A sunny fall

Well We have been having some amazing weather here is Seattle and I have been fortunate enough to enjoy it. Last weekend I hit the trails for a 42 mile bike ride and my plane for this weekend is to hit the Half century mark.  I rode with a  group of people last week so this may be a touch harder riding solo.  It is a very flat rout so it almost feel like its cheating but it is still a long time to be in the saddle so I am enjoying the practice.  Today I will be heading out for a run on my lunch hour so the I will be free after work for some home improvement task. I am making an accent wall in my bed room (we shall see how this turns goes).
Recently I was very lucky to have a little gift sent my way I now have a full tri kit that is decked out in Team Gleason I am so stoked I rode with the jersey last weekend and loved it.  I will have to shoot a picture and get it up here soon.  Here is to the off season my goal is to stay in shape and get stronger I am hitting the weights this year to build up some muscles.  Until next time
-RR-

Hello Again

      Well I am back...ish.  If you follow this blog you are aware that sometimes I go time with out an update sorry.  But when I don't train I don't Blog. The long and short of it is that I did 4 triathlons this summer but I never hit my goal of the 70.3.  I had a training set back when I took a month off before the big race due to my mother being in the Neuro ICU at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle WA.  She had a brain aneurism bust, which caused a major brain bleed.  In this time I was with family and doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing... Training took a back seat as it should have.  I am happy to report that My mother is doing great by the grace of God and thanks to a huge army or prayer warriors.  I still went to my race but I did the olympic distance and not the full blown 70.3 ( it had a little bit of a different feel due to the fact my mom could not be there but I picked up her shirt and did a race for 2 Gleasons I know :).  I went on to do 2 more Triathlons and a open water swim race.  I am now in rest mode with no actually training plan but am set on doing a 70.3 next summer and I will be spending the off season working on individual skills and concentrating on keeping my fitness level up with cross training and pool work.  My goal is to do a half marathon in the off season to make sure I keep my running up to snuff ( because I hate/love running).  I believe I have a few Picture of my races I will try to get posted.
NO WHITE FLAGS
-RR-

Weekend Update

Friday night time trail 1000m: 
I got to the pool late after meeting some friends for dinner and laughs.  So I hopped in and was all warmed up and off I went. I got done I was feeling great looked down at my stop watch and NOTHING!!! SAY WHAT!  This was my first official time trial and I was looking forward to seeing how I stack up with the average swimmer.  You know if I have a lot of work or I am on pace.  I was heart broken but got over it cause in all reality I did it in some amount of time but my skills are still the same even if I don't know what that time was.  It was also 5 to midnight so I was ready to be done and go to bed. I had a ride scheduled with my boss at 7am so that was fast approaching.  But I did not want to miss out on my Friday night tradition of gyming it up.
Saturday's Ride:
Well like gang busters we were off on our 30 mile loop around lower Lake Washington.  Not but 4 min into the ride I notice that I can not shift into my smallest chain ring my boss said you don't need it anyway its for cheaters, I don't even have it. So onward and upward. About 2 mins after that I blow out my back tire. Needless to say this ride was starting a little rough and by the end I could only use my big chain ring and was really building some serious quad muscles.  We shaved ten mins off our ride time from the week before. So that was a bonus the negative is that my gear shifter is jammed and I currently only have 3 option for riding: hard, a little less hard and easiest of the hard.  On the list to get looked at sooner then later.
Sunday 10k race:
I was not in good spirits about this race from my race packet pick up process.  It was in a mall with terrible parking so after wondering around a parking garage for about 20 mins then finding the store in the mall my simple packet pick up was a 45 min excursion.  Once I was in the store things were moving quick it was just all the extras. Oh yeah and a major highway was shut down in Seattle and there was only one way to cross the water.  So the return trip to Seattle took me 45 mins for 8 miles. Not fun. So last night I crawled into be at about 10pm to try and get a good night sleep because the 5:45am wake up call was going to come quick.  I woke up had some breakfast and headed out.  Everything this morning was well organized and it was great little race very hilly and so I took it easy on the down hill because of my hip pain.  It was a slow race I added 8 mins from my lst 10k so I have some running work to do but we all knew that.  Still no walking and so I am happy.
Sunday softball:
Now I am off to play in my slow pitch game my legs just feel fatigued I have taken some ibuprofen and am hoping that will do the trick to off set soreness until tomorrow.  I think that my rest week/weekend should have had more rest. I ran 20 mins more then I was supposed to and rode 45 mins more than I was supposed to.  But hey, ya do what ya got to do.  I need the motivation of doing group activities hence the group ride and 10k race.  Happy Training everyone
-RR-
P.S. I really feel like a rookie runner this time around.

