Well, still sick, still feel like crap. I haven't done anything in a few days. Last week I was feeling better on Friday so of course, I overdid it. Went shopping, it was raining. Gave the dogs a bath, did 5 loads of laundry, vacuumed the house and biked 1 1/2 hours in front of the fan. Felt sick again shortly after. Haven't done anything since. I feel like maybe I could bike tomorrrow. My Iron-Sherpa would flip if he heard me. I'm forbidden from riding or running until Monday. Mary removed my workouts for the rest of the week.
I sleep in tomorrow and take more meds...yum.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Jackie D - Week 14
Week 14 - starting Monday 18 December 2006
Wow I am really beginning to feel like an athlete. This was the second week with some breakthrough bike workouts and I even did one of them outside. Nearly Christmas and STILL riding outside!
On the biking side one of the other workouts was an hour 30 on the trainer. This was sooooooo boring - I still can’t even think about the times to come where it is likely to be 3 hours. It wasn’t helped this week by the fact that my youngest son was home sick so we put a kids movie on…..and it just wasn’t exciting enough to keep my attention.
I managed to make the masters swimming group both times this week. It is so hard to get the motivation to go swimming at 7 o’clock in the evening but once I am there I am fine. Mary has arranged a swim clinic in early January which I am looking forward to. I am kind of hoping someone will be able to pick something out from my stroke for me to work on and say “that will make a difference”. I’m a pretty competent swimmer and I can see myself improving but, it is very frustrating seeing these people, particularly men who could hardly swim a few months ago and now being as fast as I am.
Running was good this week too. I hauled my lazy…. away from the all too convenient canal towpath and went down Mendon Ponds park with the dog. It was beautiful and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The week ended with my long run with the group on Christmas eve morning. An hour 30mins which must be coming up for around the longest I have ever run. But, boy when you are wearing antlers they don’t half cause some wind resistence! I was doing about a quarter hour longer than most people today and one of the “team” turned round and started running with me when he saw I was going further alone. Thoughtful stuff like this just makes you feel warm and fuzzy and I realise what a wonderful group of people I have fallen in with with the Train-This! Team.
Next week the hours go WAY down. Mary says this is to let all the work “cook” and I will see the benefit of this rest in January. I trust her completely so will do as she says. However what with less exercise and yummy food around I am a bit concerned the scales are not going to be my friend this week.
I have just looked at a calendar and it is 30 WEEKS TO GO
Wow I am really beginning to feel like an athlete. This was the second week with some breakthrough bike workouts and I even did one of them outside. Nearly Christmas and STILL riding outside!
On the biking side one of the other workouts was an hour 30 on the trainer. This was sooooooo boring - I still can’t even think about the times to come where it is likely to be 3 hours. It wasn’t helped this week by the fact that my youngest son was home sick so we put a kids movie on…..and it just wasn’t exciting enough to keep my attention.
I managed to make the masters swimming group both times this week. It is so hard to get the motivation to go swimming at 7 o’clock in the evening but once I am there I am fine. Mary has arranged a swim clinic in early January which I am looking forward to. I am kind of hoping someone will be able to pick something out from my stroke for me to work on and say “that will make a difference”. I’m a pretty competent swimmer and I can see myself improving but, it is very frustrating seeing these people, particularly men who could hardly swim a few months ago and now being as fast as I am.
Running was good this week too. I hauled my lazy…. away from the all too convenient canal towpath and went down Mendon Ponds park with the dog. It was beautiful and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The week ended with my long run with the group on Christmas eve morning. An hour 30mins which must be coming up for around the longest I have ever run. But, boy when you are wearing antlers they don’t half cause some wind resistence! I was doing about a quarter hour longer than most people today and one of the “team” turned round and started running with me when he saw I was going further alone. Thoughtful stuff like this just makes you feel warm and fuzzy and I realise what a wonderful group of people I have fallen in with with the Train-This! Team.
Next week the hours go WAY down. Mary says this is to let all the work “cook” and I will see the benefit of this rest in January. I trust her completely so will do as she says. However what with less exercise and yummy food around I am a bit concerned the scales are not going to be my friend this week.
I have just looked at a calendar and it is 30 WEEKS TO GO
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Marian December,19th, 2006
Well, I feel like crap. I had a great Sunday morning run and a really good day yesterday. Woke up at 5:00am, swam 2000 yards, the ran 5 1/2 miles. Had a bit of a headache but not too bad. Then a sore throat, I can handle it. Then the upset stomach and nausea. I was done. Went to bed around 8:00pm and was out for the night. This morning, could barely see. The headache was so bad. Went to work and was sent home, something about scaring the clients away. Now I'm just dragging, stumbling through the house. in the back of my mind is the thought of tomorrows one hour bike ride. Rolando would kill me if he knew that's my big worry. That's probably why I did not wabt to stay home from work. If I'm well enough to stand in the surgery room for the morning, then I can bike tomorrow morning. I already heard about it last night, I went running in the morning yesterday in the rain, when I had already not been feeling good on Sunday night. But, there's only 214 days left...
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Jackie D - Week 13
Week 13 - starting Monday 11 December 2006
To tie in with another recovery week in 2 weeks time (between Christmas and New Year when we may go on holiday (vacation to you Americans)) I have been set a couple of weeks of more tough workouts with some Breakthrough stuff in them! Yippee, up to now, breakthrough workouts are things I have only read about and now I am considered ready to do them. Did I mention - Yippee.
Timing is funny though. Sometimes I can be impatient and I like to push myself (like on the group runs) but in the last couple of weeks I have been trying to mentally convince myself that what I need to do for Ironman training is low zone work……and then these weeks pop up.
So far this week I have done some funny bounding drills (I no longer get embarrassed when people pass as I am doing running drills - in fact some people have asked what I am doing!). Not quite got the hang of this yet I don’t think as I don’t feel too bunny like but can try again next week. But, even more exciting than that (can it be so?) because of the weather I am still riding OUTSIDE. I have 2 breakthrough bike rides this week - a hilly one which I did today and loved (zone 2 to 4) and another flat one going into zone 5a later in the week. My HRM seems to me more reliable (stable) on the bike. My long run goes up to 1 hour 20mins as well this week so I feel like I am really making progress.
To tie in with another recovery week in 2 weeks time (between Christmas and New Year when we may go on holiday (vacation to you Americans)) I have been set a couple of weeks of more tough workouts with some Breakthrough stuff in them! Yippee, up to now, breakthrough workouts are things I have only read about and now I am considered ready to do them. Did I mention - Yippee.
Timing is funny though. Sometimes I can be impatient and I like to push myself (like on the group runs) but in the last couple of weeks I have been trying to mentally convince myself that what I need to do for Ironman training is low zone work……and then these weeks pop up.
So far this week I have done some funny bounding drills (I no longer get embarrassed when people pass as I am doing running drills - in fact some people have asked what I am doing!). Not quite got the hang of this yet I don’t think as I don’t feel too bunny like but can try again next week. But, even more exciting than that (can it be so?) because of the weather I am still riding OUTSIDE. I have 2 breakthrough bike rides this week - a hilly one which I did today and loved (zone 2 to 4) and another flat one going into zone 5a later in the week. My HRM seems to me more reliable (stable) on the bike. My long run goes up to 1 hour 20mins as well this week so I feel like I am really making progress.
