Aftermath.

Not too surprised, I'm kinda sore today. Especially in my calves and hamstrings. I'm also tired and generally achey all over but I think that is this darn cold and not from the tri.

Did some stretching today. Planning to go for a walk tomorrow. I've got a super busy week ahead of me but I am going to try and find some time for a soak in the hot tub at my gym.

Other than the cold I think I am definitely faring better than I did last year.

Race report.

First off, it was a perfect day. Not too warm. No strong winds to interfere with biking. Just lovely and sunny and wonderful. Great day for a swim. And a bike ride. And a walk!

I arrived at the course around 7am. Got all checked in, set up my stuff in my rack and chatted with the women nearby. One of the best parts about the YWCA Women's Tri is the friendly, supportive atmosphere. Sure, it's competition, but people still want to have fun. Even though it was busy, I still had plenty of time to check my valuables into the bag check, get my timing chip, get body-marked, go pee and even grab some coffee before heading down to the beach.

The swim part was awesome. The water was not cold, but cool enough that it took me a minute or two to get used to it. But I quickly got into a good rhythm. I completely obliterated last year's swim time, and managed to NOT get kicked in the head. Yay! My first transition went well. I made sure to drink some water this time, and have a gel. Even though I did not improve my bike time from last year, the bike part went so much better. Less seat discomfort for sure. But also I didn't get as tired. It really was not until after mile ten that I started to hit a wall and then part of that was because I forgot to downshift into a lower gear. I thought I was losing steam but it turned out I was just working too hard. Doh! The second transition was a little rough. I was tired and having a hard time getting my bike racked and I almost fell. But I grabbed a gel and some more water and was on my way in decent time. I'm a little amused that the walk went faster this year. Last year I walked (more like limped) the first mile and then walk/ran the rest. This year I just power-walked. The lesson here is: I RUN SLOW. The only time I ran this year was the last few yards as I approached the finish. I got a sudden huge burst of energy and just busted into a run. Nice way to finish.

I actually felt pretty good throughout the race. I got tired at the 10 mile mark on the bike course but I powered through it. When I finished I was tired but not exhausted. And now this evening I'm a little sore but not in pain, really. Overall I think the whole thing went a lot better this year.

Some things I would like to do next year:

Buy a tri suit. It would be nice to not have to struggle to put pants on while wet. I bet that would cut my first transition time in half. Also the pants I wore today were too loose in the crotch and they bunched up and made for uncomfortable friction while biking. My inner thighs are RAW right now.

Get a better bike. I'm riding a Hard Rock mountain bike with road tires. It's actually a nice bike and I'm grateful to have it. (I got it for free from a friend who was not using it) But it's not made to go fast, and the frame is a bit small for me. I don't want a racing bike, just a nice road bike. Something that fits me. I'd love to see what I could accomplish with some better equipment. Someday I'd love to see my bike time closer to an hour- or even under an hour.

Results!

Total Time 2:45:28

Swim 13:27
TRN1 4:09
Bike 1:32:49
TRN2 2:24
Walk 52:40

Overall placement 955, division placement 159/162

Slower than last year's total, but by less than 1 minute. Considering I don't feel like I trained as hard this year, I'm not disappointed. I was hoping to beat my bike time, and I think I would have but... well I will explain that in the post-race report.

I am in way better shape right now than I was after last year's race. Sore but not in pain. Tired but not exhausted. I think I did good today. =)

One more sleep

Race day is tomorrow.

I slept really late today and then went to the mall. My cold seems to not be getting worse, so there's hope for tomorrow. I got some Day Quil though, just in case.

I spent some time tinkering with my bike tonight. Air in the tires. New seat post bag with a few tools and a tire patch kit. Air pump and water bottle holder attached to the frame. I put on new handle bar ends earlier this week. they make my bike look like a funny mutant, but the new height is much more comfortable.

I washed my race clothes tonight and packed my bag for tomorrow. Ran to the store to pick up some stuff for my pre-race breakfast. Then I got home and looked at the bus schedule and remembered how long it takes to get to the race course. Looks like I will be having a peanut butter sandwich on the bus instead of peanut butter toast at home. Oh well.

I should probably be in bed already. I'm nervous. Contemplating taking a NyQuil, but I don't want to feel sluggish in the morning.

Ugh... better try and get some sleep. 5am will come quicker than I'd like.

WTF?

I have a cold.

I woke up yesterday with a runny nose and hoped it was seasonal allergies, even though I don't really get those. Today my throat is sore and I feel kinda foggy.