Hardest week to date.

Well this was my toughest week (4/15-4/22) of training so far.

Sunday: 40 mile bike 30 mins run
Monday Long Swim:  2500m
Tuesday: Bike: 1 hour small chainring only effort outside or on trainer.
              Run : 30 mins
Wednesday: REST!!!!!
Thursday hell I mean: Brick- Run: 90 min run
                                 Speed work Swim : 1550m
Friday: Swim 1950m
Saturday: Bike 2 hours
               Run - 30 mins
Sunday:  Run 30 mins
              Bike 1 hour.

Now that was the schedule and I did it all but this was a mental toughness week.  On Thursday I was not feeling well and by no feeling I was curled up on my bed debating what doctor I should call to get a sex change operation so I do not have to deal with pain like this every month (sorry for the TMI but it is necessary like I said triathletes have no shame or boundaries I guess I am becoming one).  I then had a come to Jesus moment and realized this was a teaching moment and I will conquered a lot more by just powering out this workout then I would if I postponed or cheated/shortened it.  I also got a text from a friend that said how is your work out of death coming along (I couldn't tell him that I skipped it) which helped throw me into first gear which was the only gear available that day.  So off to the store I went at 8:45pm at night walked in and bought 500 ibuprofen, Gatorade and cliff bar and headed to the gym.  I drove a little farther so that I would be in the warm pool for my swim.  I walk in hopped on the treadmill to watch the end of the Mariners game and off to the races I went.  After my first hour on the treadmill it just stopped.. I realized it is only programmed for 1 hour long runs I was very close to closing up shop and taking that as a sign.  But I looked down and saw my No White Flags bracelet and wouldn't let myself do it so I powered it on for one more half hour.  It was one of the most challenging runs I have ever done but I did it. P.S. you should never run for 90 mins on a treadmill the scenery is boring. After what felt like the longest 1/2 hour of my life time, off to the pool I went cliff bar in hand and mouth. Swim felt great and I headed for home at my usual time of 11:40pm.  I think that I will look back at that night as a break out workout.  It was slow and painful but worth it. I am going to need that mental strength on race day.
The sliver lining:
After you have a workout like that one everything else seems a little easier like: I only have to do one workout today or 2 hours on the bike no problem I was on it for 3 hours last week.  I think these people may actually know what they are doing here with these training programs.
The weekend:
With my new I'm a kick ass woman hear me roar attitude. I enjoyed every single bit of training on the weekend I felt strong and motivated.  It was also very sunny in Seattle which helps.  I felt like nothing could keep me down so I headed out for my run on Sunday morning after a little time with coffee and Jesus on my rooftop.  On my return I got stopped by a train so I did some lunges and sprints to keep my hear rate up and I was lucky enough to have some great tunes on.  Just when the train passed I was listening to one of my favorite Garth songs Ireland. I just took off with a vengeance and was quickly stopped when my right arm slammed into nothing else but a Warning Railroad Crossing sign.  I ran right into it as my body shook some of the people stopped by the train seemed to be concerned for me as well and asked if I was alright I gave em a wave and continued on to my home.  Not my finest moment and I had a little road rash to explain but all in all I stayed on my feet and was mostly unharmed beside my ego of course.  Moral of the story the one thing that could slow me down is a rail road sign and the miss judgement of my broad shoulders.
Current week:
 A week of recovery and I have been enjoying its small workouts 6 days a week.  I have a 10k race planned for Sunday (I am supposed to just do a 60 min run this will take me about 70 mins) and a 25 mile bike ride planned for Saturday (this should take me 1:40 mins and I am supposed to just do 60 mins).  I will be doing a touch more then I should but I think its okay I'm itching to get back at it.
-RR-

