You’re Getting Warmer…

on November 15, 2011
in All Posts

In addition to the normal workload, today I have:

 

1) Watched The Hunger Games trailer a total of five times (not including the six viewings yesterday).  It gets better every.. single… time.  Squeal.

2) Eaten three slices of pumpkin pie.

3) Weeded my garden.

4) Swam 1,000 meters.  Winning!

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So, so proud of myself for getting back into the pool.  I really love to swim (more than I love to run) but I’ve found swimming in the fall to be challenging.  My pool keeps the water pretty cold – 71 degrees – and it’s a terrible thing to ease yourself in when it’s chilly outside, too. 

 

There’s a smaller warm pool, and I bribed myself into going to the aquatic center with the promise that I could do laps in the warm pool (which is about 80).  However, when I arrived and stuck my toes in, it was TOO HOT.  I felt like Goldilocks.  This pool is too cold, this pool is hot.  But truly – if you’ve ever swam laps in really warm water, it chokes you.  So into the cold pool I went!

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Here’s my workout:

 

200 meters freestyle

100 meters kick drills

Repeat until 1,000 meters

 

Not too hard, but certainly not easy, either, especially after so many weeks off.  And for your information, pumpkin pie is an excellent pre-workout snack. 

 

The only other real stand-out part of today?  Mmmm Sauce!  You have returned to me!

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Brown rice, chickpeas, pumpkin seeds, steamed kale, and loads and loads of Mmmm Sauce.  While eating this meal, I couldn’t help but think, “Ha! I’ll have some rice with my Mmmm Sauce, please.” 

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Fellow swimmers – do you love the chilly water or prefer the steamier pools?  Ever swam in an 80-degree lake?  I did a tri once in a warm lake – it was no good.

{ 75 comments }

 

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) November 15, 2011, 7:43 pm

    I want pumpkin pie! I have a countdown going now!

  • Mary November 15, 2011, 7:43 pm

    Getting in chilly water is PAINFUL! But I agree that is better once you start swimming than water that is too warm.

  • Amanda November 15, 2011, 7:46 pm

    I love mmmm sauce! Your meal is exactly the type of food I like to eat. Kale and chickpeas make me happy. As does pumpkin pie. 🙂

    Good for you for getting in your pool workout! I contemplated skipping spin class tonight after the 4pm darkness sapped my energy, but then reminded myself how good I would feel after. I’m now enjoying a nice endorphin high. So glad I didn’t bail.

  • jen November 15, 2011, 7:46 pm

    Steamed Kale is everywhere! How do you steam your kale so that it doesn’t get soggy? Also, can it be stored in the refrigerator for days or does it get gross? Thanks!

  • Army Amy* November 15, 2011, 7:49 pm

    Girl! You and that mmm sauce!*

  • Emily November 15, 2011, 7:50 pm

    I cannot wait to see The Hunger Games!! Nothing is better fuel than Pumpkin Pie!

  • Mama Pea November 15, 2011, 7:52 pm

    I kind of just want to invite you to live with me for the remainder of your pregnancy and I shall feed you everything. 🙂

  • Tiffany November 15, 2011, 8:03 pm

    Hi Caitlin! SO proud of you!! Great job!!

    mmm sauce looks great! Do you know if I can sub the nutritional yeast in the recipe for something else? (greek yogurt maybe?) I just really dont like the smell or taste of nutritional yeast. lol

    Thanks! 🙂

    • CaitlinHTP November 16, 2011, 11:37 am

      Hmm I don’t know. It’s pretty important to the recipe.

  • Emily November 15, 2011, 8:07 pm

    I’ve been watching the Hunger Games trailer non-stop, too! I really like what they’ve shown of the volunteering scene during the Reaping. I think it would have been really easy to mess it up, but they’ve done well and I love it! Everyone I know got goosebumps.

    • CaitlinHTP November 16, 2011, 11:39 am

      Agree. I am concerned about Haymitch’s wig, though.

  • Anna November 15, 2011, 8:12 pm

    It is SO much better for your body to swim in cold water. I’ve been swimming (still, yay college!) for 14 years, and the key is to dive/jump in, then shimmy and shake (not enough to dislodge BabyHTP, but enough to warm up) then start the warm up!
    PS–how about that make up on Elizabeth Banks?? I keep watching the Hunger Games trailer as well.

