Does Santa Do Yoga?

Well everyone, week eight is over and we now have an updated countdown of 29 weeks!  Every once in a while I realize what I have undertaken and it freaks me out!  Helene has reminded me to trust her and the training she is providing.  Some days I want to do more and others I dont want to train at all, but I have stuck with what she says and things are going well.

In honor of the Christmas holiday tomorrow I found the image below of Santa doing yoga.  I will certainly miss the weekly stretching/strengthening yoga class at the WTF tomorrow.  I bought a yoga mat today so I can have one under my bike trainer and one to take with me for Bridget's class.  :)  I look forward to using it on New Years day after the Resolution Run.

This past week on Wednesday I rode on a computrainer at a local bike shop.  It was a nine mile race for women.  It was some ride and I got to practice my climbing skills!  I ended up in third place out of six riders (till Saturday when my roommate did the ride and  slaughtered my time).

Sunday I did my first brick workout! It went well, but I ran too fast and Helene told me to remember to run at the pace she assigns if it is specified in my workout log. :)  Another brick coming at the end of this week... and many many more in the upcoming 29 weeks!

Today we started week nine - a speed week.  I had a dvd trainer ride focusing on power.  It was not easy and my legs felt like jelly when I got done!  Ha ha!  Tomorrow I am going to run in the neighborhood where I grew up.  Should be a nice run in the snow.

Merry Christmas Friends!
Goggles On

This was your idea....

Well, week seven is over and we are on to week eight.  Seven was a distance focused week and I am grateful now for the recovery week ahead.  I have two scheduled days "off" from training and they both fall on days that I work open to close at the store.

The week was pretty uneventful as a whole, though I did actually skip a workout in its entirety for the first time.  Thursday afternoon I got a text from my sister-in-law saying they bought me a ticket to see the midnight showing of "The Hobbit" with them.  Anyone who knows me well, knows that I am NOT a late night person.  I enjoyed the movie but I was TIRED.  I slept as late as I could the next morning but felt very run down and after work I was supposed to do a long swim.  It didnt happen... the store closed late and I was exhausted.  Helene said it sounded like I made the right decision and I know I did.  There was not guilt, I just wouldnt have physically been able to do that workout.  After some sleep the next night I was fine and finished out the week with a good bike and run.

Sunday night KC and I had our Christmas/Holiday celebration with Helene and Andy.  It was a night where we were allowed to "cheat" and eat anything we wanted (the only cheat day for the whole month of December).  Now I must digress here slightly.... I knew Sunday would be our cheat day so for lunch I bought Kettle baked potato chips and a Dr. Pepper.  LOL  Now, going forward, we can have one "treat" per day.  So one cookie or piece of chocolate etc.... I think I can manage that.  Because of the discipline and accountability of this whole training thing, I have managed to lose 42 lbs!  It is SLOW but looking at before photos the difference is incredible in both KC and myself.

Most of the gifting centered around triathlon.  KC made me a sign that says... well "Goggles On" of course!  She also wrote up a bunch of motivational quotes and put them in a jar.  The jar idea is from pintrest.  You are supposed to write memories and phrases and put them in the jar.  At the end of a year, you read through the entries you have dropped in the jar.  Its pretty cool.  Take a look:

It was so fun.  This journey is going to be long and I am grateful to be taking it with people I care about!  Thanks to everyone who is helping along the way.  Oh, and KC made sure to remind me that this was my idea!  What was I thinking?

Goggles On!

Highlights from week 6

So, week six of training is now complete...

I am glad its over and that it ended on a positive note, because when it started things were a little rough!  (Tuesday's swim is chronicled in my last post and yoga was great).  Wednesday this week, I got on the bike in the evening to spin and as soon as I got past my warm up I got a massive cramp in my side.  I tried pushing through it but didnt have any energy and it was very painful.  I actually got off my bike and sat down at the kitchen table to figure out what I should do when Helene texted me about something else.  I told her what was going on and she said to not get back on the bike, but instead to rest that night, drink lots of water and move on with workouts  the next day.

