Thought I’d share my playlist that I was jamming out to whilst riding my trainer in my 100 degree garage this afternoon.
Hideaway- Daya (Neptune Remix)
Me and the Rhythm- Selena Gomez
Where R U Now- Bieber, Skrillex, and Diplo
House of Gold- Twenty One Pilots
These kept me going for my hour ride! Some rando’s in there…add them to your playlist and enjoy!
TRI WITH JOY!
Jenna
I’d like to say I’m a “people person”. Sure, I can be shy in a crowd of people I don’t know, but I enjoy surrounding myself with happy, funny, and positive people.
I have never lived alone. I remember my last semester of college I had to go back to school a week before college classes resumed because I was starting my student teaching semester and the public schools resumed earlier. I was alone in the apartment I shared with my best friend because she was still at home with her family. I know many people would love the serenity of silence and being able to do whatever they want with no one else around. But I was downright lonely.
Being around the great energy of others helps to inspire me. I think what has helped renew my motivation to press through Ironman training is the wonderful crew I have around me. My husband, who will also be competing in the same Ironman Texas race for the first time, really keeps me going. My best girlfriends and Betty teammates help keep me accountable as we check off every workout on our training calendar. My parents, who are always a nervous wreck at every race until they see me cross the finish line. And many other new friends I have made through joining in this crazy (awesome) world of triathlon.
This past weekend I wasn’t able to coordinate with any of my friends to do the 4 hour bike ride together. This would be my longest ride to date. Everyone else went on Saturday, but I had scheduled a much-needed bike fitting, so I had to miss out.
To be honest, the last thing I wanted to do was spend my Sunday morning sitting on the trainer for 4 hours. But that’s exactly what I found myself doing. And what kept me going was thinking about all of us working hard and putting in the training necessary to complete our race successfully.
Of course it’s going to be uncomfortable and unpleasant; there is not one athlete (age-grouper or pro) out on the course who is without any type of pain or fatigue. But that’s what makes finishing so great; seeing that your own body can do amazing things.
I often ask my spin class, “What are you sweating for?!” Every person has their own reason but the underlying tone we need to carry is this: we are all there to get better- to feel better, stronger, healthier- and then hopefully in turn share our inspiration with others. And we need to remind ourselves, that we get to do this. We are strong and blessed with able bodies. We need to remember and celebrate our journey.
TRI WITH JOY!
Jenna
Well, another week is complete and we’re almost two months into the new year. Time is flying by and the countdowns to upcoming races are getting shorter! I found myself losing steam in the past week or so; just not into my training. I was cutting swims short, ran only one morning for 15 min (the end of a little brick), and skipped my trainer ride day.
Yesterday was quite a workout frenzy as I took TRX class, taught my RPM class, and then hopped on the trainer back at home for 2 more hours! Not the most fun way to spend my Saturday morning/afternoon, but it had to be done!
But it is Sunday now, and I am recharging and re-setting my intentions for the upcoming week! About to head to the gym for a 90 minute “dreadmill” run, but I’ve got the Bravo app on my phone, so I’ll just catch up on Real Housewives! 🙂
This upcoming week is a short one for us teachers because we kick off Charro Days! One of my favorite times of the year! I plan to get all my workouts in, but I’ll be partaking in Sombrero Festival activities as well!
I am also anxiously awaiting the arrival of my Team Betty gear…it’s supposed to come in tomorrow. Most of the Betty’s have already gotten theirs and have been posting pics of their loot!
This week’s training plan:
Monday- 3000m swim /Tuesday- 1 hr run/ Wednesday- RPM class + 15 min run & 3000m swim/ Thursday- TRX class & 1 hr trainer ride/ Friday- 3000m swim & 1 hr run/ Saturday- TRX & RPM class (and maybe 1 hr run)/ Sunday- 4 hr ride
We’ll see how many of those I can check off!
TRI WITH JOY!
Jenna
Sorry it’s been a long while since I last updated. To be honest, I was waiting to find out about the Team Betty 2016 results. We were supposed to know by Friday….it’s Monday and still we have not heard anything. To say that I’ve been antsy and anxious is an understatement. I know that I’ll be fine if I don’t make it, it’s just this NOT knowing either way is driving me nuts.
But in other news….
It’s RACE WEEK!
Yes, my friends, the week where our nerves are through the roof and our bodies are restless. We are supposed to “taper” or pull back on our training this week, but as endurance athletes, it always feels weird after having spent so many hours, weeks, and months in training mode.
I do feel MORE prepared this year than I did last year. Probably because I have done the race once and so it is not the “unknown”. I’m trying to just “trust my training” and keep a peaceful positive attitude.
So here we go!!!!
TRI WITH JOY!
Jenna
“We’re only running 6 miles tomorrow”
“I only swam an easy 1500″
“It’s only a half ironman”
I was talking with Cristina yesterday morning after a grueling TRX class, and we were talking about our training plan. We realized that sometimes we discredit ourselves when it comes to the amount of activity we really do. Being a triathlete (even an average age-grouper like myself) puts our perspective on exercise and training on a much different level than your average person.
One of my goals is to not beat myself up about having a “slow” day during any of my trainings. As the saying goes, “Comparison is the thief of joy”. I need to remind myself of this. Not only comparing myself to others, but comparing myself to myself! There will rarely be a perfect race day. The whole reason I tri is to do it with a happy, joyous, and grateful heart!
So when November 8 rolls around, and I slide that swim cap over my head, goggles over my eyes, and wade into Decker Lake, I need to remember how lucky I am to be there. To have an able body. And to TRI WITH JOY!
TRI WITH JOY!
Jenna
So, last week I ended up running my first long run (10 miles) since Febraury! All of my tendonitis pain had started after I had run the Austin Half Marathon last February, and so I hadn’t run more than 6 miles at a time since then. I was glad that I was able to run 10, and was actually feeling okay at work for the rest of the morning and afternoon. (I wore compression socks under my jeans), and I really think that helped prevent pain. However, when about 5:00pm hit, I started getting a stabbing pain in my hip flexor on my bad leg (which is a new pain I had never experienced before) and it got me worried. I got home, foam rolled my hip flexor, and iced it before bed. Luckily the pain went away and I was only just a little achey on Saturday.
Sunday Laura and I had a great ride and run brick. The day started off beautiful and cool! I got a staple in my back tire around mile 8 and had to call my husband to turn around and change my flat. But I paid close attention to what he was doing so that I had an idea of how to do it myself. That’s always my biggest worry: getting a flat on a race day! I need to prepare myself!
After our long ride (about 50 miles) we threw in a short 2 mile run. My legs felt 100 lbs each and it was getting HOT, but we did it! The countdown to Longhorn 70.3 is on: 4 weeks and 2 days out! I’m a little bit nervous about the run, but more excited than anything else.
Sunday afternoon was spent with family watching the Packers v. 49ers game. Even though our team isn’t doing so hot, it was so good to spend time with my neice Aubrey!
I have gone to 3 ultrasound therapy sessions and so far I think it’s working! What I mean is, I have been able to do activity with minimal to no pain since Friday. I want to believe this is what I need and that my leg is healing. This has to be it!
I took a rest day yesterday and went to ultrasound therapy after work. Felt good all night and got up for an easy 2000m swim this morning. Hopefully we can keep the healing/training going!
TRI WITH JOY!
Jenna
Beauty & Joy 