Last Week’s Workouts

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Plus – my next race!

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Last week was a bit lackluster, as far as Olympic tri training goes.  Life got in the way, and there were a few times that I was just so wiped for momma duty and oh-so-not motivated to sweat.  I normally aim to do 5 – 6 workouts a week during tri season and only did 4 last week.  But that’s okay – it’s not like 4 is bad!  And everyone needs a ‘step back’ week occasionally.  I just prefer to take them when I’m physically ready for a break…. not emotionally ready.  Know what I mean? 

 

Okay.  Enough babbling – here’s my workouts from last week:

 

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: 1 mile of speedwork on the treadmill and 45 minute spin class

Wednesday: 1000 yard swim

Thursday: 10K run with jogging stroller

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 45 minutes bike ride on indoor trainer and a 5K run

Sunday: Rest

 

Totals:  10.3 miles of running, 1000 yards of swimming, 1:30 of biking

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By the way – moving my bike onto the deck was the best decision EVER.  I take it inside at night to ensure it doesn’t get rained on, and it’s certainly annoying to haul back and forth, but it’s worth the effort.  It’s so much more pleasant to ‘ride’ outside than indoors, and I prefer to read my Kindle instead of zoning out on TV (I like to be horizontal when watching TV, thankyouverymuch).  I’m currently re-reading Divergent, which is just as good the second time around.  

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Our grass is looking a little rough, huh?  Damn heat waves!

 

I’m 99.5% positive that I’ll be doing this Olympic triathlon in August.  I did Stumpy Creek back in 2011, but it was a sprint distance.  Now it’s a 1500 meter swim, a 27 mile bike, and a 10K run.  I’ve been looking for a longer tri to complete this summer, so I’m pretty pumped that they decided to change up Stumpy Creek.  It’s a good course!

Now I just have to bite the bullet and register already.

 

Side Note:  If you’re in North Carolina, too, I just wanted to give you a heads up that many of the remaining Ramblin Rose beginner triathlons (Rock Hill, Huntersville, Chapel Hill, Winston-Salem) are about to experience registration fee increases. So register today!

 

Do you prefer to exercise to music, in front of the TV, with a book, or with no distractions at all?

{ 27 comments }

 

  • FitBritt@MyOwnBalance June 25, 2013, 9:41 am

    I prefer music for my workouts. In fact, most of my favorite workouts are because of the music. I love dance workouts the most! I too love exercising outdoors! So worth it!

  • Paige @ Your Trainer Paige June 25, 2013, 9:45 am

    Impromptu lighter weeks – sometimes we need them just as much when we’re emotionally drained as physically drained. A stressor is a stressor!
    Love your backyard hammock!

  • Ashley June 25, 2013, 9:57 am

    Love the idea of putting the trainer outside! We currently have ours in the (very unfinished) basement and it is about as depressing as it gets, I have zero motivation to get on it ever. But a change of scenery might be just what I need…

  • Lauren @ The Highlands Life June 25, 2013, 10:04 am

    What a genius idea to take your trainer out on the deck. I bet that is a much bigger boost then sweating it out indoors.

  • Lee June 25, 2013, 10:16 am

    I raced the Stumpy Creek Olympic last summer. It is a good race! I am considering it again for this year, but leaning more toward Lake Logan, just to try a different race.

  • Rebecca P. June 25, 2013, 10:31 am

    Since most of my workouts or strength training ones I usually just like to have CNN on the TV so I can listen to the news. But If I’m doing a quick HIIT session on the bike I might have a magazine to glance at but I find reading on the bike during a HIIT session is way to difficult for my body, haha. But I am definitely NOT a music listener!

  • Jamie June 25, 2013, 10:42 am

    Depends what I am doing. If I am doing cardio indoors (treadmill, stairs, elliptical) I like to listen to music. If I run outside I prefer no music because I like to use that time to think plus I feel like it’s a safety issue. And when I lift weights I don’t do music because I don’t want to be distracted.

    BTW Caitlin, have you read the Matched Trilogy by Ally Condie? So good! I always think of you when I find new books I love because you have recommended so many on your blog that I’ve ended up loving!

    • Caitlin June 25, 2013, 10:50 am

      is it good? it was a recommended book for me on Kindle !

      • Anna {Herbivore Triathlete} June 25, 2013, 8:30 pm

        YES! I just started the third book last night. I absolutely loved books 1 & 2 and flew through them.

  • Jessica R @ FromtheKitchentotheRoad June 25, 2013, 10:42 am

    Nice job with the 10k with a jogging stroller. I don’t have kids yet but I am a nanny. The families I work with have offered to let me take the kids running in a jogging stroller with me. That thing is no joke! I have only gone out about 3 times with the stroller running 6-8 miles each time. The flats and downhill portions are fine but any slight incline kills me!

  • Sarah @ Yogi in Action June 25, 2013, 10:43 am

    I loved Divergent! I can’t wait for the final book of the series. I got an email last week that it was available for pre-order, but thought it was saying the third one was out. I was very excited until I realized it was only available for pre-sale!

