Not knowing how I was going to feel energy-wise the next couple of days, I wanted to get in a BRICK workout (bike/run) this morning. I workout early in the morning so my body actual uses what I ate the day before as fuel to exercise. I changed it up a bit and rode a different route on my bike. I figured out the exact biking distance of my triathlon race (9 miles) and followed it up with a 3.1 mile run (also race distance). The first two miles of my bike ride were intense as the route consisted of a steady 2 mile hill with a couple of downside hills. I finished both the bike and run in 59 minutes 45 seconds so now I have a time to beat next time I attempt the same route. Also, IT’S OFFICIAL…I will not be taking first prize at the triathlon race. Based on last year times, some tri-athletes finished the swim/bike/run under 55 minutes…and it took me 59 minutes just to finish the bike/run! All kidding aside, my primary goal is to finish without stopping but I am hoping I can keep a solid pace throughout.

Now for Shakeology…

5:15am – I started the morning with a cup of green tea before exercising

 5:30am – 9 mile bike ride followed by 3.1 mile run

 7:00am – Shakeology drink mixed with 12oz of water and crushed ice

 10:00am – Apple

 1:00pm – Shakeology drink mixed with 12oz of water

 1:15pm – Cup of green tea

 5:30pm – 3 cups shredded lettuce with 4 ounces of non-seasoned grill chicken breast topped with 2tbsp of Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing 

6:00pm – Shakeology drink mixed with 12oz of water and crushed ice

**Had about 3-5 liters of water throughout the day**

Day 1 is almost over (going to bed soon) and it actually was not that bad to stick with it….by no means was it easy but it’s very doable. I did feel like every snack I saw was calling my name but I did not think twice about cheating so it wasn’t that bad. They claim day 1 is the hardest but I have a feeling day 2 is going to be tougher so we’ll see…

Back & Biceps- Completed this workout this morning. I can tell you since stepping up my cardio, I do not feel as strong but I guess that is the price I have to pay on getting ready for a triathlon. I have always preached “too much cardio hinders muscle growth” and I am pretty much experiencing that now. My hope is to at least maintain the muscle I have during my triathlon training regime.

My plan is to take updated pics and measurements by the end of the week so that should be a clear indicator on how my muscle is holding up.

Tomorrow is the start of the Shakeology 3-day Performance Cleanse…

BAM (pam),  all fired up right now…

Just got back from an unscheduled BRICK workout! I shaved another minute and fifty seconds off of my 11.75 mile bike ride so that is a total of 3 minutes 20 seconds from the other day. Once I finished, I grabbed my mp3 player and went for a 4.2 mile run. My pace was slow (around 8 1/2 minute mile) so I do need to work on that. I always been a slow runner but I am hoping when I run with others it will push me to run faster. Regardless of my pace, I am very happy that I was able to bang out a 4.2 mile run after a fast 11.75 mile bike ride.

Okay, now for the “not so proud of myself” moment from Friday night. My neighbors came over and the adult beverages started to flow at a pretty good pace (faster than my run)…this part of the night was fine. After we called it a night (midnight or so) and right before bed, I stopped in the kitchen and raided my cabinets for food. I ate chips and cookies (more than a few) so needless to say not my best moment! I wanted to make it up somehow so I decided to do the workout above to help offset it. My plan is to do Back & Biceps in the morning.

It’s great, it’s only 7:15am and I am done for the day…time to hit dunkin donuts for ice coffee

Back to back BRICK workouts! I completed the same route as yesterday, 11.75 mile bike ride followed by a 2.25 mile run.

I am obviously a rookie at biking. I thought I would be able to crush my time from yesterday but I only shaved 1 minute 30 seconds off. I thought my intensity level was a lot higher today so I was expecting to shave 3-5 minutes off my time. I am still happy with the results, I guess I was just a bit naive to think I was actually going to crush my time.

My plan is do the P90X Back & Bicep workout over the weekend and then attempt another brick on Monday before starting the Shakeology 3-day Performance Cleanse on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday…

Finally, today’s workout felt like I was training for a triathlon! I started out with a 11.75 mile bike ride which took about 44 minutes 30 seconds to complete. I immediately followed the bike ride with a 2.25 mile run (referred to as a “brick workout” among the triathlon community)…and finished the run in 17 minutes. I had no idea what to expect from the bike ride so even though I thought I went at a solid pace, by no means did I go all out. I was shocked that my cardio was not really phased from the bike ride, I thought I would be huffing and puffing by the end…next bike workout will be the true test when I go a lot harder. The run on the other hand was a lot more challenging. I would say the first half mile or so my legs felt  like jello. They did not seem bad while I was riding the bike but when I started to run, it felt very strange. There is no doubt that my second mile was a lot quicker than my first.

Now that I got my first brick workout under my belt, I now know what to expect. My plan is bike/run the same exact route tomorrow morning with hopes that I cut back my time significantly.

BRING IT!