Three quick things I learned this week training with another triathlete.
1. Swimming in the ocean is hard and I pretty much suck at it.
2. Cycle with your heels and not your toes. Life-altering that one is, by the way.
3. My running form is not nearly as bad as I thought it was. Nay, I'll say it's mediocre to good.
Considering most of my fitness education was done by... me. I think I'm doing ok.
Still re-teaching myself how to swim with Total Immersion. I watch the DVD, I practice the next day. I rewatch the lesson, I practice the next day. Tedious? Totally. Necessary? Totally. I will conquer this swim thing. I'm set now, it's a done deal.
I need to reinforce the good habits over and over again to break the bad ones. And there are a lot of bad ones. Still working on breathing. For some reason I'm always in survival mode when my head is underwater and I can't breathe. I have to get over that "I'm going to drown" frightened feeling and relax.
I did some TI breathing excersises in the pool this morning and I can feel the difference in what I'm supposed to do.
I have five days off this week, I was hoping to relax and they're all about training...
Thursday: Swim early AM, run later.
Friday: Swim early AM, might do a really long bike run, or run, or both. Jason Mraz in CT at night, super excited.
Saturday: Bike, yoga, transtion practice with Kevan.
Sunday: Newport Naval Base Tri, Open water swim practice
Monday: Early AM swim, plus if I don't do the really long bike ride on Friday, it will dfenitely be today. Maybe a lap or two on the bike path.
Running in a tri this weekend on a team, looking forward to the experience. Open water swim with some of the YMCA tri participants and Luca later that day.
Running has felt great lately. Maybe it's the multisport training and the varying distances/paces I get to do in a week. But it's been nearly effortless, even on the long 7-8 mile stretches. I almost don't want to stop.
I haven't had much time for yoga lately and it's making me sad. But that's ok, I have all winter for yoga and swimming lessons. Been working on it at home, not as hot and brutal as Kelly's class, but that's ok.
Need more coffee and then off on the bike. Just 15 miles today then a recovery run. Which for me will be a regular run. Recovery runs are for wussies. ;)
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Swimming Criticism
I was fortunate enough this morning to see my old trainer from the YMCA, Luca. He was filling in at the pool as a lifeguard this morning when I dragged myself to the pool at 5:00 am. Dragging myself to the pool is a whole seperate topic.
I say fortunate because I worked with Luca at the YMCA to lose a good portion of the last bits of weight that I had left. So I saw him every week for 12 weeks and we set up workout plans and he showed me proper techniques in lifting and running and whatnot. I'm comfortable with his observations and constructive criticism.
Since he was lifeguarding and just sitting there he was able to watch me swim. And he noted that I have a nicely balanced, strong stroke and that I keep my body straight. Which I was surprised since I thought both those things sucked. Hooray! Confidence boost number one.
He did note that my breathing was off. I'm working on the three stroke bilateral breathing thing. I'm working on rolling to air and not lifting my head. He did mention for the purpose of the triathlon that lifting the head isn't necessarily a bad thing, I just need to do it much less often. Confidence boost number two!
Otherwise I'm feeling the swimming now, so I know I'm in the right position. I feel it the next day in my hips and core, and surprisingly not in my upper body.
I'm reading Total Immersion, which is a yogic approach to swimming. The balanced breathing and not struggling really appeals to me. I have some drills to do tomorrow and then laps.
Now that I've been up before dawn for over a week sleeping in seems sinful. Today I was going to sleep in and go swimming later in the day, but I dragged my limp body to the pool anyways since I couldn't fall back asleep. Honestly, I was swimming laps in my head! :)
Brick workout after I digest my breakfast. Setting up the minature transition area in the house. Running faster longer today. I must not forget to warm up! :)
I say fortunate because I worked with Luca at the YMCA to lose a good portion of the last bits of weight that I had left. So I saw him every week for 12 weeks and we set up workout plans and he showed me proper techniques in lifting and running and whatnot. I'm comfortable with his observations and constructive criticism.
Since he was lifeguarding and just sitting there he was able to watch me swim. And he noted that I have a nicely balanced, strong stroke and that I keep my body straight. Which I was surprised since I thought both those things sucked. Hooray! Confidence boost number one.
He did note that my breathing was off. I'm working on the three stroke bilateral breathing thing. I'm working on rolling to air and not lifting my head. He did mention for the purpose of the triathlon that lifting the head isn't necessarily a bad thing, I just need to do it much less often. Confidence boost number two!
