Swim AND Bike

I wanted to swim and run this morning so last night I dug out my old gym bag.... literally from about 10 years ago. I've always liked it and I've been carting it around for years now (obviously). When I opened it, no there weren't any old smelly clothes, but to my surprise..... there was a swimsuit, earplugs and goggles! I was shocked!

See.... I have NEVER swam before. But at some point, apparently I was planning to. In fact, I can't remember ever belonging to a gym that had a pool! Where this stuff came from is still a mystery. It's mine alright, I recognize the swimsuit and ear plugs, but I have no idea when it got into my bag. For most people it would just be a dirty gym bag... for me, it was a sign that I've always wanted to do this.

This morning I headed out and swam my 200 yards. I focused on form this time, and while I didn't do that great, I was feeling a bit more comfortable in the water. I also used a floaty thing that you put between your thighs. It helps your bottom side to float so you can get a feel for how you should be on the water. That did help. I have a long way to go, but that's ok. The lifeguard didn't look as worried about me.

Then I did my treading water for 15 minutes. While there, I was thinking about the gym bag. I never could figure out when that stuff got in there. I guess it'll remain a mystery.

Afterwards I changed into my running clothes. I am a naturally large chested woman... and I'm  also nursing.... getting into a sports bra isn't the easiest thing to do. However, getting into a sports bra, while your skin is damp from swimming for 30 mins... well that should be an olympic event in itself. Geesh!  

When I finally wrestled into that thing (actually 2, yes I have to wear 2 of them), I hit the track for some running. This track was a bit weird, it said that 6.5 laps is a mile. I find that odd- I've never seen a half lap increment on a track before. Maybe they are forcing everyone to run just a bit more. Anyway- I did 8 laps. I ran one, walked one, and so on for 8 laps. It hit lap 6 and started feeling tired... then Owl City's "Good Time" came on my iPod.... perfect timing! I think that should be my theme song since it keeps popping up whenever I need extra motivation. Overall- the run/walk was good. I wasn't tired after swimming like I thought I'd be and my muscles were warmed up too. I think the run was actually easier after swimming.

But now, at 2pm, yeah, I'm tired.

I've also managed Day 2 with no sugar (and I don't drink caffeine). So I'm lagging a bit. I have to get our daughter from school in about 45 minutes... I think I'm going to go play with my baby for a bit....

It's been a good day.

No Sugar- Day 1 and a Recipe

No workout today. Yesterday my head was pounding all day.... I never get headaches. I figured I was dehydrated and sleep deprived from being out of town this weekend. So I slept in- well, it was more like "my body just didn't wake up." That's ok, I'm fine with it.

Because my big success today was that I made it through with NO SUGAR!! ahhhhh!!! I'm so impressed with myself! I'm SUCH a sugar addict! I mean, it's my high. I love it. When I get stressed, happy, bored or tired- I head straight for treats. I haven't always been like this, to this extent. I'm not sure when I developed this habit. I'm sure it's been in the last 6 months..... 3 kids have killed me. Love them to death, but at times its hard.

Anyhow- as I mentioned yesterday, I'm not a "little bit" kind of gal. It's all or nothing. So I have to get rid of it. Although I do feel like I cheated because I did have a treat....

My uber-healthy friend gave me this recipe for Chocolate Crunchies or something like that. They are so good, and totally healthy. Meghan doesn't eat sugar, gluten, dairy, or processed foods and she's totally holistic in her health. So if she gives it the stamp of approval- then it's good in my book.

She was so kind and brought me a box of gluten-free, brown rice cereal last week so I could make these. Since I was headed out of town, I waited until today. And I'm glad I did!

The recipe:

1 cup almond butter (or organic peanut butter)
1/2 cup raw honey or agave
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/4 cup raw cacao powder (or unsweetened cocoa powder, but its less nutritious)
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 T vanilla
1/4 t sea salt
6 cups brown rice cereal

You mix everything but the cereal... then when it's all combined, you mix in the cereal. 6 cups may be too much for your liking, and if so, just add less. I'm not sure how much I used because I didn't measure it. I just poured from the box until it looked good. You can divide out into small balls, using a cookie scoop, if you want. I just poured it all in a pan. Keep in fridge to keep it's shape.