Jackie D - Weeks 11 & 12
Week 11- starting Monday 27 November 2006
Well my guests have left and whilst it was nice to have them here, scheduling training was rather more hectic, especially with the later nights up playing cribbage.
I started the week with a couple of pretty lazy days, just making sure I fitted my workouts in when I felt like it. I picked up the dog from the kennels on Monday and went for a lovely run around the trails of Mendon Ponds Park. It was T-shirt weather and the thermometer in my car said 62F!
I almost did my bike ride outside that day too but it was after lunch and I get really worried about whether I will make it back for the school bus if I get a flat - so I didn’t. I got on the indoor trainer and did my one-legged drills like a good girl! I tried a different approach to amusing myself on the trainer today and listened to a book on CD and that worked very well. Must remember to get some movies out for some of my indoor rides as well as I am bored with the kids movies and watching TV drives me nuts with all the adverts.
With the thanksgiving break over, most of the unhealthy food has now gone and that is a big relief. I have put on a few pounds and am going to make a big effort to lose those plus a few more. After all most athletes are lean and I want to be one! I just have to keep telling myself that eating this rubbish food is not going to help me in the Ironman. Back onto the Weightwatchers core plan for a week and see if that gets me back under control. Of course having the “diet starts tomorrow syndrome” meant I ate extra badly yesterday. DUH!
I felt like a “real athlete” this week ‘cos on the spur of the moment I decided to book up a Lactate Threshold and VO2 max test. I did these on Thursday and now have all my zones so will be able to take more notice of these instructions in my training plan. So far I have learnt several things
a) I need a new Heart Rate Monitor - mine is not very reliable until I get really sweaty (Father Christmas and Garmin may be able to help here)
b) I need a new Heart Rate Monitor - mine told me on my group run that I started off way over 200 bpm and settled in 170s. Since 175 is top of my zone 5 range then that can’t be possible as I sustained it for the hour and a quarter!
c) allowing for comments above, but taking it more generally I seem to have a tendency to work too hard on the run and not hard enough on the bike.
Week 12 - starting Monday 4 December 2006
Well Week 12 was another recovery week and I think the exercise hormones were playing up as I think I have been kind of grouchy. All I wanted to do was just go out and run but I couldn’t or I would mess my plan up. I kept telling myself I NEED this recovery week.
It was also the week that the Christmas parties seem to start. Food wise I was OK but the late nights really catch up with me…. In fact when it comes down to it I don’t really want late nights or hangovers anymore as I am enjoying my training too much (still!!!!!). However, I was a lazy bum on Sunday and couldn’t drag myself out of bed for the group run. I went later though and I don’t know how they managed as the way I went on the canal path was quite icy - I even turned round at one point and went round on the roads.
Well my guests have left and whilst it was nice to have them here, scheduling training was rather more hectic, especially with the later nights up playing cribbage.
I started the week with a couple of pretty lazy days, just making sure I fitted my workouts in when I felt like it. I picked up the dog from the kennels on Monday and went for a lovely run around the trails of Mendon Ponds Park. It was T-shirt weather and the thermometer in my car said 62F!
I almost did my bike ride outside that day too but it was after lunch and I get really worried about whether I will make it back for the school bus if I get a flat - so I didn’t. I got on the indoor trainer and did my one-legged drills like a good girl! I tried a different approach to amusing myself on the trainer today and listened to a book on CD and that worked very well. Must remember to get some movies out for some of my indoor rides as well as I am bored with the kids movies and watching TV drives me nuts with all the adverts.
With the thanksgiving break over, most of the unhealthy food has now gone and that is a big relief. I have put on a few pounds and am going to make a big effort to lose those plus a few more. After all most athletes are lean and I want to be one! I just have to keep telling myself that eating this rubbish food is not going to help me in the Ironman. Back onto the Weightwatchers core plan for a week and see if that gets me back under control. Of course having the “diet starts tomorrow syndrome” meant I ate extra badly yesterday. DUH!
I felt like a “real athlete” this week ‘cos on the spur of the moment I decided to book up a Lactate Threshold and VO2 max test. I did these on Thursday and now have all my zones so will be able to take more notice of these instructions in my training plan. So far I have learnt several things
a) I need a new Heart Rate Monitor - mine is not very reliable until I get really sweaty (Father Christmas and Garmin may be able to help here)
b) I need a new Heart Rate Monitor - mine told me on my group run that I started off way over 200 bpm and settled in 170s. Since 175 is top of my zone 5 range then that can’t be possible as I sustained it for the hour and a quarter!
c) allowing for comments above, but taking it more generally I seem to have a tendency to work too hard on the run and not hard enough on the bike.
Week 12 - starting Monday 4 December 2006
Well Week 12 was another recovery week and I think the exercise hormones were playing up as I think I have been kind of grouchy. All I wanted to do was just go out and run but I couldn’t or I would mess my plan up. I kept telling myself I NEED this recovery week.
It was also the week that the Christmas parties seem to start. Food wise I was OK but the late nights really catch up with me…. In fact when it comes down to it I don’t really want late nights or hangovers anymore as I am enjoying my training too much (still!!!!!). However, I was a lazy bum on Sunday and couldn’t drag myself out of bed for the group run. I went later though and I don’t know how they managed as the way I went on the canal path was quite icy - I even turned round at one point and went round on the roads.
Jackie D - Weeks 9 & 10
Weeks 9 & 10- starting Monday 13 November 2006
I have had a mini breakthrough on swimming this week! Not in the physical aspect (yet) but psychologically. Although I like swimming with my masters group, when I have to go alone it has really been something I just go and get through. This week I found that not only was I looking forward to my non- masters swimming workout but I really enjoyed it whilst doing it too! Like REALLY enjoyed it! Analysing this with hindsight I think this is because I am such a competent swimmer that I know I can do the distance and I know I can swim up and down for as long as required and so that keeps any motivation down. Well Mary’s workouts that have lots of stroke in them have turned that around. They are workouts that have butterfly in them and I am horrified to see that me, as a pretty good (though not fast) swimmer CAN’T do them. This may not sound very motivating but I can tell you it is! I now have something to aim for. Every time I go to the pool on my own I am going to make sure I do some fly and by this time next year I AM going to be able to do a 100m fly like written in some of these workouts. 25m I can do now (couldn’t 6 months ago!) and I have done 50m once but it wasn’t pretty at the end and I couldn’t do much after it!
My inlaws arrived on the 14th and stayed through to the 27th for the thanksgiving break. Lovely people as they are, they just have no clue about triathlons and the importance of consistent training etc. Consequently to minimise disruption to their visit and so I didn’t push it in their face all the time, for the most part where I could I got up and did my workouts early before they were up. This was hard as we were up playing cribbage way past my normal bed time so I got more and more tired as the days went on. I need my sleep - 8 hours at least and I wasn’t getting it.
I did have to walk to dog though so managed to squeeze some runs in doing that whilst they went shopping (I HATE shopping - I must be one of the few girls who do!). I know they think I am completely mad getting up to exercise. However, although I found it difficult a couple of times I am feeling very pleased with myself because I did everything on my schedule with a bit of juggling. Good came out of this because I started teaching myself that it is OK to juggle things around. I have been (and still am) a bit neurotic about doing the schedule as written so making myself do this I am sure has been good for me. Mary said at the last Ironman meeting not to worry about missing a workout but that doesn’t work with me!