Otherwise I'm feeling the swimming now, so I know I'm in the right position. I feel it the next day in my hips and core, and surprisingly not in my upper body.
I'm reading Total Immersion, which is a yogic approach to swimming. The balanced breathing and not struggling really appeals to me. I have some drills to do tomorrow and then laps.
Now that I've been up before dawn for over a week sleeping in seems sinful. Today I was going to sleep in and go swimming later in the day, but I dragged my limp body to the pool anyways since I couldn't fall back asleep. Honestly, I was swimming laps in my head! :)
Brick workout after I digest my breakfast. Setting up the minature transition area in the house. Running faster longer today. I must not forget to warm up! :)
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Reading old entries.
Yesterday, while I was running at 5:30 am mind you, I was thinking a lot about progress. And today, I was reading back on old entries in my blog.
I needed to run for thirty minutes at a pretty good pace. At least 7 mph. So I ran my "easy" route to the Junior High School and back. While I was making good time and passed the school in about ten minutes, I remembered that this is the route I started to walk when I began the whole weight loss journey.
I started to think that this route was a great way to measure my progress and fitness. When I started losing weight last June I couldn't walk to the library (.75 miles from home) without feeling winded. When I started jogging, I can remember the places I used to take walking breaks.
Now I run two to three miles without a stretch/catch my breath break. I pass the old landmarks kind of like I'm running against a shadow of myself. It's pretty rewarding.
It's been a year since I started to lose weight.
I can remember trying to lose weight so I could go to a yoga class. So I could feel like I fit in. Now I realize that doesn't matter and I should have gone sooner.
I can remember the desire to cycle, to run marathons. Like it was some kind of dream. Sometime in the distant future, I will ride a bike. I will run a marathon. Now that's coming together for me. The triathlon is now, the marathon is in the near future. That's amazing.
I can remember celebrating being 172 lbs. 145 lbs. 135 lbs. 130 lbs. It's all very clear in retrospect.
Things have really turned around for me. And I need to remember when I'm failing at something (most recent example swimming) that I have accomplished so much. And that eventually I'll accomplish what I'm failing at. I will be successful at swimming, I just need to give it the proper attention and time.
I've done things I never thought I would do. Interacted with new people. Learned skills. Found passion in things I never thought I would like.
Ah, it's been a good year.
Now I need to make some slight adjustments to my new, rad bike and I'm off for the day. The bike, the shoes, everything works in delightful harmony. It was a good purchase. My only complaint (and it's not even the bike's fault) the saddle feels high. But this is a road bike, not a hybrd like I'm used to, so that's actually where it's supposed to be.
Brick workout today!
30 minutes hard cycling, 10 minutes running.
I'll let you know how it goes.
I needed to run for thirty minutes at a pretty good pace. At least 7 mph. So I ran my "easy" route to the Junior High School and back. While I was making good time and passed the school in about ten minutes, I remembered that this is the route I started to walk when I began the whole weight loss journey.
I started to think that this route was a great way to measure my progress and fitness. When I started losing weight last June I couldn't walk to the library (.75 miles from home) without feeling winded. When I started jogging, I can remember the places I used to take walking breaks.
Now I run two to three miles without a stretch/catch my breath break. I pass the old landmarks kind of like I'm running against a shadow of myself. It's pretty rewarding.
It's been a year since I started to lose weight.
I can remember trying to lose weight so I could go to a yoga class. So I could feel like I fit in. Now I realize that doesn't matter and I should have gone sooner.
I can remember the desire to cycle, to run marathons. Like it was some kind of dream. Sometime in the distant future, I will ride a bike. I will run a marathon. Now that's coming together for me. The triathlon is now, the marathon is in the near future. That's amazing.
I can remember celebrating being 172 lbs. 145 lbs. 135 lbs. 130 lbs. It's all very clear in retrospect.
Things have really turned around for me. And I need to remember when I'm failing at something (most recent example swimming) that I have accomplished so much. And that eventually I'll accomplish what I'm failing at. I will be successful at swimming, I just need to give it the proper attention and time.
I've done things I never thought I would do. Interacted with new people. Learned skills. Found passion in things I never thought I would like.
Ah, it's been a good year.
Now I need to make some slight adjustments to my new, rad bike and I'm off for the day. The bike, the shoes, everything works in delightful harmony. It was a good purchase. My only complaint (and it's not even the bike's fault) the saddle feels high. But this is a road bike, not a hybrd like I'm used to, so that's actually where it's supposed to be.
