My beef with indoor pools

This weekend I had the unfortunate circumstance of driving to the pool early Sunday morning and finding a swim meet going on. I turned around and went home disappointed that I wouldn't be getting a workout in. Looking around on the internet, I found a YMCA near me that had an indoor pool that had lap swim hours all day. I hate indoor pools but they also had Family Swim from 4-6pm which meant, my hubby and daughter could go swimming too! What a fun activity for a rainy day!

So 4pm we all troop to the pool. Hubby and daughter take toys and go to the family area, I grab my swim stuff and head to the lanes. After eyeing the lanes I picked a Fast lane and jumped in. After 1 length I realize they're too slow for me. So I hop into the next Fast lane and was feeling pretty comfortable in that lane. There were 3 of us and we seem to be timing each other well during circle swimming. Then someone else comes into our lane. Oh boy, this guy was super slow! Did he not read the signs? I'd even wait till he got near the end of the lane before I started swimming and still caught up to him. So much for getting a good workout, at least I got a little bit of pool time.

So here's my beef with indoor pools:

• The people that swim at indoor pools aren't avid swimmers. Only hardcore swimmers would jump in an outdoor pool in the middle of winter in my opinion.
  
• Indoor pools are usually at a gym so people work out and jump in afterwards to cool off and the water becomes all sweaty and murky. Ewww.
  
• Indoor pools are smaller (less lanes) which means more crowded lanes, circle swimming and people inevitably picking lanes that aren't their speed.
  
• You get a lot hotter swimming indoors.
  
• People hit you from the other lanes. Since they are not avid swimmers at indoor pools, stroke technique is totally off and they end up hitting you even if you're swimming in a different lane.
  
• Circle swimming! It's fine when you're in the correct lane for your speed and even if you're not, know the rules! Move to the side and let the faster swimmer pass you if you are going slow. You know who I'm talking about. Don't just look at me and continue swimming your really SLOW stroke, let me through!

Don't even get me started on the summer swimmers. The ones that show up to the pool just on hot days! A lot of these same pet peeves apply to them.

I'm trying to persuade hubby to get me an endless pool, then all my pool troubles would be solved. I keep saying next time we have 25k laying around, this is what we'll purchase.

Ohh, look at this spa option. I bet he'd go for that.

My Workout Schedule thus far

It being winter (dark earlier and wet), and being pregnant, and having a 2 year old, my workout shedule goes as follows.
Spinning (I teach) 2x a week 1 hour each
Running 2-3x a week, 30 min each.
Swimming 1x per week, 45 min.
Not bad, I'm starting to miss my Saturday long runs. I miss running with my running partner for an hour/ hour and a half chatting it up early Sat mornings. So do I really miss the running or the company?

Running talley 2009.
31.91 miles down, 268.09 to go.

Running while Pregnant

This pregnancy I'm so glad I wasn't plagued with the bladder issue while running. In a nutshell, I couldn't run more than a quarter of a mile before having the dire need to use the restroom and this was during the first tri when baby is only a grape and not yet kicking bladder. I have since found out that it's common and many pregnant runners plan their runs with several bathrooms along the way.

This 2nd pregnancy I have been free and clear and running a few days a week. I've only been going almost 3 miles at a time. I have a 30 min limit to my running since I've been squeezing in my runs during my lunch at work. But I've been feeling good. There were a couple of days where I felt round ligament pain after running so last weekend I invested in the Gabriella maternity band. I have yet to try it but it was recommended on Baby Steps blog. I was hoping today to try it out but I'm so worn out and I believe I'm coming down with a cold. Hopefully by this weekend I can squeeze in a run and give a review.
As for now, 13.75 miles down, 286.25 miles to go. (300 mile goal for 2009)

Awesome Prenatal Weight Training

I'm so not a workout video person! BUT, I found a really good weight training video to do while pregnant. This Gabrielle Reece video was awesome. It was like having a personal trainer in your room as you workout. There is no cardio, just lifting. It does take a lot of props, resistance bands, dumbells, chair and balance ball but it is great! I started at 5 months but it would have been nice to have known about it earlier. And it has postnatal training that focuses on abs! Each month is a 15 min workout, I love that I can fit in a quick weight training.

