I am still on a total high from Saturday. Even though I was slow, I had improved on all three of the legs. I was about 7-10 minutes off of my anticipated time (1:24). Surprisingly, I felt great yesterday. That worries me a little. I keep going back to the bike portion and wonder if I pushed myself as hard as I could have. I think I was being extra cautious due to the heat and the humidity. I stopped and walked 3x, making sure to take these opportunities to drink water.
My poor husband. I cannot stop talking about it. I have told every single person I had seen in the last 48 hours.
Now I am going to focus on running so that I can participate in the Beaver Lake 5k run. Kevin and I will do it together so it should be fun. Right now it takes me 39 minutes to run 3.1 miles. I am not sure yet what my goal will be, but I will work hard to push myself past my comfort zone.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
More pictures!
Here is my wonderful coach, and of course my amazing husband, Kevin. Thank you both so much for believing in me in times where I did not believe in myself.
Day 64; I DID IT!
Today was a huge victory for me. I completed my first triathlon. The best part of it? Even though it was 90 degrees out and humid as hell, I never wanted once wanted to give up. I was dead last in the bike leg, by at least three minutes. Did I let that discourage me? No, I kept going.
It was an incredible experience. It is something I can be so proud of. When I was running (more like walking!) my last trip around the track, another participant came out and ran it with me; giving me encouragement and the extra push I needed to get through it. I am so grateful to her.
My trainer Kelly, did an amazing job of planning and coordinating the event. Her words of encouragement and support were crucial to my success. Having my husband and kids there cheering for me was icing on the cake.
Honestly, it was a lot of fun. I can see how people get hooked on racing once they do their first. It was a great race and I really look forward to competing in Iron Girl next summer.
For the immediate future, I am going to focus on running. Kevin and I want to do the Beaver Lake 5k together.
I am a triathlete. No turning back for me.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Day 62
The practice race is less than 48 hours. I have been fairly calm all week about it, but then yesterday I had my meltdown.
We were given the map of the bike course. Since the kids were at camp, I was able to drive to Cato (about 12 miles) and take a practice run. It was HILLY! At least for me. It actually starts out with a steep hill, then it is rolling hills from there. The very last part of the race is a hill. I had to walk it for about 60 seconds both ways. The course is 8.3 miles. It took me 55 minutes. Of course this is the time where I am relaxed and my body feels good. I can't imagine what it will feel like on Saturday.
I went again today to bike the course, and on the very first hill the chain comes off in the middle of shifting. I tried for at least 20 minutes to get it back on, but it wasn't happening. So I had to walk the bike down RT 370 to get to my car, which I parked as far away as I could. I put the bike back in the car and went to the track to see how I would do. It was 80 degrees out, and the sun was just beating down on the track. I walked 3/4 of the way and it took me 20 minutes. Again, that is the stand alone time; without swimming and biking. I had to get out of the heat, so I went to Beaver Lake and power walked the 2 and the 3.1 mile loops.
So now I am worried about two things; the chain coming off the track (especially if it happens 5 miles into the ride) and the weather. It is supposed to be 88 and humid. Ugh. The race starts at 11 a.m. which means I will be on the track about 12:30. It will be hot. Knowing my luck, I will get heat stroke or something. My dad is afraid I will have a heart attack in the heat (thanks Dad!).
My plan is to treat each individual leg seperatly. If I am swimming and thinking about biking, I will panic. If I think about running while I am biking, I will probably cry. I just have to keep my nose to the grindstone and not freak out when everyone passes me. I can't worry about looking like I do not belonge there.
So I am done training until the race. There is nothing more I can do. I just need to relax and have fun.
We were given the map of the bike course. Since the kids were at camp, I was able to drive to Cato (about 12 miles) and take a practice run. It was HILLY! At least for me. It actually starts out with a steep hill, then it is rolling hills from there. The very last part of the race is a hill. I had to walk it for about 60 seconds both ways. The course is 8.3 miles. It took me 55 minutes. Of course this is the time where I am relaxed and my body feels good. I can't imagine what it will feel like on Saturday.
