The road to Cozumel, the saga continues...
The past week threw me for a loop. There are times when my schedule throws a couple of change ups. I work in fitness so if a client or potential client wants a time, they get it (within reason) even if it means I have to rearrange my schedule. You have to be prepared for anything because it will prepare you for the worst case scenario on race day.
Case in point #1: I normally swim at 5am when the gym opens up and then go to my other location to work. However, I had a person who needed 5:30am. She has to be at work no later than 7:45am. No 5am swim for me nor could I do a mid-afternoon swim. My swim was at 8:30pm. Mind you, this was a 3000 yard workout that needed to get done, but I also knew I would need to eat right after. Well, I ended up leaving the gym shortly before 10pm. I needed food. I was ravenous. I walked to the local grocery store (I bypassed every fast food joint). I wanted a rotisserie chicken, however there were none :(. What was I to do? Oh dear, I was STARVING!!!! I settled for a frozen Margherita pizza (don't judge). It was needed but I knew I would be eating this at like 11pm but I had to. I needed nutrition and a protein shake wasn't going to cut it. I ate the whole damn thing and ended up going to bed after midnight (and made it to CompuTrainer before 6am the next morning).
Case in point #2: I knew that yesterday was going to be a doozy of a day (12 hour work day), but I had to get a run in. Hello 4am said no one ever, well except me. It was cold (real feel temperature of 27 degrees), it was windy (I felt that I would be blown all the way to Kansas) and dark. I got it done even though I was really not a happy camper and still made it work in time for my first client.
Case in point #3: Saturday was a big day since it was the kickoff for our Charity training program. I also knew that I had to leave to hop on the train to make it far South to coach swimming for another training team that I am part of. In addition, I needed to make it back in enough time to do a 2 hour 15 minute ride in the CompuTrainer Studio with a 20 minute run all before the gym closed. Did I get it done? Yes I did. Am I nuts? Do you really need to answer that question?
Why do I tell you this? In training for anything, especially an Ironman, you need to be prepared for the change ups, the curve balls, the last minute meetings or trips that may change your training for that day. You need to adapt and go with the flow. Sometimes you may be successful in it, sometimes not. Life is the exact same way. Do you just say, "I guess I'm not going to train today?" or do you say, "Let's make this work!". It's up to you.
Now time for me to finish up here in the studio and get ready for tomorrow. I have my game plan mapped out for the rest of the week. Do you?
Monday, June 1, 2015
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Stop and shake the fro: Reflections while churning away at week 10
So, as I am sitting here (with a lacrosse ball against my back) writing this, I decided to look back on all of my workouts since I started Ironman training with my awesome coach, Jenny Hayes (Jenny-Hayes.com) and I had to stop and shake the fro.
The Facts:
The Facts:
All in all, I am having fun. I'm getting stronger, faster, more focused...A friend said I was a freaking Cylon (Battlestar Galactica). Go figure! The one thing I can say is that having a coach is making me a BETTER coach! Yep, the coach has a coach.
So thank you again for dealing with my craziness...
The road to Cozumel continues....
The Facts:
- Swimming: 66,250 yards or approximately 37.642 miles (What the what????)
- Biking: 33 hours in the saddle
- Running: 19.5 hours
- Pilates: 9 hours (this does not include when I have to demonstrate for my clients)
- Strength Training: almost 9 hours as well
The Facts:
- Coffee is a necessity
- I can never get enough to eat
- It's crazy when the front desk staff just asks, "How many yards today?"
- I've gone through more shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and lotion... and that is just one day of training
- I'm surprised I still have hair
- I keep jamming my damn ring finger on my right hand while swimming!
- Sleep...ummmmm, we will talk about that later
- The lacrosse ball, foam roller, the grid foam roller and the stick are my good friends
- Listening to the Classic Hip Hop station on Pandora is a must for hard CompuTrainer rides
- I really want the Polar V800 watch. *hint hint*
- Laundry... do I need to say more?
All in all, I am having fun. I'm getting stronger, faster, more focused...A friend said I was a freaking Cylon (Battlestar Galactica). Go figure! The one thing I can say is that having a coach is making me a BETTER coach! Yep, the coach has a coach.
So thank you again for dealing with my craziness...
The road to Cozumel continues....
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Let's get ready to RUMBLE!!!!!
I have now made it through almost 8 weeks or 2 months of training. As you know, I am on that long road to Cozumel. I'm so freaking ECSTATIC that next week is a step back week.
