I am not a TV watcher. I have to be doing something or I get antsy. I also like very little of what is on TV. I saw some TLC at a friend's house, and I remembered it as being an educational channel - not a channel for brides to knock each others' weddings or for people to make others cry about what clothes they wear. I know a lot of people like that stuff, that's why they show it. But it's not for me.
I usually watch a movie or series on DVD (Firefly, etc.) while exercising. I watch Glee each week, and would watch Big Bang Theory if I could ever remember when it came on. But that's about it. I know a lot of people on here watch The Biggest Loser, but I had never seen it. So I decided to check it out.
Miss Priss and I watched the first three episodes in one evening. She watches very little TV also (Ruff Ruffman on PBS about 3 days a week, and what she sees on Sundays at her Nana's, and usually something with Joe & I on Friday nights), so she will watch anything. We have now watched the first 5 episodes on Hulu. I am hooked.
The thing is, I haven't been able to do the C25K 20 minute run yet. I did 12 min. in April at the 5K, and I did 15 earlier this month at the gym. Every other time I get up to 5 minutes and slow down. Tonight I decided to try running after biking, to see how I could handle it when I have to do it in the triathlon. I used the stationary bike for 20 minutes, immediately got on the treadmill running, and ran for 20 minutes without stopping! Granted, it was at my unbelievably slow pace, but that is the most I've ever done and I did it after biking for 20 minutes!
I can't figure out how I did it except to chalk it up to watching The Biggest Loser. I told my husband that maybe seeing what they can do even being so much bigger than me must have motivated me. He said watching it guilted me into working harder.
Or maybe it was that I had Mexican for lunch with cheese dip. There's some guilt there.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Tri Club
I saw where someone on active.com posted "any other slow, overweight, newbie triathletes?" and after answering her with my plans, she mentioned that she lives in my town and that there was a new Tri Club having its first meeting the very next night! So I went, and learned a lot. I joined, got the t-shirt, and am waiting for them to approve my Facebook friend request so I can ask some more questions.
I went out biking tonight. Did my 5K route through the neighborhood. The route that is 3.2 miles on the closest edge of the sidewalk is 3.5 miles in the road. It took me 24 minutes, which comes out to 1:51 for 16.2 miles (the tri bike distance) if I kept that pace. The slowest time last year was 1:29, but I'm not too worried. First of all, there is a stop sign at almost every intersection in my neighborhood, and while I didn't stop at every one, I at least had to slow down to make sure no cars were coming. Second, I think my neighborhood is not as flat as the area around the lake where the tri is. It is billed as "flat and fast." Third, I haven't started my 12 week training.
Still, I would like to know what I could do. I need to either find somewhere that I think is safe to ride, or find out what setting on the bikes at the gym best approximates a real bike.
One more week until hiking and then tri training!
I went out biking tonight. Did my 5K route through the neighborhood. The route that is 3.2 miles on the closest edge of the sidewalk is 3.5 miles in the road. It took me 24 minutes, which comes out to 1:51 for 16.2 miles (the tri bike distance) if I kept that pace. The slowest time last year was 1:29, but I'm not too worried. First of all, there is a stop sign at almost every intersection in my neighborhood, and while I didn't stop at every one, I at least had to slow down to make sure no cars were coming. Second, I think my neighborhood is not as flat as the area around the lake where the tri is. It is billed as "flat and fast." Third, I haven't started my 12 week training.
Still, I would like to know what I could do. I need to either find somewhere that I think is safe to ride, or find out what setting on the bikes at the gym best approximates a real bike.
One more week until hiking and then tri training!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
New Shoes
I finally got the shoes I have been wanting:
They are Vibram Five Fingers in the 'Sprint' line, the most versatile of their shoes. These can be used for running, climbing, yoga, and water sports. They are incredibly comfortable. I can't stand toe socks, but these are fine. It feels like I am barefoot, but with traction - I kind of feel like Spiderman. I have been afraid to run outside barefoot because I don't want to step on something. Now I can wear these. I normally run barefoot on the treadmill, and I wore these last night on the treadmill for almost an hour, and they were fine! I love them.
