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.
-RR-

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!!
-RR-

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.
-RR-
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.
-RR-

DONE AND DONE!!

Quick facts-
Goal accomplished: I ran the whole thing no walking
Finishing Time: 2:34:15
Sister Moment: Start line then ER was gone.
Would I do it again: yes
Could I eat After: yes and Drink:)
This post is to let you know that I had a great time and was happy with my finish I will be posting a more detailed account of the day later on when I am not using "work time". But I wanted to give you the bare minimum so that you knew that the day was a success. I have pictures documenting most things to: night before, morning of, and directly after. I also will post some during the run pictures as well I just have to touch base with all the peeps that took them. But here is one pre race snap of the Runners ER and RR Cell pic so forgive us the quality also 4:45 am:

Pre Game Plan.

Background:
I have a sister who is running this race too (which I have mentioned before) we shall name her E.R. ( Experienced Runner). I say "too", and not "with", because well she is a sports bean, and will be done about 30 mins before my fastest goal. She may not agree with this because she wants to run with me and take it slow and have a sister moment. I see our sister moment being the start line and the first few miles until she realizes its not easy to run slow if you are 5'10 and run 8 min miles. Which is completely fine with me we have a plan of meeting at the finish line and having a sister moment there as well. Our parents will be in town for this race: My Mom, Dad and Step Mom (ER's mother). Our cheering section is about a party of 6 at this point I believe. We've got mom, mom, Dad/step Dad, Husband/brother in law,and a very dear friend of mine (who has heard and or dealt with me and my training for the past 3 months and training through round one of this crazy adventure for Denver R&R 2010). With everyone at their post we should see a friendly face a couple times on the course.

Pre Game:
Today My mom will be arriving here in Seattle at about 6pm and I will be packing a to go bag for her to have for me post race change or clothes and my GU Brew aka saving grace when it comes to my post running stomach cramps. I have to run (drive) to REI to pick up some last minute GU gels and then I'll be ready. I plan on getting to sleep around 9pm so that I will have a good night sleep under my belt for our early morning.
Our early morning starts with E.R. heading down to my house where we will be meeting to catch our shuttle to the start at 5:15am. I'm having some concerns about what to eat and how much to eat because I do not have as much time a I usually do before a long run, but I'll be fine and will have game day jitters to help me out. :) Once we head down to the race we are thinking that it will be about 45 mins before the start which is at 7:00am. We are starting a bit further back in the pack so we will probably cross the start line about 7:30 ish. Then it will be bands playing and people running until we are done. I am really amped up for the race already trying think how I am going to sleep tonight. I think that pretty much sets up our plans for the race A post race rundown to follow...... and it will not be a month from tomorrow promise.