My nose is still runny. Hopefully I will feel better tomorrow. I don't plan on missing the tri, but it will be a lot harder if I'm not feeling well.

Also, biking with a runny nose is going to SUCK.

Two more sleeps...

Picked up my race packet tonight. I wasn't planning to attend the course talk but ended up arriving just as the 6pm one was about to start so decided to stay. Briefly chatted with a first-timer. She seemed encouraged that I had enough fun last year that I decided to come back.

Well, I don't know if fun is the right word. I found the event itself grueling. Especially since my bike caused me so much pain. (should be better this year) But at the same time it is... gratifying? Empowering? Definitely rewarding. I enjoy the "Wonder Woman" feeling afterwards. I enjoy the feeling of camaraderie I get when I see other athletes cheering each other on. Since I'm not very speedy, I get the enjoyment of watching people's ages as they run pass me on the run course. (we all get our ages marked on the back of our leg before we start) I happen to love being passed up by women old enough to be my mom. I like to hope that getting into fitness in my 30s will ensure that I can still be active well past my 50s.

The event website has this "I tri" motto. If someone were to ask me why "I tri", I would say, I do it because I CAN. There was a time in my life when I never would have thought I could do something like this. How many great experiences do we miss out on simply because we think to ourselves "oh, I could never do that." ?

Squee!

Race number 229, wave 4.

Who needs Skechers Shape Ups?

I went out for a friend's birthday last night. I wore a pair of sandals that I don't normally wear. Sort of platform-y flip flops with sparkly straps. They must have been some kind of workout on my legs, though, because I'm a bit sore today. Crazy!

I'm planning a walk/swim bric workout tonight. Then a long bike ride on Saturday. After that it's light duty until the tri next Sunday.

Hop hope hope

The extended forecast is showing a cooldown into next week with highs of 80-81 and lows in the upper 60s.

It would be so nice to have relatively cool weather for the tri.

Whiny whining post

Wah... everything hurts. Why do I hurt all over? Why?

It's a mystery.

It seems like lately I have been having some days where physical activity is just plain DIFFICULT. For seemingly no reason. Last week, for example I had trouble trekking up the stairs to my friend's third floor condo. I felt winded and dizzy when I got to her door. I live in a third floor apartment! I go up an down several flights of stairs every day. This should not be an issue for me. This morning I had a doctor's appointment. I rode my bike there (maybe a mile), and on the way home decided to take a little jaunt around Lake of the Isles. An easy, maybe 4 mile ride, and one I do often. But today? Today it was so. much. work.

I can't figure out what the deal is. I don't think it's because I am dehydrated or not eating enough. I'm getting plenty of sleep. I have been feeling a little down in the dumps, lately. But that can't make it hard to move... can it? (it does make it hard to stay motivated)

Busy weekend!

Saturday I finally did my first brick workout of the season. I was a couple of weeks behind on that, but I'm blaming the heat. Saturday was beautiful. I went for a swim then biked around Calhoun and Isles. There was a storm brewing so it was windy. But windy and COOL for the first time in weeks. And not humid.

Yesterday I went with some friends for a bike trek around the city. We had lunch at Midtown Global Market then biked to Minnehaha and saw the falls, then over to the Ben and Jerry's by Calhoun for some well-deserved ice cream. We took our time and stopped a lot, but I logged around 20 miles by the end of the day. It was fun, even if my butt was sore by the end.

Oh hello my poor neglected training blog! I've been so preoccupied with preparations for CONvergence that I have not been posting. And now it's a month until the tri already! EEEK!

I'm feeling pretty confident this year. I'm not sure if that's good or bad. I don't think I am working as hard on the training as I was last year. I was so freaked out last year. Perhaps a bit of fear is a good motivator for me?

Last week's workouts:

Monday: I was camping... does packing up my gear in the rain count? LOL
Tuesday: 40 minute power walk, 20 minute bike ride
Wednesday: 40 minute power walk
Thursday: 30 minute bike ride
Friday: 1/2 mile lap swim
Sunday: Lots of bike riding!

Let's go ride bikes!

This week's theme was bike adventures.

I used 5 Nice Ride bikes this week. Those bikes are heavy, but so convenient. Also I like to think I am getting stronger from riding them.

Yesterday I was on my way to a job interview (trying to get a 2nd job) and I missed my connection downtown. So I hopped on a Nice Ride bike and rode the rest of the way. I was a little...dewy... for my interview. But oh well it was hot out. I probably would have been, anyway. But the cool part was that I finally rode a bike in downtown, which I have been very afraid of doing.

