Fighting With the Sky

I finally found a great road/racing bike. It is a Trek 1500, cherry red, carbon seat post, carbon fork, and all around decent component setup. They reduced the price from $1100 to $899, so it seems like a pretty sweet deal and one that's hard to pass up. Unfortunately I don't qualify for the financing option (buy now, pay later deal) for various reasons. Also, I certainly don't have $899 to just handover for the bike. So, it looks like this will be the second item ever that I've put on "lay-away." The first being a left-handed epiphone les paul. While it isn't immediate gratification, I think paying for something in installments makes getting the item just a bit sweeter. So, I am looking forward to, in about 3 months, having a pretty sweet bike.

I had fully intended and committed to completing a seven mile run on sunday, as part of my ongoing half-marathon training. However, due to some confusion in direction I only ended up doing a 4.5 mile run. A bit disappointing. I'll have to check www.mapmyrun to figure out where I went wrong. I am also trying to find that inspiration or energy to do the mid-to-end-of-week run. On Tuesdays I typically do a spinning (interval) class that lasts 45 min to and hour. Then do a strength pilates class. Then ride or walk (depending if I have the bike) home. Then I'll do the 2 mile speedwork run. It usually feels really good and I amp myself up to do it. But as the week goes on and I hit the gym every day, going for a long run by myself doesn't seem as fun. I'm looking into www.meetup.com to see what running groups there are around. Perhaps that will help me with my training.

This is my general training schedule:
Monday: Circuit training with free weights and nautilus machines and a half hour ab workout.
45 minute - 1 hour cycling/interval class.

Tuesday: 45 minutes - 1 hour cycling class.
1 hour strength pilates class
2 mile run

Wednesday: Kendo
or circuit training with free weights and nautilus machines
I try to swim on the days I am at the gym, but can only do so for about 20 minutes. It isn't continuous, but swim for a minute or two, stop, swim, stop, etc.

Thursday: 45 minute - 1 hour cycling class
budokon class. This past week I was pretty frustrated with my lack of flexibility and overall strength, so after that class I ran a 8.40 minute mile and then spent around 10-15 minutes taking out my frustration on the punching bag. It felt really great to do that and I miss karate and kickboxing a bit.

Friday: Usually ends up being about 20-25 minutes cardio warm-up on either a treadmill or an eliptical trainer, followed by circuit training with free weights and nautilus equipment.

Saturday: Always an a.m. workout. 45 minute - 1 hour cycling/interval class. 1 hour budokon (more for beginners with basic and foundational moves) class.

Sunday: long run.

So, that is how my week(ends) look.