I am kind of in an exercise slump. I don't have any energy for some reason. I think I might need some protein or something. I am trying to talk myself into going to yoga tonight, but I think a bike ride might perk me up more.
They are Vibram Five Fingers in the 'Sprint' line, the most versatile of their shoes. These can be used for running, climbing, yoga, and water sports. They are incredibly comfortable. I can't stand toe socks, but these are fine. It feels like I am barefoot, but with traction - I kind of feel like Spiderman. I have been afraid to run outside barefoot because I don't want to step on something. Now I can wear these. I normally run barefoot on the treadmill, and I wore these last night on the treadmill for almost an hour, and they were fine! I love them.
I am kind of in an exercise slump. I don't have any energy for some reason. I think I might need some protein or something. I am trying to talk myself into going to yoga tonight, but I think a bike ride might perk me up more.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Questions
A friend posted this on SparkPeople with her answers, and I am copying her:
I thought it would be fun to answer the same questions for my Spark friends to get to know me better and also see if you also want to give it a try in your blog. It should be fun!
1) In my fridge, you'll always find:
Hummus, water, chai mix, natural peanut butter, carrots, applesauce
2) My favorite "go-to" exercise is:
treadmill with a movie or Wii fit.
3) When I usually workout is:
afternoons after school but before dinner. Sometimes later in the evening.
4) My biggest temptation/obstacle is:
chocolate, social situations, an occasional drink, anything with cheese
5) My favorite trick for staying motivated is:
my family. I tell them when I plan to exercise, and they help hold me accountable. My husband doesn't push, "I thought you were going to work out" or "can you eat this?" My daughter does. She is six and knows that she gets to watch cartoons if I take her to the gym. She also likes to run on the treadmill, hit the sandbag (with my great big pink boxing gloves on!) and watch me play Wii fit - she usually picks my activities and then I do strength & yoga after she goes to bed.
6) In my home gym, you'll find:
a treadmill, sandbag with boxing gloves or hand wraps, yoga mats and props, balance balls, a spark balance board that I haven't used much yet, resistance bands, yoga & exercise vhs tapes, a gazelle, hand weights that I don't use often enough, and a stationary bike that I'm hoping will be more comfortable once I lose more weight
7) In the Grocery store, I usually head for ________ first.
fruit, because it's the first thing I get to! I buy a lot of Smart Ones and Lean Cuisine meals, but I am hoping to wean myself off the processed foods over the summer. I want to pack bento boxes for Miss Priss and myself when school starts back in August!
8) My personal Motto is:
"I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it." Stolen from Pablo Picasso. I love learning new things, and often sign on to do or teach things I've never done just so I can learn how to do them.
Feel free to repost with your answers on your blog. I have gotten lots of emails with stuff like this and this is the first time that I can remember ever doing one of these!
I thought it would be fun to answer the same questions for my Spark friends to get to know me better and also see if you also want to give it a try in your blog. It should be fun!
1) In my fridge, you'll always find:
Hummus, water, chai mix, natural peanut butter, carrots, applesauce
2) My favorite "go-to" exercise is:
treadmill with a movie or Wii fit.
3) When I usually workout is:
afternoons after school but before dinner. Sometimes later in the evening.
4) My biggest temptation/obstacle is:
chocolate, social situations, an occasional drink, anything with cheese
5) My favorite trick for staying motivated is:
my family. I tell them when I plan to exercise, and they help hold me accountable. My husband doesn't push, "I thought you were going to work out" or "can you eat this?" My daughter does. She is six and knows that she gets to watch cartoons if I take her to the gym. She also likes to run on the treadmill, hit the sandbag (with my great big pink boxing gloves on!) and watch me play Wii fit - she usually picks my activities and then I do strength & yoga after she goes to bed.
