View from my apartment’s spinning cycle…….guess I can’t complain

P.S. I would rather be outside but too lazy to change my bike’s flat tubes.

~ Author Unknown

Obviously training for a triathlon requires – training!  Imagine that!  Well, what does training require?  Yep, you guessed it – actually participating in the various sports that comprise a triathlon with hopefully a gradual weekly increase.  Mixed in there you’ll have speed work, intervals, pacing, etc. to improve your efficiency.  So, this post isn’t about all that but what results with the training.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had tight muscles.  Hamstrings mainly but now that’s accompanied by hip flexors and ITB.  I could include many others but these three are the main points I’ll cover today.  Because of the tightness in my ITB, it’s causing some discomfort in both knees.  The pull of the band laterally is putting stress on the medial aspect of the knee which is where my discomfort is.  Before my walk/jog I did a bit of tapping along the left ITB since this is the main cause of pain (and more painful than the right).

The initial jog interval was a little uncomfortable but things improved with each one.  Granted, I can’t rely on this tape since it’s not solving my issues, just making it more comfortable to continue.  What I need to do (and this makes me cringe), I need to stretch and pull out the foam roller.  If you could only see my face as I type this!  UGH!  What’s funny is, I tell people all day long – you really need to stretch!  Do I do it personally, nope.  I know better and I know how tight I already am.  Increased training just made things tighter.

Here’s my current arch-enemy!

I absolutely HATE using this darn foam roller.  That being said, it’s absolutely necessary.  Hopefully this combined with regular stretching and some yoga for triathletes will help get these muscles in appropriate working order.

What are you or have you dealt with during your training??

Oh geez, I was about to end this post without listing one thing I like!  Gotta follow the yucky with yummy!  Recently I purchased some of that new Yoplait Greek Yogurt in the Coconut flavor.  So mixed this with some granola and wow, I actually really enjoyed it.  Previously, I can say I wasn’t a huge fan of Greek yogurt but I think this may have changed my mind!

The other fun item I’m LOVING is some new Yurbuds.  I was having some difficulty keeping my previous ear buds in place when outside and sweating.  These Yurbuds stay put!!  They literally lock in place and don’t move at all.  I’d seriously take a look at these if you are looking for a new set of ear phones!

**The thoughts and opinions in the post are completely my own and were not influenced by any company mentioned.**

We all have that moment when you can come up with a hundred different reasons to not work out.  Yep, it really is that easy to convince yourself to do it later and sit that butt down on the couch.

A couple of days ago I had a horrible night sleep so Monday at work absolutely sucked.  Days like that make me wish I had a desk job……..granted every other day I’m glad I don’t.  Anyway, I got home from work and within minutes (I kid you not MINUTES!) I was asleep on the couch. When I awoke, it was 4.5 hours later!  Guess I was exhausted!  Of course, it’s now 10pm so to say I skipped a work out would be accurate.

Then there was yesterday.  My book club decided to see Hunger Games and had it planned for last night.  We read the book earlier this month and everyone was ecstatic to see the movie.  Following the movie we’d grab a bite and discuss the movie and any other life’s interesting stories – and of course a glass of wine (or two!).  By the time I arrived back home, it was 10:45pm.  Yep, that’s now 2 days missed!  (I liked the movie but the book was definitely better!)

Missing two days has now thrown my entire work out schedule off.  Of course it would you say, this shouldn’t be news to you!  Nope, it’s not news but this made me think about professionals and elite amateurs and whomever relies on wins for $$$, sponsorships and press.  Maybe they are better planners than me (which I’m 100% certain they are), maybe they would have sacrificed something that would enable a late night work out or early morning one.  I have no problem with a late night work out actually but an early morning one just hasn’t happened – EVER!  (Wait, that’s a lie.  I did go to a 6:00am aerobics class my freshman year in college.  This resulted in me falling asleep in my 10:00am class).  Maybe one day this MIGHT become a reality but it would entail me hitting the sack earlier than I do.  Not sure that’ll happen.

So anyway, how do you handle life when it interferes with your schedule?

P.S.  On a positive note, I did some time on the treadmill tonight with a little core work afterwards!

Chicked: – verb. The act of getting passed by a stronger woman athlete.
**Example – Chrissie Wellington often chicks her male counterpart due to being a ridiculously great female triathlete.

No one will be Chicked by me, ever……..unless they literally are moving at a snails pace (I think those sitting move faster than me!) Nonetheless I loved shirt! If you like, check out their website. They believe in empowering women athletes of all ages and talent.