This really was yummy. It tastes like a chocolate, peanut butter rice krispy treat. Which it is- but sooo much healthier. I had most of the ingredients on hand because I used to eat really healthy. But I was out of flaxseed, so I just used chia seeds- which are also awesome for you. I even had raw cacao on hand- impressive! haha.

So thank you Meghan for my treat- I don't think I would have survived today without it.

And It Begins...

I did manage to get a workout in on Wednesday night- I finally rode on a bike! haha. So far, that was the only thing I hadn't done yet. I went up to the gym that night, hoping to spend my time watching the abc shows that I like, only to find out that none of the tv stations were turned to abc. What???!! I was highly disappointed. Then, to make matters worse, my iPod was dead (I hadn't thought to check it beforehand) so I was stuck watching some political stations and their rants about each presidential candidate. That made the workout hard. I'm just that gal that needs music to motivate her. But I did manage to ride 7 miles in about 30 minutes, which I thought was pretty good. I had the bike on level 12 and did the "Hills Plus" mode too- so that counts for something, right??

I didn't workout all weekend because I was out of town, at a wonderful conference called "Time Out for Women." It was awesome. And it made me think about a lot of things- one of them was completing my triathlon  It motivated me even more, which is always a good thing.  

This week starts the "official" triathlon training.... from the workout schedule I got from Beginner Triathlete. Because of different scheduling things, I have to change up the days little, but nonetheless, it will all happen. I'm also cutting out sugar. I'll go into my sugar addiction in another post, but I'm not a "I'll just have a little" kind of gal.... I have to have the entire thing. And I mean ENTIRE. So I'll really being trying to combat that this week.... as that is harder than the training.

So here it begins..... Wish me luck!  

No Workout but a Recommended Blog to Read

I didn't work out yesterday. {gasp} I know. I should feel bad about it, but I don't. Actually, we decided to spend the day as a family and we were gone all day.

I was going to workout this morning, but well... this was my sleeping schedule last night....

-Fell asleep at 9:30 watching "The Office" on Netflix.

-Baby woke up around 11:30pm.... I nursed him and fell asleep in the rocking chair. Slept there from 11:30-2:30am.

-Around 2:30, I realized where I was, put the baby back in his crib and crawled back into my own bed.

-Apparently he woke up again at some point, and so did our two year old. Because around 3:30, I heard the 2 yr old talking in our room and found myself sitting in the rocking chair, again holding the baby. I have no recollection of going back there. I put the baby (again) back in his crib and (again) crawled into our bed. This time with our 2 yr old between my husband and I. He was WIDE awake. We finally turned Curious George on for him (courtesy of Netflix) and dozed on and off until the baby woke up again around 6am. Not long afterwards our daughter woke up and then the day started. I have no idea what was up with the baby last night. He's usually a good sleeper. I asked my husband when the 2 yr old got in the bed, he said he had no idea. (He had to pass me in the rocking chair to go into our room and I never heard him).

So, did I work out this morning? In one word, no.

But I am hoping to tonight!

BUT I did see this great post from Kate at The Small Things blog. This is one of my favorite blogs.. I love her hair and makeup tutorials along with her fabulous outfits. She and her husband just did a triathlon last weekend. You can check out her awesome comments about it HERE. She did a great job telling all about it. I learned a few things I didn't know (like what to wear). And the fact that she loved it totally motivates me even more! Thanks Kate!

Running

The gym I use is at a university, and they are on fall break, so it's closed for a few days. Yay! No swimming! hahaha.

I found a triathlon training schedule online HERE, it's what they call "conservative" and is a 22 week program (roughly 5 months). I don't have a triathlon date yet (no one has posted the 2013 schedule) but I'm anticipating doing the "event" around May. So a 5 month training program is perfect. It allows me time to train and maintain before the race. And if I need extra time, I have it.

