Friday, July 5, 2013

The first "Brick"

With triple digits in the forecast, I was not going to let my laziness win on Monday. I didn’t hit my snooze alarm, but instead pulled myself out of bed at 4:15 to attempt my first “brick” workout. It helped that I had everything I needed laid out the night before. Even Laney was by the front door and ready to go.

I had no real plan for mileage since I am not following a training plan. To be honest, I am just winging it and I am perfectly fine with that. I have no idea what I am doing for the most part, but I am having fun which is important. I figured I wanted to ride at least 10 miles and run 2 miles. That sounded like a good start to me.

I ended up with 12.3 miles on the bike because I over estimated my loop. The ride did go really good. The temperature was perfect for 4:45 am. I was shocked at how many people were out and about- running, cycling, walking and even doing yard work!

I got back to my house and quickly switched out my shoes and put Laney inside. My first couple of steps running my feet and brain were not in synch. I think that my legs were slightly confused as to what was going on. They felt heavy for about a ½ mile, but then I felt pretty good and got into my groove. I was easily able to maintain an 8:00 min pace for my short neighborhood loop.

On Wednesday I did a triple whammy of a workout: Rode to FGF, worked at FGF & rode home and then ran 3.15 miles. My legs felt pretty good and I feel like practicing the running after biking is good for me. Of course, who knows what will happen on race day. 

I probably should look up some type of plan online, but I am trying not to get serious for my first race. I think that actually trying to train for a time on my first attempt will take a lot of fun out of it. I love all of the advice that you have given me over the last week. It has been AWESOME!!! You don’t understand how much it has helped me, so THANK YOU!


This weekend I had planned to attempt my first OWS, but I changed my mind because FGF is putting on a "do-whatever-you-want-a-thon" on Tuesday night. I might feel more comforting to me to have other "first timers" in the water with me. Of course, I could change my mind before then and head out to the lake later this weekend.....

Let's chat:
What is the earliest you have woken up to workout?
How did your first OWS go?

--Tasha

26 comments:

  1. 4:45 is pretty early! I have gotten up at 4:30 to meet a good friend of mine at the gym, but I haven't done that in forever!

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  2. 4.45am beats anything I've done I think! My usual workday workout time is 6am which entails getting up around 5.30am if I'm going to the gym - closer to 6 if I'm running. I think once I got up at 4.45am when I wanted to run before catching an early plane, but I wasn't out of the house until 5!

    Well done on nailing your first brick :D

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    1. Thanks Kari! 4:45 was definitely early for me, but I really don't like the heat. It kills me!

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  3. Yay way to be a BRICK HOUSE girl! ;)

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  4. Awesome! I love bricks, even if I'm not training for tris--they just make you feel fit. And they get easier as your body adjusts to them. Fun fact--the reason it is hard to get your running legs under you off the bike is that our glutes tend to "go to sleep" on the bike, so they don't fire well off the bike at first.

    Keep it up!

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    1. I actually kind of like them too! I did an additional one on Wednesday and was surprised at how much better my legs felt. I was even running much faster than I felt. Good fun fact! I never knew that, but now it makes sense. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. Im so excited to follow your training for the tri :) I really love your idea of just doing your own training and having fun with it. I would have done a similar thing this year had there not been a date conflict with the race i was eyeing. I have a feeling youre going to do well with training and the race since youre already in great shape. I have no advice for an OWS. I realy want to go swim in the lake here, but havent been able to pull the trigger on it yet :)

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    1. Well, I hope my idea of doing my own training is a good thing and doesn't haunt me on race day. So far I feel pretty good. It is just the swim that needs some extra attention. Have you completed a triathlon before or were you just looking to register for you first one?

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  6. My first OWS was actually reassuring that I could do it. But that was completely alone with no other thrashing bodies. Good luck with this. I just started tris last year and love them.

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    1. I have a feeling I will fall in love with triathlons too. So far I love the training aspect and how it always keeps me busy. I don't feel too tired because I am training, but not always running. My first OWS will officially be on Tuesday with a group of women from my crossfit box. It should be fun and a much needed confidence booster.

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  7. Wow that's early! Good for you! I think the earliest I have woken up for a workout is 5 maybe. I am not a morning person;)

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    1. I am so not a morning person either. I can actually be scary in the morning. :-)

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  8. 4:45 a.m.?! WOW! The earliest I've woken up is 4:30 a.m. for the NYC Marathon but it was to catch the bus... for my normal weekend workouts I get up around 6 a.m. Hope you had a great weekend!

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    1. I know, it was crazy early. For me not being a morning person it was even crazier. We shall see if I can keep up the pattern....

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  9. Nice work! I have never gotten up that early for a work out. A race, yes - in fact I had to get up at 2:15 am for one! But for a regular day work out I think I've gotten up at 6:30, weak! I love the sound of your brick and totally agree getting too serious for the first one might take some of the fun away. Way to go!

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    1. 2:15 would kill me...even if it was for a race. That is just too darn early!

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  10. Heck yes for a brick! You are doing so well! Impressive for people doing yard work that early! haha

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    1. Thanks Nikki! I was shocked when I saw as many people as I did outside doing stuff in their yard. I thought they were weirdos, but then they probably thought the same thing about me. :-)

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  11. Nice work on the brick! Isn't it the strangest feeling when you first start running? It always takes me about a half mile to figure out what's going on!

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    1. Loved the feeling! At first I didn't, but then I was amazed at how fast I was running when I felt like I was going super slow. It was a great workout and a confidence booster.

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  12. Oh man, I think 4:30 is the earliest. And I love OWS, I grew up swimming in lakes and rivers so I have no aversions to them at all. I enjoy them more then pool swimming actually.

    Happy Training!!!

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    1. Good to know that you enjoy OW more than the pool. I guess I will have my official opinion after tonight. :-)

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  13. WOW...4:15 is EARLY! I've been getting up at 5:15 for morning runs but that is doable to me because the sun is out already...if the sun isn't out, I'm not out ;)

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    1. It was crazy early, but a good feeling to get my workout completed before work. Makes my evening more enjoyable and frees up for fun time.

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