I'm really good at recovering. :)

Played a lot of soccer this week. Got in some time a la gymnasium and a 5 mile run and a 35 min swim. Recovery weeks are fun (and so necessary, I was pretty dead last week). Oooh I even had time to stop at TriLab to buy a pair of Tri-shorts. Hotness. I think I need to get new running shoes sometime soon too. These ones have gotten a lot of miles already.

Tired.....

SO the end of Build Week 3. I was so exhausted I slept right through swim practice Thursday night! I missed my favorite night of the week!! Decided to use that as my day off and did a 7 mile (painful) run Friday morning. Note to self, do not decide to suddenly wear running shorts for a 7 mile run when you're used to wearing spandex---THERE WILL BE CHAFING!

Saturday morning was the BIG brick. Not sure the distances but somewhere around a 25 mile ride and a 6 mile run (practically the race distance). Thanks to one of my teammate's flat tire I got to do the switchbacks (steep cuts up the side of the PV hill) twice! The run was pretty brutal as it was getting HOT out--but who can complain about 75 degree weather in the middle of February?!?!? It made the rest of the day relaxing at the beach that much better.

I am ready for a recovery week next week that's for sure.

10 MILES....WHA???

Made it 10.66 miles last night, with an 8:30 pace. Just figures that the ol' ipod gave out 20 mins into the ride.

Didn't shower cause I was up at 6 am for a 25 mile bike ride that I followed up with a short 12 min run. By that time I could barely move my legs, but at least I earned my Valentine's Day cheesecake! :)


--oh yeah Monday night I did a little less than 2000 meters in the pool. the jerks closed it on me, but i guess that's what i get for being so late--

Did I talk about our trip to the oncology ward at Miller's Children's Hospital last weekend yet? I need to do that.

Week-End Recap

Thursday night: Swam as usual ~ 2000 m in various sets (2x200, 3x200, 3x100, 3x50). Team outing to In-N-Out the quintessentially California fast food. (nothing like a team of triathletes chowing down on double-doubles!)

Friday: Night off!! Exhausted.

Saturday: 30 mile bike ride, flat up the "LA river" which is a creek in cement that smells of sewage/lowtide, wonderful

Sunday: AMGEN Charity Ride in Thousand Oaks. BEAUTIFUL! Once we found the course (only tiny arrows on the pavement marked the way) it was perfect. 28 miles includes the slight detour while we were lost. Had another one of those California moments when the sun was shining, 70 degrees (in February), riding next to horse ranches with the mountains in the background...straight out of a movie. If you told me 2 years ago that I'd be wearing spandex, riding my road bike through the hills of LA county I never would have believed it... I still sometimes don't ;)

From Mom

Hey Lau,

I read your blog tonight. I was behind on my email. I wanted to add this comment, but was afraid that you would hate it. I did want you to see it though and post it if you wanted.

As I read through your comments I noticed a slight similarity between your experience to what it could be like for someone who is fighting cancer. Although as an outsider, you appreciate and empathize and sympathize with their nightmare, it is always with them, you wake up and all is okay. They do not wake up without the uncertainty and fear of the next step and how it will turn out. But, they are brave and never stop fighting, and just like you, will not give in. You can tell them you are there for them, that you love them, that you will take care of them and help them, but it is a singular journey. These experiences increase your desire for life, for living and the enjoyment of every little, tiny moment of it and the realization of just how fragile life really is.

Love Mom

8.6 miles!

I think, and I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure this is the longest run I've done in my life. The best part is....it didn't feel like it!! I cruised through the first 6 miles pretty easily.
OHMYGODITHINKI'MFINALLYINSHAPE!

8.66 miles/75 minutes = 8.66 min miles (what fun math!) or 8 min 40 s


Also, Monday night I managed 40 laps at the Belmont pool (= 2,000 m). Left my goggles and swimcap there as a donation, damn! After the 1.5 hour drive to get there after work, not sure when I'll be back to pick 'em up.

10k Results are IN!!

Official Time 00:50:32 (-35 seconds by my watch for the time to cross the starting line) Pace 8:09 Place 571 overall, 6th in my division!!! (Female 19-24) --the winner only had 48:13, I wish I'd known she was so close!!
My goal was to do a reverse split, run the second half faster than the first. I came through the 3 mile mark with about 24.35 so I just barely improved on that. On the plus side, it felt like a hard workout and I wasn't pushing it knowing that I had a tough build week of training ahead and had a 5 mile run at practice the day before. I think I did alright though. Hopefully in a real race I could improve on this time--of course all I could think was "how the heck am I supposed to do this AFTER swimming a mile and biking 25?!?!"

End of the Week Recap...

Swim Thursday night per usual. Somehow seemed a lot better--maybe cause I was *cough cough* home "sick" for the day and spent an afternoon getting my nails done, eating lunch, and lounging with my roommates.
Did a few hard sets and finished the night out with a relay--and yes I blew it in the last 1/2 lap, leaving myself and teammate Alan with a big L on our record....

Friday = a day of rest (Rest = dancing till 2 am in Santa Monica...whoops)

Saturday: 5 miles at Cal State Dominguez Hills took around 40 minutes