A week in review and other things too

Training:
This has been an awesome training week!  It is nice to finally be back into the swing of things.  It's amazing how different my body feels when I put in a lot of training hours.  I feel stronger, fitter, healthier, and just happier in general.  :)


*  I had a great 10M run on Thursday.  It was a far cry from last weekends horrible long run attempt.  It was actually overcast, the temp. was around 60, and there was a slight breeze.  It was perfect!  I felt strong the entire run and it was an awesome feeling!  I know the likelihood of the weather being this cool for my HIM is slim to none, but it was nice to have a break from the summer heat and humidity.  

  
*  I was excited to go to my Aquaman swim race on Tuesday night, but unfortunately, Mother Nature had something different planned in the way of lightning, rain, and thunder.  I went to the race site anyways b/c the weather here can change in an instant, but I knew deep down that it would probably be canceled.  The race was supposed to start at 6:20 and they said they were going to make the call to cancel it at 6.  6 rolled around and they said they were going to wait another 15-20min. to see if the storm would pass.  The sky was dark, lightning was everywhere and I knew there was no way it was going to happen.  So, instead of waiting around, I told my husband that I just wanted to go.  I didn't want my boys out in the storm and I really did not want to risk getting struck by lightning just to practice my open water swimming!  I transferred my registration fee over to next weeks race and headed home.  This is what we saw as we were leaving the park:

I have no doubt that if we would have stayed, we wouldn't have seen the double rainbow.  My boys have never seen a rainbow, so they were just besides themselves with excitement! :)

*  I decided to get a stroke analysis done at a place called Swim Labs.  They use an endless pool with mirrors and cameras which video tape you as you swim from different angles.  It was so bizarre at first swimming in an endless pool, but after awhile it was as natural as swimming laps in a pool.  If I was a millionaire, I would have one of these in my basement!  They are so cool!  Anyways,  I was shocked by what I was (or was not) doing when I swam.  My left arm almost crosses in front of my head causing tons of drag and let's just say I have NO pull.  I really thought I was doing it somewhat right, but no, I was just doing this weird motion with my arm.  No wonder I'm so slow!  The mirror on the bottom of the pool gave me instant feedback and I was able to correct my left arm position really quickly.  The catch and pull though are definitely going to take some time.  The instructor gave me some drills to do, sent me home with a CD of parts of my swimming, and told me to practice, practice, practice.
I went to the pool this morning and tried out the new drills.  Let's just say that the saying, "Old habits die hard" is very, very true.  It is going to take me a long time to get the catch and pull right.  But, I'm excited that I finally know what I need to work on and can't wait to see how my swimming evolves from here.

*  I have been seeing these cool graphs and routes on blogs that people have uploaded via Garmin Connect.  I have been using the old Garmin training center software that came with my 305 years ago.  I decided to check out Garmin Connect myself and, oh my god, it is so much better than the old software!  Seriously, where have I been that I am just now using this?  But, I can't figure out how to post the map on my blog?  Help!  

Other things too:
*  As I was driving home from my Swim Labs apt. I saw huge signs advertising GoLite's warehouse clearance sale.  I love GoLite stuff, so I went to check it out.  They had some great stuff at some amazing prices!  I seriously had to restrain myself from not going crazy.  But, I did walk away with a couple of sweet things!

Check out my new waterproof gore-tex jacket and hiking shorts!  Woohoo! :)









*  I love our garden!  Every day it seems like the herbs and veggie plants are getting bigger.  I cannot wait until our cucumbers, carrots, and squash are ready to eat.  Tonight we're actually going to make a Capri salad with mozzarella and fresh basil and tomatoes that we grew.  Yum!

Cucumbers and squash plants.












Carrots, herbs and tomato plants












*  I have been watching the Tour de France, as I'm sure most of you have been too.  But one thing that always gets me with every stage is how there is a group of leaders out front the entire time.  Then, when it gets closer to the finish, the peloton always catches them and they just drop back.  I find myself routing for the leaders to just hold on EVERY SINGLE TIME.  And, I always get sad for them when they are overtaken.  My husband thinks it's hilarious, but just once, how cool would it be for the leaders to make it all the way to the finish without being caught?!  Now that would be an exciting finish!

*  I was finally able to use the gift certificate my husband got me for Mother's day this morning.  I went to the spa and got an hour long Sports massage.  OH MY GOD!  It was absolutely amazing and completely what I needed!  The masseuse was incredible and knew the exact amount of pressure to use without hurting me or making me flinch.  I have never had a sports massage, but I understand now why so many athletes swear by them and make it a monthly ritual.  I left feeling loose, de-stressed, and completely relaxed! Ahhhh  :)

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I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  And, good luck to all of you racing this weekend too! :)