the time is near

Well... ready or not, here I come....!

things I've learned....
1) keeping a positive attitude is a really good thing
2) probably better to learn to swim and/or run FIRST, then try and train for a TRI  ; )
3) no matter how well planned, it won't be trouble-free (I already knew this, but had it confirmed multiple times in multiple ways...!)

send me positive vibes for sunday

“To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence.” Mark Twain

one of those days...

I'm feeling a little frustrated ... I am not as far along as I would have thought or would have liked to be at this point... arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.  I feel like I just keep doing the same thing but can't make any gains in time or in speed.....  Does everyone go through a sense of ick when training??

The three qualities necessary for training
Great faith. Great doubt. Great effort. - anonymous

swim time

Well I've got the shoes and socks all set.... the bike all set (thanks, Robert!), and now I'm concentrating on trying to get my act together with swimming... I am going to increase my pool time to try and perfect my technique.... it is my weakest area... ; ) !

Strength Training

I am not only training for my first ever TRI, I am also working my way back to health and fitness.  I have weight to lose and I wanted to be sure to incorporate weight training and specifically core work to my training schedule.  I have been doing this for over a month... here is what I learned:

• Interview your trainer... follow your instincts about fit... you need to fit with your trainer and you need to know what you are looking for in terms of style and temperament (it should go without saying that you want to be sure they are certified, etc)
• I DO NOT fit with my trainer... this can become a distraction as well as a de-motivator
• Be sure you have an open line of communication with your trainer... be clear with your goals and how you want to go about achieving them.  My trainer continues to 'forget' that I'm training for my TRI... my first goal is my TRI-specific training... the secondary goal is incorporating the additional strength training
• Don't do more of anything than you feel comfortable doing
• I do NOT want to train all this time only to bring myself down by lifting too heavy a weight or doing too many reps... My trainer seems to be of the no pain, no gain camp

You may wonder why I'm with this trainer when we seem to be at such odds... it's because there really aren't that many options in this area.  Initially I was excited because the cost was a mere fraction of what I'd pay back home... but ultimately it's not a bargain if it makes me not want to go to the gym... lol... and I really DO want to be the best I can be... so, I simply try and learn what I can so that I can take it all and continue on my own.

You have to know what you want to get.  -Gertrude Stein

Yikes....

Over a week since my last post....  the good news:  I'm getting loads of training in.... the not as good news:  I'm time challenged  *groan*  I'm still working off 3 different training plans and trying my best to set aside some time to create my uber plan so that I feel a little more grounded.... hence the inability to even make one post... lol

This week I finally got my first swim lesson in: YAY!  I'm feeling so much more confident about all this now (lol... it feels funny typing that)... maybe  that's not exactly what I mean, cuz, let's face it, I'm nothing if not confident.  So, maybe a little less intimidated by the water portion... AND the woman who is giving me pointers used to be a swim instructor (red-cross, I'm sure).  I shared with her my vision of learning TI and she's very supportive... I offered to let her view the DVD and she's totally on board with it. WooHOO!  There is also an awesome guy who works for my client who does Iron Mans... he's super supportive AND let's me pick his brain all the time... Everything feels like its really coming together and I'm loving it!

The running is coming along a little more slowly and I was not quite sure how to add time to my splits... so I did some research and found a cool program called c25k (Couch to 5k)... it takes you from not running at all to being able to run a 5K in 9 weeks.  It works on the same premise I've been doing but a little more focused and provides me with the structure of adding time to my splits. 

Ran today with Bax at the lake... he loves going there... and I do, too... how lucky I am to live in such a scenic, gorgeous place.

I also started sprouting again.  Delicious, nutritious and super easy (and you KNOW I'm all about the easy!).  Visit Sproutpeople.com if you're interested in learning more... they have great seeds and they are all organic.

There is no telling how many miles you will have to run while chasing a dream. ~Author Unknown

the swim

so I'm doing my bit, reading Total Immersion... I'm doing the drills.... and I even think I've found my coach.  Only problem is we can't seem to connect and the coach I found in Chicago is out of my price range (and time range)..... so as I was talking with a colleague today about how my training is going, I mentioned my dilemma with the swim element.  Another woman who was in the break room (but whom I'd not met) piped in 'I used to be a swim instructor... I'll train you'... lol... and when I said, Great... how much would you charge she said nothing.  NOTHING.... that she just wanted to do this....

It's all coming together. It's all falling gently into place.... it's all sooooooooooo great!

I am so excited... I was able to get my bike up here (in Marinette WI where I'm working on a project) and I've been riding back and forth to work... it's going to be a great way to get around as well as get a little extra in daily.  It's been an exciting week as I kick into gear with my training... Monday I did a strength training when I got to town and then rode my bike to the hotel from the office. 

