Scrambled...

Ha. You know that super fun bonus workout I was talking about yesterday? Well, when I got out of the pool yesterday morning I was feeling really good. And a little sad that I had to cut it short. So I opted to go back to the pool this morning as well. I was keen to try just a straight 1500m swim with flip turns to see if my speed has improved at all since I last tried swimming straight laps. The swim went pretty well and I've definitely picked up a fair bit of speed since my last straight swim. But I'm still not quite ready to hang with the fast kids yet since they were passing me in the lane next to me. I didn't push quite as hard as I could have because I was feeling pretty bagged from yesterday's spin workout.

Once I got out of the pool I felt...weird. I don't normally eat anything before swimming, but I did have a glass of orange juice in the morning. I thought maybe I was a bit short on fuel so I hit Starbucks for a caramel macchiato (hello caffeine and sugar) and a piece of pumpkin loaf (and carbs). When I got to the office I couldn't quite shake this fog, this almost sense of dizziness. Thankfully a couple of ibuprofens helped later on in the morning. So that's what I get for being all gung ho...vertigo. Oops.

Luckily I was in better shape by lunch time to crank out my 5k run around the river. I wasn't expecting amazing things since my legs were so pooped from spinning, but it was warm enough to head out in capris, a short sleeve top and a long sleeve top. When I get out to run a 5K around the river I don't pay too much attention to pace. I just run. And I kept picking up speed as I ran. I was able to crank out a 5k in 30:02. So if I can run a near 30 minute 5k on tired legs I should be good for a nice PR on my next 5k race..!

I know a lot of you guys comment on all the workouts I do, and how much energy I must have to get it all done. If it is any consolation...I am extraordinarily tired after these workouts this week! Wow, and it is only Wednesday. Hence why I've been relaxing on my couch in some comfy pants all evening long, catching up on Project Runway Canada and 90210. Gotta have some trashy TV for my poor scrambled brain!

Flipping Out

I arrived on deck at the pool today and looked over our workout. Part way down the board we had 4 x 150 with flip turns (?). Yup, complete with the question mark at the end. I guess this was our chance to try out flip turns.
Apparently all of those line on the bottom of the pool mean something. Who knew? In order to execute a flip turn I was told to:

• Take my final breath just as I was at the T on the pool floor.
• When I am almost at the wall, execute a half somersault.
• Keep your eyes open, otherwise you will get disoriented.
  
• Breathe out your nose.
• Aim for a tight tuck, and push off the wall, at the cross on the wall, with your feet.

Sounds pretty easy, eh? I did wind up getting disoriented on the first few flips and one time almost wound up going underneath the rope and landing in the lane next to me. But after trying it out more and more I started to get the hang of it. I'll definitely keep practicing at swim club from now on.

The first few flips also really affected my breathing initially. I guess it totally threw me for a loop because I started holding my breath on my stroke, and doing a quick exhale/inhale when I was supposed to be coming up for air. It didn't exactly help with the dizziness from doing the flip turn! After executing a few flip turns I was able to calm down and get back to my regular breathing pattern. Success!
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When lunch time came around today it was time to get out for a run. A Chinook blew through town and it was a glorious 6C (43F) out, and I figured for sure it was time to bust out the capris for my run. It was still pretty windy out, but not nearly as windy as yesterday, and the wind wasn't nearly as cold. Capris were exactly the right choice. When I started running I felt so...out of shape...and fat... It felt like such a struggle. And yesterday felt so good! I'm guessing my legs are still a bit tired from the marathon and they were probably a bit tired from yesterday's run. Once I was about 2 miles in things started to click and the rest of the run felt awesome. I even ran into Making Waves out there! 5 miles done, and at a half decent clip, especially for an easy paced run!