Well today, I ran a trial triathlon with all the distances for Sunday's race and finished in about 1:45. We didn't really rush through transitions, so I feel decent about it. At least I know I can do the distances.
I still feel weak on the swim, and slow over all, but I *will* finish, and hopefully not last! But even if is last, that's ok.
I will have two easier workouts tomorrow and Thursday and rest on Friday and Saturday in prep.
Wish me luck!!!
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Friday, May 25, 2007
Locked & Loaded
Well, good news, the wetsuit fits great. I have already put a small tear in it, so I had to order a repair kit, but it's not bad, I just don't want it to get worse.
So Thursday my cousin and I went out to the course for the triathlon and rode the bike course and then ran the running course. (That was after a 30 minute swim in the pool by yours truly before I went there too!) It went very well. We did not get into the water there, but it looks fairly harmless (calm, small, etc.) I had been losing a little bit of sleep worrying about the whole thing, and this has put my mind at ease. The bike was fairly easy, though different from Kensington because there isn't much coasting, it's mostly flat, so lots of peddling. The run was pretty easy too, nice and shady!
So the next feat was to try the wetsuit out. Tim (my husband) insisted on me going to a lake, so we did today. I *totally* freaked. The place we went was a boat ramp to a near-by lake and it is gross and weedy, and I didn't like it. So I left.
Then I had the brilliant idea to go to our outdoor pool, which opened today. Well that didn't work because it was 90 degrees.
So even though I dreaded it, I sucked it up and moved on and went to Kensington and swam in the lake there. It still kinda gross, but the beach area is a little more friendly than the boat ramp I was at early in the day. I swam for 30 minutes and felt great. I plan on swimming there the rest of the summer if weather permits. It's better than the pool for me.
So I am feeling fairly ready. I think one day before Thursday I will do the whole triathlon distances here, and then take two days off prior to the event.
I feel I have done everything I can do to prepare, and I will just keep working out until Thursday and try not to stress.
I am looking forward to getting this one under my belt so that I can concentrate on beefing up my workouts for the 7 weeks following it, because Kensington is a MUCH tougher course.
So Thursday my cousin and I went out to the course for the triathlon and rode the bike course and then ran the running course. (That was after a 30 minute swim in the pool by yours truly before I went there too!) It went very well. We did not get into the water there, but it looks fairly harmless (calm, small, etc.) I had been losing a little bit of sleep worrying about the whole thing, and this has put my mind at ease. The bike was fairly easy, though different from Kensington because there isn't much coasting, it's mostly flat, so lots of peddling. The run was pretty easy too, nice and shady!
So the next feat was to try the wetsuit out. Tim (my husband) insisted on me going to a lake, so we did today. I *totally* freaked. The place we went was a boat ramp to a near-by lake and it is gross and weedy, and I didn't like it. So I left.
Then I had the brilliant idea to go to our outdoor pool, which opened today. Well that didn't work because it was 90 degrees.
So even though I dreaded it, I sucked it up and moved on and went to Kensington and swam in the lake there. It still kinda gross, but the beach area is a little more friendly than the boat ramp I was at early in the day. I swam for 30 minutes and felt great. I plan on swimming there the rest of the summer if weather permits. It's better than the pool for me.
So I am feeling fairly ready. I think one day before Thursday I will do the whole triathlon distances here, and then take two days off prior to the event.
I feel I have done everything I can do to prepare, and I will just keep working out until Thursday and try not to stress.
I am looking forward to getting this one under my belt so that I can concentrate on beefing up my workouts for the 7 weeks following it, because Kensington is a MUCH tougher course.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Wet Suit
So my first triathlon is in like 2 weeks. I feel ready (except for maybe the swim part), but I know I can complete it for sure. But one thing has been completely stressing me out....
It's June 3rd in Michigan, and that water is going to be friggin cold, and I don't have a wet suit. I kinda didn't want to get one because I didn't want to spend the money and just use it once. I don't think I'll need it for the July 22nd triathlon and I'm not sure if I'm going to do triathlons after this year. So I have been completely dragging my feet on it.
But after a couple of sleepless nights about it, I was like "why stress over it?!" and I just did it. It wasn't that expensive, and it is worth the peace of mind.
Anyway, here it is: http://www.wetsuitsonsale.com/shop.html?lang=en-us&target=d179.html
It should arrive tomorrow and I should have enough time for practicing in it and getting out of it. And if it fits, I'll be even happier!!!
Now I can focus on stressing over the race. ;)
It's June 3rd in Michigan, and that water is going to be friggin cold, and I don't have a wet suit. I kinda didn't want to get one because I didn't want to spend the money and just use it once. I don't think I'll need it for the July 22nd triathlon and I'm not sure if I'm going to do triathlons after this year. So I have been completely dragging my feet on it.
But after a couple of sleepless nights about it, I was like "why stress over it?!" and I just did it. It wasn't that expensive, and it is worth the peace of mind.
Anyway, here it is: http://www.wetsuitsonsale.com/shop.html?lang=en-us&target=d179.html
It should arrive tomorrow and I should have enough time for practicing in it and getting out of it. And if it fits, I'll be even happier!!!
Now I can focus on stressing over the race. ;)
Monday, May 21, 2007
Running
Well, I had a great running week, which is a big deal these days.
