regrouping

I did not realize my goal. Please join me as I tri again....

www.bethytrisagain.blogspot.com

Good Day

It really had ben a while since I have updated the training blog. I am really having to manage my time wisely now that school is out and I have even less time to work out. I think that it has been so long that I have written because I have been a little discouraged... and I have trying to figure it out why.

My runs have really been kicking my ass. As in I can't make myself finish them. I have been wondering if I picked a level of training that is over my head, but I am not quite ready to come to that conclusion. Until today, I have been running immediately after my swim. I think that my legs are not quite ready for the. I also have not been eating (or hydrating) between my swim and run. Today I taught a strength class then ran right after that. A few hours later, I went back for a swim. It worked much better for me today so I am going to try it this way and see if it continues to work for me.

The bike had been going great... I got in a 36 mile ride this weekend and averaged 15.9 mph. I felt really strong and was able to increase my average in the last 3 miles! My swim has been going well too. If I need to then I may cut back on the swims to focus on my runs. We will see how it goes....

Today I had a 1h 15m moderate intensity bike ride. I felt okay, but I was really sore from yesterday. I have pain in my arches and achilles that I know I shouldn't ignore but I am. After my ride, I tried to run with my friends, but my muscles told me no about 15 minutes into it.

I also did my pushup challenge and all I can say is that I rocked the pushups! I thought they would be hard, but they felt really good. My max set today exhaustion set today was 24. set were 10+12+8+8+24= 62. Day 1 sets were 10+12+7+7+12=48.

What Was I Thinking?

That is what is going through my head right now. I feel wasted. I did my 1600 yard workout in about 40 minutes. It was tough today. My arms were heavy today...I guess from my 100 pushup challenge. I was also sure that the weather was going to make it short so I was trying to rush through it before the lightening struck. I think that rushing made it tougher also.

The rain never did come, so I was able to run outside as opposed to the treadmill. It did sprinkle a little, but I was so hot that I wished it would have rained more. My workout called for a 40 minute run with 8x30 sec sprints. I was so tired that I was talking and yelling at myself to make it. I did like the speed play. I have never really done this when I run. I usually just run. Being able to count down the sprints made it easier finish the run that I never wanted to start.

Today I really thought that I have a long road ahead of me. Usually I pick goals that are reasonably attainable, but with the 1/2 ironman I am a little overwhelmed. I will do it though, I need to focus on how great I will feel when I succeed.

I had a good 1h 10m bike ride today. I rode a route that I haven't done since last summer.... I don't remember being quite so tough! I averaged about 16 mph. I noticed that I was disappointed with that average. I don't really know why it bothered me, but it did. I hope to see that average improve over the next few months.

I also decided to jump on the 100 pushup bandwagon. That really tired me out today too. I have been trying to think of a time to get in a good strength workout in, but between having only 2 hours of childcare at the gym a day and a workaholic husband I don't have much time to spare. The pushup program is fast and I can do it anywhere.

Back on track

Well, I did not stick to my training plan at all, but surprisingly I am OK with that. It rained non stop while we were at Disney. We were soaked to the bone for 5 days about 7 hours a day while there. I was always carrying a back pack weighted with or extra dry clothes and snacks or a child weighing at least 37 pounds. I was exhausted every night. I did have a good workout on SUnday and look forward to picking it back up in Tuesday.

day 2

Today swam 1800 yards. Not far, but I could tell that I had only been in the water once since last September. My shoulders were fatigued I was supposed to only run 40 minutes, but I ran with a friend today, and decided to just do 6 miles. The hills that I am used to just about killed me! I could tell that I had been in the pool first. Last time I swam though, I could not finish the same route as I ran today. I just looked back at that post and also saw that I swam farther today. Laurel really pushed me today and challenged my pace (thank you Laurel!) so we were really quick (for me). We were at approximately 9 min miles.

Tomorrow is one of those days were life gets in the way of my training and I have to find a way to fit in a 1 hour ride. Not too long but hard to fit in around my plans for the day. I haven't even begun to pack for Disney World and we leave on Saturday morning....hopefully after I get my ride in!

