowed waaaay down. I'm not really surprised, I always end up letting skiing/snowboarding become the priority in December and January, but I'm still disappointed to feel so much slower.

Now to set my goals for the upcoming week: 1 basketball game, 2 more runs, 1 swim and 1 spin class.

It's all about reasonable goals! Better to start slow than to not start at all!

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