I recently downloaded the Couch to 5K app on my phone. I really like it. I also downloaded some music. The app plays your playlist and then a little voice will interrupt the song and tell you when to run, walk, the distance you've covered, etc. It's great! I use it and I don't have to do any "thinking."  (heaven forbid!)

This morning I really didn't want to workout. I was going to skip it and clean out the kids closets. I said, "I'm going to change out the kids season clothes" to my husband (who is also on the aforementioned fall break) and he said, "I thought you were going to run." Man! He got me.

For the first lap I was like, "this sucks," but after when I was done I thought, " I did it! And I didn't even want to!" So workout today- complete. I also cleaned the whole house and washed AND folded all the laundry (which never happens in the same day). Woohoo for me! It's been a very productive day! (and its only 3pm)

Me and my baby after my run. Does anyone else freak out if their hair touches their face when they exercise? I have to have mine tied back and the wisps headbanded to my head. I hate hair in my face.

Treading Water

I swam yesterday but didn't have time to type an update....

It went ok. First of all- it was 40 degrees out. Which depending on which part of the country you live in, that's either a summer day or makes you want to put on a coat. Given that I'm down south, I was freezing.

I really didn't feel like swimming, but I got up, out of bed and into the car anyway. I was still feeling blah on the drive... and then something magical came on the radio. Owl City's "Good Time." Don't you LOVE that song???!! I know I do. It totally pumped me up. (For the record, I also love music video's, you can see it here)

Swimming was.... better. I did not take off my goggles this time. (Which was lesson #1.) My husband showed me some you tube videos and I tried practicing turning my whole body sideways to breathe (instead of just turning my head). I did ok. And then I realized I was freaking myself out- and once I started panicking  it all went downhill from there. I think I'm afraid I'm going to drown. Even though I can stand and there is a lifeguard watching my every move.  I did my 200 yards and called it.

A friend told me that when I'm done my swim, to go to the deep end and tread water for 10 minutes. She said this helped strengthen her arms and burn more calories. So I did that. Although I have no doubt that when the lifeguard saw me walk to the deep end he thought. "What is this idiot doing?! Man, I'm going to have to save her life... what a dummy!" For the record, I'm better at treading water than swimming. I didn't drown, or even come close.

When it was over, I was glad. Man, it's going to take a lot of practice... I'm wondering if I should take a swim class. Any thoughts??

First Time Swimming

"Swimming is the worst part of a triathlon, 
if you stop pedaling on a bike you coast. 

If you stop running, you walk, but if 

you stop swimming you drown." 

When I tell people I want to do a triathlon, most of them agree and say that'd be awesome. When I invite them to do it with me, they almost all say, "Oh, I would, but I can't swim." 

What is it with swimming?? Why does this one event cause such an alarm in people?  As a child, I could (and did) swim for hours. I had some ear problems, so I always had to wear dorky ear plugs, but aside from that, most summers I was completely water logged. What is it about being an adult that makes us lose that energy and love for the water?? 

I know why. Because it's freaking hard. 

Somewhere between childhood and adulthood we lose that "swimming is the best thing in the world" innosense. I'm not sure when that happens, I'll have to do some research. But swimming as adult isn't normally regarded as "fun." Fears of others seeing you in a swimsuit surface (check), you weigh more, so of course that means you are  probably going to sink (double check) and of course, you can't remember anything from childhood swim lessons so the sight of you in a pool looks slightly like a fish out of water. Gasping, panting and wondering why in the world you are doing this. (triple check).   

This was me this morning as I embarked on entering the pool for my first day of swimming. {sigh} Where to start......  about a month ago, my husband started swimming for exercise. Since he knew I also wanted to swim, he bought me a good pair of goggles. So I dug out my suit, grabbed my goggles, and set out a towel. Everything was ready when the alarm went off at 5:30am. 

I was excited. "I'm going to do this," I thought. When I got there I said a quick prayer for my survival. I haven't swam in years. And I mean years. Sure, I've been in a pool, on a lake and in the ocean, but in none of those had I actually "swam."