Today I rode my bike across town to spectate at the Minneapolis Marathon and Half Marathon. My friend Beth was running the half and my friend Jess was running the marathon. I rode some trails and bike paths I have never been on, including a tiny section of the UNPAVED South Hiawatha LRT trail. (not fun!) I hitched a ride downtown from mile 22 to attempt to catch Jess at the finish (missed her!) and then rode home from downtown. Two days in a row riding in downtown- this time from Mill Ruins park all the way home. It was not so bad. (and also very quick- Minneapolis is not a big city) Well, except for hitting a major crack in the road on Washington. That sucked. Grr.. (tires seem fine for now)

My new bike seat is SOOOOOO much nicer than the one that got stolen last year. I really thought it was somehow my fault that I never developed better 'bike seat stamina'. My rear end always in such pain if I rode longer than half an hour. It made biking not very fun. But now I think it was not entirely my fault- it was my shitty bike seat! I think the bike part of the tri will go so much better this year.

Note to self:

Gels are NOT meal replacements. You can't skip breakfast, wait until 1:30 to have your pre-lunch workout, and just expect a gel will make it all OK. Hopefully the headache you got today will teach you a lesson.

Arg.

I am suffering from an extreme case of the "don't wannas" today. I'm not even planning on hitting the gym until after work, and yet I'm already trying to come up with an excuse to skip it.

I need to exercise today. I am feeling very crabby and out of sorts and I know getting some exercise will make me feel better. Just gotta make myself do it.

Last week's workouts:

Monday: rest day
Tuesday: power walk (hills!)
Wednesday: 90 minute bike ride
Thursday: half mile swim
Friday: Massage and mani/pedi (oh wait, that's not a workout...LOL)
Saturday: Bodypump class

Whiny whining post

It's my own fault, really. If I had been less of a slacker in the off season, I might not be quite so worn out now. But getting back into 'training mode' is kinda rough. I'm sore most of the time. I have a new bruise every day (mostly from my bike). I'm tired a lot, and I'm hungry a lot. And this year I'm trying really hard not to be eating everything in sight after a workout like I did last year.

I know in another week or two I will hit my stride. I remember this from last year. Just gotta get past this little bump.

Last week's workouts:

Monday- Body pump class (upped the weights, too, DAMN!)
Tuesday- 20 min bike ride
Wednesday- 1/2 mile swim
Thursday- 45 min bike ride
Friday- 1/2 mile swim
Sunday- 35 min bike ride

New bike seat, FTW.

Today was my first longish ride on my bike (45 min) since I got the seat replaced. (thieves stole the seat and post last fall... jerks)

The dude at Sunrise Cyclery said the seat theft was probably a blessing in disguise because the used gel seat was not really what he thought I should be sitting on, anyway. I had already promised myself a quality bike seat this year, so I sprung for a brand new Velo Plush. It's not actually very plushy, but I rode for almost half an hour before my rear end started getting sore. So, yay! Hopefully by August I will have some decent bike seat stamina and there won't be a repeat of last year's little limping problem after the bike portion of the tri. Ugh...

In sorta-related news I'm down 10 pounds in the last 5 weeks. I'm thinking that will help me, too. Hooray for low-carb diets!

Awesome.

Went and did some laps this afternoon, keeping in mind the techniques I was watching on the swim videos. I have been positioning my hands wrong on my breaststroke. I linking at the thumbs and crossing them together. No wonder my wrists were always getting sore! Duh. Today I faced them palms together like an "upside down heart". Much smoother and no wrist pain.

I also practiced doing flip turns. Which I never learned way back in my childhood swimming lessons days. Those are hard! But kinda fun.

Yay, swimming. My favorite workout days. =)

Swim videos.

I have been watching swimming videos on You Tube. I would love to take a class or two, but honestly my budget is stretched pretty thin this spring/summer due to some upcoming travel plans, and swim classes cost MONEY. And honestly I did fine last year without taking any classes, so I'm not worried. (unlike many triathletes, swimming is my favorite event and I'm decent at it) So swim technique videos online are the next best thing.

THERE ARE SO MANY VIDEOS!!!!

I will have to start keeping track of which ones I like best and post a list or something.

So far today I'm kinda digging Phillip Toriello's vids from Livestrong.com.

He's very concise and the videos are well shot. Also I realized from watching this that I was totally positioning my hands wrong in my stroke. OMG! I can't wait to hit the pool later and try a few new things.

