I DID go swimming yesterday. I only made it 400 yards. I feel like I'm a relatively strong swimmer... but I get worn out really quickly. I take a breath every stroke and it STILL doesn't seem to be enough.
The surprise of the week is that I got up at 5:45 this morning and went for a run. My runs are usually 2.3 miles, simply because that's how far the jogging path near our apartment is. I need to plot out something a little longer, though.
Ryan, Maggie, and I are headed to Michigan this weekend. We'll be staying with my parents at a relative's lake house. I'm excited to do some boating and water skiing and maybe even a little open water swimming (!).
I'll be back on Monday with a review of my NU Dolphin Waterproof MP3 player (it was my prize for winning 2nd place in this essay contest).
7.30.2009
7.29.2009
18 Days?
Really?
That's IT?!
Oh boy. I better start pushing it harder.
Last week was a rough one on me. I used my cold as an excuse not to workout. I went 6 days without doing anything. I haven't run in 2 weeks (I haven't swam since June). What?! I'm just trying to be honest here!
On Saturday, instead of working out, Ryan and I went to the zoo.
I met some goats...
And I got to feed a giraffe...
It was a lovely day, but no training. So Sunday morning, I skipped church and went for a 9 1/2 mile bike ride. I'm still absolutely loving my new cycling shoes. Clipping in is getting easier with practice.
Yesterday, I was dressed with my helmet, bike shoes, and IPod on. The moment I walked outside, the skies opened (despite what Weather.com said) and it began pouring (lightning and thunder included).
I know if the race was tomorrow, I'd be okay. I would finish just fine. But I want to be BETTER than just okay! I want to be great. And I want to beat my Dad this time!
Tonight, I'll go to the Y and swim. Even though it's been a month since I've swam, I can't hold back. I need to go further than race-distance. Overly-ambitious? Perhaps. Necessary? Yes.
That's IT?!
Oh boy. I better start pushing it harder.
Last week was a rough one on me. I used my cold as an excuse not to workout. I went 6 days without doing anything. I haven't run in 2 weeks (I haven't swam since June). What?! I'm just trying to be honest here!
On Saturday, instead of working out, Ryan and I went to the zoo.
I met some goats...
And I got to feed a giraffe...
It was a lovely day, but no training. So Sunday morning, I skipped church and went for a 9 1/2 mile bike ride. I'm still absolutely loving my new cycling shoes. Clipping in is getting easier with practice.
Yesterday, I was dressed with my helmet, bike shoes, and IPod on. The moment I walked outside, the skies opened (despite what Weather.com said) and it began pouring (lightning and thunder included).
I know if the race was tomorrow, I'd be okay. I would finish just fine. But I want to be BETTER than just okay! I want to be great. And I want to beat my Dad this time!
Tonight, I'll go to the Y and swim. Even though it's been a month since I've swam, I can't hold back. I need to go further than race-distance. Overly-ambitious? Perhaps. Necessary? Yes.
7.23.2009
TGIF Photo Friday
I Googled it.
Question: Googled what?
Answer: "How to use clipless pedals"
That's right. I didn't know what I was doing. I naively assumed it would be easy and self-explanatory. But when I arrived home after Reagan's tune-up, I was baffled.
I sat on the ground trying to force my shoe onto the clip. It just didn't look like it would ever fit.
So what did I learn from my Googling? The only way to get your shoes onto your pedals is to put them on your feet.
Hmm... seemed simple enough.
So Reagan and I hung out in the garage for a few minutes... clipping in and clipping out. Clipping in and out. In and out.
I was surprised to find out that it's harder to clip in than to clip out. Despite the horror stories, out seems to be the easy part.
So we went for a mini test-run.
(My lovely boy, Ryan, was there to document the whole thing.)
Clip in. Clip out. Clip in. Clip out.
Obvious question: Did I fall?
Surprising answer: No.
Truthful answer: Almost. I unclipped my right foot with every intention on leaning to the right. But gravity had other plans, and pulled me left. With my left foot still clipped in, my life flashed before my eyes (actually, all I could think was, I hope Ryan is getting a photo of this!). But he DIDN'T get a photo... because at the very last moment, my left foot magically unclipped and I saved myself from a concrete face-plant. WOO!
