Training Day #1

Good morning, friends. 

So, I started my assigned training by my fabulous 'swim coach' Jen Pottinger yesterday.  She's out of town this week and after our first swim lesson last Thursday she told me she wanted me to swim for 15 minutes every day this week.  As somewhat of a 'distance runner,' 15 minutes seemed awfullllyyyyy short.  But, hey, she's way more experienced at this than I am...so I went with it.  And let me tell you....it took me 30 MINUTES to swim for 15.  Between the breaks and the trying to avoid other people in the pool and the recovering from the extreme shortness of breath....15 minutes felt like an eternity.  BUT, I did it.  And each lap seemed to get easier and feel more natural.  And as of this morning nothing hurts too badly, so I will be back in the pool today.  

Because I am a bit of an overachiever I thought I might tack on a little bit of biking and running onto this 'super short' swim workout.  After peeling off my bathing suit and pulling on a sports bra and workout clothes I jumped on the bike and biked a quick 4.5 miles.  Easy enough.  I was still soaking wet from the pool, but the bike part wasn't too touch.  I tried to vary the resistance to be more realistic, and it seemed okay.  After that, my plan was to run 1.5 miles.  As of last week,  I could run 3 miles with my eyes closed and without any heavy breathing, so I figured this would be a good way to end my workout.  HA!  After being on the treadmill for a mere 3 minutes my calves started to tighten up...not to mention the screaming my hip flexors were doing.  Sheesh, it was tough.  I literally only made it .5 miles. 

At first I was very frustrated by this.  I've always prided myself on being pretty in shape...particularly when it came to running.  But the swimming and the biking warm up reallllyyy made a huge difference.  After recapping my workout in my head and compared it to what my body was used to I came to terms with the idea that though running and biking come naturally to me, this whole adding swimming business is going to make a huge difference.  And that I need to be patient with myself while my body adjusts.

So, that's my plan today.  I'm going to get in a short 45 minute workout with my trainer....then get in my 15 minutes of swimming...and perhaps just a short run afterwards.  I will keep you posted!

Have a great day, everyone!

xoxo,
ryann