Tri Time

Tri training is starting up again. I took a couple of weeks off from training after the race  I have a cold and I always wait a week after a race until I start training again. so I waited the week, then was sick a week. I went to a baby shower today for a ling-time friend. Like, almost 25 year long- time friend. It was a really lovely afternoon. Then, I come home and read outside for a while. The weather is finally warming up here in southern Ontario.

I'm giving you the background because I was most definitely not in the mood to get out there today. BUT I DID. After aimlessly wandering in my hallway for a bit I figured I may as well put on my runners and head out. I was going to wait until this evening but Game of Thrones is on and I didn't want to be going out at 10. This is basically a pointless post. I went and did 3 miles in 48 minutes. At my last race I realized that my nike+ was a quarter of a K off in it's calculations. For every K it was telling me, it was actually less. Which sucks. Because now I don't know my actual speed, I guess I can just aim to go faster.

Today's run was actually quite pleasant. I recently did a stress test and got to see how exercise does affect your blood pressure immediately. So, I tried to push myself a little harder than I normally would. I still had some gas in the tank at the end. It was quite a nice run. I was sweating, breathing moderately heavily and soaking in the sunshine.

I often find on days like today when I'm forcing myself to get out there I just make up my mind and go, the more I dawdle the less likely I am to actually go. So, I didn't even hit the bathroom today before I left and I was very thankful that there's a McDonald's a km from my house. It worked out well for me. And on that note, I will end. Lesson of the day: pee before you flee.

Sunday Runday

I did my first 10 K ever today and it was pretty much awesome. Not my pace time of 8'55. A solid 55 seconds over what I thought it would be. I ran it in JUST under an hour and a half. I really held back in the beginning. I had procrastinated all day long about doing this run. I was very nervous about not being able to finish it. Good ole self-defeating thoughts.

When I headed out this evening it was spitting and I noticed a rainbow off in the distance. I didn't realise until after a couple kilometres that I should take that as a good sign. I was very slow on my feet but as the run went on I began to feel better about myself. Having done the tri I knew that I was capable of doing aerobic activity for 75 minutes and figured the run would take about 80 so figured I would be able to do it. When I calculated how far I would have to run though- it seemed SO FAR. As I neared the halfway point when I'd have to turn around I started to feel better. With 3 K left I started to pick up the pace. With one left, I checked the time and decided to push myself so that I'd get in under an hour and a half and I did. With about 45 seconds to spare.

I noticed as I was running that smile on my face again. I was really focused on just putting one foot in front of the other and was not really in my head at all. It was a nice escape. Prior to this run, knowing that it would be me alone with myself for over an hour, doing the exact same thing, I was sure to create a playlist that I would really enjoy. I did not let myself down and didn't feel the need to change any song that was on the list. I was catching up with a friend the other day who'd asked how my running was going I shamefacedly admitted that it had dropped off as of late. She said that she'd been out for a short distance but didn't enjoy it. I completely understand. I do not enjoy cycling. It was necessary for the tri so I did it. I had to make it as enjoyable an experience as I could. so, I cycled with my brother or did spinning. It was a necessary evil. I ENJOY running but today, not sure how I would feel about doing 10K I took steps to ensure that I would hate it as little as possible. I put on my favourite socks, picked my favourite songs, and ran my favourite route.

Another thing that I thought about during my run the further I got was that MY BODY IS DOING THIS. It was remarkable to me. My body kept me moving for an hour and a half, my body went 10K non-stop, my body was finishing strong. It's pretty amazing. I'd read online in a blog (http://rosiemolinary.com/blog/) about not waiting for the body you want to do the things that you desire. Right now is the perfect time to take up running. If you've been considering it or went out during the summer and hated it, the cooler evening temperatures and earlier nightfall make for perfect running conditions for a beginner.

Olympic Break Over

 I have to apologize because over the past 17 days I slacked on my blog. Clearly, I LOVE the Olympics and there were several great moments. My favourite was definitely the Women's Soccer team winning a bronze medal. I absolutely cried my way through these games. Paula Findlay, Simon Whitfield, Usain Bolt, among a hundred others, inspired me. These games reached me on more of personal level than ever before because of my recent training. I marvel at the human body, dedication, and soul.

