This week I actually followed my plan, which was to bike once, swim twice, and run once. I would add another run but I'm going out of town and not sure that will happen tomorrow or Saturday.
So here's how it went:
Bike- Taught my 50 minute RPM class, (oh and I walked a mile before hand to warm up)
Swim-Tuesday I wasn't teaching, so I went to the pool and actually ran into two girls that are regulars in my spin class. It was really crowded and so they offered for me to join their lane and swim in a loop. Only problem was that they are doing a triathlon in April (5 months before mine), so they are close to being "trained". Not to mention it was one girl's third or fourth time training for one. SO, somehow (again with the fear of humiliation) I got sucked into following their program, since we were swimming in a loop and all, and had to do 10 laps non-stop 4 times with 60 seconds in between each set of 10. So yeah, I went from swimming 20-something laps last week with rest between every few laps, to 40 laps with rest every 10. But I did it, and didn't die from exhaustion, and so I went again tonight and did the same thing. Pretty exciting!
Run- Well, we know this is my biggest weakness but my friend A, who's also doing the tri with me, (but also completed a full marathon in DC several years ago) told me that I had to just run a mile without stopping no matter how slow I went just to get used to running and build from there. This made me nervous since all the "learn to run" articles I've found online tell you to start out with walking, then do intervals of running then walking, etc. But to be real, I've sort of done that for years and never built past it. So it was time. I ran a VERY slow mile on the treadmill but I did it without stopping. It took me 14 minutes and 5 seconds. Don't do the math; it's embarrassing. ;) Then I walked another mile and switched to the elliptical for 30 minutes.
So next week, I'll bike twice, swim twice, and run once. Oh and I think my 10 year old lifegaurding bathing suit that I've been wearing inside out is about to be see-through from wear and tear....not to mention it's pretty stretched out...so this weekend I think I'm going to purchase a new suit. Maybe they make speedos with built in bras and spanx now....that would be fantastic!
I'm pretty sore, so I'll take that as a sign of success for this week!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Back in the Pool Again...
It's been a while and I haven't posted b/c I kinda slacked off the past few weeks...and never went to the pool until today. I decided today had to be the day, that my anxiety about going to swim was ridiculous, and it's already mid February and I HAVE to train. So I went. When I arrived there were about 4,000 kids swarming the place for swim team practice, and I felt totally out of place! Luckily the girl at the front desk was super nice and didn't act like it was weird at all for me to be there, so
I bought a 10 visit pass that cost $46. I also bought a pair of goggles and some ear plugs (I get ear infections like a 4 year old, so I'm not taking any chances) for another $22...so all in all not bad.
There were only three lap lanes open tonight and luckily I got one all to myself. After researching some beginner training plans online today, I determined that I should start out by swimming 20 laps twice a week for the first month. Well I was intimidated by 20 laps and had no concept if that would be hard to do or not...don't laugh if it's obviously not...it's literally been that long since I've swam.
But much to my delight, that first lap felt natural like I had never stopped swimming! Success!
My heart was not beating out of my body as I had imagined, nor was I gasping for air. Another swimmer even told me I had "skills" when I mentioned that I hadn't swam in years! (8 to be exact! yikes) So I swam 24 total (2 warm up 2 cool down) and while I did stop for 10-20 seconds every 2-4 laps, it was mostly to adjust my goggles or hair and I was not struggling all that much.
Walking out of the swim center at the end, I felt a little floaty from the chlorine fumes...and I still smell it even after coming home and showering.
So hopefully I will keep this up since I have to build up to a minimum of 44 laps without stopping in order to cover the distance I'll have to do in the race.
I bought a 10 visit pass that cost $46. I also bought a pair of goggles and some ear plugs (I get ear infections like a 4 year old, so I'm not taking any chances) for another $22...so all in all not bad.
There were only three lap lanes open tonight and luckily I got one all to myself. After researching some beginner training plans online today, I determined that I should start out by swimming 20 laps twice a week for the first month. Well I was intimidated by 20 laps and had no concept if that would be hard to do or not...don't laugh if it's obviously not...it's literally been that long since I've swam.
But much to my delight, that first lap felt natural like I had never stopped swimming! Success!
My heart was not beating out of my body as I had imagined, nor was I gasping for air. Another swimmer even told me I had "skills" when I mentioned that I hadn't swam in years! (8 to be exact! yikes) So I swam 24 total (2 warm up 2 cool down) and while I did stop for 10-20 seconds every 2-4 laps, it was mostly to adjust my goggles or hair and I was not struggling all that much.
Walking out of the swim center at the end, I felt a little floaty from the chlorine fumes...and I still smell it even after coming home and showering.
So hopefully I will keep this up since I have to build up to a minimum of 44 laps without stopping in order to cover the distance I'll have to do in the race.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
"Running"
It was still icy and snowy today so I did not attempt the pool (why am I so scared of the pool?! I used to LIVE at the pool!)