Brick workout today!
30 minutes hard cycling, 10 minutes running.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Training. Day 2.
Swimming realization number one: I am not Michael Phelps.
Swimming realization number two: I need help with my tecnique. It kind of sucks.
I'm hoping the swimming will get a little easier when I get into the pool on Thursday. At the crack of dawm mind you. I was there at 5:00 am after closing at work until 10:30. I was very proud of my ambition.
It needs work. So much so I'm going to see if I can work an extra swim day in on my rest days just to practice kicking.
With the way I was breathing and struggling through laps you'd never guess that I can cycle for 20-30 miles without a break or that I can run eight miles in a single session. Nah. I looked like an amateur. Which, I kind of am. *sigh*
Running was great today! I hit almost four miles in thirty minutes. I hauled. I had a great sprint at the end. A couple hundred yards where I must have been running 9-10 mph. So that part of the training is going well.
Brick workout tomorrow. I need some time to get adjusted to the new bike too. It's a different gear shifting setup, so that's going to be interesting. Plus I have to learn to cycle in a new position.
My bike is ready at 4:00 and I can't wait to take a ride in it after yoga. But first I have to install my cleats and work on these new fancy pedals.
I have a busy week, but I'll try and mark my progress in the blog as much as I can!
BTW, I lost two pounds last week. Which to some is a victory, but I'm trying to cling to body fat so I can have the energy to run this triathlon, so every pound lost is a little discouraging. I have to eat more, and that's hard when you've been on a maintenance diet for so long. *sigh*
Gotta go to work!
Swimming realization number two: I need help with my tecnique. It kind of sucks.
I'm hoping the swimming will get a little easier when I get into the pool on Thursday. At the crack of dawm mind you. I was there at 5:00 am after closing at work until 10:30. I was very proud of my ambition.
It needs work. So much so I'm going to see if I can work an extra swim day in on my rest days just to practice kicking.
With the way I was breathing and struggling through laps you'd never guess that I can cycle for 20-30 miles without a break or that I can run eight miles in a single session. Nah. I looked like an amateur. Which, I kind of am. *sigh*
Running was great today! I hit almost four miles in thirty minutes. I hauled. I had a great sprint at the end. A couple hundred yards where I must have been running 9-10 mph. So that part of the training is going well.
Brick workout tomorrow. I need some time to get adjusted to the new bike too. It's a different gear shifting setup, so that's going to be interesting. Plus I have to learn to cycle in a new position.
My bike is ready at 4:00 and I can't wait to take a ride in it after yoga. But first I have to install my cleats and work on these new fancy pedals.
I have a busy week, but I'll try and mark my progress in the blog as much as I can!
BTW, I lost two pounds last week. Which to some is a victory, but I'm trying to cling to body fat so I can have the energy to run this triathlon, so every pound lost is a little discouraging. I have to eat more, and that's hard when you've been on a maintenance diet for so long. *sigh*
Gotta go to work!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
I just made this.
And it was so tasty that I must archive it for all time.
I don't even know what to call it! But I'll make something up.
Black Bean and Veggie Saute
1 Medium Butternut Squash, 2" dice or so
1 Medium Onion, Chopped
6 cloves of garlic, Minced
1 Medium Red Pepper, Diced
1/2 lb Kale, tough stems removed and coursely chopped
2 15 oz. cans black beans, drained (I used Whole Foods Spicy Black Beans)
2 Chipotles in adobo, finely chopped
1 tbsp Agave Nectar
1 tbsp cumin
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes (fresh or canned is fine)
1-2 handfuls of corn kernels (fresh is best, but frozen is ok too!)
Salt and Pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 400 degrees, roast butternut squash until tender. About 45 minutes. I normally do this ahead of time and set it aside.
In a large saute pan, saute the onions over medium high heat until soft, about five minutes. Add the red pepper and garlic and saute for two or three minutes. Add the kale and saute until it is just starting to wilt.
Add the blackbeans, cumin, chipotle and agave. Slightly mash half of the black beans to give it some texture. Add tomatoes to just give it enough liquid to simmer. When the mixture begins to simmer add in a handful or two of corn. As soon as the corn is cooked through, add salt and pepper to taste.
Now is a good time to make sure it's not too spicy and add a little agave nectar to balance it out a bit.
Serve over brown rice with fresh chopped tomatoes and chopped avocados.
Enjoy!
I don't even know what to call it! But I'll make something up.