At times, I feel like I'm fighting in a cage match (if you haven't watched any wrestling, YouTube it). At other times, I am on straight autopilot. I make it to the pool every Monday and Wednesday at 5am (READ: I leave my place by 4:15am at the latest). It is now to the point where the front desk staff looks at me and ask, "So, Joy, how many yards you going to do today?" I feel like a pack mule carrying my backpack with my computer, iPAD, Kindle, research stuff (I'm always studying), clothes (sometimes 2-3 outfits) AND my swim gear bag with my fins, paddles, pull buoy (yes, I bought my own), tempo trainer, bands, goggles, cap... Whew! That's a lot of stuff. Let's not talk about the eating (I'm still not eating enough) or the laundry (why can't laundry do itself... seriously). I go into the CompuTrainer studio, get on Beeker (my bike), crank up the heat, listen to the Classic Hip-Hop Station on Pandora and go to town. I know that the staff just shake their heads looking at me pedaling, going nowhere and sweating like a hog on the butcher block. And then there is the run. Oh, I love, love, love running. I feel comfortable outside, in the sunshine, going to town. I did get a little carried away on one of my runs. I decided to run in the middle of the day since I was a little stressed out. Why did I almost end up at home? I live 3.5 miles from my main location.
I will tell you one thing though, it is HARD managing my Ironman Training schedule, training schedule (training clients), coaching, writing (yes, I am contributing to a book), teaching, eating, sleeping, drinking coffee, other stresses that I am dealing with and having a social life. However, I would not change a thing. I have an AWESOME coach (jenny-hayes.com), an awesome facility where I work and train (ffc.com), an awesome support network of friends and family all over and the confidence that I am going to finish this damn race with a BIG ASS SMILE on my face.
That's it for now. Time to prepare my swim workout for my athletes, foam roll, eat and do a mini dance break. Say what? Cue music: https://youtu.be/g-DQ_R1R1EU
At times, I feel like I'm fighting in a cage match (if you haven't watched any wrestling, YouTube it). At other times, I am on straight autopilot. I make it to the pool every Monday and Wednesday at 5am (READ: I leave my place by 4:15am at the latest). It is now to the point where the front desk staff looks at me and ask, "So, Joy, how many yards you going to do today?" I feel like a pack mule carrying my backpack with my computer, iPAD, Kindle, research stuff (I'm always studying), clothes (sometimes 2-3 outfits) AND my swim gear bag with my fins, paddles, pull buoy (yes, I bought my own), tempo trainer, bands, goggles, cap... Whew! That's a lot of stuff. Let's not talk about the eating (I'm still not eating enough) or the laundry (why can't laundry do itself... seriously). I go into the CompuTrainer studio, get on Beeker (my bike), crank up the heat, listen to the Classic Hip-Hop Station on Pandora and go to town. I know that the staff just shake their heads looking at me pedaling, going nowhere and sweating like a hog on the butcher block. And then there is the run. Oh, I love, love, love running. I feel comfortable outside, in the sunshine, going to town. I did get a little carried away on one of my runs. I decided to run in the middle of the day since I was a little stressed out. Why did I almost end up at home? I live 3.5 miles from my main location.
I will tell you one thing though, it is HARD managing my Ironman Training schedule, training schedule (training clients), coaching, writing (yes, I am contributing to a book), teaching, eating, sleeping, drinking coffee, other stresses that I am dealing with and having a social life. However, I would not change a thing. I have an AWESOME coach (jenny-hayes.com), an awesome facility where I work and train (ffc.com), an awesome support network of friends and family all over and the confidence that I am going to finish this damn race with a BIG ASS SMILE on my face.
That's it for now. Time to prepare my swim workout for my athletes, foam roll, eat and do a mini dance break. Say what? Cue music: https://youtu.be/g-DQ_R1R1EU
Monday, March 16, 2015
Week 2: I'm not dead yet! Just hangry!
So I have officially finished week 2 of training and am now starting week 3. Some awesome things and not so awesome things happened during week 2:
1. I am one of the newest ambassadors for Base Performance. Check them out at baseperformance.com
2. I was quoted in an article for Women's Health Magazine Online. Check that out at http://www.
3. I had a damn good 20-minute run test, even though I felt like I wanted to throw up. Dude! I averaged a 9:40/mile pace for 20-minutes all out. NOTE: This has not happened in a LONG while.
4. I did a brief presentation on goal setting to an awesome group of women. Shout out to Team Dream!
5. Did a video demonstrating/explaining some Pilates exercises to another group of awesomely fabulous women. Shout out to Sole Tri Sisters.