  • JT @ The Faux Foodie Girl November 15, 2011, 8:15 pm

    Congrats on your pregnancy!! While I was pregnant (my baby girl is now 6 months ago) I read somewhere that while pregnant you should not be doing any gardening/weeding, something about pesticide, etc. I didn’t read much further, as it was enough for me to say I am done with the gardening so my husband can take over 😉 Just thought I would pass on this little piece of info.

    I admire you for continuing the exercising program while pregnant…I “exercised” laying on a couch!!!!

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey November 15, 2011, 8:20 pm

    I swam in high school and the first dive in was horrid, but then after a while it got better!

  • Brigid November 15, 2011, 8:22 pm

    I swam competitively for seven years, and I MUCH prefer cold to warm water. For me, the easiest thing to do is plunge right in and start swimming; the initial icy feeling dissipates much more quickly. Our high school pool was ridiculously cold, though. We were always blue when we got out. I prefer not to get hypothermia, but I’ll still take frigid over bathwater.

  • katie @ KatieDid November 15, 2011, 8:23 pm

    It’s great that you still have a taste for mmm sauce. I bet your husband is counting down the days until you can’t stand the smell of it! haha

  • Mahealani @ Beauty, Brains, and Balance November 15, 2011, 8:24 pm

    I just watched that trailer, I’ve never heard of that movie but now it seems to be popping up everywhere! Looks SO GOOD.

  • maria @ Chasing the Now November 15, 2011, 8:24 pm

    I kind of hate you for all the pumpkin pie eating… but only because I REALLY want pumpkin pie, too. Unfortunately it’s almost impossible to find in Japan, so I’m fighting an awful craving right now.

  • Sara November 15, 2011, 8:36 pm

    I LOVE swimming in a cold pool, but the initial jump in is always brutal. I agree, swimming in warm water is suffocating. Once during high school swim team the pool we swam in broke in January. So…the water just kept getting colder and colder. Coach made us tough it out until one day, he finally canceled practice when he realized the water was about 50 degrees. Yikes!

    • CaitlinHTP November 16, 2011, 11:40 am

      50 degrees?! I did a tri (WITH A WETSUIT) in 55 degrees and I almost died. Seriously.

  • Anna November 15, 2011, 8:43 pm

    Definitely a steamy pool! I get cold easily and my body doesn’t do well in such cold temperatures. I still dread the pool because I took adult swim lessons in the winter and had to walk to the pool and then get in the freezing water…I hated it every week! One of my triathlons this summer was in a 90 degrees river!! It was so bloody hot that they even let us not wear our swim caps.
    I’m proud of you for getting in that pool today…maybe I’ll for a swim this Friday for the first time in ages!

  • kathleen @ the daily crumb November 15, 2011, 8:44 pm

    i was a swimmer in high school and college and as much as it totally sucks jumping into the cold water, i think it makes for such a better workout. trust me, 5:45 a.m. practice does not make a cold pool enticing, but it was definitely worse when the water was overheated.

    yay for mmmmmm sauce… delish!

  • Ida November 15, 2011, 8:45 pm

    My bf is a swimmer and he loves the cooler water, anything over 74 and he says it’s way too hot. He also swims in the SF bay without a wetsuit…

  • Amy November 15, 2011, 8:55 pm

    I have watched the trailer for the Hunger Games 3 times today! I totally agree… Gets better every time! The best part is that I am only half way through the first book so I don’t know what happens yet! I am obsessed….. !

  • Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga November 15, 2011, 8:58 pm

    Cold water and me do not mix! I’d rather be too hot than too cold, even when working out. I’d rather drip sweat than freeze. I am just not cut out for the cold…but I grew up in MN. Go figure. Good thing I live in San Diego now 🙂

  • Heather @ Better With Veggies November 15, 2011, 9:09 pm

    I actually like 80 degrees – well, 78 or 79 to be exact. 🙂 I’m very cold-natured though and don’t seem to warm up as much in the water. Not that I know what I’m talking about anymore, since I haven’t been in the pool since August .:)

  • Savannah @ Sweet and Savvy November 15, 2011, 9:10 pm

    Oh my goodness… FINALLY someone is as obsessed with the Hunger Games trailer as much as I am 🙂

  • BroccoliHut November 15, 2011, 9:11 pm

    Now I’m seriously hoping there’s some leftover pumpkin pie this Thanksgiving–would make a tasty pre-run snack:)

  • Ker November 15, 2011, 9:14 pm

    I prefer colder water. The pool I use here at school is outdoors so at this time of year they make the water about 82 degrees, which is quite warm but paired with the chilly winter air it’s just perfect swimming conditions. The only hard part about it is running from the pool to the hot showers post workout.