Running Commandments

The 53 Runner’s Commandments by Joe Kelly

1. Don’t be a whiner. Nobody likes a whiner, not even other whiners.
2. Walking out the door is often the toughest part of a run.
3. Don’t make running your life. Make it part of your life.
4. During group training runs, don’t let anyone run alone.
5. Keep promises, especially ones made to yourself.
6. When doing group runs, start on time no matter who’s missing.
7. The faster you are the less you should talk about your times.
8. Keep a quarter in your pocket. One day you’ll need to call for a ride.
9. Don’t compare yourself to other runners.
10. All runners are equal, some are just faster than others.
11. Keep in mind that the later in the day it gets, the more likely it is that you won’t run.
12. For a change of pace, get driven out and then run back.
13. If it was easy, everybody would be a runner.
14. When standing in starting lines, remind yourself how fortunate you are to be there.
15. Getting out of shape is much easier than getting into shape.
16. A bad day of running still beats a good day at work.
17. Talk like a runner. “Singlets” are worn on warm days. “Tank tops” are worn to the beach.
18. Don’t talk about your running injuries. People don’t want to hear about your sore knee or black toe.
19. Don’t always run alone.
20. Don’t always run with people.
21. Approach running as if the quality of your life depended on it.
22. No matter how slow you run it is still faster than someone sitting on a couch.
23. Keep in mind that the harder you run during training, the luckier you’ll get during racing.
24. Races aren’t just for those who can run fast.
25. There are no shortcuts to running excellence.
26. The best runs sometimes come on days when you didn’t feel like running.
27. Be modest after a race, especially if you have reason to brag.
28. If you say, “Let’s run this race together,” then you must stay with that person no matter how slow.
29. Think twice before agreeing to run with someone during a race.
30. There is nothing boring about running. There are, however, boring people who run.
31. Look at hills as opportunities to pass people.
32. Distance running is like cod liver oil. At first it makes you feel awful, then it makes you feel better.
33. Never throw away the instructions to your running watch.
34. Don’t try to outrun dogs.
35. Don’t trust runners who show up at races claiming to be tired, out of share, or not feeling well.
36. Don’t wait for perfect weather. If you do, you won’t run very often.
37. When tempted to stop being a runner, make a list of the reasons you started.
38. Never run alongside very old or very young racers. They get all of the applause.
39. Without goals, training has no purpose.
40. During training runs, let the slowest runner in the group set the pace.
41. The first year in a new age group offers the best opportunity for trophies.
42. Go for broke, but be prepared to be broken.
43. Spend more time running on the roads than sitting on the couch.
44. Make progress in your training, but progress at your own rate.
45. “Winning” means different things to different people.
46. Unless you make your living as a runner, don’t take running too seriously.
47. Runners who never fail are runners who never try anything great.
48. Never tell a runner that he or she doesn’t look good in tights.
49. Never confuse the Ben-Gay tube with the toothpaste tube.
50. Never apologize for doing the best you can.
51. Preventing running injuries is easier than curing them.
52. Running is simple. Don’t make it complicated.
53. Running is always enjoyable. Sometimes, though, the joy doesn’t come until the end of the run.

End of 2008

I did it. I made my 500 mile running mark and 500 mile (outdoor biking) goal as well. The downfall of running 3 miles everyday meant my shin where I experienced a stress fracture 3 years ago started acting up. My dad (a dr) thinks there still is a stress fracture there. Great!

As for my 2009 New Years Resolutions:

• Save more money.
• Remodel our house. (We need more room for new baby.)
• Fitness goals: Well with being pg and having 2 kids it'll be tough but I'll aim for 300 miles of running this year. Maybe squeeze in a 1/2 marathon in October/November. Maybe even a sprint triathlon. (We'll see how I feel come June.)