I used to run in 94 - 97 when I trained to run the 10 mile race for the Crim (in Flint, Michigan). I ran that in 95 and was in the best shape of my life at the time. Then I stopped. I ran on and off between 95 and 97 but mostly off.
Now fast forward to spring 2006 and I start running again, and ran my first race in August of 2006. Running is a relative term though, because I am a very slow runner. When I started in August I was running about a 13+ minute mile. Now I'm *almost* in the 10+ minute mile range, and that is fast for me!!! I am proud of the progress I've made there.
In the fall I started developing problems with my hip though, which has slowed my training down a bit. Since I'm training for the triathalon, though, I've been able to keep up aerobically and not have to worry too much about the miles and still keep my pace for the most part.
I am feeling better now than I have over the last few months, but I still struggle with stiffness in my hip and I have to do a lot of icing and stretching. Getting old sucks!!!
But back to this week. Over the last month I've started training in the afternoons to get my body used to running in warmer weather. I hate it, but I do think it is going to be a good thing. In April I ran a race and was unable to run the whole thing. Even though I had a good time, I was disappointed that I needed to walk part of it. Training since then hadn't been great (still walking during part of my runs) until this week. This week I had 2 good 3.5 mile runs with no walking and the race I ran this weekend I didn't walk and my time was decent.
So I am happy. And by the way, even though I'm not training for a 10 mile race, I am in better shape now than I was then, which is way cool (being 10+ years older esepcially!) Now, if my hip can take it, I want to improve my speed. So stay tuned!!!
I used to run in 94 - 97 when I trained to run the 10 mile race for the Crim (in Flint, Michigan). I ran that in 95 and was in the best shape of my life at the time. Then I stopped. I ran on and off between 95 and 97 but mostly off.
Now fast forward to spring 2006 and I start running again, and ran my first race in August of 2006. Running is a relative term though, because I am a very slow runner. When I started in August I was running about a 13+ minute mile. Now I'm *almost* in the 10+ minute mile range, and that is fast for me!!! I am proud of the progress I've made there.
In the fall I started developing problems with my hip though, which has slowed my training down a bit. Since I'm training for the triathalon, though, I've been able to keep up aerobically and not have to worry too much about the miles and still keep my pace for the most part.
I am feeling better now than I have over the last few months, but I still struggle with stiffness in my hip and I have to do a lot of icing and stretching. Getting old sucks!!!
But back to this week. Over the last month I've started training in the afternoons to get my body used to running in warmer weather. I hate it, but I do think it is going to be a good thing. In April I ran a race and was unable to run the whole thing. Even though I had a good time, I was disappointed that I needed to walk part of it. Training since then hadn't been great (still walking during part of my runs) until this week. This week I had 2 good 3.5 mile runs with no walking and the race I ran this weekend I didn't walk and my time was decent.
So I am happy. And by the way, even though I'm not training for a 10 mile race, I am in better shape now than I was then, which is way cool (being 10+ years older esepcially!) Now, if my hip can take it, I want to improve my speed. So stay tuned!!!
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Competitiive Edge
How do you get that? Is there a pill? ;)
Being a non-athlete, I don't really feel like I have it.
In things I know I can excel in, I do, like cards, darts, etc. But in most athletics, I feel like I give up before my competitiveness kicks in.
I want a competitive edge so that when I'm in a race, it kicks in and I stop thinking about how tired I am. Is that so much to ask?
But since I never competed as a kid, I'm not sure if I'll ever get it, or if it'll just take a while to teach this old dog new tricks.
Being a non-athlete, I don't really feel like I have it.
In things I know I can excel in, I do, like cards, darts, etc. But in most athletics, I feel like I give up before my competitiveness kicks in.
I want a competitive edge so that when I'm in a race, it kicks in and I stop thinking about how tired I am. Is that so much to ask?
But since I never competed as a kid, I'm not sure if I'll ever get it, or if it'll just take a while to teach this old dog new tricks.
Monday, May 7, 2007
My First Post
You know I really hate blogs, but I've decided to start one to log my fitness goals and to help support other friends with their goals!
So why my title? Well, I love sports. I like to be involved in them as well as be a spectator, but I am the world's worst athlete. I work hard, I'm dedicated, I try to take advice, but I just do *NOT* have natural athletic ability.
So it always seems like sporting activities are just harder for me than those with more natural abilities. The problem is, I tend to choose lofty goals. In otherwords, I don't choose things that tend to require less skills.
What does this mean?
It means that I have to often settle for just being slow at the things I do. I will never be a competitive athlete, even in my age range (I almost always come in last in my age group), but you know what? That's ok. I don't care that much anymore, I just want to finish, because that in it's self is quite an accomplishment.
So why my title? Well, I love sports. I like to be involved in them as well as be a spectator, but I am the world's worst athlete. I work hard, I'm dedicated, I try to take advice, but I just do *NOT* have natural athletic ability.
So it always seems like sporting activities are just harder for me than those with more natural abilities. The problem is, I tend to choose lofty goals. In otherwords, I don't choose things that tend to require less skills.
What does this mean?
It means that I have to often settle for just being slow at the things I do. I will never be a competitive athlete, even in my age range (I almost always come in last in my age group), but you know what? That's ok. I don't care that much anymore, I just want to finish, because that in it's self is quite an accomplishment.
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