I got to the gym, only to find the pool locked. Further investigation showed me that the pool doesn't actually open until 6:15am, unlike the gym that opens at 6. I wished I had brought some workout clothes to kill some time, but I was dressed in a swimsuit, sweat pants and a zip up hoodie, complete with thin socks and old sneakers (I couldn't find my new, good ones while I was stumbling around this morning). So I sat. I sat in the locker room and just waited. Finally, around 6:20, the pool opened. 

I was the only one there. Me and the life guard. Oh gee- this was going to be fun. 

The next 15 minutes I'm sure I gave the lifeguard the laugh of her week. Me trying to swim. At one point I decided it was a good idea to take off the goggles and put them back on. Why? I don't know. 

Lesson 1 learned: Once you are actually in the water- Don't take off your goggles.    

They were great goggles, the suction was excellent, they never clouded. But because I took them off, the water droplets on the lenses were annoying. 

I also realized I have no idea how to swim. I tried the forward crawl, yeah, I about drowned myself as I also don't know how to breathe. I'm also scared to get my face wet. I did some on my back, yeah, I almost ran into the wall. I tried a doggie paddle type something.... an underwater swim... and anything else I could think of to keep afloat.  After each length (25 yards) I had to rest for several minutes. It didn't help that there were 2 fantastic swimmers next to me who obviously knew what they were doing. A few months ago, I took a peek at the pool and saw a gray haired woman with swim weights and looking like she was struggling for life- where was she today?? 

I tried to ignore the excellent swimmers next to me... and the lifeguard... and the fact that I looked like a MORON and continue. I can tell this is going to take a lot of practice. I swam back and forth 4 times. So that's 200 yards. Not too bad for a first try. 

I was so exhausted after it that I could hardly stand to get out of the pool. Whomever said Michael Phelps was the greatest Olympian ever, was right. I have a renewed appreciation for him, Ryan Lochte, Rebecca Soni, Missy Franklin and every other swimmer out there. The fact that they can even survive a training session is an accomplishment all in itself. The fact that they swim an entire race on the amount of time it took me to get to one end of the pool is simply mind boggling. 

When I got home, my husband said, "Wow- you are back early." Ummm... apparently I was only in the pool for about 12 minutes. The gym opened at 6am. The pool opened at 6:20 and by 6:38 I was back in my car. I think I'm going to have to make these workouts last a little longer. 

Intro- Am I An Idiot??

Apparently I am. I've always had this insane desire to complete a triathlon. And by "triathlon," I mean a sprint. It depends on the race, but it's roughly a 750 meter swim, 20 mile bike ride and a 3.2 mile run (a 5K). A true triathlon consists of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and you finish running a marathon (26.2 miles)... I'm not that stupid.... yet. But a sprint, I figure I can handle. Or can I??

I am a stay at home wife and mother of 3 children. My kids are ages 5, 2 and 6 months (he's still nursing). So again I ask? Am I an idiot?? Yeah. Probably.

"If God invented marathons to keep people from doing anything more stupid, then the triathlon must have taken Him completely by surprise."

But an idiot or not, it's something I want to do. Yes, I may have a college degree. Yes, I gave birth to 3 children and nursed them all for a year. Yes, I run a household.... but sometimes I feel like I've never really accomplished anything. Of course, raising children is an ultimate accomplishment, but I'm still in the process of that. Even childbirth itself was relatively easy given the wonderful invention of an epidural.  

When I say I haven't accomplished something- I mean something that I've worked hard for. Looking back, I don't even think college what that much of a challenge. Of course parts of it were, but overall, it was just something I did. I'm sure when my children are gone, I won't say raising them was "easy," but they are still young and at this point, raising them has mostly been about survival..... but a triathlon..... now that sounds like a challenge. 

I trained for a 5K a few years ago. But in my training, when I was running 2 miles consistently, I injured my leg. I was really upset about it too because it wasn't better by race time. This past April I had our third (and last) baby. The past 6 months have been full of shuffling 3 children, night time nursings and constant stretchy pants. I'm ready to move on, get out of the stretch pants and see what I can do. I guess what I'm staying is that I'm totally starting from square one here. 

So here I go.... welcome to my journey.