Tuesday I rode to the pool.  I wore my goggles upside down and a swimmer next to me noticed and mentioned it to me... lol... he said 'I don't want to make you feel stupid but....' well I just laughed and said, hey I appreciate the help... I'm new to all of this.  Although it's confirmed: I do NOT know how to swim.  I'm trying to get signed up for a private lesson or two with the local acquatic director... hopefully our schedules will mesh!  Oh... and the ride to the pool... c-c-c-old.  I only had fingerless gloves with me so stopped at the local bike shop and bought a pair of full finger gloves.  Mmmm... toasty.

Saturday is the Chi Running workshop that I signed up for.... it's all falling into place. 

Today I will do the things that other people won't, so tomorrow I can do the things that other people can't - Unknown

where do vegans get their protein???

I met with a personal trainer today.  The gym where I work out (in Marinette) gives 1 free session to get you set up with a program.  I already have the cardio covered with my training plan.... it was funny when he wanted to talk to me about nutrition (I guess by looking at my body he decided I didn't know what I needed to know... lol) and I told him I have that covered, that I'm a vegan and so then of course he wanted to talk about protein.  I mentioned that gorillas, elephants, giraffes, etc are all very large with a lot of muscle and get all their protein from plant sources... just like I do... lol.  He gave up trying to talk me into protein supplements...

Of course part of the whole session is naming my goals and motivation... as well as actually having to step on the scale....  ACK! The good news is I was almost to the pound accurate of what my weight is (and I haven't stepped on a scale in a lonnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggg time).... so I at least have a realistic viewpoint.... the bad news, though, is that I have been actively working out for weeks now and my eating plan has been incredible and yet I don't think I've dropped a pound.... I'm trying not to focus on this though, and keep the momentum going....  eye on the prize baby, eye on the prize.

I must admit, however, to a teeny bit of frustration... it's like once I've made the decision and commitment and am putting in the work I'd just like to see the results (overnight).... lol. 

The groundwork of all happiness is health. -Hunt 

Did I mention I can't swim (or run?) ???

And yet somehow I am not really concerned.  I feel like I have a good training plan in place (I'll be sharing it this week) and I continue to find out new information almost daily.  This past weekend I had lunch with a friend who is training for her 3rd or 4th tri.  She is generous enough to share her knowledge and tips for training, etc.  One of the things she highly recommended was finding like-minded people to train with... !

I called the local pool to check on pool memberships and spoke with the acquatic director... she happens to be training for her second tri and invited me to join the local tri club... and as we continued to talk about our training I mentioned that I also am not a runner.  She shared with me her ideas on a method called Chi Running.  As I continue to gather more info it intrigues me more and more.  So much so that I found a running group in the north shore and their coach is a certified Chi-Running instructor.  They are having a workshop on May 1st to teach the method and I am thinking of signing up.

So right now, I'm feeling like I'm in a very very good place....

The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start -john bingham

Run/Walk

Yesterday was a rest day... I was surprised that I didn't feel sore.  At ALL!.... this from the girl whose knees sometimes hurt so much that I can barely make it up the stairs (although my glucosamine supplement definitely helps with that) and I know that giving away weight will be a tremendous help as well, but still... I HAVEN'T released all the weight I wish to yet and I RAN 3x this week. 

Ok... so you're wondering why I'm saying 'giving away' or 'release' instead of LOSING weight... well, I am very much a believer in visualization and putting things 'out there' in order to help make them your reality (this blog is another example of me manifesting my goals....it keeps things front and center... but I digress.  I read a very interesting article about the idea behind losing weight.  And the author (if I could remember who, I'd give proper credit) hypothesized that one of the reasons so many people gain back weight they have 'lost' is because we always look for 'lost' items.... think about it: we lose our keys, we search high and low to find them, we lose our wallets, a phone number, god forbid our cell phone, the list is endless and the point is, no matter what it is, if we have LOST something, we try to get it back.  Whereas if we 'give something away' or release it or donate it we have an agreement with ourselves that we no longer want that item... we don't try and find it and bring it back home again.  So... with weight release why wouldn't it be the same thing?  I know I'm over-simplifying this but it makes sense to me so I'm going with it. ; )

So yes, no sore knees or joints, no lower back niggling at me demanding that I stop.  I do have to temper my enthusiasm because I do not want to be sidelined by injury but I feel it.... I really do.... that this is IT!

I wonder where I will be in 3 mos time..... on race day.... I keep visualizing that everyday... how strong I will be .... how energized and alert I will feel.... how excited to be achieving a great goal and reclaiming my health and fitness.

This morning I took Bax to the lake and we did our training run together.  I warmed up with a brisk walk for 10 minutes, then I did the walk/run 1min:1min for the next 10 (so 5 sets) and then cooled with a 5 minute walk.  It feels like it isn't long enough (total time) but I'm doing my best to stick with the plan (I must admit to a bit of tweaking however, because it really only called for 20 minutes today and that just was not going to be enough and the warm up was supposed to be 5 minute walk, 4 min stretch for a total of 9 minutes.... lol.  I'm working between the two plans and am going to put it all together this weekend... I'll publish it next week to show you my plan and goals.

