Ramblings

After a pretty eventful weekend, Monday started out with a BANG.....

Do you know what it feels like to go from like 88-90 for a high to 106 in just a few days? Well, let me tell you. It's not so fun. Ask my dogs. I think I nearly killed them this am.

As per usual, I got up at 5am. I actually woke up on my own at 4:30 and SHOULD have just gotten out of bed, but I didn't. My tummy was a little upset (more on that in a bit), so I was very slow to moving, and once again did not leave for my run until almost 6am. I grabbed Bax & Abby and headed out. I planned on taking them for a just under 8mile run... It's one of their favorite loops... Rolling hills up, then a nice down and flat to home.

At the beginning of this training session that loop took me 1:20 - I had to go really slow to bring my HR to the low HR zone (up to 154) on the hills. It now takes me about 1:15.

When I stepped out my door it didn't' feel to bad. Of course that was in the shade, under my patio. Just a few steps into the run though I knew we were in trouble. It was HOT. HR was low, but I felt like I was in a sauna. We got stopped at a light at about 7mins so I gave the dogs some water there (usually wait until the next like around 12mins) - they were already panting and we were slow to start.

Hit the next light as well, and I gave them more water. .... Next planned stop for water was at ~25mins. I stopped a couple mins early... again at :35mins where I realized I was down to half the water I brought (fuel belt about 32 or so oz) so I figured I'd take a little short cut that would save us about 5mins to drop them off earlier.... Unfortunately I couldn't just turn around because we were just as far away from home going out and back vs finishing the loop.

I felt so bad for the little buggers... They were troopers tho. Even Abby who doesn't do well in the heat at all. I crossed the streets back & forth wherever I could find shade for them.. and I even stopped drinking the water so I could give it to them... I would take one little sip before giving it to them, and also took some and rubbed on their heads to cool them down a little.

At about 7 miles Abby had had enough. She just full on STOPPED! I walked for a minute or two with her until she picked it up a bit & I could see she wanted to run again (I think she realized we were almost home).. Thankfully, Shane was home so I was able to cut to my front street saving a little extra time and get them in the cool house.... I refilled my water and drank some gatorade, then headed back out for another :25mins..

The dogs are STILL lying around. Hasn't been much movement out of them, besides following me (sometimes) to the kitchen and restroom...

I decided if it's this hot on Wed when I do my long run, I'll have to leave them behind. I can't get behind on my water, and it's just not good for them.

THEN, a few hrs later I headed to masters. Much to my surprise the workout was exactly the distance I needed... 5000yards. Unfortunately it was my LEAST favorite type of workout... 500 warmup - 4300 STRAIGHT, and 200 CD.

The 4300 to be broken into 4 parts. First 1100 - VERY easy. 2nd & 3rd 1100 nice cruise pace. 4th 1000... build to strong pace. I was a bit intimidated, as I NEVER swim that long straight. I loose my mind going back and forth.. In fact the only other time I have swum that far straight was at IM last year...

I started off REALLY slow.... almost like falling asleep slow. I was afraid to burn out. I must have done it right, because sure enough my last 1000 was a nice strong pace, about 1:40/100yards. My end total time right on 1:15. I was actually expecting around 1:12ish when i started, but based on how slow my first 2200 were, I can see why. Plus I felt really strong at the end and that seemed to be the point!

Now, back to the weekend. My old college buddy Shelby was in town for the weekend with a couple of her girlfriends. Shelb was also in town about this time last year for a Bachelorette party. Poor thing.. She's always seeing me when I'm not so much fun/peak training!!

Here's a pic of us last year at the bachelorette party...

I didn't get to see her friday night... we were in bed by 9, of course... So, Saturday I said I would meet up with them - probably wouldn't last long but I had to see her! After a slow start to their day, they made dinner reservations for 8:30. PM that is people. That is IM bedtime!! Thankfully, I actually felt fantastic after the bike ride... several weeks coming, and I'm glad it was this weekend...

I took it easy for the afternoon, then showered, got ready (actually put makeup on... go figure!) and met Shane for dinner at 6. (come on, you didn't actually think I could wait until 8:30 did you?).... I figured after dinner I would just go walk around the mall for a little bit before meeting them. I can't tell you the last time I stepped into the mall. In fact, I had no idea that an entire parking structure was GONE it's been so long...

Not in the mood to shop, I went looking for some cute brown sandals. Of course I found what I was looking for right away and still had an hour! I'm not a "shopper" so I had no idea what to do with myself! I checked out all the new nike stuff.... looked at more shoes.... and got a call from my friends that they were heading down a little early, so I was relieved.

After finding parking, it didn't' actually end up being any earlier, so we really didn't even sit down until after 8:30.... Some good conversations, glass of wine (I tried having two, but couldn't finish it. I'm loosing my touch) they were ready to 'go out.' I said my goodbyes and was on my way home... crawling into bed around 11pm. 4:30am-11:pm PLUS 112.5mile ride. Not so shabby...

Unfortunately there was no sleeping in for me Sunday. Shane had a 3hr run planned so the alarm was off at 5. I stayed in bed until 6, when MY alarm went off and I had to get up and go to STUPID defensive driving school.

Remember how I mentioned I was sorta in a cloud the last few weeks... Well, it kinda got me into trouble when I missed the THREE big signs that said NO TURN ON RED, and was instantly pulled over by a mean lady cop who sited me. Fortunately in AZ, you are able to take a 4.5hr defensive driving course to get most minor traffic violations dropped from you record once every 2 years. I had a speeding ticket 5 hears ago and had to take an 8 hr class...

So, I spent my Sunday morning learning all about DUI's (did you know in AZ you can get a DUI for driving while on COLD medicine. No joke.), Seat belts, round a bouts and school buses. 4.5 hours of this people...

Which might explain why I spent the rest of the afternoon with my friends by the pool, which included a couple of jello-shots (college friends remember - don't judge me!) and some beers... followed by more beer and yummy pizza and pizza cookie!

Once again, we were in bed by 8:30... Are you seeing a pattern here?

Well, I think that's about all the ramblings (as if it weren't enough) I have for you now!