I ran (and biked and swam) my try-tri today but I'm gonna play a little catch up first. So you're just gonna have to be patient.

I did a cycle and run as part of my brick training a couple of weeks ago. It was a pretty toasty day out and I hadn't done this combination before. My friend who's completed a sprint tri and is competing with me in the event had told me that I should get used to running on tired legs. My legs were sufficiently tired! It was literally, the most difficult thing that I had ever done. 

Between my cycle and run I was getting shaky- a sign that my sugars were low. So I gulped so orange juice and made sure I was going to be ok before heading out for the run knowing that I would have to fiddle with my insulin some more before the race to figure out how much I should take.

I almost immediately wanted to stop running and repeated the Canadian Olympic Team's motto of give your everything to keep me motivated. Plus I knew that if I had have stopped running that I wouldn't be able to start again. At 2 K my second wind kicked in and I made a mental not of this for race day so that when I was that exhausted on the day of I could remember that the last half K would be the best if I could just dig deep and get to that point.  It was by no means an enjoyable training day. It totally freaked me out. I was proud that I had done it but was terrified for race day. I got home and jumped in the pool, clothes and all. There was never a better feeling.

11

I went camping this weekend with a few friends and had a grand time. I also got in a swim and run combo. The advice that my friend who's done a sprint tri keeps giving me is to know what it feels like to run on tired legs. You know, good ole rubber legs. Since the tri is under a month away I figured I would heed this advice. I didn't have anything to measure any of my distances which is always a frustration for me but I think I did a 300 m swim and 2, or 2.5k running. I have no idea how long it took either.

I DO know that running on tired legs wasn't as bad as I'd feared. Being tired means that I stay nice and loose. So I rather enjoyed the run, plus I was nice and cool from swimming. I realize I was missing the ever daunting 10k in the middle but I survived doing this in the blazing heat in the early afternoon and wasn't miserable. All good.

As I ran I also though about how the tri was less than a month away and I hadn't done near the training that I had wanted to. I also thought about the Olympics, of course and American Ninja Warrior and kept going.

Someone else who draws inspiration from our Olympians is Jeremiah Brown. He  is one of the men rowing in the men's 8. He was inspired by the men's 8 who rowed to gold in 2008 and took up the sport. He has a connection to my hometown as he was born there and played football at Mac. He's also a blogger (http://jeremiahbrown.wordpress.com/) and can be found on Twitter at @JeremiahFBrown

Lauren Barwick is a Paralympian competing in Equestrian. Her nickname is the Centaur because of the connection between her and her mount. She started riding at the young age of 7 and became paralyzed 12 years ago when a bale of hay fell on her. A year and a half after her injury she was back computing. She's met with great success winning gold and silver in 2008. How does she do it? Paralympic.ca explains, she "has a custom adapted saddle with special knee rolls, a Velcro strap over her thighs and elasticized straps to keep her feet in the stirrups. By adjusting her seat’s movement with her torso, she can change the direction and speed of her horse. She has a small handle bar at the front of her saddle to grab hold of if she becomes unbalanced. During competitions, she uses two whips that act as her legs, along with a system of audio clues - clucks and kisses – that allow her to further finesse her control." You can find a great little piece that Lauren wrote before the 2008 Games here: http://laurenbarwick.typepad.com/the_road_to_bejing/a-little-bit-about-lauren.html

25

I went for a run yesterday. It was really difficult for me. I don't know if it was  the weather or what but I did a really short distance of 2.5k (at 7'29) and was exhausted and barely keeping my pace time. Heading into the tri this has me alarmed and desperately needing to step up the training, or is it ease off? From what I've read you're supposed to take it easy before a race, but I am sure that is just for intensive trainers

I ran with a friend of mind who's doing a walk to run program right now and thank goodness she was there or on an uphill at the beginning of the run I would have just gone home. She did a fantastic job running pretty much the whole route and faster than me nonetheless! I think I am working on convincing her to do a tri.