The next day I had a run scheduled with Helene.  We ran a warm up and then a series of one minute speed intervals where we worked on my running form and speed (of course) followed by two minutes of recovery running.  I forgot to use my inhaler before we ran so I was especially winded after each interval.  Ever since I ran my 5K at the 10min pace, my run paces have been specified for each workout by Helene and the speed pace for these intervals was much faster than I usually run.  She also pushed me in the last few intervals to gain speed every 15 seconds instead of tapering off when I got tired.  I thought I was going to puke but I did it. A winning run!

Friday was a bad day personally for me.... I got up to go to the gym and swim.  When I got to the Y near my house there was only one lap lane open and it was occupied by several swimmers with more waiting on deck.  I left and went home.  I figured I could swim after work at the other Y.  I knew Friday nights there were always quiet.  On my way to work I was cut off by another driver and swerved into the curb trying to avoid him broadsiding my car.  No impact occurred but I got a flat tire from the curb.  Missed an hour of work and had to pay for a new tire.  That night at the Y I swam with friends so the day did end well.

I  had to do 25 yard sprints and joked before hand that I had my Garmin .00001 with me (a paper and pen inside a ziplock gallon bag).  Kim took my picture holding the bag and pen up after the swim was done!

Saturdays bike was uneventful.  Today I ran with Cold Feet.  Three miles in less than 31 minutes was the goal.... my time?  Well, see below:

Yep.... definitely ONE SECOND over my goal!  Oh well... the run was good and I did pause for a car to cross so I really did meet the goal.  That counts right?  :)

So, there you have it my friends.... this week in a nutshell! Next week looks like a good one - building distance.  One day at a time and always with...Goggles On!

Ugggh...

Today was one of those days... This week is scheduled to work on building speed.  I had a swim workout scheduled - 100 yard fast repeats.  I got to the pool around 10:30 this morning.  

I felt fine as I got into the pool, but within the first few 100's I realized I wasnt feeling great.  Usually I get my rhythm after a few hundred yards, but today I felt, well, like this....

I couldnt get my body to do what I wanted it to do, what I know I can do.  I felt like I was flailing through the water in slow motion.  Slow it was too... a lot slower than I wanted to go.  I wanted to just give up.  I considered it... but I decided quickly that no matter how much the swim sucked stunk, I wanted to finish it.  Quitting something when it gets hard isnt going to do me any good.  Its not the legacy I want to leave in this endeavor or any other in life.  So, I continued.... 

I also fought to maintain a positve attitude.  I was successful and can laugh about today's sad little workout.  I realize that training is going to be hard.  I am going to have bad days.  I am going to have days where I fail.  I will have days where I want to quit and wonder why I decided to do this in the first place.  But I need to remember that it will be worth it... it IS worth it. 

So, today I will try one more time to redeem my athletic self and head to Tri-Yoga at the WTF.  Bridget if I topple over during class, dont laugh too hard at me!   One of these days I will get it together!  Until I do, Goggles on!

Oh yeah....

So, remember when I said that I'd have to run faster intervals now that my 5K time shows I can sustain a faster pace?  I was RIGHT!  Today's run assignment from Helene was to run a little over 4 miles.  The first mile at a 11 min pace, the second at 10:30 pace, the third at 11 min and the fourth at 10:30.... Then a short 5 min cool down.

My friend/co-worker Megan ran with me at the parkway and it was a GORGEOUS morning.  A little cold and windy by the lake, but sunny (and very bright as you can see me squinting below)!

We ran and by the end of the first mile my sweater was tied around my waist!  The headband stayed around my ears until about 3 miles in - it was still a little chilly even while running.  What a great run... not easy but felt ok and I used my sister's Garmin 305 for the first time so I could see pace real time.  The first few miles we were all over as far as pace but the last mile at 10:30 I was able to run a consistant pace and overall that mile was 10:31!  My knee got tight the last 1/4 mile but the most discomfort I had was in my hips just from the last few days.

Monday - Day off workout wise but I went to see Jamie at a local bike shop to play with the bike shoes issue.  He set me up with a different shoe and cleat to try.

Tuesday - Swim: Met Kim at the Y at 5:45AM and did a ladder workout.  Then, after work went to a Yoga class at the Winter Training Facility (WTF) for the CNY Tri club.  AWESOME.  The instructor is going to be training with Helene as well and made me feel very comfortable.  A lot of people I knew from summer triathlon activities were there and the workout was great.