  • Lindsay @ runningthewindycity November 15, 2011, 9:18 pm

    Ugh- my pool has recently switched over to warm water and I do not like it. It makes it so much harder to breathe! I would much rather just jump into the cold water, it only feels cold for the first few laps or so anyways.

  • Elise November 15, 2011, 9:21 pm

    COLD WATER! I did my first (an thus far only) tri in the ocean up here in Nor Cal, and it made me swim waaaay faster than when I was training in the pool because I just wanted to get out of water. And it was even a balmy (relatively speaking) 57 degrees! (The normal summer temp is about 53.)

  • jen November 15, 2011, 9:21 pm

    OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!! you have no idea how happy you just made me! i just finished watching the trailer 3 times, literally, right before i came to your blog! i cried, i clapped in delight, i forced my husband to watch it..i CANNOT wait for this movie!

    • CaitlinHTP November 16, 2011, 11:40 am

      hahah yay!

  • Evi November 15, 2011, 9:32 pm

    Can’t wait for Hunger Games!!! And good for you about the swimming- I’ve been meaning to get started on that at some point- it’s great for a cross training when running/training.

  • m November 15, 2011, 9:34 pm

    Ha! I just realized that the pool you swim in is where we used to have our YMCA Junior nationals (and it was a HUGE deal to go to Charlotte from NJ back in the day)

    I love cold pools. They are terrible to hop into but I always just dive right in and it makes me jump into the workout. Hot pools are absolutely miserable…its like running in hot humid weather – no go!

  • Amber @ Bold, Busy, Blessed November 15, 2011, 9:45 pm

    So I’m thinking that I really need to read The Hunger Games, huh? I used to swim outside when I was younger. It was the summer, but there were mornings when the coaches were standing in sweats and pushing all of us kids into the pool! Brrrrr.

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin November 15, 2011, 9:48 pm

    This post just made me realize it’s been a few weeks since I was last in the pool too. It’s so hard to motivate myself to swim when it’s chilly outside! Maybe I’d be more motivated if I had pumpkin pie as a pre/post workout snack! 😀

  • Jess@atasteofconfidence November 15, 2011, 9:53 pm

    I definitely like cooler pools, and always have!Definitely hard to get in though.

  • Chelsea November 15, 2011, 9:55 pm

    I keep watching the trailer non-stop as well! I’m so excitedd ahh!

  • Lisa @ Fit in the Midwest November 15, 2011, 10:10 pm

    Now you have me hooked on watching the trailer! Can’t wait to see it and wish it only came out sooner.

  • Hillary November 15, 2011, 10:11 pm

    The HG trailer has me geeking out like a 13 year old. Luckily, my profession involves working with 13 year olds for eight hours a day, so at least they get my excitement.

  • Rachel November 15, 2011, 10:15 pm

    I definitely prefer swimming in a cooler rather than warmer pool. As soon as you get going, you warm up! I swam competitively in high school, and our team had to share the pool with a group of senior citizens when we had morning practices. It was a constant battle of the senior citizens going “brr!” and the high school girls gasping “it’s too hot in here!” and both sides shooting the other dirty looks.

  • Alexa @ SimpleEats November 15, 2011, 10:25 pm

    I’ve never even swam laps in my life, so I can only imagine what trying to do that in a cold pool would be like!
    P.S. I am seriously, terribly excited for the Hunger Games.

  • kristen @ livinlifeinlouie November 15, 2011, 10:29 pm

    defiantly need colder water, but that first jump is always the worst haha

  • Tracy November 15, 2011, 10:29 pm

    I “swim” at a pool that functions as a “Silver Sneakers” arthritis rehabilitation center, so it is kept really warm (80+). Oy. I don’t do laps though (lap lanes aren’t set up, but one side is for lap swimming, and the other side is for whatever), I kind of run in place with a noodle. It has a very Cocoon-ish vibe (Cocoon, the movie). I’m an injured runner, and this place is close to home, and a good price, so I went with it!

