Training Plans

Since aggravating my lower back a few years ago, I've worked with a coach. Well, I call her a coach because I don't know of a word for it. I get training plans from her every other week. This keeps me sane -- or rather, keeps me from doing anything crazy or stupid with my training -- and it simplifies my life. My goal ride for the past two years has been the MS150. I completed my third MS150 last month and I started to think of my goals for the upcoming year. This is what I have come up with

2008 Goals...

• core, I saw the YogaFit stuff and was inspired.
• try mountain biking and hopefully get a bike (and use it!)
• English century
• climb better. I feel that I was not a very good climber this year
• gain some speed
• stay healthy
• Tour de Cure in June, MS150 in September

I guess I need to find an English century to put on the schedule!

The current plan:

Wednesday - 60 min elliptical and lifting

Thursday - Spin class and core work

Friday - Off

Saturday - Tour de Pig (Hey, the logo is a pig riding a bike. How can I go wrong?)

Sunday - NCBC Fall Rally

Monday - Off or easy spin class

Tuesday - Spin class and core

Wednesday - 60 min elliptical

Thursday - Spin class and core

Friday - Off

Saturday - Ride 60-90 min, easy pace

Sunday - Brewery Ride

Monday - spin class

Sunday Ride

This morning I went on a group ride. This is a newly formed group ride that is slightly out of my comfort zone. That's not a bad thing -- I want to push myself with this ride.

There were about 18 people there today. I think that we had 25 or more last week. Today's route was 41.5 miles and I averaged 19.3 mph. I lost it on Roberts, which is not really that difficult of a hill but it did get me today!

Hysterversary

Today is my hysterversary. One year ago, I had a total abdominal hysterectomy. I've spent a lot of time in the past year recovering from that -- GI problems, back problems, energy problems and so on. I'm very proud of myself for completing the Tour de Cure and MS150 bike rides despite all of the problems. I'm looking forward to a much better year.

I recently read a novel that mentioned and old wives tale that I had never heard before -- the grieving process takes one year and one day. You have to go through every birthday, holiday, and anniversary -- including the anniversary of the death -- one time before you are fully recovered. I choose to think that my body has been having it's own little pity party and that on Monday, it will be back to itself again.

Thoughts on the season opener

I was disappointed in last night's game but not surprised, really. Cam Ward looked good as did Mike Commodore. Unfortunately, Commodore was one of the few players making hits -- along with Cullen and Ladd. Hedican had his good and bad moments. He seemed a bit, well, old. Early in the game I turned to DH and said, "This is his last season." He made a few really smart plays and then he scored. After that, he really had a fire lit under him.

I think that the team needs a few games under their collective belts to get some communication issues worked out. The passing was kind of bad.

Thanks to Cam Ward's excellent goaltending, the Canes came out of the game with a point.

Opening Night

Tonight, the Carolina Hurricane's are hosting the Montreal Canadiens to open their NHL season.
I'm really looking forward to the game. To say that last season was a bit if a disappointment after winning the Stanley Cup in 2006 would be an understatement.

Matt Cullen is back after a year that I choose to view as a sabbatical, Cam Ward seems to be on track and I'm excited about some of the new players that have joined the team. I'm also glad that we kept Spock, aka Scott Walker!

Go Canes!