Wednesday - Bike: Assigned to workout at the WTF with the Spinnervals class.  Well, they had an instructor so it wasnt a Spinnerval DVD workout but instead we simulated the first hour of the Syracuse 70.3 course.  Now, if you know the Syracuse 70.3 course at all you will realize that the first 8-10 MILES are UPHILL.  It was an intense workout.  One thing the instructor said was "Dont cheat yourself out of a good workout."  I love that... Oh, and the bike shoes were better.  I think we are on the right track and that makes me SO HAPPY!

One other thing I got to do this week was have breakfast with my friend Carrie.

Carrie is a journalist.  She has a blog called Fitness and Frozen Grapes which I highly recommend.  I am so excited to watch her grow in her own triathlon aspirations.  She will definitely be someone to watch on the tri scene the next few years!  I have asked her to guest blog here sometime in the next month, so watch for her post!

All in all it has been a great week!  The intesity in training has been raised and I am amazed at what Helene's coaching has produced... Some days I actually FEEL like an athlete.

Goggles On!

Run!

Last week Helene scheduled me to run 3 miles on Thanksgiving day.  My Dad, sister and a cousin wanted to do a 5K that morning before we had our big dinner so I signed up with them for the Pie and Glove Run in Corning, NY.  

I had to get up at 4:30 on Thanksgiving morning in order to get down to Horseheads in time to leave for the race with everyone.  I stretched and used my Trigger Point rollers the night before to get my muscles ready and was really excited to run.  The weather was cold and sunny.  We got there with enough time to get a good warm up run in before the race started.  When I run I get pretty warm so I typically dont wear gloves and if I have a jacket it ends up around my waist.  I didnt want to run with anything extra this time so I opted for a long sleeve running base layer and a tech T over it.  I ditched the gloves before the race start as well.  

There were over 1400 runners/walkers in the race and I was up near the front of the line when the race started.  My goal from Helene was to run the 5K in 35 minutes which was a personal record and just a little faster than what I had been running in my other training runs.  I set my watch and HR monitor so I could hit start when I crossed the starting mat and noticed that my foot pod wasnt reading.  Grateful that I knew what the distance was and could figure out my speed after the race anyway, I set the watch for HR and time and pretty much ignored it once the gun went off and the race got underway.

What I wore turned out to be perfect and I felt good in the pack where I was.  I pushed a little harder than I usually run and passed a few people as we ran up and over an overpass and around the corner down some streets and to a park for the turn around.  My Dad had decided to race the race and I saw him shortly before I got to the park on his way back.  When I got to the park I looked at my watch and saw that I had only been running 15 minutes... I dismissed it and kept going.  The last mile was uphill but I kept going and ran around a few people that slowed to walk.  At the top of the overpass you could see the finish and I spotted my Dad cheering.  I crossed the finishline and hit my watch to stop the time.  

Seriously, I couldnt believe the time I saw.  My official race time was 31:14.... that meant my overall mile pace was just over 10 minutes per mile.  FAR faster than I have EVER run.  Thanks Helene for the spin workouts getting my legs used to turning over faster, also for those run intervals that I love so much (uggg)!  Only four weeks of training and I can already see improvement.  I know that things will level out, but right now it is so rewarding to see the improvments!  I was/am so proud of myself.  Several years of running and I finally hit the 10 min mile.  

Oh, and my Dad won 2nd in his age-group!  He is an amazing runner!

Goggles on my friends!

Committed

Well friends, its official.  I have committed to my race!  On Thursday last week, I woke up early and the first thought on my mind was "I am signing up today"!  Thus early that morning, before the day really got started, I completed registration for my goal race in July!

The registration site had a feature where you could share with friends that you had signed up for the race and I put my coach's information in to receive an email.  Her response? I quote: "Woo Hoo."

I am grateful for a "recovery" week this week (week 4).  Yesterday I swam a short hard swim and spent some time practicing flip turns. Today I have a bike workout on the trainer and tomorrow I am running a pre-Thanksgiving dinner 5K with my dad while my sister and a cousin walk it.  :)  Looking forward to participating in a race!  I worked a local 5K this weekend and remembered just how much I love the excitement and environment of the running/athletic community.