Exercise and pregnancy

I'm a promoter of keeping up with your workouts while pg. (Note: Remember to talk with your dr first especially if you're having complications with your pg.) My first pg I worked out 5-6 days a week all the way up to the day before I delivered. This pg I'm trying the same thing. I teach spin classes twice a week and I'm trying to run 3-5 days a week.

My goal this year for running is to reach 500 miles. As of today I'm at 468.87 miles, I have 31.13 miles to run by Dec. 31st to meet my goal. I've set up a plan to reach the goal excluding major holidays. I'll post on Dec. 31st if I made it.

That said, my cardio endurance has reduced drastically and rather quickly. It was almost as if I found out I was pg and all endurance went down the drain. My running slowed to 1-1.5 min/mile slower. I don't go for longer than 3 mile runs. It's sad but at least I'm still moving.

I think all the working out has paid off. As of a couple of days ago I've only gained 4lbs so far in this pg and I'm still wearing my regular clothes. Granted the pants I used to wear with belts I don't have to wear belts with but it's still non-maternity. I'm hoping to hold out till 2nd trimester for maternity clothes. And since I only have 4 more days till 2nd tri I think I'm doing good.

It's been a while and I have news!

I looked and my last post was Oct. 13th. There are several reasons why I haven't posted in over two months.
1. November was super busy. It was my daughter's birthday, we went on vacation to the Dominican Republic for a week and my brother got married.
2. I have been keeping a secret. I found out on Oct. 20th that I'm expecting baby #2. I've been slowly leaking out the secret but I still have some major parties to inform. Mainly my parents (we tell them on Christmas eve) and work.
Other than that everything's been fine and I'm chugging along. I've actually discovered two close friends are pregnant too. One a college friend who is 1 week ahead of me and the other is my neighbor who is 2.5 weeks behind me. My maternity leave is going to be so much fun!

Shopping for Jeans

Oh the dreaded phrase, jean shopping. I HATE shopping for jeans. I have "athletic" thighs which means I have to buy jeans a size larger and belt the waist or go for the wide "bell" leg types. My jeans I own I've had for years, before I was pregnant which was 3 years ago. Okay, I did break down and buy a pair of skinny jeans but as for that I have pretty much the same pair of jeans.
So the most amazing thing has happened. The economy goes down and my jean spending goes up. I have found 3 new pairs of jeans this year, well in the past 4 months. I'm so happy, now that luck is on my side I need to stop buying jeans. Hopefully my luck will help me find some bargain sweaters now.

Voila, I'm Martha Stewart

We've had issues with our tub. It's slippery and has no coating on it. It's totally not worth reglazing the tub, it's super old. But in the meantime to keep our daughter from not slipping in the tub we've been trying everything.
1. We tried the stickers you put on the bottom. Those lasted all of 1 shower.
2. We tried a long rubber mat with suction cups on the bottom. But the suction cups didn't really stick so it looked like she was riding a magic carpet as she bathed. Plus the mat stained, no matter washing it in the washing machine (was machine washable), bleaching it, scrubbing it with Comet, it looked brown not white.
3. We bought little suction cup rubber duckies but like #2 the suctions don't stick.
4. I don't remember who suggested this but I tried it this weekend. The kitchen sink liner, those rubber mats you put at the bottom of your sink to prevent glass from breaking. I found one at the $ store so I figured I'd give it a try. It's awesome, it didn't float up! It's still in the same place. I'm going to buy another so we have somewhat full coverage of the tub. And the best part it's only $1. So I can throw it out if it get's grimey. Not like the $13 I spent on the magic carpet mat, or $8 for the rubber duckies or $5 for the bath stickers.
Hooray for a solution! I'll keep you posted in a couple of months if it stains or has any issues.