I went again today to bike the course, and on the very first hill the chain comes off in the middle of shifting. I tried for at least 20 minutes to get it back on, but it wasn't happening. So I had to walk the bike down RT 370 to get to my car, which I parked as far away as I could. I put the bike back in the car and went to the track to see how I would do. It was 80 degrees out, and the sun was just beating down on the track. I walked 3/4 of the way and it took me 20 minutes. Again, that is the stand alone time; without swimming and biking. I had to get out of the heat, so I went to Beaver Lake and power walked the 2 and the 3.1 mile loops.
So now I am worried about two things; the chain coming off the track (especially if it happens 5 miles into the ride) and the weather. It is supposed to be 88 and humid. Ugh. The race starts at 11 a.m. which means I will be on the track about 12:30. It will be hot. Knowing my luck, I will get heat stroke or something. My dad is afraid I will have a heart attack in the heat (thanks Dad!).
My plan is to treat each individual leg seperatly. If I am swimming and thinking about biking, I will panic. If I think about running while I am biking, I will probably cry. I just have to keep my nose to the grindstone and not freak out when everyone passes me. I can't worry about looking like I do not belonge there.
So I am done training until the race. There is nothing more I can do. I just need to relax and have fun.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Day 59
Wow, what a difference a week makes. I am happy to say that I was able to get over my slump. I worked really hard last Wednesday and Thursday, then took Friday and Saturday off because we went camping.
I am starting to see a little improvement with the bike. I went out on a quick hilly 5.3 ride this morning, and it only took me 30 minutes, which is good for me. I am enjoying biking more with the exception of the wrist and palm pain.
The practice run is this Saturday! I am actually very calm about; as opposed to last week where I was riddled with anxiety.
The plan is to get in two workouts a day until Thursday; then take off Friday and get a good night's sleep for Saturday.
I am starting to see a little improvement with the bike. I went out on a quick hilly 5.3 ride this morning, and it only took me 30 minutes, which is good for me. I am enjoying biking more with the exception of the wrist and palm pain.
The practice run is this Saturday! I am actually very calm about; as opposed to last week where I was riddled with anxiety.
The plan is to get in two workouts a day until Thursday; then take off Friday and get a good night's sleep for Saturday.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Day 53
I am just flat out disgusted with myself today. I have let my training take a serious nose dive. Summer is hard. Too many temptations to take a day off. I did not do anything over the weekend. Kevin's race went great and I am so proud of him for finishing his first 15k. The runners looked like they were having a blast. Maybe I will make it a goal to run it next year.
Back to my dismal training; I was able to get in a "run" (on the treadmill) yesterday and went backwards in terms of progress. Last week I was able to run 10 minutes non-stop, and yesterday it fell back to 7 minutes. I was still able to finish 1.5 miles in 20 minutes though so that is at least good.
I took a long bike ride this morning and my speed is just not improving. I know I should be riding every day and I just have to give myself a kick in the ass to get it done. I am leaving for the Y in a few minutes to get a swim in. I am really hoping I did not slide in swimming indurance seeing that I have not done laps in a few weeks. Now that the kids are in summer camp for a few hours a day, I will have the time to practice more. However the race is now in less than two weeks, and this weekend we are going camping.
I am just going to relax and focus on doing each individual portion of the race; not thinking ahead to the next part until I am there. That is the best I can do. I have only been training for less than 2 months so I am cutting myself a break.
Off to swim!
Back to my dismal training; I was able to get in a "run" (on the treadmill) yesterday and went backwards in terms of progress. Last week I was able to run 10 minutes non-stop, and yesterday it fell back to 7 minutes. I was still able to finish 1.5 miles in 20 minutes though so that is at least good.
I took a long bike ride this morning and my speed is just not improving. I know I should be riding every day and I just have to give myself a kick in the ass to get it done. I am leaving for the Y in a few minutes to get a swim in. I am really hoping I did not slide in swimming indurance seeing that I have not done laps in a few weeks. Now that the kids are in summer camp for a few hours a day, I will have the time to practice more. However the race is now in less than two weeks, and this weekend we are going camping.
