About a week before my Tri I headed to Gulliver's Lake and did a run then a swim. I am really glad I did this brick training in this order. I had a fantastic run, doing 2.5 at 7'38. It felt so very good that I decided to really be in the moment and remember precisely how it felt so that when I headed to the tri regardless of how tired I was I wanted to remember that I love running.
For the swim, the part of the tri I was most confident about, I actually took it pretty easy. I found the water to be a bit warm so I didn't particularly enjoy the swim as it wasn't refreshing. I like the bracing cold. It invigorates me.
Following this training day I took the week off. You may notice that this means that I had not actually done the tri in it's entirety. My theory heading into the race was that I KNEW I would be able to finish because I absolutely could do the swim/cycle portion of the race and could walk the 2.5 K if I had to. I also was completely uncertain as to what to expect for the transitions.
Also, on the Friday before the race I wrote my final final for my BSW. It relieved a lot of stress (now it's only the stress of waiting for the grade). Having finished, provided me with some mental breathing room. It was a big week!
So, I had done all that I could do and the night before the race visited with some of my nearest and dearest in a sort of university mini-reunion as I had friends visiting from Ottawa staying with my co-racer. It was the best thing I could have possibly done. It filled my heart and cleared my head and I knew psychologically I was in a fantastic head space going into the race.
Doing the calculations I figured the swim would take 15 minutes, the first transition 5ish, The cycle 45, another transition of 5 and then the run 25 for a grand total of 95 minutes. In reality, my goal was just to finish, all the better if I could do it without stopping.
Showing posts with label swim. Show all posts
Showing posts with label swim. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
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
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.htmlMonday, July 9, 2012
18
Yesterday I spent the day at the lake. I did a swim and a bike, Using various people's extremely scientific guesstimations (on was an OPP officer and the other a traffic engineer, I trust their judgement) I thin my swim was about 500m. I think I managed to stay in a pretty straight line. I also managed to get water in my ears. The were both plugged but the right one incredibly badly. It still is today. Investing in ear plugs will be a definite must. The swim went well. I like it. Then I cycled and it was ok. I just kind of pedalled around for half an hour. I have no guess as to the distance I did. I could feel that my legs were tired later in the day just swimming around for fun and when I went to bed I was exhausted. It was a great day. Putting the two together and not being dead tired afterwards is a good sign.
Here's a good link about great sportsmanship. I've posted about a couple of the events they're talking about before: http://www.buzzfeed.com/jpmoore/the-10-most-heartwarming-moments-of-sportsmanship
Patrice Simard is a *Wheelchair Rugby player (Wait, what?! Wheelchair Rugby? Intense. I need to brush up on my knowledge of paralympic sports). He's nicknamed the Pit bull for his ferocity. After a car accident that caused a spinal cord injury he started playing. He's now considered one of the world's best defensive players. He won silver in 2004 and bronze in '08. This year he's going for gold, to have a complete set. If you get the chance google wheelchair rugby and take a look at some of the pictures. They really demonstrate the aggressiveness of the sport.
Karen Cockburn is a Canadian Trampolinist (I think I just made that word up). It seems that we're going to be quite a dominant force at the games in this event. This is the 3rd athlete that is considered a medal contender that I've written about. If she medals this time around, she's going to be the first Canadian athlete to attend 4 Games and medal at 4 Games. She won a bronze in 2000 and a silver in the following 2 Games. If her name sounds familiar it may be because she also was the flag bearer at the closing ceremonies in Bejing. She's been competing in the sport since she was 11. Just last month she won Bronze at the World Cup in Spain. She is also an ambassador for At My Best and Canadian Tire Jumpstart. If you want to learn more about Karen you can read her book: Karen Cockburn:Soaring High. Her Twitter Handle is:
Here's a good link about great sportsmanship. I've posted about a couple of the events they're talking about before: http://www.buzzfeed.com/jpmoore/the-10-most-heartwarming-moments-of-sportsmanship
Patrice Simard is a *Wheelchair Rugby player (Wait, what?! Wheelchair Rugby? Intense. I need to brush up on my knowledge of paralympic sports). He's nicknamed the Pit bull for his ferocity. After a car accident that caused a spinal cord injury he started playing. He's now considered one of the world's best defensive players. He won silver in 2004 and bronze in '08. This year he's going for gold, to have a complete set. If you get the chance google wheelchair rugby and take a look at some of the pictures. They really demonstrate the aggressiveness of the sport.
* All right, while doing a bit of research for this piece I found out that Wheelchair Rugby has undergone a name change, it was previously known as murderball . I am familiar with this. So I'm not so out of the loop as I thought.
Karen Cockburn is a Canadian Trampolinist (I think I just made that word up). It seems that we're going to be quite a dominant force at the games in this event. This is the 3rd athlete that is considered a medal contender that I've written about. If she medals this time around, she's going to be the first Canadian athlete to attend 4 Games and medal at 4 Games. She won a bronze in 2000 and a silver in the following 2 Games. If her name sounds familiar it may be because she also was the flag bearer at the closing ceremonies in Bejing. She's been competing in the sport since she was 11. Just last month she won Bronze at the World Cup in Spain. She is also an ambassador for At My Best and Canadian Tire Jumpstart. If you want to learn more about Karen you can read her book: Karen Cockburn:Soaring High. Her Twitter Handle is: Sunday, June 17, 2012
"What fits your busy schedule better...
exercising one hour a day or being dead 24 hours a day?"
I did my first open water swim yesterday. I went to a local park with a friend. I was kind of nervous about doing an open water swim. I really felt that the conditions would be quite different from my laps in a pool. Additionally, I wasn't sure that I would be able to practice in open water as Lake Ontario isn't known for it's cleanliness.
I had browsed the Internet for a Tri club in Hamilton and in doing so found one that does their open water swims at Gulliver's Lake (http://www.gulliverslake.com/). My friend and I headed there and gauged the distance between floating docks and swam laps. I went with the friend who's also registered for the tri that I'm doing. It went well, nothing is ever as bad as I make it out to be. My legs weren't too shaky after and I am definitely able to complete the distance.
The only challenge that I had was veering off course; which adds metres to your swim. I had watched a video from the library about doing freestyle swimming hoping to pick up some tips on technique. They said when doing a race in open water to remember to do "peeks". This is where on your breath you look forward at your target to remain on track. This is difficult for me because I am used to doing lane swims. I remember when I used to do swimming lessons I used to lift my head forward then to the side, was chastised for this and now only do side breathing. The action of looking forward is very unnatural for me. It gives me something to practice, though that can save me time and energy.
I did my first open water swim yesterday. I went to a local park with a friend. I was kind of nervous about doing an open water swim. I really felt that the conditions would be quite different from my laps in a pool. Additionally, I wasn't sure that I would be able to practice in open water as Lake Ontario isn't known for it's cleanliness.
I had browsed the Internet for a Tri club in Hamilton and in doing so found one that does their open water swims at Gulliver's Lake (http://www.gulliverslake.com/). My friend and I headed there and gauged the distance between floating docks and swam laps. I went with the friend who's also registered for the tri that I'm doing. It went well, nothing is ever as bad as I make it out to be. My legs weren't too shaky after and I am definitely able to complete the distance.
The only challenge that I had was veering off course; which adds metres to your swim. I had watched a video from the library about doing freestyle swimming hoping to pick up some tips on technique. They said when doing a race in open water to remember to do "peeks". This is where on your breath you look forward at your target to remain on track. This is difficult for me because I am used to doing lane swims. I remember when I used to do swimming lessons I used to lift my head forward then to the side, was chastised for this and now only do side breathing. The action of looking forward is very unnatural for me. It gives me something to practice, though that can save me time and energy.
Friday, June 1, 2012
The Buzz
I've been neglecting cardio in favour for yoga of late. Too bad triathlons don't consist of mountain pose, forward bend and downward dog...
I did a strength workout today and worked my arms. I followed this up with a swim. I am not a fan of doing weights, I find them incredibly boring. It does afford one the opportunity to people watch, which is always a favourite past time of mine. Today the guy working out in skinny jeans with the Versace wife beater was my personal favourite. The swim was lovely. The pool at the Downtown Y is cooler (temperature-wise) than the one that I typically attend and I appreciated that.
I also found out that the Y in Burlington offers a triathlon training group. It requires that you register and I missed it. I will have to keep it in mind when the registration opens up again. I think that my best friend may register to compete in the try-tri. It will be nice to have her cheering me on at the finish. She did a sprint tri last year and didn't much care for it but the shorter race may be more to her liking. She is more fit than I (she just hiked Machu Picchu) so I have no delusions of being able to keep up with her in the race.
In other news: I got stung by a bee today. I was sitting on the grass waiting for my bus and it flew up my shirt and stung me on my back!! I haven't been stung by a bee since I was 14 and in Quebec. I get stug by a be every 14 years!
In other other news: This is awesome.
Also, May 31st was World No Tobacco Day. To all the non-smokers and ex-smokers in my life- Way to go!!
I did a strength workout today and worked my arms. I followed this up with a swim. I am not a fan of doing weights, I find them incredibly boring. It does afford one the opportunity to people watch, which is always a favourite past time of mine. Today the guy working out in skinny jeans with the Versace wife beater was my personal favourite. The swim was lovely. The pool at the Downtown Y is cooler (temperature-wise) than the one that I typically attend and I appreciated that.
I also found out that the Y in Burlington offers a triathlon training group. It requires that you register and I missed it. I will have to keep it in mind when the registration opens up again. I think that my best friend may register to compete in the try-tri. It will be nice to have her cheering me on at the finish. She did a sprint tri last year and didn't much care for it but the shorter race may be more to her liking. She is more fit than I (she just hiked Machu Picchu) so I have no delusions of being able to keep up with her in the race.
In other news: I got stung by a bee today. I was sitting on the grass waiting for my bus and it flew up my shirt and stung me on my back!! I haven't been stung by a bee since I was 14 and in Quebec. I get stug by a be every 14 years!
In other other news: This is awesome.
Also, May 31st was World No Tobacco Day. To all the non-smokers and ex-smokers in my life- Way to go!!
Friday, May 11, 2012
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.
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.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
"It's rude to count people as you pass them...
Outloud" - Adidas ad
I did not sleep last night. I have this problem on occasion. The longest I've gone is 3 days without sleep. I have been doing well of late, I think the exercising helps. So, I don't know what is up. Discussing symptoms with a counsellor and my Dr, it seems I am bipolar. I may be experiencing a slight manic episode. The only way that I can describe it is like it's Christmas or your birthday and you're just so excited that you can't calm down or sleep and it lasts for several hours or several days. This would explain why I haven't slept and still did a 10k cycle and a 425 m swim as well as a set of sun salutations all before I would normally wake up. PLUS writing this blog.
I had never been to the gym this early. I would definitely benefit from a 24 hour facility (now that I drive). The cycle was tough. I bumped the levels up a couple notches. I had committed myself to going to cyclefit today. Then I didn't sleep and felt waiting for the noon time class would be pointless. I then did my 17 laps of the pool. I really need to invest in an appropriate bathing suit. Mine are all to big, except the one, which is otherwise known for its cleavage displaying qualities. There's actually a lot that I need to invest in for this race. In the book Slow, Fat Triathlete the author outlines what is necessary, what is good to have and frivolous but fabulous items. I forgot to write this down before I returned the book to the library. Something I realised which was slightly depressing- the 17 laps of the pool I did is only 1 & 1/4 ways around a track...Still loving it though!
All in all I'm feeling good. On tap tomorrow is a Yoga class. I think I am going to try to do a run and a swim as well...We'll see about this sleep (or lack thereof) thing first.
Also, I have been watching this video a lot and smiling.
I did not sleep last night. I have this problem on occasion. The longest I've gone is 3 days without sleep. I have been doing well of late, I think the exercising helps. So, I don't know what is up. Discussing symptoms with a counsellor and my Dr, it seems I am bipolar. I may be experiencing a slight manic episode. The only way that I can describe it is like it's Christmas or your birthday and you're just so excited that you can't calm down or sleep and it lasts for several hours or several days. This would explain why I haven't slept and still did a 10k cycle and a 425 m swim as well as a set of sun salutations all before I would normally wake up. PLUS writing this blog.
I had never been to the gym this early. I would definitely benefit from a 24 hour facility (now that I drive). The cycle was tough. I bumped the levels up a couple notches. I had committed myself to going to cyclefit today. Then I didn't sleep and felt waiting for the noon time class would be pointless. I then did my 17 laps of the pool. I really need to invest in an appropriate bathing suit. Mine are all to big, except the one, which is otherwise known for its cleavage displaying qualities. There's actually a lot that I need to invest in for this race. In the book Slow, Fat Triathlete the author outlines what is necessary, what is good to have and frivolous but fabulous items. I forgot to write this down before I returned the book to the library. Something I realised which was slightly depressing- the 17 laps of the pool I did is only 1 & 1/4 ways around a track...Still loving it though!
All in all I'm feeling good. On tap tomorrow is a Yoga class. I think I am going to try to do a run and a swim as well...We'll see about this sleep (or lack thereof) thing first.
Also, I have been watching this video a lot and smiling.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
"No one ever drowned in sweat."
But you sure can drown in a pool.
Today I did a cycle and swim. I realize that I've only gone swimming 3 times but I'm already getting back into the groove I am already doing better. I don't know if that first time I made the classic mistake of any fitness newbie and just tried too hard and didn't pace myself. My cycle is getting better as well. I did 11 (miles? Kilometres? who knows...) in under 60 minutes. I still don't love it but I read again.
I don't know how people for real train for full tris cuz I am a part time student and work part time and feel like I don't have time to train. I am getting to the gym more. So I stayed true to the comment that if I drove I would get there more. I am still owing one cyclefit class...I am really hoping to get that in tomorrow. I think I say that in every entry. Unfortunately, I don't have much exciting/humourous/interesting to add to this post. Other than, yes. I am still doing stuff with the end goal of putting it all together and doing a race in August.
Oh! I am getting back into yoga slowly but surely. I got a dvd from the library and have been alternating that with sun salutations every morning. I managed to convince a friend of mine to try her first yoga class and she said that she liked it, I'm not sure if she was just protecting my feelings or if she actually enjoyed it. She did really well considering it was her first class. It reminded me of my first class and how nervous I was to try it and how lovely it actually is. Of the various forms of fitness that I have committed to, Yoga is the one where you notice improvements the fastest. It can also be easily done in the home. Overall it is very convenient and I highly recommend it. Flexibility is the first thing that your body loses with age and one of the most important to maintain. It is non-competitive and I find really makes me concentrate on my body so I am able to shut off my brain to all that ongoing chatter. As the instructor said on Friday, the concentration required during the practice of yoga, the connection of mind and body- should be brought into your everyday life. I wish I could but I am not at all disciplined enough for that. I'm happy enough being able to do it for 15 minutes every day.
Today I did a cycle and swim. I realize that I've only gone swimming 3 times but I'm already getting back into the groove I am already doing better. I don't know if that first time I made the classic mistake of any fitness newbie and just tried too hard and didn't pace myself. My cycle is getting better as well. I did 11 (miles? Kilometres? who knows...) in under 60 minutes. I still don't love it but I read again.
I don't know how people for real train for full tris cuz I am a part time student and work part time and feel like I don't have time to train. I am getting to the gym more. So I stayed true to the comment that if I drove I would get there more. I am still owing one cyclefit class...I am really hoping to get that in tomorrow. I think I say that in every entry. Unfortunately, I don't have much exciting/humourous/interesting to add to this post. Other than, yes. I am still doing stuff with the end goal of putting it all together and doing a race in August.
Oh! I am getting back into yoga slowly but surely. I got a dvd from the library and have been alternating that with sun salutations every morning. I managed to convince a friend of mine to try her first yoga class and she said that she liked it, I'm not sure if she was just protecting my feelings or if she actually enjoyed it. She did really well considering it was her first class. It reminded me of my first class and how nervous I was to try it and how lovely it actually is. Of the various forms of fitness that I have committed to, Yoga is the one where you notice improvements the fastest. It can also be easily done in the home. Overall it is very convenient and I highly recommend it. Flexibility is the first thing that your body loses with age and one of the most important to maintain. It is non-competitive and I find really makes me concentrate on my body so I am able to shut off my brain to all that ongoing chatter. As the instructor said on Friday, the concentration required during the practice of yoga, the connection of mind and body- should be brought into your everyday life. I wish I could but I am not at all disciplined enough for that. I'm happy enough being able to do it for 15 minutes every day.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
"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.
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.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
"Life is an echo. What you send out- you get back."
Just a quick update. I did my swim distance today. I thought it would take me roughly 20 minutes. It took me roughly 13. Haha, definitely underestimated myself there. I got to the gym and there were lessons happening but there's always one lane dedicated to laps. There was one other man in there. Just floating. Not actually swimming. One lane and there was a buoy in it. i just swam around the dude. At least he wasn't moving around too much. Part of the way through the swim he stopped me and asked how I moved so silently through the water without splashing and complimented me on my consideration. I am not sure that it was a good thing that I wasn't splashing around. Oh, he also told me that I don't leave a wake. Swimmers splash around a lot don't they? I guess I should have been pushing myself harder. Holy smokes though! I used to swim all the time and I have no idea how I did it. I only did 15 lengths and this whole body workout thing is exhausting. My God, did I ever love it. Makes up for the stupid cycle.
I just keep imagining how tired I am after each the run, cycle and swim separately and imagine what it's going to be like stringing them all together. So my benchmarks are: Run 20 min, Cycle 50 min, and swim 13 min- that one I am not certain on cuz I can't see without my glasses, plus that was not an open water swim so I am gonna say 15ish. All in all, I am forecasting that it will take me an hour and a half to finish this thing factoring in being tired and the weather. I've got quite a bit of time to train.
I just keep imagining how tired I am after each the run, cycle and swim separately and imagine what it's going to be like stringing them all together. So my benchmarks are: Run 20 min, Cycle 50 min, and swim 13 min- that one I am not certain on cuz I can't see without my glasses, plus that was not an open water swim so I am gonna say 15ish. All in all, I am forecasting that it will take me an hour and a half to finish this thing factoring in being tired and the weather. I've got quite a bit of time to train.
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