Well I decided to really push it and make today's workout count. I am also thinking of hitting the gym before my dr appointment tomorrow and swimming some laps.

I just can't stand the idea of not exercising for a whole week.

Oh noes!

I'm having a medical thing on Tuesday afternoon which will put me out of commission for a few days. That plus the upcoming holiday weekend means tomorrow may be my last workout for almost a week.

I've really gotten in a nice groove. I kinda hate to miss any workouts at this point. I'm always worried that I will slip back out of the habit. I hate losing momentum!

Fail!

I totally failed at cycle class.

At 10 minutes in I was uncomfortable. At 15 minutes, discomfort starting becoming pain.
At 25 minutes in, I decided to bail. My butt hurt, my knees hurt, my left foot was in searing pain and my right foot was going numb.

So yeah, only lasted halfway through the 50 minute class.

That was not so fun.

Sore!

My shoulders are sore from Bodypump class last night. (damn you, pushups!)

I'm getting nervous for cycle class tonight. I'm sure I will be even more sore tomorrow.

Random stuff

I enjoy Bodypump class for the most part. But I hate the tricep section. It seems like my triceps just don't get any stronger. Ever!

I am going to a cycle class today. I have not been on a bike in a while, but I figure I need to be doing at least a little cycling this winter if I am going to survive the tri next year.

I hate that fitness class rooms have mirrors. I hate seeing myself while I work out. How is exercise supposed to make me feel good if I can see how gross I look while I am doing it?

Dedication: let me show you it.

Here's me at the gym this morning in my snow pants. =)

Let it snow.

I am going to attempt to go to the gym in a snowstorm.

I suppose this is not that drastic since I am going to take the bus and not risk life an limb driving a car. But it does mean that I will be bundling up in lots of snow gear just to go work out.

If there were any justice in the universe I'd lose a bonus 5 pounds for dedication.

So close, and yet so far.

So yay, down to a size 22. ( I made it official this week, wearing size 22 pants in public) Which is exciting. One fifth of the way!

But the excitement was short lived. I tried on the pants in the next size down. The road from 22 to 20 looks a LOT longer than the road from 24 to 22. Sigh....

So there.

I decided to up my daily calorie allowance from 1800-2000 to 2500-2700. I feel like I am constantly hungry and it's starting to make me cranky. Hopefully this helps.

Almost...

So I am so close to my first size drop. My 24s are falling off me now, but the 22s are still inappropriately snug.

A friend commented last night that she could tell I've lost weight. That is encouraging! I figured I'd have to drop at least 2 sizes before anyone noticed.

Swim!

I went lap swimming last night for the first time since August. My time was terrible. 14 minutes to do 500 meters. I need to swim more!

So...

I've been reluctant to blog about this. But here goes.

I decided to really buckle down and get serious about losing some weight. I've been reluctant to blog about it because I've tried and failed so many times in the past. And when I tell people and then fail (or lose a little and gain it all back) then I feel like a huge failure.

But doing the tri this year, something I never thought I could accomplish, has got me thinking that maybe I can actually do it this time.

I have set a goal for myself. I am currently a size 24. I want to be a size 14. That's 5 pants sizes. I have no idea how long it will take. It'd be nice if I could get there by next fall.

So I'm watching what I eat. I'm avoiding alcohol. And I'm working out. I'm also working with my therapist to help me stay focused and deal with some issues that may have contributed to my weight problem. I'm not really gonna blog about that part, but I will say it's been pretty fascinating.

I've been at it for just under a month. I can already zip the size 22s, but they are still snug. I'd say I'm about halfway to my first size drop.

EDIT: I had not actually tried on my size 22s in a week. More than halfway there now.

Progress.

My glutes hurt from doing squats in class last night. But I figure if my rear hurts and not my knees then I must be doing it right. So yay!

Bodypump

I started taking Bodypump classes at the gym. I went Saturday morning and again last night. My arms hurt!!!

This is the description of Bodypump from my gym's website:
"The Original Barbell Class" is designed for all fitness levels. This class uses free weights, motivational music, and trained instructors to strengthen and define muscles. All BODYPUMP® classes are taught in the gym at all locations. Great for all levels

I like that you pick how much weight to lift and set your own difficulty level. I also like not having to do Downward Facing Dog. As much as I like yoga and pilates, I really hate Down Dog, it is the bane of my existence.

On a completely unrelated note, my bike seat was stolen. I need to get a new one SOON because I miss riding my bike. We're having a gorgeous autumn here in MN and I feel like I am squandering it by not riding my bike around the lakes.

owww....

After slacking for weeks, I am trying to get back into the workout groove.

Yesterday I started the "100 Pushup" thing. I only managed to do six, very sorry little pushups. And yet this morning I am very, VERY sore.

NOT motivated

I have been totally slacking off. Once the "woo, I did a triathlon" high started to wear off, the "I'm sick of my life revolving around my workout schedule" started to kick in. And every day there's been an excuse to get back to it "tomorrow".

I am thinking of finding myself a personal trainer. Not that I have the money for it.
But I really could use some guidance. I wonder if anyone out there would trade baked goods and sewing skills for personal training...

Interesting.

A few months ago I promised myself that I would take a whole week off from working out after the tri. Now I find that I don't want to do that. I'm taking it easy for sure. But tonight I rather enjoyed going for a walk with my BFF and her dog. Tomorrow I'm thinking I will ride my bike someplace to get dinner.

Back in February I re-quit smoking. (I quit several years ago but relapsed for a few months this winter) I promised myself a victory cig after the race if I was a good girl and didn't smoke while I was training. Now I'm finding I don't really want one all that bad. I can't say that's a bad thing!

Post-race recovery.

Originally I intended to take a week off from workouts. As a reward for all my hard work. But of course the reality is that I no longer want to do that. Nor do I think it's a good idea.

I am, however, going to take it easy. At least until I stop being sore!

Yesterday I went to stretch class at the gym. I think that helped a LOT with the general muscle stiffness.

I think tonight after work I am going to go for a walk around Lake of the Isles.

Hopefully in another day or two I can get back on my bike again. Right now my rear end is just way too sore.

Race report.

