Race Recap: Clackamas Cove Triathlon

I've been too busy training to blog about my training. The highlights:
NW Open Water Swim Series (1500 m race every Tuesday night in May)
Portland Triathlon Club's Mock Tri May 9th
McMinnville Sprint Triathlon May 30th

1:24:53, 2nd in my age group

I was feeling good and confident in my training for my first Olympic Distance Triathlon. My A goal was to finish, B goal was 3:30 and C goal was 3:15.

The weather was perfect on Sunday morning. Comfortable and cloudy, but no sight of rain. As I was in line for body marking, I was informed that the low river had created dangerous rapids near the swim exit. As a result, the course would not be a 750m loop (2 laps for the Oly) and end a quarter of a mile down a paved road from the transition area. We were given garbage bags with our race numbers in case we wanted to shed our wet suits at the swim exit.

I got through body marking and was setting up my transition are when I realized that I had been marked with the number "202" instead of my actual race number, "220." This caused a major panic attack. I ran back to body marking and cut in line to the nearest volunteer. Nothing could be done about the permanent marker on my body, but I got the right timing chip so my time would be right.

I have been battling allergies all spring and a chest cold from last week so my pre-race ritual now included a preventative puff on my inhaler. I was too stressed to eat more than a few bites of my Cliff Bar. I met some nice people in transition (I always do) and found someone with whom to trade sunscreen application.

The swim start was a quarter mile away, so I put on my wet suit halfway and slid into my socks and shoes to make my way down. The first wave was warming up when I got there, so I had plenty of time to set out my garbage bag and gear. This was essentially T0. For the Olympic distance, there were 3 heats of men and all the women and relay racers were in the final heat together. We had a chance to warm up in the water for a few minutes before the race started. The first two men started their second lap as we lined up.

The horn sounded and the triathlon started. I was jostled as usual, but my open water training served me well. I stayed composed, put my head down and swam. The weather made it easy to sight. The currents were strong enough that I got slightly off course a few times when I went too many stokes between sightings, but it wasn't bad. I noticed the first wave of Sprint Triathletes lining up as I prepared to round the last buoy to begin my second lap. I definitely did not want to get caught up in their scut. Fortunately my first lap was quick enough and I was probably 200m past the start when I heard their horn. I had another strong swim lap, even passing a few men from the wave ahead of me. I had another perfectly timed lap as I finished just before the last wave of Sprint Triathletes started.

The Clackamas Cove is pretty rocky at the jetty where we entered and exited the swim course. I had to exit the water pretty slowly to navigate it safely. I had forgotten my body glide for my wrists and ankles so my wet suit was a it of a pain to get off. I had a pretty big advantage with the "T0" though. Most triathletes have bike shoes that clip in, but I still ride in my sneakers. I stripped my wet suit and put my shoes on at the swim exit and didn't have to change my shoes when I got to T1. On the road I saw Dan, Lacey, Liam, Rosie & Carter set up under the underpass cheering on the athletes. Lacey made cute matching shirts so they were easy to spot!

Swim: 39:49 (1500m swim + stipped wet suit + put on shoes + run 1/4 mile)

All I had to do in T1 was put on my sunglasses and helmet, throw some nutrition and Halls in my pocket and grab my bike. Because I didn't have to change my shoes like most other athletes, I had one of the fastest transitions. 

T1: 0:56

The bike course was well directed & marked. I waved hello to the family again and I was off. The first mile or so was through town and the roads were closed for the event. Then we made our way out to the country. I'm not a strong biker, so I got passed quite a few times. It started getting demoralizing when the Sprint Triathletes started to pass me. There were 2 sections to the "out and back" bike course. The Sprint turned around halfway through the Olympic course, which continued 6 more miles to the turn around. There were plenty of other bikers until I passed the Sprint turn around. Then it was empty except for the occasional athlete on their way back. I resigned myself to the fact that I was in last place, told myself that I was going to stick to Sprint Triathlons from now on, and kept turning the pedals. 

