Only a couple more weeks until my first tri. Doing the Trek sprint on July 12 at Pleasant Prairie and I'm feeling pretty much ready to go, but nervous. I watched my husband and fellow TFPer's compete in the Verona Tri. It was cool to take it all in, see the transitions and everything come together. It was the first time I watched one and actually thought - hey, I think I could do that!
Coach Matt retested me for a bike and run EMR and a RMR. Found I've changed my cardiovascular system. My zone #'s were adjusted as my body is now getting more output at a lower heart rate #. Still need to keep working all the zones which isn't always easy. Especially going slow.
My RMR showed that I now burn less calories at rest - which I intially got upset about. Coach put it in perspective - I now weigh less than I used to and makes sense that I don't need as many calories.
I've lost a total of 13lbs. so far and I've totally changed my body. I'm 2lbs. shy of my ultimate dream weight. Another exciting perk to all this training! My body fat is now 17%, would like it to be 15 or 16% but it's pretty darn close. I've lost a total of 8 inches off my measurements, so wearing a bathing suit this summer has been painless. This past weekend I was in my friend's wedding. Besides the wedding being a total blast, it was the first time in years that I didn't have to wear some sort of major gut-sucker armor under my dress. Talk about freedom! It's a lot of fun enjoy the results so far. Now it's back to business and getting mentally prepared for the races. Coach Matt said I should expect some puke - zone workouts coming up, YIKES!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
5K
Did the Reach Out and Run 5K on Saturday! I haven't done a 5K since the 4th of July last summer. My husband was laughing with me that I was a little nervous about this race, it's only 5k you know - you'll be fine. My training schedule said 5k - top zone 4 to low zone 5 - the puke zone as I like to call it. Coach Matt assured me that yes I'm supposed to run hard (the whole time) for a race like this. I was nervous about getting down and ugly, being able to let go mentally and go all out.
On Sat. morning my kids, never fails, wanted to sleep in more while every other Sat. they're up at the crack of dawn. My son wasn't feeling well and had a slight fever. Great. My husband was flying out the door to work saying - you'll do just fine. I shoved the kids in the car, got to the race and by then my son looked like he was going to faint and was burning up. My dad said he would come and pick him up. Meanwhile I've got to warm up and I put my daughter (so thankful she's a responsible girl) in charge of my boys and 2 nephews because my sister-in-law raced too, and hoped grandpa would find them OK. The warm up felt horrendous. The race seemed to start way to soon and I was stuck in the pack trying to find a pace. There was some jerk actually riding his bike on the beginning of the race into the path of the runners. He almost ran a younger runner over and I thought the dad was going to kill him. That gave me a little adrenaline boost to get going. No sooner am I starting to settle into a good but super uncomfortable pace, I see my dad waving at me at the sideline, asking me to point which way my kids are so he can pick up my poor son. I do a quick point and a prayer and keep on truckin'. I'm definitely in zone 4 and trying to get back in my mental game. I fell into a pace with a runner by me and I know I must have sounded like a steam engine, I was puffing hard. I stopped looking at my heart rate when it was inching closer to zone 5 and just found my happy place, held on and tried not to think of the burn.
I finished at 26:02, (although my garmin said 25:49). I'm really happy with that, I pushed as hard as I could. My time from the last 5k in July was 31:26, so this training must be working! It was amazing to see everyone medal from the Fitness Pursuit! So impressed by Coach Matt and Coach Lauri and their wins. It is amazing to be coached by those who don't just talk the talk.
On Sat. morning my kids, never fails, wanted to sleep in more while every other Sat. they're up at the crack of dawn. My son wasn't feeling well and had a slight fever. Great. My husband was flying out the door to work saying - you'll do just fine. I shoved the kids in the car, got to the race and by then my son looked like he was going to faint and was burning up. My dad said he would come and pick him up. Meanwhile I've got to warm up and I put my daughter (so thankful she's a responsible girl) in charge of my boys and 2 nephews because my sister-in-law raced too, and hoped grandpa would find them OK. The warm up felt horrendous. The race seemed to start way to soon and I was stuck in the pack trying to find a pace. There was some jerk actually riding his bike on the beginning of the race into the path of the runners. He almost ran a younger runner over and I thought the dad was going to kill him. That gave me a little adrenaline boost to get going. No sooner am I starting to settle into a good but super uncomfortable pace, I see my dad waving at me at the sideline, asking me to point which way my kids are so he can pick up my poor son. I do a quick point and a prayer and keep on truckin'. I'm definitely in zone 4 and trying to get back in my mental game. I fell into a pace with a runner by me and I know I must have sounded like a steam engine, I was puffing hard. I stopped looking at my heart rate when it was inching closer to zone 5 and just found my happy place, held on and tried not to think of the burn.