I decided to take the bus to the race. I can't say I was thrilled at the prospect of getting up at 4:30am, but it ended up working out great. I got there plenty early and did not have to deal with parking. I arrived at the race area around 6:40. I found my assigned rack right away and set up all my stuff. I helped myself to some free coffee, then I went to get body-marked and chipped. After that I milled around taking in the scene. I sat in the grass and did some stretches. The grass was wet but I figured it didn't matter. My clothes would all be wet soon enough, anyways.

At 7:40 there was a pre-race meeting. They introduced announcers and officials, reminded us of some rules, and then sang the national anthem (which made me cry for some reason). I was in the 4th swim wave so I just stayed on the beach after that.

My swim went VERY well. It was a little daunting seeing all the people in my wave shoot past me. But I just kept going at my own pace. I swallowed a little water as I rounded the final corner. But I never stopped. I just flipped over on my back and did the back crawl until I stopped choking. The water was a comfy 80 degrees yesterday, and the weather was mild. It was actually a little cool getting out of the water after the swim.

Then it was off on the bike portion. This was the part I was most dreading and probably the part I was least trained for. It was a nice course, for the most part. A few rough spots. Only a couple of big hills. There were no mile markers, though. So I was left to guess as to how far I'd gone. I brought a watch with me to the race, but decided at the last minute that I was not going to wear it. So that I would just concentrate on doing the race and not worry about the time. So I really had no idea of my progress. At mile 7 there was a volunteer shouting "only 8 more miles!" That was nice to know, but I thought I was closer to 10 miles at that point so it was also kinda discouraging. The last five or so miles were pretty rough. My butt was really sore at that point, for starters. And there was a really strong headwind. In spite of all the cheerful volunteers I found myself getting very frustrated. I was so glad when I reached the bike finish.

The bike leg had left me very sore and cramped up. I tried to stretch a bit, but I was really hurting. So I did not run as much as I would have liked on the run course. I was hoping for something closer to a 50/50 walk/run. But it was more like 70/30. By the time I hit the run portion I was pretty used to people passing me. But on the run it was actually kinda neat. The body-markers put our ages on the backs of our legs. So I could see the ages of the people running past me. I suppose some people might have been discouraged to see a 72 year old pass them on a race course, but really I thought it was kinda cool. I did make sure to run across the finish line.

I got my finisher medal and turned in my chip and then I promptly burst into tears. I was thankful I wore the big dark glasses so nobody could see me crying like a little girl.

I still kind of can't believe I did it. But then on the other hand I kinda can't wait until next year to see how much I improve. =)

Official Race Results

Total time 2:44:58

Swim/ 15:03
Transition 1/ 4:41
Bike/ 1:29:08
Transition 2/ 2:29
Run/ 53:39

WOOHOO!!!!

Finished in under 3 hours.

Full race report tomorrow. Hopefully the chip times will be available by then.

OMG

The race is tomorrow.

*gulp*

Race Packet

My race packet. Please note the yellow swim cap denoting that I am NOT a novice swimmer.

Packet pick-up.

I went to pick up my race packet yesterday, and stayed for a brief course talk. While I was waiting for the talk to start I chatted with some of the other participants. All first-timers. All in the race just for fun.

The course talk was held in the very same room I sat in a few months ago for a "first tri" clinic. But the mood in the room yesterday was one of excitement and comeraderie. And this time I actually felt like I belonged.

I am so excited for tomorrow!

decisions, decisions

I need to decide how I am getting to the event.

I have an Hour Car reservation made, so I could drive there.

Or I could be all "green" and take the bus (and not have to deal with parking).

The bus ride is about an hour and the best route I can find will get me there at 6:30am. Which means I leave at 5:30am. Ugh... I am so not a morning person.

But then using an Hour Car (at $8 an hour) will get kinda pricey. The bus will only cost me $1.75.

Hmm... Gonna mull this one over...

292

I got an email tonight with some race day info and a final participant list. I know my race number, and tentatively what swim wave I am in.

Race number 292
swim wave 4
bike rack row 19

I kinda can't stop looking at my name on that list.

I read over all the info they sent. I'm getting a little nervous about race day now. Worried about getting lost in the chaos. There are info sessions at packet pick up. I think I will make a point of attending one.

Eeep! I can't believe it's only a few days away now.

One week to go!

A week from this moment I will probably be lounging around someplace all full of food and beer.

The tri is in one week.

I'm not really that nervous. Mostly excited. To see how I do. To have a cold beer after. To be done with training. (for a while, anyways)

And also I'm kinda proud of myself. It's not so much doing the race itself but the fact that I decided to do this and stuck with the training for these last 6 or so months.

I'm usually the kind of person who gives up on things when they are boring or difficult or unpleasant. This training stuff has been all three of those things at times, but I totally stuck with it anyways. Yay me!

Ugh...I hate hot weather.

I've got a bike/run brick scheduled today. My last brick before the tri. (which is in one week!!!!!)

I went out last night so there was no way I was getting up early today. It's 10am and already over 80. But the next couple days will be in the upper 90s so really today's the day.

I'm thinking I will go ride my bike and then do my run at the gym instead of outside.

It's too soon to know for sure but the tentative forecast for next weekend lists a high of 80 for next Sunday. I so hope it's not disgustingly hot that day.

I am sick of the heat!!!

10

Down 10 pounds now. w00t!

Geekin' out.

I had a physical today and I found out my nurse practitioner does triathlons. We chatted about swimming techniques.

Open-water swim practice.

I spent the day with my family out at a lake, and finally had a good opportunity an open-water swim.

The plan was I was going to swim and my dad would shadow me in his boat. That worked pretty well. It was kinda hard at first. I was breathing really fast and kept swallowing water and found it hard to get in a rhythm. So I flipped over and did a backstroke for a while until I caught my breath, then returned to the breast stroke. At one point I stopped and asked how long I'd been at it and 9 minutes had flown by. I continued swimming and at 16 minutes I was close to shore and ended up swimming all the way to shore instead of climbing back in the boat.

I have no idea how much distance I covered in that time. I have a hunch it was well over 500 yards, though.

Ugh...

Went out this morning for a bike/run brick. I did not bring any water with me. That was bad. I didn't feel thirsty at all, but it it warm and humid out there and I sweat a lot. And now I am home and still sweating my ass off and I feel dizzy and nauseous.

Schedule fail.

OK so today was supposed to be a swimming day but it worked better schedule-wise to swim yesterday so I biked today instead.

