Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Swim Update

Last night I swam and it was good :)

I guess I should back up a bit.

he week after thanksgiving we had a 'recovery week'. I used that to 'recover' The only running that I did was the coached workout on that Saturday. The problem was that it HURT. My lower legs hurt so bad that I couldn't continue running. It was so frustrating and so disheartening. (and yes I spoke to the coach about it) The thing that kept me going was that I felt like I had finally straightened out my swim stroke! The last little piece seemed to be to get my hands in the water sooner. As soon as I started having my hands enter the water near my head instead at full extension everything seemed to just 'click'.

That Sunday I set my new bike up on the spinner (the weather's been bitter cold of late and I've been avoiding working out outside) and road and road. The only issue there is that even with padded shorts on I still had trouble with the seat being really really really uncomfortable.

The next week was a nightmare... Monday was supposed to be a swim day but I didn't make it to the pool, Tuesday I had choir, Wednesday was the coached workout and running again. I warmed up lots... and stretched tons after word. It was still a struggle getting around the track but at least I didn't have to resort to 'just' walking. Thursday I had choir again, Friday I had to get my kids, Saturday I had two concerts (that I sang in) and Sunday I just collapsed on the couch and spent so time with my kids. I was really starting to doubt I could pull this whole - Triathlon thing off.

The next week... well it didn't get better. I didn't even make it to the coached workouts. I ended up taking the ENTIRE week off from training! I was spending a LOT of time trying to figure out if this is what I really wanted.

Guess what - it is, and I do. I think some of my issues and struggles might have to do with not enough sleep, not paying close enough attention to my nutrition and never giving myself time to recover from my cold (I was sick almost the entire month of November).

I came into this week determined to return with fire! Even though last night was nightmare of things to do, places to be and people to see I got it done and it felt GREAT!

I got off work at 5:00 but hubby didn't manage to get across town to pick me up until after 5:30. It was 6:15 before we finally made it onto the Bay Bridge and onto the freeways. We had to stop at the store on the way home and pick up a gift that was waiting for me (although they ended up not having it ready - so yet more delays) At the end of it all we ended up finally getting home at about 8:00PM. I quickly changed and grabbed my workout stuff and fueled up with some carbs. There was no way I was going to give myself an excuse not to go.

First though, I had to stop at the mall. _I_ had finished all my shopping but my kids hadn't and they needed me to pick up their gifts for their step brother and my husband (they picked out the gifts - I had to buy them). And so into the mall I went all decked out in my sweatpants and Team in Training Shirt :) As it always does hitting the mall took longer then I wanted and by the time I hit the gym it was 10:10. Still determined I suited up and hit the pool. I was really worried what slacking the past few weeks had done. I fully expected to be back at square one. But... I wasn't. In fact it turned out to be my strongest swim yet! It's possible that I never fully recovered from my cold? or that my body was in desperate need of some recovery time but whatever the reason something was 'on' last night. I only got 23 minutes in the pool (and the guy was standing on the edge of the pool waiting to close it when I finally finished) and I made it 1000 yards. To give you an idea why I'm so pleased, last time I did 1000 Yards in the pool it took me 35 minutes. The best part was how I felt. I was breathing every fourth or third stroke the whole time. I took only 15-20 second rest between sets and I did a whole 500 Yards without stopping and hardly noticed. Granted, I was tired by the end of it all but it was so so worth it!

It'll be interesting to see how tonights run goes. It's warmed up a little in these parts, but that's because it's started raining. The schedule calls for a 'Run' with three minute walks and 2 minute walks. I can't use the treadmill because the gym closes at 5:00 tonight so that probably means outdoor running in the rain after work tonight. Fun! :) At least I'll get to try out the new Nike+ that I got as a 'pre' Christmas present. I love gadgets! I'll have to write up a review after I've used it a few times.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Hurry Hurry, Time is Running Out!

Time is quickly running out on this once in a lifetime opportunity to save money on your 2008 taxes!

"How can I do that?" you ask?

It's simple, go to http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/lavatri09/smuellerboddy and make a donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)! That's right, not only will your donation to the LLS give the special gift of hope to the 138,000 people in the United States who were diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma in 2008, but you'll also be saving money on your taxes! 100% of your donation is tax deductable!

And that's not all! Donate now, and you'll earn the right to wear or display these amazing badges for as many days as you like!

"How much will this tremendous offer cost me?" you ask?

That's entirely up to you, but here are a few suggestions.

$5.00 --- $1 for every month I'll be training for the Lavaman triathlon with Team in Training.

$25.00 --- $5 for every month I'll be training (I get up at 6:30AM ... on SATURDAYS to make it to training most weekends)

$40.00 --- $1 for every year of my life at the time of my race (My birthday is January 4th and a donation would be the PERFECT birthday gift)

$50.00 --- $1 for every pound I plan to lose before race day

$100.00 --- $2 for every pound I plan to lose before race day (talk about extra insentive for me!)

$500.00 --- $500 for keeping Uncle Sam out of your pocket book - even just a little

$5,000.00 --- $5000 for me to get off the computer, stop sending emails and just TRAIN already!

Thank you once again to everyone who's already donated. Thanks to you I am 6% of the way toward my fund raising goal. You too are welcome to print out a badge and show the world what you're made of!

Merry Christmas

Generous Person

Remember, you can also track my progress at http://www.shawntris.com/

I've Swam/Biked/Ran over 60 miles already! Come on in and cheer me on!

P.S. - you are welcome to send a donation by check too. Just make it out to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and address it to:

(send me an email for my address)

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving, has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Hurry Hurry! Time is running Out!