40 miles down

Time to wake up early and eat some food get through the morning routine and hit the road in my car for a quick 45 minute drive south for the start of my 40 mile joy ride. Once I was on the road i was in good spirits listening to music a bit nervous/excited to see how these road races/ride go. They give you a number but it is not a race its just for fun.The bike still on my car while I am getting my saddlebag filled: a tube, CO2, and a bike tool that had arrived on Friday... Just in time.

I kept looking around to see how other people were prepared to see if i had all the right gear and to see if i looked like I know what I am doing.  You see I ride alone all the time so I have no idea what cyclist do.  I mean I guess but really I am new to the sport.

It was a beautiful day with great scenery.

  NOW it is time to hit the road.

I head out and at first have no clue how to follow the "well marked" route. So with frustration I just end up following people...Then the 60 mile/40mile split 3 miles into the ride which way do I go?? right or left??  I follow my instincts ( okay judgements really) and follow the group going left with people that had normal pedals.  Now I realize I could have made the wrong choice but I saw how tricked out those bike heading right were so I stayed left.  Turns out I made the correct choice and was headed out on my 40 mile trek.  Now it is about time for me to figure out this "well marked" path and I still have nothing! and by this time I have passed all of my leaders ( hoping in the mean time they are now not just following me).  I stop in a turn filled neighborhood and take out my spec sheet to study the next few turns. By this time swear words are rolling through my head directed at the person who said this is one of the easiest courses to follow.  I am now thinking of turning around and bailing after 8miles thinking this is just not worth it.  Just when I was about to turn my bike around and head for the hills... A woman just speeds on by me making three turns with ease and as she is probably wondering why I am pulled on over with my spec sheet out.  I'm thinking wow she is good if she has all these turns down and memorized.  Then I see it, a clearly mark spray painted direction arrow on the ground.  All the anger and frustration turns inward and I think thank goodness I was riding alone and no one witnessed my stupidity.  Once I saw those it was smooth sailing.  I had an absolute blast on the ride and felt pretty good beside a few aches and pains from being in the saddle for near three hours but other then that things were great.  Time 2:50 mins for 41 miles.  average speed 13.5mph with 1680ft elevation change.  I love biking the more I do it and feel good about my first real actual long ride.

-RR-

Week of travel and beyond.

Well I managed to get in one work out on my trip to Denver and it was in the pool.  I was doing a ladder type workout and it was tough when doing speed drills it was hard finding the O2.  My hip still is bothering me when I am running so I have been neglecting that discipline (safety first). When I returned home after a ton of fun time with my family I put on my game face for training once again.  I have been on track for the most part and did an 80min run with no hip pain until the next morning so that was good news. I will be participating in a 40 mile ride this Sunday so I am looking forward to seeing how I stack up.  This will be a good gauge to see how my training has been going and now that I am all tricked out on my bike with a computer and what not it will be easy to track as well.  I will be up and at em around 5am so this should also be good race day prep for nutrition and pre race rituals.  TMI WARNING: Also I have learned that the word rituals in running and triathlon just means "going to the bathroom".  This is why people get up and eating so fast in the am, so all business is taken care of before race time.  Sorry for the over share but its so true the more you train and hang out with distance athletes the less privacy you have about those type of things.  Comes with the territory I guess.  I know I have been a slack fest on the updates but I have really just been in the swing of things. I still do not have a great schedule I am following.  I need to be a bit more consistent but if I am getting the miles in I don't care at this point.  I will be sure to give a race/ride update on Monday until next time.
-RR-

High quality.... maybe not.

