I am an Athlete.
Okay, say it again. I am an athlete. Wow, what a powerful statement.
Today I went to this great seminar called "Training the Mind". It was specific to triathlon training and races. Basically what it all comes down to is positive thinking; never saying the word "can't". Turn your negative thoughts to positive statements. When I am having a hard time in the water, I can't say "I suck at swimming". You have to turn it around and say "I am a swimmer". Or if I miss a few days of "training" (I am not working out; I am "training" for a race) then I say I am training; some is better than none". I could write about a book with all of the negative comments I need to turn around. It was a valuable seminar; it will do me well in the future. I will try to hold myself accountable by this blog. No more negative thoughts!!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
May 4, 2011
Right now I am having a hard time keeping up with my training schedule. My goal is to do a morning workout and then a mid-afternoon workout. Not happening! My mornings get crazy for one reason of another and I end up working out between 12-2.
The problem is that my 45-60 minute bike/swim/run is over, I am spent. As in the whole rest of the day. Needless to say, it is rare that I actually workout twice in one day.
I have been experimenting with my pre and post workout nutrition. I started adding carbs back in my diet (greek yogurt, luna bars and dried fruit) but the pounds are coming back. Since I have added carbs back in, I have gained 3-4 lbs. My pants are tighter; it is not muscle gain! As someone who really needs to lose about 20 lbs, this is upsetting.
I borrowed a great book on endurance nutrition but I just don't think I can follow these plans. Way too many carbs!! I know they are essential to fuel your body for exercise but they are packing on the lbs. I guess I will figure this all out somehow.
The problem is that my 45-60 minute bike/swim/run is over, I am spent. As in the whole rest of the day. Needless to say, it is rare that I actually workout twice in one day.
I have been experimenting with my pre and post workout nutrition. I started adding carbs back in my diet (greek yogurt, luna bars and dried fruit) but the pounds are coming back. Since I have added carbs back in, I have gained 3-4 lbs. My pants are tighter; it is not muscle gain! As someone who really needs to lose about 20 lbs, this is upsetting.
I borrowed a great book on endurance nutrition but I just don't think I can follow these plans. Way too many carbs!! I know they are essential to fuel your body for exercise but they are packing on the lbs. I guess I will figure this all out somehow.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
April 28, 2011
Wow, the weeks are flying by! I can't believe that we are almost into May. Time to get my training in gear.
I have been tracking my workouts on a calender website. It is nice to be able to glance at the calender and see my hard work. However there are two many blank days. I tend to go hard for 3-4 days and then take 2-3 days off. I know that is not optimal. It just seems like something always comes up (sick kids, kids vacation, injury). I am getting a little frustated. My bike time has increased dramatically. Last year it took my almost an hour to go 9.3 miles. Now it takes me 35 minutes. However my run time is stagnent (heel spurs in both feet!) and my swim time has taken a downturn. The worst part is that I have gained 5 lbs!
Who would have ever thought that my strongest leg would be the bike?
I know I just need to keep plugging away. I am still trying to balance my nutrition with my workouts. I incorporated carbs back in my diet. Not sure if they are helping my performance, but I KNOW they are not helping my weight. I am going to start back up with yoga to increase my upper arm strenth.
Group rides at the YMCA start next week. I am a little intimidated to join the group however it is probably the only way I will meet people. We will see if I chicken out or not!
I have been tracking my workouts on a calender website. It is nice to be able to glance at the calender and see my hard work. However there are two many blank days. I tend to go hard for 3-4 days and then take 2-3 days off. I know that is not optimal. It just seems like something always comes up (sick kids, kids vacation, injury). I am getting a little frustated. My bike time has increased dramatically. Last year it took my almost an hour to go 9.3 miles. Now it takes me 35 minutes. However my run time is stagnent (heel spurs in both feet!) and my swim time has taken a downturn. The worst part is that I have gained 5 lbs!
Who would have ever thought that my strongest leg would be the bike?
I know I just need to keep plugging away. I am still trying to balance my nutrition with my workouts. I incorporated carbs back in my diet. Not sure if they are helping my performance, but I KNOW they are not helping my weight. I am going to start back up with yoga to increase my upper arm strenth.
Group rides at the YMCA start next week. I am a little intimidated to join the group however it is probably the only way I will meet people. We will see if I chicken out or not!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
April 12, 2011
I did my first official long ride of the season! Since I am getting used to a new bike, I decided to make my first couple rides about 9 miles. I biked on Sunday night and then again on Monday morning.
