Now all I can think about is that Queen song. I think I am becoming obsessed.
I rode the new triathlon bike course yesterday, and it is going to be a piece of cake compared to Kensington. We just took it easy though, because technically I'm still kinda resting, though tomorrow I will probably start to kick it again.
Tim was so impressed with my ride on Saturday that he's now talking about a NEW BIKE instead of a used one. I really don't care either way as long as I can get a good road or tri bike, but I think it's cute, because he wants me to have the best I can have to keep me going.
So we're bike shopping now. Probably won't get one until Dec/Jan, but that's ok. I'm good with the ole mountain bike for now...
Friday, July 27, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Competitiive Edge - take 2
Well a while ago I wrote about getting or having a competitive edge, which I totally didn't feel like I had. But you know what? I think I *may* be getting one! I think I have found the key for myself to pushing yourself harder: Find what you do well and do it with friends.
Seriously.
I have found that doing these triathlons with my cousin and my friend have made me want to push more.
For instance, in this last triathlon, between the 3 of us, we each excelled in a different discipline. So now, I am HUNGRY to get better on the bike, because apparently that is going to be my thing. I still need it for swimming and running, but I do think the more you do stuff, the better you get at stuff, the more competitive you will be come with yourself. So I will get there with swimming and running, but man am I glad I'm getting that feeling SOMEWHERE!
This all might sound like such common sense for some of you, but apparently I am finally just getting it!
Seriously.
I have found that doing these triathlons with my cousin and my friend have made me want to push more.
For instance, in this last triathlon, between the 3 of us, we each excelled in a different discipline. So now, I am HUNGRY to get better on the bike, because apparently that is going to be my thing. I still need it for swimming and running, but I do think the more you do stuff, the better you get at stuff, the more competitive you will be come with yourself. So I will get there with swimming and running, but man am I glad I'm getting that feeling SOMEWHERE!
This all might sound like such common sense for some of you, but apparently I am finally just getting it!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Tri Tri
Well, the glutton for punishment in me signed up for one more triathlon for the summer! That makes it a Tri-Tri!
The next one is one month away. August 26th, at Island Lake State Park.
The distances are the same as Kensington, but the bike path should be a little easier since it is not as hilly there as Kensington.
So I'm taking a few days off, and then back to training hard until the next one!
The next one is one month away. August 26th, at Island Lake State Park.
The distances are the same as Kensington, but the bike path should be a little easier since it is not as hilly there as Kensington.
So I'm taking a few days off, and then back to training hard until the next one!
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Another One Bites the Dust!
Well, my second triathlon is now officially under my belt! I finished at 10:00am this morning. I wanted to finish the race in roughly 2 hours and 2:02 later, I was complete, so I am quite happy. I think I am officially getting addicted.
Dissection of a race:
The swim for women 35 and up started at 8:02 am, after the elite racers started. The swim was a 800 meter swim in Kent Lake. The temperature at the time of the race was about 58 and the water temp was 73, so it felt very warm. My goal for the swim was under 30 minutes, which I did the swim in 29:13, so I was quite happy with that even though I am still FRIGGIN SLOW!
The bike, my best leg, I did in 50:24. The fastest I had ever done that course. Two training sessions ago, I did it in 56 something, and the last training session I did it in 52 something, so in the last week or so I shaved 6 minutes off my time, thanks to my friend REX who gave me the suggestion to tighten my shocks and make sure my tires were fully inflated, which they were not prior to the race. So that really helped a ton. My friend Jo was about 4 minutes ahead of me on the swim, and I caught her on the bike and passed her and probably beat her by a minute. I knew she'd smoke me on the run, so I had to win at least ONE LEG!
The run, I was slow. I did it in 38:36, slower than usual for me, but I was ok. I was pretty exhausted after the bike, even though it was a good one. I ran the whole way, so I'm ok with that.
Add 3:40 for Transition 1 and :55 for transition 2 and that adds up to 2:02 overall.
I didn't take last in my age group, which is always a bonus, and I actually was the overall winner for the Athenas (160 lbs+) . There were only 3 people in the athenas but they were younger! (one 36 and one 40).
As usual, my awesome husband took more photos. You can find them here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/69742387@N00/sets/72157600953825925/
So it's done, the one thing I've been training for for seven months is done and what a fun experience this has all been. My plans for the next few months are to do one more tri before the end of the summer, work on losing some more weight in the fall so I can get faster, and then start training again for next year in the winter. I *have* to get a road bike, and I need to work on the swim and run, all goals I will set for next year.
