Next Big Goal

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Tori @ In Love and Peanut Butter

I always like to have a goal set when I start training for a race. Big or small, it helps me set my sights on something and remember why I’m up at 5am on a Sunday to exercise for hours and hours.

After achieving my 2013 running goal I decided to set another goal for myself — triathlon style.

So what’s it going to be?

There are two:

Get stronger on the bike
PR on the bike split at Ironman 70.3 Miami

August 18, 2012. Roy McConnell Olympic Triathlon at Moss Park near Orlando, F.

I know that goal 1 will help me achieve goal 2. I finished the bike course at Augusta 70.3 last year in 3 hours and 44 minutes with an average speed of 15mph. I know I can do better.

One thing I definitely need to work on is getting more comfortable on the bike. It’s not that I’m scared of my bike. It’s that I’m scared of everyone else while I’m on my bike. Last year I did almost all of my rides by myself and I’m pretty sure that didn’t help my anxiety about riding in crowds.

The last few weekends I’ve rode with friends and have already noticed an dramatic difference in my comfort level.

I wrote a very similar post about overcoming my fear of the swim last year. I put a lot of focus on swimming during my Augusta training and ended up with a good (for me) swim leg. This year, I hope to put the same effort into each event.

I’m not putting any time goals on this one, but I would like to see a faster split. I’d also like to get off the bike feeling stronger to start the run.

Looks like the old Felt and I will be spending some quality time out on the Suncoast Parkway.

Do you have a favorite event in the triathlon? Any cycling tips for me?

Mixing it Up

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Tori @ In Love and Peanut Butter

To continue my super-awesome week in review, I’ll share my workouts from last week.

I’ve been enjoying mixing up workouts the last few months. While I love swimming, biking and running, it’s been nice to get more into strength training. I am still meeting my personal trainer two mornings a week and plan to conitnue that for… well, forever?

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Monday:

30 Lift / 30 Spin – This is becoming one of my favorite types of workouts. I spend 30 minutes in the spin class and 30 minutes lifting. It’s the perfect combination when I’m feeling distracted and bored easy. Which is highly likely to happen after a Monday at work.

Tuesday:

Body Pump – I met Meg for Pump again this week. I really like that class. The shoulder track was a little bit cray-cray for me and my shoulders were burning afterword. But, it was a ‘hurts-so-good’ kind of burn.
Run – I got some extra motivation from somewhere on Tuesday night and decided to head out for a run. I decided to do my normal 3-mile loop, leave the Garmin at home, and wear my heart rate monitor instead. I tried to keep my heart rate around 160. I ended up running it in 27:45 (9:18 pace) and really enjoyed the run. I should do that more often.

Wednesday:

Personal Training – I started out with a little 30-minute Tour de Cardio (stairs, arc trainer, treadmill). My trainer showed no mercy for my sad shoulders at our workout. I set a new record for assisted pull-ups in a 1 minute so she said she’s dropping my weight moving forward. She also decided to up the weight to a 35-lbs plate on my back during my planks. Then followed it up with Arnold’s, dumbbell chest press, reverse lunges with dumbbells, v-sits, upright row, and squats with high knees. It was a great workout!
Open Water Swim – I decided to give my shoulders a little bit of a break and opted for the half mile swim on Wednesday night instead of the full mile. Once I got out to Pass-a-Grille Beach I was glad I made that decision. The water was pretty rough. It felt pretty washing-machiney at the end in the fact that I was getting hit with waves from both directions. That’s why we train open water though, right?

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Thursday:

Spin- Took a spin class on Thursday morning with Meg. The class was pretty good. I was really sleepy though.

Friday:

REST! Much needed.

Saturday:

Bike - Saturday morning I met Meghan for a bike ride. She wanted to do 40 miles and that sounded good to me. I haven’t ridden more than 30 since last October and I was kind of excited to get back into longer rides. We met at the Suncoast parkway and knocked out (almost) 40-miles. The sun stayed behind the clouds and the ride was enjoyable. My legs felt better than I ever remember them feeling at the distance. I had a Cliff bar at mile 20 and I think that may have had something to do with having enough energy to power through it.

