Draggin Ass...

I don't know why, but the past day or so, I've been feeling like everything is a struggle.   It really came to a head last night during endurance.   I skipped speed in the morning because it was an encore, and had a great nights sleep, but I was struggling to keep up in endurance.  I still finished 9th, but I had to gut it out and felt wrecked afterwards.  I was wondering if I was getting sick, but Oura says no, and I felt better today.   Maybe it's because I skipped speed.  I do believe those are the days that matter more than the PR days, but I still felt awful...   Today was tough but not all there.  I guess I'm going to be the bug for a few days.

Otherwise, it's been a pretty solid month.  My weight feels like it's finally goign to go back under 230.  I've been keeping up with pretty regular weight training which I needed.   I've also been rowing every week (hit a new PB on Sunday) and sticking to Monday as a rest day.   I might need to move my rest day this quarter due to the new schedule changes, but I think I'll be able to adjust and come up with something new.   I'm looking forward to the Long Center re-opening so I can start swimming again.   Aside from all of that, I've been sleeping well and until recently feeling great.

All that said, let's talk about March shall we?

Weight Results:

• Starting Weight: 238.0
• Ending Weight: 234.4

Exercise Info:

• Number of rides: 112
• Time on exercise: 31:56:33
• Distance on rides: 493.7
• Number of rows: 10
• Time rowing: 310
• Distance Rowing: 75487m
• Weight Workouts: 5

And in case you forgot, here were my March goals:

• Ride 500 miles
• March Apple Fitness challenge
• Perfect Month in Apple
• Gold in my March challenge - This will be a challenge because my team only has 2 members.
• Continue weekly weight workouts.
• Continue weekly row.
• Break 14k meters in the 60 min row
• Depending on my knee/hip try to walk
• Get my weight below 230 and stay there.

Well, I think overall I did pretty well.   No, I didn't hit 500 miles, but I've made some choices to focus on a more balanced workout plan instead of just cycle, cycle, cycle.   I could have easily hopped on the bike on Sunday or Monday for 20 minutes and gotten the 7 miles, but I think rest and a better plan will be better overall for me.   I'll probably have to dial back the annual totals, but that's ok as long as I feel like I'm going in the right direction.   The more disappointing miss is my weight.   Yes, I feel like it's trending down, but good fucking god, I need to stop eating like a fat kid in a candy store every weekend and then having to catch up.  I also didn't get gold, but that's impossible on a two person team and my other teammate stopped halfway through the month, but I did my part.

Otherwise?   I've been smashing the rows, and weight training.  Definitely stronger and rowing faster.   I don't know if it's possible, but I think I can get a 17k meter day, and I am considering a 1/2 marathon row.  I think that will take about 90-100 minutes.  Won't be happening on Easter, but maybe next weekend.  Hip and knee still not ok with walking, but the good days seem to outnumber the bad ones.

So what's up for April?   Easter!  Race week!  Merinda is going to Ireland for a week or so, so busy times away from exercise, but I think I'll still get a good month in and here's what I want to accomplish:

• Ride 450 miles
• April Apple Fitness challenge
• Perfect Month in Apple
• Gold in my April challenge
• Continue weekly weight workouts.  Try for 2 dedicated weight routines and at least one I&A
• Continue weekly row.
• Break 17k meters in the 60 min row and warmup
• Depending on my knee/hip try to walk
• Get my weight below 230 and stay there.

Since I'll be in St. Augustine for a few days, and keeping some rest days, I decided to lower my monthly target to 450.   I'd like to get to 500 miles, and honestly, if I included the rows I'd be way over, but I'd rather push to 500 and beat my goal, than set it to 500 and miss again.  Everything else is feasible.  If my metrics had come through on my warmup I would have been at 16.9k meters last Sunday, so I can see a 17k day this month.

Ok, that's enough for this month.  Wish us luck at Race Week and we'll chat soon.  Stay safe!