Dissection of a race:
The swim for women 35 and up started at 8:02 am, after the elite racers started. The swim was a 800 meter swim in Kent Lake. The temperature at the time of the race was about 58 and the water temp was 73, so it felt very warm. My goal for the swim was under 30 minutes, which I did the swim in 29:13, so I was quite happy with that even though I am still FRIGGIN SLOW!
The bike, my best leg, I did in 50:24. The fastest I had ever done that course. Two training sessions ago, I did it in 56 something, and the last training session I did it in 52 something, so in the last week or so I shaved 6 minutes off my time, thanks to my friend REX who gave me the suggestion to tighten my shocks and make sure my tires were fully inflated, which they were not prior to the race. So that really helped a ton. My friend Jo was about 4 minutes ahead of me on the swim, and I caught her on the bike and passed her and probably beat her by a minute. I knew she'd smoke me on the run, so I had to win at least ONE LEG!
The run, I was slow. I did it in 38:36, slower than usual for me, but I was ok. I was pretty exhausted after the bike, even though it was a good one. I ran the whole way, so I'm ok with that.
Add 3:40 for Transition 1 and :55 for transition 2 and that adds up to 2:02 overall.
I didn't take last in my age group, which is always a bonus, and I actually was the overall winner for the Athenas (160 lbs+) . There were only 3 people in the athenas but they were younger! (one 36 and one 40).
As usual, my awesome husband took more photos. You can find them here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/69742387@N00/sets/72157600953825925/
So it's done, the one thing I've been training for for seven months is done and what a fun experience this has all been. My plans for the next few months are to do one more tri before the end of the summer, work on losing some more weight in the fall so I can get faster, and then start training again for next year in the winter. I *have* to get a road bike, and I need to work on the swim and run, all goals I will set for next year.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Friend and Family
This post is dedicated to my friends and family that have helped me achieve my goals whether they realize it or not!
THANK GOD FOR THEM!
They fall into 3 categories:
1. People who listen to me blather on and on about it.
2. People who listen to me blather on and on about it, but give feed back and support.
3. People who listen to me blather on and on about it, but are also doing something similar, so we might work out together, or just encourage each other.
No matter what category you fall in, you are so important to my successes. I appreciate all of you equally and couldn't be where I am without you.
YOU RULE!
THANK GOD FOR THEM!
They fall into 3 categories:
1. People who listen to me blather on and on about it.
2. People who listen to me blather on and on about it, but give feed back and support.
3. People who listen to me blather on and on about it, but are also doing something similar, so we might work out together, or just encourage each other.
No matter what category you fall in, you are so important to my successes. I appreciate all of you equally and couldn't be where I am without you.
YOU RULE!
Baby it's Hot outside
I am not one to complain about the heat. I actually really like it, but working out in it can be very tough.
The cool thing about cross training is if it's hot outside, you can swim in a lake or even inside. I even had said before that biking when it's hot is ok, I just can't run if it's much hotter than 85.
However, after it was 95 when I biked on Monday, I might have changed my mind. I actually don't think it was only the heat, but we had a wicked head wind (it seemed like for EVERY hill) that slowed us down quite a bit, but twice I almost threw up. I am not sure if it was heat, too much water or eating to close to the workout, but my main suspect is the heat, because the other two I followed what I normally do.
The cool thing is, we biked 20 miles! Even in the heat! That's the furthest I've gone so far. Remember I'm doing all this road biking on a mountain bike, so it's tough, but I do love it.
The cool thing about cross training is if it's hot outside, you can swim in a lake or even inside. I even had said before that biking when it's hot is ok, I just can't run if it's much hotter than 85.
However, after it was 95 when I biked on Monday, I might have changed my mind. I actually don't think it was only the heat, but we had a wicked head wind (it seemed like for EVERY hill) that slowed us down quite a bit, but twice I almost threw up. I am not sure if it was heat, too much water or eating to close to the workout, but my main suspect is the heat, because the other two I followed what I normally do.
The cool thing is, we biked 20 miles! Even in the heat! That's the furthest I've gone so far. Remember I'm doing all this road biking on a mountain bike, so it's tough, but I do love it.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Adult Swim
I have a love-hate relationship with swimming.
I hate getting in, but love how I feel when I'm done.
I think the hate comes from the fact that I am not that strong at swimming. I don't mean I am gonna drown or anything, but for competitive swimming, I am just turtle-slow.
But it is an Incredible aerobic workout, and when I'm done, because there is no impact, I feel like a million bucks.
The other thing I "hate" about swimming is swimming in a lake/river with WEEDS. I absolutely hate them, and get a panicky feeling when I see them in the water. I am working hard on getting over this feeling, but it is very hard. My last 4 swims have been in a lake or river, so I am really working on it. I almost talked myself out of it yesterday, but I did swim my 800 meters after my 3 mile run.