Well here are some cell phone picture of a few of my training rides and runs, I also have my wetsuit picture that I was debating on putting on the web but since my sister already did that, it will find itself on my blog as well. Warning to all sisters/friends out there it is a good idea to check with an individual before plastering their shrink wrapped wetsuited body on the internet. That is all for now.

Here is a picture of one of my bike routes I always seem to get wind but it sure is a pretty ride.

 This is a shot of another bike trial the opposite direction Alki beach looking out to the Olympic mountains.

 This is the same place but looking toward down town Seattle.  A Cell phone does not give it justice but it is a pretty cool view from over there.

 This picture is to show that I have finally stepped it up and got a safe riding jacket I have been riding in all black (people/parents and friends don't like that so much).  Not any more hunter's orange here I come.

 Here is a picture of my beloved wetsuit.  It was a bit of a struggle to get in it the first time but felt great.  You will have to excuse the closet on the right, joys of 430sq ft living space.

 This is a picture from hwy 99 nice little sunset action.

 This is the Elliott bay trail by my house.

Hope you liked the pictures I know blogs are more fun with picture so I am sorry for the delay and will try and keep them coming.  I am off to beautiful Denver CO. I may have a few picture to post from that vacation if I remember to take a few shots.  Happy Training
-RR-

Last week of phase 1

My training is broken up in to 4 phases.  So You have different goals for each.  Phase 1 has been building and its purpose is to get used to the program and working out kinks in the schedule.  I have one week left of this which may be a bit more difficult with a trip to Denver built into it.  I have done research and there is a 24 hour fitness close to my sister's place so that is great news.  The only thing I will struggle with will be biking outside this may be a week of spin bike action.  I am very excited because my Mom will be there and she will be be able to watch me swim, for free (free, works well with the budget).  Things have been going well less adjustment needed this week but still things get shuffled a bit.

Biking:
Biking has been a hard thing to get going I am looking for a route that does not have as much stop and go action in the beginning. I have to go out and find a trail I can ride for a couple 3 hours at a time and get my bike computer (this is the next thing on the list) up and running.  Like actuality buy one which will be happening with my next pay check.

Swimming:
I have found I really like swimming it is a challenge but relaxing at the same time I think because it is so quiet and it is just you and your swim.  It is very nice and I feel like I can do it even with some aches and pains so I never really worry about injuring myself more from doing it which is also wonderful.

Running:
I have been concerned with my hip issue and so I got a message and took my long run off this week and gave my hip some rest I hit a couple of 30 min runs and they felt great so I'm hoping that is how things stay.  I am learning to listen to my body and not push it to the point of no return (something I learned about in my last adventure).

I am still excited about this whole goal and have been getting better about what I am eating/drinking (no alcohol for this girl but brownies are fine),  how much I am resting and what other activities I am in like slow pitch softball.... I used to play "real"  softball so when I showed up to my games I used to just walk on the field and go for it. That is no longer in the plans I am the old guy that runs before the game and stretches so I do not hurt myself for training.  That is my biggest fear, hurting myself doing something stupid.  Not much else to report on.
-RR_

Work out of Death Test!!

I have an update on the "workout of death"... I can now just call it a workout thank goodness.  This time I powered through our 55 minutes of hell and felt great.  By great I mean all my muscles in my whole body were burning/aching in the I am getting stronger and I love it way.  Last time I attempted this work out my training had not begun yet and I was not as in shape as I thought.  I had no core and I could barely move for three days after it.  This time I could tell all my practice in the past three weeks has been worth it.  It is the only time in my life where I feel like 45 seconds is an eternity, and it can cause words I didn't even know existed come out of my mouth ( I my need to call Mr. Webster about those there are some good ones).  My core is in a whole new place and I can walk today and my abs are not sore like can't laugh they are sore like I know they exist.  I may have over done it a bit yesterday because I hit the pool before this workout and my arm were jelly by the time it was over but I cannot wait to go back.  My training has been trucking along and Still has me interested so that is good, I feel like I have caught the bug and will be doing triathlons for a very long time to come.  Off to hit a 1 hour run.... woohoo I am so excited.  Running is still the hardest thing for me to get mentally excited about because I still hate it, but it is never as bad as I think it is going to be so here is to a quick 60min run.
-RR-

Week 2 done with ajustments.