We went up to Toronto for the weekend after Thanksgiving and having my weekends light on the training really helped me here. I got up early on the Friday and rode outside as soon as it was light (brrrr - cold) before we left on Friday. Saturday is my day off and then I got up early on Sunday for a run. The owner of the B and B we were staying at caught me on the way out of the door. Turns out she runs and she explained a lovely 10k route to me. I was a little nervous about running on my own in a city I didn’t know well but with her advice all that worry disappeared and I had a lovely time. I am not a city person and I can’t begin to explain the relief and joy it was to run that morning, heading out into the more spacious suburbs. I could have gone on forever!
I have had a mini breakthrough on swimming this week! Not in the physical aspect (yet) but psychologically. Although I like swimming with my masters group, when I have to go alone it has really been something I just go and get through. This week I found that not only was I looking forward to my non- masters swimming workout but I really enjoyed it whilst doing it too! Like REALLY enjoyed it! Analysing this with hindsight I think this is because I am such a competent swimmer that I know I can do the distance and I know I can swim up and down for as long as required and so that keeps any motivation down. Well Mary’s workouts that have lots of stroke in them have turned that around. They are workouts that have butterfly in them and I am horrified to see that me, as a pretty good (though not fast) swimmer CAN’T do them. This may not sound very motivating but I can tell you it is! I now have something to aim for. Every time I go to the pool on my own I am going to make sure I do some fly and by this time next year I AM going to be able to do a 100m fly like written in some of these workouts. 25m I can do now (couldn’t 6 months ago!) and I have done 50m once but it wasn’t pretty at the end and I couldn’t do much after it!
My inlaws arrived on the 14th and stayed through to the 27th for the thanksgiving break. Lovely people as they are, they just have no clue about triathlons and the importance of consistent training etc. Consequently to minimise disruption to their visit and so I didn’t push it in their face all the time, for the most part where I could I got up and did my workouts early before they were up. This was hard as we were up playing cribbage way past my normal bed time so I got more and more tired as the days went on. I need my sleep - 8 hours at least and I wasn’t getting it.
I did have to walk to dog though so managed to squeeze some runs in doing that whilst they went shopping (I HATE shopping - I must be one of the few girls who do!). I know they think I am completely mad getting up to exercise. However, although I found it difficult a couple of times I am feeling very pleased with myself because I did everything on my schedule with a bit of juggling. Good came out of this because I started teaching myself that it is OK to juggle things around. I have been (and still am) a bit neurotic about doing the schedule as written so making myself do this I am sure has been good for me. Mary said at the last Ironman meeting not to worry about missing a workout but that doesn’t work with me!
We went up to Toronto for the weekend after Thanksgiving and having my weekends light on the training really helped me here. I got up early on the Friday and rode outside as soon as it was light (brrrr - cold) before we left on Friday. Saturday is my day off and then I got up early on Sunday for a run. The owner of the B and B we were staying at caught me on the way out of the door. Turns out she runs and she explained a lovely 10k route to me. I was a little nervous about running on my own in a city I didn’t know well but with her advice all that worry disappeared and I had a lovely time. I am not a city person and I can’t begin to explain the relief and joy it was to run that morning, heading out into the more spacious suburbs. I could have gone on forever!
Jackie D - Week 8
Week 8- starting Monday 6 November 2006
Recovery week.
My arms have been sore for a few days after the mid week Total Body Conditioning class which is great as that means I am getting stronger.
I started feeling a bit unwell on Friday and that combined with the fact that the kids were off school (forgot to plan that into the workout schedule) meant I decided to push the gym session to Saturday. I love the psychological benefit of having lots of workouts at beginning of week with day off on weekends because it always means I can reschedule without messing up the week too much.
Well, on Saturday I didn’t feel too good either. In fact it is Saturday right now and I am struggling with myself on the guilt vs. rest argument. I am sure I have read in loads of articles that if the “illness” is above the neck it is OK to train but below the neck then rest. Well, I have a chest full of phlegm so think probably the latter for me. Will wait and see how I feel later maybe.
I started logging my eating this week, partly out of curiosity and partly because bad habits are beginning to sneak back in and I owe a few $’s to the kids for chocolate eating! I have noticed some useful things like how I eat rubbish stuff when I am tired and also how I snack badly in the evening (maybe related?). I am just at the stage of assimilating data at the moment before I give myself any ‘targets”. I know HOW to eat healthily - years of dieting and nutrition as part of my physiology degree took care of that but the practice is sometimes harder.
.. Final note for the week… I felt better by Saturday afternoon so went and did my gym session with no bad effects. That result meant I was happy to go on the group trail run on the Sunday morning which ended the training week for me.
I am really enjoying these group runs and we are not the only mad people out early on a Sunday morning in the rain. I tried Hammergel this morning just before the run and had no ill effects from that so am gaining confidence that I will be able to use gels. Chocolate flavour gets my vote so far.
Recovery week.
My arms have been sore for a few days after the mid week Total Body Conditioning class which is great as that means I am getting stronger.
I started feeling a bit unwell on Friday and that combined with the fact that the kids were off school (forgot to plan that into the workout schedule) meant I decided to push the gym session to Saturday. I love the psychological benefit of having lots of workouts at beginning of week with day off on weekends because it always means I can reschedule without messing up the week too much.
Well, on Saturday I didn’t feel too good either. In fact it is Saturday right now and I am struggling with myself on the guilt vs. rest argument. I am sure I have read in loads of articles that if the “illness” is above the neck it is OK to train but below the neck then rest. Well, I have a chest full of phlegm so think probably the latter for me. Will wait and see how I feel later maybe.
I started logging my eating this week, partly out of curiosity and partly because bad habits are beginning to sneak back in and I owe a few $’s to the kids for chocolate eating! I have noticed some useful things like how I eat rubbish stuff when I am tired and also how I snack badly in the evening (maybe related?). I am just at the stage of assimilating data at the moment before I give myself any ‘targets”. I know HOW to eat healthily - years of dieting and nutrition as part of my physiology degree took care of that but the practice is sometimes harder.
.. Final note for the week… I felt better by Saturday afternoon so went and did my gym session with no bad effects. That result meant I was happy to go on the group trail run on the Sunday morning which ended the training week for me.
I am really enjoying these group runs and we are not the only mad people out early on a Sunday morning in the rain. I tried Hammergel this morning just before the run and had no ill effects from that so am gaining confidence that I will be able to use gels. Chocolate flavour gets my vote so far.
Jackie D - Weeks 6 & 7
Week 6- starting Monday 23 October 2006
Well I still rode outside this week but I was wrapped up well with lots of layers (have I mentioned I don’t like the cold?!). I learnt a new drinking technique on the bike as well. It’s called, “ How to drink water from a water bottle when you go out for a ride immediately after an anaesthetic injection from the dentist”. It was messy I can tell you and I am glad it was just water, but by the end my technique of opening mouth and squirting forcefully in the right direction (so as not to have to dribble) was pretty much perfected.
I tried my first “Gu” during the group trail run. YUM. It tasted just like chocolate pudding. Definitely worth experimenting with this one a lot more J. I was trying to time it so that the energy kick would get me up the hill I call to myself “killer” on the way back but the hill still felt awful. I didn’t feel any turbo boost but I did feel strong still at the finish. No adverse gut effects, just a slight side stitch but that might have been the hill efforts so better try it again :) and again :) and again:).
