Smmmulchay - (just how do you say that anyway???) I couldn’t use “Catherine” because it was already taken so I used the names of my cats. Nika and Misha. Sorry for the confusion

Just got back from swim practice and I feel like a puddle of putty. I figure I swam 2900 m - lets see if I can make this add up.

300 warm-up

3 x
100 on 2:10 (only made that for the first one!)

3 x
100 on 2:30
200 on 4:20
300 on 5:30? or maybe it was supposed to be 6:30 - that would make more sense.
(again could only actually make the 100 on 2:30 - the rest was just a matter of completing the distance!!)

4 x
50 - building (slow to fast)

100 cool-down

Total Distance: 2700 m - so my original estimate is off - if I remember all the sets correctly!!

It was all Free style, but I threw in just a few lengths of back stroke when I felt I needed to breath freely for a bit and to change the direction of my arms. I am also not used to swimming in a 50 m pool so each length felt long, but on the plus side you only have to swim 1/2 the number of lengths to get the same distance!! It was also really nice to be outside under the sky! Since it was mostly free I was face down looking at the bottom (not a pretty site) but when I did those few back stroke, I got to enjoy the purple cloud cover as it got dark. It will be cool to be swimming under the stars on clear nights… except for all the light pollution.

I know I am going to feel this tomorrow!!. My left shoulder is a bit iffy. I usually only breath to the left so it likely has to work a fair bit harder. I’ll have to try bi-lateral breathing more next time if it is too sore tomorrow (but that will probably cause me to drink more water!!). I’m taking some robax (muscle relaxant and ibuprofan) to help ward off any issues.

Now I am starting to get real hungry!! But I’ll try to be sensible since I am off to bed once I email my personal trainer to let him know how my shoulders held up and get my hair dry.

Great workout Catherine!

Ok - I’m tired tonight!! And I slept about 9 hours last night which I don’t normally do!. I did wake up several times to change position because my back hurt (from the swim) but I easily went back to sleep and didn’t wake up till well after 9 am.

Today I attended a baby shower for a teacher from my school who had a baby 5 weeks ago. It is her third so instead of giving the usual baby shower gifts the plan was to make two dinners (to feed 5) that could be frozen. Last night I made Spanish Rice (a family favourite - mom’s recipe) and this morning I made a Lasagna. As it turned out I was the only one who actually cooked - everyone else gave money toward a place where “home made” family meals could be purchased and taken home. The baby was adorable and I was able to hold him for quite a while. I took him for a walk when he got fussy which settled him for a bit but he wanted his mom - he was hungry.

After, I went to the gym for my workout, but in my rush to get to the school with the food I had cooked and the ingredients for the punch I ended up very unprepared for the gym. When I packed my bag I got all the necessary clothes, but forgot to add my shoes which I had taken out for last evening’s trip to the pool. I realized this on my way to the school so I was able to borrow a pair from the stash we keep for kids who come to class unprepared. On my way to the gym from the school I realized I didn’t have my clipboard with my workout plan… so I called home and had it read to me. Got changed and ready to go and realized I left my waterbottle in the car - bought one for 2$… then realized I didn’t have my iPod or HR monitor either!!! But those things are just frills so I hit the gym and had a great workout. Started with 10 min on the bike to warm up, then started on my Chest & Quads Day of my program. Modified it a bit because I didn’t want to do anything that required quality foot ware. The shoes were at least 1/2 a size to big, so I skipped the stepups, but I kept moving through all the exercises on my list and added a few extra leg machines at the end. Finished up with another 25 min on the bike. Now I am ready for another good nights sleep!!

I have to go back and get an extra Back & Hams day in because I didn’t want to repeat doing the same routine with Mike on Sunday so we skipped it then, and after last nights swim I didn’t want to do back again today. So that is the plan for tomorrow.

Catherine,
With all the obstacles getting in the way of your workout it was great that you did not let them stop you from your workout.

I haven’t been to your thread in quite some time but it sounds like you’re doing just fine. I wouldn’t worry about a plateau for a bit. Have you tried focusing on what you can now do (I think you have from reading your comments about planks) and maybe on how your clothes are fitting rather than on what the scale says? Have you tried a food journal just to make sure that you’re not eating more than you think you are?

Good luck with your course.

So much for my good nights sleep.  I had borrowed a movie and put it in to watch, but couldn’t stay awake.  Only made it about 45 min and had to turn it off and let myself go to bed.  But now it is only 4 am and I am wide awake and can’t sleep.  I’ve had a glass of milk while checking the forum again - now lets see if I can get a few more hours in before it is daylight.

Oh, I’ve been there. Hope the forum helped put you back to sleep.

Good job on not letting things get in your way Cathrine, now get some sleep!

Catherine, sounds like you had an “Ann” trip to work out, with all you forgot! I’ve been there. I had to borrow sneakers a few weeks ago; the Jz center has a box for donations of ‘gently worn’ athletic shoes to go to Sole Purpose, a charity. I gently wore a pair and put them back.

Good for you for toughing it out without the iPod. I’m so dependent on mine for pacing and motivation. The one time it ran out of juice at the gym I really had to call it short, I felt so off. Resistance went fine, but cardio, I missed it.

I’ve been having a hard time getting up in the morning, but have had a few of those lying-there-aching nights too. Was a little too sore around the obliques and rib cage the other night to get comfy. I don’t think that’ll be an issue tonight though, I’m beat! Hope you sleep well and feel great in the morning!

