Dia Duit,
As I write this week, I am listening to "If you think I'm sexy," a
dreadful yet classic work by Rod Stewart, mostly because Jon won't stop
whistling the Star Wars them, and I consider this a decent
counterattack (by the way, has anyone ever noticed the resemblance
between Rod Stewart and Richard Hammond from Top Gear?)
All this aside, it turns out this song will likely be a great song for
an indoor workout. As the days have become shorter, darker, and colder,
my ambition to do much of anything has waned significantly. For those
of you suffering in a similar manner, here are some ideas on how to
make indoor training more interesting:
-Buy books from the "Workouts in a Binder" series. I discovered them
when perusing the cycling books at Borders and saying to myself "I wish
I could just find a book with nothing but workouts, maybe something
small and portable and in some sort of handy notebook." And there
it was. I have made good use of the cycling version and have tried a
few from the Run. Others have recommended the Swimming version, as well
(though I have heard that the version for swimming was superior to
swimming for triathletes.)
-Cheesy 80's movies - the next time you are planning a long trainer
ride, throw in a cheesetastic action movie. Every time there is a
ridiculous interlude or montage, step up the cadence. Just think of it
as a drinking game that's much better for you. This also works for
sporting events: every time your team makes a big drive, you drive with
them (warning to Michigan fans: this workout is not for you.) Another
option is increasing the intensity of your ride during commercials.
-Randomly racing (and destroying) innocent lane sharers - Sure the
person next to you is just doing a nice warm up breast stroke, but that
doesn't mean you can't get your blood pumping with a little
(unacknowledged) competition. And that aqua jogger next to you is going
down. This may sound a little "type A," but the ability to identify
realistic "rabbits" is a useful tool in both training and racing, and
can really serve to get you through the times when you almost convince
yourself to back off or give in.
-Change into your run clothes at work - I know this sounds ridiculous,
but hear me out. During the work day, I can't wait to escape my
dreadful CAD tube and have a nice run around the neighborhood. However,
as soon as I step out of the office and realize that is a) dark, b)
cold, c) windy, or d) all of the above, I lose that motivation. But, if
I am already in my jogging clothes, the only step I have to take is
actually leaving the house again. I find this enough to get me going,
and once I get out the door, it's easy to keep moving.
Now, here are some other things to motivate you for the coming months.
EST Events becomes Epic Races...and a club partner! - The team
that brought you She Rocks and the Battle of Waterloo last year will be
back next season, with a new name. In addition, they will be partnering
up with the club to offer swim clinics, beginner tri clinics, and more.
Look for more information after the holidays. In the meantime, check
out their fancy new website, http://epicraces.com/
Holiday Hustle - December 5, 2009, 5K and 1
Mile Fun Run in downtown Dexter at 4:00 PM, just before the tree
lighting in Monument Park. A charity event, $5 of your entry fee will
go to Think Dexter First. They will distribute the money to local
charities. Bring canned or non perishable food items for the needy and
get a raffle ticket for each item! Get more information and register
online at www.runholiday5k.com
Tuesday, December 15 - Winter Mini-Meet - University of
Michigan Indoor Track, State Street behind Yost Ice Arena. Order of
events: 1600 m; 400 m; 800 m; 3200 m; 200 m. Run as many events as you
like. Ribbons for top 3 men/women in each event plus top 3 men/women in
an age-compensated 5-event overall meet competition (AATC Track
Pentathon)! $5 for AATC members; $7 for non-members. Racer check-in
7:00-7:20; first event starts 7:30
And now for the workouts:
Saturday, November 21
Spinning at Body Specs-
This Saturday @ BSI from 8-9 am. Bring your own bike, trainer and $5.
Turnout was low last week, but Edie has agreed to run it for another 4
weeks to gauge interest. Please arrive by
7:45 to allow time for set-up.
Run - Anyone up for a 5 or so mile run? Meet at 10 at the
wooden bridge at Gallup. Last week my only company was Jon, and he was
coerced. I'd love to see some more of your smiling faces this week.
For the ambitious, make it a brick after doing the Body Specs workout.
Tuesday, November 24
Tuesday Track Club Workout - Workouts
have moved INSIDE! Come have your butt handed to you by the track club.
Workout starts at 7:30 (not 7:00) in the field house. The bad news is
that the price is now $5, but the good news is that we get the track
all to ourselves (that means no more pole vaulters or 8-year-old's
out-running you.) This week: 1600 m, 2 x 800 m, 3 x 600 m; 400 m jog
That's all for now. If you have any gripes, let me know.
Emilie
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