Time is quickly running out on this once in a lifetime opportunity to save money on your 2008 taxes!

"How can I do that?" you ask?

It's simple, go to http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/lavatri09/smuellerboddy and make a donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)! That's right, not only will your donation to the LLS give the special gift of hope to the 138,000 people in the United States who were diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma in 2008, but you'll also be saving money on your taxes! 100% of your donation is tax deductable!

And that's not all! Donate now, and you'll earn the right to wear or display these amazing badges for as many days as you like!

"How much will this tremendous offer cost me?" you ask?

That's entirely up to you, but here are a few suggestions.

$5.00 --- $1 for every month I'll be training for the Lavaman triathlon with Team in Training.

$25.00 --- $5 for every month I'll be training (I get up at 6:30AM ... on SATURDAYS to make it to training most weekends)

$40.00 --- $1 for every year of my life at the time of my race (My birthday is January 4th and a donation would be the PERFECT birthday gift)

$50.00 --- $1 for every pound I plan to lose before race day

$100.00 --- $2 for every pound I plan to lose before race day (talk about extra insentive for me!)

$500.00 --- $500 for keeping Uncle Sam out of your pocket book - even just a little

$5,000.00 --- $5000 for me to get off the computer, stop sending emails and just TRAIN already!

Thank you once again to everyone who's already donated. Thanks to you I am 6% of the way toward my fund raising goal. You too are welcome to print out a badge and show the world what you're made of!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3295/3095492443_719a31c23d_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3224/3095500169_de971c2523_o.jpg

Remember, you can also track my progress at http://www.shawntris.com/

I've Swam/Biked/Ran over 60 miles already! Come on in and cheer me on!

P.S. - you are welcome to send a donation by check too. Just make it out to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and address it to:

Shawn Mueller-Boddy
429 Chase Street
Mountain House, CA 95391

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving, has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Shawn

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Monday, December 1, 2008

Is this? Could it be? A Schedule

Ok - I know I'm new to this whole 'tri' thing... But I do know it's something I want to do! I like exercising for a purpose.

To that end I've signed up for a few...uh.. things

No - it's not an Ironman :) Maybe in 2010 :P

But here's how 2009 is shaping up for me

March - Lavaman - Hawaii

May - Napa Valley Sprint (I've signed up for this twice and never made it to the starting line)

August - Sharkfest Swim - SF

September - Escape from the Rock Triathlon - SF (No this isn't that huge race that you have to go into a drawing for - it's another one)

October - Tri, Girl, Tri - Napa

Ok - I'm starting to think I'm crazy! :)

PS

by 'padded underwear' I did mean biker shorts ;)

I have a pair of gel biking shorts that I wear under my sweats - sorry I'm not wearing JUST those shorts in public - and the public thanks me for that!

Run Run Run

Seems all I ever do is Swim Bike Run!

heheheh - I'm teasing :)

Yesterday was a captains run Alllllll the way in Alameda.  It's about an hours drive for me... But with traffic you never know so I left myself some extra time.  I knew the run wasn't going to be too fun because 1) it was cold and 2) I HURT from biking (and running).  But it was a GLORIOUS day by the bay so I was determined to enjoy this as much as possible.

Not many people showed.  In fact TNT trainers, coaches, staff etc WAY outnumbered the participants.  I guess that's to be expected on a holiday weekend?

I was a little stunned when the captain announced that beginners were running 5 minutes and walking 5 minutes for thirty minutes.  I just upped my run interval to 3 minutes a week ago!  Given that we were already going from 20 minutes to 30 minutes it made no sense to me to lengthen the intervals at the same time!  He also let us know that today was supposed to be a 'nice easy' run.  'Watch your exertion, do the talk test..."  Well, I made the executive decision to go at MY pace.  I did the 30 minutes but ran 3, walked 2 as I have been for the entire week.  As it was it was hard.  Like a numbskull I had left the house in such a hurry that I didn't eat and I really felt it.  Normally once I'm past the first interval I get a little energy boost and the other intervals get easier.  Not this time.  It was hard the whole time.  BUT!  I went the whole 30 minutes and made it over 2 miles!  That puts me faster then my previous marker set just a short while ago! yay!  The only other run I've done faster was when I only ran 15 minutes.  Note to self - no skipping breakfast before runs!

When I was home I was a little vindicated to find out that I wasn't insane.  For some reason our captain(guess he can be forgiven since he just finished Ironman Arizona) was reading the workout wrong.

it's written 5 x 3' run /3' walk

He had told the 'intermediate' group to "Run for five minutes, walk for six'  which had them all going HUH?  too.  Turns out they were supposed to:  5 x 6' run/2' walk  it was kind of funny :)  Glad I listened to my own body and did what was right for me.  and ended up being the right workout after all! :)

So, at the end of week 3:

Swim:  .9
Bike:  17.6
Run: 3.3

Total:  21.8

Training to Date:

Swim: 5
Bike: 40.4
Run: 14.9

Total:  60.3

BTW - after listening to myself whine about how 'hard' all this was.  I did some thinking/reflecting

I remembered back to when I first started weight lifting.  I distinctly remember writing a post in my blog about how 'hard' it was.  How I hurt all the time and 'will this ever get easy?'

I can tell you that yes, yes it did.  I can walk into any gym and feel like I belong.  I have a confidence that even a layoff can't shake and I can lift weights without hurting from head to toe for days on end.

I'm looking forward to when I can say the same about biking and running :P