Not the best week

Finally completely over being sick.

I thought that I was better, but my heart rate told a different story. My run and bike on Monday and Tuesday both had very high heart rates. Also, oddly on my run Monday I wasn't sweating very much - normally when I run on the treadmill (okay, or any other time when it is remotely warm) I sweat buckets.

My swim on Tuesday was also iffy (coughing up phlegm while swimming sucks).

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday became rest days - Wednesday was supposed to be a run day but I was still feeling off. Thursday and Friday were a shopping trip to Grand Forks (Black Friday bargains!) and were planned rest days.

I got on the trainer today for 60 minutes and I am happy to report that the heart rate was right were it was supposed to be. This is a relief, as I was getting a little concerned about what was happening. Just in time too, next week is a big week for training including a 1500m time trial in the pool.

I am beginning to see that a HRM is a very valuable training tool - letting you know when you are not fully recovered from illness and to take it easy.

Long run tomorrow, hopefully the snow will stop!

Back at it after being sick

I was sick most of the weekend - really sore, stiff back and then Sunday evening I felt completely run down and shaky. I took Monday and Tuesday off work/training, as when ever I tried to be remotely energetic the shaky feeling came back (along with being exhausted). Monday night also involved coughing - yippee.

Went back to work today and also got in a 45 minute trainer ride and all is good - no issues with the heart rate. This week is a recovery week, so it was actually not the worst timing to get sick.

I also got an e-mail today that I was picked up as a Sugoi Brand Champion! This is very good, since I love Sugoi clothing and could spend way too much money on it without some help.

Friday is a spin-a-thon at work - I get to spin for an hour with a team from my office. We have a former road racer and a few spin class addicts, so we should give the competition a run for their money!

Training is my happy place

I had a really good week training. 7 hours total - just base building but if felt good.

The heart rate training is starting to come together - read that I can 'run' for my whole run - okay jog slowly, but no walk breaks!

Swimming was really good and my butt is getting re-acquainted with riding on the trainer (owie).

One of the other athletes trained by my coach did 9:54 at IM Florida yesterday - his best IM so far and that was even with GI issues the last half of the marathon.

Very inspiring!

Also, today I got the next four week block of training from the coach - there are some really fun looking swims in there (seriously). I have been feeling much stronger in the pool than I expected, so I am enjoying it since I know that come March I will be so sick of pools and chlorine.

Oh, and Winnipeg had 13°C yesterday and 12°C today - I had a fantastic long run outside this morning, sunshine and warm temperatures - in November!