Day 1

I did my first training ride today. It felt great. I rode for 1 hour 20 minutes and did 7 20 sec. intervals in my high gear. I really liked doing this. Usually I just ride so it was nice to focus on something. I averaged 16.5- 17 mph. It was a new route for me so I am interested to see what other routes I can find, or is it better to stay on the same route? When I was done, I pedaled around with one foot at a time like the guy at the Spirited Cyclist told me to. He said that I pedaled in a square.... one foot at a time I was really able to feel it and was able to make the corrections. I will continue to work on that.

I went out for a great 25 mile ride today. I felt much more comfortable on my bike than I did 2 weeks ago. I think that the adjustments they made to my bike really made a difference. I am going for a ride tomorrow as well. I will probably take it easy so I will be ready for my first training ride on Tuesday!

Getting ready

Well, my training starts next Tuesday. I am trying to take it easy and try to not push myself yet. I am notorious for starting a little too strong and finishing short in the end. I still feel that I have not recuperated from the blow I took to my ego during my marathon in December.

I got my bike worked on this week to get it ready. I also finally had a fitting. I got the bike off of craigslist last year and kind of just lived w/ the discomfort. I figured that it was a little to small, but I also thought I could just get a new seat and stuff to make it fit. Apparently the bike is a 48cm and I need a probably a 52cm. I was a little discouraged, but I thought that I would look at it as a glass 1/2 full girl.... just think how much better I would be if I had a proper bike! I think that already pretty fast and I could be so much faster! I did realize though, , that I don't know if I am ready for this giant step. I bet that I am going to be the only person there with a bike is too small.

I am really excited to start my training, but I need some help from anybody that wants to offer it. I am going on a 10 day vacation to Disney world and I really don't want to get off track. I have contacted the Y there and I am taking my bike so I am preparing myself to stay on track. But I am so easily swayed I don't want to be!

I have made my workout schedule for the first 2 weeks. I have to say that I feel much more excited about it now, but I also feel nervous...what did I get myself into?

I have added my training calendar on the bottom of my blog, if anybody is interested.

haingin' in there

I have been teaching a lot of classes this week, but I did get in one short run yesterday. Today day is my rest day, but I am going to meet a couple of friends for an easy 3 miles. My left hip really hurts and I don't know if it is from my bike ride on Saturday or from something else. I have been teaching a lot and I fell asleep on the couch the other night.... I hope that is all it is, but something tells me it has to do with my bike. I really, really need to go get it fitted! If my hip is not bothering me on Saturday I am planning on swimming at the lake swim at the lake Norman YMCA. I will also do the bike route.

outside!!!

I Y riding outside! I got up this morning at 5:50 and was on the road by 6:15. I met my friend Jenny about 3 miles from my house and we rode together. I went between 20 -25 miles. Unfortunately, I am not 100% sure because I learned that my computer is not working. I would guess that we averaged between 16-18 mph. I guess that is pretty good for the first real ride since last September. I need to get my bike checked out, and probably should get fitted, I have to say that after 25 miles I couldn't fathom being on the bike for 30 more miles. That is what training is for I guess...

I taught a good class this morning...I watched Biggest Loser this week and used some of Jillian's ideas. I think it went over well.

This was my first week of teaching 5 classes, and I was able to get a couple of workouts on my own as well. Unfortunately, I did not make it to the pool, but my kids were so done with child watch which gives you an idea of how much I have been to the Y. They normally love it!

I am looking forward to tomorrow b/c I am off on my first real ride outside since last fall. I don't know exactly how far we are going to go, but suspect we will be around 20 miles.

I have been teaching a lot this week... 4 classes so far. I was going to run a few miles after Tuesdays class, but I got started running my mouth and ended up only walking a mile. :) Today, I also was going to run a quick 3 miles before class, but I was too disorganized. I got in one mile, but I did it really fast (7:15 pace). Really fast for me anyways. I am going to run tomorrow, but it may not be as much as I want... I have roped my friend Roena into trying to run b/c I think she can do really well, so I am going to run with her and my dog. I may go back later in the day and run a few more miles.

