Wednesday, May 13, 2009

A couple days-A couple stories

I have to share this. It really makes me laugh.
A few nights ago, I plopped on my son's bedroom floor during story time and decided to show one of them (there are 3, I can't remember who it was) how to arm wrestle. It think I was distracting him from something.
This totally amused the kids. They all took turns with each other and little Nick was absolutely cracking up. They loved it.
This ended in a dual between Mommy and Daddy. Now, of course Daddy is stronger. Right? He's 6' 3" & 195 lbs and well, a guy.
Ha! We were in a "stalemate" for several minutes. His eyes grew wide and he just laughed. "Honey! Oh my god. I can't believe this! Ahhh!" He was cracking up. He couldn't budge me! Finally, my arm was tired. He got me in the end of course.
The funny part? He got up and lifted the next day.
Girl power.

What can we do to make the swim longer in triathlons? I've had a good week in the pool. I am not sure what changes from week to week but sometimes you just have it. Sometimes you don't. Some days I can move along and feel good. Not bad. But certainly not great. Clearly there are many factors that influences daily performance. I realize that. In fact I'm clearly aware of things that affect daily performance.
But all I care about right now is that this week I have felt great in the water. A few days ago I had a swim with a few fast sprints. They were as fast as I've been all season. Today, I had 6x400. The intervals descended down to 5:20. Those would be tough to make. Right? Nope! I nailed 'em all!! All safely under 5:20. A few under 5:15 actually. I Like that. I pulled out my "open water distance stroke" and it felt smooth. That might sound strange but I do swim differently once the wetsuit is donned and I am moving for 20-30 min in the case of a Half Ironman.
Later on I knocked out a fairly strong 3 hr ride. I had some zone 3 work in the middle. Z3 is Tough!! On the bike anyway. On the run, not so much. But my bike Z3 Starts at 153 bpm. I have a high HR I think. But I have to kick my ass to get there. And then to hold it....ouch. But I did it. My quads feel it now baby.

My final mission this week is more work on nutrition. I am constantly playing with my nutrition. I am constantly thinking about it anyway. I am reading more and more about clean eating. I have emptied a few things from our cupboards that I never realized were so bad. My kids are thrilled. I made some yummy homemade granola bars. We are nearly free from refined sugars, enriched flour, and other processed foods. Hmm...wonder if this is why I am feeling so good.

Finally, we have a new kitten. he is awesome. So cute. Pictures to come. But rigth now, the little nut is on my legs crawling in circles and playing with something....it must stop. He's going to rip a hole if I don't stop him.

see ya!

13 comments:

sallyaston said...

I love your blog! As a mom training for IMAZ, I can relate to your stories! :-)
I wish I was the swimmer that you are, that's my goal this summer. I want to find my OWS stroke!
Would you mind sharing the granola bar rdcipe? Not that I have much time to bake, but I'd liek to try something like that!
Cheers! Sally

GetBackJoJo said...

I'd like to hear how you alter/change your stroke for OW swimming. Can you write a post on that? I think my stroke is always just the same....
I'm totally not surprised that you nailed those 5:20s. Yeah!
I totally wish the swim was longer too....esp. in those sprints. I dont' know, though. I think maybe our bike/run will catch up to our swim--. Actually, I think yours already has~!~

Kim said...

im the one girl that doesnt want the swim any longer than prescribed! :) way to crank out 5:20s, you are a speedy fishie!

MaineSport said...

Here's an idea I read once for the right way to do an IM. Start with the marathon. For men, world record time is something like 2:06. So now you set the bike and swim at distances that the best ever could cover in 2:06. Let's call it 54 miles and 7 miles. So your new IM is S 7 / B 54 / R 26. Sounds good to me!

GetBackJoJo said...

That sounds like the perfect race, Steve. Sign me up for that one!

Swimming for ME said...

Nice job on the swim set! That is a long haul to hold such a low interval. And LOL funny about almost beating the hub in arm wrestling. Guaranteed your boys will remember that.

Jennifer Harrison said...

I am TOTALLY all about making the swim longer in triathlon! HAHA - you HAVE been doing well - nice work, Ange! :)

Marni Sumbal, MS, RD said...

I can't wait to see that kitten!
WOW 5:20 you rock!
I have those good and bad days in the pools. Sometimes I think I am exhausted and I have good swims and then when I think I will have a great swim I feel awful!
keep up with the nutrition! I love that you are teaching the fam about clean eating and making your own food! It is all about balance!
-marn :)

mjcaron said...

Ange, where can I get the info. on clean eating? I happy for you that your training is going so well. I too have weeks where my swimming goes much better than usual. I love when that happens.. Congrats on your new kitten..
p.s. I responded to your comment on my blog.. :)

Jennifer Cunnane said...

You have a lot of good stories to share - send your email to me so I can forward a link on how to get you an adorable towel for you transition at IM Placid! I thought of you when trying to swim today - WOW!!! You swim so fast...I would need flippers on to keep up. Please also share on how you had the guts to clean out the processed food that the kids eat - I find it hard to part with the yummy stuff even though I don't eat it that much.

The Lazy Triathlete said...

Swims longer!!!!?? WTF??? Please no.

BreeWee said...

ha ha, ha ha! GOOD story, and I havent said it yet, but I love the bloody biking foto on your blog now...

SEE YOU AT IM PLACID!!! have a fun weekend and keep the boys (including the hubby) on their feet wrestling you!

Swimming for ME said...

Hello -- I would like to point out that tomorrow is exactly 2 months until IMLP -- Are you PSYCHED??