Wow, I have been in a funk. I guess it is the post race blues. I am totally lacking energy and just feel like a slug. This past week I have only two runs and a long bike ride under my belt. It did not help that we went out with dinner and wine jazz with friends so I over indulged.
This week will probably not be any better since we are leaving on Thursday for a camping trip. My goal is to start fresh on the 9th and continue to work hard.
On a positive note, I beat my personal bike time by 10 minutes. 52 minutes for 9.3 mile. I realize I have a long road ahead of me, but at least it is a start!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Day 66
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.
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.
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!
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