Last Weeks Workouts

Monday I did a 40 mile ride. That was my longest ride of the year. I told myself I was just doing an Oly as my longest event this year (no half IM), so my longest ride was only 30 miles before this. It was tough. I went out too hard and the last 5 miles were killer. Only managed a 17.7 mph average overall.

Tuesday I lifted weights, did core work, and then went to the Highland 50 M pool for a swim. I dodged bouncy ladies in floral hats (seriously, why the hell do they have a old lady swim class during reserved lap swim time? Bastards) and was able to get in around 1800 meters.

Wednesday I did my first real run that wasn’t part of an event in about 5 weeks! I had that weird cramp/strain from the LTF Tri, and I was letting that heal up. I was able to bang out a 54:04 8 mile tempo run! (See blood blister photo 2 posts below.) I had no pain! That was a HUGE boost!

Thursday I just lifted weights and did a little core work.

Friday I did 100 yard intervals in the pool at the Y with about 20 seconds rest between. I’d never done 100s before. My first intervals were 1:38 - 1:40, but they got speedier. My last 100 was the fastest 100 that I’ve ever done at 1:32! (Have I mentioned that I’m not that speedy in the water?) I did 14 100s, and some warm ups drills and some cool down laps.

Saturday I just lifted weights and did a little core work.

Sunday I decided to go 60 miles with Pharmie on the bike. I knew it was going to be slow, but I just wanted to get in the distance. She told me I could draft her if/when I needed to. So we headed out early to hit the Gateway trail out of St. Paul and into Stillwater.

I really wanted to bring a camera, but I forgot! I wanted to snap some photos of us on the Gateway (my favorite trail in the Cities). Just a few miles into the ride, Pharmie told me her legs were heavy from her run yesterday, and I could go ahead. But I stuck with her and let her draft me. “That wasn’t in the plan,” I thought.

Here’s the elevation chart of the proposed ride:

We hit the end of the trail at mile 25 and I took off in front of her into Stillwater. Here are some photos of the rollers from riding this same route a year ago:

I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go down “the hill” in Stillwater or not (note the huge 200 foot valley in the middle of the elevation chart above). I knew it’d be good for my ride: I was riding slow, so if I hit “the hill,” I’d be able to get in a good burn. But I didn’t know if it would hurt my ride back home. Just outside of Stillwater, I didn’t know what to think, so I concluded “Nay, forget it. 'Yo homes to Bel Air' I pulled up to the house about 7 or 8 and I yelled to the cabbie 'Yo homes smell ya later!' I looked at my kingdom, I was finally there, to sit on my throne as the Prince of Bel Air.” (Wait, sorry, somehow that song is stuck in my head. Let’s try that again.) But I thought “Nay, forget it, let’s hit that hill.”

I got to the top of “the hill,” said a little prayer, and booked it. I was in my highest gear, and I was standing up and pedaling as fast as I could. You see, ever since I met “the hill” in Stillwater 2 years ago, I’ve had this sick dream to break 50 mph. I didn’t quite make it today, but I came the closest I’ve ever been:

That’s not 49.3 miles, it’s 49.3 MPH!

That was a ride! I maybe could have hit 50 had there not been a big white van at a stop sign near the bottom of the hill. Anyway, then I had to turn around and stare at 7.7 mph on the way back up that mother. I got back up to the top, and Pharmie was waiting for me. We headed back to St. Paul together. We finished the ride with only a 16.3 mph average, but we got to spend the morning together. And that’s the best.

After the ride. Notice my sweaty boobs.

Then we made rolls:

Pharmie had 2, I killed 3 in no time.

Then we cleaned up and hit the hay for a well deserved nap:

Pharmie under the blanket, me under the pillow.
Individually we're nothing, but together we're cozy.

What a good morning! So, all those hearty workouts this past week sure make it look like I’m training for something. But there’s nothing on my side-bar race schedule coming up. Interesting. Very interesting. Stay tuned...

p.s. Did you freakin’ see the freakin’ sweet 4x100 freestyle relay that the American team put together? Oh my God. Best. Race. Ever. Seriously, if you missed it, you missed something HUGE! I was literally jumping up and down screaming at the T.V. for the last 25 meters.