My 2nd Open Water Swim

Yesterday was my second open water swim class and it was great! HUGE difference between this time and the first.... Though my first jump into the water I was a little hyper. Once I was able to relax it just came natural...just like the pool. I was pretty pleased overall. My only real hurdle is endurance and I can't really rush that...I can only practice, practice, practice.

Let's skip back to Saturday's bike ride. I did 25 miles and quickly concluded that my bike seat, even after the adjustment is not going to work for me. My time is pretty slow, but I contribute that to my constant need to adjust for the pain...my legs could have gone longer. I don't know who the guy was that put the hole in women's bike seats but...ummm.......no, that doesn't work!

Boring post today....I swim in my triathlete class tonight so maybe some interesting fun to talk about during tomorrow's post....

New Month, New Goals

We are just about done with June and wow, I feel great about where I'm at in my training. I think I'll be more prepared for Ironman than I originally thought at the pace I'm going. It's true, I'm completely obsessed with my training and I probably should find a balance between family and everything else.

Last nights swimming was awesome! I've made huge improvements and my focus now is on speeding up my stroke. Doing an open water swim on Sunday and I just found out that Dave and his wife are swimming too! Game on now sister!

Dave's goal for me in July...200 miles on my bike! Eekk I just found out that the Tour de Scottsdale is the day after my Rocky Point Triathlon so I'm pretty bummed about that. I want to do all of these events but I guess I need to be more realistic. As if 200 miles is not enough...who the hell am I kidding! By the time I get to Oct the 70 miles Tour de Scottsdale will seem like child's play.... (okay, probably not but it sounded good).

Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming....

Have you watched, Finding Nemo? I went to my first swim class with triathletes last night. I arrived a little early and watched the group before me. It didn't take long for me to realize that I was way over my head. What the hell am I doing trying to play with the big boys! They were doing fancy turns in the pool and doing 100 - 300 meter swims without stopping to rest! No way!! I'm not even close to doing that yet. Should I stay, should I go...I didn't know what to do, but I was scared to death.

I briefly spoke to the coach and told him I was scared and not sure his class was appropriate for me. He's response, "Get in the pool and let's see what you've got". eekkkk His attention was quickly diverted with his regular students so I stood and just stared at the water...what do to, what to do, I'm thinking. Then I hear this voice coming from the water, "come on, get in", this strange woman wearing a swim cap says with a soft gentle comforting voice....then I got it, the song....she sang the song... the "just keep swimming, swimming, swimming" song from Finding Nemo! SHUT UP! You did not just sing me a song. It was just what I needed to bring my intensity down just a bit.

So, here I go. I take a deep breath and try my best, that's all I have to offer. It was totally okay. I made it across 25 meters to the other side, doing everything I had learned in my previous classes.....I was really a swimmer now. My coach was great giving me help and being easy on me for day one. I was able to take a break at every 25 meters to catch my breath and he didn't require much else...thank god.

I was definitely the tadpole in the class but everyone on both sides of my lanes were just awesome and really encouraging. All the fear I had turned into self confidence and the best part is, the first day is over and I can only get better....inside and out ;)

I HATE DRILLS

Okay, saying that I HATE DRILLs is a little extreme. How about just this....drills SUCK! No, that's a bit much. How about, I'm not currently a fan of the exercise drill. Ugh... I hope you get the picture here.

They are really hard (my whining voice as I kick my feet). Not just a little hard - they are VERY hard. I don't know what it is but anything that requires short fast bursts of energy really kick my butt. Bike drills, running drills, drills on the Elliptical. Nevertheless, Dave still makes me do them. ahhhhhh I do appreciate that no matter how much I hate the workout, he still makes me do it :0 Brutal and hard, but I'm always faster and stronger in the end. Who am I to questions my Sensei, right. I'm just glad it's over!

Swimming tonight. I joined another swim class that meets on Mon/Wed nights. My theory is that if I can master the swim I'll have more time to finish the bike and run during Ironman. Each has a cutoff time that I try hard to be mindful of. So, now I'm swimming up to four times a week. My shoulders are a bit sore but workable still...