Week 7- starting Monday 30 October 2006
This week I had the mission of starting to make friends with my indoor bike trainer. Two bike workouts were scheduled for the trainer and tempting though it was to go outside, I put a kids movie on (Harry Potter - no Spinervals yet - they’re in my letter to Father Christmas) and got on with it. On the positive side I am sure I am getting used to the saddle and get less sore each time. On the negative side, the spot in front of the TV means I have a good view of myself in a mirror over the fireplace and I don’t like the wobble of that belly fat!
Talking of belly fat, this week must be one of the worst for candy lovers like myself (OK candy lovers who are trying to resist - like myself). I wasn’t too bad - partly ‘cos I made darling hubby lock the leftovers in his car and partly ‘cos I have told the kids if they catch me eating chocolate then I will pay them a $1. Drastic measures!
I still managed to cycle outside though. With a few layers and some gloves and the sun shining it is very pleasant indeed. Many bare trees though, a sure sign that winter is on it’s way.
This week was the first week that I have started feeling a bit over tired and on by Thursday was really looking forward to the recovery week next week. Then came the trail run on Sunday. It was along the canal followed by breakfast and maybe that was all the incentive I needed! I tried a vanilla gu just before we set off because I couldn‘t get up in time for breakfast (another yum) and I had a great run. Perhaps I just needed a day off (which is Saturday for me). Suddenly recovery week wasn’t so appealing. Mary made a comment about how the hills in Mendon were paying off and when I think about it that is such a great way to look at it. I had been thinking the opposite way - in that - I can run on flat but not very good at hills. I am learning so much from my trainer.
Well I still rode outside this week but I was wrapped up well with lots of layers (have I mentioned I don’t like the cold?!). I learnt a new drinking technique on the bike as well. It’s called, “ How to drink water from a water bottle when you go out for a ride immediately after an anaesthetic injection from the dentist”. It was messy I can tell you and I am glad it was just water, but by the end my technique of opening mouth and squirting forcefully in the right direction (so as not to have to dribble) was pretty much perfected.
I tried my first “Gu” during the group trail run. YUM. It tasted just like chocolate pudding. Definitely worth experimenting with this one a lot more J. I was trying to time it so that the energy kick would get me up the hill I call to myself “killer” on the way back but the hill still felt awful. I didn’t feel any turbo boost but I did feel strong still at the finish. No adverse gut effects, just a slight side stitch but that might have been the hill efforts so better try it again :) and again :) and again:).
Week 7- starting Monday 30 October 2006
This week I had the mission of starting to make friends with my indoor bike trainer. Two bike workouts were scheduled for the trainer and tempting though it was to go outside, I put a kids movie on (Harry Potter - no Spinervals yet - they’re in my letter to Father Christmas) and got on with it. On the positive side I am sure I am getting used to the saddle and get less sore each time. On the negative side, the spot in front of the TV means I have a good view of myself in a mirror over the fireplace and I don’t like the wobble of that belly fat!
Talking of belly fat, this week must be one of the worst for candy lovers like myself (OK candy lovers who are trying to resist - like myself). I wasn’t too bad - partly ‘cos I made darling hubby lock the leftovers in his car and partly ‘cos I have told the kids if they catch me eating chocolate then I will pay them a $1. Drastic measures!
I still managed to cycle outside though. With a few layers and some gloves and the sun shining it is very pleasant indeed. Many bare trees though, a sure sign that winter is on it’s way.
This week was the first week that I have started feeling a bit over tired and on by Thursday was really looking forward to the recovery week next week. Then came the trail run on Sunday. It was along the canal followed by breakfast and maybe that was all the incentive I needed! I tried a vanilla gu just before we set off because I couldn‘t get up in time for breakfast (another yum) and I had a great run. Perhaps I just needed a day off (which is Saturday for me). Suddenly recovery week wasn’t so appealing. Mary made a comment about how the hills in Mendon were paying off and when I think about it that is such a great way to look at it. I had been thinking the opposite way - in that - I can run on flat but not very good at hills. I am learning so much from my trainer.
Jackie D - Week 5
Week 5- starting Monday 16 October 2006
Confessions of an addict
Hmm OK I am feeling a teensy bit guilty at the moment and am playing through the conversations I could have with darling hubby (a completely non tri person).
“Darling you haven’t got any clean shirts and no dinner tonight because I have been playing around with my bike for most of the day” Nope that won’t do it. How about “Darling, I know you have been on your bike recently for a few miles and I have got you some toe cages to help you pedal better and a lovely bouncy comfy saddle” OK getting better.
What actually happened was the process of getting my old, old road bike to be comfortable on the indoor trainer. Well, my big bouncy granny’s saddle just doesn’t do it for me any more so I swapped it with one of the ones on one of our joint old mountain bikes. But it wouldn’t fit, so I went off to the bike shop for some ideas and to cut a long story short I ended up buying some pedals and cleat thingies so that I can use my cycling shoes on them indoors too - the cages on the old bike just were no good for pedalling drills! I have to admit this is the first time I have considered not telling hubby about my purchases. It all adds up and although my job at the moment is housewifey I am pretty aware that I don’t’ bring in the dosh to buy these things and both kids are at school now. It’s not an isolated incident either - arriving earlier this week was my tempo trainer (come on November is weakness month - I NEED one to help my running - honest!).
On the guilty finance thoughts I think I will comfort myself with my thoughts of a recent short ride outside. It was cold and I don’t have any proper cool weather cycling gear so I went out in my trackie bottoms with elastic bands round the ankles to stop them flapping and snagging in the chain, and an old sweatshirt (thank god I didn’t meet anyone I knew! J)
Now if I get going quickly maybe I can salvage the dinner plan….
……later.
Well another weeks training is complete and the next couple of weeks are more or less the same. I have a bit of workout juggling to do this week to fit in with half days of school and hubby’s work commitments but hopefully I will fit it all in.
I have experienced my first bit of lack of motivation this week. Not really to do with not wanting to train, but more to do with the miserable, cold weather. Winter syndrome and I just want to hibernate under the duvet, not even think about taking off clothes to get in a pool! It’s OK when I get going though, although I admit I cocooned myself under the duvet on the sofa Saturday afternoon and snoozed. It was just so warm in there.
The group trail run on Sunday started off in the dark, another sign of winter although the clocks change next weekend.
After discussion about nutrition at our Ironman meeting I started to experiment. Although over the summer I ate Clif Bars whilst on the bike I didn’t really do much else distance wise that required nutrition. I found that Clif Bars were hard to chew and swallow when I was riding with any sort of intensity. I also never eat a couple of hours before or during a run because I always end up with a side stitch. This doesn’t bode well for the IM so I decided I needed to do something about it and start trying the custom made gels and stuff. This morning I ate half a really ripe banana about 45 minutes before the group run and…..I was fine. Yippee. One of the other IM trainees had brought me a bag full of samples of gels and stuff (thank you so much!) and I am going to start to experiment with those too! I have been warned that 5mins after taking one, a turbo boost kicks in, so, I am going to time it carefully and see if it helps me get up the hills on the return part of the group run next week! Watch out everyone - I will be either leading the way or hurling in the bushes!