6. The last 2 things I will not mention but trust me when I say they are AMAZING!
The not so awesome thing:
1. Got SERIOUSLY bruised up in my swim. This was during my 10 x 100yds swim test (remember that I had 3 baseline tests). Really, if you are sharing a lane, please don't breast stroke. This guy seriously tried to maul me. It is really too early for open water swimming
So, with my training, I have mastered the art of scheduling. Most of you know that I do not have a normal 9-5. I work in fitness so my schedule, in terms of getting my workouts in, revolve around my teaching, training, coaching and writing schedule. What does this mean? If I have a swim, I am at another gym at 5am in order to get that swim in before I have to get back to my location to train a Pilates Client. Or, it may mean I wake up earlier on a Sunday morning (even if I had been out all night) in order to get a run in before I have to go into work to teach and train. How do I do this? I look at my schedule for the week from my coach (jenny-hayes.com) and compare it with my work schedule. If I can do 2 workouts at the same location, I will do it. Oh, did I tell you that I do all of my traveling on Public Transportation? Case in point. This morning, I went to my other location in the Gold Coast to find out that the pool was closed. SHIT! Cue the Mission Impossible Theme Song: https://youtu.be/mWGeRgFa-hI
What did I do? Hauled ass on CTA to get to our Union Station location to get my swim in, shower and change and high tail it back to East Lakeview to train a client. Mission Accomplished! Oh yeah, CTA is where its at...not really, but it gets me from point A to point B. However, there is one thing that I didn't mention-EATING!
I am going to tell you now, Ironman training will break your grocery bill! If I am not around endurance athletes, it is a little embarrassing eating the amount of food that I can eat, especially after swimming. Yes, this girl can eat. I have to bring snacks such as a piece of fruit, graham crackers, string cheese, almond butter/blackberry jam sandwich, hard boiled eggs or a protein shake with me for post workout. If I do not have anything with me, it tends to get really ugly. Me + hangry = EVIL Joy. This is what I turn into when I do not eat after a hard workout or any workout, who am I kidding:
If I eat after a workout, I'm more like this guy:
Until next week! May the 70 degrees that we are having here in Chicago make a return towards the end of the week.
#FitCoaching #BasePerformance #ProjectIMCozumelinfulleffect #IronFitFro
1. I am one of the newest ambassadors for Base Performance. Check them out at baseperformance.com
2. I was quoted in an article for Women's Health Magazine Online. Check that out at http://www.
3. I had a damn good 20-minute run test, even though I felt like I wanted to throw up. Dude! I averaged a 9:40/mile pace for 20-minutes all out. NOTE: This has not happened in a LONG while.
4. I did a brief presentation on goal setting to an awesome group of women. Shout out to Team Dream!
5. Did a video demonstrating/explaining some Pilates exercises to another group of awesomely fabulous women. Shout out to Sole Tri Sisters.
6. The last 2 things I will not mention but trust me when I say they are AMAZING!
The not so awesome thing:
1. Got SERIOUSLY bruised up in my swim. This was during my 10 x 100yds swim test (remember that I had 3 baseline tests). Really, if you are sharing a lane, please don't breast stroke. This guy seriously tried to maul me. It is really too early for open water swimming
So, with my training, I have mastered the art of scheduling. Most of you know that I do not have a normal 9-5. I work in fitness so my schedule, in terms of getting my workouts in, revolve around my teaching, training, coaching and writing schedule. What does this mean? If I have a swim, I am at another gym at 5am in order to get that swim in before I have to get back to my location to train a Pilates Client. Or, it may mean I wake up earlier on a Sunday morning (even if I had been out all night) in order to get a run in before I have to go into work to teach and train. How do I do this? I look at my schedule for the week from my coach (jenny-hayes.com) and compare it with my work schedule. If I can do 2 workouts at the same location, I will do it. Oh, did I tell you that I do all of my traveling on Public Transportation? Case in point. This morning, I went to my other location in the Gold Coast to find out that the pool was closed. SHIT! Cue the Mission Impossible Theme Song: https://youtu.be/mWGeRgFa-hI
What did I do? Hauled ass on CTA to get to our Union Station location to get my swim in, shower and change and high tail it back to East Lakeview to train a client. Mission Accomplished! Oh yeah, CTA is where its at...not really, but it gets me from point A to point B. However, there is one thing that I didn't mention-EATING!
I am going to tell you now, Ironman training will break your grocery bill! If I am not around endurance athletes, it is a little embarrassing eating the amount of food that I can eat, especially after swimming. Yes, this girl can eat. I have to bring snacks such as a piece of fruit, graham crackers, string cheese, almond butter/blackberry jam sandwich, hard boiled eggs or a protein shake with me for post workout. If I do not have anything with me, it tends to get really ugly. Me + hangry = EVIL Joy. This is what I turn into when I do not eat after a hard workout or any workout, who am I kidding:
If I eat after a workout, I'm more like this guy:
Until next week! May the 70 degrees that we are having here in Chicago make a return towards the end of the week.