Somehow I see more drills in my future......wwwhhhhyyyyyy.......

Today's discovery

You know sometimes when you're driving along thinking about things and then suddenly realize that miles, and exits have passed and you missed the whole thing? I had one of those deep thinking moments after my bike practice with Dave today. I started to think about how, at 39 I'm finally living and really owning my own life. For many, many years I was a sideline cheerleader who secretly wished I wasn't. I wanted to be part of the action but I let fear make the decisions for me. Excuse after excuse but today I've shed that last layer of skin that was so heavy and so self destructive. At nearly 40 I feel as though my eyes are finally open and I'm so strong and capable of many things....I'm not suppose to be sitting on the sidelines. I own my life and my future....I really feel that now. I totally get it!

I'm trying not to regret all of the missed years. In all honesty, I enjoyed encouraging my friends and supporting them as best I could. It's my turn now and I'm pretty sure that the friends I've supported over the years would agree....it's okay that I retire my cow bell...it's okay that I don't scream their name when I get a glance at them...it's okay that I don't shove food in their faces when they finish an event....it's okay to be a player now, not a cheerleader....It's all going to be okay and that's exciting....that's my life....

Some good news

I met the team at Landis Cyclery today and wow, what a great operations. As it turns out my bike size is correct, however, the placement of the seat was not. I really hope that moving the seat forward and the nose up helps!!! We'll find out tomorrow during my ride with Dave. I'm still sore so I was advised to give it some time before I brought it back in. eekkk

So here's the deal. For whatever reason I can't get myself to swim on my own. That being said I have decided to pay the extra money for lessons three days a week to force the issue. Not only do I have to be good in the pool but now with my first event in Oct I need lots of open water practice. I have no other option at this point....

I finally did it today! I burned 140 calories in 10 minutes on the Elliptical machine!! YEAH!!! I have to admit that I was pretty proud of myself after it was over. It had been kicking my butt. My fear now is that Dave will make me do it again, or add to it! He's really been pushing me hard these past couple of workouts.

Still, all I think about is Ironman.....

Up North Mtn

Well, I was suppose to swim today but forgot that Sierra leaves for camp in Prescott so Rick, Sierra and I opted to go up North Mtn. early this morning. I cannot believe how well my cardio and endurance has changed over the past couple of months. I thought about jogging up the mtn but Sierra was having some challenges and I didn't want to get any farther ahead of them then I already was. Maybe I'll give it a try the next time we go...I'd like to see just how far I can jog up that incline without a rest....hummmmm Dave I think you should let me tow you up the hill to make it even harder! Wait a second, what the hell am I saying here!!! Have I lost my freakin mind??

I've done a lot of reading about bike seats and have come to some conclusions. Next week I'm taking it in to get fitted for a bike seat. I didn't realize that was an option but apparently it is. I also need to play with the seat adjustment because I'm not sitting on my "sit bones" but rather the soft tissue and that's torture. So, a specific size and the adjustment to position should do the trick, I hope!

For all the women who suffer!

Rick and I left early this morning for a bike ride down the canal. Overall it was a pretty good ride. We discovered through Rick's new Garmin Forerunner that my bike computer is off just a little because I didn't program the tire size....easy fix. He clocked us at 23 miles in 2 hours...which is okay, but won't due at Ironman with the bike cutoff time. I have lots of time to get stronger.

Here is my big challenge....I need a new bike seat. Let's just lay this out there for all the women who suffer in silence... My hooch is killing me! She's squeezed, pinched and just miserable right now. What's with the little hole in bike seats anyway? I think that's the problem...everything gets squeezed inside some little hole and there is no room to move let alone breath! That's it, I'm going in the garage to create a new bike seat just for women!

My short term goals

I haven't written much this week. I think after Monday's debacle I've just been really focused on getting back on track with training. This week has proved challenging and rewarding at the same time.