The course was billed as flat for the first half, with one significant hill on the Olympic course. This was true for the first half. I stayed in the big ring and had plenty of flat stretches to drink and eat some Sports Beans. Not long after I passed the Sprint turn around, I came to a hill that required me to put my bike gears into the small ring and lower my cadence. Then another. No big deal. As the course wore on, I started looking for the turn around. I was directed to make a turn and then I saw it. The mother of all hills. It looked like those pictures you see of hills in San Francisco. I may have let out a curse or two. Then I powered through the remaining flat to get some momentum. I could see a few other riders way ahead. This hill was about 3/4 of a mile. I tried to get out of my seat and climb, but the road was too uneven and I couldn't keep my bike steady. I just had to sit and slog and pedal and pant. I noticed the other riders coming down the hill were not pedaling, just cruising. I told myself that I was going to pedal down and not rest my legs. When I got to the top, it was only a few hundred yards to the turn around. When I started to go down the monster hill, I realized that I could not possibly keep up my cadence with my wheels. Even though I was on my breaks for part it, I don't think I have ever gone as fast as I was going down that hill. It was fun and terrifying. 

As I flew down the hill I also realized that I wasn't actually in last place. There were a couple men and several women who were still on the "out" as I was coming "back." This made me feel good. I even started thinking about placing in my age group. There were not many women in the Oly and the 19-29 category is usually pretty light anyway. I pass a few of the back of the pack Sprint Triathletes and made my way back towards T2. It was so nice to see my family again and hear them cheer me on. 

Bike: 1:43:06 (24 miles) 

My second transition was also fast since I, again, didn't have to change shoes. I dropped off my bike, helmet and glasses and put on my hydration pack, race belt & visor. 

T2: 0:54 

I saw the family again on my way out and gave high fives to the kids. They had their shakers and bells and the made the other athletes smile, too. There were a lot of runners on the course and it was, again, well directed and marked on closed roads. The course is mostly and out and back 5k (2 laps for the Oly.) I knew that the end of the course was at the top of Oregon City's Grand Staircase. I had visited it a few days prior and realized that my occasional run of the high school bleachers had not prepared me to run up these 4 flights of stairs twice, so I planned to walk them when I got there. 

I was still feeling pretty good at this point. I had to pee and the sun had come out, but I kept it up. I tried to drink, but my stomach rolled and bladder protested. I managed to run the first set in the stairs, but walked after that. I was glad to find out that the course actually went down a different path so I didn't have to run down the stairs. 

I didn't see my family at the overpass where they had been set up before. They had already moved to the finish line. My sister came out and ran with me for a little bit as I rounded the park to start my second lap. I gave her my hydration pack as we parted and was glad to not have to carry it anymore since I couldn't drink anyway. 

I started calf-stalking on my 2nd lap. Anytime I crossed paths with a women, I checked her leg to see if she was in my age group. I had already seen on woman in my age group heading to the finish as I was finishing my first. I saw two more running back not long into my second loop. "There's the podium," I though. I still wanted a time of which I would be proud and kept running my slow and steady run. At some point in my run a guy told me I was "smooth." I took that as a compliment of my run form and kept that comment in my head whenever I felt myself getting lazy. 

The course had thinned out and the traffic cops were getting ready to open the roads as I wound down my final stretch. I got a small second wind, but was a little defeated when I head the award ceremony going on as I was finishing. They were too busy calling award to call my name as I finished. That was a bummer. But the empty course meant that Liam could join me as I crossed the finish line, so that was awesome. 

Run: 1:08:08 (6.2 miles) 

Total Time: 3:32:51

I selected a medal and took a finish line photo with Dan & the kids. Dan gave me my chocolate milk and told me my approximate time was 3:47. I knew that the extra 1/4 mile run before T1 and monster hill were going to cost me a little extra time, but 3:47 was much longer than I had expected. I went to the results booth to get my print out only to find out my real time. It was still over my B goal, but with the weird day, I was pleased. I also learned that I had place 2nd (of 3) in my age group. Not really anything to brag about, but it came with a nice certificate and a liter of Ale. 

I made a random stranger really happy when I gave her my prize.

This is my post-race pint of choice.

I washed the sweat off my body and lake water out of my hair and got a little rest before the kids were up, I couldn't really justify a nap on Father's Day even if I had raced that morning. Dan was such a good sport in taking care of the kids at the park while I was racing. The kids are having a great time with their cousin though, so I got to put my feet up a little. 

I am thinking about another Oly on July 18th and another swim series in August. I'm also registered for Sprints on Aug 1st and Sept 19th. I'm toying with the idea of a half marathon as my A race for late fall. We'll see. 

An Update

"I acknowledge that a Multi-Sport Event is an extreme test of a person’s physical and mental limits and carries with it the potential for death, series injury, and property loss. I HEREBY ASSUME THE RISKS OF PARTICIPATING IN THIS EVENT. I certify that I am capable of completing all disciplines of the event, and that I am physically fit and that I have sufficiently trained."