Except yesterday after swimming laps I stayed for "Aquacycle" class, and essentially biked for an hour yesterday in the water (really, really fun). And then tomorrow is a bike/run brick.

It's not the pedaling that is a problem. It's the time spent on a bike seat. My butt still has not built up a lot of endurance for biking. Even with the new gel seat, I get sore.

Doh!

Squee.

I had actually stopped weighing myself a few months ago. I decided I wanted to just focus on exercise and not the number on the scale.

But then after 4th of July weekend I decided to make some major changes in my diet and I have been back on the scale to see if my efforts were making an impact.

I've lost 8 pounds in the last 3 weeks. And no calorie counting!

i suppose 8 pounds is just a drop in the proverbial bucket. But every pound I lose is one I don't have to drag around with me on race day. And 8 pounds? That's a bowling ball!

3 Weeks To Go!

The tri is in three weeks! OMG!

I picked up a new sports bra this week. One of those cheapie uni-boob ones from Target. I figured it would be better to wear under my bathing suit. I tried it out today for my swim/bike brick. It worked fine.

It was really tough to drag my ass off the couch to go work out today. I was out late last night and slept all day and it just made me lethargic.

Of course now I am all worn out from swimming and biking. Oh well.

Yay! Friday!

No workouts scheduled today. I have never been so excited about a "rest" day. I worked really hard this week.

Got a swim/bike brick tomorrow. I think I am going to try and get some people to meet me at the beach. I can bike around the lakes then have an open-water swim and then hang out and get some sun.

Awake.

Well, out of bed at least. Not sure about the awake part.

Trying to induce alertness before getting on a bike.

Place your bets...

The plan for tomorrow is to wake up early (like 6:30) and do tomorrow's bike/run brick before work and before it gets hot out.

Will I be able to drag my ass out of bed? Hm...

OK that was fun.

Decided to rest yesterday and do my bike/swim brick today instead. I have decided that bike/swim bricks are way more fun than bike/run bricks.

I biked for about an hour, timing it so I was at the gym at the end of that hour, then swam for 10 minutes, and biked home. In my wet clothes, so I can get used to the sensation (weird but tolerable).

The weather was much more pleasant than Saturday, so that helped a lot. I should have brought a gel thingy, though. I meant to but I totally forgot. I was feeling a bit shaky by the time I got home.

Overall today's workout kinda rocked.

Sometimes research is confusing.

I've done a lot of reading on triathlon training and there are a LOT of differing opinions out there.

Take the whole 'brick' workout thing. The training schedule I have says that yesterday I was supposed to do a running/biking brick, then today I am supposed to have a biking/swimming brick. (then a rest day tomorrow) Except a lot of the reading I have done says never to do more than one brick a week. Weird.

ARG!!! Frustrated.

I had a 'brick' this morning, which means I did a bike ride and then a run. Well, it was more like a bike ride followed by a long walk with brief stints of jogging mixed in. It was actually not that bad. My energy level was fine and I was not in pain or anything. I even found myself kind of liking the bike part, which is new.

But it started getting real hot towards the end and by the time I got in my apartment and under some cold running water I was kinda starting to freak out.

Some days I am not sure why I'm doing this to myself. I mean, it's not like I'm losing weight or seeing any visible results of all this pain and suffering.

ARGH!!!! I REALLY HATE EXERCISE RIGHT NOW!!!

random thought

It's so easy to say to myself, I don't feel well today so I'm not going to exercise. Except I always tend to feel better after I exercise. (sometimes even if I feel like crap WHILE I am doing it)

I never used to buy the whole exercise makes endorphins which make you feel good thing. But more and more I'm finding it's true.

And lately, since I have been avoiding other chemicals (caffeiene, alchohol, fats and sugars) I feel it even more.

Home stretch

So I have a little more than 5 weeks to go. Now that the convention and my vacation are done with I've decided to really buckle down on the whole healthy eating thing for the next few weeks. It's not like I really eat that badly to begin with. But there is definitely room for improvement. Also I've decided to give up Diet Coke and alcohol until after the tri.

Yesterday was my first day with no caffeine and only eating veggies, whole grains and lean protein.

Wow, yeah. One whole day. Um... this might be harder than biking.

Checking in.

I have not been posting, but I promise I've still been training!

June has been a very busy month. I've been on lockdown in my apartment sewing like a crazy person getting costumes ready for a sci-fi convention. And in the middle of all that I took a vacation for a few days in South Dakota with my family.


Now I really try to not skip workouts when I am on vacation. I make a point of taking advantage of hotel workout facilities when available when I go to conventions. In fact I think the perfect remedy for a night of partying is a good workout to sweat the toxins from the night before.

I brought my running gear with me to South Dakota, but I only managed to get one run in while I was there. It was insane! I was staying in a cabin in Hot Springs. Way out in the country. It was my first time running on gravel (interesting) and in heavy winds (yikes!). And the place I was running was very hilly. Steep hills, not the gentle hills on my normal route.

Trying to run up steep hills against a 30 mph wind? It's basically like running up against a wall.

I did manage to do a little hiking in the black hills, though, so I didn't feel too bad about missing a regular workout or two. =)

Bad. ASS.

I ran my usual neighborhood loop tonight but did it in reverse so it was mostly uphill. I have not done that in ages.

My legs feel like jello right now. The rest of me feels like a badass.

Pilates: not for home use!

So the last couple weeks I have been getting up before work and doing these little mini morning workouts, in addition to whatever (biking, running, swimming) is on my training schedule for that day. Nothing heavy because I am so not a morning person. Just a short walk, and some strength and toning exercises. Maybe a couple of yoga poses if the mood takes me. Or just the exercises if I didn't get out of bed in time for a walk.

I got an email from Sparkpeople.com this morning that linked to a 12 minute pilates ab video on Youtube. I figured why not skip the boring crunches today and do a few minutes of that pilates video instead.

Bad idea! I totally pulled something in my back. This would be the second time I have gotten the hair-brained notion to do pilates at home, did it wrong, and pulled something.

No more pilates at home for now.

Sorta better.

The bursitis is starting to fade. I have been doing hip stretches like crazy and they really help to alleviate the pain. They work better than stupid so-called anti-inflammatories.

Running today seemed like an awful lot of work. Not sure what the deal is. Can't seem to catch my breath. Tired out quickly.

Maybe it's the rain. Or the crappy night's sleep.