I swam, biked, ran and workout at the gym this week and boy, my body can feel it and best of all, I can see it! My lower legs are freakin rockin as well as my back, arms and abs. I pumped 15lbs today at the gym!!! My arms don't want to move, but 15lbs!!! Still have some work to do on the butt and thighs. Did some shopping this week because my size 10 shorts are loose on me!!! LOVE IT.

Tomorrow I'm biking 2o miles so if you see me and my pretty pink bike, honk and say, "hello"....

My short term goal. I'm a little scared of this one! Oct 4th Rocky Point Triathlon. I'm only intimated by the swim, which is 400 meters. Everyone who swims knows that a pool swim is very different then an open water swim and yikes, I feel like I don't have much time to get my act together. I'm currently trying to talk some friends into doing the relay but Dave says I'll be ready by then. I have to continue to trust him.....right..... :0 My stomach is in knots just thinking about it. I plan to register by the end of today.

So, if you don't have plans on Oct 4th I could use all the cheering and support I can get! Mark your calendars now...

http://www.trifamilyracing.com/

Back in the saddle again

As it turns out I was sick for a good portion of yesterday. I think my body is trying to purge all of the crap I ate during vacation, which is just fine with me.

Dave and I played chase on our bikes today. The goal, don't let him pass me. It didn't take me long to figure out that if I pushed him off his bike I could get far enough ahead and he would never be able to catch up. haha, the funny thing is that Dave said if I pushed him I'd probably be the one to fall!!! hahahaha He's right!

Back at it...

Oh my gosh! I feel like somebody just kicked me in the stomach. Why? I just had my first workout with Dave after vacation. Not only am I nauseous but my chest hurts after doing some easy cardio. I wasn't able to pull off 140 calories in 10 minutes on the Elliptical....not good! Is that from the elevation changes I went through during the week? What's that about??? I'm almost certain the heat and humidity are a part of how I feel right now too. I've never been very tolerate of this Arizona heat...I'm not looking forward to exercising outdoors during the next couple of months.

Tomorrow is a new day with new opportunities for improvement. To Dave, I'm sorry that I was not on top of my game today....I relaxed too much this week :(

Vacations Over

Our vacation week is over and I'm a little glad, and a little sad. My car has over 4,000 new miles added to it and Rick is still going. He's driving back from Wisconsin, adding another 2,000...ugh.

Long story short our hiking plans were cut short by wind, snow and rain which all had us behind a day in our trip. We never made it to Chicago or a couple of places in Wisconsin like we had planned. We barely missed all of the floods, however, we did endure the flood traffic.

I miss my routine! I'm a routine kinda girl and look forward to seeing Dave tomorrow and getting back to my Thursday night swim. I'm tired and a little to relaxed I think. I had entirely too much sugar this week and I feel it in my rear!

Picture to come once Rick gets home....

Bryce Canyon National Park

Just a quick update. This was our second hike on our trip ....here I'm at Bryce Canyon National Park. Words cannot describe how beautiful this park is. We hiked from the rim, which starts at 8,000 feet and hiked down to the bottom. We were both a little worried about the trip back up because of the elevation gain and seeing people huff and puff be we did great with no rest breaks the entire way. Slow and steady we were done before we were really that tired. I didn't realize how hard my heart was pounding until I reached the top of the rim.

We arrived in Salt Lake really late last night but today we have a packed day of zip lines, alpine slides and more hiking. I just finished up doing a weight circuit at the hotel gym and look forward to getting back on the road toward Yellowstone.

Master Swim and HARD bike drills

Mount Rushmore
One of our stops during our vacation this coming week

Last night was fantastic! For the first time since I started swim lessons I actually swam freestyle!!! I know, pretty exciting stuff. I can't say enough about the Sun Devil Master Swim program. These guys are the real deal and I was finally able to make a break through. Of course racelab did all the coaching pre-work for Master Swim so I must give credit where it's due. They are both great programs!