Well, maybe not sufficiently trained yet. But I still check 'I agree" and registered for the Olympic Distance Triathlon! Eek! 

I've been training slow and steady. I took a weekend off for my ski trip, which was both awesome and painful, and I've had a chest cold that's kept me on my butt for 5 days and counting. But I've passed the time by scouting out bikes and clip-less pedals/biking shoes to buy for my birthday and I joined a local triathlon club. 

The kids are growing like weeds. They love to take family bike rides and watch Spiderman cartoons. I found Liam having a solo tea party in the play room before bedtime. He told me, "Tea parties are only for big boys." Not quite, dude. Rosie loves to color and is talking so much. On the way home from our ski trip, we picked up some burgers. A few minutes later, Rosie said, "It came apart! Oh goodness, momma!" I love these crazy kiddos. 

The aftermath of my attempt to ski.

a confidence boost

I had a nice conversation with an old friend a few nights ago. I confided in him my hopes (and fears) of doing an Olympic distance triathlon this summer. He was very supportive and encouraging.

I also had my first long swim of training this morning before work. The kids were already at daycare, so I wasn't as conscious of my surroundings as I usually am when I swim half expecting an interruption from the gym's kids club. I was totally focused on my swim and it was awesome! My training called for swimming for 40 minutes to build endurance, but didn't provide any additional guidance, so I took it one lap at a time. I felt good enough to swim free style without any breaks the entire 40 minutes. I really pushed myself the last 8 or 10 laps so that I could swim an even mile (32 laps). I'm really impressed with myself and feeling much more confident about an Oly Tri.

Happy 2015!

I'm not going to get all sentimental about the new year, but 2014 was so full of changes for me that it is worth a recap and the opportunity to put some of my goals in writing.

Fitness. 12 months ago, I would have never believed that 2014 would be the year of fitness for me. I discovered my inner athlete and haven't looked back. Even though it scared the pants off of me, I am so glad that I put myself out there and signed up for that triathlon. Since I started keeping track in September, I have run 113 miles, biked 89 miles, swam 6 miles, completed a triathlon and 2 5ks. I probably did 50 hours of yoga this year, too, including learning to do headstands, side crow and bird of paradise.

I've come a long way with learning to play the piano this year, too. I am still not good enough to share on the interwebs, but I'm getting there. Maybe this year.

Work was another surprising addition in 2015. It was one of those things that just happened so unexpectedly and with miraculous timing. I'm so grateful for my job and the wonderful people with whom I work. Ask me how I feel after tax season though. :)

Goals for 2015

Play the piano 15 minutes per day. (I'll give myself a little bit of leeway during tax season though.) I'd really like to learn "Do You Want to Build a Snowman" and a nice version of "Come Thou Fount."

Scripture study or similar every day with no exceptions. I started listening to readings on my phone while I would get ready for bed. That really helped me. I could also start listening in the car on the way to or from work.

I feel kind of sick to my stomach to write out my fitness goals. They become official when I put them in writing. My big goal is to do an Olympic distance triathlon. (Eeek!) 0.93 mile OPEN WATER swim, 25 mile bike, 10k run. I've only found one race that works for me. The Clackamas Cove Triathlon is June 21st. Tax season is going to be hard on my training, so I'm starting tomorrow.

I would also like to do 2 more sprint triathlons, the annual RS tri at the end of September and the Wahine Women's Tri (also an open water swim) at the beginning of August. The Wahine Tri also has an option for a kid's triathlon. That's going to be amazing for Liam. He will be so excited.

I may run the Lake Run 10k in May if I feel up to it. I don't know yet. It's not a priority, but would fit with my training. I'd mostly do it so that Liam could do the kid's run. If we go to Florida for Thanksgiving, I would LOVE to do the Space Coast Half Marathon. Mostly for the bling.



I don't know if I can make that happen this year. We'll see.

Done

I did it, I finished the triathlon. I am exhausted and overjoyed and so many other emotions that I can hardly process.

Last night, I set some goals for my race. #1 was to finish. #2 was to finish in under 2 hours. #3 was to run the whole 5k (with exception for hills.) I accomplished the first two and came very close to the last one.