The food journaling is going really well. I feel so much more in control. My desire to go out to eat has all but disappeared. We were treated to a dinner out last night and my husband and I shared a meal (which we always do) and still ended up tanking for the day.

Deadlines

So, I gave myself a deadline of having a plan in place by today. I think that I have found one, but I am not 100% sure yet. I wanted to find some free plans, but none of them felt specific enough for me. I picked one online that I will share, but I have not yet reorganized the days so that it fits my schedule yet... I have until May 10th to work out the kinks.

I am going to look at a couple of books to see if they have what I am looking for...we'll see. I think a book maybe helpful b/c I am so much stronger at swimming than the cycling and running. I feel I may need to devote some more time to the other 2 disciplines.

Here is the plan if you are interested.

I had a really nice 4 mile run today...I did not plan on exercising today, but I felt so gross this morning that I knew if I did not do something I would be miserable and my family would pay for it. It was one of those runs where I felt like I could have gone on forever, but I had to get home before the kids did so I stuck with the 4,

I will be teaching 5 classes this week, but I am going to really try to get in the pool and run this week.

I took Vaughn for a run this morning, and I really enjoyed. I have never run with a dog before so I have nothing to compare to, but I think we did really well. She made a good pace dog at the beginning... I set the pace and she kept it up. I noticed myself slowing up b/c cause she would get a step or two ahead and I would have to catch back up. I don't know what my pace was, but I imagine it was pretty steadier, probably more than usual. I started up a very tough hill and almost turned around, but Vaughn looked back at me as if to say "Come on Mom you can do it!". And I did!

She went about 30 minutes before I could tell she was getting tired so I know that we ran at least 3 miles. We walked about a mile after that. Nice easy recovery day. I also did a little bit of strength training focusing on arms and shoulders.

I have a busy weekend filled with soccer games, birthday parties (of the adult and child variety) so hopefully I won't have a hard time sticking to food and exercise goals.....

04-15-09

The food journaling thing is going really well. I am really thinking about what I am eating. It is also helping our budget too! Taught cycle/strength today, and I think it went well. I plan on taking Vaughn for an easy run tomorrow morning...it will be my first dog run, but it will good.

Productive day

Well, I have started tracking my meals and exercise... it will taking some tweaking to find the right balance. I noticed that I am running a calorie deficit right now and this I probably almost always the case... I think that my body is tired of me abusing it and is fighting back.

I am not consuming enough calories to give me the energy that my body needs so my metabolism is slowing down to compensate. I also do not drink nearly enough water. I have paid close attention to how much water I consumed today, and my skin already feels and looks better. All of this is speculation of course. I have no real knowledge of this, though I wish I did! I do think it sounds logical.

I had to teach 2 cycle classes today so I was able to get a good workout. I also taught kickboxing and cycle on saturday. I was worried that I would be too tired for cycle, but I felt that the kb warmed me up really well.

I also have noticed that I am not getting in many workouts other than my class that I teach. This will become a bigger challenge in the next few weeks as I will be doing a lot of subbing. This is going to make very important to make my training plan and prioritize my time at home and the gym. We will also be going on vacation (DIsney World) and it is going to take a lot of effort to keep my plan intact.

I know that this is a lot, but I feel so much better getting it out... now I can breathe!

accountable

I am now holding myself accountable for what I ate using www.livestrong.com. I am also making the commitment to have my training schedule posted by sunday evening. Those of you who see me regularly, please nag and pester me and make sure that I follow through!

WHY?????

Why can't I stop eating???!!!! It is really, really freaking me out.

Overboard...

It is only Tuesday, and I feel like I have already gone overboard. Monday morning, I got a quick 3 miles on the treadmill before I took a kickboxing class. Later that night I taught my cycle class; we did intervals and our heart rates stayed high the whole time. This morning I took an interval and strength class before finally getting to swim with the masters swimming group. I got in 2300 yards in about 47 minutes, but my god my shoulders were tired when I got done.