Let me just say, that I can't believe how quickly I became sore. By 9 p.m. Sunday night, my legs were aching; especially above the knees. Then when I woke up on Monday I had the saddle area pain.
Despite this, I attempted to go for a run later that morning. Did not go so well. So instead I bit my lip and biked again for 9 miles. Very hilly route. The good news is that I only stopped briefly for a water break (am afraid to reach down to grab water bottle; not steady enough on the bike). The bad news is that I could only bike 15 miles per hour on the flat section and 5-9 miles an hour climbing hills.
I realize I am still a beginner, but I am frustated just the same. Not sure if I am biking again today. It is a long swim day plus it is a little chilly out. I realize that at this point I should try to get in two workouts a day. Iron Girl is 17 weeks away and I have a ton of work to do if I want to reach my goal of completing the course in 2 hours of less.
Let me just say, that I can't believe how quickly I became sore. By 9 p.m. Sunday night, my legs were aching; especially above the knees. Then when I woke up on Monday I had the saddle area pain.
Despite this, I attempted to go for a run later that morning. Did not go so well. So instead I bit my lip and biked again for 9 miles. Very hilly route. The good news is that I only stopped briefly for a water break (am afraid to reach down to grab water bottle; not steady enough on the bike). The bad news is that I could only bike 15 miles per hour on the flat section and 5-9 miles an hour climbing hills.
I realize I am still a beginner, but I am frustated just the same. Not sure if I am biking again today. It is a long swim day plus it is a little chilly out. I realize that at this point I should try to get in two workouts a day. Iron Girl is 17 weeks away and I have a ton of work to do if I want to reach my goal of completing the course in 2 hours of less.
Monday, April 4, 2011
April 4, 2011
This is going to be a bit of rambling since I have not posted in a while. Sorry if it is hard to follow.
Okay, back to the grind of hard core training (at least hard core to me). Today was the first day I was able to get in a decent bike ride. Wow, it is going to be a challenge to get use to a road bike. I do not have the shifting down yet. My goal is to bike an hour a day with the exception of rainy days. I will also stick with spinning a few times a week.
For the first time, I was able to swim 1500 meters with only a small break here and there. However it has been 4 days and my shoulder is still really sore. How do athletes do it? I am already running with two bad feet; I can't handle a shoulder injury as well. Do you just fight through the pain? I am going back into the pool tomorrow, so we will see how that goes.
Weight has been an issue. I have been gaining and losing the same 5 lbs for months now. My diet would be great all week and then be shot to hell on a Saturday due to my weakness of margaritas. Alcohol is a huge downfall for me. Get a drink or two in me and it is munchie time. Not to mention all that sugar and carbs in the alcohol. I am best to avoid it all together.
Bummed out that my racing partner bailed on me. I was really hoping to do this race with someone. I joined the CNY Triathlon Club in hopes of meeting some other newbies to the sport.
Time to get tough with myself. No more excuses. 4 months to go for Iron Girl!
Okay, back to the grind of hard core training (at least hard core to me). Today was the first day I was able to get in a decent bike ride. Wow, it is going to be a challenge to get use to a road bike. I do not have the shifting down yet. My goal is to bike an hour a day with the exception of rainy days. I will also stick with spinning a few times a week.
For the first time, I was able to swim 1500 meters with only a small break here and there. However it has been 4 days and my shoulder is still really sore. How do athletes do it? I am already running with two bad feet; I can't handle a shoulder injury as well. Do you just fight through the pain? I am going back into the pool tomorrow, so we will see how that goes.
Weight has been an issue. I have been gaining and losing the same 5 lbs for months now. My diet would be great all week and then be shot to hell on a Saturday due to my weakness of margaritas. Alcohol is a huge downfall for me. Get a drink or two in me and it is munchie time. Not to mention all that sugar and carbs in the alcohol. I am best to avoid it all together.
Bummed out that my racing partner bailed on me. I was really hoping to do this race with someone. I joined the CNY Triathlon Club in hopes of meeting some other newbies to the sport.
Time to get tough with myself. No more excuses. 4 months to go for Iron Girl!
Monday, March 21, 2011
March 21, 2011
Yikes, it is almost April! From here on out, I will be consistent with the blogging.
I just celebrated my 39th birthday with a wonderful surprise from my husband. A new road bike! New to me any way. Initially we were on a budget of $400. We quickly learned that $400 does not go far w/bikes. Even used. I was stalking Craig's lists for months now for a bike that would fit my 5'1 frame. We went into a few bike stores and found out that the entry level bikes started at $800. I was getting pretty discouraged. At one point, I was just going to order a cheapie Dawes Sheila from Ebay.