6) In my home gym, you'll find:
a treadmill, sandbag with boxing gloves or hand wraps, yoga mats and props, balance balls, a spark balance board that I haven't used much yet, resistance bands, yoga & exercise vhs tapes, a gazelle, hand weights that I don't use often enough, and a stationary bike that I'm hoping will be more comfortable once I lose more weight
7) In the Grocery store, I usually head for ________ first.
fruit, because it's the first thing I get to! I buy a lot of Smart Ones and Lean Cuisine meals, but I am hoping to wean myself off the processed foods over the summer. I want to pack bento boxes for Miss Priss and myself when school starts back in August!
8) My personal Motto is:
"I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it." Stolen from Pablo Picasso. I love learning new things, and often sign on to do or teach things I've never done just so I can learn how to do them.
Feel free to repost with your answers on your blog. I have gotten lots of emails with stuff like this and this is the first time that I can remember ever doing one of these!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
What's Been Going On
Good morning!
I was shocked to see how long it had been since I posted. I think I am feeling both discouraged and a bit guilty, and I think that has caused some avoidance of SP.
I have made some decisions. I have put off the triathlon training until school is out (two more weeks). The last few weeks of school are very busy, and I was missing my family. I have to leave the house to bike and swim, and between that and yoga there were some nights where I left as soon as Joe got home and by the time I returned, both he and Miss Priss were in bed. If I put off the training until school is out, I won't have to sacrifice family time. I am still biking, swimming, and running, but not according to my training schedule. I will go back to it in two weeks.
I also have to start counting calories again. I am letting calories sneak in, mostly in social situations. I am hovering around the 200 mark. I weighed in Monday at 198, but Friday I was 200. I am going to pretend Friday didn't exist and keep going. If I weigh in next Friday over 198, I'll change my counter. So I have a week to get those 2 lbs. gone again.
I had dropped off with the C25K when I started the triathlon training. Since I put off the training for a couple of weeks, I have picked the C25K back up. I can do it at home on the treadmill while my daughter plays on the other exercise equipment, so we are 'working out' together and we both have fun. I still haven't completed the 20 min. run, but I am up to 15 minutes at a slow pace, so I will get there. Maybe it's a good thing that I put the training on hold - now I can focus a little more on the running, which is a very weak area for me. Wait, who am I kidding? All athletic areas are very weak areas for me! But I will get there.
I changed some of my goals. At 200, instead of the Wii game, I got a bike rack for the car. I am also saving up to get a pair of Vibram Five Fingers shoes. I may not be able to wait for 180 lbs. to get a haircut - I am looking pretty shaggy.
I had originally posted these goals, along with rewards for every 20 lbs. I lost:
Goals:
* Begin the couch to 5k program next week
* Take the 5k route through my neighborhood the next day it is warm enough so I can see how long it takes
* Go hiking on our next trip to Gatlinburg
* Run in a 5k by the end of June
* Get a helmet so I can go biking as soon as my bike is fixed
* Add strength training to my regular exercise routine by the end of March
I have completed all of these except the hiking in Gatlinburg, which I will do Memorial Day weekend. So I need some new goals! I know that one will be:
*Finish the Mountain Lakes Triathlon, even if they have stopped timing by the time I finish
My dry erase board on the refrigerator is empty except for one goal. I need some new ones!
I was shocked to see how long it had been since I posted. I think I am feeling both discouraged and a bit guilty, and I think that has caused some avoidance of SP.
I have made some decisions. I have put off the triathlon training until school is out (two more weeks). The last few weeks of school are very busy, and I was missing my family. I have to leave the house to bike and swim, and between that and yoga there were some nights where I left as soon as Joe got home and by the time I returned, both he and Miss Priss were in bed. If I put off the training until school is out, I won't have to sacrifice family time. I am still biking, swimming, and running, but not according to my training schedule. I will go back to it in two weeks.
I also have to start counting calories again. I am letting calories sneak in, mostly in social situations. I am hovering around the 200 mark. I weighed in Monday at 198, but Friday I was 200. I am going to pretend Friday didn't exist and keep going. If I weigh in next Friday over 198, I'll change my counter. So I have a week to get those 2 lbs. gone again.
