Me Day and Challenge Update

Work has been crazy the last couple of months. With everything going on personally I have been desperate to have a little break from the pressures work. Finally, Friday I was able to take a day off...a "me day."

At the top of my list was a 30 Day Ironman "catch up." I decided I would do something from each of the three disciplines - swim, bike and walk.

5:21 a.m.  - 2.66 mile walk (47:37)  I met my niece about a 3/4 of a mile in and then walked a little over a mile with her. Spending time with her always makes me glad I hauled myself out of bed before the crack of dawn. Yep, even on a day off :)

7:49 a.m. - 1/2 mile swim (44:30) I went into this swim not knowing how far I was going to make it. I was going for more than a 1/4 mile. In the back of my mind I was dreaming of a 1/2 mile (20 laps!) I knew there were water exercise classes in the pool on weekday mornings. I wanted to be sure to be in and out before the classes. Turns out there were quite a few other people with the same plan. Two lap lanes were set up and both were occupied. So I got started on the outside of the lap lanes. I took a peek at my Garmin at 1/4 mile and it was 21:30 - even faster than my last swim. That gave me a little extra incentive to keep chugging along. Though it was a challenge I made it 20 laps. I was so proud of myself.

I found this sign a little amusing. Why have a lap lane if everyone has to stay out? I assuming they mean unless you are swimming laps. Therefore, it doesn't apply to me because I am a lap swimmer :)

 Flamingo Towel #3

11:20 a.m.- 10.1 mile bike ride (1:04:36) I started this ride with the goal of making it to 10 miles. As you know by now, I have been struggling with the bike. My goal was to get a good chunk knocked out no matter what it took.  Apparently it took a quite a bit - here I am at the end.

Who would have thought a "me day" would include over 2 1/2 hours of exercise??? After the bike ride I met my husband for lunch. I might have used up a few too many of the calories I burned with some cheese fries :(

After lunch, I decided to go to the nursery and get a few more of the plants I need for my garden. I like this particular nursery because it sells all kinds of tomato varieties. The best part is that they sell them in 2 packs for 84 cents. I can get several varieties for a very reasonable price.

This year I bought 4 of the Sun Gold tomato plants - we love this sweet little cherry tomato. They are definitely the "candy of the garden." They are fantastic in our homemade pico de gallo! I also bought a couple tomatillo plants. Although I am planting cilantro and dill from seed I bought a couple of plants to give us some immediate gratification. I always get a few marigolds to plant with the tomatoes to keep away aphids.

Other than marigolds, I don't usually buy annual flowers. However, Mary at Runs to Get Waisted reminded me recently how adorable Snapdragons are, so I picked up a couple for fun.

I am hoping to get the rest of my garden planted this week. We have had a couple of surprisingly cold nights. Not enough to frost what I have already planted, but the cold has kept them from really growing much.

"Me Day" ended with a night of Junior High theater. My niece was in a school production of Shrek the Musical. It was a cute show and the cast did a great job!

By the end of the day I was completely exhausted, but proud of myself. Such a good feeling :)

30 Day Ironman Challenge Update

After my "catch up" day I am feeling pretty good about my progress.

Swim - 1 mile (42 % complete) - Now that I know I can swim a 1/2 mile in one session, I only have to swim three more times in the next two weeks. I might break it down into four sessions because I am actually enjoying the swimming.

Bike - 38.3 miles (34% complete) - Here is the greatest challenge. This week I am going to do my best to get in 6-8 mile bike rides after work.

Walk - 13.49 miles (51% complete) - This won't take much to finish. I have a race scheduled for May 9 and I am planning to save my last 3 miles for that race. I thought that would make it a little more exciting of an ending :)

I have two weeks left to finish. Although I am going to have to keep my nose to the grindstone, I am feeling confident that I can do it.

What is on your workout agenda this week?