My awesome hubby called around, and found this great little bike shop owned by a cool hippy guy (I'll bet $10 he is a Phish fan; my kind of guy!). I went in with an opened mind. Low and behold, he had just gotten in a 2010 Fuji Road Series. I fell in love at first site. It was the absolute perfect size for me. It was also in pristine condition, never had ridden by the previous owner. However, my hopes were dashed by the $800 price tag.
The bike store owner was super nice, spending a lot of time with us going over the features of the bike. I was totally drooling over this bike. It was perfect in every way. It even had a fancy $50 water bottle cage (I kid you not; it was top of the line). All this time, I kept glancing at my husband, giving him pleading eyes.
For the hell of it, I decided to take it for a test drive. Since I was wearing wedge heels (what was I thinking?), the owner swapped out the cage peddles for regular peddles. It was at this time that Kevin whispered to me, "if you really want it, you can get it". I was pretty excited at that point.
We went outside and all of the necessary adjustments were made. I straddled the bike. It felt perfect; like it was built for me. I was initially shaky on it, but quickly found my groove. It was FAST. To go from a heavy mountain bike to a road bike is just crazy different. I raced around the neighborhood and headed for a hill. Not only was I able to climb the hill with ease, I was STANDING UP ON MY BIKE while doing it. Sure, I could do this in spin class. But on my mountain bike? Hell no!
From that moment on, it was a done deal. That baby is now mine. $800 is a lot of money, but I look at it as an investment in my health.
Here is a link to the 2011 model.
http://www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/newest_1_0
I am scared to death that I am going to fly over those handle bars! That is just a mental block that I am going to have to deal with.
Training is going to be a lot of fun this summer.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
January 11th, 2011
2011; this is going to be my year!
It is official; I probably was one of the very first people to sign up for Iron Girl this year. Registration opened up on the 31st and I was just so excited to put my nme on the list.
I ran another 5k; this was in November, called 'Jinglebell Run". I did it with a few friends and had a blast. I really wish that I had someone to do IG with me. They are opening up the race to 1200 participants this year. It will be crazy! The race is a 600 meter swim, a 18 mile bike and a 3.1 mile run. The challenge I am facing right now is to train without becoming overwhelmed. For some reason I am having a hard time getting motivated to get myself to the pool. I have been going here and there but not enough. Same for biking. I need to get myself into spin class atleast 2x a week. The only thing I have been doing on a regular basis is running.
Here is the schedule I am thinking I am going to impliment:
Monday: 1 hour spin
Tuesday: 45 minute swim
45 minute run
Wednesday: 1 hour spin
Thursday: 45 minute swim
Friday: 60 minute run
Saturday: off
Sunday: 90 minute run.
I am really flirting with the idea of signing up for the Boilermaker run this year. That is a 15k (9.3 mile) run. So far the longest I have been able to run is only 6 miles. I will see where I am milage run in April, and if it looks like I can do it within a semi-reasonable time, I think I will.
I have decided to just do 5k runs that are fun. Either a big event or if I have a friend running with me. I am really not ready for any competitive running. If I could get me 5k running time to under 30 minutes, I would be really happy.
Off to go swimming!
It is official; I probably was one of the very first people to sign up for Iron Girl this year. Registration opened up on the 31st and I was just so excited to put my nme on the list.
I ran another 5k; this was in November, called 'Jinglebell Run". I did it with a few friends and had a blast. I really wish that I had someone to do IG with me. They are opening up the race to 1200 participants this year. It will be crazy! The race is a 600 meter swim, a 18 mile bike and a 3.1 mile run. The challenge I am facing right now is to train without becoming overwhelmed. For some reason I am having a hard time getting motivated to get myself to the pool. I have been going here and there but not enough. Same for biking. I need to get myself into spin class atleast 2x a week. The only thing I have been doing on a regular basis is running.
Here is the schedule I am thinking I am going to impliment:
Monday: 1 hour spin
Tuesday: 45 minute swim
45 minute run
Wednesday: 1 hour spin
Thursday: 45 minute swim
Friday: 60 minute run
Saturday: off
Sunday: 90 minute run.
I am really flirting with the idea of signing up for the Boilermaker run this year. That is a 15k (9.3 mile) run. So far the longest I have been able to run is only 6 miles. I will see where I am milage run in April, and if it looks like I can do it within a semi-reasonable time, I think I will.
I have decided to just do 5k runs that are fun. Either a big event or if I have a friend running with me. I am really not ready for any competitive running. If I could get me 5k running time to under 30 minutes, I would be really happy.
Off to go swimming!
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