I went to the gym and attempted to run a mile. I'm not sure if I'm just THAT out of shape or if my body is just really not made for running, but I cannot run a mile. I know it will come with work, but I can't do it now. So I did intervals (2 minutes running, 2 minutes walking) for a mile and then I briskly walked another 2.4 miles to finish the whole 3.4 miles and "get used to the distance". The walk/run mile took me 14.56 minutes. THIS IS EMBARRASSING. In college, I ran my last 5K in 34 minutes. Before that I did it in 32 minutes. At today's pace, I'd be at like 50+ minutes. My dad would tell you, accurately, that he walks a faster mile than that. I know it's bad, but my knees literally felt like they were going to break and my ankle felt like it shifted out of line from the rest of my body in the first 4 minutes.
I looked around at the other treadmill runners and realized that the women who ran the entire time I was walking all had similar bodies- 5'5-5'7, long legs, short torsos and very little chest. They did not seem phased by the running, even the ones that had a little pudge in the torso. I, the short, top heavy one, think that there might be some "science" to this. I'm sure someone has researched this and I will try to find it. But for now I'm blaming genetics for my lack of running skills. I will have to find a way to overcome. Which probably means more practice running. Argh!
I went to the gym and attempted to run a mile. I'm not sure if I'm just THAT out of shape or if my body is just really not made for running, but I cannot run a mile. I know it will come with work, but I can't do it now. So I did intervals (2 minutes running, 2 minutes walking) for a mile and then I briskly walked another 2.4 miles to finish the whole 3.4 miles and "get used to the distance". The walk/run mile took me 14.56 minutes. THIS IS EMBARRASSING. In college, I ran my last 5K in 34 minutes. Before that I did it in 32 minutes. At today's pace, I'd be at like 50+ minutes. My dad would tell you, accurately, that he walks a faster mile than that. I know it's bad, but my knees literally felt like they were going to break and my ankle felt like it shifted out of line from the rest of my body in the first 4 minutes.
I looked around at the other treadmill runners and realized that the women who ran the entire time I was walking all had similar bodies- 5'5-5'7, long legs, short torsos and very little chest. They did not seem phased by the running, even the ones that had a little pudge in the torso. I, the short, top heavy one, think that there might be some "science" to this. I'm sure someone has researched this and I will try to find it. But for now I'm blaming genetics for my lack of running skills. I will have to find a way to overcome. Which probably means more practice running. Argh!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Snow Day= No swimming
Didn't make it to the pool today; it snowed here so everything was closed, including work. Which was good b/c I watched the inauguration all day. The husband and I are going to the store (if it's open) to see if they sell sleds. We have to burn calories somehow, and I'm pretty sure I didn't burn any today sitting on the couch.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Spin, check! One mile on Treadmill, check!
Taught spin and walked a mile after. 1st pool workout tomorrow if it doesn't snow and shut everything down!
Day One
Today my goal was to find a pool and go buy a membership. So I decided that of the pools in the area, the Triangle Aquatics Center would be a good fit (close to work, new, clean looking). So I drove over there on the way to my "Get ready for triathlon training Massage" but there was a swim meet. So I chickened out and didn't go in....I forgot that there's no school today and 300 kids would be at the pool...this would deter anyone right? So I'm going tomorrow after work and I'm going to start with a ten-visit pass. ($43). The goal is to go twice a week for the first 5 weeks.
My massage was great by the way, however, I'm officially done with Skin Sense the Day Spa. That's right, I've said this before, but this was the final straw. The steam room was out of order, and when I lamented about this casually to the spa attendant, her response was "Yeah, sucks huh?" Not "let me give you a pass to come back when it's fixed", or "I'm so sorry, can we offer you x y or z?" Nope. So then the massage is great. I get up to the counter to pay after and they tell me it's $80. "Oh, did the prices just go up? It said $75 online" I asked. The girl proceeds to tell me that the therapist used "deep tissue techniques" on me and so that was extra. SINCE WHEN can you charge someone for the upgraded service without asking them if they want it?!? Not that $5 was a big deal, but between this visit, the condition of the locker room the last time I went, and them burning my face at my last facial and then trying to SELL me products to fix what they had done, they are off my list. Next time I'll try The Spa at Preston or return to the oh so luxurious Umstead.
Don't worry I am working out today- teaching spin at 5:30. Might throw a mile on the treadmill in after (walking of course...baby steps).
My massage was great by the way, however, I'm officially done with Skin Sense the Day Spa. That's right, I've said this before, but this was the final straw. The steam room was out of order, and when I lamented about this casually to the spa attendant, her response was "Yeah, sucks huh?" Not "let me give you a pass to come back when it's fixed", or "I'm so sorry, can we offer you x y or z?" Nope. So then the massage is great. I get up to the counter to pay after and they tell me it's $80. "Oh, did the prices just go up? It said $75 online" I asked. The girl proceeds to tell me that the therapist used "deep tissue techniques" on me and so that was extra. SINCE WHEN can you charge someone for the upgraded service without asking them if they want it?!? Not that $5 was a big deal, but between this visit, the condition of the locker room the last time I went, and them burning my face at my last facial and then trying to SELL me products to fix what they had done, they are off my list. Next time I'll try The Spa at Preston or return to the oh so luxurious Umstead.
