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!
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