Black Bean and Veggie Saute
1 Medium Butternut Squash, 2" dice or so
1 Medium Onion, Chopped
6 cloves of garlic, Minced
1 Medium Red Pepper, Diced
1/2 lb Kale, tough stems removed and coursely chopped
2 15 oz. cans black beans, drained (I used Whole Foods Spicy Black Beans)
2 Chipotles in adobo, finely chopped
1 tbsp Agave Nectar
1 tbsp cumin
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes (fresh or canned is fine)
1-2 handfuls of corn kernels (fresh is best, but frozen is ok too!)
Salt and Pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 400 degrees, roast butternut squash until tender. About 45 minutes. I normally do this ahead of time and set it aside.
In a large saute pan, saute the onions over medium high heat until soft, about five minutes. Add the red pepper and garlic and saute for two or three minutes. Add the kale and saute until it is just starting to wilt.
Add the blackbeans, cumin, chipotle and agave. Slightly mash half of the black beans to give it some texture. Add tomatoes to just give it enough liquid to simmer. When the mixture begins to simmer add in a handful or two of corn. As soon as the corn is cooked through, add salt and pepper to taste.
Now is a good time to make sure it's not too spicy and add a little agave nectar to balance it out a bit.
Serve over brown rice with fresh chopped tomatoes and chopped avocados.
Enjoy!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Plans!
I got my official training plans from my Triathlon Coach, Tara, yesterday evening. We met at the convention center as she picked up her materials for the Ironman 70.3 she's doing tomorrow. I'm so jealous of anyone there this weekend! Next year I've set that as my goal.
Official training starts Monday.
Today's workout was a quick five mile run that was a struggle is so many ways. I couldn't get my body in the right alignment, I couldn't find a comfortable pace, and my breathing was funky. There were more walking breaks than I care for too.
Tomorrow I'll go out on the old bike and put some miles in. I haven't been on it as much because of all the rain. It's a goodbye run. Or at least goodbye until after the triathlon. I plan to keep it as a neighborhood/easy ride bike and maybe do some offroad stuff with it.
My new bike has been purchased and is being assembled as we speak and will be ready for Tuesday. Just in time for me to ride it on my bike training day. She's so pretty.
In other news I'm actually looking forward to brick training. It seemed scary at first, but I think I'll find it fun.
Now I need to work on my swimming. Especially my form and breathing since both things are out of practice entirely. If I need to doggy paddle for 1/2 mile, I will! But I'd like to swim the right way and not embarass myself!
Getting back into the swing of yoga after that one week hiatus. Man, it's tougher than I thought. I don't lose any of the flexability and endurance, but I get so sore! It'll go away soon once I'm back into regular practice three to four days a week.
I plan to log my workouts on the blog leading up to the tri so I can go back and see what's working and what's improving. So an advance sorry for the tedium of training notes! :)
Gotta eat lunch! It's late!
Official training starts Monday.
Today's workout was a quick five mile run that was a struggle is so many ways. I couldn't get my body in the right alignment, I couldn't find a comfortable pace, and my breathing was funky. There were more walking breaks than I care for too.
Tomorrow I'll go out on the old bike and put some miles in. I haven't been on it as much because of all the rain. It's a goodbye run. Or at least goodbye until after the triathlon. I plan to keep it as a neighborhood/easy ride bike and maybe do some offroad stuff with it.
My new bike has been purchased and is being assembled as we speak and will be ready for Tuesday. Just in time for me to ride it on my bike training day. She's so pretty.
In other news I'm actually looking forward to brick training. It seemed scary at first, but I think I'll find it fun.
Now I need to work on my swimming. Especially my form and breathing since both things are out of practice entirely. If I need to doggy paddle for 1/2 mile, I will! But I'd like to swim the right way and not embarass myself!
Getting back into the swing of yoga after that one week hiatus. Man, it's tougher than I thought. I don't lose any of the flexability and endurance, but I get so sore! It'll go away soon once I'm back into regular practice three to four days a week.
I plan to log my workouts on the blog leading up to the tri so I can go back and see what's working and what's improving. So an advance sorry for the tedium of training notes! :)
Gotta eat lunch! It's late!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Things are taking shape.
Things are lining up for me to compete in a triathlon this summer! I'm registered for one in August! Like USATriathlon registered, event registered, and coach hired ready to go. We meet this Friday to discuss training plans.