I loved the way they set up the swim. We had 8 lanes, so  woman would start at the last lane, swim out and back, then move to the next lane. They started swimmers about every 30 seconds, so a woman also finished every 30 seconds or so. All of the waiting swimmers would cheer every time a swimmer finished and came out of the water. It was cool.

I passed a few people during my first few laps. My friend,  Liz, was my triathlon buddy. Her sister was also competing. I had to book it my last lap so that Liz didn't pass me!

I think the pool at my gym is actually shorter than 25 yards, because this swim felt longer, but I finished in 10 minutes.

The first transition took some time. I wanted to get pretty dry so that I wouldn't have to worry about chafing. It also took a few minutes to find out where to leave my bag.

Eventually, we set out on our bikes. The first portion was downhill, so it was nice. A few red lights lights really slowed us down though. There was a big hill about halfway through, but it made for a nice downhill at the end of the biking portion. I finished the 10 mile ride in 47 minutes.

We were much quicker in the second transition. I did text my neighbor and friend so they could be there when I finished. I was surprised then to see my neighbors cheering me on at the beginning of the running course! I was really excited to see them and it really lifted my spirits.

Liz really pushed me on the run. We lost her sister after about 1/2 a mile. Liz also had an app on her phone to track our distance and pace. We were both surprised to know that we had run a 9:22 mile!

There were a few hills that we walked and we slowed down a bit at the end, but still finished at just under 31 minutes, exactly the 10 minute/mile paced I had hoped to achieve.

My neighbors, friends and kids were waiting at the finish line. Liam had a small fit when he didn't get to run with me, so we did a small lap together. He keeps saying that he's going to try really hard at his swimming lessons so that he can do a triathlon, too. He also keeps asking if I won. As far as I am concerned,  I did.

It just got real.

I have been a ball of nerves and excitement ever since I picked up my race shirt on Thursday night. It's real. This is happening!

I had some nice "easy" workouts this week. I swam, biked and ran on Tuesday and Thursday. My Thursday workout was actually kid of crazy. I biked 2.5 miles, took a 5 minute break, then went out for a mile run. I was already warmed up from my bike ride, so my goal was to do my mile in 10 minutes, the pace I am aiming for on the 5k portion. I did it in 8 minutes! That is crazy fast for me. Too fast. I probably shouldn't have run so fast on race week.

I have to remember to chill out and not exhaust myself on the swim or bike portions tomorrow. I have to believe in myself and not let my mind talk me out of a good run.

Last Week

I was really nervous going into my bricks last week, especially after discovering that the bike portion of the triathlon was significantly longer than I had previously thought. Tuesday afternoon was my first bike/run brick. My neighbor watched my kiddos for an hour while I went out. I was really nervous about biking on the main road through our town, but it was alright. Uphill on the way home is hard, as always, but I felt pretty good. I expected my legs to turn into jello after a substantial bike ride, but they were okay and I was able to run after just a few seconds of walking.

I was back in the pool on Thursday and tested out Body Glide for the first time. It's supposed to help with chafing, but I don't really have that problem. What I do struggle with is getting my sports bra and workout tank on while my skin is still wet from swimming. I think it will help me with my transition.

I also did an extra lap on Thursday, too, just because. 450 yards non-stop and it honestly felt like a rest day. Even though I was a fairly comfortable swimmer when I started training, I'm still proud of how far I've come with my swimming.

Friday night was a long night. Liam had a s'more party with his primary class. My cold that I had been denying all week caught up with me. The kids hadn't seen Dan all week so Rosie pitched a fit and cried for me when he put her to bed. I took tissues with me and powered through my biking and running. I did 6 miles on my bike and ran 2.5 miles. I had an armband for my phone delivered that morning and discovered Amazon Prime music, which is awesome. Train, Panic at the Disco and FUN were incredibly helpful for my run. Except for the hills, I ran the entire time.

My cold really caught up to me on Saturday night. I spent most of Sunday in bed reading and watching tv. I'm feeling much better today, though I still have a disgusting cough. It's "taper" week anyway to rest and prepare for the tri in 5 days (5 DAYS!!!) so I'm not going to work out today. I'm hoping to do light, swim/bike/run workouts on Tuesday and Thursday and I think that will be enough to keep me focus but rested.

Painted Faces at the Children't Museum

Rosie and Bear Bear Watching Frozen

Our neighbor, Emma, with Liam & Rosie

So sweet!

Rosie takes after Dan a little. 

