It Was Just A Swim!

I have a confession: Every time "swim" shows up on my workout schedule, something gets in the way. (Folks who know me or visit this site are already well aware of this fact!) Last Friday, there was a college swim meet tying up the pool (oh, darn!). Two weeks ago, I had to get into work early (such a shame!). On Mondays and Thursdays I have to wait in line for a lane, so I inevitably bag it (flummoxed by masters swimmers!).

But, like those times I grasp the handrails on the treadie so I can finish my weekly timed mile a tiny bit faster faster (this is a confession, after all), I'm just fooling myself: There are ways around each of these obstacles. I can swim in the morning on Mondays and Thursdays to avoid the masters group. I can view the swim team's schedule online. I can plan around early mornings and late nights at work.

Today was a recovery day, which meant a slow jog to the gym followed by a 35 minute steady-pace swim. Early this morning, as I tossed and turned waiting for the alarm clock to officially wake me up, I mentally searched for a way out. "This is basically a rest day," my half-asleep mind reasoned, "I don't need to swim." Then, a few minutes later, for some reason I still haven't put my finger on, I bit the bullet, jumped up and slipped on my suit. I got my butt out the door, to the gym, and into the water. Done, done and done.

And you know what? It was awwwwesome. I am slow swimmer. I get sore fast. I tire quickly. I don't have good form. But for 35 minutes, I didn't let my mind focus on all the reasons I avoid swimming. I enjoyed the warm water, the colors of the sunrise streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the way I felt breathless from something other than running fast. I'm in training mode so my workouts are a little rigid: strength training, speed workouts, long runs, hill sessions, recovery workouts, rest days. Combine the monotony of training, the endless Chicago winter and the fact that I'm not seeing much improvement for all of this effort and the end result is that I'm feeling super stale.

What a boost to find that something as simple as a mellow dip in the pool can recharge my legs, wake up my mind, and rekindle the workout fire that was dimming inside me. I know, I know. It was just a recovery workout. But it rocked my world today, and for that I am very grateful. I hope I can draw on this memory the next time I'm contemplating how to avoid the "swim" line item on my training schedule. Photo grabbed from Jim Bahn at flickr. Posted by Liz

Fit-Food: Breakfast Bargain for March

Yum, I'm getting hungry visiting those breakfast sites Liz mentioned earlier today...and while checking my e-mail I found another morning meal to add to the repertoire. To stick with the breakfast theme of the day, Jamba Juice offers another reason to start your day with a meal--and a hearty one at that. And this time it's not the smoothies I'm talking about (although those first hooked me into becoming a Jamba regular, especially once the all-fruit combos arrived).

Hurry to a Jamba location near you during the month of March for a stimulus deal you'll want to put in your mouth: oatmeal for $1. Try these steel-cut oats as part of the Jamba Economic Boost. Not only is the oatmeal stick-to-your-bones tasty and good stomach filler--check out this review at slashfood.com--this one is topped with fresh fruit and brown sugar. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it, and knowing that it'll only set me back one Washington makes it even more worthwhile for my wallet. Warning: you may need a coupon to save, but that's just a click away. Photo grabbed from Fig+Sage. Posted by Kate

The Most Important Meal Of The Day

Breakfast! Yum. Waffles, bacon, eggs, toast, oatmeal, donuts, coffee, orange juice....you name it, I'll eat it. And while digging into a pile of pancakes isn't going to help me melt away pounds, research does show that eating breakfast is a habit the most successful dieters have in common. (Most studies rec combining protein, carbs and a bit a fat.)

As much as I love the first meal of the day, I'm pretty boring when it comes to making it. About 90 percent of the time, I cut a thick slice of whole wheat bread (homemade!), pop it in the toaster, spread it with peanut butter and jelly, and nibble it while I get ready for work. Not too exciting. Which is why stumbling across this all-breakfast, all-the-time blog--SimplyBreakfast.com--made me really excited. Armed with a camera, the author snapped a pic of her a.m. grub every single morning, then posted her charming creations--from homemade granola to omelets. Sadly, the blog fizzled in January, but I recently found a new source of inspiration, MostlyEating.com. Penned by a woman in England named Sophie, the site chronicles her decisions of what to eat, where to buy ingredients and how it all turns out (complete with beautiful pics). It's totally inspiring, and, I must say, everything looks delicious--even if it's not all breakfasty stuff. Photo from SimplyBreakfast.com. Posted by Liz

Prep With Plyometrics

If you're looking to one-up the competition come winter thaw, here's an easy way to train now. Start with plyometrics. Add plyo to your workout and you'll strengthen your core to levels you never knew were possible.

Admittedly I'm no expert in the field of coaching--I've asked coaches lots of questions and attended a variety of clinics--but I won't have a certification to my name til later this year. But while out in Colorado for a ski trip, I've learned the importance of plyometric training. While it's helped me with my skiing, it's also easily applicable to endurance sports. And beneficial according to triathlon training legend Joe Friel. We need our quads for running and cycling, strength that can be built by hours of participation in this sports or isolated during plyometric work. And it's in the plyo that you can really feel those muscles firing, almost building strength and working that core faster. The plyometrics helps you fire those muscles faster, accelerating through a run or turning faster on skis and getting those skis around without slipping in the technique department.

Or at least that's the effect it's had on me. I spend hours on end spinning and working the elliptical (I can't stand treadmill running) all winter long to prep for the season ahead. And in two days on the slopes, I could feel my quads burning and pushing with each turn on the mountain. At first I thought I was doing something wrong with my turning but learned in the end that it's just a need to do more plyometric work to strengthen my quads. I have to sit in my living room and practicing a move we drilled into our heads "suck and press." Basically a squat--back straight, knees bent, femurs going at least horizontal but the lower you can get your rear the more you'll feel the move--but in a ski stance. I could stand and "suck and press" all day. But the jist is that these core workouts can help with your skiing, cycling, running--you name it. A strong core is going to help with that speed and even technique so you look good out there (no hunched over marathoners at mile 24).

Need some ideas for key core moves? I'm a fan of simply entering core workout into google and checking out some of the results or going more specific with ski core workout to show me some moves that will get me set for skiing but also apply to my other sports. I'll try just about anything to make me stronger out there and if a stronger core means more time on the slopes or running without dying, I'll take it. Photo grabbed from frixo.com. Posted by Kate

The Daily Feed: Sites We're Surfing on 3/2

While much of the East coast shovels itself out of the white stuff, we're trying to stay warm in chilly Chicago (real feel: 4 degrees!). March definitely is "in like a lion"! Here's what's on the radar today.

• The perfect body? Yep, Barbie-like, sigh. USA Today's health blog parses out a new study's findings.
• Take the stairs! The Women's Health magazine blog reports that exclusively taking the stairs throughout your workday, instead of the elevator, will make a difference on your waistline.