I had dropped off with the C25K when I started the triathlon training. Since I put off the training for a couple of weeks, I have picked the C25K back up. I can do it at home on the treadmill while my daughter plays on the other exercise equipment, so we are 'working out' together and we both have fun. I still haven't completed the 20 min. run, but I am up to 15 minutes at a slow pace, so I will get there. Maybe it's a good thing that I put the training on hold - now I can focus a little more on the running, which is a very weak area for me. Wait, who am I kidding? All athletic areas are very weak areas for me! But I will get there.
I changed some of my goals. At 200, instead of the Wii game, I got a bike rack for the car. I am also saving up to get a pair of Vibram Five Fingers shoes. I may not be able to wait for 180 lbs. to get a haircut - I am looking pretty shaggy.
I had originally posted these goals, along with rewards for every 20 lbs. I lost:
Goals:
* Begin the couch to 5k program next week
* Take the 5k route through my neighborhood the next day it is warm enough so I can see how long it takes
* Go hiking on our next trip to Gatlinburg
* Run in a 5k by the end of June
* Get a helmet so I can go biking as soon as my bike is fixed
* Add strength training to my regular exercise routine by the end of March
I have completed all of these except the hiking in Gatlinburg, which I will do Memorial Day weekend. So I need some new goals! I know that one will be:
*Finish the Mountain Lakes Triathlon, even if they have stopped timing by the time I finish
My dry erase board on the refrigerator is empty except for one goal. I need some new ones!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Four Good Things
Thing the first: My mom is better & will probably get to go home Wednesday. Yay!
Thing the second: My 'Yoga for Healthy Knees' book finally came in, after being ordered about a month ago. My knees are the only parts of my body that really give me grief, knock on wood.
Thing the third: You know that big weight? The one that moves in 50 lb. increments on the medical scale when you weigh in? Yes, that one - I got to move it down a notch today!!! ::happy dance:: I had to move the little weight all the way up to 50, but the bottom weight was on 150 instead of 200!!!! I have finally hit the 200 mark and I am determined to break it - hopefully this Friday! So I have been exercising my little heart out this afternoon. Got my 30 min. bike riding and 30 min. swimming in for triathlon training, did 15 min. boxing (that's all I can do without falling over!) and 15 min. on the gazelle. I am considering doing 30 min. yoga before bed to stretch myself out so I will sleep well. I feel like the Energizer Bunny!
Thing the fourth: I have been swimming with my head out of the water, doing a 25 yard lap in just under a minute. By the time I am done, my neck is sore. I got goggles (and nose clips, but they make me feel panicky so I can't use them) over the weekend so I could put my face in the water. I am down to my last pair of contacts and I can't lose them! It wasn't as easy as I thought. I panicked a little, and felt very out of breath. It took me 15 minutes and several tries before I got the hang of it. My college swim class was a long time ago! Anyhow, I can only swim one length of the pool before grabbing the side and panting to catch my breath, but I can do that one length in 35 seconds! My goal Wednesday is to swim two lengths without stopping. I figure I can build endurance a little at a time. If I can't swim correctly the whole way, I can do the sidestroke for a while (45 seconds) until I can catch my breath.
Hope everyone else had an awesome Monday!
Thing the second: My 'Yoga for Healthy Knees' book finally came in, after being ordered about a month ago. My knees are the only parts of my body that really give me grief, knock on wood.
Thing the third: You know that big weight? The one that moves in 50 lb. increments on the medical scale when you weigh in? Yes, that one - I got to move it down a notch today!!! ::happy dance:: I had to move the little weight all the way up to 50, but the bottom weight was on 150 instead of 200!!!! I have finally hit the 200 mark and I am determined to break it - hopefully this Friday! So I have been exercising my little heart out this afternoon. Got my 30 min. bike riding and 30 min. swimming in for triathlon training, did 15 min. boxing (that's all I can do without falling over!) and 15 min. on the gazelle. I am considering doing 30 min. yoga before bed to stretch myself out so I will sleep well. I feel like the Energizer Bunny!