I guess I just have to keep working on it. The good news is that the last time I timed my 800, I was 4 minutes faster than the last time I timed it, so I guess I am improving. I am still doing some breast stroke (resting stroke) as I cannot breath, but hopefully some year I will stop doing that. ;)
2 weeks from today is "the" triathlon. :D
I hate getting in, but love how I feel when I'm done.
I think the hate comes from the fact that I am not that strong at swimming. I don't mean I am gonna drown or anything, but for competitive swimming, I am just turtle-slow.
But it is an Incredible aerobic workout, and when I'm done, because there is no impact, I feel like a million bucks.
The other thing I "hate" about swimming is swimming in a lake/river with WEEDS. I absolutely hate them, and get a panicky feeling when I see them in the water. I am working hard on getting over this feeling, but it is very hard. My last 4 swims have been in a lake or river, so I am really working on it. I almost talked myself out of it yesterday, but I did swim my 800 meters after my 3 mile run.
I guess I just have to keep working on it. The good news is that the last time I timed my 800, I was 4 minutes faster than the last time I timed it, so I guess I am improving. I am still doing some breast stroke (resting stroke) as I cannot breath, but hopefully some year I will stop doing that. ;)
2 weeks from today is "the" triathlon. :D
Monday, July 2, 2007
Feeling Better
Well most of you know that over the last 6-9 months I've been struggling with my hip. I have tendinitis in it and it's causing pain in my hip, and also back in my lower back/butt area. Of course it started right before I started training for a triathlon! Running hurts it the most, and I get really stiff and it was keeping me up at night.
Anyway, in January I talked to my doctor about it (at my annual physical) and we did a series of things:
1. first we rested it for 2 weeks, I took a 3 day course of steroids and it felt great until I started running again.
2. next we did physical therapy for a month. That helped a little, especially with my sleeping, but it still was a problem.
3. I went to see an orthopedic doctor, and he basically told me there was nothing I could do. (i.e. a big waste of time and money)
I called my doctor back after #3 and she was very disappointed in the orthopedic doctor, and she thought of one more thing for me to do.
There is a DO in my office that deals with sports injuries and pain management. He does a treatment called "Prollo Therapy" where they inject an irritant into your problem area, and it causes your body to make that area heal faster than normal. Of course it is not covered by insurance, but it wasn't outrageously priced, so I wanted to consider it.
When I saw him, he decided to adjust me first (because insurance would pay for it and apparently I was out of alignment). I had never been adjusted before. I don't love it, but ever since he adjusted me (I think I've had 3 now) my hip has been better.
He also suggested this massage technique called "Cranial-Sacral Therapy" that is a light-touch massage technique where they manipulate your spinal fluid flow between your head and your tailbone. It felt like she wasn't doing anything, and I slept during most of it. When I walked out of there I felt like I took a $70 nap, but ever since that treatment, I have been feeling even better. So far I haven't gotten the prollo therapy, but I don't feel like I have needed it.
It's still stiff from time to time, but in general, it is feeling better. I really hope I'm on the mend, but at least I'm learning how to manage it anyway.
Anyway, in January I talked to my doctor about it (at my annual physical) and we did a series of things:
1. first we rested it for 2 weeks, I took a 3 day course of steroids and it felt great until I started running again.
2. next we did physical therapy for a month. That helped a little, especially with my sleeping, but it still was a problem.
3. I went to see an orthopedic doctor, and he basically told me there was nothing I could do. (i.e. a big waste of time and money)
I called my doctor back after #3 and she was very disappointed in the orthopedic doctor, and she thought of one more thing for me to do.
There is a DO in my office that deals with sports injuries and pain management. He does a treatment called "Prollo Therapy" where they inject an irritant into your problem area, and it causes your body to make that area heal faster than normal. Of course it is not covered by insurance, but it wasn't outrageously priced, so I wanted to consider it.
When I saw him, he decided to adjust me first (because insurance would pay for it and apparently I was out of alignment). I had never been adjusted before. I don't love it, but ever since he adjusted me (I think I've had 3 now) my hip has been better.
He also suggested this massage technique called "Cranial-Sacral Therapy" that is a light-touch massage technique where they manipulate your spinal fluid flow between your head and your tailbone. It felt like she wasn't doing anything, and I slept during most of it. When I walked out of there I felt like I took a $70 nap, but ever since that treatment, I have been feeling even better. So far I haven't gotten the prollo therapy, but I don't feel like I have needed it.
It's still stiff from time to time, but in general, it is feeling better. I really hope I'm on the mend, but at least I'm learning how to manage it anyway.
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