Today is Valentines day and it has been a pretty good day, I had gotten up early to go to a yoga class only to find out that the class doesn't begin until next Sunday. So after coming home and seeing all my ladies on this special day we all went over the Olympic Oval for a family workout. They were holding a hockey and speed skating tournament at the Oval, but that didn't stop us from getting a workout in right in the middle of everyone. I had my strongest non-treadmill run today and it felt great. I am feeling much more comfortable outdoors, so I am thinking there may be hope.
I spent a little time on my bike today using the trainer. It was actually my first day in the saddle and while it was all very new to me, it felt pretty good. I am pretty sure I will need to get a new saddle and I have a fairly healthy sized arse, I need a little more support. It was such a beautiful day I am can't wait to get out on the road. I just need to get a little more comfortable clicking in and out of the peddles. There are a few more changes I may need to make on the bike, but only time will tell if they will be needed.
I went to a Beginners Triathlon clinic on Saturday, it was pretty good, but frankly it wasn't anything I wasn't already aware of, but it was good to hear some of it again. I am also listening to a swimming podcast, trying to pickup some training drills and tips. I am hoping to make it to the gym 2-3 days a week, so I hope to improve my swim confidence quickly. Plus it will be an opportunity for me to spend some time with the girls and to get them in the water and exercising. I feel Mikayla will be a great swimmer and I want to encourage that as much as possible.
All things considered, I am progressing nicely and I feel that I will be ready for my first event in only 68 days.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Into the pool...
I am not blogging just to complain, but rather to record the path to my ultimate goal. As they say it is not about the destination, it is about the journey. So this blog is track my journey, success, failures and road blocks.
So, all that being said, I went to the pool today and the journey will be long. I took the girls over to the rec center for a little swim training. I did lap swimming while the girls just played. Mikayla is going to start doing a little lap swimming in the future, we are really trying to encourage swimming for her as it is something she enjoys.
I would have never guessed six months ago that running would be my strong leg of the triathlon, but that is how it looks right now, assuming I can make it to the run. In reflection, my running didn't start strong, but rather a walk to a jog to a steady jog/run. It will be the same with the swim (and I am sure the bike), it will take time. The most amazing thing was my lack of endurance, I could go 25 meters and have to stop and catch my breath, while the guy in the lane with me had the smoothest stroke and went 500 meters non-stop. Watching his technique and then visualizing my technique I can only image the difference. So here I sit with my Triathlete's Training Bible about to learn how to swim. I can totally see the value of a triathlon coach, but for now I self-coach and train.
I look forward to the next couple months as I continue to prepare, I can think of no better overall fitness path than a triathlon. It is total body training, I am so excited to see were I end up at the end, I just need to remind myself to enjoy the journey.
So, all that being said, I went to the pool today and the journey will be long. I took the girls over to the rec center for a little swim training. I did lap swimming while the girls just played. Mikayla is going to start doing a little lap swimming in the future, we are really trying to encourage swimming for her as it is something she enjoys.
I would have never guessed six months ago that running would be my strong leg of the triathlon, but that is how it looks right now, assuming I can make it to the run. In reflection, my running didn't start strong, but rather a walk to a jog to a steady jog/run. It will be the same with the swim (and I am sure the bike), it will take time. The most amazing thing was my lack of endurance, I could go 25 meters and have to stop and catch my breath, while the guy in the lane with me had the smoothest stroke and went 500 meters non-stop. Watching his technique and then visualizing my technique I can only image the difference. So here I sit with my Triathlete's Training Bible about to learn how to swim. I can totally see the value of a triathlon coach, but for now I self-coach and train.
I look forward to the next couple months as I continue to prepare, I can think of no better overall fitness path than a triathlon. It is total body training, I am so excited to see were I end up at the end, I just need to remind myself to enjoy the journey.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
We are in the Spudman!
I am starting to think it wasn't such a good idea to put that countdown counter on this page, it is starting to give me a little anxiety watching it. I may have to delete it as the Tri gets closer.
Great news, we are in the Spudman! Or is that bad news, Stacy? We weren't sure that we were going to be in it this year, due to a screw up on my part during the registration. I thought I was registering everyone as a group, but instead I registered us a two relay team, which is not something that interests us at all. So after a couple emails with the organizers they adjusted our entries and now we can compete as individuals.
Stacy was not happy, she had thought she had an out due to a technicality, and now she "gets" to train. Becky has decided to pass on this years race, considering she is prego and will have a very small window to get in Tri condition after the baby is born. Courtney is in, after working out a bike custody issue with Becky, unfortunately Dee will be in Arizona so he will not be able to join us. So for now it looks like it will be Courtney, Stacy and myself.
That being said we still haven't registered for the race and we have until the end of the month to decide. We have to work out our lodging/camping situation, Stacy has her Cookie Lee convention the next day in Las Vegas, so we need to look at the whole thing and figure it out.