Don't worry I am working out today- teaching spin at 5:30. Might throw a mile on the treadmill in after (walking of course...baby steps).
Here I go...
So....here I go. The start of my triathlon training, and my blogging about it, officially starts today. I have about 8 months before the big day, and while I've spent the past three months since I signed up for the triathlon wondering why the hell I got myself into this, I've decided that I will rise to the occassion. This is more for fear of humiliation than actual motivation...but whatever gets me out the door.
So I'm pretty frumpy right now...I'd estimate that I'm a good 15-20 pounds from what would be considered ideal for my 5'2.5 frame (shorty's know you gotta count that extra half an inch), and I haven't actually swam or ran in, well, years. I also don't own a bike, and haven't since 1999.
So why did I sign up for a triathlon you ask? Well, there were two main factors in that decision:
1) I got married last summer, and I was bored after the wedding planning had ceased so I aspired to do all these "things" to keep myself busy, which included training for a triathlon. I also ended up studying for and taking the GRE, applying for grad school, and volunteering to plan my class reunion...all rash decisions. (BTW girls- the bored, "so sad it's over" feeling goes away within a month so don't commit to anything that month after without thinking about the long term or else you'll end up like me!)
2) When my cousin (the ultra fit, Iron Man/Marathon competitor) first told me I should consider doing the Columbia Iron Girl, and I got excited for a second and told my Dad and husband about it, they both LAUGHED in my face. My Dad said "You can't run!" and my husband said "I know you. You won't do it!" Well, at that point there was no going back.
How am I going to do it? This is to be determined. First, I've got some hurdles to get over:
1) Haven't swam in over 10 years.
2) Running makes me feel like my legs are going to crack into pieces and my lungs collapse.
3)About two years ago I was diagnosed with connective tissue disease, which basically means that my immune system accidentally attacks healthy tissue, causing damage and inflamation to my body's tissue. So basically, my joints hurt and I get sick more than other people, which has made it more difficult to exercise as rigorously as I once could.
4) I haven't ridden a bike outside since the late 90s.
What I've got going for me:
1) Though I'm out of shape, I'm semi-athletic. I played field hockey in high school and was on the swim team forever when I was younger. I've been teaching group fitness classes on and off since 2000 and I currently teach indoor spin classes twice a week.
2) I used to swim, ran a few 5Ks in college, and ride the bike indoors. Here's hoping for muscle memory!
3) I persuaded two of my closest friends (one from home and one from college) to do this with me. Misery loves company, and if I collapse en route the two of them can carry me to the finish!
4) I'm good at multi-tasking. Hoping that helps me with training for the three different sections at once!
So, as I'm not one to back down from a challenge (good or bad as that may be), on August 23, come hell or highwater, I will swim .62 miles, bike 17.5 and run 3.4.
So I'm pretty frumpy right now...I'd estimate that I'm a good 15-20 pounds from what would be considered ideal for my 5'2.5 frame (shorty's know you gotta count that extra half an inch), and I haven't actually swam or ran in, well, years. I also don't own a bike, and haven't since 1999.
So why did I sign up for a triathlon you ask? Well, there were two main factors in that decision:
1) I got married last summer, and I was bored after the wedding planning had ceased so I aspired to do all these "things" to keep myself busy, which included training for a triathlon. I also ended up studying for and taking the GRE, applying for grad school, and volunteering to plan my class reunion...all rash decisions. (BTW girls- the bored, "so sad it's over" feeling goes away within a month so don't commit to anything that month after without thinking about the long term or else you'll end up like me!)
2) When my cousin (the ultra fit, Iron Man/Marathon competitor) first told me I should consider doing the Columbia Iron Girl, and I got excited for a second and told my Dad and husband about it, they both LAUGHED in my face. My Dad said "You can't run!" and my husband said "I know you. You won't do it!" Well, at that point there was no going back.
How am I going to do it? This is to be determined. First, I've got some hurdles to get over:
1) Haven't swam in over 10 years.
2) Running makes me feel like my legs are going to crack into pieces and my lungs collapse.
3)About two years ago I was diagnosed with connective tissue disease, which basically means that my immune system accidentally attacks healthy tissue, causing damage and inflamation to my body's tissue. So basically, my joints hurt and I get sick more than other people, which has made it more difficult to exercise as rigorously as I once could.
4) I haven't ridden a bike outside since the late 90s.
What I've got going for me:
1) Though I'm out of shape, I'm semi-athletic. I played field hockey in high school and was on the swim team forever when I was younger. I've been teaching group fitness classes on and off since 2000 and I currently teach indoor spin classes twice a week.
2) I used to swim, ran a few 5Ks in college, and ride the bike indoors. Here's hoping for muscle memory!
3) I persuaded two of my closest friends (one from home and one from college) to do this with me. Misery loves company, and if I collapse en route the two of them can carry me to the finish!
4) I'm good at multi-tasking. Hoping that helps me with training for the three different sections at once!
So, as I'm not one to back down from a challenge (good or bad as that may be), on August 23, come hell or highwater, I will swim .62 miles, bike 17.5 and run 3.4.
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