…and finally for this week… I was explaining to hubby that the Hawaii IM world championship was on and he said “Do you know how far away Hawaii is?” “Er, yes, I said but don’t worry I’m never going to get to the stage of going there - you have to qualify”. He looks at me and says “Well that would be a good goal then wouldn’t it?”. Hmm, sweet faith of my loved ones!…..Mary can you get me that fast??????????????
Confessions of an addict
Hmm OK I am feeling a teensy bit guilty at the moment and am playing through the conversations I could have with darling hubby (a completely non tri person).
“Darling you haven’t got any clean shirts and no dinner tonight because I have been playing around with my bike for most of the day” Nope that won’t do it. How about “Darling, I know you have been on your bike recently for a few miles and I have got you some toe cages to help you pedal better and a lovely bouncy comfy saddle” OK getting better.
What actually happened was the process of getting my old, old road bike to be comfortable on the indoor trainer. Well, my big bouncy granny’s saddle just doesn’t do it for me any more so I swapped it with one of the ones on one of our joint old mountain bikes. But it wouldn’t fit, so I went off to the bike shop for some ideas and to cut a long story short I ended up buying some pedals and cleat thingies so that I can use my cycling shoes on them indoors too - the cages on the old bike just were no good for pedalling drills! I have to admit this is the first time I have considered not telling hubby about my purchases. It all adds up and although my job at the moment is housewifey I am pretty aware that I don’t’ bring in the dosh to buy these things and both kids are at school now. It’s not an isolated incident either - arriving earlier this week was my tempo trainer (come on November is weakness month - I NEED one to help my running - honest!).
On the guilty finance thoughts I think I will comfort myself with my thoughts of a recent short ride outside. It was cold and I don’t have any proper cool weather cycling gear so I went out in my trackie bottoms with elastic bands round the ankles to stop them flapping and snagging in the chain, and an old sweatshirt (thank god I didn’t meet anyone I knew! J)
Now if I get going quickly maybe I can salvage the dinner plan….
……later.
Well another weeks training is complete and the next couple of weeks are more or less the same. I have a bit of workout juggling to do this week to fit in with half days of school and hubby’s work commitments but hopefully I will fit it all in.
I have experienced my first bit of lack of motivation this week. Not really to do with not wanting to train, but more to do with the miserable, cold weather. Winter syndrome and I just want to hibernate under the duvet, not even think about taking off clothes to get in a pool! It’s OK when I get going though, although I admit I cocooned myself under the duvet on the sofa Saturday afternoon and snoozed. It was just so warm in there.
The group trail run on Sunday started off in the dark, another sign of winter although the clocks change next weekend.
After discussion about nutrition at our Ironman meeting I started to experiment. Although over the summer I ate Clif Bars whilst on the bike I didn’t really do much else distance wise that required nutrition. I found that Clif Bars were hard to chew and swallow when I was riding with any sort of intensity. I also never eat a couple of hours before or during a run because I always end up with a side stitch. This doesn’t bode well for the IM so I decided I needed to do something about it and start trying the custom made gels and stuff. This morning I ate half a really ripe banana about 45 minutes before the group run and…..I was fine. Yippee. One of the other IM trainees had brought me a bag full of samples of gels and stuff (thank you so much!) and I am going to start to experiment with those too! I have been warned that 5mins after taking one, a turbo boost kicks in, so, I am going to time it carefully and see if it helps me get up the hills on the return part of the group run next week! Watch out everyone - I will be either leading the way or hurling in the bushes!
…and finally for this week… I was explaining to hubby that the Hawaii IM world championship was on and he said “Do you know how far away Hawaii is?” “Er, yes, I said but don’t worry I’m never going to get to the stage of going there - you have to qualify”. He looks at me and says “Well that would be a good goal then wouldn’t it?”. Hmm, sweet faith of my loved ones!…..Mary can you get me that fast??????????????
Marian, Tues Nov 14th
Last week was my first recovery week since training started. It felt good totake it easy. This week we are back the tough stuff. I learned that I reallydon't know how to swim. I was reading a couple of articles on a swimmingwebsite and realized that I don't swim like anybody in the pictures that say"freestyle techniques". So, I asked around:"where are your arms when you swim?"After been shown I realized: my arms are in a very diffrent position. Theyare too straight. Maybe thats why my elbows hurt when I swim long distance.I went to the pool on Monday. I identified the good swimmers. Theres thisone guy who's really fast and swims everyday there. I got in the lane nextto him and stalked him for a few laps. I thought: "hey, he's arms are in thesame place as the ones in the pictures, not like mine at all"I started imitating him. I hope he didn't notice. Well, today my shouldersand back are very sore, but the good kind of sore. The sore you get afteryou do a new workout. I will try it again when I swim on Thursday and seehow it goes.
Jackie D. Week 4
Week 4- starting Monday 9 October 2006
Last week finished up with another beautiful early morning run around Mendon with Mary and some of the Train-This! Team. The sun was shining, the deer were out, it was less muddy than last week and (with the exception of one of the hills on the way back where I thought I was truly going to die!) it was thoroughly enjoyable.
One of the guys had a Garmin Forerunner 305 on so gave us all the details and we all ran a few extra yards to make it up to 7miles. The overall pace was 10min 34 seconds a mile and having pondered on that all morning I think I am learning to grow up as far as my attitude is concerned and I'll explain why. Leaving aside the terrain (which was undulating, lots of roots, stones to watch etc) I would have said a pace like that is pretty slow, especially for these guys, even for an "easy" run. In fact, despite the fact that some of those darn hills weren't easy for me my initial reaction for a pace like that was disappointment. I have so long thought of myself as a 10min miler and this year have broken through to being pretty much a single digit miler that I was disappointed and a bit surprised. BUT, the others weren't and they are all much fitter, faster runners than me and have a lot more experience. So, I got to pondering and pondering. If it was OK for them why wasn't it OK for me? Many ponders later (:)), now I am well on the way to convincing myself it was OK for me too, especially if I think about the terrain and compare it with the normal smooth, faster surfaces I train on. It is more about the workout itself and the effort I put into it and the progress down the fitness road I am taking and I shouldn't get hung up about the pace as long as I was doing what I needed to for that training session. In fact one of the mile splits was 8 min something so it wasn't that bad anyway.
....and that leads me to gadgetry and technical things and I am sure that many "with it" triathletes will think me very strange.
The thing that stimulated me to think about this is when I went to look at an indoor cycle trainer that a team mate was selling and one of the first questions he asked me was what size wheel I had. Errr......I had no clue. It went round and round when I pedalled and got me along OK and heh I could even take it off the bike if I wanted to, so why would I need to know the wheel size? I smiled sweetly and told him so. But it got me thinking.
I realised that for some things, I am an end user and as long as something does what I want it to do and is supposed to do I am happy. The immediate comparison that comes to mind is computers. I like what all the modern software can do and I use it quite happily, but if something goes wrong it is very frustrating but I have no desire to find out the why's and wherefore's - I just want it to work again so I turn to my darling hubby :).
When it comes to triathlon I am not a feeble female and I can quite happily, OK not happily, but I am capable of doing things like changing flat tyres (deliberate English spelling - we'll educate you Americans yet hee hee hee) but so many people love all the gadgetry and specs and are always wanting better versions of all the equipment etc - even relative beginners. And what is more I am beginning to become one of them, just slightly and am no longer intimidated when people discuss the latest Cervelo bike etc.