As for me, while I want to run in this race, it is not the end of the world if I don't, there is another Tri the week before in Stansbury Park. I am really leaving it up to Stacy and Courtney to decide, but I would like to do it, it would be my first Olympic distance.
Great news, we are in the Spudman! Or is that bad news, Stacy? We weren't sure that we were going to be in it this year, due to a screw up on my part during the registration. I thought I was registering everyone as a group, but instead I registered us a two relay team, which is not something that interests us at all. So after a couple emails with the organizers they adjusted our entries and now we can compete as individuals.
Stacy was not happy, she had thought she had an out due to a technicality, and now she "gets" to train. Becky has decided to pass on this years race, considering she is prego and will have a very small window to get in Tri condition after the baby is born. Courtney is in, after working out a bike custody issue with Becky, unfortunately Dee will be in Arizona so he will not be able to join us. So for now it looks like it will be Courtney, Stacy and myself.
That being said we still haven't registered for the race and we have until the end of the month to decide. We have to work out our lodging/camping situation, Stacy has her Cookie Lee convention the next day in Las Vegas, so we need to look at the whole thing and figure it out.
As for me, while I want to run in this race, it is not the end of the world if I don't, there is another Tri the week before in Stansbury Park. I am really leaving it up to Stacy and Courtney to decide, but I would like to do it, it would be my first Olympic distance.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Overtraining
So, I take great offense to the concept of overtraining. If I have the energy and the motivation to train and workout, it isn't fair to suffer from "overtraining" and my body is reacting against the training. I have a knee issue and now a strained quad, not cool. I just have so much to do and so little time to do it.
I probably need to get in the pool for some non-contact training, but I don't want to. I don't know why, but I am struggling to want to get in the pool. I need to just to started building up my endurance during the swim, but I just don't have the desire to do it. Next week when the girls are back from Idaho I'll go. And I know once I started I'll wonder why I ever resisted.
As for my bike, it has arrived! And it is beautiful, I was a little concerned it was a little to big, but after taking it to Taylor's Bikes to get serviced and inspected they said I have a great bike, at a great price and it fits me perfectly. So, I am excited to get riding. A friend is going to lend me his compu-trainer next week, so while I sit and what TV I can train at the same time. The trainer he is loaning me connects to a computer to monitor cadence and other factors, so that I can hopefully learn to ride properly from the start.
Getting back to my nagging injuries, I am a fan of KT Tape on facebook and have been following what the product will do. So I decided to give it a try on my knee, the only problem is I had a hard time finding it. I went to the Sports Chalet and they looking at me like I was a idiot and speaking a foreign language. It is amazing how little attention is given customer service in these big box sports retailers. I finally found some, so we will see if that helps, but not for a couple days.
I probably need to get in the pool for some non-contact training, but I don't want to. I don't know why, but I am struggling to want to get in the pool. I need to just to started building up my endurance during the swim, but I just don't have the desire to do it. Next week when the girls are back from Idaho I'll go. And I know once I started I'll wonder why I ever resisted.
As for my bike, it has arrived! And it is beautiful, I was a little concerned it was a little to big, but after taking it to Taylor's Bikes to get serviced and inspected they said I have a great bike, at a great price and it fits me perfectly. So, I am excited to get riding. A friend is going to lend me his compu-trainer next week, so while I sit and what TV I can train at the same time. The trainer he is loaning me connects to a computer to monitor cadence and other factors, so that I can hopefully learn to ride properly from the start.
Getting back to my nagging injuries, I am a fan of KT Tape on facebook and have been following what the product will do. So I decided to give it a try on my knee, the only problem is I had a hard time finding it. I went to the Sports Chalet and they looking at me like I was a idiot and speaking a foreign language. It is amazing how little attention is given customer service in these big box sports retailers. I finally found some, so we will see if that helps, but not for a couple days.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
How to get to Kona
Great article on what it takes to get to Kona.
http://triathlon.competitor.com/2010/01/features/how-you-can-make-it-to-kona_6658
http://triathlon.competitor.com/2010/01/features/how-you-can-make-it-to-kona_6658
Ouch, that hurts
So, I have tried spinning for the last two days, and all I can say is OUCH. I am sore in places I didn't know I had. This is going to take time. Better get it figured out soon, only 3 months to go.
I am a little concerned I am going to overtrain. Today I ran 7k, road the spin bike for 40 minutes and lifted weights. I know that is a lot, but I have so much to do and so little time. I need to work on a training plan that I can map out for the next three months.
I also really need to analyze my nutrition, to ensure that I have fueling properly for training. It is such a balancing act between fueling to train and limiting calories to lose weight. I need to be smarter with the calories I am taking in so that they do the most good. The problem is EVERYONE has an opinion and no two are the same.
Honestly, I do enjoy having the time to do all of this right now. I am still committed to my dream opportunity, it is the one where I can honestly say that I am doing what I love and improving the lives of those around me.
I am a little concerned I am going to overtrain. Today I ran 7k, road the spin bike for 40 minutes and lifted weights. I know that is a lot, but I have so much to do and so little time. I need to work on a training plan that I can map out for the next three months.