So, that said -  you should lace up your shoes and go for a run this week!  

Goggles On!

Little bumps....

This has certainly been an interesting week training wise...

Monday - Long swim
Got in the pool and at lap 4 had a wave of panic wash over me as I was swimming.  I kept going, but it took me a few laps to get my breathing to ease and the tightness in my chest to relax.  Then it happened again, and again, and again.  Seriously, I dont know why.  I kept telling myself I was in a POOL, with lifeguards, other swimmers, and I was FINE.  The inexplainable panic was frustrating, but I am very proud that I was able to calm myself down without stopping, putting my feet down, or taking the goggles off.  I also was faster and had an easier time kicking properly and my pull was better.  Swam 2200 yards total which is further than race distance.

Tuesday - Bike Intervals
Tuesday I got on my trainer for some long interval training.  Katie had a ride scheduled that day too so we set up our trainers side by side in the living room, turned on Home Alone and rode together.  Our workouts were different, but the assigned ride time was the same.

The ride was tough, but I am happy with the increase in my cadence (number of times I pedal per minute).  My feet fell asleep but I stayed clipped in the whole ride and just kept going!  

Wednesday - Interval Run

Today I had to run.  I met Megan at the canal and we did speed interval workout.  I have to say that I wasnt excited to run this morning.  I didnt feel great after staying up late last night and when I woke up this morning I had a sore neck/shoulders from sleeping funny.   Once I started though, it got better, and after that last interval I was happy I ran.  :) 

Last night I did a long triggerpoint/grid session on myself and today my knee didnt bother me AT ALL.  Instead I felt tightness in the calf of my other leg, but nothing some additional stretching couldnt take care of after I finished.  I have a friend that is a physical therapist who gave me lots of daily stretching to do and it is so nice to see it pay off!  

So, in spite of the challenges that were the first half of this week, I am determined to do this.  Tomorrow is race registration day and after that there is NO turning back.  I will be committed.  I already have a lot invested in this adventure and it truly is an adventure.  

Goggles On my friends!

Week Two's Top Ten

So yesterday was the last day of week two and I learned some things and hit a few milestones.  Here are my top ten from this week:

1. I learned I need to be doing flip turns every time I swim.  I still havent gotten them completely mastered - my sinuses burned after my long swim on Thursday from the combination of chlorinated water and bad flips! When I do get a flip right it feels so cool!

2. Swam the race distance (1.2 miles) on Thursday and felt great!  The cute lifeguard helped motivate me as I could see him every time I swam a lap!

3. Ran my longest distance ever and with a personal average mile record!  Four mile long run on Friday - and I got to run with two co-workers on a gorgeous morning on the Erie Canal path!  11:46 average mile pace for me over 4 miles is great!  No stopping, no walking, just running!  Woo Hoo

4. Had my bike shoes looked at by another bike fitter and he agrees with Andy that the shoes are not a good fit for my feet.  So, we still have some work to do there this week!

5. Rode an hour with my cadence at or above 90 for the first time ever.  Its harder than it seems to keep your legs going that fast!  I had to be in an easier gear than I usually ride in, but I did it and its a great starting point for the rest of training as I build!

6. Ran twice yesterday - It was such a gorgeous day, I couldnt stay inside.  Interval speed work in the morning with Kim and then in the afternoon - after icing and a long nap - a  light jog around Green Lake with my friend Katie.

7.  The goal for water consumption is 96 oz. per day!  Can I just say that 96 oz is a LOT of water!

8.  Stretching is vital.  In trying to get my knee pain to subside, I have lots of stretching to do, multiple times per day.  It makes a difference.

9.  Nutrition. Nutrition. Nutrition.

10.  Taking time out and doing something fun (and even out of your comfort zone) is refreshing.  Saturday night I went swing dancing.  I met some new friends and had a fun night of laughing at my lack of rhythm and enjoying the beautiful dancing of others who seemed to have recieved a double dose of rhythm!

Week One Complete

This morning I got on my bike trainer and pounded out my last workout for the week.  I rode an hour long interval workout with the sliding glass door ajar (it snowed this morning!) and a movie playing.

