April and I had our first Stroke Development Swim Lesson today at our local YMCA. It was pretty tough, but extremely helpful. Our super cool instructor Donald was already giving us tips to help us improve and it worked! The 50 mins flew by and we can't wait to go back. Did I mention that Donald is kind of cute? Yeah that certainly doesn't hurt ;)
Now that I smell like a pool, must go shower!!!
Cheesy song of the day: "We will Rock You" ~Queen
Cheesy motivational quote of the day: "When the student is ready the teacher will appear"
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Kathleen 1. Bike rack 0.
YES! I won the battle of the bike rack. I successfully reattached it to my car. I even ventured to trust my bike to it, and it didn't fall off. SWEET!
It was suggested to me once that everyday a person should do at least one thing that scares them just a little. I take that to mean trying new things. That is exactly what I did yesterday.
First new thing of the day: Yoga class.
I thought it would be good cross training for the tri. Not to mention a little variety in my exercise routines might spice things up a bit and keep me motivated. In the past, I've been pretty hesitant about the whole Yoga thing, but again, in the spirit of trying new things, I said what the hell. Not wanting to totally appear to be the new kid that doesn't know what was going on, I looked around when I entered the class to see what gear I needed. I collected the foam block, my mat, a blanket and a band. I set up my station. I took a clue from my fellow classmates and took a nap until the class started. We got started, and I'm thinking to myself, I can totally do this. A stretch here. A lunge there. A twisty pretzel position into a squatting dog. Nameste. Done. Done and done. Then I woke up this morning. Places I didn't know could be sore are definitely sore today. I have a new found respect for Yoga. I'm going to make it a part of my exercise routine. Yay for trying new things :)
Second new thing of the day: Biking on the W and OD Trail. 12 miles in an hour. Not bad. Will do better. The Washington and Old Dominion Trail is quite delightful. I passed through historic Herndon, Sterling and turned around in Reston.
As I have mentioned before riding my bike is very meditative and I definitely let my mind wonder. Not at the expense of being careless, but if I find a moment to coast, I let the thoughts flow.
Yesterday, I was applying my bike ride to movies. For instance, when I started off, the trail had a slightly uphill slope to it so I was working pretty hard. I imagined I looked like the Elmira Gulch from the Wizard of Oz. Also known as the Wicked Witch of the West. Picture the scene where Elmira has Toto in her bicycle basket with the creepy, wicked music playing. Yup, that was me.
Second movie montage of the ride: Tommy Boy. Think: "Fat man in a little coat. Fat man in a little coat" My bike ride version: "Hot guys playing golf." "Hot guys playing golf." It seems that bike trails inevitably cross through golf courses. Golf. Hot guys. Nice. I love riding my bike ;)
I rounded out the day with a little nap next to the pool. No swim training here. Just a nap. Well deserved, I'd say;)
Cheesy Motivational Song of the Day: "Happy Trails" ~Dale Rogers
Cheesy Motivational quote of the Day: " "Be Patient. This pain will be useful to you one day."
It was suggested to me once that everyday a person should do at least one thing that scares them just a little. I take that to mean trying new things. That is exactly what I did yesterday.
First new thing of the day: Yoga class.
I thought it would be good cross training for the tri. Not to mention a little variety in my exercise routines might spice things up a bit and keep me motivated. In the past, I've been pretty hesitant about the whole Yoga thing, but again, in the spirit of trying new things, I said what the hell. Not wanting to totally appear to be the new kid that doesn't know what was going on, I looked around when I entered the class to see what gear I needed. I collected the foam block, my mat, a blanket and a band. I set up my station. I took a clue from my fellow classmates and took a nap until the class started. We got started, and I'm thinking to myself, I can totally do this. A stretch here. A lunge there. A twisty pretzel position into a squatting dog. Nameste. Done. Done and done. Then I woke up this morning. Places I didn't know could be sore are definitely sore today. I have a new found respect for Yoga. I'm going to make it a part of my exercise routine. Yay for trying new things :)
Second new thing of the day: Biking on the W and OD Trail. 12 miles in an hour. Not bad. Will do better. The Washington and Old Dominion Trail is quite delightful. I passed through historic Herndon, Sterling and turned around in Reston.
As I have mentioned before riding my bike is very meditative and I definitely let my mind wonder. Not at the expense of being careless, but if I find a moment to coast, I let the thoughts flow.