I finished at 26:02, (although my garmin said 25:49). I'm really happy with that, I pushed as hard as I could. My time from the last 5k in July was 31:26, so this training must be working! It was amazing to see everyone medal from the Fitness Pursuit! So impressed by Coach Matt and Coach Lauri and their wins. It is amazing to be coached by those who don't just talk the talk.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Just looking at my calendar, I have exactly 12 weeks until my first triathlon. Some have been asking my race plans.
Here they are: July 12th - Trek Women's Sprint Triathlon, Pleasant Prairie
Aug. 16th - Pleasant Prairie Olympic Tri.
Sept. 27th - Danskin Sprint - again Pleasant Prairie
I should be pretty comfortable with the PP course by then! Plus I get to swim in Lake Andrea;) Speaking of swimming...I can swim now! I put in my time, and with the coaching it all did magically come together. We'll see how it is when I get in open water, but I'm confident it will be just fine. Just to compare, my first swim lesson/session in December I could barely do 25 yards...and yesterday I completed a 2400 yd. workout!
This weekend I finally got to pick up my new bike. It's a beautiful Trek Madone WSD 5.2 project one that I picked out at TFP night at M&M Cyclery. I've been drooling over a bike like this for more than a year. Was hoping to have this in time for the TT last Sat. I've been training on my husband's bike - which is great but it's nice to have my own bike that fits me, plus now we can ride together and I might be able to keep up. The TT went ok on the 11th. I improved my time by over 1 minute and watts by 11. Much better than last time. I'm amazed at how much I've learned about cycling from the compu-trainer classes. It will be interesting to get outside and see how it translates on the road.
Here they are: July 12th - Trek Women's Sprint Triathlon, Pleasant Prairie
Aug. 16th - Pleasant Prairie Olympic Tri.
Sept. 27th - Danskin Sprint - again Pleasant Prairie
I should be pretty comfortable with the PP course by then! Plus I get to swim in Lake Andrea;) Speaking of swimming...I can swim now! I put in my time, and with the coaching it all did magically come together. We'll see how it is when I get in open water, but I'm confident it will be just fine. Just to compare, my first swim lesson/session in December I could barely do 25 yards...and yesterday I completed a 2400 yd. workout!
This weekend I finally got to pick up my new bike. It's a beautiful Trek Madone WSD 5.2 project one that I picked out at TFP night at M&M Cyclery. I've been drooling over a bike like this for more than a year. Was hoping to have this in time for the TT last Sat. I've been training on my husband's bike - which is great but it's nice to have my own bike that fits me, plus now we can ride together and I might be able to keep up. The TT went ok on the 11th. I improved my time by over 1 minute and watts by 11. Much better than last time. I'm amazed at how much I've learned about cycling from the compu-trainer classes. It will be interesting to get outside and see how it translates on the road.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Balance
Alright, just when I think I've got this triathlon training business all down.......
the other week I was feeling great, ready to really make huge strides with my training, I was eating pretty well, so I thought and then I got sick. Not just a little sick - it was the 3 days in bed kind of sick, and still feeling crappy a week later. I felt like I was being punished. All I could think about was the training I was missing and how am I going to make it up and get back to where I was.
It was frustrating, but I got over it after a visit to the doctor. I asked when I could get back to running and training. He asked if someone was going to arrest me if I didn't train for a week, (I thought, well Coach Matt is tough - no, just kidding). I had to step back and get better and chill out. This has been like a see-saw. Not only do you have to become efficient in 3 sports but you have to balance it all with eating and sleeping well, reducing stress in everything you do. I see the people that do it well at TFP, I'm hoping to learn their secrets.
the other week I was feeling great, ready to really make huge strides with my training, I was eating pretty well, so I thought and then I got sick. Not just a little sick - it was the 3 days in bed kind of sick, and still feeling crappy a week later. I felt like I was being punished. All I could think about was the training I was missing and how am I going to make it up and get back to where I was.