Me and Liam at the Portland Gator Club

Bouncy Basketball at Pump It Up

Rosie painting our faces at the Children's Museum

Oops

I just realized that the bike portion of the triathlon is 10 miles, not 10 kilometers. There are only 11 days left. Yikes.

I'm also in the denial stages of a cold. My throat hurts, I'm tired and I ache all over, but I'm not sick enough to skip my workout today. I have my first bike/run brick today and I'm nervous about it. I've only got childcare for an hour, so I won't have time to try out a 10 MILE bike ride in addition to a half hour of running.

Man, oh man.

Bricks, Pains and Thinking about the Future

I started my swim/bike bricks this week. I had a 24 hour stomach bug on Monday, so that threw off the first part of my week. I was able to complete my swim/bike back-to-back workouts as scheduled on Tuesday, but my Thursday run really suffered.

I was feeling better by the end of the week, so I left myself get talked into playing women's basketball on Thursday night. After I came home, washed the blood off of my knuckles and prepped an ice pack for my knee, I knew that I was going to be hurting the rest of the week. I could hardly walk up and down the stairs on Friday, so I gave myself an extra rest day and pushed my 2nd swim/bike brick to Saturday. I was still sore then, but swimming and biking as such low impact that it was no problem.

I ran again Sunday night and it was glorious. Dusk, 75 degrees and a full moon made for a beautiful run. I also took a moment to appreciate that there are no mosquitoes or other obnoxious bugs in Oregon. I ran 2.4 miles through my neighborhood. I've mentioned the hill before, right? I live at the top of a hill so coming back up at the end of a run or bike ride is so hard. I plugged my route into MapMyRun tonight and it gave me this elevation report:

Translation: oh my aching knees.

Bike/run bricks are next week. I'm on week 9 of the triathlon training program that I am following. It's supposed to be a very difficult week, but week 10 is mostly rest leading up to the tri next Saturday. I'm not sure how well next week is going to work out for me. I seriously need to get out of the gym and put more miles onto my actual bike, but Dan will be gone all week. I hate to pay a sitter to watch my kids when they already have a membership to go to the daycare at the gym, but I might have to suck it up this week. We'll see.

I've also started to think about what's next after I finish the tri. There is a fun, Halloween run in my little town and a Thanksgiving run in my hometown that benefits a great cause near to my heart. My neighbor teaches a circuit class for women at a local cross fit gym. I went a few months ago and it kicked my butt, but it would be exactly what I need to build strength. I don't know what I'll do yet. So far buying myself a new watch as a reward and getting a massage are the only definite plans that I have.

2 Things

1. I am exhausted.

I stretched my run out to 18 minutes yesterday. 16 minutes isn't going to cut it for my short, slow legs. With 5 minutes of warming up and cooling down, I went a total of 2.37 miles.

This morning I biked the entire 10k in about 28 minutes,  but I still finished my 30 minute ride after I hit that milestone. I did a non-stop quarter mile swim after that. My swim took me 9 or 10 minutes, I lost track. Essentially, the easy 2/3 of my triathlon.

I start bricks next week, so I get 2 days off. How nice that they align with Labor day!

2. COLLEGE FOOTBALL!

I got an invite to watch the games at a local sports bar with the Portland Gator Club. Dan and I have a sitter and I'm excited.

Success

I did it. 16 minutes of non-stop running. After the first 2 minutes, I didn't think I would make it. I started to ache on my left ribs, then right ankle, then right ribs, but none of the discomfort was severe enough to make me stop. I was a hot, sweaty mess after my run, but so very proud of myself. I adore my new shoes, too!

Grand totals for today:

7 minute warm up + 16 minute run +7 minute cool down = 2.21 miles

Now I am exhausted and need to sleep.

Training Day Whatever

I started to write a long post about all of the exercise I've done over the past 4 weeks

Not worth it.

Let's just skip right to the highlights.

My kids are doing awesome at the gym. Rosie will walk right it and say "bye" to me. They have a new arcade style basketball game that Liam loves. He has also suggested that I buy him a Wii since he likes playing it at the gym daycare so much.

Last Friday I ran for 8 minutes non-stop twice with a minute of walking in between. This was the longest I had ever run non-stop in my life. According to the training plan, I was supposed to go from that to running 16 minutes non-stop on Monday. That's a big jump. On Saturday night I was walking outside at night to get the mail and rolled my right ankle down the last step to my driveway. I iced it all weekend and hoped for the best, but I think that was the reason why my right knee was starting to hurt 10 minutes into my run on Monday and why I quit after 14 minutes. So, so close to my target, but still a huge accomplishment for me.

