Chlorine: The Breakfast of Champions

We all love a little chlorine in our mouths, right? The stench of it staying on our skin throughout the day is what motivates us to keep on walking until we can get back in the water, correct? Or maybe not. I realized how much training had taken over my life the other night at dinner when Jameisha said, "Ew. I still smell like chlorine; do you?"

My response? "Chlorine is my new perfume". It was a quote I had been sent earlier in the week, but it described how I felt perfectly. Honestly, I don't even notice the smell of chlorine anymore. I must wreak of pool water.

This morning I started the day training Dani at the track. As soon as she finished her run, I began mine. The plan was eight minutes of race pace followed by 2 minutes walking recoveries three times. It was simple. The best part about it though was it was my first time running in over a week! I'm running again! And I was faster than I thought I'd be. Not fast, about a 8:45 minute/mile, but I didn't expect that after a week off. The recoveries felt wonderful. My knee didn't bother me, though it did feel tight at the end. Another great thing about this run was it was my first run in my new Brooks; yes, the new racing shoe. I had to break them in eventually, right?

When I finished my run, I decided to swim. I only had 24 minutes to swim, but I swam hard. I worked on speed skills and I could definitely feel my arms working as I tried the new tips Josh had given me. I beat my usual 50 yard time and still had a couple of seconds of recovery. That was definitely a plus.

Today I trained a man with dementia and it was the most stressful thing I have ever done on the job.

Okay, okay... I know you are all sitting on the edge of your seats thinking, "Gosh dangit, Ashlee... tell us about your recovery day!!!" You know what, readers? It was fantastic! I worked for a few hours then came home and made a quesadilla. Sarah came and picked me up and we went shopping. We goofed off at Sports Authority and Bed, Bath and Beyond then ate frozen yogurt and talked about renting a house together.

Afterward, I went to church with Rebecca and Kent. It was a fantastic sermon about how God knows us before we are knit together in our mother's womb. The speaker's words were a great reminder of how God knows our past, our present and our future; we don't have to worry because he is in charge and has a fantastic plan for our lives. I must keep this in mind when my big race comes up!

These past 52 hours have been very trying and stressful emotionally. I feel totally depleted and unmotivated. When I get that way, I paint. On Monday, after my classes, I had a long lunch break. It was a rainy day and I actually had time on my hands, so I called my dear friend Kristina (there's your shout-out, Kristina!) and we caught up on life. Ahhh! I LOVE LOVE LOVE talking to Kristina. She is such a great encourager and listener. She inspires me and loves me and understands me. I miss her so much! I vented and she listened and gave her input. Then she told me all about her life in the LA area. She said she was looking at the painting I had made her for her birthday. Kristina and I have more than just our European adventures and our love for boys in common.We also are obsessed with spending too much money at LuluLemon. For her birthday, I painted her a purple canvas with light blue lettering with one of Lululemon's old motos: "Travel. Floss. Sing. Dance." These are all things we have done together. I loved that painting so much, I almost kept it for myself (haha), but I decided not to be selfish. I'm glad she loves it.

Anyway, her mentioning my painting reminded me that I need to paint a new piece for behind my couch. This was the perfect day to do it. I pulled out my paints and my canvas and my brushes and began. It started with a basic oval and an inspiration from my favorite artist, Heather Shinn:



Finished product



Then I taught more classes and trained Richard at the track.

Wind Happens

LuluLemon has these water bottles with quotes like, "I run because I really, really, really like ice cream". Although cookies and lattes may be more of my downfall, I can totally relate. I'm starting to wonder if I really enjoy working out or if I just eat too much junk and need to burn it off.

Yesterday morning was our first Killer Pilates class. I had 19 people show up! The room was jam-packed! It was such a great group of people and everyone did so well. This morning, some of the participants came back telling me they were feeling muscles they didn't even know they had! That is such a great feeling. Nothing inspires me more than to hear someone say I kicked their butt.

Yesterday's weather was win- wait for it- dy! I had told my tri group to come prepared for a bike ride. When I arrived at the meet-up spot, Dani was there with her bike, but she looked hesitant.

"Are you sure we have to ride," she asked, looking at me like I was crazy.

"Do you want to swim," I teased, knowing how much she hates the pool.

"No," she smiled.

So I taught her how to pump up her tires and off we went. The ride out wasn't too bad. I kept the lead and told her to follow me and stay in heart rate zone 2 the whole time. When we got to the turn around spot, the wind picked up... right in our faces. We rode 12 miles uphill against the wind all the way back. It was torturous. Dani drafted off of me the entire time. I wanted to turn around and yell at her to get off of my back, but everytime I turned around she would giggle and say, "I'm drafting off of you!"

Huff. Huff. Oh my gosh, my knees are killing me... "Yup," I replied. Gosh dang it, woman! There were a couple of times I thought about getting off of my bike, sitting on the road and telling her to ride back and come pick me up, but I realized as her coach, that probably wouldn't be the smartest idea. Haha. So we rode hard. Well, I rode hard while she drafted. A big hill came and I charged it, leaving her in the dust. Ha! Take that! Then I felt bad. So I let her draft the rest of the way...

For you non-cyclists, you are probably wondering what drafting is. I will let this website answer that for you... pictures included!

http://www.triduo.com/articlesPage/draftingrules/drafting.htm

So that was my morning ride. We finished and I still had a run and a swim to complete, so I went to the indoor pool because I knew Josh was working. When I got there, Jameisha was walking down the hallway and we decided to swim together. But the pool was packed and I tried to make up excuses not to swim. Jameisha wouldn't let me quit though. I had to circle swim for awhile, which I'm terrified of. I think one of the guys in the lane with us realized he wasn't quite as fast as the other gentleman and myself, so he got out after my warm-up. I swam 3400 yards. I did it! And I practiced flip turns with Denise and Jameisha! I'm so glad I stayed!

I met up with Evan, Jameisha, Sophia and Josh for dinner afterwards and it was wonderful. Such a great time to fellowship and be with friends. Looking around, I realized I haven't hung out with my friends in... months. Sure, Sophia and I run. Josh and I swim and eat to refuel and shop for new gear. But very rarely do I just settle down and spend time with friends. Doug keeps asking me to surf, which I haven't done in a very long time, but I'm always training. It was so nice to see my friends faces and just sit.

This morning I woke up and I decided today was a day of rest. If God can rest on the seventh day, I'm sure he wants me to rest as well. I know this upcoming week is my rest and test week, but I think my knee will appreciate a break. I told Josh this and he laughed. "Yeah, good luck with that," he responded. He doesn't believe I'll take the day off. I think I have to anyway though because I'm out of clean workout pants. Time to do laundry and eat frozen yogurt with Sarah! More friend time! I love it! Wish me luck!