I know that I have been a little overzealous at the start of this week, but I feel good, and I haven't felt that way in a while. I could tell though, that I have only been in the pool on other time since September. Shame on me, this will change within the next week.

motivation

For the past couple of weeks, I have felt fat, old, tired, and unmotivated. I always tell friends how I feel like this elite athlete, but then I look at pictures and realize that I just an almost 35 year old mom who thinks it is more fun to exercise than work. Lately, I am really having a hard time focusing on my triathlon goal. I really think that I need to get a plan in place. It will help with my focus issues. I also need start working on my diet, time management. Drastic times call for drastic measures, or however the saying goes......

Good Day

Yesterday, I finally got out on my bike.  I took the kids to school and left the car at school.  I rode home and got some work done, then rode back to there school and drove them home.  I rode about 13 miles total and averaged about 15 mph.  I usually ride early in the mornings on the weekend so it was a little scary being with so many cars.  It gave me a new respect for my husband, Nathaniel who has ridden the 25 miles to work.  I am trying to become more efficient on my outside bike and get away from the spin class mentality.  I think that this will be my summer to do that. 

In between my bike ride, I dug up the bushes in our front yard.  While we have owned our house for over 5 years, we have really put off yard work until now.  I wish some had told how relaxing it was.  I would have started sooner. 

I also taught cycle last night.  It was a great class.  I did hills and there were a lot of people there.  They all worked hard and responded to my demands. 

quick recap

Let's see:

Wednesday I got in a cycle/strength class; felt pretty good. My shoulders were very fatigued after swimming on Tuesday.

Thursday I intended to swim, but my very smart, sweet, lovable, yet challenging son's school conference took over an hour, so I was not able to make it to the pool. I spent the day playing with Max and Isabel. They were begging for no more Child Watch. I figured that they deserved the day off.

Friday, I taught athletic conditioning. I was not very organized, but I thing it was an ok class. It was a little cold outside and a small class so we stayed inside and did some intervals on the benched broken up w/ some strength. We then headed to the track and then the gym for some drills and lot of push ups! We (Max, Isabel, and I) also took our dog for a VERY long walk. I don't know how far we went, but I am counting it as exercise because I was exhausted when we were done.

Saturday I taught kickboxing. I did not think that I worked too hard, but I was sore when I woke up this morning.

Today I did not work out, but Nathaniel and I are removing all of the shrubbery from our front yard. This means digging up all of the stumps. We started today and I am going to spend the next couple of mornings on this too. This will be my morning workout for a couple of days.

Tomorrow I will take my bike with me when i take the kids to school. I am going to leave the car at school and ride my bike home, work in the yard, and ride back to pick them up. I am looking forward to the short yet pretty challenging ride.

starting for real now

Today I was able to get in the pool. My whole morning was a comedy of errors that had me almost walking out of the Y before my swim, but I persevered. I ended up only having about 25 minutes to swim, so I was able to get in 1000 yds; 200 swim, 200 kick, 200 pull, 200 swim, 200 k/s/p/s. I have not been in a pool in about 6 months, and it felt really good to get back in there.

After my swim, I intended to run 6 miles. That did not happen. I did run about 4, but I walked a little bit. It was a mistake to walk b/c I could feel the lactic acid in my legs and I never get my legs back. I see where I have lost my multisport endurance. I have run that route quite a few times and while the hills are very challenging, I have never had trouble running the entire way. That is until today. I have a really hard time when I don't meet my expectations, but today I tried really hard to look at the positive and know that I have a goal now for next Tuesday.

I am starting to narrow in on a training program for my race and I will share it when I make my final plan

Back in Action

I waited the requisite 24 hours after the last vomiting episode and headed to the Y. I was able to get in a 6 mile run and some stretching, I have no ideas what my pace was or my total time, but I felt good afterwards. In my selfishness to get a workout in, I may have pushed Max a little too far because he was sick again tonight.

The recent forced break from exercise has been good for me I think. I feel my desire coming back. Thank goodness because I was beginning to wonder if I was going to end up fat and lazy.

