Ouch times 100. I am still having a hard time with my bike seat. I only biked for 14 miles today, but am just so sore. It still hurts to urinate. Kevin adjusted the seat for me (angled the front down a bit) but it did not help. I am not sure what to do; buying a new bike seat is not going to happen. I figured it out; I have already spent over $2000 getting ready for Iron Girl. Here is how it breaks down:
Gym fees: $50 a month = $650
Race registration: $100
Tri shorts: $75
Tri top: $70
New helmut $40
One personal training session: $30
Swim cap/goggles: $35 (yes, I "need" to have the more expensive goggles
3 pairs of running shoes: $240 (each pair lasts about 4 months)
Used road bike: $800
Yes I realize that it is an investment in my health; you just can't put a price on that. I went from a 200+ lbs lump to a 160 lbs healther person. Yes, I am still lumpy but it is a work in progress.
However, money does not grow on trees; especially for a one income household. There has to be a line somewhere. My husband has officially drawn the line. With the exception of new running shoes every few months and race regisration fees, we are DONE spending money for this hobby. Of course if I need new goggles or a work-out bra I will get them; just no more big ticket items. It is a good thing that I love my road bike; I will not be upgrading for a long time.
I am already plotting for Christmas, my birthday and Mother's Day 2012. My wish list includes a wetsuit, bike shoes and a bike trainer. I am sure I could think of some more things I could add to the list if I thought about it. :-)
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
June 22, 2011
Another week of training has flown by.
About 2 weeks ago, I returned back to my bike shop so that I could get the bike re-adjusted. My seat was way too low. They ended up raising the seat about 3" which makes a huge difference. The good news is that I feel faster. The bad news is that I hurt down there. A lot. Today I tackled a very hilly road; first time riding it this year. When I was done, I was in lots of pain. About 30 minutes after the ride, it hurt to urinate. Not sure what is up, but am hoping it is just the matter of getting used to the new position.
I am participating again this year in the YMCA practice tri (400 meter swim, 9 mile bike, 1.5 mile run). This was the bike course I had a painful ride on. Last year it took me 60 minutes to complete the very hilly 9 mile ride. Today I rode it in exactly 30 minutes! It was a real confidence booster to improve that much. It is most likely due to the bike but I would like to think that I am stronger than I was last summer.
Tonight is tri swim clinic!
About 2 weeks ago, I returned back to my bike shop so that I could get the bike re-adjusted. My seat was way too low. They ended up raising the seat about 3" which makes a huge difference. The good news is that I feel faster. The bad news is that I hurt down there. A lot. Today I tackled a very hilly road; first time riding it this year. When I was done, I was in lots of pain. About 30 minutes after the ride, it hurt to urinate. Not sure what is up, but am hoping it is just the matter of getting used to the new position.
I am participating again this year in the YMCA practice tri (400 meter swim, 9 mile bike, 1.5 mile run). This was the bike course I had a painful ride on. Last year it took me 60 minutes to complete the very hilly 9 mile ride. Today I rode it in exactly 30 minutes! It was a real confidence booster to improve that much. It is most likely due to the bike but I would like to think that I am stronger than I was last summer.
Tonight is tri swim clinic!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
June 16, 2011
Wow, where to start? My training is kind of all over the place right now. I tend to do really well for 4-5 days in a row, then take a 2 or 3 day break. Not good, I know.
I started a tri swim clinic last week. What a humbling experience that was. I thought I was a decent swimmer. Nope, not at all. It did not help that everyone in the class was younger, faster, and thinner. I stood out like a sore thumb. What really sucked is that I tried to make small talk, but people did not want anything to do with me. They had this look on their face that screamed 'I do not want to be stuck talking to the old fat lady".
My second tri class went a little better. I worked on drills I have never done before. The instructer was very positive despite my lack of swimming skills. He said that if I stick with the class, I will kill the swim at Iron Girl. We will see!
On a happier note, I went for my first group bike ride with women from the YMCA. They had three levels of riding which was nice. It is funny though; I did not say anything but it was assumed that I would be in the slow group. That is okay; I did really well. I was faster than the girl riding in front of me so I was afraid of running into her. The roads were flat and I felt I coasted a little too much to stay at the back of the pack. I have to say though, I am totally hooked on doing group rides. I actually felt safe riding on the roads for once.
After I finished the group ride, I hit the pool for some drills. I have a long ways to go but IG is only 7 weeks away. I am back to my original goal of just finishing the race. Of course I will shoot for that 2 hour mark, but I will not let myself take away the excitement of the day if I don't.