A year ago I couldn't have told you what an indoor trainer looked like. I wouldn't of been able to pick out a tri bike from a row of different types of bikes (OK maybe a good stab but only by elimination method) and I would have laughed if someone told me I needed a tri-suit.
I am sure there are beginners out there, like me a year or so ago that find all the triathlon talk quite overwhelming, especially by the enthusiasts who insist you need this, that and more for a triathlon. But to them I say, if the interest holds, you will find out with time what you need and what you would like. My first triathlon I did on a 15 year old rusty road bike (not fitted) which I rode after pulling on some leggings over my swimsuit and putting my trainers on. It was fine and I didn't stand out like a sore thumb. All this gadgetry and specification stuff will come with time and just listening to people and reading etc if your interest is there - you can't help it.
And my final words on the subject (for now) are that a Garmin Forerunner 305 is top of my Christmas list but I still have no idea what size my bike wheels are!
Back to training thoughts - this week is my first recovery week. My cycling and running have been cut completely back but the swimming and strength remains the same. I wish it could be the opposite way around but I know why it can't be like that. I will miss my bike rides in particular - I can only hope that it will rain all week so I won't miss them too much. BAH HUMBUG! (but I hope the sun shines when all my team mates need to do their rides etc :))
Last week finished up with another beautiful early morning run around Mendon with Mary and some of the Train-This! Team. The sun was shining, the deer were out, it was less muddy than last week and (with the exception of one of the hills on the way back where I thought I was truly going to die!) it was thoroughly enjoyable.
One of the guys had a Garmin Forerunner 305 on so gave us all the details and we all ran a few extra yards to make it up to 7miles. The overall pace was 10min 34 seconds a mile and having pondered on that all morning I think I am learning to grow up as far as my attitude is concerned and I'll explain why. Leaving aside the terrain (which was undulating, lots of roots, stones to watch etc) I would have said a pace like that is pretty slow, especially for these guys, even for an "easy" run. In fact, despite the fact that some of those darn hills weren't easy for me my initial reaction for a pace like that was disappointment. I have so long thought of myself as a 10min miler and this year have broken through to being pretty much a single digit miler that I was disappointed and a bit surprised. BUT, the others weren't and they are all much fitter, faster runners than me and have a lot more experience. So, I got to pondering and pondering. If it was OK for them why wasn't it OK for me? Many ponders later (:)), now I am well on the way to convincing myself it was OK for me too, especially if I think about the terrain and compare it with the normal smooth, faster surfaces I train on. It is more about the workout itself and the effort I put into it and the progress down the fitness road I am taking and I shouldn't get hung up about the pace as long as I was doing what I needed to for that training session. In fact one of the mile splits was 8 min something so it wasn't that bad anyway.
....and that leads me to gadgetry and technical things and I am sure that many "with it" triathletes will think me very strange.
The thing that stimulated me to think about this is when I went to look at an indoor cycle trainer that a team mate was selling and one of the first questions he asked me was what size wheel I had. Errr......I had no clue. It went round and round when I pedalled and got me along OK and heh I could even take it off the bike if I wanted to, so why would I need to know the wheel size? I smiled sweetly and told him so. But it got me thinking.
I realised that for some things, I am an end user and as long as something does what I want it to do and is supposed to do I am happy. The immediate comparison that comes to mind is computers. I like what all the modern software can do and I use it quite happily, but if something goes wrong it is very frustrating but I have no desire to find out the why's and wherefore's - I just want it to work again so I turn to my darling hubby :).
When it comes to triathlon I am not a feeble female and I can quite happily, OK not happily, but I am capable of doing things like changing flat tyres (deliberate English spelling - we'll educate you Americans yet hee hee hee) but so many people love all the gadgetry and specs and are always wanting better versions of all the equipment etc - even relative beginners. And what is more I am beginning to become one of them, just slightly and am no longer intimidated when people discuss the latest Cervelo bike etc.
A year ago I couldn't have told you what an indoor trainer looked like. I wouldn't of been able to pick out a tri bike from a row of different types of bikes (OK maybe a good stab but only by elimination method) and I would have laughed if someone told me I needed a tri-suit.
I am sure there are beginners out there, like me a year or so ago that find all the triathlon talk quite overwhelming, especially by the enthusiasts who insist you need this, that and more for a triathlon. But to them I say, if the interest holds, you will find out with time what you need and what you would like. My first triathlon I did on a 15 year old rusty road bike (not fitted) which I rode after pulling on some leggings over my swimsuit and putting my trainers on. It was fine and I didn't stand out like a sore thumb. All this gadgetry and specification stuff will come with time and just listening to people and reading etc if your interest is there - you can't help it.
And my final words on the subject (for now) are that a Garmin Forerunner 305 is top of my Christmas list but I still have no idea what size my bike wheels are!
Back to training thoughts - this week is my first recovery week. My cycling and running have been cut completely back but the swimming and strength remains the same. I wish it could be the opposite way around but I know why it can't be like that. I will miss my bike rides in particular - I can only hope that it will rain all week so I won't miss them too much. BAH HUMBUG! (but I hope the sun shines when all my team mates need to do their rides etc :))
Jackie D. Week 3
Week 3- starting Monday 2 October 2006
Well so far so good. It was lovely meeting some of the other people signed up for Lake Placid last Friday and other members of the Train-This! Team. Most of us seem to be first- timers which is comforting although I don't know really why that should be so!
We also had a group run on Sunday and the lead up to this were my first thoughts of the fact that I might just be a bit crazy. All through the night Saturday I kept waking up hearing the rain beating down and then the alarm went off. It was still raining, pitch black and as I stumbled around the bathroom trying not to wake my darling hubby and trying to remember just where I had put my running shoes a few hours earlier, I thought that this was completely abnormal for a Sunday morning. I would go to the meeting place because I said I would be there but I expected no one else to be there and would be back in my cozy bed shortly.
But oh no, as I neared the meeting place and dawn had broken and the rain stopped I realised that for many people this isn't strange at all and there were 7 of us there ready for the 7am run. And what a beautiful run it was. Through the parkland with the sun trying to peep out and the deer watching us and us watching the deer. Last workout of week 2 completed and my family still zzzzzing away ( have I mentioned that I am not a morning person although I do aspire to be one!)
Some comments to beginners like myself now on group training. I train with a masters swim group where there is enough variety to pick your pace but for running and cycling I have always trained alone. Mostly because I enjoy being out there, just me and nature (and sometimes the dog) but a little bit is because I am scared of pacing. I am one of those people who doesn't excel in anything (including speed in sports) but I am average plus on a lot of things (including sports I try - except water skiing but that is another story) so triathlon really appeals as I spread my abilities so to speak. So, there I was on that Sunday morning with my trainer and some other team mates who I knew (yes I look at their results) were A LOT faster than me and I just didn't know what to expect. And you know what - IT WAS OK. They didn't have to keep waiting for me (or if they did they communicated telepathically and were very good at not letting me know it!) and I felt great. OK I was working a lot harder than them on the hills on the way back but heh- training with people faster than me must be a benefit to my fitness! I think a lot of it comes down to self-confidence. I would still be scared rigid at the thought of going for a bike ride with a group of them but whereas last week I would just not go, now I would consider it and give it my all
Well so far so good. It was lovely meeting some of the other people signed up for Lake Placid last Friday and other members of the Train-This! Team. Most of us seem to be first- timers which is comforting although I don't know really why that should be so!