Thing the fourth: I have been swimming with my head out of the water, doing a 25 yard lap in just under a minute. By the time I am done, my neck is sore. I got goggles (and nose clips, but they make me feel panicky so I can't use them) over the weekend so I could put my face in the water. I am down to my last pair of contacts and I can't lose them! It wasn't as easy as I thought. I panicked a little, and felt very out of breath. It took me 15 minutes and several tries before I got the hang of it. My college swim class was a long time ago! Anyhow, I can only swim one length of the pool before grabbing the side and panting to catch my breath, but I can do that one length in 35 seconds! My goal Wednesday is to swim two lengths without stopping. I figure I can build endurance a little at a time. If I can't swim correctly the whole way, I can do the sidestroke for a while (45 seconds) until I can catch my breath.
Hope everyone else had an awesome Monday!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Aaaargh!
So - between my mom falling & breaking her leg (spiral fracture from outside of her right hip to inside her right knee) and being out of town to visit family and tornadoes and floods and trying to get home from Tennessee, I have not eaten right or exercised since Thursday.
I am starting all over tomorrow. I will still do week 2 of the triathlon training, but I may do the 2x easier version instead of the 3x harder version.
In good news, I got goggles and a nose clip so I can swim with my face in the water.
I am starting all over tomorrow. I will still do week 2 of the triathlon training, but I may do the 2x easier version instead of the 3x harder version.
In good news, I got goggles and a nose clip so I can swim with my face in the water.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Busyness and Training
Well, I finished the dragonfly. Here's a picture:
In between finishing the dragonfly and delivering it, while it was drying, I managed to get my swim in. After I delivered it, I got my bike ride in, even though it was dark. One benefit to living downtown is there is very little traffic at night and there are some large, well-lit parking lots.
I felt better once I was done. I had been nervous - that training schedule is enough to make anyone nervous - but once I saw how easy it was to work it in even on a busy night I felt more comfortable with it. I am supposed to do strength training twice a week, so I decided to add it to Sundays and Tuesdays because I only have a run on those days.
This afternoon Miss Priss and I went to the gym (she said she has been wanting to go to see the kids' area, but I think it had more to do with the TV and Cartoon Network). I did 4 min. warmup, 12 min. run, and 4 min. cool down followed by 25 min. strength training. It wasn't bad.
I am going to have to do some planning. We are going out of town to visit family Friday night & won't be back until Sunday night. I don't know how I am going to get my swim in because Joe will want to leave before lap times at the pool. I don't want to get off the schedule this early in the game, but I'm not sure how to work it out. I will have to figure out something.
The days I don't exercise it is usually because I make it out in my head to be so much more tiring/time consuming/hard than it really is. When I do exercise, I always feel great afterward. So I have got to work on the mental aspect of getting my body healthy. The same thing goes with eating. It is quicker/easier/more convenient to grab some processed crap than it is to make a healthy meal. But when I make or eat a healthy meal, I always enjoy it more.
Hope everyone is having a great week! Almost halfway to the weekend!
In between finishing the dragonfly and delivering it, while it was drying, I managed to get my swim in. After I delivered it, I got my bike ride in, even though it was dark. One benefit to living downtown is there is very little traffic at night and there are some large, well-lit parking lots.
I felt better once I was done. I had been nervous - that training schedule is enough to make anyone nervous - but once I saw how easy it was to work it in even on a busy night I felt more comfortable with it. I am supposed to do strength training twice a week, so I decided to add it to Sundays and Tuesdays because I only have a run on those days.
This afternoon Miss Priss and I went to the gym (she said she has been wanting to go to see the kids' area, but I think it had more to do with the TV and Cartoon Network). I did 4 min. warmup, 12 min. run, and 4 min. cool down followed by 25 min. strength training. It wasn't bad.
I am going to have to do some planning. We are going out of town to visit family Friday night & won't be back until Sunday night. I don't know how I am going to get my swim in because Joe will want to leave before lap times at the pool. I don't want to get off the schedule this early in the game, but I'm not sure how to work it out. I will have to figure out something.