Blah.

Grr... stoopid body

I'm having a bursitis flare. A really bad one.

I was going to go for a long bike ride today. I don't think it's gonna happen now.

The pain is so bad I don't even want to move.

Almost forgot!

I dumped the boyfriend yesterday. And in all the drama, I nearly forgot to post about my awesome swim. Yesterday I did my personal best on a 500 yard swim. 14 minutes! And I was not really even trying to be fast. I was just plugging away.

I wish all my other events were going this well, lol.

That was not fun.

Evening workout last night followed by early morning bike ride today.

Let's never do that again. Ugh...

But I am glad I made it out of bed and got that bike ride done before it gets too hot out. It's gonna be 80 degrees out by lunch time. YUCK!

Genius.

So today I went to the gym for lap swimming. I get there and realize I had forgotten my swim cap and goggles. Swim cap, not such a big deal. Goggles? Yeah I need them. I am a huge wuss about chlorinated water in my eyes, plus I wore my contacts specifically because I thought I would be in swim goggles.

But no big deal I told myself. I would just do my laps with a kickboard and keep my head out of the water.

OMG I finally found a more boring workout than running on an eliptical machine. That will teach me to forget my goggles!

THREE MONTHS, OMG!

The tri is 3 months from today. Yikes!

The YWCA sent me a handy training schedule for the weeks leading up to the tri. The calendar for that starts May 24. I might start it a week early, though. I am going on vacation in June and am going to miss some biking and swimming days. My friend Jess, who runs marathons, uses a similar kind of schedule for marathon prep that tells her how long to run on what days.

I don't think I could ever do a marathon. My body hates me enough for trying to run 5ks.

Speaking of running, today is a running day. I'm gonna get out there and get it over with before it gets hot out!

I want to ride my bicycle...

FINALLY after it being gray and rainy and gloomy all week, the sun came out. I went for a nice long bike ride today.

I stopped at the gym to get my spare apartment key from Jess. (she works there doing massage) It was totally dead. There was not a single person in the upstairs fitness center and only a handful downstairs.

Too nice a day to be indoors. Even for a workout.

Just checkin in.

I have not been writing. I'm still training, just have not had much to say lately.
Probably due to the workout ennui I mentioned in my last post.

I have not been on a scale in ages, and I really doubt I've lost much, if any, weight.
But my body shape is changing. It's probably only noticable to me. But it is changing.

That's all for now.

Yawn... time to make the donuts.

Back in the 80s Dunkin Donuts had a commercial where the donut man got up super early every morning and yawned and said "time to make the donuts". Granted I do most of my workouts mid-day not early morning. But still. It's getting to feel a little dull. Time to do the workout. Again.

I try to keep it interesting. Jogging, biking, swimming, yoga, and free weights. That's pretty varied!

I suppose the problem is that I still don't particularly enjoy any of this. Sometimes after a good run I feel like Wonder Woman and that's pretty cool. But if you were to ask me what I want to do on a Saturday afternoon I would not say "let's go work out!". I'd rather go to a movie or go shopping. Or to a concert. Exercise is still not fun to me.

Bored bored boredy bored.

This feels like a chore. Like laundry or dishes except I can't put it off and only do it once a month.

I'm not quitting, but I am secretly really excited for the tri to be done. I promised myself a whole week off from workouts.

First Tri Clinic

I am leaving in a bit to attend a free "First Tri" clinic at the YWCA. I'm nervous because probably everyone there will be a real athelete and I'm not.


Also I think I may have broken my finger last night. It hurts like a sonofabitch.

In other news... BOOBS!

This might be TMI but since I'm not even sure anyone is reading this, who cares right?

I am in dire need of a new sports bra. Which makes me sad because the current one was really awesome. It was like, the Cadillac of sports bras. (in case anyone's reading/curious, it's the Cacique Ultimate Sports Bra from Lane Bryant) Padded straps, underwire, and all made from moisture-wicking microfiber. And even though it minimizes, it still looks pretty. Overall, pretty fabulous.

When you are a 44 C/D you can't be buying those little tank-toppy, uniboob things from Target. They are just not enough support. Especially for running.

Of course buying the Cadillac of sports bras means paying for the Cadillac of sports bras. Lane Bryant's site currently lists the bra for $38. (but hey if I buy 2 I get one free)

Geez. I just spent $90 on new running shoes and socks. Plus the new bike lock. And the bike will be needing tune up and probably a new seat. And now a new bra, too?

Fitness is NOT CHEAP.

Yikes, bikes!

Finally got out on the new bike today. I've been hitting the stationary bikes at the gym on a regular basis for months. Which is super BORING. I really thought riding outside would be nicer.

What I did not count on is that it would be so much tougher!

I have not been on a real bike since last fall. Last year I'd actually gotten pretty good at the whole bike thing. Maybe not super speedy, but I could get around OK and I had gotten into the groove of running errands and stuff on my bike.

I got my bike outside and the first thing I noticed was how shaky I was. I knew that would wear off, it did last spring too. But still it's a weird sensation.

I took off down my street and headed for the Greenway entrance. I only had an hour for lunch today so my plan was to ride as far as I could for 20 minutes then turn around and head home. Silly, silly ambitious me. After only 10 minutes I had to stop. My legs felt like spaghetti and my ass was killing me. (I am pretty sure that skinny people don't have this problem. But when you weigh over 250, bike seats hurt your butt.) But I was determined to get a decent workout in. So back on the bike and down the Greenway I went.

Extreme ass pain aside, it was a nice little ride. I discovered a better entrance to the Greenway, through a community garden path. No more lugging my bike on stairs! And it's hard to be grumpy on the Greenway. There are lots of flowers and plants. and everyone who passes you smiles and says hello. Or at least nods. I swear, in this city riding a bike is like joining some sort of club.

The return trip was much better. In part because once I got off the Greenway, the whole ride home was downhill so I can pretty much coast for 6 blocks. (though the 6 blocks uphill may have contributed to the spaghetti legs)

I have a feeling I am going to be sore tomorrow. I seem to recall last spring being a bit sore all over after my first bike ride. I'm already feeling it a little.

Today's lesson: Cardio machines at the gym are a poor replacement for the real thing!!!

Take THAT!

I feel better whining about all my physical ailments AFTER a workout. Because then I feel like they are obstacles I am overcoming, as opposed to excuses.