It was frustrating, but I got over it after a visit to the doctor. I asked when I could get back to running and training. He asked if someone was going to arrest me if I didn't train for a week, (I thought, well Coach Matt is tough - no, just kidding). I had to step back and get better and chill out. This has been like a see-saw. Not only do you have to become efficient in 3 sports but you have to balance it all with eating and sleeping well, reducing stress in everything you do. I see the people that do it well at TFP, I'm hoping to learn their secrets.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Flip the Switch
Was it just me or did February just fly by? This ended up to be a great training month. I can't explain it, but I'll try....it's like a switch was flipped.
The other weekend I did the second bike time trial. I had high hopes of really increasing my watts and was well coached and set up to do so. In the end my time was about the same and I only uped my watts by a measley 2 at the TT. I was majorly caught up in my numbers and my performance, which were not great.
I felt really crappy and disappointed with myself. My workouts have been good, but right when you're about to go for it, something holds you back. I haven't talked to Coach Matt about this, but I sense he knows when someone's holding back and is just waiting for you to "get it". Suppose the reasons for it are different for everyone (assuming this happens to anyone else). Me, I finally realized what I was doing to myself. I was getting in my own way. Overthinking what I should be doing when I should just do what I need to do. I was also sucking all the fun out of it. I totally lost sight of what I'm actually able to do, especially being new to all of this.
So after that proverbial light was switched on and I stepped aside, training has just taken on a new perspective. A lot of us are so conditioned to say- oh this is so hard, this sucks, when will it end. I may still say it out of habit, or sometimes it might be true, but really...I love this stuff! I've never pushed like this. It's become a joy and it's fun and I'm finally starting to get it now! I get why people do this. I can't wait to push myself through that mental block that says no you can't. I'm excited to see what I can do, and also improve my numbers for the next TT, but the only way you can get there is to step aside and let it happen and remember to enjoy the ride.
The other weekend I did the second bike time trial. I had high hopes of really increasing my watts and was well coached and set up to do so. In the end my time was about the same and I only uped my watts by a measley 2 at the TT. I was majorly caught up in my numbers and my performance, which were not great.
I felt really crappy and disappointed with myself. My workouts have been good, but right when you're about to go for it, something holds you back. I haven't talked to Coach Matt about this, but I sense he knows when someone's holding back and is just waiting for you to "get it". Suppose the reasons for it are different for everyone (assuming this happens to anyone else). Me, I finally realized what I was doing to myself. I was getting in my own way. Overthinking what I should be doing when I should just do what I need to do. I was also sucking all the fun out of it. I totally lost sight of what I'm actually able to do, especially being new to all of this.
So after that proverbial light was switched on and I stepped aside, training has just taken on a new perspective. A lot of us are so conditioned to say- oh this is so hard, this sucks, when will it end. I may still say it out of habit, or sometimes it might be true, but really...I love this stuff! I've never pushed like this. It's become a joy and it's fun and I'm finally starting to get it now! I get why people do this. I can't wait to push myself through that mental block that says no you can't. I'm excited to see what I can do, and also improve my numbers for the next TT, but the only way you can get there is to step aside and let it happen and remember to enjoy the ride.
Monday, February 2, 2009
The Training Has Begun
The month of January seriously kicked my butt. After the holidays and stress from getting my husband and daughter ready for a huge mission trip, it left me wanting to fall back into my usual habits and not working out as hard, etc. Right on cue, Coach Matt was highly motivating and ready to go. I realized this is where we stop "working out" and start training. The PT sessions have been merciless and I actually like it! I did have a set back last week being horribly sick and tried my best to work through it. Felt like I recovered much more quickly because of the training.
Swimming is still a thorn in my side, but I've accepted it. I'm putting in my time and someday it will magically all come together. I've brought it down to how I felt when I first started running. You know, when you can't run the whole time, have to walk part of the time, your lungs and legs burn and realize why so many people decide to quit. It's much better than that and I'm trying to focus on form, balance, and slowing down controlling my breathing. Am I the only person that has trouble with this?
Biking, which has been my most comfortable sport is getting better. I see a lot of potential and have lots of work left to do. I am feeling really good about finally getting the higher cadence/rpm riding down. The compu-trainer classes are fantastic and Coach Matt's watt settings are always right on. I suffered a little set back last week in class when I was just getting over being sick. I thought I knew better and said sure - I'll increase my watts, no problem. Let's just say I learned my lesson.
