May 5 - 9

May 9: Some days just don’t go according to schedule. Planned on a tempo run at the YMCA on the treadmill and I felt crummy. Ran a mile, walked, jogged a little, and decided today’s training wasn’t going to go according to plan. I generally take these days in stride and listen to what’s going on with my body and mind; I push it when I feel good and don’t push it on the bad days. My imaginary coach tells me I must push through the crappy days too if I want to improve, but I turn up my ipod and tune him out.

May 8: “Work interferes with training”: 7 AM work meeting means no morning training. Crazy busy day at work, so today turned out to be a day off instead of my speed run day. Where do speed dialing and marathon meetings fit into my training schedule?May 7: Easy 1 hour spin in the living room while watching the Women’s Triathlon Olympic Trials on my DVR. When I think about slowing down or how much I hurt it helps to watch the 11 women who are kicking butt at the trials in Tuscaloosa Alabama last weekend.

May 6: Recovering from my traumatic bike wreck on Sunday. Did an easy 2500 yd swim today with an extra strength Tylenol chaser.

May 5: Yesterday’s bike ride was the worst ride I’ve ever had (not that I have vast experience to draw from). I’m finally recovered enough this morning to write about it.I did so many little things wrong, things I know to do and not to do. I didn’t prepare for the ride like I should have and was already tired from a long run yesterday. I’ve only done about 2 hours max, or 25 miles max rides this year and yesterday’s ride was a 40 mile loop. Weather was great; and Steve had a 10:00 ride scheduled for our TriForMS bike team. I ate a good breakfast (high protein waffles with applesauce) but didn’t eat again before the ride. I went out too fast and too hard the first 15 miles; I was riding with our friend Mike and I was pushing myself. I had a blast drafting off him though! I didn’t drink enough and slowed down a bit. I was riding with Steve at about mile 20, and was drafting off him. A gust of wind came up and blew me into his back tire and the next thing I remember I was laying on the side of the road on my back. I laid there for a few minutes then got back on and rode along at a more leisurely pace. I didn’t take enough to eat, and starting slowing down and bonked at about mile 30. I didn’t wear sunscreen and got sunburned. By the time we got back to the car (40 miles, 3:14) I was spent. Went home and crashed on the couch, but couldn’t sleep because my head was pounding. I had the worst headache I’ve ever had. Finally went to the ER around 6 to make sure I wasn’t going to die. They said it was a slight concussion, but didn’t think I needed an MRI. Downed some extra strength Tylenol and went home. Not a great night’s sleep as my neck proceeded to stiffen up as the night went on. I am thankful for Steve who made sure I was taken care of today!Let this be a good lesson learned for me: over prepare for a ride (or long run), ride with a group so they can watch out for you when you crash, push hard, but know your limits, hydrate and keep your calorie intake up, and most of all, be thankful that I have the opportunity to ride (even bad ones) because so many people can’t.May 3: Long run day. Ran with my running partner (Tracker) on the Sante Fe trail. Finally, great weather. Ran 9 miles, 1 hour 30 minutes. Feeling pretty fatigued when I finished! My great joy today was I wore Tracker out.