I had a good run today. A real god one. In spite of the fact that I am in pain and suffering from real bad allergies and was coughing and sneezing and wheezing the whole time.

So here's my obstacles (aside from the allergies). To all of these things, I say Take THAT!

First and foremost, I am clumsy. I trip over things. I fall. I bump into stuff. I am almost always recovering from some stupid klutz injury. This week it's a strained neck from slipping in the shower. It fucking HURTS! Last week I twisted my ankle because I was trying to walk and text at the same time. I'm lucky when it's just minor bumps and bruises.

Next up, chronic bursitis in my hips. I have had hip problems since I was a kid. They ache. They lock up. Sometimes it hurts so bad I walk with a limp. Regular exercise keeps it under control. Yoga can alleviate some of the pain. But it flares up and there ain't much I can do about it. I'm having a flare right now in fact and would kill for a couple of vicodin.

The worst ones, though. The injuries. Permanent damage due to that whole clumsy thing.

In 2006 I fucked up my back in a rollerblading accident. I fell down a hill, cracked my tailbone and damaged all my back muscles. (not to mention the extreme road burn!) I have chronic low back pain as a result. Standing for a long time hurts. Sitting for a long time hurts. My back generally just bothers me. Every day.

In 2005 I slipped in an icy parking lot and broke my ankle. Like real bad. Like until I had surgery to repair it there was no bone connecting my foot to my leg. That kinda bad. I have lots of metal pieces still in there and it still causes me discomfort. Part of why I took up running was to prevent the arthritis that was setting in due to this injury.

So yeah. I have this whole cheesy mantra that every workout is a victory. But in a way, it is. I have always been clumsy and unathletic. I'm genetically predisposed to be chubby. And I have all these pain-causing things wrong with me. And maybe some days the pain wins. But today I was like, fuck you pain I am going running. So today I win. w00t!

Genius

What I really want to do on my lunch today is sack out on the couch and watch Ally McBeal. (just got season one on DVD and I am nerding out over the 90s-ness)

But I kinda feel like if I don't go running on my lunch break, I won't get one in today.

And then I remembered- oh yeah. I make my own schedule. I will take a long lunch, go running, then come home and watch some Ally while I cool down.

I am a genius!

New Shoes

New running shoes have been procured. I bought the same kind as before. Asics. The last pair served me well, and for $85 are not too badly priced.

I bought my shoes at the Running Room on Hennepin. I tried to go to Foot Locker yesterday but the sales guy was such a douche. Not only did he know ZIP about running shoes, he was very insistently trying to sell me the most expensive shoes even though they were completely wrong for me. When I asked to buy a new pair of my same old shoes he claimed they were "out" of my size. Sure they were. *eye roll*

My ankles have this tendency to roll on me. (I think it's called pronating or something) I broke my right ankle 6 years ago because of that very tendency. My Asics have this wicked wide base that prevents the rolling. I tried to explain that to the Foot Locker guy. But he seemed to think that the only think that mattered in a running shoe was the comfort and color. Um.... no.

So lesson learned. I will only be buying my running shoes from the pros. And for the record my shoes cost the same at Running Room as they would have at Foot Locker.

Oh, and also I can't believe *I* actually WORE OUT a pair of running shoes. OMG, yay me! It's weird because they don't look terribly worn but they feel it. I can feel the concrete when I run outside, and it HURTS.

Blah...

Tuesday, running
Wednesday, swimming
Thursday, well you could call it a rest day but I cleaned and did laundry all evening and managed to pull something (in my back, from hauling laundry up to my 3rd floor apartment). Way to go!
Friday, being today, more running

My friend Amy gave me a bike this week. It was gathering dust in her garage. I need to buy a bike lock and pump up the tires so I can start riding it. I am getting bored to running and swimming laps so maybe some nice long bike rides will help.

Time to go shopping.

Today's workout: swimming, weights

I need to get some new running shoes. I had a lot of suspicious knee and ankle pain after running last week and it occurred to me that I've had my current pair for a year. I think they are worn out.

Oh yeah, and excellent news on the bike front. A friend is giving me her bike that she never rides. So hopefully Wednesday or Thursday I will have me a new bike. EEE! This time I am buying a damn U lock.

Mutiny!

Today's workout: 2 mile walk, yoga

Headed out to do C25K (week 3 day 3) but my body was having none of that. Running was just NOT going to happen. Joints, muscles, lungs... nobody was cooperating. I thought maybe I was just feeling sluggish because I was tired and tried to push myself through a couple of intervals. To no avail. I could not get into a rhythm. And I was stiff and sore. I decided to walk instead.

I need to see a chiropractor. My back is in bad shape. I have some back exercises and stretches my old chiro gave me. Been doing those, taking hot showers and taking ibuprofen hoping it would just work itself out. Not happening. Ow.

Also I think it's time for new running shoes.

Swimming.

Today's workout: swimming, weights

I have not been concentrating on swim practice. I know how to swim and I'm OK at it so I have been concentrating on biking and running which are not really my strong suits.

The swim portion of the tri is 500 yards. Not a whole lot. Competitive swimmers do that in less than 10 minutes. I was not even trying to go fast today (really was not) and I did it in about 20 minutes.

I plan on taking a swim class at some point before the tri. I wonder if I can get my time down to like, 12 mintues. That'd be neat.

Buckling down.

C25K week 2 day2 today, and some yoga after

I've been socializing a lot. Too many dinners out. So many parties. Probably too much drinking, even if I rarely get drunk. (at my size and tolerance level it takes a LOT to get me drunk) And of course a new boyfriend who loooooves pizza. And my carmelized bacon knots. And lucky him can eat whatever he wants. (he is so skinny)

I have got to cut back on the rich food and liquid calories!

No rest on the rest day, LOL.

No formal workout yesterday but I walked all over town. In flip-flops. And while it does not sound like a strenuous workout, I guarantee it was. It's only April, you see. Sandal season has barely begun, which means all the foot muscles that I use to wear flip-flops are a little out of shape.

Pretty much everything below my knees hurts today. Ow.

I wish I could soak my feet in hot water while I worked. But somehow I think a bucket of water under the desk (next to all the power strips) is a recipe for disaster.

To 5k or not to 5k.

