Happy Friday and February 1, friends!
I ventured to the New York Road Runners (NYRR) office yesterday afternoon to pick up my t-shirt and bib for the Gridiron 4-miler race, and my walk to and from the subway took me through Central Park. No complaints here!
Workout #1 – Swimming
Recovery week team workouts officially ended this morning in the pool. How’s this for a pleasant surprise—Andrew moved me from fast lane number two to fast lane number one! (During our team swims, Full Throttle Endurance uses five of Chelsea Piers’ six lanes—one slow, two medium, and two fast.) Technically, I’ve been in the fast lane for this training cycle, but it was the slower of the two. (I’ve mentioned this before, but I should note again that I’m training with the “level-one” team; if I were training with the racing team, then I’d probably be in the slow lane.) Anyway, Young C got called up to swim with the big dogs! I also learned I’m a semi-decent kicker: The guys in my lane told me to lead our 6x50s. I was a little hesitant to hop up to the lead-off spot, but I put on my big-girl pants and set the pace.
I just like to kick—kicking’s my favorite!
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Overall, I really liked life in this new fast lane. Swimming alongside these guys (I was the only girl in the lane) was definitely more challenging, and I had to work harder to stay on pace. That will hopefully lead to improvement, though, so I hope to stay in that lane for future workouts. And honestly, based on my basketball experience, I’ve learned that guys—in terms of both coaches and teammates—push me more and typically don’t take things personally. Case in point: All four told me to lead the kicking drills. This honesty makes it easier for me to do the same. Case in point: Once it was time for the pulling drills, I promptly demoted myself and took the caboose spot. (Remember the pulling drills from last week?)
Finally, after practice, we tried on team cycling and racing uniforms! (When we start riding outside, everyone wears a team jersey and shorts, which makes it easier for the coaches to tell who’s in our group.) Much like getting my FTE t-shirt, trying on tops, bottoms, and jerseys made everything seem real—it still blows my mind that I’m part of an awesome NYC triathlon team sometimes. I’ll definitely share pictures when the gear arrives!
Breakfast
I refueled after practice with my go-to spinach and egg white breakfast sandwich.
With a slice of pepper jack cheese for good measure.
Workout #2 – Biking
Originally, I planned to ride during tomorrow afternoon’s SU game, but since my family will be here, I want to watch the game with them—and not be pedaling away on my indoor bike trainer. Around 11 a.m., I hooked up my bike, hopped in the saddle, and put in my 60 minutes of zone-2 work. Done and done.
Lunch
I can’t decide if I like the spicy black bean quinoa better hot or cold; I eat it chilled at work, but always heat it up at home.
Either way, the avocado needs to be there!
Time to clean my apartment for the fam—enjoy the day!
Do you prefer working out solo or with a group? Have you ever trained alongside members of the opposite sex? What did you think?
That’s just sick and twisted. Kicking is the worst.
LOL–I’m sure I’ll be “kicking” myself for saying that next week when we enter phase two!
way to go girl, I bet it is intimidating but you handle it so well. i know all your hard work is going to pay off in big ways
You should see these guys–they *look* so legit. (And they’re obviously legit triathletes too.) I almost feel out of place, but I know my coach wouldn’t put me there if I couldn’t handle it.
That’s awesome! Young C is fast, I see
I prefer working out with a group or a friend, but mainly other women. I don’t feel as challenged by men since I figure I can never compete, unless they’re close friends and my friendly competition side kicks in.
In college, I used to go to spinning classes with a bunch of my girlfriends, and sometimes, one of my best guy friends would join us–and we would always get *so* competitive, so I totally relate!
Good for you for getting inspired by the guys. I’ve never really trained with guys in a competitive way (I cheered in college but we were attempting to accomplish different goals of course). I did, however, run with my boyfriend last year when I was training for a 10 miler. I was so excited to show him up on the trails because he hadn’t been running. Well, sure enough, he kicked my butt. I was so mad lol a little competitive spirit in me shone through!
Awww, that’s so nice you two trained together!
Hmm, i like heated-up quinoa! and I stink at swimming, but you knew this already
Yeah, having it warm was a good choice since today was a cold day.
I prefer doing cardio separately and lifting with a partner.
I always find it more motivating! With cardio, I have to be alone and get my mind in the zone (I can’t let someone else’s pace determine mine.)
Ah, YES! During college basketball, I really enjoyed lifting with a partner. Not only was it more motivating, but it was also nice having someone there for support (aka to spot when lifting heavy).
I love the idea of team workouts but it’s not to be for now. Maybe in the spring I’ll get with one of the local teams here. And I totally get the excitement over team gear. That is just cool.
It felt like my old basketball days–trying on gear and picking out jerseys.
I always train with a member of the opposite sex since I train with Mike
But when I was a swimmer in Maine the girls’ and boys’ swimming seasons were both in the winter (and I swam on a YMCA team too) and I always was in the fastest lane with the boys. Great job moving up to the fast-fast lane!
Now that’s cool. I always enjoyed scrimmaging against guys for basketball, and I wish I participated in a sport where we trained together regularly–like you did for swimming.
It must be dinnertime for me because even your breakfasts are making me hungry!