Well I have not had as much time to blog as I would like because I sleep workout and work.  I don't have the web at home ( who could afford that when you have to buy something every week for this triathlon deal) so posts are done at Starbucks/My office (cough cough).  Week 2 had adjustment due to an unexpected day off and a race I already had planned on my day off so I rearranged some things and did a few more double days to get the miles in.  I went to the store yesterday and bought some essentials for helping me get my training into more of a routine.  I now have a white board on my fridge with the weeks AM and PM workouts so I know what days I need to be in bed early and what days I can stay up past Jeopardy ( it airs at 7:30pm local time) for some big kid TV.  I also have a workout planner I carry with me so I know when I can squeeze in friend time and other things like grocery shopping and cleaning the house.  Now that I am all set on the organization I am feeling like I can really kick things into high gear.  Today Started my new AM/PM schedule and I woke up with ease at 4:45am this morning to get my swim in.  I was only able to do this because I was asleep by 10:30 last night.  Now with the most time consuming part of my workout done I'll be able to be snoozing again tonight by 10:00pm hopefully.  In turn I will be able to keep up this Blog a little better as well.
Happy Training
-RR-
P.S. I got my wetsuit in the mail on friday but more on that later:)

Week one in the books

A little more than I thought to say the least.  My training schedule says that I would only be working out for about 8 hours a week.... but I am slower then the average bear so it been a little more for me.  And even if you are only working out for 1.5 hours it still consume WAY more time than that.  I head to the gym about 9pm and will leave around 11:45pm-12:15am. between changing getting ready and transitioning into the pool. then Warming up there, and getting to the workout it just takes time.  In other news I have a wet suit coming at me hot, as an early birthday present from my mom.  So I only have a few more things to check off the list and I will be all set to go.  My social life has slowed on the week nights for sure but the weekend I cram as much friend time as possible. Now for week 2 adventures.
-RR-

No time for error

I rushed home and put on my biking gear picked up my packages.  What packages, thanks for asking.  I got a new digital scale in the mail and also got a training diary.  So once those were stashed away in my apartment I hit the road.  It was a cold ride, I did not feel it but in my toes. when I got home and my external body temp was bringing the temperate in my house ( I use the term house loosely) down at least 10 degrees my body was so cold.  During this ride I realized that I need as brighter bike light and shoe booties or covers whatever the bikers call em.  I was good for a while but by the end my toes were numb..ish it was about 44 degrees out and then sun was down so I am not being a total wienie.  My bike light is fine for people and cars to see me but I could not really see the road or terrain to well when I was on the bike path with no lights.  I guess I will be shopping this weekend.  Now it was time to get some food in my belly and get ready for the second workout of the day my run.  BY the time I was all geared up and ready the treadmill at my apartment was occupied... boo to that. So a change in the plan occurred I went up stair and did a workout of death for my second workout and am pushing my run to the next day because there is only on workout scheduled.  I did my core, and lunges and arms and cardio jumping exercise and called it good.  I can already tell a difference in my core strength just from a week ago but I guess that will happen when you start working on it more :).  10 more days and I am going to get my test with that workout again. Hoping to not pass out.
Today I will be doing my 30 mins run and a short..ish swim work out. Sounds fun right.  until next time.
-RR-