The Cato half spring tri is in a few weeks. Can't wait to compare my split times from last year to this year. Now that I have a better fit on the bike (they raised the seat THREE inches) I feel a little faster. We will see!
I started a tri swim clinic last week. What a humbling experience that was. I thought I was a decent swimmer. Nope, not at all. It did not help that everyone in the class was younger, faster, and thinner. I stood out like a sore thumb. What really sucked is that I tried to make small talk, but people did not want anything to do with me. They had this look on their face that screamed 'I do not want to be stuck talking to the old fat lady".
My second tri class went a little better. I worked on drills I have never done before. The instructer was very positive despite my lack of swimming skills. He said that if I stick with the class, I will kill the swim at Iron Girl. We will see!
On a happier note, I went for my first group bike ride with women from the YMCA. They had three levels of riding which was nice. It is funny though; I did not say anything but it was assumed that I would be in the slow group. That is okay; I did really well. I was faster than the girl riding in front of me so I was afraid of running into her. The roads were flat and I felt I coasted a little too much to stay at the back of the pack. I have to say though, I am totally hooked on doing group rides. I actually felt safe riding on the roads for once.
After I finished the group ride, I hit the pool for some drills. I have a long ways to go but IG is only 7 weeks away. I am back to my original goal of just finishing the race. Of course I will shoot for that 2 hour mark, but I will not let myself take away the excitement of the day if I don't.
The Cato half spring tri is in a few weeks. Can't wait to compare my split times from last year to this year. Now that I have a better fit on the bike (they raised the seat THREE inches) I feel a little faster. We will see!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
June 8, 2011
What a week! It is crunch time. The big race is 8 weeks away and I have a lot of work to do.
Saturday was the Paige's Butterfly 5k. I beat my time from the last 5k in November; 36:39. I came in at about 1240 out of almost 1500. I'll take it! Prior to the race, I kept telling myself that I would be happy if I came in under 37 minutes. I met my goal but yet I kept beating myself up for not coming in a little faster. It seemed like I walked a lot. Not sure if I was dehydrated or what, but I was just so dizzy when I was running. Considering how bad my foot was I am just glad that I got to participate at all. I ran the entire first mile at a 11:33 pace which is good for me. Next race I am shooting for under 35 min.
I started a triathlon swim clinic last night. Holy moly. I thought I was a decent swimmer with a semi-sold base of fitness. Um, no. I was able to keep up, but just barely. I started with the intermediate class but am wondering if I should have started at the beginner level. All the other participants looked like hard core athletes. I stood out like a sore thumb. It just goes to show that I have a long ways to go in my fitness goals.
I am now starting to doubt my ability to finish IG in under 2 hours. The LAST thing I want to do is put all this pressure on myself to finish in a certain time and then beat myself up if I do not meet my goal. Even though I have been biking/swimming/running for a year now, I am still just a beginner. The race is supposed to be fun and I think I keep forgetting this.
Green lakes Tri is this weekend. So excited to get out there and volunteer and cheer everyone on. Hopefully next year I will one of those getting cheered!
Friday, June 3, 2011
June 3, 2011
First race of the season tomorrow! Just doing a 5k but am using it as a bench mark for how far I have come from last season. I an a bit nervous about it since my feet have been killing me lately. Last time I ran was 1 week ago.
I have really been focusing on the swimming while I am waiting for my foot to get better. It is so gratifying to chart my training and to see how much I have improved in both endurance and speed.
The YMCA is going to hold another 1/2 sprint Tri in July. So excited for it! I bet my bike time will blow away last year's time. My swim will also be faster; just worried about the run.
I need to get better with my diet. Bad carbs have been sneaking in a little too much. I am okay with not losing anymore weight for now, but I want to get toned. I can start to see a little bit of muscle definition in the legs.
I have been sitting around too much this morning. Time to get off my ass and go for a workout!
I have really been focusing on the swimming while I am waiting for my foot to get better. It is so gratifying to chart my training and to see how much I have improved in both endurance and speed.
The YMCA is going to hold another 1/2 sprint Tri in July. So excited for it! I bet my bike time will blow away last year's time. My swim will also be faster; just worried about the run.
I need to get better with my diet. Bad carbs have been sneaking in a little too much. I am okay with not losing anymore weight for now, but I want to get toned. I can start to see a little bit of muscle definition in the legs.
I have been sitting around too much this morning. Time to get off my ass and go for a workout!
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