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Sunday:

Run - Patrick and I decided to run 6-ish miles on Sunday. After 40 miles on the bike the day before it started out rough. The first two miles were tough and my legs felt like lead (10:26, 10:25). Decided to suck it up and finish out 5 miles rather than heading home (9:48, 9:52, 9:47). Glad we made that decision.

It sure was a busy week, but a good one!

A Super-Awesome Week

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Tori @ In Love and Peanut Butter

Last week was a super-awesome week on so many levels. My workouts kicked-butt (more on that later) but along with that, I went to a few incredible events. I’m still not quite sure how I managed to fit it all in.

Most exciting was probably the Wheel of Fortune casting call-backs on Thursday morning. I’ve been applying to be a contestant for years. I’ve also gone to two “live audition” events. Yes, I know I’m a huge nerd.

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This photo is from December when I went to the live auditions with a few girlfriends. While several thousand people attended these auditions that the Mahaffey Theatre in St. Pete, there was a random selection process and only a few people made it on stage to audition.

I didn’t make it on stage that day but got an a few weeks ago with the opportunity to submit a video audition to the producers. A few days later, I got an email with an call time for last Thursday in Clearwater Beach!

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The audition process was really exciting and pretty intense. I was ecstatic to make it through all the rounds of auditions! Whether I made the show or not, it was a really incredible experience. However, if I did make the show I’ll find out in two weeks! Keep your fingers crossed!

Thursday night I went to movies in Straub Park with some girlfriends. The St. Pete Preservation Society puts on this event Thursday night’s in May. Last week’s movie was Sleepless in Seattle. It was a blast!

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My company sponsored a Celebrity Fashion Show to benefit The Children’s Home on Friday afternoon which I was lucky enough to attend. Several local celebrities modeled fashions from Georgette’s Boutique in Tampa.

Along with the fashion show there was a silent auction, luncheon and live auction. The event was held at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort where I used to work. It was great to see my old team again.

Saturday I went to a baseball game with Patrick and his family. We rode our bikes there so we had free VIP parking.

I always love going to the games. But mostly just to see the bottle race.

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I also worked out a bunch but I’ll post that tomorrow

Do you have a game show you’ve always wanted to be on? What’s on your bucket list?

The No-Plan Plan

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Tori @ In Love and Peanut Butter

I love having a training plan just as much as I love having a goal to go along with it. It keeps me accountable and focused.

However, every once in a while, it’s nice to break up the routine and have a few weeks of “do whatever I want” kind of working out. Since last week was my last half marathon until November, I celebrated this week with a whole bunch of do-whatever-I-want.

Here’s what last week looked like:

Monday - Patrick and I logged 10 easy miles around downtown St. Pete on our single speed bikes. He had worked St. Anthony’s Triathlon and I had been in DC. It was a great way to catch up from our weekends and enjoy the weather.

Tuesday - I took a Body Pump Class with Meg and Patrick. It had been forever since I’d been to a class. I hope to make it more regular.

Wednesday- I went to personal training.

Thursday - I did a quick 1000m in the pool.

Friday- I met my friend Meg for 6 great miles. I so enjoy our morning runs!

Saturday- Patrick and I made our way to the Suncoast Parkway for a 20 mile ride.

The ride felt really good. I feel like I’m finally getting back into the comfort zone with my bike. My legs felt strong and my pace has picked up a little.

Pretty much, I’m doing a whole lot of the same thing I was doing before with less running, and more cycling.

I do have a couple of sprint distance triathlons coming up this summer so I definitely have those in the back of my mind when choosing a workout for the day. However, I don’t intend to start any formal training plan until July 1 for Ironman 70.3 Miami. I look forward to putting that plan together, but until then, I’m going to enjoy the no-plan plan.

What do you find yourself doing more of when you’re not training for something? Do you still find yourself in some sort of routine?