Brent Hayden is a 100m freestyle swimmer who has a shot at medalling this summer. He was Canada's 2007 Athlete of the Year. He's participating in and individual as well as the 4 X 100 relay. This is his third Olympic appearance. I do remember him from the last games because he unfortunately did not qualify for his event last time around. He's most recently earned a silver in his event at the World's and is hoping to challenge Michael Phelps in another sweep of the podium.

"Eight years ago, Hayden was beat up, literally, when his disappointing performance in the pool was nothing like the nightmare he encountered in the streets of Athens when he emerged late a night from a bar and found himself in the middle of a riot. Greek police used their batons on protesters and Hayden, young enough to fit the profile, suffered an elbow injury serious enough to force him out of the short-course world championships that fall" (Vancouversun.com).

In his personal life, following the Olympics he plans on wedding his fiance Nadina Zarifeh, who was also a swimmer. Personally we have something in common as we both attended UBC! His website is: brenthayden.com where you can also find his photography.

Cristy Nurse is a part of the Women's 8 rowing team that have won silver medals in both 2010 and 2011 in the worlds. She's put her studies in law on hold to compete in the Olympics. In the March 12, 2012 issue of Sportnet Magazine, she was named of the “30 Most Beautiful Athletes on the Planet.” Having grown up on a farm Cristy became familiar with competition at a young age showing sheep. She will be using her competitive spirit in a few weeks against the world's best.

I hope that everyone's having a great Canada Day and that we can carry this pride through in support of our athletes!

“Today I will run what you will not...

so that tomorrow I will run what you cannot.”

3k @ 7'46

Today I am going to allow myself to whine a bit. It's really hot here in southern Ontario and there's nobody forcing me to run but I did it regardless. I was also a little sore from doing weights at the gym yesterday. I worked my upper body and so my arms and chest hurt when I first started out. As per usual the ache went away once I got going.

I only did a short 3k today, I felt it would be unwise in these weather conditions to do any more than that. I drank a lot of water before I went and there was a breeze so it wasn't as terrible as I had anticipated it to be. I am surprised that my pace ended up being as good as it was. I did have some trouble with my breathing at the end and found myself really concentrating on controlling it. Also, by the end I had nothing left in the tank to give.

My Nike+ tells me when I have 400, 300, 200 and 100 m left in my run and I typically push it at each reminder. When the 400 m announcement came I was just starting a small uphill and wanted to quit, when the strains of All The Things That I've Done by the Killers motivated me to finish. The song starts off:

When there's nowhere else to run
Is there room for one more song
One more song
If you can hold on
If you can hold on, hold on

So, I just held on for 200 more metres and finished 'er up.

"Listen to your body.

Do not be a blind and deaf tenant." - Dr. George Sheehan

3K @ 7'16

On my run I saw a car that had driven into a bus shelter.

Today's run was wonderful. I had a great play list motivating me.The weather is more appropriate for this time of year it's cooled down and it was overcast today. I felt really good running and that's great. I think my blood sugar is becoming better controlled. Physically, I have also noticed that through doing my sun salutations that my abdomen is stronger. My actual running stance is much more upright and when I consciously tried to pull up more and tighten my abs I didn't have to adjust very much.

I'm beginning to finally feel the effects of my training. I think I am finally at a point where I can start pushing myself. I had to wait for my body to balance out. Having been sick, I find that I am quite in tune with my body and she's ready to go. I have been frustrated with my slow progress but I think I may see a bit more now. In addition, a couple of people this weekend commented that I looked like I'd lost weight. I don't really weigh myself but they said they could tell in my face and legs. My legs. So strange. Maybe my metabolism has finally kicked in. All I know is that I am feeling great, regardless of the cold that seems to be lingering. I'm ready to amp it up! (Until I get hot again...)

This video is making the rounds on the Internet.

http://news.yahoo.com/ohio-runner-cerebral-palsy-becomes-hit-online-160702750.html

400 m is one time around a track. I hate that distance because it seems so short but when you're doing it, it seems endless. I know that in moments when I am exhausted I will think of Matt and his classmates.

"Cross Country Philosophy...

the faster you run the faster you're done."

6.45 K (furthest run this training cycle!) @ 7'49

I found this quote for my title online and it's oh so appropriate for today. I was sick last week so did not training (thus no blogging). My pancreas acted up and I was sick for four days then as so often happens, I subsequently got a cold. Thus, I was out of commission for the better part of a fortnight.