I decided that proper running shoes would also help with my knee pain. I got fitted at a local running shop and bought these beauties.

My kids were champs, though Liam started to melt down when I didn't allow him to run on the treadmill. He cheered up a little when we played chase around the store to test out shoes.

The strangest thing happened during my Monday run, too. I was on the treadmill at the gym watching HIMYM and minding my own business. I heard a loud bang, but I assumed it was an over-zealous weightlifter. Not long after, I notice that there was an open water bottle next to my treadmill spilling all over my yoga mat and gym bag (I was in a time crunch to do yoga, run and shower, so I didn't bother going to the locker room.) Still mid-run, I asked the guy next to me if it was his bottle, but it wasn't. At this point I thought I was going to have to stop to clean up this mess, but a woman came running over from the stair master behind the treadmills apologizing profusely. How her water bottle flew 6 feet and landed on my stuff, I still have no idea. She was embarrassed, but it was really no big deal. My clean clothes in my bag were dry and that's all I cared about.

I also hit a big milestone in my swimming tonight. I swam 400 yards, the full quarter mile, without taking a break. I brought 8 pennies with me and lined them up on one side of my lane. I slid one over after each lap so that I didn't lose count. It was a great swim.

It's a miracle I haven't lost my goggles yet. This little one goes into my gym bag almost daily to swipe my goggles.

I'm putting Liam in swimming lessons in September with a few of his friends. He's is really excited about it. I explained to him that his friends are a little older and bigger than he is, so he will have to work very hard. He told me that he was going to work hard and swim fast. He would be "the floating roadrunner." Meep meep!

I've been neglecting my biking. The really training was supposed to start last week. I'll start in earnest on my next biking day. I think that'll be Thursday. I'll try to check back in with my next run and report how I feel about my new shoes.

Training Days 12-15

Day 12
Biking and swimming today. My biking training is still a 30 minute "easy bike ride around the neighborhood or trails." Except I did mine on the stationary bike in the gym. 5.63 miles. Eight 50 yard laps with 30 seconds of rest in between followed. I completed this in about 12 minutes. I was really beat by the time this day was over because I also hiked a few trails in the Columbia Gorge with my mom and my kids and took a walk around the neighborhood with them in the evening.

Blowing (eating?) dandelions on our hike. 

Rosie made a friend on our walk.

Day 13
2.19 miles in 30 minutes on the treadmill on Wednesday. I slept terribly that night- both kids were up and I was worried about my mom leaving early in the morning. I was tired, so I went back to day 25 of the triathlon training program.

Day 14
I was in a hurry to get to playgroup Thursday morning, so I just did my swim at the gym. 50 yard warm up, three 75 yard intervals with 30 seconds of rest in between, 50 yard lap to cool down. 11 minutes and 30 seconds.

Thursday was wonderful. I got a sitter for the kids in the afternoon and went to the spa to get a massage and my very first facial. It was heavenly to treat my tired, achy body.

After putting the kids to bed, I dragged out my stationary bike and did 30 minutes on it in front of the tv in the living room.

I took Friday off as a recovery day. I thought that a recovery day would be a good idea after a massage since I'm supposed to take one day off every week anyway.

Day 15
Dan was away at a conference this week and the childcare at the gym doesn't open until 8AM, so I didn't get to make it to my usual 7:30 yoga class. I still went to use the treadmill. 2.05 miles in 30 minutes.

Dan was supposed to get home on Sunday afternoon, so I had planned to go to the gym to swim after he got home. By the time I found out that his flight was cancelled, the childcare at the gym had already closed, so I didn't get my workout in today. Oh well, I got to hang out with my munchkins instead. We played chase and I lifted them and tossed them on the couch a few dozen times, does that count as a workout?

Training Day 7-11

Despite the title, there are no Slurpees in this blog post. I'm just behind as usual.

Day 7
Mondays are yoga days. Afterwards I ran 1.10 miles in 15 minutes 30 seconds. I added an extra few minutes to my last running interval to push myself a bit further in my training after having taken so much time off.

Day 8
Back on the bike and in the pool today. 30 minutes on the bike at a steady pace. I went 5.44 miles, still short of the 6.2 miles of the 10K biking portion of the mini triathlon. Biking is so much easier with media attached to the handlebars. I guess an iPod will have to do during the actual event if I get separated from my friends. A 400 yd swim in 13 minutes followed my bike ride. I'm taking shorter breaks and doing longer intervals in my swim each progressive day.

