Monday, January 31, 2011

Where does the time go?

Let’s see, I could probably sum up the last couple of weeks in about four words. Swim, bike, run, sleep. Seriously, it’s ALL I do! But, I’ll back up a bit…

Winter Break was great! I eventually made it home and spent most of the time with my family. I flew in/out of Seattle and did manage to make it home in time for Christmas, it was the first Christmas I’ve spent at home in four years. I loved watching my niece and nephews Christmas morning, they were just so excited! We also went to the beach house for about a week, which is always so relaxing. The weather was freezing, but we still managed to play outside, go on a hike and of course I had the opportunity to ref some soccer games between Ella and Gavin, they are so hilarious! Jess came to the beach for part of the time too. We all managed to relax, drink some NW wine and just hang out and do NOTHING. It was wonderful, not at all rushed like last summer when I was home.

I went into Portland for a few days, had a great visit with my dad, a few nights out with some friends, a nice lunch, some shopping and then dinner at my brother’s restaurant with family. I also spent some time with the family I used to work for, which is always one of the highlights of my trips home, I am constantly amazed at what a great family they are and how much fun the kids are to be around, they are growing up way too fast! I then went back up to Kristin’s for a couple days before it was time to come back to Vienna. It always seems WAY too short, never enough time to do all the things I want to do, or see all the people I wanted to see. On the last night I was there I spent some “special time” with Dane, Ella and Gavin. I think Ella pretty much summed it up when she said, there’s just so many things I want to show you and there’s never enough time. Tear.

I made it back to Vienna after an unplanned Spa Day in the Minneapolis Airport, my flight ended up being delayed by 10+ hours. Annoying. It was nice to have a few days back in Vienna before work started up again, but once it started, it’s just been ridiculously busy.

Triathlon training… unbelievable. I cannot believe what a time commitment it is! I am physically exhausted most of the time now.

The workouts vary; last week looked something like this:

Monday: Rest Day (I used to call it starvation Monday, but now LOVE it)
Tuesday: 60 minute run, 60 minute swim
Wednesday: 45 minute bike, quick transition to 20 minute run
Thursday: 60 minute bike, 60 minute swim
Friday: 60 minute run
Saturday: 2:45 bike
Sunday: 75 minute run

Needless to say, I’m not used to working out this much, it feels like a part time job added on to my life, but instead of earning extra money I am physically exhausting myself. I can’t count the number of days in the last few months I’ve put my feet up on the sofa at 7:30 after a day of running, working, rushing to the gym, eating dinner and just thought to myself WHAT AM I DOING?! This Sunday after my run, I was lying on the couch falling asleep while watching the Australian Open (Tennis) and the European Tour (Golf), I NEVER sleep during the day.

Oh, and this week is the last week of Phase 1, which is the Base Phase, now the real workout begins… seriously? I’m really not sure how I will possibly add that much more time to what I’m already doing.

Steve bought me a fancy new bike trainer for Christmas, which is already making a HUGE difference, I can now do the bike workouts in the morning and I watched a ton of TV while on the trainer for 2:45 this Saturday. 3 hours next Saturday will be real fun I’m sure… Next week also adds in another 1 hour swim and they also suggest 2days of week of strength training… really does seem impossible.

Let’s just hope it’s all worth it. I do have a Spa Day booked for this weekend that I’m looking forward to!