Yesterday, I was applying my bike ride to movies. For instance, when I started off, the trail had a slightly uphill slope to it so I was working pretty hard. I imagined I looked like the Elmira Gulch from the Wizard of Oz. Also known as the Wicked Witch of the West. Picture the scene where Elmira has Toto in her bicycle basket with the creepy, wicked music playing. Yup, that was me.
Second movie montage of the ride: Tommy Boy. Think: "Fat man in a little coat. Fat man in a little coat" My bike ride version: "Hot guys playing golf." "Hot guys playing golf." It seems that bike trails inevitably cross through golf courses. Golf. Hot guys. Nice. I love riding my bike ;)
I rounded out the day with a little nap next to the pool. No swim training here. Just a nap. Well deserved, I'd say;)
Cheesy Motivational Song of the Day: "Happy Trails" ~Dale Rogers
Cheesy Motivational quote of the Day: " "Be Patient. This pain will be useful to you one day."
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Next battle, the bike rack...
Super good news!!!: I was back in Pittsburgh for a couple of days and I did some running training at my old high school track. I ran 3.1 miles in 34 mins! Woohoo! Shaved off two mins! yay :) TRIUMPH!!!
I did go back to the pool last week. More good news: I ploughed through the old guy. I swam 500m in about 25 mins. Contributing factors for my speed:
1. my way sexy swim cap
2. decreased rest time between lengths
3. drowned the old guy
On a somewhat cloudy note, the car inspection guy took my bike rack off of my car. It took me and the Bike Lane guy 20 mins to get it on in the first place! So my next battle, me and the bike rack. I WILL WIN and get it back on my car!!!
There has been a request for pictures of my training triumphs and trials. mmmm, considering that my wardrobe consists mainly of spandex bike shorts, a helmet, swimsuits, a swim cap and a smile that would be a BIG FAT NO!!!!
I feel like I need to step it up with the training. Since I've been in Pittsburgh over the past couple of days, I feel sluggish. It is go time!
Cheesy motivational song of the day: "Welcome to the Jungle" ~Guns and Roses
Cheesy motivational quotes of the day: "Stay young. Stay hungry." Steve Jobs
"Ride it like you stole it" Steve, my cousins husband, on how to treat my awesome bike.
I did go back to the pool last week. More good news: I ploughed through the old guy. I swam 500m in about 25 mins. Contributing factors for my speed:
1. my way sexy swim cap
2. decreased rest time between lengths
3. drowned the old guy
On a somewhat cloudy note, the car inspection guy took my bike rack off of my car. It took me and the Bike Lane guy 20 mins to get it on in the first place! So my next battle, me and the bike rack. I WILL WIN and get it back on my car!!!
There has been a request for pictures of my training triumphs and trials. mmmm, considering that my wardrobe consists mainly of spandex bike shorts, a helmet, swimsuits, a swim cap and a smile that would be a BIG FAT NO!!!!
I feel like I need to step it up with the training. Since I've been in Pittsburgh over the past couple of days, I feel sluggish. It is go time!
Cheesy motivational song of the day: "Welcome to the Jungle" ~Guns and Roses
Cheesy motivational quotes of the day: "Stay young. Stay hungry." Steve Jobs
"Ride it like you stole it" Steve, my cousins husband, on how to treat my awesome bike.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Is it too early to have a mental block?
My mental block: SWIMMING! I jogged two days ago. I rode my beloved bike last night. Must...swim...tonight...argh!
Maybe it is a mental block since I felt like I was drowning when I did it last week? I think it is mostly an ego thing. I must let it go. I'm a terrible swimmer. Yes, people will see me swimming terribly. I must embrace it. It will get better. It has too!
Cheesy song of the day: "Drowning" by the Backstreet Boys
Cheesy motivational quote of the day: "Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic." Do you think Noah ever trained for a tri? I bet you he was one hell of a swimmer.
Maybe it is a mental block since I felt like I was drowning when I did it last week? I think it is mostly an ego thing. I must let it go. I'm a terrible swimmer. Yes, people will see me swimming terribly. I must embrace it. It will get better. It has too!
Cheesy song of the day: "Drowning" by the Backstreet Boys
Cheesy motivational quote of the day: "Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic." Do you think Noah ever trained for a tri? I bet you he was one hell of a swimmer.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Is it possible to love your bike more than anything else?