    • CaitlinHTP November 16, 2011, 11:41 am

      Oh I love water running. I think it’s relaxing!

  • Molly @ RDexposed November 15, 2011, 10:33 pm

    Just thinking about cold water is making me shiver! I wimper when I get into cold pool water.

  • Jessi @ Quirky Cookery November 15, 2011, 10:42 pm

    You had me at “three slices of pumpkin pie.” I’ve been holding off until Thanksgiving, but I may just have to go do some baking right now, hehe.

  • JenATX November 15, 2011, 10:45 pm

    how did you take that pic of your profile? i’m assuming you just stuck out your arm.. anyway, its hilarious. were you about to laugh?

    • CaitlinHTP November 16, 2011, 11:41 am

      Heheh yes and yes 🙂

  • Marissa C November 15, 2011, 11:00 pm

    I still cringe remembering jumping into the cold pool for HS swim practices every morning!

    But…cold pools “feel” cleaner to me. Important when you start thinking about the fact you are in a chlorinated bathtub.

  • Nicole November 15, 2011, 11:16 pm

    I’m not sure that this would work in an indoor pool, because I live in Southern California and pretty much all our pools are outdoor. A trick to help me get over the initial reluctance of getting in a cold pool is to shower before you get in (which most public pools require anyway). Then you’re already wet and standing outside the pool is colder than just jumping in and getting started.

  • Jen November 15, 2011, 11:23 pm

    “Ha! I’ll have some rice with my Mmmm Sauce, please.”

    This made me laugh! 🙂 Don’t really do this anymore, but I used to put so many crackers in my soup, my hubs would always say “would you like some soup with your crackers?”

    Good for you getting back in the pool!

  • Khushboo November 15, 2011, 11:34 pm

    I was just thinking that I should swim this week as it’s been a while- after this post, I am definitely more motivated to!

  • Alyssa @ Don't Look Down November 15, 2011, 11:38 pm

    Cold water is so much better! It is a little chilly at first but my body adjusts. Warm water + warm air makes me sluggish in the water and I don’t do very well. This August I did a triathlon in which we swam in a small lake. The water temp was almost 90 degrees-as warm as the outside temp-and it was disgusting. I just kept thinking the water was as warm as pee.

  • Jeanelle @ Glocal Girl November 16, 2011, 2:50 am

    I was a competitive swimmer up until I was 21 and I would MUCH rather swim in a colder pool than a warm one. Your body quickly heats up while swimming so if the water is too warm it’s so yucky.

  • Yolie @ Practising Wellness November 16, 2011, 4:41 am

    Congrats on going for your swim, that’s epic! 😀 Yay! <3 And that meal with the Mmm…sauce looks absolutely delicious…you are queen of greens, in my eyes, you always have steamed ones on your blog, and I love that! 🙂 It makes me brave enough to try them, lol! 😛 xyx

  • Cassie @ Back to Her Roots November 16, 2011, 6:02 am

    When I was swimming in the winter, I had the cold pool issues, too. I found out if I went and did 15 minutes of light cardio elsewhere (on the bike or elliptical) it was enough to get my body temperature up to where the cool water felt good. And it served as a nice warm up before swimming!

  • Coco November 16, 2011, 6:28 am

    Holy Moly- 71 or 80 degrees?! Both temps are warmer than the pools I used to practice in.. Although it was awful jumping in the pools- one kept in the lower 60’s because it was used for lifeguard trainings, and one around 65.. I prefer a colder pool. Once your get swimming it is so much nicer to be surrounded by cold water- I never would feel over heated, and I think my muscles recovered faster.. Each time I jumped in it was like an ice bath lol. I have swum in pools kept that warm (at the YMCA they keep the pools in high 70’s) but it feels like I’m suffocating.. and swimming for longer periods of time just don’t really seem to happen..

    • CaitlinHTP November 16, 2011, 11:42 am

      60 degrees? My oh my. That sounds soooo cold.

  • Karlee @olivewineandfood November 16, 2011, 7:08 am

    I like warm pools to an extent, not sure what my pool’s temp is. It’s just hard to get in a bathing suit when it’s cold outside. Once I’m in the pool I’m fine.