My friend Jess is a marathoner. She's doing the Minneapolis Marathon in June. They also have a 5k that day. I am contemplating running the 5k. I could totally be 5k ready by June. And maybe a little race mojo will help keep me motivated.

Something to think about.

Kind of a slacker workout today. Walked to the gym, rode 5 miles on the stationary bikes, lifted some weights, and walked home. I guess it's a slacker workout in that it was not super strenuous. But it took almost 2 hours to do all that. I mean, I did stop at Walgreen's ont he way home but that was maybe 15 minutes.

Tomorrow I am going to go to some bike shops. Riding stationary bikes at the gym is so sad when I know there are miles and miles of bike trails just waiting for me!

How it all went.

The Podrunner podcast:

It was awesome. I was very pleased with it. I liked the little chimes that tell you when to speed up and slow down. I liked the music. I'm giving it a 2 thumbs up!

As for the workout:

Since I am making the switch from treadmill to outdoors and have been out of commission for over 3 weeks, I decided to back up a bit and do C25K week 2. I think it was the right choice.

I coughed nonstop the first half of my workout. A couple of times I nearly vomited I was coughing so damn hard. But the running was not as difficult as I thought it was going to be. My legs seemed happy to be running again. I added a little to the cool down, so all told I did about a 40 minute workout.

My back and abs hurt from coughing. My legs feel like jelly. I am completely exhausted and I am sweating from head to toe. It's AWESOME.

Podrunner Intervals

Today I am trying out this podcast:
http://www.djsteveboy.com/1day25k.html

It's not terribly easy to find mp3 versions of podcasts for C25K. I have not joined the apple army and I really do NOT want to have to install iTunes on my computer.

I previewed the music and it's all nice techno goodness.

Review to follow. But even if I don't like it, props to them for putting out free podcasts in mp3 form.

Today's the day!

Right after I wrote my last post I started coughing so hard I threw up. So yeah, no running that night. But I did make it to the gym for Bodyflow. It felt soooo good to move. Even if I coughed all thru class. Yesterday I went out for a walk to get some fresh air. But I was still feeling pretty run down.

Today, though? I think today might be the day. I haven't been coughing so much this morning. And I can actually breathe today. And I'm not feeling all tired and stuff. (though I am kinda sore from Bodyflow) My plan is to get out on my lunch break and do a C25K run. I think I am going to back up to week 2 since I have been out of commission for a few weeks and also since I am going to be running outside now.

My bike was stolen last week, so this weekend I need to get out and shop for a new one. And definitely buy a better bike lock this time! I should be more mad but that bike had a flat tire, was super rusty, and needed a new seat. Plus it was a one-speed. I was already thinking I needed to upgrade to a bike with gears. So the thieves are totally welcome to my junker. Jerks.

I am excited to get outside today. Even if the running goes badly, I need the sun. I am pale from being indoors so much. And I have huge dark circles under my eyes. Last year when I was going running outside 3 times a week, I had a nice glow from getting lots of sun.

Lost momentum.

I have not been out running, or really done much of anything, since I got sick a couple of weeks ago. I am 99.9% better now and I was thinking today I might try going for a C25K run.

Hm.

Yeah.

That's all good in theory. But damn, I've gotten spoiled the last few weeks sitting around watching TV and drinking orange juice. I know that once I get out there and move a little I am going to feel SO AWESOME.

But damn it's hard to get off my butt.

Must. Go. MOVE.

Still alive...

I still have this cold/virus thing. I'm getting better but I still have a cough going on. It's terrible. I went for a 1/2 mile walk the other day and coughed the whole time. I hope I am better soon. Maybe by this weekend.

I feel like such a slug!

Oh hooray, I'm WORSE.

Laying around, taking it easy and drinking lots of OJ yesterday did not help. I am worse. Going to the doctor this morning. I better get a chest xray.

Still sick.

I am getting sick of being sick! This cold or whatever I have is just no fun. The sore throat part is nearly gone, but now the coughing has set in. I keep thinking I don't feel that bad, until I try to move. I get winded and dizzy just walking up my stairs. I can't breathe very well.

No breathing means no working out. I know I am sick and all, but this not exercising is stressing me out. I keep thinking how it's less than 5 months until the tri and every day that I don't work out is setting me back.

If I'm not feeling better by tomorrow I swear I am going to the doctor.

There is some good news, though.

I have not been on a scale yet, but my pants are getting looser. In fact when I was out running on Monday I thought my yoga pants were going to fall off me.

Yay, progress!

Sick.

I did not work out at all yesterday due to being barely able to move from fever and body aches. Today I am feeling much better but I don't think I am up for my scheduled C25K run.

But it's sunny and gorgeous out. I went to the corner store at lunch to buy Day Quil and the sun felt sooo nice. I think I might go for a walk after work. I think the fresh air will do me more good than more time on my couch.

I hate being sick!

Whoa...

It's officially nice enough to run outdoors. Yay!

I forgot how much harder it is to run on pavement as opposed to a treadmill. Boo!

Today's C25K run was a killer. My legs feel like JELLY. But it's soooo nice to be running outdoors again. I'm going to be doing all my running outside until the tri. Which is exactly 5 months away. I'm trying not to freak out about that.

Dancing is a workout!

Oh yes, dancing is a workout. Especially in heels.

I am more sore from going dancing last night than I have been from any workout I've done this year.

Ugh...

OK yeah, that was a challenge. C25K week 4, day 1 looks like this:

5 min walk to warm up
jog 3 min
walk 90 sec
jog 5 min
walk 2.5 min
jog 3 min
walk 90 sec
jog 5 min

I sailed through that first dreaded 5 minute interval. In fact I increased my speed halfway through because I got this awesome adrenaline burst and I was feeling no pain. But that last 5 minut one did not go as well. Ugh... only ran half of it.

By the time I got off the treadmill I had a lovely big blister on my instep (might be time for new shoes) and I felt rather like I was going to keel over. I decided not to walk home from the gym tonight. Whimpy, whimpy.

C25K Update

I repeated week 3 because I didn't feel like I was doing very well. I'm going to try week 4, day 1 this afternoon. I'm kinda nervous. Those 5 minute intervals seem daunting. I just need to keep reminding myself this is not my first time around. I can do it.

I'm mad it's all rainy and cold today. I had been enjoying the walks home from the gym after working out. But I suppose rainy and cold is nicer than snow and ice.