MIA

I am still working out, but I had forgotten my password to get on here. My kids are sick right now, so I can't get to the gym. Hopefully they will be better soon and I will pick up where I left off. I will say that the weather is gorgeous here and I should e getting my bike back from its tune up tomorrow, so outside riding here I come!

Wow, I did not realize that I was so behind in posting.  I did not do anything this past weekend.  I don't really know why, but it just did not happen.  

Monday, I couldn't work out in the morning b/c I had to take my dad to the airport.  I taught cycle that night ( running hills, very fast paced).  The instructor for the class after mine did not show up, so I stayed and taught her class.  She teaches a step/strength class, but I don't do step so I just taught strength.  It was a nice surprise for me to teach that class.

Tuesday, I ran 4 miles.  It felt good... I could have kept going.

Today  I took cycle/strength.  The cycle was endurance.  It was nice to keep a steady pace.  Everybody groans when they hear endurance, but I really like it. I have a 6 miler tomorrow and I am looking forward to it.  I realized today that I am never in the pool.  I miss it and need to get back to it.  I really do better swimming with a group or coach though.  I can't wait for the school year to be over so that I can swim w/ the masters group.

Today was my a/c class.  I started off on the bike to warm our legs up.  Then we went up to the track and did indian relays for a 1/2 mile.  After that we went back in to the room for some biceps/ shoulder presses, squats, push ups and various hr increasing activities.  I know that I got a pretty good work out so the odds are that everybody else did too.  After my class, I stuck around for cycle.  It was a great class.  Ryan teaches his classes as competitions and I eat that stuff up!  So I really worked my ass off.  I weighed myself after running 6 miles and was 145.8.  After classes today I was 144.8.  That's a lot of sweat! 

Wednesday,  I got a quick 2 miles on the treadmill (6.6 mph, 7.0 mph, 7.4 mph).  I also took cycle/ strength.  I ate to much that night though, and had a couple of beers. 

Thursday, I got in a great 6 mile run.  We ran a new route that was pretty challenging hills wise.  I enjoyed running for the first time in months.  I ran with a group so I did not use my ipod.  I need to get used to that b/c in triathlons they are not allowed.  I can handle a 5k, but a half marathon without music sounds painful.

a bust...

I did not get much of a workout in today.  I did not get to swim b/c Tab's son was sick so I subbed for her.  The cardio pump class is a combo of intervals and strength training.  I got in all of the strength, but the class is so big that I couldn't really participate.  I had to monitor the room instead.  I went back to run later, but had to turn around because Isabel couldn't get off her dance stuff in time to make it to the potty.  I forgot to bring extra clothes so I had to turn around.  I got in about 2 miles. 

Today I had to teach 2 cycle classes so that is really all I did today.  Since the kids were out of school, I did not really have time to do anything else.  They went (the classes) well.  I did the sme class in the morning and evening - Fast and flat with a few jumps and slight inclines.  Kept the heart rate up for a good 45 minutes each time.  I just got over strep throat so it felt really good to have some energy to expend.  Tomorrow I am going to try and get to the pool with the masters swim group (can't wait!) and then a quick run.  The kids will be home again, but I think  I can get to it.

2 day recap

I forgot to post yesterday, but I did get a good workout in.  On fridays I teach an athletic conditioning class so I did that.  It was around 40 so I was able to talk them into running outside so I got about a 1 mile in as well some strength on the BOSU and a variety of agility drills.  Drills really are my favorite thing to do.  I guess it is the wannabe football player in me.  After that I took Tabatha's cycle class (hills) and part of her abs class.

Today Nathaniel and I taught a couples class at the Y.  It was similar to my a/c class yesterday, but was 1 1/2 hours.  I think everyone else had a good workout, but the class was so big that I had to oversee too much to participate.  That's okay though b/c I woke up with a killer sore throat that has yet to subside.  It's as if knives are slicing through it.  I hope I feel better soon.

I decided to take a day off on Wednesday.  It was a good idea; Max and Isabel needed a few hours at home.  Today I ran about 5 miles.  They felt really good.  It was the dame route that I ran tried to do last week but couldn't.  This time I did it plus more!  I still need to work on my food log and I need to finalize a training/teaching/group exercise schedule.