Day 9
Back to the dread-mill on Wednesday. 2.13 miles in 30 minutes. I pushed my last running interval to 5 minutes on day 9, probably the longest I had ever run without stopping in my life as sad as that sounds. I struggled with asthma for a long time, especially exercise induced asthma. I haven't had a single attack since I moved to Oregon though, so allergies to something in Florida may have contributed to my trouble breathing.

I took Thursday and Friday off. My mom is in town, so I was busy with her. Not to mention sore sore sore.

Day 10
Saturdays are for early morning yoga. 7:30 AM. I need a long warm up when exercising that early. My regular instructor was out so there was a sub. I could tell that she was a classically trained instructor. She referred to the postures by their Sanskrit names and was really focused on the mind/body relationship of yoga. It wasn't nearly as challenging and fun as classes with my usual instructor. Swimming followed. 400 yds in about 15 minutes. It took me a bit longer today. I did longer intervals and longer breaks than my last swim. I also swam a bit slower to compensate for the longer intervals. (This was day 22 of the triathlon training plan I am loosely following.)

I intended to bike at home on Sunday afternoon, but my children were especially crazy all day, the little dude didn't nap and Dan left early in the day for a week long conference. All of those factors equaled me sitting on my butt watching Ghost with my mom after the kids finally went to bed at night.

Day 11
My regular yoga instructor was back today, much to my happiness. Yoga was great this morning. I followed it up with a run on the treadmill. 1.76 miles in 24 minutes. Having just completed an hour long yoga class, I shortened the warm up phase. I was also running out of daycare time, so I chopped a few minutes off of the cool down phase, too. This was day 28 of the triathlon training plan I mentioned earlier. After I ran for so long last week, I skipped ahead again. I probably shouldn't have done that. My knees are killing my today. I could hardly play chase with my kids this afternoon.

I took inventory of my body during my yoga class today and I have decided that I am in the best shape of my life. That's no easy feat at 27 after having 2 kids. I could still eat better and flatten my stomach a little more, I would like to have more upper body strengthen and I have a long way to go with my running, but the changes that I have made to my body over the past year are really great. I'm proud of myself and this mini triathlon, if I keep up with my training, will be a huge accomplishment for me.

Training Day 5 & 6

I did a little running and a lot of hiking on my vacation, but swimming was not going to happen in the Pacific Ocean. I am spoiled by my upbringing on the East Coast where it isn't unusual to swing in the Atlantic at Christmas time.

Getting back to my swimming was a little difficult.  After early morning yoga on Saturday, I skipped ahead to the end of the 3rd week of the triathlon training program that I am loosely following. I got a little mixed up with the intervals at the end, but was otherwise successful. I ccompleted my quarter mile swim in about 10 or 15 minutes. I should have updated my MapMyRun app right away because I have already forgotten how long it took me.

I biked at home tonight.  We have an inexpensive stationary bike that is sorely lacking an odometer,  so I have no idea how far I went in my half hour ride. We keep the bike in Dan's office so that we can watch NetFlix on his bigscreen monitor while we bike. I finshed an unremarkable documentary and sweat all over Dan's fancy headphones.  :)

Training Day 4

I'm either a masochist or a complete idiot.

Maybe a little bit of both.

I waited until late in the evening to run again. After dinner. Right after dinner. Right after a dinner of pizza and soda.

I seriously thought that I was going to throw up.

As a fortunate consequence, I was seriously motivated to just get through the run. I deviated from the training plan that I am using again. I ran a total of 5 minutes and walked 8 minutes of rest in between the minute long runs. I also ran a figure eight around my house to avoid going up and down the hill, in all 1.08 miles.

For those at home keeping score, that's a pathetic 12:02 pace.

On the other hand, it was a beautiful day. I had debated the night before whether or not I was going to go to the gym, something I would normally avoid on a Sunday in order to keep the Sabbath. It was an easy decision when I woke to gorgeous weather. It was dusk when I ran, slightly cloudy and slightly breezy. A picturesque Oregon evening.

I bet my Florida friends and family would be green with envy!

I'm off to Redwood National Park for a few days tomorrow. I figured out how to blog from my phone, but no promises. I'm going to try to keep exercising, that is to what I want you to hold me.

'Night!