I also really need to analyze my nutrition, to ensure that I have fueling properly for training. It is such a balancing act between fueling to train and limiting calories to lose weight. I need to be smarter with the calories I am taking in so that they do the most good. The problem is EVERYONE has an opinion and no two are the same.
Honestly, I do enjoy having the time to do all of this right now. I am still committed to my dream opportunity, it is the one where I can honestly say that I am doing what I love and improving the lives of those around me.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Running Outdoors
This past weekend Stacy, the girls and I went over to the Olympic Speed Skating Oval to workout. It is wonderful to have such a state of the art facility within just waking distance from our house. They have a nice 400 meter running track that goes around the ice. It is a great winter training facility for running on something other than a treadmill. That is all good, but I really struggle running anywhere but at the gym on a treadmill.
I don't know if it is the cushion the treadmill offers me or if it is the consistent pace that it gives me, maybe it is both. Last fall I went for an outdoor jog - it was a totally different experience, and not in a good way. By the end of the day, I could barely walk due to the impact the run had on my back. So, needless to say, I have been very hesitant to return to the great outdoors. Now keeping in mind that the triathlon I have registered for will require running outdoors, it is something I need to figure out.
So that brings me back to this past weekend. Stacy and I both use the Nike+ chips to track our running distances. While they are a great tool, they do need to be calibrated occasionally. The readings I was getting on the Nike+ and the treadmill were way off, so it was time to recalibrate. To alibrate properly, youu have to do, it on a track or at least a measured distance. Not sure why but for some reason you can't do it on a treadmill. The running trak at the Oval was perfect for what we needed to do.
Everything went pretty well, although I didn't really get a true workout in due to trying to get the Nike+ calibrated. I did feel somewhat comfortable with the track running. While I didn't really run for more than a 1/4 mile at a time, at the end of the day my back wasn't causing me any problems. I feel my biggest challenge is learning to pace myself effectively; I believe that I run faster than I should when I am not on a treadmill. That will be a matter of training. Stacy wants to sign up for a year membership for the family so that we can do that as a family more often. I hope to make running at the Oval at least a weekly event so that I can start to develop those outdoor running skills.
On another note, I bought a bike last night. It is a 2006 Scott CR1 Pro that I found on eBay, so I am hoping to receive it in the next week or so. I feel that I got a great deal for a lot of bike, but in the event that it doesn't work for me I know that I will be able to flip it quickly in the Spring to get my money back. I went and tried spinning today for the first time, trying out my new shoes. It went pretty well. Over time I am confident I will be able to develop the muscle memory I need. I know that spinning and cycling are different things, but the basics of spinning are going to help me jump start my cycling skills.
So to bring things into perspective, I am running OK, I have started to spin, I have the cycling shoes, I now have the bike, so I am getting pretty close. What's left, swimming? So much to do so little time.
I don't know if it is the cushion the treadmill offers me or if it is the consistent pace that it gives me, maybe it is both. Last fall I went for an outdoor jog - it was a totally different experience, and not in a good way. By the end of the day, I could barely walk due to the impact the run had on my back. So, needless to say, I have been very hesitant to return to the great outdoors. Now keeping in mind that the triathlon I have registered for will require running outdoors, it is something I need to figure out.
So that brings me back to this past weekend. Stacy and I both use the Nike+ chips to track our running distances. While they are a great tool, they do need to be calibrated occasionally. The readings I was getting on the Nike+ and the treadmill were way off, so it was time to recalibrate. To alibrate properly, youu have to do, it on a track or at least a measured distance. Not sure why but for some reason you can't do it on a treadmill. The running trak at the Oval was perfect for what we needed to do.
Everything went pretty well, although I didn't really get a true workout in due to trying to get the Nike+ calibrated. I did feel somewhat comfortable with the track running. While I didn't really run for more than a 1/4 mile at a time, at the end of the day my back wasn't causing me any problems. I feel my biggest challenge is learning to pace myself effectively; I believe that I run faster than I should when I am not on a treadmill. That will be a matter of training. Stacy wants to sign up for a year membership for the family so that we can do that as a family more often. I hope to make running at the Oval at least a weekly event so that I can start to develop those outdoor running skills.
On another note, I bought a bike last night. It is a 2006 Scott CR1 Pro that I found on eBay, so I am hoping to receive it in the next week or so. I feel that I got a great deal for a lot of bike, but in the event that it doesn't work for me I know that I will be able to flip it quickly in the Spring to get my money back. I went and tried spinning today for the first time, trying out my new shoes. It went pretty well. Over time I am confident I will be able to develop the muscle memory I need. I know that spinning and cycling are different things, but the basics of spinning are going to help me jump start my cycling skills.
So to bring things into perspective, I am running OK, I have started to spin, I have the cycling shoes, I now have the bike, so I am getting pretty close. What's left, swimming? So much to do so little time.
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