As a result of my lack of activity it was, as always, difficult to get started again. I set my mind to getting up and going for a run in the morning. Added motivation: my best friend offered to make me breakfast. To my amazement I was up and out of the house by 8 am. I'm not sure how many of you were in southern Ontario at that time, but it was already quite warm (a record high today, actually). I was doing a timed run of 45 minutes and I felt that a pace of 7'50 would be appropriate for my first run back. I kind of gauged my distance so as to finish at my friend's all set for breakfast.

I am not good at gauging distance. I'm not sure why I trusted myself to plan a route. It was hot. I have a cold. I have not run in over a week. It was not a fun run. But I had to start up again from somewhere. That third kilometre is perpetually a thorn in my side. It's my "wall". I was too far from anywhere to stop and walk though. I pushed through, like I always do when I want to stop and whine consoling myself with the "at least I went out there mentality". I started to think about Kelowna and wished I was there. While it wasn't really humid, I longed for that dry heat and the orchards that I ran by with the sprinklers on cooling the earth and myself with their mist. As I was ruminating on those sprinklers, I looked to my left and on the soccer pitch there were a number of sprinklers watering the field, surrounded by a fence. Topped by barbed wire. There was no way that i was going to cool off with those bad boys. I continued to plod along. Lo and behold! Someone was watering their lawn. I took off like a shot to hit it...and missed it, completely. Not one drop hit my body.

Meanwhile, I had hit the 35 minute mark and was a fair distance away from my friend's place. I was hot, I misjudged the distance and it was just getting warmer. I sped up (see where the title comes in now?). I hit the 45 minute mark and still had quite a bit to go before I reached my destination time was up. I bargained with myself. I could do some walk/run alternating...No I wouldn't. I have made this deal before and always just walk. It's like once I stop my body shuts down. I decided to just keep going until I reached 6 K. By the time I'd done that I only had 2 more blocks to go so I just finished those up.

I think what i can take away from this run (other than the complete and utter dread I have for how HOT this summer has the potential to get) is that small goals work. As does a promise of bacon and eggs.

Don't forget bike to work day is May 28th!! Take part. I know I am.

I'm Amped Writing This.

2.5 k @ 7'24
375m swim

I got FOUR hours of sleep last night. I hopefully will be back to my regularly scheduled sleep program tonight. As I was up early again and knew that I'd be heading to the gym for yoga anyways I went and did a 2.5K run went to the gym and did a swim then did yoga.

The weather was somewhat windy out there today but the sun was shining, birds were chirping and garbage trucks belching by. I seem to run on Friday mornings frequently (aka GARBAGE DAY). It was a fairly satisfying run. My goal right now is to run at a pace of 7'40 but when I do short runs I try to do them a bit faster. The 2.5 K is my run distance for the tri. It took under 20 minutes today. I just keep thinking about what it will feel like to run after a swim and a bike. Those rubbery rubbery legs underneath me.

I also did my swim distance today and tried to do it continuous. I am a little nervous about swimming in open water. Turning my head for a breath and getting a mouth full of water instead. At the Y they always have at least one lane open for lane swimming. Since I've started going in the morning they have had multiple lanes dedicated to various speeds. Normally I just choose a lane that no one is in. Today this was the fast lane. In my defence when I got there I WAS the fastest swimmer there. Until The Guy showed up. The Guy who swims really well who I am incredibly envious of who I have seen a couple of times now. There's also The Woman in the Green Bathing Suit who swims beautifully, but I am mostly envious of her appropriately fitting bathing suit. I've seen her more often than The Guy. Back on track, he showed up and all the lanes being used he chose the fast lane, as he should. Here's my question. Should I have left the lane that I was in? There was room enough for the both of us. I was more than half way through my swim and he only lapped me once. If I had have moved over I would have been lapping the guy in the medium lane who was doing the breaststroke. I am not entirely sure of pool etiquette. There's so much to think about when you're working out. I thought about how I was irritated by the man who as the human buoy (see: http://morganruns.blogspot.ca/2012/04/life-is-echo-what-you-send-out-you-get.html) my irritation with him was only moderate and it was easy enough to swim around him. So, I hoped that The Guy understood that I was at least TRYING and not just floating and I stubbornly remained in the fast lane.