It's Official!

I plunked down my $99 registration fee today.

Eep!

*eye roll*

I saw a TV commercial last night for some weight loss product. I don't remember which one. This woman was saying how when she was overweight she wasn't comfortable in her own skin. But then she lost 30 pounds and then she wasn't embarrassed to go to the beach anymore.

My first reaction was. What? Only 30 pounds? Damn, I wish I only had 30 pounds to lose. HAH!

I know it was just a TV commercial but how sad for someone to be so uncomfortable with their body. And come on, an extra 30 pounds is not even that much. I mean, yeah, I have days where I feel self conscious. I have days where I get really annoyed because I would LOVE to look like someone who works out a lot and I hate that I have to exercise like crazy AND practically starve myself to see that number on the scale go down at all.

But at the same time, I'm not afraid to be seen in a bathing suit.

Strategy Fail

I have the day off today for 'convention recovery'.

My plan this morning was to meet a friend downtown for coffee and then hit the gym afterwards for my next C25K run. But I slept really late and never ate breakfast, so by the time I got downtown I was ravenous. We ended up at Panera and I got soup in a bread bowl. I didn't finish the bread bowl, but I was still very full when I left. As I headed down the street to the gym I realized my error. It's kinda hard to run on a full stomach. Doh!

I was still feeling pretty tired anyways so I decided I would skip the running part, and just do something easy. I did 40 minutes on the ellipticals and then took the 18 bus home so I'd have a nice long cool-down walk from the bus stop. On my way home I realized how funny it was that I consider ellipticals an easy workout. There was a time when I thought those things were evil torture devices and could not last 10 minutes on one. But really it's such an easy workout, I could do it in my sleep. No impact. Nothing to trip over. (I am the worlds biggest klutz) Nothing to think about. Just get on the machine and go. Easy-peasy.

Mmm... and now I have the workout checked off my to-do list and I can spend the rest of my day relaxing.

Stats?

I was thinking on the way home from the gym today. I wonder if I should be posting the workouts I do each day? That seems boring, to me. But I suppose I could do it. I mean, I already track it all in my day planner so I can look back and know what I've been doing. But do people really want to read all the stats and numbers?

For what it's worth, today I went to the gym and did 30 minutes on the treadmill (C25K, week3 workout) then walked home. (about 1.2 miles or something)

Vacation...

It's 8am. My plan was to get up and get my ass to the gym and get my C25K run out of the way first thing, then come home and finish packing and getting ready for the convention. But already the slacker voice in my head is working at me. I went to go look for my running pants and thought to myself "but we're on vacaaaaaation, let's skip it".

It would be so easy to declare myself "on vacation" and not work out this weekend. Which I think is all the more reason I can't do it. I've been feeling very unmotivated lately and I think it would be too easy to slip back into full-time slacking. Just gotta push past this and hopefully get my momentum back soon.

So no little slacker voice. We don't get to skip the gym because we're on vacation. Shut up!

Yay!

I just checked the hotel website and there IS a fitness center on premises. They have ellipticals, treadmills, cycles, and weights. So there's no excuse to miss any workouts this weekend. Must remember to bring my running shoes!

OMG what is that light in the sky?

It's been sunny and relatively warm the last few days. Yesterday, I rode the bus to the gym for my run and then walked home. Today is supposed to be a bike day but I would much rather be outside than in the gym on a stationary bike. (My real bike needs some work done.) I think I am going to go for a nice long walk today instead of hitting the gym. I've heard rumors that we're getting more snow before winter is officially over, so I think I will take advantage of this little 'heat wave' while I can. Plus it will be good to take in as much sun as I can before heading to Mars Con and being inside a hotel all weekend.

I am so looking forward to spring and the end of icy roads and sidewalks!

blah

It's been like pulling teeth getting to the gym this week.

And also these stoopid new shoes I bought gave me this NASTY blister. Running + blister= OWCH!!!

Arg.

I just posted a link to this blog on my Facebook. The thumbnail shows the first few sentences of my last post, in which I talk about finally getting on a scale. So now everyone on my Facebook knows how much I weigh. Hmm... I'm not sure right now if that makes me a badass or a dubmass.

I'm gonna go with badass.

In other news.

I finally sucked up my fear and got on a scale at the gym. 262 pounds, which means my crappy IKEA scale is off. But then what did I expect for $3?

Shut up and run.

I've heard people say they like to exercise because it gives them time to think, or to workout frustrations/agressions. Personally I find thinking while exercising to be very distracting. When I started running last spring I had this mantra- shut up and run. Because the minute my feet hit the pavement the chatter would start in my brain. Wondering if I looked silly, being annoyed by the strap on my sports bra that WILL NOT stay up on my shoulder, wondering what I should eat for lunch, wondering if this was EVER going to get any easier, and on and on and on. It was really hard to get into the flow with all that noise. And then one day I just told myself "Shut up and run." And it was amazing, like everything went quiet and I ran. I recall it being a good run that day.

Most days I am able to keep that mindset going. No thinking. Just breathing. Just zone out, enjoy the music on my mp3 player, just go. But today my thoughts got the better of me. I was running on a treadmill downtown. And week 3 of C25K was rather killing me and I was looking out the window at Orchestra Hall and my mind wandered and I thought about my brother's funeral. In the middle of my dad's eulogy he played a recording of a classical piano piece Pete had written. When it was finished everyone applauded. Hundreds of people. And I started thinking again how I should have been hearing that applause at someplace like Orchestra Hall, not his damn funeral. And my throat got tight and I was choking back tears which made that really hard training session just that much harder. I cried the whole way home on the bus, thankfully hidden behind an enormous pair of sunglasses.

Next time I have to remember to just shut up and run.

Biking is a pain!

So I've already posted about how riding the spin bikes for Cycle to the Movies class makes my butt because of the terrible seats. Well the big fancy computerized bikes in the cardio area at the gym have much better seats. But for some reason, after about 15 minutes on those bikes my feet will start to go numb.

I did 45 minutes of cardio today, split between ellipticals and bikes and it was the most boring workout ever. I cannot wait for the snow to melt.

Just got home...

...and I am freaking exhausted. That extra 15 minutes did me in.

Perhaps tonight I will finally get some decent sleep.

Upping the ante.