Running is coming together. I'm taking the LSD class Sat. mornings. Great group of people and it feels great to put in the miles together (especially when it's 1 degree out). My heart rate is coming down and my mile time continues to get a little faster.
Tuesday morning yoga is awesome. It's really helping me become more flexible and Jacquelyn seems to have this amazing radar of what we need each week. I walk out of there in a zen trance that lasts most the day. Did I say it's awesome?
Last, the weight/eating issue is working for me. My body is changing. I've been able to sustain a 5 to 7 lb. loss this month and I'm hoping to lose another 7-8 lbs. over the next 6 weeks. It's been tricky to get to the point of losing the weight and eating enough to fuel through workouts. I've had one or two workouts where I've zeroed out....not fun!
Swimming is still a thorn in my side, but I've accepted it. I'm putting in my time and someday it will magically all come together. I've brought it down to how I felt when I first started running. You know, when you can't run the whole time, have to walk part of the time, your lungs and legs burn and realize why so many people decide to quit. It's much better than that and I'm trying to focus on form, balance, and slowing down controlling my breathing. Am I the only person that has trouble with this?
Biking, which has been my most comfortable sport is getting better. I see a lot of potential and have lots of work left to do. I am feeling really good about finally getting the higher cadence/rpm riding down. The compu-trainer classes are fantastic and Coach Matt's watt settings are always right on. I suffered a little set back last week in class when I was just getting over being sick. I thought I knew better and said sure - I'll increase my watts, no problem. Let's just say I learned my lesson.
Running is coming together. I'm taking the LSD class Sat. mornings. Great group of people and it feels great to put in the miles together (especially when it's 1 degree out). My heart rate is coming down and my mile time continues to get a little faster.
Tuesday morning yoga is awesome. It's really helping me become more flexible and Jacquelyn seems to have this amazing radar of what we need each week. I walk out of there in a zen trance that lasts most the day. Did I say it's awesome?
Last, the weight/eating issue is working for me. My body is changing. I've been able to sustain a 5 to 7 lb. loss this month and I'm hoping to lose another 7-8 lbs. over the next 6 weeks. It's been tricky to get to the point of losing the weight and eating enough to fuel through workouts. I've had one or two workouts where I've zeroed out....not fun!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Time To Get Wet
I know swimming is part of the equation of the tri, but I was terrified of my first swim training lesson. It's not that I'm terrified of swimming, I love to "swim", floating around in a pool, ocean, water parks and lakes with the family. But I haven't done laps in probaly 12 years. So, basically I'm starting at zero. I met Coach Matt at the pool and he had me swim a lap just to see where I was at. He then decided not to even use the swim camera yet. It was humbling and a bit frustrating, wanting to be good at something you start. But I'm not. It's hard to suck it up, but you have to get down to what needs to be done and do it. We slowed everything down and Matt worked with me on getting my balance and breathing down. I found I'm super stiff in my neck and upper back which makes rotating more of a chore. Need to focus on relaxing. By the end of the lesson I had really enjoyed it and looked forward to doing it again.
I also got in a running gait analysis. This time we did use the dreaded camera and I got to see first hand the mess I'm putting out there. Pronating one foot, tightness in my hips and the stiff neck and back issue again. It's amazing when you do run the correct way it's little effort physically and major effort mentally to get it right. It's all about retraining everything to make it easier in the long run, right?
I had my body fat and measurements done as well. This wasn't as great as I hoped. I've lost a little in inches but nothing significant in body fat. All of this combined has been frustrating at first, but now I have a fire in my belly to get busy and put in the hard work that needs to be done. It should be interesting to see how much weight I can lose over the holidays!
I also got in a running gait analysis. This time we did use the dreaded camera and I got to see first hand the mess I'm putting out there. Pronating one foot, tightness in my hips and the stiff neck and back issue again. It's amazing when you do run the correct way it's little effort physically and major effort mentally to get it right. It's all about retraining everything to make it easier in the long run, right?
I had my body fat and measurements done as well. This wasn't as great as I hoped. I've lost a little in inches but nothing significant in body fat. All of this combined has been frustrating at first, but now I have a fire in my belly to get busy and put in the hard work that needs to be done. It should be interesting to see how much weight I can lose over the holidays!
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