Day one recap

Well I cheated on my first workout I was supposed to run for 40 mins and well I did 30 mins instead. I then continued into the pool where I had 2200 to knockout which I did, But I now see just in one day, how important planning is.... Yes mom I am admitting that planning is a necessity.  I have very busy Mondays and so I thought that I could workout at night like 10pm well let me tell you that is not a good plan.  I did not get home until 12:30am.  My big plan was to get my bike in this morning before work, but with the midnight 30 home arrival time last night/this morning it was just not conducive for my ride. I knew that sleeping would be more beneficial to my body then cranking out a ride on about 5 hours of sleep.  So now I am in a time crunch after work to get home and on by bike before the sun goes down at 6:08pm.  I am sure I will manage. Armed with some new knowledge from the past 24 hours. I already have some changes planned for my workout and sleep schedule next week. Go to bed early to get up early and split the double days to morning and afternoon workouts.  This will be much better than having to do both workouts back to back.  Continuing on the planning portion of things I have a triathlon workout schedule/Journal arriving in the mail today to track workouts and nutrition over the course of my training.  This will be very helpful with progress, accountability, and nutrition affects on my workout, without having to just remember how things worked or didn't work.  Heck if I learn this much every workout this would be GREAT!!  I will check in again soon.  Happy training.
-RR-

And away we go....

Day number one of training starts today with a 40min run and a long swim that will cover over 2200m.  It is official I am now training for a half ironman and I will tell you that I am soo excited and very nervous at the same time.  I recently did a workout with a friend and their personal training and I will tell you what, my core and my fitness level are not where I want them to be at all.  I have been so concerned with my pre-training and being able to do activities for a long amount of time that I have neglected other things I must work on.  An example of this being ask me to run for 45 mins or an hour I'll say yeah I can do that no problem (ish beside the whole I hate running thing).  Ask me to do 3 wind sprints and I will pass out right in front of you.  Or ask me to do bicycle crunches and in the following days I'll find it hard to get in and out of bed and curse my friend for making me laugh my abs are so sore.  So I have learned a lesson that I wish I had learned about 4 weeks ago but you know better late then never.  I need to work on core strength and interval training BAD.. So I have a goal to have my core stronger in 2 weeks and I will test this by trying my hand at the work out of death again in 2 weeks to see how I compare to my last effort.   If you are wondering how my last effort went, well I started the workout at 6pm and ended it at 6:25pm because I felt like I was going to fall right over due to fainting.  I am now armed with core and strength routine to help with my over all fitness and to help me kick butt on my next workout of death test. 
My prep in other areas has been going well and I am ready to do the damn thing.  I have changed my diet up  cutting out alcohol and watching my protein and crab intake, and making sure to eat after workouts.  I have a standard shake in the am to start my day off right, and I can feel a difference in my energry so the only thing left to do is a one day a time workout attidude.  So here I go wish me luck with my goal of compleating a 70.3.  I just want to finish it and I'm hoping i do not have to walk any of the run besides aid staions.  The calm before the storm has begun and I know I am not even sure what I am in for but I am ready to do it...  "The more we sweat in practice the less we bleed in battle." - unknown
NO WHITE FLAGS!!!!
-RR-