And that's the story of my extremely uneventful first time using clipless pedals.
A few days later, I went for a nice 10-mile bike ride to REALLY test them out.
Verdict? Crossing busy streets now scares me more than usual. With my inability to clip-in on command, I often find myself flailing and riding too slow in front of speeding vehicles (plus, during a street-crossing attempt yesterday, my chain fell off!).
Also, my feet got sweaty. Gross, I know. I took a mental note to wear socks next time.
And speaking of my feet, I found that after about 7 miles, my toes starting getting numb. Not sure what's causing that... maybe the vibrations from my shoes? Who knows.
But overall, I'm thrilled about all this. I feel more powerful going up hills (although, it also hurts a little more... I'm using muscles that I didn't know I had). I can't wait to ride more and see how this impacts my overall abilities.
Question: Googled what?
Answer: "How to use clipless pedals"
That's right. I didn't know what I was doing. I naively assumed it would be easy and self-explanatory. But when I arrived home after Reagan's tune-up, I was baffled.
I sat on the ground trying to force my shoe onto the clip. It just didn't look like it would ever fit.
So what did I learn from my Googling? The only way to get your shoes onto your pedals is to put them on your feet.
Hmm... seemed simple enough.
So Reagan and I hung out in the garage for a few minutes... clipping in and clipping out. Clipping in and out. In and out.
I was surprised to find out that it's harder to clip in than to clip out. Despite the horror stories, out seems to be the easy part.
So we went for a mini test-run.
(My lovely boy, Ryan, was there to document the whole thing.)
Clip in. Clip out. Clip in. Clip out.
Obvious question: Did I fall?
Surprising answer: No.
Truthful answer: Almost. I unclipped my right foot with every intention on leaning to the right. But gravity had other plans, and pulled me left. With my left foot still clipped in, my life flashed before my eyes (actually, all I could think was, I hope Ryan is getting a photo of this!). But he DIDN'T get a photo... because at the very last moment, my left foot magically unclipped and I saved myself from a concrete face-plant. WOO!
And that's the story of my extremely uneventful first time using clipless pedals.
A few days later, I went for a nice 10-mile bike ride to REALLY test them out.
Verdict? Crossing busy streets now scares me more than usual. With my inability to clip-in on command, I often find myself flailing and riding too slow in front of speeding vehicles (plus, during a street-crossing attempt yesterday, my chain fell off!).
Also, my feet got sweaty. Gross, I know. I took a mental note to wear socks next time.
And speaking of my feet, I found that after about 7 miles, my toes starting getting numb. Not sure what's causing that... maybe the vibrations from my shoes? Who knows.
But overall, I'm thrilled about all this. I feel more powerful going up hills (although, it also hurts a little more... I'm using muscles that I didn't know I had). I can't wait to ride more and see how this impacts my overall abilities.
7.19.2009
Sick in Cincinnati
Wow, it's been 9 days since I've posted anything.
I just got back from my college roommate's bridal shower in Cincinnati. I can't believe I'm getting to that age where my friends are getting married. Crazy!
What I learned from this weekend is that I need to throw a fake bridal shower. My roommate hit the kitchen appliance-lottery (there is such a thing, right?).
But on sadder news, I am officially ill. I hate getting sick in the summer, cause I feel like I'm missing out on all this nice weather. Stupid cold! So my training has been non-existent for the past 3 days, and I'm totally okay with that.
Reagan is ready to be picked up from her tune-up, but the bike shop is closed today. I'll pick her up tomorrow, and if I feel up to it, I'll give my clipless pedals a test-run. So stay tuned... I'll post photos, of course!
I just got back from my college roommate's bridal shower in Cincinnati. I can't believe I'm getting to that age where my friends are getting married. Crazy!
What I learned from this weekend is that I need to throw a fake bridal shower. My roommate hit the kitchen appliance-lottery (there is such a thing, right?).
But on sadder news, I am officially ill. I hate getting sick in the summer, cause I feel like I'm missing out on all this nice weather. Stupid cold! So my training has been non-existent for the past 3 days, and I'm totally okay with that.