Here's my reasoning for loving my bike so much: As a 26 year old young whippersnapper out in the real world, my bike is probably the second biggest, most expensive purchase I've made so far, and it would break my heart and my checking account if something happened to it. I have this strange motherly affection for it. For example, yesterday morning when I went to get in my car for work, I noticed that I may have parked my car a little too close to my roommates car in the garage. That is to say I had to suck in some air to make myself thinner to get in my car. The reason being was that my bike was on the other side. Courtney's reaction: YOUR CAR IS SMALL! YOU WILL NOT HIT YOUR BIKE! Me: But I don't want to hurt it.
The things we do for our cherished material possessions ;)
In addition to training for a triathlon, I am also apparently working on my parking skills. Sorry, Courtney the garage may not be big enough for your car. he he he, just kidding ;)
According to my handy training schedule, I am supposed to ride a 10K time trial today. I road 6.5 miles in about 40mins. Not bad, I suppose, but I definitely want to shave some time off of that for the big 12 miles! My goal is to ride the entire 12 miles in an hour or less :)
I really enjoyed my bike ride. It was very meditative in a way. You, the road, the wind. A girl and her bike. A thing of beauty.
Tomorrow might be time for a brick! woohoo!
Something new: Cheesy motivational song of the day: Free and Easy Down the Road I Go, Dierks Bentley
Cheesy Motivational quote of the day: "Life should NOT be a journey to the end with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"
The things we do for our cherished material possessions ;)
In addition to training for a triathlon, I am also apparently working on my parking skills. Sorry, Courtney the garage may not be big enough for your car. he he he, just kidding ;)
According to my handy training schedule, I am supposed to ride a 10K time trial today. I road 6.5 miles in about 40mins. Not bad, I suppose, but I definitely want to shave some time off of that for the big 12 miles! My goal is to ride the entire 12 miles in an hour or less :)
I really enjoyed my bike ride. It was very meditative in a way. You, the road, the wind. A girl and her bike. A thing of beauty.
Tomorrow might be time for a brick! woohoo!
Something new: Cheesy motivational song of the day: Free and Easy Down the Road I Go, Dierks Bentley
Cheesy Motivational quote of the day: "Life should NOT be a journey to the end with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Cycling, running and SWIMMING?!? what...
No one said anything about swimming. Nah, just kidding. It is a Tri. I get it. But swimming? really? Ugh, sigh, double ugh!
So I did my first swimming training session yesterday afternoon at my gym. Hilarious to onlookers, I'm sure. I can just hear the lifeguards conversing now: "Clear the pool! We have a flail-er! It's that girl in lane 1 with the old guy!" Yes, there was an elderly gentleman who was doing aquatic walking exercises who just may have been going faster than me. My thought is: I can only get better from here ;)
Today was a confidence booster of sorts after yesterdays staggering swimming attempt. I ran 3.1 miles in just under 36 mins. That puts me at about a 12 minute mile. My goal by the end of the summer is to run 3.1 miles in 30 mins. I look forward to the challenge :)
I saw Kali and April (the lovely ladies I am training with) last night and the more we talk about it the more excited we get!
Cheesy quote of the day: "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming!" Finding Nemo (it's funny how Disney movies can dish out surprisingly profound pieces of wisdom from little fish)
So I did my first swimming training session yesterday afternoon at my gym. Hilarious to onlookers, I'm sure. I can just hear the lifeguards conversing now: "Clear the pool! We have a flail-er! It's that girl in lane 1 with the old guy!" Yes, there was an elderly gentleman who was doing aquatic walking exercises who just may have been going faster than me. My thought is: I can only get better from here ;)
Today was a confidence booster of sorts after yesterdays staggering swimming attempt. I ran 3.1 miles in just under 36 mins. That puts me at about a 12 minute mile. My goal by the end of the summer is to run 3.1 miles in 30 mins. I look forward to the challenge :)
I saw Kali and April (the lovely ladies I am training with) last night and the more we talk about it the more excited we get!
Cheesy quote of the day: "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming!" Finding Nemo (it's funny how Disney movies can dish out surprisingly profound pieces of wisdom from little fish)
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Thoughts from a novice Tri trainee...
So I started yesterday training for my very first Triathlon. I'm pretty excited about the whole process, but what I realized last night after running in 95 degree weather, is that this is definitely going to be a case of mind over matter. My body definitely hates me today, and it won't be the last time we fight. But I can do this. I will do it! :)
Cheesy motivational quote of the day: "A strong woman knows she has strength enough for the journey, but a woman of strength knows it is in the journey where she will become strong"
Cheesy motivational quote of the day: "A strong woman knows she has strength enough for the journey, but a woman of strength knows it is in the journey where she will become strong"
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