We also had a group run on Sunday and the lead up to this were my first thoughts of the fact that I might just be a bit crazy. All through the night Saturday I kept waking up hearing the rain beating down and then the alarm went off. It was still raining, pitch black and as I stumbled around the bathroom trying not to wake my darling hubby and trying to remember just where I had put my running shoes a few hours earlier, I thought that this was completely abnormal for a Sunday morning. I would go to the meeting place because I said I would be there but I expected no one else to be there and would be back in my cozy bed shortly.
But oh no, as I neared the meeting place and dawn had broken and the rain stopped I realised that for many people this isn't strange at all and there were 7 of us there ready for the 7am run. And what a beautiful run it was. Through the parkland with the sun trying to peep out and the deer watching us and us watching the deer. Last workout of week 2 completed and my family still zzzzzing away ( have I mentioned that I am not a morning person although I do aspire to be one!)
Some comments to beginners like myself now on group training. I train with a masters swim group where there is enough variety to pick your pace but for running and cycling I have always trained alone. Mostly because I enjoy being out there, just me and nature (and sometimes the dog) but a little bit is because I am scared of pacing. I am one of those people who doesn't excel in anything (including speed in sports) but I am average plus on a lot of things (including sports I try - except water skiing but that is another story) so triathlon really appeals as I spread my abilities so to speak. So, there I was on that Sunday morning with my trainer and some other team mates who I knew (yes I look at their results) were A LOT faster than me and I just didn't know what to expect. And you know what - IT WAS OK. They didn't have to keep waiting for me (or if they did they communicated telepathically and were very good at not letting me know it!) and I felt great. OK I was working a lot harder than them on the hills on the way back but heh- training with people faster than me must be a benefit to my fitness! I think a lot of it comes down to self-confidence. I would still be scared rigid at the thought of going for a bike ride with a group of them but whereas last week I would just not go, now I would consider it and give it my all
Jackie D. Week 2
Week 2- starting Monday 25 September 2006
It's only Wednesday lunch time and I have done 5 and a half hours training this week - and it hasn't felt like an effort to do it all (effort of course during it :))
I went for my cycle ride late morning today and what a beautiful day. The shorts and T-shirts are back out, the sun, the leaves.......surely it can't be right to be enjoying yourself so much when training for an IRONMAN (famous last words - I wonder what I will be saying 6 months from now?!). Anyway I probably freaked a few people out along the canal path today as I gave them cheery hello's and bits of song! On the work side, the drills this week felt much better- especially the one focusing on the upstroke - it feels like I am going forward rather than just up now. Thanks Mary for explaining it to me.
Swimming felt good yesterday and I could feel my shoulders were slightly sore from my weight classes and it makes me smile and focus because I know I am getting stronger. I am also up to the chapter about pain in "Mental Training" so it puts it all in perspective. On the downside I was the only one doing the Advanced/Intermediate schedule yesterday for the second time in a row. I work best when I am with someone else to push me (push each other) but for some reason there haven't been many swimmers this past week. I could actually feel my stroke change and lengthen as I tried to keep up with the faster swimmers in the lane next to me for a few strokes as they passed. Swimming is the one thing that I don't enjoy doing alone. Maybe I will have to develop the mental discipline to make that change.
I bought some new running shoes this week. Gortex in preparation for winter and trail running. Plus some snugglier running socks so I can hardly wait for some cold, wet weather to try them out! How about that for some mad enthusiasm!
I am so excited for the first Ironman meeting this Friday to meet everyone and to find out in more detail what is to come
It's only Wednesday lunch time and I have done 5 and a half hours training this week - and it hasn't felt like an effort to do it all (effort of course during it :))
I went for my cycle ride late morning today and what a beautiful day. The shorts and T-shirts are back out, the sun, the leaves.......surely it can't be right to be enjoying yourself so much when training for an IRONMAN (famous last words - I wonder what I will be saying 6 months from now?!). Anyway I probably freaked a few people out along the canal path today as I gave them cheery hello's and bits of song! On the work side, the drills this week felt much better- especially the one focusing on the upstroke - it feels like I am going forward rather than just up now. Thanks Mary for explaining it to me.
Swimming felt good yesterday and I could feel my shoulders were slightly sore from my weight classes and it makes me smile and focus because I know I am getting stronger. I am also up to the chapter about pain in "Mental Training" so it puts it all in perspective. On the downside I was the only one doing the Advanced/Intermediate schedule yesterday for the second time in a row. I work best when I am with someone else to push me (push each other) but for some reason there haven't been many swimmers this past week. I could actually feel my stroke change and lengthen as I tried to keep up with the faster swimmers in the lane next to me for a few strokes as they passed. Swimming is the one thing that I don't enjoy doing alone. Maybe I will have to develop the mental discipline to make that change.
I bought some new running shoes this week. Gortex in preparation for winter and trail running. Plus some snugglier running socks so I can hardly wait for some cold, wet weather to try them out! How about that for some mad enthusiasm!
I am so excited for the first Ironman meeting this Friday to meet everyone and to find out in more detail what is to come
Jackie D. Week One
My First Ironman - The Journey Week 1- starting Monday 18 September 2006
Well I don't know how often I will add to this journal, but week one seems the most logical place to start. My intention is to just record the normal ups and downs that I imagine will happen as I move forward on this journey, a once in a lifetime experience for me....or so I say now. But, maybe as an introduction it is worth back tracking a few months to explain just how I reached this point. I know when I look at other people's logs I want to know just how they started so I can compare to whether it is possible for me.
........Once upon a time......er no perhaps I should save the fairy tale style writing 'til AFTER the race is done and AFTER the expected pain has dulled but the exhiliration hasn't left.
My road to triathlon started in 2002. A few guys at work were egging each other on and trying to get together a works "team" to do the local sprint triathlon. I foolishly said "I'll do it". That was in January and the race was in May. I dusted my old bike off (at least it was a road bike), bought myself some trainers and set myself off on a self-imposed training plan. I think I went swimming twice beforehand to check I could still swim! My aim was to complete it, preferably without walking. Well I did AND I beat the other 3 guys from work (not that that is important except in the pro-woman kind of way). I loved it and kind of got hooked at that stage but only thought of it as an annual one-race type thing.
Then Fred (hubby) got an opportunity to come to USA so we grabbed it and arrived in Rochester and the next year or so was spent house hunting, house furnishing, decorating and settling the kids in etc so it all got left to the side. In fact my bike didn't' arrive for many months on the cargo ship and by that time there was a foot of snow on the ground. I then hurt my knee gardening, ended up having it operated on and that took us up to 2005.
In the autumn of 2005 I decided I needed to lose some weight and as I love food so much decided that exercise would have to be a factor so I joined a masters swimming club and started running...er jogging...er shuffling. I logged everything (still do) and I managed a whole 9 minutes before I had to walk on that first day in October. (OK Mary not sure you really wanted to know that did you!)
OMG it is not even a year and I have signed up for an Ironman...how did that happen?