    I prefer to exercise to music- TV is ok, but I find I end up getting distracted by the show and suddenly I realize I’ve just been watching TV for the past 20 minutes and not exercising at all.

  • Amanda June 25, 2013, 11:11 am

    Reading. Music makes me feel like it’s never going to end, but reading makes workouts fly by for me. Even audio books are better for me than music. My fiance though, he can only work out with his workout music mixes!

  • Steph @ A Life without Ice Cream June 25, 2013, 11:36 am

    Lighter weeks happen, plus, I predict it’ll give you the energy (mental and physical) to kill it next week!

    I’m a music person all the way. TV doesn’t work for me, even at the gym I often turn them off or don’t pay attention. 1 exception – I like to do home strength training in front of the TV because it’s the only way I can actually get myself to lift weights.

  • CheekE June 25, 2013, 11:47 am

    Way to still get 4 workouts in! I’m having one of those weeks right now. Family schedule (aka hubby and son baseball ) and weather are just getting in the way. Thank goodness for grandparents! The Olympic (my first) I have my eye on just opened up for registration today, it’s in September! This week’s training frustration is not giving me the confidence I need to register – but I will, soon.

  • Sara June 25, 2013, 12:32 pm

    Wow- I think your workout Saturday can be recorded as working out Sunday too! Good Job! I personally like working out to music. I listen to Pandora and there is a Pop and Hip Hop Power Work out station that gets me in the zone. Especially when I feel like quitting and one of my favorite workout songs come on!

    Sara

  • Nikki June 25, 2013, 12:43 pm

    If I’m on the mill then tv is a must! Outdoor running just depends on my mood 🙂

  • Caitlin June 25, 2013, 1:41 pm

    It all depends for me. If I’m on a treadmill I usually watch tv on the iPad. I like to run outside with music but so many of my runs take place super early that I don’t feel safe running with headphones- I also prefer not to have music on a training run where I’m constantly focusing on pace and the work out. I run with friends several times a week so they’re often my distraction.

  • Karen @ Runner Girl Eats June 25, 2013, 2:19 pm

    I can’t focus on reading while working out but wish I could! I love zoning out watching tv but also really enjoy a good music jam session. I can’t do the treadmill or elliptical without some kind of distraciton but enjoy a quiet outdoor run every now and then 🙂

  • Ashlee@HisnHers June 25, 2013, 2:35 pm

    Your yard looks SO different! Ive been reading for a long time and my first thought was, “Oh look they have moved again!”

  • Zulkey June 25, 2013, 2:40 pm

    I like music most of the time but my favorite “easy” workout is a big fat InStyle or something similar on the elliptical while watching something like the Today show.

  • Rebecca June 25, 2013, 4:44 pm

    My “workouts” are basically the cleaning and moving things I do at work, with sometimes not a whole lot of noise at all. The boys will talk, and sometimes I’ll join in a conversation, but that’s about it.
    I walk the dog sometimes–the only noise there is outdoor noise like cars and birds, which I sometimes don’t even hear.
    I don’t really listen to much of anything when I do anything physically active (not that that’s very often). I used to use my iPod when I worked at the college, but I kind of tune it out after a while and am typically absorbed in my thoughts so it’s kind of pointless to have music along.

    My dad hates that people listen to music while they workout outside–running or biking on streets and stuff. He listens to music if he’s in the Y, but if he’s outside, he prefers to be more aware of his surroundings and thinks other people should be aware of theirs too–and he’s adamant music makes that too hard.

  • Suzanne June 25, 2013, 7:23 pm

    I hope to do a tri someday soon! Good luck with training!

  • Sophie @ life's philosophie June 26, 2013, 7:37 am

    In the winter, when I’m sometimes forced indoors on the treadmill, I have to be watching something on TV. Especially when I’m trying to get 8-10 miles done. Otherwise I prefer musica all the way.

  • Jess June 26, 2013, 12:22 pm

    I’m more of a reader as well. In college I used to study while doing my cardio! Just wondering what your set up is to be able to read on your trainer? Do you have really good balance or some sort of special table/stand for your book??

  • Shelly June 26, 2013, 4:23 pm

    I like music the best when I’m running outside, but I need the visual and oral stimulation of the TV if I’m running on the treadmill. If I’m on a stationary bike, I’d rather read or watch TV as well.

  • Alison Bowling June 27, 2013, 10:53 am

    I also decided to move my bike outdoors and now have a much more enjoyable routine. I usually swim lengths for 20-30min and then cycle for another 20-30. I find this is more proactive and I also get a chance to work on my tan, read and listen to music whilst feeling a whole lot better after my workout. Helped me a ton with motivation.

  • Earlene Blosser July 3, 2013, 1:49 pm

    During this time of a year one of my most favorite workouts is running outside in parks. If I am listening to a great music during my workout, then I am much more effective and can run much longer. Maybe you could try that as well.

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