Reagan is ready to be picked up from her tune-up, but the bike shop is closed today. I'll pick her up tomorrow, and if I feel up to it, I'll give my clipless pedals a test-run. So stay tuned... I'll post photos, of course!
7.10.2009
A Big Week for Reagan
On Friday, I took Reagan to the local bike shop. She's been dying for a tune-up, and I don't know enough about bike maintenance to do it myself.
But I had secret motives behind this trip.
With only 5 weeks til my next triathlon, I knew it was now or never... to try out my clipless pedals.
(I'll wait for the applause to die down.)
So I asked the bike shop guys to give her a good tune-up, and reattach her god-given pedals (which I replaced with straps when I bought her last summer).
Then I went shoe shopping. I was sad to learn that triathlon shoes won't work with Reagan's pedals. Booo. So I tried on some regular cycling shoes. The sales-guy seemed to be pushing me towards a shoe with more tread on the bottom (possibly a mountain bike shoe?). He thought it would help me run easier in and out of transition.
My thought is... don't most triathletes just leave their shoes on their bike and run transition barefoot? If that's the case, tread wouldn't matter. So I asked to look at a road shoe instead.
I left the store with these...
Here they are at my house...
(Note the pink ribbon inside... 10% of proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen foundation.)
So I'm REALLY excited to try these out. Only problem now is... I don't have a bike! Reagan won't be done with her tune-up until NEXT weekend. Gurrr.
Hurry up, week! I'm sure everyone here wants to hear about my awesome first try (I WILL fall).
But I had secret motives behind this trip.
With only 5 weeks til my next triathlon, I knew it was now or never... to try out my clipless pedals.
(I'll wait for the applause to die down.)
So I asked the bike shop guys to give her a good tune-up, and reattach her god-given pedals (which I replaced with straps when I bought her last summer).
Then I went shoe shopping. I was sad to learn that triathlon shoes won't work with Reagan's pedals. Booo. So I tried on some regular cycling shoes. The sales-guy seemed to be pushing me towards a shoe with more tread on the bottom (possibly a mountain bike shoe?). He thought it would help me run easier in and out of transition.
My thought is... don't most triathletes just leave their shoes on their bike and run transition barefoot? If that's the case, tread wouldn't matter. So I asked to look at a road shoe instead.
I left the store with these...
Here they are at my house...
(Note the pink ribbon inside... 10% of proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen foundation.)
So I'm REALLY excited to try these out. Only problem now is... I don't have a bike! Reagan won't be done with her tune-up until NEXT weekend. Gurrr.
Hurry up, week! I'm sure everyone here wants to hear about my awesome first try (I WILL fall).
TGIF Photo Friday
(Topic courtesy Nikemom, and guest-hosted by Michelle.)
Even though this was a week ago, I got my hair cut!
As a girl, I'm liking it. But as a triathlete, I'm cursing the decision because my hair no longer goes in a pony tail (at least not without 1,000 bobby pins also). This is quite annoying.
On a different note, I began Maggie's training yesterday to learn to sleep on the floor (HA!).
I practiced with her yesterday afternoon, and she did quite well. I only had to pick her up and put her back in her bed twice.
But when nightfall came and we tried it for real, she would have none of it. I don't mind her up and walking around so much as I mind her whining and barking (especially when Ryan needs to be up at 6:30 in the morning).
So after an HOUR of monitoring her and keeping her in her bed and keeping her from barking, exhaustion got the best of me, and I caved.
She slept soundly in the big bed again. Curses.
Maybe I can do this every night, and she will eventually get the hint and stop freaking out. MAYBE.
Even though this was a week ago, I got my hair cut!
As a girl, I'm liking it. But as a triathlete, I'm cursing the decision because my hair no longer goes in a pony tail (at least not without 1,000 bobby pins also). This is quite annoying.
On a different note, I began Maggie's training yesterday to learn to sleep on the floor (HA!).
I practiced with her yesterday afternoon, and she did quite well. I only had to pick her up and put her back in her bed twice.
But when nightfall came and we tried it for real, she would have none of it. I don't mind her up and walking around so much as I mind her whining and barking (especially when Ryan needs to be up at 6:30 in the morning).
