jump to navigation

Hi. Meet my hummingbird heart … November 11, 2005

Posted by Amber D. Evans in : Reflections, Chico CA , add a comment

On Wednesday this week, I did some base training and am perplexed by what I did (or rather didn't do) and by how my body reacts.
So, I keep reading about this thing
called base training and that's where you're supposed to work on your
aerobic range. I'm thinking, "Cool! I get to exercise at an easy pace
and stay within my range and build up to be better and stronger next
season." Sounds simple enough.

And it is as long as I'm assuming that I have a normal heartrate
like everyone else. I'm 28 years old. I'm in great athletic shape
(having just finished my first Tri season). According to all those
guideline ranges I keep reading, I should working out between 135-155 bpm. That seems
reasonable. Sam is easily within those ranges whenever we workout
together. My HR monitor had been broken most of the season, so now that it's functioning I'm able to see what I'm working at myself.

Sam, I am not. There must be something wrong with me, because
my heart seems to think it's natural aerobic range is 155-175 bpm. Her's is down at 135-145.
We do run between 5.5 and 6.0 mph, but … I don't see how that could make a difference? When Sam and I run together, 155 is where my heart rate immediately
goes up to, and hovers around there. I don't feel winded, pushed, tired,
beat-up, or anything. I can carry a converstation without any trouble
while running within my "natural" range. Anything above 181 becomes a little too hard to sustain, and 191 is what I consider to be "vomitland" (yes, I've been there before).

To be in the recommended range of
135-155, I have to walk. (Granted, it's walking uphill and pumping my
arms, but, "Come on!" Walking? I didn't bust my butt all season to walk. Do you understand what I mean? I'm having a really hard time telling myself this is what should be done.)

Has anyone else done base training like this before? Does this really work?

RUN Week 1, Friday 11/11 - Swim

Posted by Amber D. Evans in : Swimming, Chico CA, Training Stats , add a comment

"Cold air, cold toes, cold water, small towel."

Context

City, State: Chico, CA
Location: Chico Sports Club
Course: Pool
Terrain: 25 yards, 80 degrees
Distance and/or Time: 1800 yards, 1 hour 15 minutes
Speed or RPE: 5 (somewhat hard)

Friday, November 11, 2005

The Swim

Synopsis

Overall

My alarm went off and I knowingly turned it off. I rested for what felt like mere minutes before my cell began ringing and Sam's text read, "So are we going swimming, or what? Text me when you leave your house." Argh. How did an hour go by? Sheesh. I got up, got dressed in the most comfortable of sweats, and headed out to pick her up. Damn, some mornings I DREAD swimming. I didn't want to swim today. Even the coach gave us some (good-natured) sh!t about being late.

Cold air, cold toes, cold water, small towel. He began barking swim orders and like always, I can't understand them. It's always too early for me. I can hardly count. In fact, when swimming, I can't count. I just play Simon says to pacing with Sam. In the end, I'm really glad I went. The tightness in my back and shoulders is now gone. I managed to get in about 1800 yards. Not bad for someone not wanting to swim at all today. It even made my slight headache go away. Now, all I need is a nap!

RUN Week 1, Tuesday 11/8 - Weightlifting

Posted by Amber D. Evans in : Weightlifting, Chico CA, Training Stats , add a comment

Training stats for the day’s weightlifting …

Context

City, State: Chico, CA
Location: Chico Sports Club
Course and/or Class: Weight Machines
Terrain: N/A
Distance and/or Time: 45 minutes
Speed or RPE: 5 (somewhat hard)

Tuesday, November 8, 2005

Weightlifting

Synopsis

Overall

The standard set of weights for Sam and I. Blazed through them all, adding an average of 5 to 10 lbs. Must be the swimming. Overall, not too shabby. But we really do need to do this more than once a month. I think it loses some of the effectiveness, doncha’ think?