Last week's workouts:

Monday: Body pump class
Tuesday: rest day
Wednesday: Swimming
Thursday: Power walkin'
Friday: MOAR SWIMMING!

Third week in a row where I totally slacked on the weekend. Gotta stop that! Yesterday I ran errands on foot, but that hardly counts. Or does it? =P

Got my 12 week tri training schedule from the Y last week. I used it last year, I think it was a good guide.

Swimming!

I mostly do the breast stroke. I think it's good for distances (and the tri) because I it's the least tiring. But I have been trying other strokes lately to mix it up, work different muscles, and see if anything else is faster.

I have decided that I do not like the front crawl. I always get water in my ears and it takes all darn day to get it out.

Last week's workouts:

Monday- Bodypump class
Tuesday- swimming
Wednesday- rest day (quite literally- I slept most of the day)
Thursday- power walk, bike ride
Friday- power walk- HILLS!

Bodypump class...

Dear tricep track,

Why do you kill me EVERY WEEK? It's not fair.

Crystal

Last week's workouts.

Monday: Bike to gym, Bodypump class
Tuesday: bike ride (in the rain!)
Wednesday: 1/2 mile swim
Thursday: power walk
Friday: rest day
Saturday: bike ride
Sunday: rest day

I had planned on going for a bike ride yesterday, but twisted my ankle and deided to spend the evening with my foot elevated. Boo! It still hurts today, actually, but I walked to the store and it seems... OK. Not swollen or anything.

Just the weather?

I have been very tired and sluggish all week. It's been making the workouts really rough. Is it just the crummy weather? Who knows. What I do know is that it's not a lack of sleep. I've been getting 8-9 hours a night.

Uff-dah!

Before last night, I had not been to Bodypump class in several weeks.

I like the new choreography a LOT. But I forgot how challenging that class is. I slept like a baby last night.

Praise me!

I am tired and I don't feel like working out. But I'm going to the gym anyway.

Someone should give me a gold star, dammit.

Nice Ride

My bike is in the shop, so this week I used a Nice Ride bike for the first time.

Anyone used to a sleek racing bike will find them big and clunky. But I ride a mountain bike (with road tires), so I didn't think they were terrible. And the seats are very comfy. My butt did not hurt at all after my ride! I ended up subscribing for the year. I figure I can use the Nice Ride for some transit and other short rides. Which will save wear and tear on my bike and also will make it less of a pain to keep my bike in my apartment.

I live on the 3rd floor. Hauling a bike up and down the stairs is a giant pain. But I've already had one whole bike, plus a seat and seat post stolen in the last 2 years. I wish my building would put in bike lockers!

A personal note to my cold:

GO AWAY!

I want my lung capacity back. Thanks.

It's official.

Signed up for this year's YWCA Women's Tri.

There was no doubt I would do it again, but now that I paid my money it feels all official and stuff.

Less than 6 months until August 14th. I better get my butt in gear!

GET LUCKY!

I did the Team Ortho Get Lucky 7K this morning. I had been doing some running in preparation for today, but then I got sick. I have had a cold for nearly 2 weeks. So instead of trying to walk/run, I power-walked the whole thing. I had a friend along with, and that really helped keep my pace. I walked the race in 1:16:39.

I just woke up from my post-race nap. (to be fair there was post-race beer first) I am SO SORE! I think I power-walked much faster today than I normally walk/run. I am built for comfort, not for speed. LOL!

Slacker.

My back hurts.
I have a ton of stuff to do in order to get ready for my trip to California on Thrusday.

And did I mention my back hurts?

I was planning on going to Bodypump tongiht. I really was. But I have been in pain all day and I think that lifting weights won't help. I already have to lug heavy laundry down the block. That's a workout, right?

I think it's funny that I feel the most guilty about skipping a workout when I have valid reasons to do so.

Update

Well even with the holidays and missing over a week of workouts because of my medical thing, I managed to not gain any Christmas pounds. I don't get on the scale very often, because I am trying to focus more on clothing size than overall pounds. But I was at the doctor this week for a followup exam and I noticed that the number on the scale was down 2 pounds since the last time I remember weighing myself.

I'm now at 260. 9 pounds lost in the last 2 months. 17 in the last year.

Sigh... this is why I am trying to focus on pants size and not pounds. Because that is... well... kinda sad.

In more happy news my favorite jeans are too big. They are stretch denim so they fit kinda OK fresh out of the wash, but they stretch back out real fast. They are size 18/20 pants from Avenue. By comparison, my size 20 pants from Lane Bryant still won't zip. Crazy!