For some reason this ride wasnt as frustrating as the first time I got on the trainer.  I have yet to figure out why but I am not complaining!  Perhaps it was because I was more comfortable on my bike after the refit that Andy at Veloved did for me on Thursday.  My feet still fell asleep, but the rest of me was much more comfortable.  Thanks Andy!

Something else happened today that hasnt happened before... and though you may call me crazy I was excited.  My head sweated so much while I was riding my intervals that beads of sweat actually dripped off my face!  That may seem trivial to some, but for me it was empowering.  I am not even sure why but it makes me happy when I think about it and it kept me working hard during the hard intervals today.

During the last few days, I have run into several women that I had a part in coaching this past summer as they completed their first sprint triathlons.  These women have since made fitness a part of their every day lives.  They look fantastic - not only physically, but emotionally too - there is a confidence about them that wasnt there before.   I am so very proud of them!  It has made me think about the lessons I may learn this year. I am sure they will be many and not all easy, but certainly all beneficial.  :)

Goggles On!

Swim, Bike, Run....

Three days of training are now under my belt!  :)

Tuesday I swam intervals with my friend Kim (who even though she isnt a morning person met me at the Y at 5:45AM).  Kim let me use her Garmin 910 in the pool and I have to say I loved it!  I am not a great electronics person, but it was so much easier to keep track of each interval's time with the watch.  My goggles tend to fog (anyone have a solution to keep them from fogging that actually works?) and I cannot see the clock without taking them off (see earlier post "Goggles On").  I was also grateful to  have my first workout of the training season be with a friend.  We rocked the workout and I hope she braves the early morning with me again soon! 

Wednesday I got on the bike trainer for the first time.  I have decided that even though it is convenient, I am not a fan of riding and not going anywhere!  Without the wind, it gets HOT riding in place.  I had a hard time getting my cadence up to 90 and keeping it there so I have a lot of work to do (though I am sure I will have lots of time to practice).  It was also weird to not wear my helmet while I was on the bike!  :)

Today, I ran with Helene and Andy.  Andy did an updated bike fit before we all went out to run, so I was warmed up by the time we started the real workout.  It was really cold and wet today, but the rain kind of stopped while we were outside.  I did my best to dodge the puddles.  Andy ran off ahead and I chased him as best I could during the faster intervals Helene had me do.  I cant remember the last time I ran that hard.... The first interval had me gasping, but I made it through it and the other four as well.  Helene's coaching and words of encouragement were great motivators.  I am sure I will hear what she said in my head next time I run (and throughout the coming months as well!).  

I am blessed.  

I have a body that lets me swim, bike and run.  

I have friends to workout with and who encourage me along the way.  

I have a great roommate (and very good friend) who has the weekly countdown to our race on the fridge.  Its 37 in case you were wondering!

I have a coach (and very good friend) who knows how hard to push me, how to motivate me, and tells things just like they are. 

I have an awesome bike mechanic (and very good friend!) who cares about my feet falling asleep when I ride and is doing everything he can to make it stop!  

Tomorrow, I swim again and then I am having coffee with Maura (see earlier post).  Its going to be a good day people!

Goggles On!

Goggles On

Well, today is the day I get my first schedule for training!  Although I do not have the schedule in hand yet, I know it is coming sometime today and have been watching my email for its arrival.  It has been hard focusing on anything much with thoughts of the coming months on my mind!  Mostly, I am excited.  A new beginning on an adventure of a lifetime!  Goals are being set and I am ready to embark on the journey toward fulfilling a dream!

The dream: an official finish at a local 70.3 triathlon summer 2013
Coach: Helene from Veloved
Training Buddy: KC, and others that have promised to workout with me over the next 8 months or so

Helene often tells me "goggles on Laura!"  when she wants me to focus and follow through on something.  It began in the water this summer when I would stop and put my feet down whenever I got panicky in the open water and typically I would slide my goggles off for a minute. Unlike other people that would allow me to rest, Helene always pushed me to immediately begin swimming again.  I would hear "Face in the water, tuck your chin and SWIM Laura!  GOGGLES ON".  It was through that pushing that I got better (though open water still scares me!).