I had a yoga date with a friend this morning. The usual instructor wasn't there and the woman leading us does Vinyasa Yoga!!! I was in my glory. I love the flow. It's really difficult and I was exhausted but it was nice working up a sweat. The volunteers are not terrible, I just love Vinyasa yoga.

With these workouts, I have successfully completed all planned workouts this week. A first since I'd registered for the tri. I have them all written out on my Chapman's Calendar and check them off as I do them. I don't get them done on the assigned day but they're done. There is the one Cyclefit that is haunting me. Tomorrow (I hope!).

Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's out there (my mom thinks it's a commercial made up thing so we're not celebrating). She gets enough love year round that she doesn't need one day to be told how great she is, it seems. Don't worry I still bought her something and we're going out when my brodda is off.

Spring is Here and With it Comes...Running!

4.83 @ 7'25

Last night I was DD for the very first time ever! and I drove out of the city...to Stoney Creek. I was out pretty late cuz I'd agreed to drive the birthday girl home. It was my pleasure. Plus, one stays at their birthday celebration until the end, otherwise it's not a proper celebration. Thus, I was able to have a good reason to sleep in and that meant I sadly (!) had to miss out on spinclass today. To alleviate my guilt I went for a run (and of course, my daily pre-breakfast yoga).

I hadn't done a decent distance in a while. I think since my race...Today was perfect running weather. The sun was gorgeous. I'll see if my skin enjoyed it as much as the rest of me did. I did some speed work today. "Speed" work...I wasn't so keen on running so my sprints weren't the fastest, definitely could have pushed it more.

I hope everyone got out there to enjoy the weather at some point today, summer's coming- too much Game of Thrones...

"Running is a mental sport...and we're all insane!"

3.02K @ 7'27
AND
375 m swim

In the handy dandy triathlon for beginners book that I am reading, appropriately titled The Slow, Fat Triathlete (http://www.amazon.com/Slow-Fat-Triathlete-Athletic-Dreams/dp/1569244677), when you train by doing more than one sport you are "brick training". It gets you used to doing things with an already tired body.

In real life, my "brick training" is because I've been lazy all week and have some catch up to do. I still owe a spin class. I just didn't want to get up at 8 AM to get to one today. Please keep in mind that I do work until midnight. Don't judge me too harshly. So I headed off to my friendly YMCA. Before going I was very indecisive about this whole doing 2 sports thing. Finally I sucked it up thinking, it's ONLY a 3 K and a pretty short swim. Plus, I'd had a conversation with my friend and said that I thought once I got my license that I would get to the gym more because it was such a hassle taking the bus there. I don't want to be a liar.

There's a park behind the Y and I considered doing my run there then going in for a swim. Then- are you ready for this?- I decided it would just be easier to run on the treadmill and get into the pool. That's right folks. I USED A TREADMILL. I was reminded of the reasons that I so despise them when a great song came on and it was somewhat difficult to dance/run. I did manage to practice what I preach though and put aside my self consciousness and mouthed along to my songs and busted out some great arm dancing without abandon. I did like that I could set my desired pace and go for it. Sometimes I bumped into the bar that controlled the tv and changed the channels inadvertently. I wasn't watching tv though so I didn't care. I'm sure if anyone could have seen the screen they would have wondered why I watched Dora while I worked out. All in all it was a good run.

After the run with the ensuing jelly legs, I wobbled my way down to the pool. There was an aquafit session occurring (shout out to my homies, LOVE aquafit!). I was there to do the much less fun and  more intense laps though. There were 4 of us sharing one lane. The other women had goggles and swim caps. They were serious swimmers. Oh maaaaaaaaaaaan. Why couldn't the human buoy be back? I did pretty well though. Having them in the same lane and the class in session made the water a little more tricky to swim in. I also got a good lesson in being tired and still working out. Those arm dance moves I mentioned earlier? They were a mistake, I felt like I should have conserved that energy. i think having the other legit swimmers there was also a bit motivating because I didn't want them catching up to me.

