Today I tried something that I need to be able to do for a triathlon. It is called 'the brick' and is known for being pretty tough on the old legs. Basically it is the transition from a bike ride to an immediate run afterwards. Now I am a pretty competent runner now, almost a year since I started and I am an ok cyclist. So I decided I would bite the bullet and give 'the brick' a go. I rode 5 miles at quite high intensity with some hills included and tried to have a gear that allowed me to spin as much as possible so I was working my cardio system pretty hard. When I got back I dumped the bike and immediately started to run. Man it was so weird and incredibly uncomfortable for the first half mile. Now the more experienced at this sort of thing say that it takes 5 minutes for the cardio system and muscles in the legs to transition from the one exercise to the next. I felt like I was drunk running for the first mile :lol: and my muscles were throbbing in the fronts of my legs, especially as there are 5 hills in my run.

I ran 2.4miles in total and boy did I feel it, the workout I got was something else and I got back out of breath and sweating profusely. Now THAT was the best workout I had in ages. Despite the fact the distance I covered were not that great with the ride andthe run, I really really enjoyed being challenged and suffering in that way...does that make me masochistic? :lol:
I just think that mixing my regime up like that was a bit of a shock to the system and quite punishing but rewarding :fantastic:

Excellent!! OMGosh Stormy, :yourock: girl!!! :wooohooo: Glad you got alot out of it... I'm sure you will be 'feeling' it later!

Wow - great job Stormy. I'm still trying to get the hang of running... :yourock: (as in BRICK) :lol: :lol: :lol:

OH MY Stormy! :yourock: girl! You never cease to amaze me :bouncy: :bouncy: :bouncy:

Hee hee I just don't know when to stop!
I have had another blood pressure check and it is FINALLY down to a level that reflects my fitness in its entirety. After 6 years of raised blood pressure it has dropped to 128/65 mmHg which my doctor says is really healthy. :fantastic:
Anyone out there who has high blood pressure...mine started at 180/110 and it can return to a normal level eventually. The human body is an amazing thing :cheer:

Wow, Storm that is a huge change in blood pressure and your latest reading is awesome!!! The body certianly is an amazing thing and can bounce back from so much!

i think we get a great sense of satisfaction out of knowing that we have pushed ourselves to have a great workout and have worked to OUR maximal potential- and that is what you have done here with your mini triathlon...i think that is fantastic and shows alot of determination! Next time you do this, it will still be hard but easier in a way because you know you got through it the first time, and maybe you'll run a bit farther , maybe you won't, but the important thing is to keep challenging yourself! :bouncy:

Its not nearly the same thing, and i'm not saying that it is, but in my boot camp class we will sometimes have about a 10 minute session on the exercise bike, then have to do jumping jacks on the floor, or jog in place...and it just about kills me...that is why i think that class is so useful, you are constantly switching up what you are doing so your body is getting a challenge the whole hour and there isn't really a chance to rest.

Oh and congrats on the excellent blood pressure reading!!! I need to improve mine so it is nice to know that there is hope in the future :congratulations:

WOOOT!! :congratulations: on the excellent blood pressue reading now!!

Thanks Cherri and Teach :huggs: Hey Shy, your class is a very similar thing in that the body is shocked into changing the use of one muscle group in favour of another without any respite or recovery time. Do you find it makes you feel quite woosy, as if you have drunk a bottle of wine or 2? It is quite a peculiar feeling. :wacko: I wonder how ironman triathletes can do a 40K bike ride and then do a 10 K run straight after (bearing in mind they have swum a mile initially in open water!) I am in awe of people like that completely and utterly. Maybe one day I can compete in a full triathlon...just need to improve on the swimming..A LOT. :lol:

Nice one, Stormy! :yourock:

storm: yes it does make me feel woosy! :lol: it really makes you realize how in shape those triathletes are! I could see you doing a triathlon actually, i think you could do quite well :danceparty:

That is my goal Shy..the running and cycling I think I am almost there with it is just the swimming I need to refine and then putting all three together, back to back :wacko: