Making the Best of Cycling

I did just over 10 on my cycle today. I realized as I was riding along that chances are that bike measures distance in miles and that I would have to look into that. I kind of took it easy riding today. I still need to do a cyclefit at some point owing from last week. If I cycle on a recumbent stationary bike I can read. That is what I did today, at the end of each chapter I just did a little bit of speed work. I am  reading the 2nd book in the series that Game of Thrones is based on. It's incredibly good and I highly recommend it. So, not much to report on today's venture. Although, I don't understand why my gym is so busy.

"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.

Wet Snow is Worse Than Rain.

5.7K @ 7'47

Today's run was interesting. I guess the only thing worse than running in the rain is running in wet snow. It kind of slaps you in the face. I was doing a timed run so I knew I would be out there for 44 minutes. I knew it would be an impressive feat if I actually got my butt out there, and I did. So, be impressed. Haha, just teasing.

I don't have any actual schedule that I'm following as of right now while trying to train for the tri. I do throw in the occasional timed run so that I can keep up my distance because following my tri I want to start training for a 10 k. Slowly but surely my distance is inching up. I find that I don't exactly run my fastest when I am doing a timed run because I know that I am going to be out there for the same amount of time no matter how fast I run.

It was also interesting having my clothes plastered to me as a result of the rain/snow mix that I slogged my way through today. It added weight to my legs. My arms were also tired after this run. I didn't think to wear gloves and my hands were shoved in my jacket sleeves so firmly stayed in a 90 degree position for the entire run, which they are not used to.

Also, having come to realize how motivational music is to me during my work outs, I do not know what I was thinking when I made up the play list for today's run. It was very slow jam-y. I'll really have to make a better one up.

All in all today was just a get out there and do it run and I accomplished that so I am pleased.

"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.

No Thank You

Today I did a 10 K cycle in 50 minutes and 25 seconds on a stationary bike. I wasn't too keen on this aspect of training for a triathlon. My butt really hurt. It did give me a nice energy boost for work though. It also offered me an opportunity to remind me how important the music I listen to is to my exercising. Certain songs really get me moving. Some make me want to start clapping overhead. I'd look ridiculous doing that at the gym, but I kind of wondered what would happen...I also listened to a Russell Brand comedy routine- "Scandalous" it still makes me chuckle so I laughed throughout the workout which was also nice, considering how loooooooooooooong the workout was. I feel like I need to improve on my cycling the most because I dislike it so much so I want to spend as little time as possible doing it. I'd also like to point out the pace time that I had would have been slower than the dude who ran and won the 5K race that I went to.

"Running is real and relatively simple

…but it ain't easy." --Mark Will-Weber

2.5 K @ 7'39

I had to laugh when I was looking for a quote for the title and came across this one after today's run. I have been incredibly stressed out about a driving test that I had today. Ever since I was 16, as in the DAY OF, I have pretty much had my beginners license. I am 28.5. I am not a huge fan of driving and never really needed my license. Looking for work though, I hit a roadblock and actually need my G2 for a job so I finally sucked it up and decided to get it. Because there was a lot counting on it and I've gotten it at such a high financial cost (driving lessons twice, previous attempts...) I was determined to get it this time. AAAAAAAAAAAAAand I was really REALLY nervous throughout the entire process. I did it though! got my license today. This is another situation where I was the only one getting in my way and let nerves take over, so that was key today, not letting my nerves get the best of me. Prior to the road test I got together is a couple of fantastic friends and the world's cutest toddler (or, if you're in the industry, "tod") to keep my nerves in check. I also consumed copious amounts of McDonalds. Did you know that happy meals come with yogurt now? Back to the test- I did well. Only a few minor errors. I think I held my breath the entire time. Regardless, that's over with and the next test isn't for another year and I love highway driving so I will be fine on the next one.

Relief after the test!

When am I getting to the exercise bit you're thinking, I know...but it was a huge deal for me. SO to celebrate, I thought I'm gonna just go for a quick run. 2.5 K. This week I want to set the benchmarks for my training for the tri by doing the distances for the race. The run is only 2.5 k but I imagine I am going to be on quite rubbery legs for it. It took 19 and a half minutes (hm, I just looked at that time and had figured it'd take me longer, that's good). I was powering out there and 100m into my run thinking about how my wrist kinda hurt and wondering if I'd been clenching the wheel that hard or had injured it at work when I felt my toe catch (toe pick!). Why do falls always feel like they're happening in slow motion? I actually thought it was just gonna be a little stumble and I'd recover, nope. Flat out. Scraped up palms and elbow. Blood and everything! right on a corner of a busy intersection. Blarg. I sat up, dusted myself off and continued to run. It did sting, but I knew the endorphins would kick in and the pain would go away. Who needs running anyways?! I have my license now! haha kidding.

The worst of my scrapes. At least I was sober when it happened.

When I got home and examined the damage it was  nothing a little soap, water and polysporin won't fix. I hate band aids though. Goes back to my swimming days when I'd be swimming away and one would get caught in my fingers. I know right, you want to barf a little reading that...That's how I feel looking at them. Even boxes of them. Anyways, I'm wiping blood off of my computer as I type this cuz I don't want to put anything over it. I should call in sick to work, tell them I've incurred a running injury.

Race Day

The start/finish line.

Today was the big day. I'd trained 3 months for this. I feel pretty good about my run. I didn't bring my Nike+ and it wasn't a race with chip timing so I can't give you an exact result. I was really disappointed about this. I know I ran hard and pushed myself and I'm happy. It's the end of my 5K races.

The weather was not ideal but it was not hot (and not hailing/snowing as it apparently was last year). The rain stopped by the end of the race and was never too intense. At the 4K mark there was a big looooong (.5K) uphill but I refused to walk up it. I was slow but I was not walking. It left me quite breathless. The last half kilometre was easy after that and I am certain that I crossed the finish line smiling. The route definitely had potential to be beautiful if it had have been sunny. The cherry blossoms were out in full bloom. I crossed over several bridges and there was all kinds of wildlife surrounding me. High Park is quite lovely.

Approaching the finish line.

The first place guy finished it in like, 17 and a half minutes, I know he passed me in the loop when I had completed 1.5 k and he had completed 3.5K. I love seeing those first runners, they're so amazing. The trouble with the fact that there was no chip timing is that I don't know the exact time I got started and when you start in a pack like that it takes a bit to hit your stride. I was also at the back of the pack. So, I crossed the finish line in 41 minutes and a few seconds but I know that I finished in 40 minutes at the most. That last uphill was definitely a killer. I improved my position in the 2nd half of the race over 4 people. Yes, I counted, and yes, they were all adults. I find this comforting, it's kind of the whole slow and steady wins the race, thing. Regardless, this was my fastest race to date.

As for the event itself, it's the smallest I've participated in. There wasn't enough signage and we (my mom came with me as a supporter) had a lot of difficulty finding the start line. There were no medals and the race kit was modest but I did get a really great aluminum water bottle. I could have requested a certificate of participation but the MC said they'd be great for kids, so really, I'd feel a bit ridiculous. I do have my race bib and a few pictures though, so that's enough. The absolute best thing about this race that I didn't get at the other two I'd been in was the volunteers. I really liked that they were posted every half K and they were all provided with clappers, horns and other such delightful noisemakers and they sure used them. The encouragement was awesome! It made me smile every time I ran by them. For a small race they even had a boisterous crowd at the end celebrating the finishes.

Crossing the finish line, it looks like I am walking, let me assure you I am not.

I'm not sure that I would participate in this event again but I had a good day. Thanks to all who contributed and my mom for coming out and taking pictures.. Next up: The Try-a-Try in August.