I was fine though. I lost track of how many lengths I done because I just enjoy swimming so much that I wasn't really keeping track. I know that I did at LEAST 14 but I think I did more. In the book I also read about Master's swims and their deceptive name. You don't need to be a super swimmer to participate and I see that one of the Y's in town offers them on a lunch hour so I may brave one of those to get a good workout. Again, the most difficult part of me is getting to a class the first time. I think like most people I am terrified that everyone there is going to be better than me. That's rarely been my experience and when I am the worst, there was no pointing and laughing. I survived. I like getting instruction because it pushes me that little bit extra and I always learn something new. All in all, I think I did pretty well today, at least I enjoyed myself.

"Running for enjoyment is God's way of saying you have too much time on your hands"- Shameless UK

4.26 @ 7'31- Nice to be under 8 again.

I had a really great go today. Ran the furthest I had in a long time at a pace I was absolutely content with.

Over the past couple of months I've been getting some nice compliments about my appearance. Yesterday I bumped into a friend from high school and she told me that I had lost weight and looked good. She then asked how I did it... Well, a couple years ago, I would have told her that I was sick and lost a bunch of weight, which was absolutely the case. I did nothing whatsoever to affect my weight other than harbour a faulty pancreas. When I moved home and became less sick with Dank, I obviously put some weight back on (not all of it but 2/3). I then got Diabetes and whether it be the Diabetes itself or the fact that I've altered my eating habits, I again lost weight. Then gained it again. And I'm not talking 2 or 3 pounds my weight can  fluctuate by 10 pounds over a month. The thing is, I don't notice weight loss on myself, nor do I step on a scale unless I know I'm going to my doctor cuz she'll ask. Sometimes if someone comments that I had lost weight I'll check, but not unless it's someone I see on a regular basis.

The thing is, I accept the compliments, I like getting them, but for the first time ever, I attribute them to the fact that I've committed to exercise. I picked up doing yoga pretty much daily and running 3 times a week. Dank hasn't bothered me for a while with any significant pain (KNOCK WOOD), and I'm just feeling healthy. I think that's the difference people are seeing in me.

I loved the reaction from my high school chum when I attributed my lighter physique to running. She shook her head and asked how I did it. Really, it was so gradual with me. Using the Running Room Learn to Run program was key. It helped me build up endurance. Even now, I am again returning to running and doing so gradually, building up time and distance. I also know that I should not be killing myself by running as fast as I possibly can right off the bat. If I did that of course I wouldn't enjoy running. I'm not saying that it's for everyone. It is for me, though. I like it, I smile while doing it and now, I myself and others are seeing the benefits of it. It's so wonderful how easy it is to gain further motivation to exercise once you start in.

The Silver Lining

4 K @ 8'09

Today there was no procrastinating. I was ready to get out there, regardless of the grey day and sub zero temperature. I laced those shoes up went out the door and started. I was displeased. It wasn't until the 2nd Kilometre that I was feelin' it today and as I had planned a 4K I was halfway through before I started to enjoy myself. My music was not enjoyable today. The post run cool down was nice though and I was in better spirits once I'd finished that. 

I have taken to checking my blood sugar and blood pressure when I get back to ensure that I am not going to pass out. My BP was fine and so were my sugars. My blood sugar being a 5.5 was astonishing! As long as I've had Diabetes (Diagnosed in June) it's never been normal. My dr's been trying to control it using other meds that are not insulin without much success. She switched up my meds a couple of weeks ago but it had still remained high. The ideal range is between 3 & 6 and I was twice or three times that. I found it frustrating because I had adjusted my diet (somewhat) and I've obviously been more active than before and had not seen any results. So as much as I hated the run today there IS something good to come out of it. That's the tricky thing about running, every time I go, no matter what- there's always something nice that comes of it. I'll surprise myself with a great pace time, the weather will be beautiful, I'll catch an amazing sunrise... I should remind myself of this more often when I am mentally grumbling about heading out.

If you would like more information on Diabetes you can head to: http://www.diabetes.ca/. I actually got my free blood glucose (sugar) testing kit from them.