#FitCoaching #BasePerformance #ProjectIMCozumelinfulleffect #IronFitFro
Sunday, March 8, 2015
I Survived Week 1 of training
So, as the title indicates, I did indeed survive week 1 of IM Cozumel training. Since I have a very DYSFUNCTIONAL schedule: I work in the Fitness Industry and at any given time I may step in to sub a class or 2, a client may ask for an extra session in the week, a client may cancel or I may have a meeting or 2 to attend. Due to this, I have to plan my week accordingly. What does this mean, you may be asking? Sometimes it means that I am at the gym at 5am in order to get my swim in (in a 25 yard pool) which translates to me leaving my apartment at 4 am at the latest. Or, if I have a break in the middle of the day, I maximize my time to get that workout in.
Crazy? Maybe. Impossible? Not in the least bit. See, the thing is if you are training for an Ironman, you will learn how to prioritize your time or it will bite you in the ass later on in your training.
How did this past week go? Well, I had my FTP (Functional Threshold Power Test) and it went ok (166 watts (95%) for 20 minutes except I felt like crap afterwards. My legs felt like lead after that but then I had to run 15 minutes on the treadmill. READ: The WORST run EVER!!!!! The last 6 minutes, I switched my iPOD to George Kranz's "Din Daa Daa" http://youtu.be/-hTSvEgEdjs
This song will get you those last 5-10 watts! I did, however have one goof. I didn't eat enough for my swim on Wednesday since it was a midday workout. Moral of the story, Don't swim hangry!
Yeah, that didn't go over to well with my coach so, yes, I will eat more before a swim workout and bring something afterwards. Also, in this same week, I was able to switch my Friday and Saturday workouts and actually have Saturday as my rest day even though I was working the Indoor Triathlon. I didn't workout unless you count demonstrating a few PILATES exercises to a class and running up and down the stairs delivering race results. I was good! I really was....I have witnesses. LOL!
The bad? I jammed my ring finger on my right hand so it is still swollen. Don't ask.
So, what's on tap for this week? More testing: swim and run and a lot more workouts.
Until next week... keep training.
#FitCoaching #ProjectIMCozumelinfulleffect #IronFitFro
Crazy? Maybe. Impossible? Not in the least bit. See, the thing is if you are training for an Ironman, you will learn how to prioritize your time or it will bite you in the ass later on in your training.
How did this past week go? Well, I had my FTP (Functional Threshold Power Test) and it went ok (166 watts (95%) for 20 minutes except I felt like crap afterwards. My legs felt like lead after that but then I had to run 15 minutes on the treadmill. READ: The WORST run EVER!!!!! The last 6 minutes, I switched my iPOD to George Kranz's "Din Daa Daa" http://youtu.be/-hTSvEgEdjs
This song will get you those last 5-10 watts! I did, however have one goof. I didn't eat enough for my swim on Wednesday since it was a midday workout. Moral of the story, Don't swim hangry!
Yeah, that didn't go over to well with my coach so, yes, I will eat more before a swim workout and bring something afterwards. Also, in this same week, I was able to switch my Friday and Saturday workouts and actually have Saturday as my rest day even though I was working the Indoor Triathlon. I didn't workout unless you count demonstrating a few PILATES exercises to a class and running up and down the stairs delivering race results. I was good! I really was....I have witnesses. LOL!
The bad? I jammed my ring finger on my right hand so it is still swollen. Don't ask.
So, what's on tap for this week? More testing: swim and run and a lot more workouts.
Until next week... keep training.
#FitCoaching #ProjectIMCozumelinfulleffect #IronFitFro
Monday, March 2, 2015
And here we go again...
It's been a while. I know, I know. Well, now is a good time to let you know what is going on.
When you last read my blog post, I DNF'd at Ironman Arizona. Things happen for a reason and I can seriously say that more people were upset for me not finishing. It happens, things happen. Well, I have an update for you...I'm back in the saddle again (well, I never left the saddle). So, where am I going? Well, it's not Arizona. Say what??? I know. I'm heading South, South of the border. I'm running away to Mexico... Cozumel that is.
Why Cozumel?
