Sweet, Sweet Caffeine

Last night was my first workout since getting sick last week. I'm still pretty, uh, snotty (meant literally, not figuratively - unfortunately), but I feel ok otherwise. (Well, aside from the fact that I feel like I gained about 10 pounds from not training last week). So anyways, I did a quick 30 minute run with some accelerations last night after I got done doing weights with one of my UNT athletes, and aside from the fact that I was dehydrated, it felt fine. I could tell, however, that I need to do a lot of core-strenthening over the off-season, because I didn't feel well-supported there at all. I'm going to be doing a lot of crunches in Europe.

On a side note, speaking of UNT athletes, I've been wrapping up the semester with one-on-one meetings with all of the UNT guys I coach individually, and it has been a very encouraging process. All of them feel really good about the coming year, and have been happy with their results so far, despite the inevitable setbacks that occasionally come with being an endurance athlete. It's good to know that even though as an athlete these past few months have been rough, as a coach, I've apparently been doing a decent job. It was very encouraging for me, and I feel really fortunate to be able to coach such great guys.

Anyways, so I gave the running thing a go last night and it felt pretty good. So this morning Aaron and I tackled my run heart rate test. Actually, I should say that Aaron tackled it, and dragged me along behind him kicking and screaming. Oh man, I was NOT feeling that test at all. If ever anyone deserved a good coach award, it is Aaron. The first portion of the test, where I had to go from super easy to super hard went ok. I was still feeling good and wanting to push myself. But as soon as I stopped for that first blood sample, and realized how much I had left, I just crombled - mentally and physically. My heart rate didn't want to behave and my mind was done. I spent the next 30 minutes telling Aaron that I was SURE I couldn't do another section of the test (for those of you who aren't familiar with heart rate testing, you basically have to increase your heart rate by increments of 5 throughout the test, holding each increment for 3-5 mnutes until your blood lactate... well, wait, I can't tell you that - Playtri secret!). I was hurting. By the time I was holding 165, I felt like crap. I told Aaron as much, and he continued to encourage me, even though I was complaining like a little girl. I was so discouraged because I used to be able to hit 200, even 210, while running and now here I was at 165 and wanting to pass out! So anyways, Aaron promises me that the 170 increment should be the last one... and then, we get the reading, and I have to do another increment. At this point I had mentally shut down, which in retrospect was actually a good thing because I wasn't thinking about anything except not flying off the back of the treadmill, so I wasn't focusing as much on the pain. I stayed at 175, Aaron got the reading, and then of course I had to start running AGAIN... JUST IN CASE. I was not a happy camper. I was cranky, and I let both Aaron (and Ahmed, who had the audacity to cheer me on towards the end - the nerve!) know it in no uncertain terms. How embarrassing.

Thank God that's over.

I left the gym after apologizing to Aaron for being a pain, took a hot shower, and then grabbed some coffee to ease the pain... whoever invented coffee deserves a special spot in heaven. Did you know that caffeine is actually a performance enhancing drug? It's true! A totally legal one, though, so cranky triathletes like myself can afford to indulge in its sweet, sweet goodness. Only a legitimate drug could have brought me back to life and actually make me able to get work done after that horrendous experience. Thank you, coffee.

And now, the one week countdown to Europe begins. In seven days, Ken and I will be getting on planes (from Detroit and Dallas, respectively) to Frankfurt, Germany to start our holiday adventure. No school for Ken, minimal work for me, and lots of snow, good food, and good wine. Oh, and hopefully a spa day for me if my bank account allows it. And, of course, lots of running since we are both doing the Austin Half Marathon in February - Happy Valentine's Day to us!

But before Europe, I've got a trip to Galveston to spend some holiday time with my mom - and maybe actually relax a little bit pre-vacation! There is no rest for the weary here in Dallas, as we are all in a rush to get all of our 2010 Playtri business wrapped up, and get 2011 well on the way before I leave the country. Because, oh yeah, I'll be leaving to coach the Hawaii camp a week after we get home! It's a rough life, but somebody's got to do it : )

Happy Tuesday!

Tis' the Season to be Si-ick

Yes... I edited the lyrics a little bit. But it's just so true.