I was able to take an interval/strength class today.  It was OK. I think that I am going to have to stop taking this one b/c it is really hard on my knees and ankles when I am trying to run too.  I am having a hard time transitioning from group exercise to training.  I think I might need to find a way to join some kind of training group.  Maybe, I could start my own.  Who knows.

I was ran  about 4 miles outside!  I felt pretty good.  I kept a rather relaxed pace ( I'm not sure what) and I ran with a friend.  That really helped distract me when I wanted to stop.   Mile 2 was hard on me, but I pushed through it. 

Back at it

I did not get any workouts in this weekend.  That is not what I wanted to happen, but between  cpr training and plays and birthday parties it couldn't be helped.  I kinda sucks when real life gets in the way!  I had to teach 2 cycle classes today so that was my workout today.  one class was climbing, 3 different types. I also taught a hill/interval combo class.  The am class was great, everyone worked really hard, but the pm class was only ok.  Isabel had fallen off the swings, and i had to take her to the doctor to make sure she wasn't really hurt.  I just couldn't get out of my own head tonight.  I ate pretty well today, but I just don't have it in me to recall right now.  I need to work on a tracking system for nutrition, so if anybody had any ideas, let me know!

Why...

Do my pants feel too tight?  I am hoping it is because my muscles are bulging from teaching both an athletic conditioning and a stength class today.  I did not workout Thursday; my usual rest day.  I also ate rather well.  I realize that I have a hard time keeping up with my food intake.  Something I need to focus more on I think.

Like I said, I taught two classes today.  I forgot to wear my heart rate monitor so I don't know how I did.  I tend to burn more cal. when I am teaching. My hr gets higher because of the talking I have to do and my adrenaline is higher so I go longer and w/ more intensity ( poor class participants).  

2 hrs. teaching ac and strength

english muffin w/ cream cheese and 1 slice bacon

1 can Dr. Pepper

2 glasses  water

grilled cheese sand. and fries

1 glass unsweetened iced tea.

Two Days In a Row

Today I felt much better.  We got some snow and ice so school was cancelled.  Because of that I did not get to run in the morning. I did get a run in, though.  here was my workout:

3 miles easy run on the treadmill

  mile 1: 9:40 pace

  mile 2: 9:22 pace

  mile 3: 8:57 pace

avg. heart rate: 152 max: 167 

353 calories

5o minute cycle/strength class

avg. heart rate: 148 max: 179

564 cal.

food:

2 homemade doughnuts

1 bowl honey nut cheerios w/ skim milk

4 small pieces pizza hut pizza cheese, ham & pineapple

greek salad

drink: 

1 can diet pepsi

1 can Dr. pepper

5 large glasses water

1 beer (so far)

I got very little sleep last night (5 hours) but I felt much better than yesterday.  My body feels very fatigued.  While we were out to dinner, my legs were shaking.

The Beginning

I have always been one to push through the pain so to speak.  I have not been easily distracted until recently.  Now I can feel every tight muscle or the pain in my toes, ankles, hips and knees.  All of the sudden I can't ignore it and I stop.  Today I went out for a 4 mile run and barely made it through 1 mile before I stopped and walk.  Not only did I walk, but I turned around and only went a total of 2 miles.  What is happening to me? I felt like a quitter when I got back to the Y, yet I still stopped.  

Workout:

Ran 1 mile (goal was 4) 

40° windy 2:30 pm

Food: 

1 mini cinnamon raisin bagel w/ cream cheese

1 Biscuit

4 chicken tenders, macaroni and cheese, lettuce w/ balsamic vinagrette

 

Here we go

This is going to be my training blog for my first half Ironman.  I ran a marathon in December, and ever since that race I have had a hard time motivating myself.  I thought that if I started logging every workout it might help me see the progress that I make.  I have been unmotivated at the gym, but even worse with my eating and drinking.  This will serve as my food and alcohol journal as well.  If anybody is reading this you will see that I love to eat and I drink way to much beer!