Running, Running, Running

April 26-May 2

• 4-26-10 - Swim 4,000 yards/nap - Swam 4,000 yards and I finally have my stroke back - I think. I thought about running, but a 2.5 hour nap sounded like a much better idea.
• 4-27-10 - Run 3 hours - I had a "motivated mood swing" of sorts and decided to go for my first 3-hour run. The sun was out, the air was cool and it just felt like it was time to run. I also decided to grab a gel pack (another first) since I know my legs usually start aching at 1:45:00. The first hour was glorious, 1:30:00, amazing, 2:00:00 point I started to wonder if 3:00:00 was pushing it (mainly because finding somewhere to run for 3 hours can be tricky)At 1:30:00 I pulled out my PowerBar Gel (chocolate). I knew my lactic acid was going to build up and cause me some issues and I wanted to prepare. Note: Chocolate PowerBar Gel takes like sticky, gross, fudge. However, it did what it needed to do and that was the point (I honestly should have taken another). At 2:30:00 my legs were seriously hurting, but at this point, I wasn't going to walk. I had already run this far. Overall the run felt great, excluding the final :30. But I hope to change this as I continue to train. When I stopped, I thought I was going to fall over. It was pretty funny and I wish I could have seen myself directly afterward trying to walk. However, at the end of the day, I DID IT! (I am guessing my distance was between 15-18 miles, but I honestly have no idea). Average heart rate was 146 with a high of 163.
• 4-28-10 - Swim 4,000 yards - Seeing as I broke another "Heather Run Record" and ran 3 hours yesterday, I decided to give my legs a break and just swim. And aside from my heel, I feel great - good news considering I was worried how my muscles would respond to such a long run.
• 4-29-10- Run 1 hour/Bike 1:20 - my run was good today. I ran faster than usual today so that my heart rate would elevate. The bike, well, let's just say I won't be eating any more peanut butter on pretzels before I bike - I kept burping them back up - yummy! It took awhile to get going today. On the run I dressed too warm and starting sweating immediately (whoops) and on the bike I changed the tube and couldn't get the tire on before I left (crazy frustrating). The wind during my ride is becoming very draining so I took the computer off my bike temporarily and am going out "just for fun" in order to make the ordeal tolerable. It wouldn't be so bad if the wind wasn't always in my face on the way home (HA!). I have a feeling its breaking me in quite well.
• 4-30-10 - Run 2 hours/Swim 3,000 yards - due to the crazy wind - again- I decided to go running - again - probably not the smartest idea, but what is one to do when 1 hour "out"? I had no other choice but run 1 hour back. PAIN! AH! I also took a strawberry/banana Powerbar Gel. EW! My gag reflex works. After I ran, I did a "stretch swim" in order to help save my legs from the torture I subjected them to today.
• 5-1-10 - DAY OFF
• 5-2-10 - Random Cardio 1.5 hours - miscellaneous cardio including: treadmill, rower, jump rope. It was nice to have a different workout today.