Sunday, August 28, 2011

I Survived August!

Going into this month, I knew it was going to be a doosey.  Big miles on the training front - Ironman style.  Extra days working at the hospital.  And a quirky, rather sudden influx of personal clients.  Staying married.  Remembering to feed Roxy.  Keeping our house somewhat clean.  (I'd say keeping the fridge full but Oscar takes care of that :).  I know it's a lot less than many people have on their plates but it was enough for me!

But I'm happy to say, I survived!  I survived!

Now I know August isn't over yet.  But I think I'll make it 3 more days.  Especially considering tomorrow is an off day of training!  What?!  I know, I don't see those come around very often (at all) so I'm going to cherish this one and celebrate by sleeping in until...5:30 am!  :)

Of course there is a lot more work to be done in September - I haven't forgotten!  BUT, September brings with it less days at the hospital and BIG fun in that I get to race!  I GET TO RACE!  And racing is awesome for several reasons, including but not limited to, the fact that it breaks up the monotony of all the BIG training weekends!  YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I GET TO RACE SOON!  :)

We are getting there.  One day at a time.

In the mean time, I'm also happy to announce that I survived week #1 of having no home pool (my YMCA shuts down for 2 weeks for routine maintenance this time of year, as is the case for most pools I think).  Of course week #1 of closure just so happened to fall on a week when I had 6 swims.  :)  But I got a little creative and begged my way into a few different pools.  Here is how the week played out:

Sun Aug 21st: 5000 yard swim at the JCC (Jewish Community Center) in Squirrel Hill with Oscar.  You have to pay the big dough for them to let you in but the pool is nice and coooooool.  :)

Monday Aug 22nd: 3500 yard swim at Pitt Masters.  Plan got a little screwed up when morning practice was canceled due to pool issues but we got the schedule rearranged to make it to evening practice instead.

Tuesday Aug 23rd: 4000 yard solo swim at Butler YMCA.  It's a 40 minute drive one way but they let me in for free.  And I got to see my friend Wendy!

Wednesday Aug 24th: NO SWIM!  Chlorine free for the day!

Thursday Aug 25th: 4000 yard swim at Pitt Masters where we swam really hard 75s and Meg made me laugh just as hard.  I'm pretty sure I snorted once or twice.  :)

Friday Aug 26th: 5000 yard solo swim at Butler YMCA.  Don't like the drive but I do like the cooooool pool! 

Saturday Aug 27th: 4000 yard solo swim (once again) at Butler.  The drive is much quicker very early on a Saturday morning.

Sunday Aug 28th: 5000 yard swim back at the JCC with Oscar.  Never a fan of the Sunday afternoon swim but it was nice to have company in my lane!

This week the Butler YMCA is closed so I'll be heading back to the YMCA in the town where I grew up!  It's even further than Butler but it will all be worth it when I swim a 50 minute IM swim right?  ;)  HAHAHA!!  (joking in case you didn't notice...)

Hope everyone has an awesome start to their week!  And HUGE congrats to all those racing in Louisville and Canada today.  Inspiration galore.  LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE it!  :)

12 comments:

  1. I can't decide what's more amazing, that you swam that much or that you went through such shenanigans to swim! Amazing. Happy two weeks to race day!! :)

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  2. HOly crap. You get a whole day OFF with no training AT ALL?? Lol. I get one too. On October 9. :)

    That's a LOT of swimming. Wow! You just might swim a 50 in Kona!

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  3. That's alot of swimming Fishy:) rest days are when you get stronger!!!! Enjoy!!

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  4. Wow! That's a lot of swimming! Love the JCC pool. I always liked the cool water there and everyone was real nice. They used to have a meet there in March. Your posts always make me miss PA. Anyways, best wishes with your training in Sept.

    Jennifer

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  5. now that is committment. wow. I totally hear ya on pool access issues. this week is my 6 days of swimming :) grateful our pools are open! I have enough trouble getting in the pool as it is! awesome work girl. I've been counting the days til september too and we are so close now! you are going to destroy vegas my friend! then kona is right behind!

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  6. Great work Beth! I am going to stick on your feet in Kona, ok? ;-)

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  7. That is a LOT of swimming! Great job!

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  8. I'm done and now it's time for me to sit back, rest, and watch and cheer you on Beth! You are built to do this, both physically and mentally.

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  9. Congrats on surviving August!! I can't believe your swim workouts for the week... you are going to dominate the swim at Kona! :)

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  10. You really go all out to find a pool! Racing soon means Vegas I'm guessing. I'm sure you'll kill it. The fact that it is a tough bike course should suit you well.

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  11. Wwowowow my arms are sending pain releif to your arms! That is an amazing amount of swimming! Glad you're able to switch stuff around, the surprises sometimes make training tough

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  12. ....Am I to understand that I may be seeing you even more in the next 2 weeks? Sorry your pool isn't opening-but will be happy to get to chat with you again! :)

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