Miss Calculation surprise

So when counting back from my race I must have messed up because I thought I started my official training on the 27th of Feb.  Not so much I actually do not start until March 5th.  With this in mind I am feeling pretty good. I feel like I have enough time to get myself where I need to be in a slow and steady wins the race type pace.  I was able to swim on my vacation and did pool workouts every other day.  Better then nothing and a easier way to keep my strength up, than pounding the pavement in the rain.  I am goign to work on more running and speed work so that I am not slugging along on my running and I'll be looking at different races to keep me on track and motivated. 
Jitters-
I know I have not been giving any real workout up dates and I probably will be veg with them until I can upload my schedule.  So I thought I would go through how I am feeling about this HUGE commitment in front of me.  There are many things in my life that are important to me and my social life is one of them.  I love staying busy and hanging out with friends and family.  There have been very few times in my time here in the Emerald City that I have said I'll pass I want to stay home and chill out by myself.  I am up for anything an impromptu road trip, baseball game, concert or movie just to mention a few.  As my starting line is getting close I know that I will be making some sacrifices in this department, and I am not so sure how I feel about it.  I know with my training schedule I will need more sleep and probably less time kicking back beers with friends on the weekends. To say sorry I'm heading home I have a long run tomorrow will be the hard part for me.  I did this during my 1/2 marathon and it turned out just fine but that was only 12 weeks and not 6 workouts a week with double days. So this next 20 weeks of work then training then friends may be difficult especially when you throw a vacation and an out of town wedding in the mix.  But all in all I am getting excited to see what I can push my body and more importantly my mind to do.  The days are getting longer here and with every day getting about 3 minutes longer, I can almost see my after work runs and bikes fitting in nicely.  I already have butterflies in my stomach thinking about how much I will indefinitely learn about myself during this journey. It is right around the corner and I can't wait to begin.

Getting ready.

2 Weeks until full blown training and I have gotten all of my ducks in a row.  I had a quick Vegas trip Where I would say I got mentally prepared for my workouts meaning I did zero physical activity while I was there.  I lost a little weight in my wallet but I did not make time for a work out.  Trying to win back your own money is a time consuming activity.  Upon my return to the Emerald city I went right back to the grind.  I did a bike run combo work out I did a cross training cardio gym class.  I exchanged my new bike shoes for ones that were one size bigger, I have not been able to ride my bike because my shoes have not fit correct and well, it has been raining here for days, years, weeks, months.  So on the first sunny day I went and got my shoes.  So with my new shoes prepped and ready I did my first clip-less bike ride on Saturday, it was a lot more successful then I thought.  I had zero incidents but then again I was on a trail and only had to clip out once so I foresee there being some hangs up next time I am on my bike.
Then it was time for Super Sunday. I started my day with a 45 min swim and then I headed off to a Super Bowl party, to cheer on the Pats and well that didn't go over too well.  I made a bet that I would shave my head if they lost, but I made this bet when they were up by 7 or 8 points in the 3rd quarter..... Turns out that was a dumb bet to make.  After the game I sat down in a chair in front of everyone and the clippers came out and one small patch of hair was snipped off.  During this time I was crying for the thought of not having to use a swim cap again for a couple of months was not so appealing.  But thank goodness that is as far as it went and I got a hug and a I'm just kidding I am not going to shave your head.  Looked like it was my lucky day. After all of that drama had settled down I headed home for a good nights rest and a full head of hair to attack the work week.  Trying to squeeze as many work outs in this week before I take off to Houston for a nice vacation, when I am there I will only be able to run and swim so I will be trying to get more bike time in this week.  Slow and steady wins the race.
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Run... Boring.

Well if you are looking for a lough you will not find one here today.  If you have followed my blog at all you will know that I have already done the whole running thing.  I figured things out the hard way (most of the time) about clothing choice and the advancement of anti-chafing products ( body glide is the best!!!!).  So the only thing you will get here is I ran at the gym on the treadmill and watched the Bachelor.  It was just a 5k run with a quick walk (.25 mile) for a warm up and a long walk (.75 mile) as cool down.  I will have to admit they have TV's on the running machine (that's what I some times like to call the treadmill its not always my best friend).  So I may have been sucked in and walked a bit longer at the end to see who getting a rose and or who Courtney was being a jerk to.  I may not be able to blab on about the running but the bachelor I could talk for hours.  My run seemed to fly by with all the who's he kissing now, to really?! you are riding a horse through a river to meet everyone (even I thought that was a bit high on the cheese factor).  But when all said and done I felt good and headed home for my post running ritual, icing.  I have had injuries in the past and so now I am in the preventative measures camp.  I ice my knees and achilles after every run.  Can never be too cautious.
Today I am going to swim so you may get a good story or two tomorrow.  Here's to hoping I get my swim cap on in one try!!
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Swim Time