I am just going to relax and focus on doing each individual portion of the race; not thinking ahead to the next part until I am there. That is the best I can do. I have only been training for less than 2 months so I am cutting myself a break.
Off to swim!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Day 47
Wow, time is flying by. I did not get much training last weekend due to the holiday. Now that I am ready to run and bike outside, it is over 95 degrees out. I did get in a 9.3 bike ride yesterday before it became to unbearable to ride outside.
I am coming to the acceptance that I simply have not trained enough, therefor will not be ready for the mini sprint. I am still going to do it though. I figure it will take me about 2 hours, probably at least a 1/2 hour more or longer than anyone else. But you know what? I don't care. Of course I do not want to the humiliation of having people drag myself around the track, but it is what it is. It is a shame that I am so slow on the bike. When I went out yesterday, a girl passed me so fast; it made me feel like a turtle.
As soon as the heat wave breaks, I will do a brick workout at least every other day if not every day. I also want to get in another 3 swim practices before the race. It is 2 weeks from Saturday!
Kevin is running the Boilermaker in Utica this weekend. Despite being sick with Mono for over a month, he managed to get in enough training to do the 15k race. Kevin; you are awesome!
One last note; we went to Green Lakes over the weekend. After I jumped off the deck, I would swim around around as opposed to climbing up the ladder. It was a taste of open water swimming. I liked it! Granted it will be different next year for Iron Girl, but it is a start!
Taking the kids to the overcrowded, full of crazy kids public pool. Should be interesting!
I am coming to the acceptance that I simply have not trained enough, therefor will not be ready for the mini sprint. I am still going to do it though. I figure it will take me about 2 hours, probably at least a 1/2 hour more or longer than anyone else. But you know what? I don't care. Of course I do not want to the humiliation of having people drag myself around the track, but it is what it is. It is a shame that I am so slow on the bike. When I went out yesterday, a girl passed me so fast; it made me feel like a turtle.
As soon as the heat wave breaks, I will do a brick workout at least every other day if not every day. I also want to get in another 3 swim practices before the race. It is 2 weeks from Saturday!
Kevin is running the Boilermaker in Utica this weekend. Despite being sick with Mono for over a month, he managed to get in enough training to do the 15k race. Kevin; you are awesome!
One last note; we went to Green Lakes over the weekend. After I jumped off the deck, I would swim around around as opposed to climbing up the ladder. It was a taste of open water swimming. I liked it! Granted it will be different next year for Iron Girl, but it is a start!
Taking the kids to the overcrowded, full of crazy kids public pool. Should be interesting!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Day 42
Well I did it; I biked, ran, and swam within a two hour span today. I started off with a bike ride up 370 (did not get far; ended up pulling into another subdivision and riding that route), then came home and ran/speed walked 3.5 miles, than did laps in my neighbors pool. I went swimming in the same outfit that I plan on racing in, and it felt good. I am now exhausted. It probably did not help that I was drinking rum and diet cokes last night like they were water. Note to self: stick to one drink while training.
My weight loss is moving along steadily. I have lost a total of 35 lbs since mid February. I was hoping to have lost more weight by now, but I am happy with it.
Kevin is training for his race (Boilermaker)so it is nice to have someone to commiserate with. I am trying to get him to do the "Y not TRI" with me but he is not confident with his swimming. I am hoping that by next year, I will be fit enough to run with him. It makes all the difference in the world to train with someone. My workouts are getting lonely!
This weekend I plan on getting in another brick workout and a long bike ride. The kids start their "playground summer camp" (with they are dreading) on Tuesday so I can start going back to the YMCA. Yea!
My weight loss is moving along steadily. I have lost a total of 35 lbs since mid February. I was hoping to have lost more weight by now, but I am happy with it.
Kevin is training for his race (Boilermaker)so it is nice to have someone to commiserate with. I am trying to get him to do the "Y not TRI" with me but he is not confident with his swimming. I am hoping that by next year, I will be fit enough to run with him. It makes all the difference in the world to train with someone. My workouts are getting lonely!
This weekend I plan on getting in another brick workout and a long bike ride. The kids start their "playground summer camp" (with they are dreading) on Tuesday so I can start going back to the YMCA. Yea!
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