So after an HOUR of monitoring her and keeping her in her bed and keeping her from barking, exhaustion got the best of me, and I caved.
She slept soundly in the big bed again. Curses.
Maybe I can do this every night, and she will eventually get the hint and stop freaking out. MAYBE.
7.08.2009
Trying to Make Some Changes
I did 1/2 mile bike intervals on Sunday. This is me trying to improve my cycling (my weakest leg). I was averaging 17-19 mph, which is a good start (but not totally impressive).
I actually ran yesterday. I haven't run since my last tri, so my legs were aching a little bit. I did something new afterwards... I iced my knees. I haven't done that since high school, and it felt really good (numb the pain...).
I'm trying to start counting calories again, but it's not going so well. I usually make it about 2/3 of the way through the day, then give up and eat 3 cookies and a cheese quesadilla. I'm thinking of buying a food scale. I'm wondering if that would make my calorie tracking easier. I would like to lose 10 lbs by Labor Day, but that seems a little unrealistic for me right now.
I need to give Reagan a tune-up. I would also like to look into buying some cycling shoes. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where on earth I would even begin doing that? I'm nervous to leave it up to a local bike shop, cause they might try to sell me something I don't need.
That's about it. I've been busy. Well... not busy, necessarily, but just not bored like I was in Illinois. I have a boyfriend and a dog and a challenging job now. I have far less time to blog.
I've been working 8am - 5pm the past 3 days, so I'm totally exhausted. I can't wait to get back to my 2pm - 11pm schedule. Stupid crazy television industry.
I actually ran yesterday. I haven't run since my last tri, so my legs were aching a little bit. I did something new afterwards... I iced my knees. I haven't done that since high school, and it felt really good (numb the pain...).
I'm trying to start counting calories again, but it's not going so well. I usually make it about 2/3 of the way through the day, then give up and eat 3 cookies and a cheese quesadilla. I'm thinking of buying a food scale. I'm wondering if that would make my calorie tracking easier. I would like to lose 10 lbs by Labor Day, but that seems a little unrealistic for me right now.
I need to give Reagan a tune-up. I would also like to look into buying some cycling shoes. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where on earth I would even begin doing that? I'm nervous to leave it up to a local bike shop, cause they might try to sell me something I don't need.
That's about it. I've been busy. Well... not busy, necessarily, but just not bored like I was in Illinois. I have a boyfriend and a dog and a challenging job now. I have far less time to blog.
I've been working 8am - 5pm the past 3 days, so I'm totally exhausted. I can't wait to get back to my 2pm - 11pm schedule. Stupid crazy television industry.
7.03.2009
Recovery Week
Recovery for most triathletes involves shorter distances and lower heart rates.
Recovery for Kelly involves sitting on my butt and doing nothing.
WOO!
Well, I also worked 4 days, went grocery shopping, and got my hair cut. That's productivity, right?
So what did I learn from my last race?
My Dad and I have signed up for our next race. We will be competing in the Tri Indy Sprint Triathlon on August 16. The entire race takes place downtown Indianapolis (our swim is in the canal!). So it should be interesting. That's 6 weeks from now, so I need to get moving.
I'm just surprised that my Dad wants to do another one. I think he must've caught the bug!
Recovery for Kelly involves sitting on my butt and doing nothing.
WOO!
Well, I also worked 4 days, went grocery shopping, and got my hair cut. That's productivity, right?
So what did I learn from my last race?
- My Dad is faster than me. His run/walk/run technique is better than my slow jog.
- Seaweed is HORRIBLE. I spent the entire swim barely able to catch my breath because I was slightly panicked.
- Biking is not my strong suit. Even though I set a personal record for speed, I got passed by a lot of people. I had the SLOWEST time in the entire Athena group. Eek.
- Training is a good thing. This time I did not train, and I definitely felt the difference.
My Dad and I have signed up for our next race. We will be competing in the Tri Indy Sprint Triathlon on August 16. The entire race takes place downtown Indianapolis (our swim is in the canal!). So it should be interesting. That's 6 weeks from now, so I need to get moving.
I'm just surprised that my Dad wants to do another one. I think he must've caught the bug!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