I have a feeling most of my training will be in swimming. The cycling and running portions I'm pretty confident I can do. The run is only three miles. The bike ride is only ten. And Bristol, is pretty flat so I don't think there'll be any epic Tour de France-like inclines.
I just need to practice running three miles faster. I've been working on distance lately, now I need to train for speed. My personal training has been building my base distance. Which now is 7-8 miles. If I can get to 12 miles of base mileage I can marathon train. Or... Iron man train. Which is an epic goal if anything, but I think it's worthy.
This summer has been totally different for me. This new active lifestlye has afforded me so much more confidence and energy. For the first time in ages my car is packed for the beach so I can go anytime I want. Just add water and snacks. I'm planning hiking trips and finding ways to go mountain biking.
Training for something puts the weight loss into perspective. It becomes less vapid, less vain. When I'm "training" (as opposed to working out) the purpose becomes so much less about my appearance and so much more about accomplishment.
Still working on my bike. Still working on my husband to let me buy the bike. That's the big obstacle. I've got an effective down payment saved up, so I think that will show that I've been rational and will help qualify the bike purchase as acceptable.
These new hobbies are expensive. Running shoes. Bikes. Fancy yoga pants (not really). Swimsuits. Triathlon shoes. It adds up. I've been saving $100 a week into my "Training Fund" which covers my yoga classes, equipment purchases, etc. Like my triathlon suit and new bike cleats. Which I hate by the way. But I'm getting used to. I just don't want to invest extra money into a temporary bike, that's all. Clipless pedals are oh so tempting.
Yoga is going as well as ever. Still working on a home practice that's effective and worthwhile. Probably only going to two classes a week until Tri training is done. I'll need at least one night a week in the pool if not some very early swimming practice as well.
Spirituality-wise I just finished the Dhammapada. It was a little dry, but so are religous texts. I got something I wanted out of it. I'm looking for a good meditation group. I'm still looking into that Tibetan Buddhism school in Providence. I just need to work up the gusto to call them and see what's going on with their schedule.
Next on the dry religous texts the Bhagavad Gita. From the snippets I've read in Borders it seems a lot more epic so maybe dry isn't the right word. We'll see when I read it.
That's all for now. I'll try and update weekly on the progress of my training. That is if I'm not too busy, you know, training.
I have a feeling most of my training will be in swimming. The cycling and running portions I'm pretty confident I can do. The run is only three miles. The bike ride is only ten. And Bristol, is pretty flat so I don't think there'll be any epic Tour de France-like inclines.
I just need to practice running three miles faster. I've been working on distance lately, now I need to train for speed. My personal training has been building my base distance. Which now is 7-8 miles. If I can get to 12 miles of base mileage I can marathon train. Or... Iron man train. Which is an epic goal if anything, but I think it's worthy.
This summer has been totally different for me. This new active lifestlye has afforded me so much more confidence and energy. For the first time in ages my car is packed for the beach so I can go anytime I want. Just add water and snacks. I'm planning hiking trips and finding ways to go mountain biking.
Training for something puts the weight loss into perspective. It becomes less vapid, less vain. When I'm "training" (as opposed to working out) the purpose becomes so much less about my appearance and so much more about accomplishment.
Still working on my bike. Still working on my husband to let me buy the bike. That's the big obstacle. I've got an effective down payment saved up, so I think that will show that I've been rational and will help qualify the bike purchase as acceptable.
These new hobbies are expensive. Running shoes. Bikes. Fancy yoga pants (not really). Swimsuits. Triathlon shoes. It adds up. I've been saving $100 a week into my "Training Fund" which covers my yoga classes, equipment purchases, etc. Like my triathlon suit and new bike cleats. Which I hate by the way. But I'm getting used to. I just don't want to invest extra money into a temporary bike, that's all. Clipless pedals are oh so tempting.
Yoga is going as well as ever. Still working on a home practice that's effective and worthwhile. Probably only going to two classes a week until Tri training is done. I'll need at least one night a week in the pool if not some very early swimming practice as well.
Spirituality-wise I just finished the Dhammapada. It was a little dry, but so are religous texts. I got something I wanted out of it. I'm looking for a good meditation group. I'm still looking into that Tibetan Buddhism school in Providence. I just need to work up the gusto to call them and see what's going on with their schedule.
Next on the dry religous texts the Bhagavad Gita. From the snippets I've read in Borders it seems a lot more epic so maybe dry isn't the right word. We'll see when I read it.
That's all for now. I'll try and update weekly on the progress of my training. That is if I'm not too busy, you know, training.
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