I am so glad I took a rest day yesterday. When I went out for that walk to get coffee beans I realized that in addition to all my other pain, my left knee was seriously out of whack. Ow. I'm feeling much better today.

This week I am increasing all my cardio sessions by 15 minutes. I usually do my 30 minutes and scoot out of the gym as fast as I can. (been a member over a year and still don't feel like I belong there) Today when I go do my C25K run, I'm going to do 15 minutes on the bikes after. In another couple of weeks I will up it to an hour total. Then I pretty much dare my pants to stay tight.

I also dusted off the old 8 Minute Abs and Arms DVD. Cheesy as they are, it's easy to squeeze in those mini workouts on my breaks and I really need to do some core and upper body work. I plan to do them daily.

My other goal this week is to drink more water. I keep a Brita pitcher in the fridge and have a mug of water next to me all day. But I think I maybe only drink 40oz a day. It needs to be more than that.

I am suffering from an extreme case of "don't wanna" today. I'm probably just tired.
I'm really not sleeping well.

Wah...

I hurt all over today. All. Over. Arms. Shoulders. Legs. Back. Ass.

My original plan for today was to get up this morning and go to the gym for a run. Then walk home (little over a mile) and stop by Starbucks on the way for good coffee beans so I could enjoy some french press.

I was already planning on tomorrow being my "rest day". I suppose that it's no big deal if I skip the gym today instead. All the experts and websites always say not to overdo it, to listen to your body, blah, blah, blah. And today my body is definitely screaming at me.

But I feel like if I skip my workout today- even though I am in pain, even though I know I will run tomorrow, and even though I will still walk for all my errands this morning (which are in completely opposite directions so it's plenty of walking)- I still feel like I'm being a slacker. Like I'm just making excuses.

Made it!!!

I decided to take another crack at Cycle to the Movies. This week they were showing It Happened One Night. It was a cute movie, and I actually got to see all of it. I thought I was going to lose it a couple of times, my butt hurt so bad from the uncomfortable seats. But I just kept plugging away.

I am immensely pleased with myself today.

Stoopid scale...

The last 3 weeks I have made a concerted effort to not eat crap. I'm not so much "dieting" as I just wanted to change all the bad habits that sort of crept into my routine the last few months. No more sodas. No more greasy breakfast sandwiches. No more living on fattening delivery food.

The last few weeks has been all about whole grains and fruit and lean protein. And honestly right now I miss the cigarettes more than the pizza and Mountain Dew.

But 3 weeks of healthy eating and regular workouts and... just no results. Pants still tight. I have been to the gym 8 times already this month. And I don't have a car so I do a lot of walking in addition to my scheduled workouts. (and with all the snow on the ground, walking anywhere is no easy task!)

This whole project is not really about losing weight so much as it's about being healthy. But I admit I really want to at least lose the pounds I've put on since my brother died. If anything because I am officially the heaviest I've ever been and I don't want to go buy bigger pants.

Sigh...

In other news...

C25K week 2 day 2 today. It went quite well in spite of my extreme lack of desire to exercise.

ARG!

I can't even begin to explain how badly I want a cigarette right now.

For the most part I quit years ago. 3, maybe 4 now. I don't really remember. But every now and then I would still sneak one at a party. Or more than one when some guy or another broke my heart. But usually it would make me feel like shit and I would not get hooked again.

But then my brother died and I strarted smoking again in earnest. Not just smoking. I started really enjoying it. Really. Enjoying.

I had my last cigarette on Sunday. After getting back from the gym. I swore I was done. I was not buying another pack. It was time to get serious about the tri, and smoking is entirely counter to my efforts.

But damn I still want one.

So bad.

Bike dread.

Last weekend I took my first cycle class at the gym. It was called "Cycle to the Movies". It seemed like a fun idea- ride bikes in the spin studio while watching a movie. Nice, relaxing Saturday workout. Honestly I would have done anything to get out of going to one more Bodyflow class. (a torturous combination Tai Chi, Yoga and Pilates, and I SUCK at it) But I only lasted an hour into the the 2 hour movie. Not because I wore out, but because my BUTT HURT! Seriously, how do people stay on thier bikes for hours at a time? I don't get it.

Since I ran yesterday I was thinking I should do the bikes today when I hit the gym. But I am kinda dreading it. I'm still kinda sore from the weekend. I would so much rather go running again.

What kind of world am I living in when running is my workout of choice?

Today I completed day 1, week 2 of C25K. It's going really well. Of course I'm running on a treadmill which is way easier than running outdoors. But I just started.

Even though I suck at running I kinda love it. I love how I feel when I finish a run (ok right now it's still a run/walk). I feel like Wonder Woman. All tough and sassy.

I think starting next week I am going to add 15 minutes on the bikes after every run.

And so it begins.

So... where to start. Last spring I got this crazy idea to try running and got roped into doing a 5k. I am the least athletic person you will ever meet, so the idea of running at all much less in a race was pretty hilarious. But I had been trying for a while to get in better shape so I figured why not. I did the 5k and it was so fun! Even though I totally sucked. (48 or so minutes, which is about a 16 minute mile) For me it was not about getting an awesome time, but more about proving to myself I could do it at all.

Well the 5k was so fun that I got this crazy idea to do a triathlon. To be more specific, the YWCA women's triathlon. Which is here in Minneapolis in August. About six months from now.

I am starting at a huge disadvantage. For one thing, I am WELL over 250 pounds. Not sure what I weight at the moment, as my crappy IKEA scale only goes up to 266 and I amscared to weight myself at the gym. I just don't want to know. Even at my height of 5'7", that is really overweight. I'm also coming back from almost 2 months of not working out. My brother died right after Thanksgiving and I kinda stopped working out and started eating a lot of junk. Before he passed away I'd made it to the gym at least 12 times a month for a solid year (except for that one month when I had surgery). In the tail end of January I started making it back to the gym again. But I'm defnitely not where I was when I ran my 5k on Halloween. (I was hovering around 248 then)

So maybe I'm crazy, and maybe I'm a total masochist but I am not going to let all that stop me. I started 'official' training on Feb.1. Well, official for me. I'm not working with a trainer or anything. For the next couple months my plan is to complete the Couch to 5k running program to get used to running again. And also to do lots of swimming and biking on my non-running days.

It's winter here in Minnesota, so most of this stuff is going to be done in the gym until the snow goes away. I already can't wait to be running outside.