Monday was a super productive day, but about half way through, I felt a little tickle in my throat. Never a good sign. By that night, the tickle was more like an itch, and by Tuesday morning, it was a full blown sore throat. So instead of infecting the entire Playtri staff, I stayed home from work (and the coaches dinner at Maggiano's - a real bummer), and did some work on the computer. "Some" is a very flexible word, though - in this case it really means "very little," because I spent most of the day sleeping, drinking hot beverages, and eating comfort food. It actually would have been a completely awesome day... if I hadn't felt like crap. I went back to work on Wednesday, but I'm still not fully recovered, which means no training - ARRRGH! Because I obviously wasn't doing enough of THAT already. Very frustrating, but it's good that I've learned when to suck it up and keep going, and when to suck it up and take a break. Hard, but good.

Last night Ken and I went to Giuseppe's for dinner - I hadn't seen him all week, thanks to UNT finals, so it was good to have some quality time together. The wine and pasta was nice, too. Granted, it all would have been nicer if I could have gone 10 minutes without desperately needing to blow my nose, but I'll still take it. It was a nice break from work and laying around feeling sick, which is basically what the rest of the week has been.

It's hard to believe that it's already Friday, but it IS, so I am going to celebrate with Christmas movies and good food. And good wine. And Theraflu. Naturally. Oh, and with Ken, once his study group is finished. I'll be glad when finals are over : )

In other news... I'm moving to Dallas! Ok, not tomorrow or anything, but possibly in January if I find the right place. I've been putting it off, but it's time - I'm spending way too much time and gas commuting, and rental prices are actually pretty good right now in the Uptown/White Rock neighborhoods. It will be fun to be someplace new after living in Denton for SEVEN YEARS. I still can't believe it's been that long. So it's time for a change. It kind of sucks that I'll be moving away from Ken, but I think he'll be moving when his lease is up, too, so I might as well go now while the prices are good. And they really are pretty great.

Anyways, this has been a very rambly post... I'll try to be more focused in the next one.

Happy weekend everyone!

Bike? What's a Bike?

...Clearly I've forgotten, because there is no other way that my bike heart rate test this morning could have been THAT painful. I mean ouch. It was ugly. And heart rate tests are never exactly pretty to begin with, so you get the picture. And I might as well have forgotten what a bike is for all the riding I've been doing lately. Tex has been sadly neglected, and he is getting lonely. I'm worried he is going to run off with another triathlete.

But despite my hour of hurt this morning, the past few days have been pretty nice. Friday night Ken and I did the Denton Reindeer Romp at South Lakes Park - a 4.2 mile run. I averaged about an 8 minute mile according to the times, but we're fairly certain the course was long. Anyways, we both took second in our respective age groups, and afterwards we hit Rooster's for some barbeque, followed by some "framboise biere" (pink but delicious!) back at my place. ...aaaand then we passed out. Saturday I ran some errands, and then that night we had an event for Ken's public administration program - it was at the Addison Town Hall (very cool old building), and they had free food, live music, and an open bar (which later on in the evening proved to be not such a good thing... but more on that later). I got to meet some of Ken's school friends, which was fun - they were all very nice people. We went to Sherlocks after the event was winding down, but didn't stay too long. On the way home, the combined alcohol from the evening turned on me and we had to make a brief, um, pit stop in Lewisville. And the hangover the next morning wasn't too pleasant either. But, well... it happens. It just has to stop happening once we get back from Europe in January. I think I can, I think I can...

I'm not an alcoholic, I promise. I'm not even a big drinker. And I'm a total lightweight.

Anyways, Sunday was a very relaxing day - Ken and I took Jake to the dog park, and had brunch at Le Peep. Then I took about a 3 hour nap before taking care of a bunch of chores that had been piling up, especially since my disposal was broken up until Wednesday. The kitchen was a mess - that was probably the least pleasant thing I had to deal with. But everything looks lovely now, and I got fresh flowers for the rooms, too.

Tonight I'll be coaching my UNT'ers, and tomorrow evening is the Playtri coaches dinner at Maggiano's! Woooohoo! And I set the dinner info, so I know we'll be eating well. The only bummer is that Ken has class, but it was the only night that all of the coaches could be there, so I took one for the team. I'll bring home some leftovers.

Tomorrow is another early morning, with my run heart rate test at 7:30. It's going to be an early night tonight...