The days I don't exercise it is usually because I make it out in my head to be so much more tiring/time consuming/hard than it really is. When I do exercise, I always feel great afterward. So I have got to work on the mental aspect of getting my body healthy. The same thing goes with eating. It is quicker/easier/more convenient to grab some processed crap than it is to make a healthy meal. But when I make or eat a healthy meal, I always enjoy it more.
Hope everyone is having a great week! Almost halfway to the weekend!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Training Starts Today
After doing so well the end of last week, I did hardly anything Friday and Saturday. Sunday I played a little basketball, but didn't bike like I had planned. We had some unexpected company and I had to work on the dragonfly.
I found some sprint triathlon training schedules online and I really like two of them. I think I am going to shoot for the one that is about 3-4 hours a week (the other one is about 2-3). They kind of line up with each other, so if I have a busy day, I can do the shorter version.
Week 1 (starting today) looks like this:
Monday: 12 min. swim / 24 min. bike
Tuesday: 12 min. run
Wednesday: 16 min. swim / 32 min. bike
Thursday: 16 min. run
Friday: 20 min. swim / 44 min. bike
Saturday: off
Sunday: 20 min. run
I know I can run 12 minutes, so this looks like a good starting point for me. I have an unfinished dragonfly due this afternoon, so hopefully I can get it done before 7:00 and get to the pool. I really hope I can do this!
I found some sprint triathlon training schedules online and I really like two of them. I think I am going to shoot for the one that is about 3-4 hours a week (the other one is about 2-3). They kind of line up with each other, so if I have a busy day, I can do the shorter version.
Week 1 (starting today) looks like this:
Monday: 12 min. swim / 24 min. bike
Tuesday: 12 min. run
Wednesday: 16 min. swim / 32 min. bike
Thursday: 16 min. run
Friday: 20 min. swim / 44 min. bike
Saturday: off
Sunday: 20 min. run
I know I can run 12 minutes, so this looks like a good starting point for me. I have an unfinished dragonfly due this afternoon, so hopefully I can get it done before 7:00 and get to the pool. I really hope I can do this!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Triathlon Planning
Tuesday I went to the local pool and swam laps (the first time is free). I swam 600 yards in just under 30 minutes. The slowest time from last year's triathlon was 28:53, so I think I can make the cut. The only problem is I am swimming in a pool where I can push off from a wall every 25 yards. The triathlon swim is in a lake. I think the next time I will just stop when I get to the wall and not push off and see how fast I can do it. I did feel good that I could swim that entire time without stopping. I didn't push myself much, though. I wanted to make sure I had enough energy to go the whole distance.
Since this is the first time I have timed myself swimming, I think I can shave enough time off to make the cut. Only problem is, the pool is $100 to join. That's for a year, not so bad, but we just spent that much already on a new bike.
I went bike riding for fun yesterday, with a teenage friend of the family who was also looking for someone to ride bikes with. My husband had asked me the day before if my bike (some sort of Schwinn cruiser, lovely, but with no gears) would work for the triathlon. I told him since I just wanted to finish under the time limit, it should be fine. But after yesterday's ride, I realized it wasn't going to work. Any time there was a hill, I slowed down almost to a stop and really had to work to get it up the incline. Whenever we went downhill, there was no point in my pedaling as it had no effect. My friend let me try her bike with gears, and she talked me through how to use them. The difference was incredible - I could fly up the hills and pick up extra speed on the downhill inclines.
After our ride, we went by my husband's work to see him. He mentioned me needing a new bike again, and this time I agreed. So I now have a new Schwinn Jet Star with 21 speeds. I bought a speedometer to go on it. Today we went out again, but Miss Priss was with us (age 6) so I couldn't really let it out over a distance. I did speed up over some short spaces and got up to 14.9 mph. That concerned me, because the triathlon is 16.2 miles of biking. I was thinking I needed to complete that portion in about an hour, and that would require a speed of 16.2 mph.
