Week Four

Every fourth week is called "recovery week." I think it's sort of funny that during "recovery week" you still train 6 out of the 7 days. You just train a little lighter. So this week on Tuesday, thanks to our teammate Richard's arranging, I took my first spin class. This is a free class taught by a woman named Ayesha who, out of the kindness of her heart, is opening the spin room at Gold's Gym for us to have a class. The calendar, being a "rest week" said that I was supposed to spin for 30 minutes. She lead a 75 minute class. I was taking it easy, saving my body (particularly my knee) for the New York Marathon on Sunday. After an hour, I got off my bike, stretched, did some ab and upper body work, and called it a workout. It was a very motivating class, though. She played great music and had us do things on the bike that I didn't know were possible, like alternating sitting and standing, and standing up and spinning while keeping your core totally still. I worked so much harder than spinning at home watching TV! It looks like we may get to take this class every Tuesday. I hope so!

Wednesday's track was back with head coach Mike. I took it very easy for this track. I didn't want to do anything too crazy before the marathon. I also avoided all squats for my knee's sake.

Thursday was a long day. I worked, then had a meeting after school, then took a class from 4:30 - 7:30, and got home at 8:30. I started to pack for NY when I got a call from my brother. He was at a retreat for work in Gualala CA and was about to be airlifted to a hospital in Santa Rosa. Apparently, he had some symptoms of a heart attack. So, at 10:30, without even looking back, I got in my car and drove to the hospital over two hours away. I stayed with my brother throughout the ordeal. By the time it was determined that he was healthy (thank goodness) and was discharged, it was Friday evening. We stayed in a hotel that night. So, that's my very good reason for not training Thursday-Friday, but also my reason why I couldn't run the NY Marathon. There wouldn't have been enough time to take a flight back east to run it. So, back to training....

I got back home on Saturday afternoon, so I followed the calendar again. I biked to Davenport and back, about 21 miles, then ran for 30 minutes. This was my first ride where I tried out my new aerobars. They're great! They look silly because my back is at about a 45 degree angle when I'm using them (when typically the back is parallel to the ground). But, I put them on there not to be more aerodynamic but to have a healthier position for my back. So, I guess it doesn't matter that I look so silly so long as it's good for my back.

Sunday was a swim/bike coached workout. The swim was great, for the most part. I am starting to get the idea of gliding with one arm forward while the other arm recovers. For some reason, swimming in the pool makes me really nauseas. It must be the chlorine because it doesn't happen to me during open water swims. After our hour or so of swimming, I was definitely ready to get out. By this time, the sun was out and it was nice and warm. Perfect weather for a bike ride. We rode for an hour around Gunderson High School, with a nice little climb in the middle. I loved it!

I just can't believe our first month of training is over already. That went really fast! Am I really stronger than when I started?