So there I was switching gyms to one that has a pool and one that my friend goes to.  I need a partner in crime (PIC) to break into the swimming world.  For those of you in it I'm sure it seems second nature to you. Kind of like me on a golf course I do not have to think about when to pull the pin when to talk or not talk, or make sure I am not walking in someone's line when then are going to putt.  All of those things I had to learn but I don't even have to think about any more.  So back to the swimming.  First I had to get a suit, it turns out you can not swim in your 3 year old tankini it just does not work.  You may have a Janet Jackson moment it the pool, and last time I checked the pool is a family friendly establishment and there is no room for wardrobe malfunctions.  Trying on swimsuits, not fun if you were wondering. I tried no less then 8 on (there were only 12 on the rack).  I had high hopes of getting my favorite color, red and looking fast in my new suit.  Well that did not happen I ended up with a bright blue suit with Seahawks green and white seams.  So I went from speed racer, to I think I am wearing the same suit my 5 year old niece wears.  But it fit, and I loved swimming in it so I do not care one bit... ish.
So now we have arrived at the pool and right from the locker room I was nervous, asking my partner in crime, if I wear flips out on the deck, if I bring my towel, if it is okay to pee in the pool (turns out that is never okay).
She walked me through every step.
1. Shower before you do anything else.
2. find an open lane. Now this was tricky because there was no open lane so she said we might have to share a lane with someone.....Excuse me did you just say share??? I am not even sure I know how to swim and now I have to know how to go in a straight line and not run over anyone or drown??? Seems a bit sketchy to me. We however were lucky and the person in one of our lanes mover over.  Now I only have to worry about my self and my PIC.
3. Dunk completely under water and put on your swim cap (not an easy task!!  I think that I damn near gave myself a black eye trying to get that thing on my head).  They say to put your hands on the inside of it the stretch outward... Well my fingers/hands did not have the strength to open it that way so I tried my own method.  Put it on your forehead and pull back slowly.  This is where the slapping in the face portion of the program began.  I would but it on around my nose and try and pull back well it snapped me in the eyes twice so then I went from back to front nope not that way it snapped me in the nose.  after some more tries I got my swim camp on.  Not sure how I even did it I just know I will not be taking if off for any part of the swim.
4. Put on goggles and now it is time to swim.

The swimming went pretty well, but after the first 100m I decided that I was not going to do this 70.3 I mean my arms were burning and I still had a ways to go.  But with some encouragement from my PIC I powered through and got in a rhythm.  I had to take breaks but I did end up doing a half mile.  By the end of this whole swim adventure I was loving it and can't wait to try it again.  We did have a short debrief session after we swam because I was not sure how to share a lane or ask how to do so.  My PIC gave me some solid advice just wait to make eye contact with the person swimming and if you have to wait a while so be it DON'T JUST JUMP IN.  When you have made eye contact ask them when they reach your side of the pool if you can share a lane.  She informed me most everyone says yes.  Not so sure I am up for lane sharing yet because I am so slow but hey you have to start somewhere. I also learned there is no shame in the pool you are prob not going to find a date wearing a swimsuit, cap and goggles, you have to get over that real quick or just go home and find another sport.  Until my next adventure.
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Thanks PIC you were a HUGE help.

New Year New Adventure

Here is to 2012, My new goal is going to be doing an Ironman 70.3!! Big goal more expensive but I am very excited, one problem I do not swim well.  I am excited to share this new adventure with the readers out there.  I am trying to get a partner in crime but I am not sure that is going to happen.  Right now I am in pre-training my "real training" does not start until until feb so people you still have time!!  So my goal is to get the bike up to 30 mile long rides and get the running up to 8 mile runs, swimming 800m (lofty goal but that's what I am shooting for).  Not sure those are obtainable but that what I am hoping for, but with out injury or burn out.  Can't have those before I even start.  Hope you enjoy this ride and much as I am going to. Until next time with an actual training report and a paid entry fee.
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