Something just clicked last night and my strokes along with breathing made sense. I'm proud to say that I won the most improved in one session award, which was popcorn from the instructor.
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Let's chat a bit about today's bike drills (hooked to the computer) at Dave's house. It's official, I don't like bike drills. Long story short - I did a 5 min hard ride, 3 - 30 second hard rides and 3 - 1 min hard ride. I have never EVER sweat so much in a workout! NEVER. I wanted to cry, seriously. I got off the pedals during my "rest" and nearly had a melt down after one of the 30 sec sets. I think the only thing that keep me together was I didn't want Dave to feel uncomfortable watching me cry. My legs were shaking and man, I want to cry just writing about it now. Just my luck I get to do all this testing with him again in a month. ugh... I gave him everything I had today....
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I'm off on vacation this week. Rick and I are hiking and camping across America. Well, not literally but we are hiking in Utah, Wyoming, South Dakota and Minnesota. Sounds like fun huh...I'm looking forward to it myself. Watch for some fun details along with way.

My Security Blanket

The more I train the more I discover weird things about myself. One of which is my obsessive need for my sweat rag. You know, I don't think it's really for wiping the sweat off my face as it is just something for me to cling to. I need to have something in my hands and I'm not really sure why. I rest my head on it when I do my pull-ups. I rest my knees on it sometimes when I do my push-ups and yes, I do use it to wipe the sweat. I carry the darn thing with me everywhere.....I need my sweat rag....

So the past couple of days I haven't written but that doesn't mean I have not been training! Let's start with a bike workout at Dave's house the other day. He hooked up my bike to some rather fancy equipment, attached a gadget to my ear and told me to ride....for six miles non-stop. This crazy thing measured everything from my heart rate, average speed and which leg was working harder then the other! It was really cool. The screen also showed me riding on an animated course so being indoors was not so bad....I'm glad to say I maintained my average speed the entire time. Friday we are doing drills on the computer.

Today Rick and I went for an easy ride. Our intention was 8 miles but I got a flat on the way home. Although we tried to fix it, it didn't work so I walked my bike home about 3 miles....

Tonight I'm swimming with a new group. I hope that by adding a weekly swim with a coach I'll improve a little faster. With summer fast upon us, I want to spend most of my time in the water!

Let's be clear

Let's be clear about one important fact....my "debrief" with Rick is not mandatory...it's him being interested in me and my life outside of the two of us together. It's him wanting to support me and honor me by giving me the opportunity to talk about myself. Some of you need to calm down and read my statements again about how much I enjoy my debrief... When you get home I'm almost certain you talk about your day with your spouse. Well, Rick and I happen to sit down on the couch together and talk. Not just give a fast brief description while passing in the kitchen....we actually converse back and forth and we do it daily too - we have just named that time the "debrief"! Try it....it's addicting...

I'm still alive

My new bike and new wetsuit! And Beanie wondering what mom's doing...

Swimming was a nightmare and I'm seriously not kidding. The night before my swim I had the worst nightmare about it. Did you see Lord of the Rings where they were traveling through the swamp? You could see ghosts just under the water surface. Well, that's kinda what my dream was like. Whenever I put my head in the water those ghosts started to come towards me and I would panic. It was terrible!

I didn't see any ghosts at Bartlett, just nasty green particles floating around. I don't even want to know how many of those green nasties went up my nose or in my mouth. ugh-gross. Nevertheless, my swim was terrible. I just could not relax and catch my breath. From what I hear though that's pretty normal for a beginner like me.

This Thursday I start with Swim Masters so I hope to get my swim at a higher level soon. I'll be swimming twice a week with coaches so I'm sure to improve, right?

I've been thinking a lot about the fact that I'm doing an Ironman. It's pretty scary. What the heck am I doing? Can I really pull this off? I'm crazy!!! What if I can't get a spot in Tempe for 09. Will I go someplace else? I have to wait until Nov to find out and I'll tell you, waiting is really hard. I'm currently pulling my hair out.

Dave is back!!!!! YEAH!!!! He's really upped the weight at the gym and my upper body is feeling it, and looking it. I'm a completely different person when I leave the gym. I feel so much contentment, relaxed and an overall calmness that I can't otherwise explain. I'm addicted.

Tomorrow is bike testing!!! Stay tuned for that later....