Then, I started hearing Helene use "goggles on" with me on the bike and in other workouts!  It became a kind of mantra... meaning "lets go!"  I even had it engraved on my road id this summer and had a friend write it on my arm during Irongirl this year.

It reminds me to:
persevere.
train hard.
not let up.
push through pain.
to be all in.
to be my best now...
and keep working to be better.

So as the training season begins, I have one thing to say....

Goggles On!

I Love Veloved

Today was very likely my last ride outside for the year.  The bike trainer is here and ready to be put together later this evening.

I gotta have it ready for the official start to training for my summer 2013 racing season!  Sunday I get my first training schedule and Tuesday is the first day of workouts!

Now, about the ride today.  I was a little worried that I would have a hard time since I havent ridden much (just the six mile ride) in the last couple of weeks.  I am pleased to say that the ride went well!  I had a little heartburn (a lesson learned on what not to eat before a ride/workout) but otherwise felt pretty good!  On one of the flat sections of the ride, Helene had me change my pedal stroke to be more efficient.  It definately made me pedal with more power!  Now I need to practice so I can maintain an efficient and powerful pedal stroke for the 56 miles of the race!

Helene's husband Andy (Bike Mechanic Extraordinaire) came with us today too! I love riding with both Helene and Andy together.... I joke that it is because it takes some of the pressure off me riding one-on-one with Helene, but it is also because Andy is just a fun person to be around.  He has a bicycle repair business and I have to say that he does a tremendously good job!  Sophie (my bike) is well tuned and I cant imagine anyone else taking care of her.

So, today was a success!  An enjoyable day off work and a confidence building ride with some of my best friends heading into the months where the real work will begin.

If you live in the Syracuse area and need your bicycle (road, cross, or mountain) worked on, you should contact Andy at Veloved (and tell him I sent you!).

:::::Every bike deserves a little veloved:::::: 

Goggles On

Getting real

So, Tuesday I came home to an email from Helene that said we were starting our official training a week earlier than planned.  My stomach flip flopped as the looming reality of what is coming came rushing over me! 

I signed up to do this right?
I want to do this.... yes I do.
I. WILL. do. this.

But still I am scared - scared of failing mostly.  Though, I cant truly fail unless I quit, can I?  I mean, every step towards this goal is a step towards a healthier, stronger, happier me.  I am taking care of my mind and body; strengthening my willpower and determination. I am guessing remembering why I am doing this, is going to be very important during the next few months!  I mean on those 3 hour bike rides and long runs and swims I will likely ask "so why did I sign up for this anyway."  I better have an answer.  My answer is really, that I want to do it for myself.  I want to be pushed (This is true no matter what I actually say during a workout.) to see what I am capable of doing.  I was made for more than just mere survival in this world.  I want to see what I can do and I am pretty sure I will surprise myself along the way.

All this reflecting has made me think of my friend Maura.  She is truly an inspiration.  This summer, after being sick the week before, she completed her 70.3 and allowed me to walk the last 5 miles of the run with her to the finishline.  She was the last participant to complete the race that day.  Her grit and determination to go the distance (even when they were picking up the race cones behind us as we walked) was/is truly inspiring.  I cried at the end. 

Although, I hope I am not the last finisher, I know that if I am, it will still be worth it all in the end.  I can only pray that I can inspire someone else, as Maura (and others) have inspired me. 

With proper training and the support of those we love, we can do this... what we have set our minds to.  KC and I have a plaque in our living room that says "Believe you can and you are halfway there."  So here's to believing (and training like we do!). 

Goggles On!

Progress....

Five months ago I couldn't swim two laps without getting very tired and winded due to poor breathing technique in the water.  Constantly frustrated in the water, I asked Helene to help me with my swimming.  She agreed to work with me and we met at a local pool.  That day proved to be a huge turning point! Something clicked and everything I had learned in the tri training program at Fleet Feet came together.  Ever since that day, I have been working hard on both my stroke and endurance.  Today, five months from that first day in the pool, I swam 2000 yards continuously.  I am by no means fast, in fact it took me 59 minutes to swim my 2000 yards today, but the point is I did it.