Well, I'm kind of impulsive and I like challenges and I like pushing myself and I kept reading Mary's website and..and...and in June I asked to meet her and discuss things. The thing is I wanted to know if I am crazy (yes) but timing would be perfect cos kids now at full time school and I can delay going back to work for another year (OK I know I am making many of you sickeningly jealous now) so I have time to train. Well Mary said that time commitment was half the battle so I found myself logged on typing furiously to sign up for Lake Placid 2007 the morning after the race. Too late now , ha ha ha.
....so back to Week 1.
I remember my discussion with Mary, she said that we would start in October and it would be easy at first with about 4 hours a week, concentrating on strength, flexibility etc.... ha ha ha! My first week started this week. Over 8 hours!!!!!!!!!!! NO Mary I am not having a go at you - I love it (so far) and it makes me feel like a real athlete. Perhaps she feels I need that extra little head start ho ho ho. Having met or heard of a few people in the IMLP team I am a little worried that I am the oldest...... but we will see after our first meeting at the end of September.
So after a fantastic Finger Lake race and a light week I was raring to go and hit the gym with a conditioning class on Monday morning.........and haven't been able to move since! Actually it feels good - it means I needed to do it and it means I am getting stronger.
Even if out on the bike today the ability to turn my legs was the limiting factor not my aerobic capacity,
Even if I couldn't raise my arms above my head without creaking and wondered how on earth I was going to swim for an hour (I did)
Even if I wondered how on earth I was going to get through another strength class on Wednesday (I did that too)
I am getting stronger and it is only mid way through week 1.
OK little bit for novices now. This week I have had my first experience with cycling drills. Now some of them make me feel SO POWERFUL and I wondered how I had been pedalling before and surely if I pedal like this in a race I would be world champion. Then again, some of them feel just plain weird. I feel my whole body tense up and it feels like I am trying to lift myself up off the bike and balance like on a unicycle. Not that I have ever ridden a unicycle but it is what I imagine.........a bit like when you say something tastes like dog food or something when you haven't ever tried it.
Sunday 24 September 2006
Well I finally got round to checking whether my old bike will fit my new trainer yesterday. It does, thankfully. Anyway I set it up in the covered porch out the back of the house which you can see from the family room where Fred was being couch potato watching the golf! Well to my surprise once I had set it up and tested it out for a few minutes he jumps up quite enthusiastically and tells me that we can leave it set up out there (hmm, we’ll discuss the temperature later darling hubby!) and that we should get an entertainment system out there (does a TV work at minus F?) and I can cycle whilst he plays darts (hmm, not at me I hope dear and can you play darts with frozen fingers or are you intending to throw them with woolly mittens on?). By the way I kept these thoughts to myself …..for now. I will take the enthusiasm and recognition of my hobby (OK my passion) and who knows he may even be tempted to jump on the bike himself sometime.
Well I don't know how often I will add to this journal, but week one seems the most logical place to start. My intention is to just record the normal ups and downs that I imagine will happen as I move forward on this journey, a once in a lifetime experience for me....or so I say now. But, maybe as an introduction it is worth back tracking a few months to explain just how I reached this point. I know when I look at other people's logs I want to know just how they started so I can compare to whether it is possible for me.
........Once upon a time......er no perhaps I should save the fairy tale style writing 'til AFTER the race is done and AFTER the expected pain has dulled but the exhiliration hasn't left.
My road to triathlon started in 2002. A few guys at work were egging each other on and trying to get together a works "team" to do the local sprint triathlon. I foolishly said "I'll do it". That was in January and the race was in May. I dusted my old bike off (at least it was a road bike), bought myself some trainers and set myself off on a self-imposed training plan. I think I went swimming twice beforehand to check I could still swim! My aim was to complete it, preferably without walking. Well I did AND I beat the other 3 guys from work (not that that is important except in the pro-woman kind of way). I loved it and kind of got hooked at that stage but only thought of it as an annual one-race type thing.
Then Fred (hubby) got an opportunity to come to USA so we grabbed it and arrived in Rochester and the next year or so was spent house hunting, house furnishing, decorating and settling the kids in etc so it all got left to the side. In fact my bike didn't' arrive for many months on the cargo ship and by that time there was a foot of snow on the ground. I then hurt my knee gardening, ended up having it operated on and that took us up to 2005.
In the autumn of 2005 I decided I needed to lose some weight and as I love food so much decided that exercise would have to be a factor so I joined a masters swimming club and started running...er jogging...er shuffling. I logged everything (still do) and I managed a whole 9 minutes before I had to walk on that first day in October. (OK Mary not sure you really wanted to know that did you!)
OMG it is not even a year and I have signed up for an Ironman...how did that happen?
Well, I'm kind of impulsive and I like challenges and I like pushing myself and I kept reading Mary's website and..and...and in June I asked to meet her and discuss things. The thing is I wanted to know if I am crazy (yes) but timing would be perfect cos kids now at full time school and I can delay going back to work for another year (OK I know I am making many of you sickeningly jealous now) so I have time to train. Well Mary said that time commitment was half the battle so I found myself logged on typing furiously to sign up for Lake Placid 2007 the morning after the race. Too late now , ha ha ha.
....so back to Week 1.
I remember my discussion with Mary, she said that we would start in October and it would be easy at first with about 4 hours a week, concentrating on strength, flexibility etc.... ha ha ha! My first week started this week. Over 8 hours!!!!!!!!!!! NO Mary I am not having a go at you - I love it (so far) and it makes me feel like a real athlete. Perhaps she feels I need that extra little head start ho ho ho. Having met or heard of a few people in the IMLP team I am a little worried that I am the oldest...... but we will see after our first meeting at the end of September.
So after a fantastic Finger Lake race and a light week I was raring to go and hit the gym with a conditioning class on Monday morning.........and haven't been able to move since! Actually it feels good - it means I needed to do it and it means I am getting stronger.
Even if out on the bike today the ability to turn my legs was the limiting factor not my aerobic capacity,
Even if I couldn't raise my arms above my head without creaking and wondered how on earth I was going to swim for an hour (I did)
Even if I wondered how on earth I was going to get through another strength class on Wednesday (I did that too)
I am getting stronger and it is only mid way through week 1.
OK little bit for novices now. This week I have had my first experience with cycling drills. Now some of them make me feel SO POWERFUL and I wondered how I had been pedalling before and surely if I pedal like this in a race I would be world champion. Then again, some of them feel just plain weird. I feel my whole body tense up and it feels like I am trying to lift myself up off the bike and balance like on a unicycle. Not that I have ever ridden a unicycle but it is what I imagine.........a bit like when you say something tastes like dog food or something when you haven't ever tried it.
Sunday 24 September 2006
Well I finally got round to checking whether my old bike will fit my new trainer yesterday. It does, thankfully. Anyway I set it up in the covered porch out the back of the house which you can see from the family room where Fred was being couch potato watching the golf! Well to my surprise once I had set it up and tested it out for a few minutes he jumps up quite enthusiastically and tells me that we can leave it set up out there (hmm, we’ll discuss the temperature later darling hubby!) and that we should get an entertainment system out there (does a TV work at minus F?) and I can cycle whilst he plays darts (hmm, not at me I hope dear and can you play darts with frozen fingers or are you intending to throw them with woolly mittens on?). By the way I kept these thoughts to myself …..for now. I will take the enthusiasm and recognition of my hobby (OK my passion) and who knows he may even be tempted to jump on the bike himself sometime.
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