Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Thoughts

I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted. I've kind of been in a rut. I've done all (almost) my workouts and feel like I'm just going through the motions a little bit. I was mildly sick for almost 10 days (stomach). It was weird, I worked out in the morning and felt mostly fine but by mid-afternoon my stomach cramped. Every day for almost 10 days. I'm pretty sure it's related to being on the pill which I'm on short term. We'll see what happens this month. I'm better now though, and so thankful. It's amazing how when I get sick I realize how much I take my health for granted. Thank you God, for each and every day you've given me.

I leave tomorrow for the trial tri. If I'm honest with myself, I'm terrified. When I get through the swim I'll feel so much better. I just read an article last night about several triathletes who've died during the swim this year. I shouldn't have read it. I'm not really worried about it, but I don't need any doubts right now. On a happier note, this morning I got positive feedback on my swimming. There are some hard-core swimmers at the pool where I swim. About a month ago, one gave me some tips on my kick, which is really bad. Another one today commented that my stroke is much better and I'm swimming faster. He also had a few additional tips for me. I've been working so hard on my kick. It's nice to know it's making a difference. I'll try to incorporate his tips in the next few weeks to see if it makes a difference.

I'll post Friday or Saturday after I finish my trial tri.

Monday, July 14, 2008

forced rest

I've been taking the past few days off... I pulled my hamstring. I'm not sure how I did it. I think it was last Tuesday. I was feeling especially tired on my way to the gym but did a Jillian workout and then ran. I struggled through the whole thing and by the evening my hamstring was very sore. Wednesday was even worse, but I swam anyway. I took Thursday and Friday off. Saturday I woke up with a headache so I didn't bike. However, Kevin and I went mountain biking Saturday (thanks, Barbara) and I had a killer workout. I wiped out once and had some trouble with Kevin's bike. It wouldn't shift to the easiest gears. I almost didn't make it up a few hills, but I figured it was a better workout in the long run. Yesterday I ran 4 miles and today I swam and biked and then ran with Bailee (while pushing the double jogging stroller!). So.... I guess I'm back on track.

I made my hotel reservation for the trial run on August 1st. I'm going to go by myself which should be interesting. It's starting to seem real to me. I have a little less than six weeks left. In a way that's a long time, but I also know it will fly by. I feel really good about my bike workout today. It was on the indoor trainer (which I can't stand!) and I really pushed myself. I've got to get that bike time down. Tomorrow I'm going to do some core work and run on the treadmill and try a tempo run. I'm giving up Jillian for the time being. I think it's just too much stress on my already fatigued muscles.

Friday, July 4, 2008

I DID IT!

It's done. I did my first unofficial triathlon. I am very tired, but nothing hurts and I am encouraged.

I woke up at 5 and headed to the pool for my 40 laps. I can't believe how well it went. I was not tired afterward and not dizzy or lightheaded. My time was 26:43. Not awesome but better than I hoped for. I left the pool very encouraged and feeling great. Off to the bike.

I was a little intimidated by the bike when I mapped my route yesterday. It's way longer than I've ridden. I had a time in my head that I thought I could ride in. Lets just say I didn't come close. I finished the bike in 1:16. I was surprised that I struggled so much. It's not that I felt horrible but I didn't push myself very hard because I was afraid of over working my legs for the run. I definitely need to work on the bike. I'm not discouraged though, I have 7 weeks to train and that's plenty of time. Now for the worst part...

Oh my legs were tired for the run. So much for trying to save my legs. I was exhausted. I was trying to keep my focus mentally, but it was hard. I thought going into it that my legs would feel better as the run went on. They did periodically, but overall they were just tired. Another area I need to work on. My time was 32:17 which translates to a 9:31 minute per mile. I hope I can run much faster on race day.

When I was done, I was exhausted. In fact, I'm off to get a nap soon. I feel so empowered. I know I can do it. I am so glad I did the whole thing because now I know where I need to work. I've got some serious work to do on the bike and the transition to run. I've spent so much time on the swim that I've neglected the other areas. 7 weeks tomorrow and counting.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Brick!

Here's the plan for tomorrow. 5:30 AM- swim for 30 minutes. Rush home and hit the bike by 6:15 for a 30 minute ride. Rush to a 5K that starts at 7:30 and register and run.

It's my first official "brick". It should be interesting. I'm hoping to get a nap today to prepare and also hydrate myself. I'm nervous (mostly because there's not a lot of time to get from one point to the next), but excited. I'll try to post tomorrow before we head off camping for the weekend.


It's 10PM and I have a much better idea for tomorrow. I'm going to bag the 5k. First I'll start off swimming my total distance- no pressure on the time. Then I'll bike the full 17 miles (I measured it by car today and it's an awfully long way!). I'll finish with a 3.4 mile run. I save myself $25 and can take my time getting through each element. Good luck to me.