  • Kayla November 16, 2011, 7:18 am

    Definitely a cooler pool, it helps you get moving! But there are many times when I think outdoor pools should be warmer.

  • Heather @ For the Love of Kale November 16, 2011, 7:45 am

    I don’t think that I could imagine anything better than kale covered in Mmmm Sauce. Nope. 😉

    Congrats on swimming 1,000 meters, Caitlin! That’s amazing.

  • Katie November 16, 2011, 8:06 am

    I’m glad I’m not the only one who has watched the Hunger Games Trailer multiple times… I cannot wait for March!

    And yay for getting in the pool! I was a swimmer in college and it sure can be hard to get in.

  • Shelly @ Cake is a Food Group November 16, 2011, 8:12 am

    I swam in high school and one year they couldn’t get the pool temperature right. It was super cold and then super warm. The warm day was horrible. It made us all so slow and sluggish. Like swimming in a bath tub!

  • Carolina John November 16, 2011, 8:18 am

    I like the colder pools. I tell myself it’s only cold for the first few laps. In a lake, I’ve worn wetsuits when it was race-legal but the water was too hot for it really, and it’s gotten uncomfortable. That’s why, like at lake logan, I chose not to wear a wetsuit unless the water is below 65. Good job getting in the pool at all! Swimming is a great workout while pregnant. One of the best, actually.

  • Nikky November 16, 2011, 8:35 am

    I’m glad so many people are Hunger Games obsessed! I think I giggled out loud through the entire trailer the first time I watched it. And I’m SO glad they didn’t choose to play up the romance, considering how minor it kind of it. I was afraid of a Twilight-like cheesy slow-mo longing stare fest. Fine in romance novels, but I want my adventure/survival to STAY that way, please.

    Also: pie. Oh man yum. My nugget-to-be doesn’t like it when I eat sweets, but I don’t plan to let a little nausea rob me of my Thanksgiving pumpkin pie, haha.

  • kelly November 16, 2011, 9:29 am

    My YMCA keeps the pool in the low 80s!! It took forever to get used to.

  • Cat @Breakfast to Bed November 16, 2011, 10:01 am

    When I swam in college, there were times the pool was well above 80. What.was.the.point. no one can swim fast in that.

  • Amber K November 16, 2011, 1:24 pm

    I have got to try making the Mmm sauce again!

  • k November 16, 2011, 3:14 pm

    i LOVE chilly water. i’ve vowed to swim open water in the ocean all through the winter this year. i’ve been hitting the ocean 2-3 times a week. while it’s absolutely freezing and people on the beach bundled up in parkas, scarves and hats look at me like i’ve lost my mind when i walk into the water (especially during crazy swells and storms), i wouldn’t give it up for anything. the only downside? now when i swim in the pool, it’s not very exciting and the warmer water doesn’t feel right, ha.

  • Meg November 16, 2011, 3:18 pm

    I’m forcing myself back to swimming today after taking about a month off! I love it when I’m going and after I finish, but for some reason talking myself into going and getting in can be a battle! I wasn’t sure what workout or distance I was going to do, but it’s nice to have some kind of goal or idea, so I think I’ll just take your workout, thanks!

    I have a choice between two pools at my gym – one outdoor and during the summer, warmer and one indoor that feels cold. The outdoor pool is busier and used for swim team and of course, I really don’t love the idea of a one-piece swim suit tan, so I usually pick the cold pool and just duck under, push off the wall and scream a bit and it feels perfectly fine after the first few laps.

    I just did my first tri in a lake that was about 80 too. I was concerned about being too cold before I learned what the temp would be, but something in the middle might have been nice!

  • Daniella November 16, 2011, 3:54 pm

    I played water polo/swam in high school and college in Southern California. Our pools are outdoors so it’s pretty rough when you have 5:00am practice, but once you’re in an going you prefer it to be on the cooler side. I remember playing games at other colleges around SoCal and the temps of their pools were insane. I would jump out between quarters just to get some air. I always felt like it was draining me. I did a tri at Disneyland and the lagoon water was so warm it was creepy. Some people still wore wet suits, but I was so happy I didn’t, I would have melted!

  • sara November 16, 2011, 9:39 pm

    OMG im ALL over that movie trailer too! im soo excited that they made a movie out of it-and i havent even finished the trilogy yet 🙂
    otherwise-glad you got a good swim in!

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