How Hard Can It Be? Round 4

[Crankin]

Thanks, I am not always so structured about when I do my longer rides or running, as that way, if I have to change something, I don't get "off." But, I am trying to add in yoga a little more and I hope that helps.

And happy anniversary.

[Veronica]

This is the first year I've been so structured, and actually stuck with it.

So far it is working for me.

I love my yoga sessions. They're really more like stretching than yoga. I use the Yoga for Triathletes DVD series. The kitties like to help. Tucker sprawls across the mat and Cassie plays with my hair.

Veronica

[maillotpois]

Happy anniversary!!!

[Veronica]

I am disappointed with how this race went.

I have been dealing with chest congestion, stuffy nose and a mild sore throat which I was attributing to post nasal drip - the last couple of weeks. I figured it was allergy related and that as soon as warm weather got here, the allergens would die... A couple of Sudafed every day seemed to be helping.

Well, apparently not helping enough!

I knew on the swim that I was not feeling very well. I still had a decent time of about 6 - 7 minutes for the 400 yards. Tri for Fun doesn't do any timing, so I'm basing my swim time on when I started my Garmin at the bike.





I rode up the hill out of the park all right and once on the flat concentrated on settling in and riding. But I couldn't settle in, I couldn't get my breathing under control. I just could not seem to get enough air into my lungs.

Thom got pictures of me at this point and I look miserable - pale, pasty and pinched looking. Luckily they were all slightly out of focus so none of them made the cut.

I kept trying throughout the ride to just settle in and find that happy place. I couldn't ride in the drops because I couldn't get enough air. Every time I tried to push the speed, I couldn't breathe. I've ridden faster on harder terrain for my weekend bricks. It was so frustrating to not be able to hit the speed I knew I was capable of. I ended up with a 17 mph average over the 11 mile course. And I look just as miserable in the last picture (also out of focus) that Thom took near the finish.

He said after, on the drive home, that he was surprised I didn't bag it at this point, I looked so horrible.

But I took off the run. I kept trying to find a pace where I could breath. In my head I was reminding myself, "Light and easy." But no matter what my head said my body kept saying, "You need more air. You need to walk." Stupid body just refused to listen to my brain.



I ended up averaging 11:16 over the 3.25 miles. So beyond frustrating because on my bricks I have been sub ten.

Monday I'm calling my doc for an appointment. If it is allergies, maybe she can give something stronger. And if something else... I'll find out what it is and deal with it. I've got six weeks...

Veronica

[salsabike]

Hey, I have been dragging around the exact same malady. I already have the Monday 8:40 am doc appt And I skipped the second of my two sprint races this morning because of it. I was glad that I did. Don't feel bad--it's hard for your legs to do their job when they're not getting the full oxygen dose. Go to the doc and get it taken care of. And eat a cookie.

[Crankin]

It's amazing you accomplished what you did, feeling that way!
Go to the doctor. I have been struggling with the same thing for 6-8 weeks. Two rounds of antibiotics and I am now just starting to feel normal. And, it actually did start off as allergies, but spiraled downward to sinus infection, triggering the asthma, etc.

[colby]

I hate that feeling. I raced a marathon after "fighting off" a cold that I didn't actually fight off, and I just never could find my stride.

Not your best, but still a strong showing considering your situation. You'll sleep well, at least (or slept well, considering this was yesterday). And yes, you deserve a cookie! Get well soon!! 6 weeks is plenty of time.

[maillotpois]

I hate that - when the lungs just don't work. Get yourself checked out to make sure it isn't something serious or something that might be helped with antibiotics. And REST!!

[yellow]

Whatever ails you will surely pass. You are still bada$$, icky lungs or not!

[Veronica]

Doc confirms it's probably just allergies. My lungs sound good. There is a LOT of drainage into my throat and that's the most likely cause of the sore throat - just as I figured. Swab came back negative for strep.

She gave me some nasal spray to use that will hopefully clear up the congestion. It feels weird, but hey if it will make me "normal" again that's okay.

Veronica

[Veronica]

Working out with Shawna I realized just how crummy I had been feeling these last few weeks.

It's amazing how being able to get oxygen helps you work out better. I have not felt this energetic in a long time! Maybe I'll even wash the kitchen floor today.


Veronica

[ultraviolet]

Maybe I'll even wash the kitchen floor today.

I would need super-human energy to make me want to do that. Hah!

Glad you're getting oxygen!

[Veronica]

Great upper body workout with Shawna first thing this morning - gotta love push ups with a clap between.

Followed by a fantastic mid morning swim. I miss swimming. I really should do it more often, just for the fun of it.

Hmmm.... what shall I do this afternoon.


Veronica

[Veronica]

I am reveling in how much better I feel. Breathing is good!

I rode the bike portion of my regular brick today, set a new PR on the course by more than a minute. The day of the old PR I had been pushing pretty hard - trying to average 17 mph over what is a fairly hilly course with some sections that can have a very strong headwind. Sacramento Delta winds are world renowned in the sailing community. Well there wasn't much wind that day back in April. Now that it has gotten hot, our winds have picked up. In April I averaged 17.1, today I averaged 17.5 - 19.5 if you take out time at stop lights.

And I finally washed the kitchen floor.

Veronica

[Veronica]

Did my longest run of the year today - 9 miles, 1 hour 42 minutes. The first five miles were pretty good. I averaged 10:36. Then I decided to eat the solid Perpeteum that I am trying out. Sadly it's not going to work on the run. It requires too much water to help it go down, which left me with a very uncomfortable, sloshy tummy. For miles 6 - 8 I had a walk/run strategy that let me average 11:41. But I totally blew up on the last mile. It was the hilliest and I just felt fried - 12:59 pace.

Overall average was 11:21. I'm actually pretty happy with that. The last time I did this run was in April of 2010 and I had a 12:29 average pace. I love how easy it is to compare the same route in Sport Tracks.

I've been working pretty hard at becoming at better runner this year. I think it's working.

Of course I was actually suppose to run for 2 hours. Maybe next time.

Veronica