Next week is scary.  I will sign up at the local pool in Marinette and start the swim part of my training.  I'm also going to buy a beach token so I can take advantage of living near Lake Michigan and get some open water training time in.  Did I mention that I really don't know how to swim?

Don't worry about upgrading your equipment. Upgrade your body.  anonymous

Today is a rest day.

I'm finding my 'training legs'.... I think everyone probably goes through their own sets of challenges when it comes to figuring out the right mix for their training.

The cycling is, of course, going to be my strongest area (even though I haven't ridden consistently for a couple years....).  I'm finding it true that 'it's just like riding a bike' meaning that although I'm starting off slow, I'm able to and wanting to go further than the my training plan(s) suggest. 

This week I rode 7.5, 7.5 and 13 miles.  One of the rides was on a day that I also ran (not quite a brick, though.)

Yesterday's ride was the longer one... and here is what I learned: 

• ALWAYS ride with a cycling short or brief... I rode without the day before because it was a 'short' ride and my bum was a hurtin'....
• ALWAYS take a bar or some sort of nutrition with you cuz you never know when you're going to feel like you need to refuel... if you don't eat it, no harm no foul & it sucks to bonk when you've got to still pedal back home
• Don't go farther than you feel comfortable doing... don't get caught up in showing off for a friend or lover.... let the ego go... you don't have to prove anything... you are in TRAINING!

I think for me part of the key will be in focusing not only on the tri, which is of course what started it all, but also getting a handle on what my goals are.  On June 27th I'll be taking part in a charity ride up in Marinette WI (where I'm working) and they have multiple courses from which to choose.  There is the 10 mi, 25, 50 and also a 75 mile course.  My goal is to at least do the 50 and perhaps the 75 and to work towards that end I thought I'd incorporate an added layer to my training. 

Right now my plan is to take my bike up to work so that I can ride back and forth from hotel to office (2-3 miles each way.... a nice little ride) and perhaps get an evening ride in on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.  Then, I will ride on the weekends when I'm back home, one shorter day (10 - 15 miles) and one longer day 20 + miles.  I'll add mileage to the long ride weekly....

I'm conscious of a few things:

1. It's easy to focus on the strength area (and FUN!)
2. It's very challenging competing in what essentially is 3 different events all on the same day back to back
3. I don't want to overtrain (I'm seriously not sure what/how about this so I need to do more research in this area)
4. I want to be sure and stick to the plan for the swim and run

The only one who can tell you 'you can't ' is you. And you don't have to listen. - Nike


  

Training Plan.............. TaDA!

I've been doing copious amounts of searching for training plans... some were tooooooooooo detailed.... some were not detailed enough.... some were build your own (if I knew how to do that, why would I be searching for a plan???) and some were just not designed for a newbie in mind, even though they said 'for the beginner' in the title.

Eventually I happened upon a couple that feel about right.... they are the right amount of time (12 weeks), the right price (free), and easy to understand and follow.  One is a plan that talks about training in terms of minutes... the other is a plan that talks in terms of distance.... so of course, like any good cook, I'm going to combine them into something unique and deliciously my own.

I've been exercising regularly for some time now... I think the biggest 'silly' question I have at this point is: Am I supposed to only do the training on my plan or am I supposed to do this in addition to any other exercising I do?  I ask because there isn't really any actual strength training in the plan.... it is all about the swim/bike/run, which of course, makes sense.... but..... I think I want to make sure I'm doing some strength training, too.....

I'm meeting up with a friend this weekend who has completed a tri and is currently training for another.  I will pose my question to her and see what she thinks.... so far the books and articles I've been devouring don't actually come out and state it clearly... probably because people tend to make their own adjustments anyway....

What does my plan look like?  Right now I'm still looking at the two plans on two separate documents... hopefully this week or by week's end I'll have created an integration of the two that feels right.

Today I did a walk/run this morning (I'm getting more and more confident in my abiblity to be able to run.... !).  I'm warming up for about 5 minutes and then I start doing intervals of 1 minute walk/1 minute run; today I did 3 sets of these then I continued to walk for another 20 minutes for a total of about 30 minutes.  Later I did a short ride (8 miles) in about 45 minutes.  Moderate pace, consistent cadence... felt good.

In tri lingo there is such a thing as a 'brick'.  A brick is when you do two of the 3 events in training so a swim/bike or bike/run or swim/run.  But I think to qualify as an actual brick the workouts have to be one right after the other, just as you would in an event.  I did my morning walk/run early and then did the bike this afternoon, so not a real brick.... still, though, got them both in and that feels good.

Some people say I have attitude- maybe I do...but I think you have to.You have to believe in yourself when no one else does- that makes you a winner right there. -Venus Williams









--------------------------------------------------------------------------------