1. Why not? It's Mexico, duh? Sunshine, sand, warmth (did I mention it is November 29th?), ocean, margaritas, November in Mexico vs. November in Chicago
2. I needed a warmer weather race that suits my strengths. READ: FLAT BIKE COURSE! OCEAN SWIM! NO WETSUIT!
3. I need a VACATION! For those of you who know me very well, I am a workaholic! There, I admitted it! That, in itself is a big thing for me to do.
What am I changing?
Well, I am actually working with a coach. In the past 3 Ironman trainings, I have followed a training plan, but had to work it around my dysfunctional schedule. Most times, I would have to do a lot of training solo and hope to have the time to do some group workouts.
This time around, I am now working with a coach. Who, you may ask? Jenny Hayes (jenny-hayes.com), of course! Yes, a coach needs a coach also. I am leaving it in her capable hands to get me through this journey. I have a goal time in mind which I am going to keep very quiet. Only my inner awesome circle will know what that time is. So, no more crazy ass workouts when stressed... which means I need to stay as stress free as possible. Friends, you may have to do some intervention work if I get stressed. :)
So there you have it.
The saga continues...
When you last read my blog post, I DNF'd at Ironman Arizona. Things happen for a reason and I can seriously say that more people were upset for me not finishing. It happens, things happen. Well, I have an update for you...I'm back in the saddle again (well, I never left the saddle). So, where am I going? Well, it's not Arizona. Say what??? I know. I'm heading South, South of the border. I'm running away to Mexico... Cozumel that is.
Why Cozumel?
1. Why not? It's Mexico, duh? Sunshine, sand, warmth (did I mention it is November 29th?), ocean, margaritas, November in Mexico vs. November in Chicago
2. I needed a warmer weather race that suits my strengths. READ: FLAT BIKE COURSE! OCEAN SWIM! NO WETSUIT!
3. I need a VACATION! For those of you who know me very well, I am a workaholic! There, I admitted it! That, in itself is a big thing for me to do.
What am I changing?
Well, I am actually working with a coach. In the past 3 Ironman trainings, I have followed a training plan, but had to work it around my dysfunctional schedule. Most times, I would have to do a lot of training solo and hope to have the time to do some group workouts.
This time around, I am now working with a coach. Who, you may ask? Jenny Hayes (jenny-hayes.com), of course! Yes, a coach needs a coach also. I am leaving it in her capable hands to get me through this journey. I have a goal time in mind which I am going to keep very quiet. Only my inner awesome circle will know what that time is. So, no more crazy ass workouts when stressed... which means I need to stay as stress free as possible. Friends, you may have to do some intervention work if I get stressed. :)
So there you have it.
The saga continues...
Monday, January 5, 2015
New things...new experiences...a new year...same me!
Well Happy New Year y'all!
With it being the first full week of the New Year, I decided to get a post up and going. It's always interesting watching how crowded the gym gets during this time of year. New members are anxious and current members are upset due to how crowded it is. People talk about diets and turning over a new leaf, yadda, yadda, yadda. It's the way things are until things settle.
2014 proved to be a lot of ups and downs for me, but it made me the person I am right now. Last year saw me as a newly minted USAT Level 1 and USATF Level 1 Coach; racing ITU Chicago (the coolest bike course ever, considering I hate, no dislike the bike); made a lot of new friends. But it also put me face to face with some serious obstacles that left me training more than being swallowed up by the various stresses that I was dealing with.
Some of those obstacles are still around right now, but you know what? I don't really care. It's 2015. It's time to embrace some new things, new experiences all with me being the same me. So, the only thing that I will say is that I am doing IM Cozumel. I decided that I am going to have fun, treat myself and actually do a mini vacation. I deserve it. Everything else, well you will have to wait and see.
Until next time...
With it being the first full week of the New Year, I decided to get a post up and going. It's always interesting watching how crowded the gym gets during this time of year. New members are anxious and current members are upset due to how crowded it is. People talk about diets and turning over a new leaf, yadda, yadda, yadda. It's the way things are until things settle.
2014 proved to be a lot of ups and downs for me, but it made me the person I am right now. Last year saw me as a newly minted USAT Level 1 and USATF Level 1 Coach; racing ITU Chicago (the coolest bike course ever, considering I hate, no dislike the bike); made a lot of new friends. But it also put me face to face with some serious obstacles that left me training more than being swallowed up by the various stresses that I was dealing with.
Some of those obstacles are still around right now, but you know what? I don't really care. It's 2015. It's time to embrace some new things, new experiences all with me being the same me. So, the only thing that I will say is that I am doing IM Cozumel. I decided that I am going to have fun, treat myself and actually do a mini vacation. I deserve it. Everything else, well you will have to wait and see.
Until next time...
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