When I got home, I looked it up and the slowest bike time was 1:29:08 which averages out to about 11 mph. I don't know if I can get it that fast and keep it that fast. I am still very shaky on the bike, and a little nervous. If I am on a paved road with few turns, and I build up some muscle and endurance, I may be okay. I really need to take it out somewhere where I can get up some speed.
I still have not made the running up to day 3 of week 5, but today was my first day running since I had been sick. I didn't push it, since I had already spent 45 min. on the bike this morning. I walked 5 min, ran 3, walked 2, ran 3, walked 2. Pitiful. But I am hoping to get a schedule worked out so I can run, bike and swim each week without overdoing it any day. I also don't want to give up my twice a week yoga, but I didn't even go this week. It just takes up so much time!
This week:
Tuesday: 40 min. swim
Wednesday: 45 min. biking
Thursday: 45 min. biking, 15 min. treadmill, 15 min. boxing
I may get some yoga in later - after the tummy bug I didn't exercise for a week and I think I have gained 3 or 4 lbs. back. I want to make it up while I can because next week I have to go back to work! This week has been our spring break.
Sometimes I feel like I'm crazy for even trying this (last year there were only 2 women in the Athena category - 150 lbs. or more - and I'm over 200), but I know even if I fail I will be so far ahead of where I am now. And if I fail, they aren't going to cancel all triathlons in the future - there will be more. And I will finish one.
Since this is the first time I have timed myself swimming, I think I can shave enough time off to make the cut. Only problem is, the pool is $100 to join. That's for a year, not so bad, but we just spent that much already on a new bike.
I went bike riding for fun yesterday, with a teenage friend of the family who was also looking for someone to ride bikes with. My husband had asked me the day before if my bike (some sort of Schwinn cruiser, lovely, but with no gears) would work for the triathlon. I told him since I just wanted to finish under the time limit, it should be fine. But after yesterday's ride, I realized it wasn't going to work. Any time there was a hill, I slowed down almost to a stop and really had to work to get it up the incline. Whenever we went downhill, there was no point in my pedaling as it had no effect. My friend let me try her bike with gears, and she talked me through how to use them. The difference was incredible - I could fly up the hills and pick up extra speed on the downhill inclines.
After our ride, we went by my husband's work to see him. He mentioned me needing a new bike again, and this time I agreed. So I now have a new Schwinn Jet Star with 21 speeds. I bought a speedometer to go on it. Today we went out again, but Miss Priss was with us (age 6) so I couldn't really let it out over a distance. I did speed up over some short spaces and got up to 14.9 mph. That concerned me, because the triathlon is 16.2 miles of biking. I was thinking I needed to complete that portion in about an hour, and that would require a speed of 16.2 mph.
When I got home, I looked it up and the slowest bike time was 1:29:08 which averages out to about 11 mph. I don't know if I can get it that fast and keep it that fast. I am still very shaky on the bike, and a little nervous. If I am on a paved road with few turns, and I build up some muscle and endurance, I may be okay. I really need to take it out somewhere where I can get up some speed.
I still have not made the running up to day 3 of week 5, but today was my first day running since I had been sick. I didn't push it, since I had already spent 45 min. on the bike this morning. I walked 5 min, ran 3, walked 2, ran 3, walked 2. Pitiful. But I am hoping to get a schedule worked out so I can run, bike and swim each week without overdoing it any day. I also don't want to give up my twice a week yoga, but I didn't even go this week. It just takes up so much time!
This week:
Tuesday: 40 min. swim
Wednesday: 45 min. biking
Thursday: 45 min. biking, 15 min. treadmill, 15 min. boxing
I may get some yoga in later - after the tummy bug I didn't exercise for a week and I think I have gained 3 or 4 lbs. back. I want to make it up while I can because next week I have to go back to work! This week has been our spring break.
Sometimes I feel like I'm crazy for even trying this (last year there were only 2 women in the Athena category - 150 lbs. or more - and I'm over 200), but I know even if I fail I will be so far ahead of where I am now. And if I fail, they aren't going to cancel all triathlons in the future - there will be more. And I will finish one.
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