Peace and joy,

Ann

Went to the gym much later than normal today. Didn’t get out of there till 10:30 PM. I guess my whole day was a bit behind schedule.  I didn’t get to sleep again untill well after 5 am and slept till about 9.  That is a luxury I have for the summer anyway.. then hopefully I’ll have a reason to get up every weekday morning!! .. Anyway…

I had my nephew for a while today and that is always an active time trying to keep up with him and keep the house intact while he is here!! Got a great pic of him with one of my cats. Nika is not stupid though - only had time to get one shot before she decided to get outta there!! I included them below

When I got to the gym tonight I ran into a few students from the school who have memberships. One was Kate who was the star swimmer on my team. I wrote about her and her success at OFSAA back in March. She was very excited when I told her I joined a swim team for the summer. She was impressed with my 2.7 km, (but that pales in comparison to what she would do in one of her practices any day!!!)

My workout went well - I had all my gear!! I started with 10 min on the treadmill then did my planned Back & Hams day. As soon as I started the lat pull downs I could feel that I was still sore from Monday. I followed up weights with another 1/2 hour on the bike. I couldn’t make myself go that fast but I have stepped it up this week so hopefully it will start showing on the scale. My gluts are also sore from yesterday’s leg press. This is good.

Cat looks scared and PO’ed , good stuff Catherine!

Good job on getting in your workout even though you forgot to pack all your gear.

Next time your back feels sore try taking a nice, hot bath. Baths are wonderful for sore muscles.

A bath sounds like a great idea for tonight!! Thanks for the reminder Emmi!

Shawn - The cats have learned to run from the little guy. As good as they are with him he tends to grab fist fulls of fur and pull tails and paws. So we usually banish the cats to the basement when Matthew arrives. But he loves them so much. His favourite thing to do it bury his face in their fur.

I was feeling tired today and wanted to just take a nap, but I had an appointment with my chiropractor to go to. I haven’t been in for an adjustment in a few weeks and during last night nights workout I could really tell I needed it. My lower right back was quite stiff and sore while walking on the treadmill so I switched to the recumbent bike. Good thing I had already made the appointment. Dr. A. noticed the tightness in my back (upper) right away - once I explained Monday nights swim it all made sense to him.

After, I headed to the gym for a cardio day. Managed 1 hour on the cross ramp keeping my HR low between 125 and 135 throughout. I considered going for more time on the bike, but at about 50 minutes I could feel myself running out of steam. Satisfied with an hour I found a mat and had a good stretch and tried a few ab exercises, but I didn’t even have the energy for that. Feeling good and tired tonight. I’m going to play it by ear tomorrow. I wasn’t going to take a rest day until Sunday, but if I still feel drained tomorrow I may opt to take it early.

Catherine your doing awesome! Thank you for stopping by my thread to welcome me back. I’ve been working my tush off and sleeping like fool every chance I get.  Which brings me to this.... Have you tried Scotts suggestion of a hot bath before bedtime with a stretch afterwards?  Oh my goodness it really does work wonders!! 

You motivated me like always Lady..  Keep up the great work!

Take a rest Catherine, you’ve been working hard lately.  Swimming 2.7 km, I’m impressed.

Yeah, your probably still feeling the effects of that eppic swim, good job Catherine!

Catherine, I hope the hot bath feels as good on your sore muscles as mine did for mine.

If you find yourself having trouble sleeping, I don’t know if you’ve ever tried melatonin (from the supplement section of the local drugstore) but it has always worked well for me unless I’m really anxiety-filled. I take it about an hour and a half before I need to be asleep, and usually I can’t keep my eyes open till then. It’s supposed to be a mild and natural thing, so I think my reaction is largely psychosomatic, but that’s okay by me. I often take it with me when I travel, if I have trouble unwinding in a strange space, or every once in a blue moon when I’ve been having restless, but not really nervous, nights.

And I never feel unduly groggy in the morning, like a drug would render. It does help if you couple it with a hot bath or shower in the evening, stretching, some relaxed breathing, and shutting off distractions such as not sleeping with a TV or music on.

On the other hand, it’s bliss to be able to sleep in while you can! Maybe you just need that schedule rebellion. And I think swimming would knock me out on its own! There’s nothing like that tired-after-swimming.

Thanks all!!! The bath was good… It may have made it too hot, but my body feels much more relaxed now.

I can’t wait to go to the next swim practice. Unfortunately it won’t be till next Wednesday (and only if all my assignments are done.) Wed this week was too soon for me to repeat that intense of a workout and normally there are practices Saturday mornings too (normal practice schedule - Mon and Wed PM, Sat AM), but this is a holiday weekend and Sat and Mon practices are cancelled. That gives me lots of recovery time. I am thinking that I will try for 2 practices a week max. It is an alternate form of exercise - not my main stay - but it is one heck of a cardio session!!

Ann - I have tried sleep aids occasionally. When I am stressed and am not sleeping well I have use them for a few nights in a row to help me get back on a better sleep schedule.

Catherine, I sometimes like to take some Tylenol or Excedrin PM if I can’t sleep or have sore muscles.  I only do it occasionally, but it works good for me.  You can’t take it late though.  For me it’s by 9:00.

I so glad you enjoyed that Hot bath, it helps me tons plus its my escape from the babies that live with me.  (shhhhh dont tell them I said that * I also breath and tighten each body part then relax them, focus on each and every muscle while you do… oh my god the effects it causes, pure deep relaxation plus it helps to find those muscle when your working out too.  Practice, Practice, Deep cleansing Breath (hold) then release slowly....  I was the bestests Lamaze Coach ever if I have to say so myself… Sweet Dreams

Rest up when and where every you can! Do something special just for you on your break, cause Lady you deserve it. 

TGIF!!!