I did it.  I went from barely 100 yards, to 2000 yards!  That is twenty 100's, forty 50's, eighty pool lengths!  And still that is a starting point for my training for 70.3.

For those of you who may not know, a 70.3 is a half iron man distance and consists of:

• 1.2 mile swim
• 56 mile bike
• 13.1 mile run

Yep, I think many may consider me nuts, but it is something I have set my mind to do.  It is sure to be a great journey.  Thanks for joining me along the way!

Goggles On

"Short" Ride

For the last week I have had plans to go out for a 16-18 mile ride with a friend today after church.  Then, I woke up this morning and it was raining.... it rained all morning and it wasnt until mid afternoon that things started to clear up.  Unfortunately, afternoon was too late to ride with my friend.

After cooking some meals to freeze for the week, I decided to go out for a ride by myself.  I dont particularly like riding alone (but will certainly be getting used to it soon) but it was too beautiful to not go out and enjoy it.  

So, I took Sophie (my bike) out and went for a ride.  I didnt have any particular plan for my ride other than to enjoy the fall afternoon and see how the new bike shoes worked (last week I purchased wider bike shoes in the hopes that they would help my feet to not fall asleep when I ride).  I headed out from my apartment complex and in a direction that I hadnt ridden before.  I wasnt familiar with the roads I took and wished I felt more adventurous because it would have been a great day to explore.  As it was, I just road around the block for ride of about 6 miles.

Yep, that is right.  Six. miles. I knew when I headed back into my complex that I hadnt ridden far and that I would get harassed by Helene (friend and coach) if she found out.  Two hours later, guess who sent me a text and asked me how my ride was?  Ha ha!  She even asked me how far I rode.  I owned up to my sad little ride and her response was exactly as I anticipated!  Thus I learned two things from her today:

1. I will never go out on a ride so short again.
2. Six miles is not a short ride.  A short ride is 20 miles.

Training for next season starts in three weeks.... Ready or not its coming!

Goggles On!

Me... an athlete?

A couple years ago, I decided to take up running.  I joined a running group from a local Fleet Feet and ten weeks later I ran/walked my first 5K.  I continued with the next program and completed two more 5K's by September.  Running got me wondering what other athletic fitness goals I could set and achieve.  After my last 5K that year, I signed up for a sprint triathlon for the following summer.

My first triathlon I did just to complete!  When I crossed the finish line I burst into tears... what a rush it was to see what I was capable of when I set my mind to something.  I was hooked... this last year I did the triathlon again with the goal to shave a respectable 30 minutes off my previous race time.  I was successful and finished 34 minutes faster than my first.

Now, I am getting ready to embark on an even crazier journey as I train for a 70.3 distance triathlon in July of 2013.  This blog will be my collected thoughts as I train.  It is sure to be an incredible journey... thanks for joining me for the ride!

Goggles On!

Choices... choices...

So, I am owning the fact that my food choices (and lack thereof) have been terrible lately.  The last few days I haven't felt great (my best guess is that it is from cross-contaminated food choices - namely oats) and as a result I haven't felt like eating much.  KC chastised me for it last night since my sum total of food yesterday wasn't enough for two meals let alone all day sustenance. 

I still don't feel great today, but I am determined to not let that feed the poor food choices I have been making.  Today is a new day and I am moving forward with a resolve to once again treat my body with the respect it deserves... after this Dr. Pepper that is.  

Ok so soda too has aided in my general lethargic feeling.  For 5 months I avoided soda altogether after reading just how much sugar is in one serving.... but somehow in the last two months the soda monster has snuck back into my routine.  I would be better off drinking coffee for the caffeine, but there is something about the fizz that I like.  I realize that my coach would not be happy to learn of my nearly daily soda consumption... it has to stop.

Very soon I will be accountable for everything that I eat/drink or don't eat/drink.  As much of a pain it is to write it all down, it is sure to help me get back on track... particularly since it is read and discussed!  I have worked so hard to get where I am and I am a fool if I let flavored sugar water begin to deteriorate my progress.  

Water... I need to drink more water.  

So... It is with determination that I head into my kitchen to make lunch and fill my Nalgene with water.  

Goggles on my friends...