Heather's Triathlon Adventure

I Did It!!

2010-02-03T15:15:00.000-07:00

Last night I ran up to SAIT! Well I probably ran 80% of the way there....on the way I got lost a few times, had a few meltdowns but it was still an amazing run!! Definitely makes me want to go again!! AND I made it all the way up the HUGE hill!! That was my goal for the run and I did it!! The whole trip took me an hour and 10 mins, I probably could have been faster but some parts I needed to walk....this is only day 2 back training! lol When I got to Phil I was completely soaked through my clothes!! That never happens! It felt so good! But I didnt have anything to change into and it was FREEZING cold!! So I stripped down to my pants and sports bra and he gave me his sweater and coat for the ride home! I love that boy! Then he fed the puppies so I could have a 20 min HOT HOT HOT shower to warm up! Did I mention I love him?!?!

Today I had to bump my workouts to Friday since we have a Flames Game right after work. Phil is on his way right now to get me and then we are rushing home to get the pups and taking them to the offleash for a run, then back home to feed them and put them back in their kennels and off to the game we go!

Today at lunch I wanted to go to the running room but I had my first Open Session with IIN at noon so I didnt have time, but I really wanted to get another outfit for winter runnign since I have had to wear the same thing two days in a row now and its too stinky to wear for a third and I dont have time to wash it everynight! Anyways....since it was too far I went to the Winners and Sportschek that are just down the street. I ended up getting a nice warm pair of running pants and an Adidas black long sleeve top, its one of the Olympic ones and has Canada down the side...guess how much!?? I got both for $44!! woohoo! The shirt was only $16!! I cant wait to wear it! I wish we didnt have the game tonight because im raring for a good run!

I stopped at Jugo Juice for lunch and grabbed a sample of the Honey Stingers pomegranate organic energy chews. HOLY YUM!! Those things are amazing!! I need to get some! I am going to grab some on Friday when I finally get out to the running room!! I cant wait! YUMMYUMMM YUMMMMMMY!

Other news, I decided I am going to do the Calgary Half Marathon! I registered this morning. Coincidently I had my running room book with me and the program is for 16 weeks and would technically start on Sunday! Totally doable! It just means May and June are going to be BUSY! We get back from Mexico from our Honeymoon on the 10th, and go right back to work, the I have a weekend in Canmore with the girls and the 12 k run on the 16th, the next weekend is my try a tri, and the weekend after that is the half marathong. Then Im off to Jasper the next weekend for my Banff Jasper Relay, I have one weekend at home and the next weekend is the Chinook Half!!! Seriously....hope there is no laundry or errands to do! Ill say goodbye to Phil after the honeymoon! Thats all until the Ironman though.....so nothing else until August.

Ok Im off to the game! GO FLAMES GO!

2010 Race Schedule

2010-02-02T10:42:00.000-07:00

I have almost finalized my race plan, so to stay accountable, here it is!

March 6th - Fish Creek XC Race
April 24th - Getting MARRIED!!
May 16th - Rocky Mountain Soap Company 12K
May 23rd - U of C Try a Tri
May 30th - Calgary half marathon
June 4-6th - Banff Jasper Relay
June 19th - Chinook Half Ironman
August 29th - IRONMAN CANADA!!!!

SO I think it should all be good! I need to definitely work on my swimming and running lots. I plan on starting to bike to work as soon as it warms up enough too! I am still deciding on the Calgary half iron, this would be my fourth year doing it and I really enjoy that race. However, we are gone to Mexico from April 25th- March 9th so it just depends how much running time I get in!

Yes, I suck at posting!

2010-02-02T10:37:00.000-07:00

I have a problem, I some up with blogs in my head but they never seem to leave my head and make it to the computer! But let me tell you, some are pretty darn entertaining!!

Well just a quick recap.....December was poor as I had swine, I got my training started on the 22nd but then January 2nd I was struck down with what I now know was Bronchitis. After being out for over a week I finally got a puffer and some antibiotics and started feeling human again.....until I pulled my chest and back muscles during a coughing fit....I couldnt even breath or walk with out bursting into tears....not good....long story short...It is now February first and I am finally able to start training. So I missed a full month but its still early enough that its not too big a deal. I am now struggling to get caught up and still taking it easy so I dont get hurt.

This weeks schedule looks like this:
Monday: B 65 mins, R 35mins
Tuesday: S 45 mins, strength
Wednesday: R 20 mins
Thursday: B 55 mins, S 45mins
Friday: S 45 mins, R 30 mins
Saturday B 105 mins

I have been doing really well on the raw vegan diet, however its too restrictive for me to do 100%. So I am going to be vegetarian for sure, hoping to be mostly vegan. I just got a new book called the Thrive Diet. Its by Brendan Brazier and he is a vegan triathlete!! This is almost unheard of!! I cant wait to learn more!

Back to catching up....I finished my diploma course with one day to spare so now I am anxiously waiting for my marks to make sure I passed everything!!! I started my new course with the Institue of Integrative Nutrition yesterday so that is exciting. I had been busy doing all my warmup courses and readings so I was able to start yesterday fully prepared. I also started getting my own business going!! My new company name is Fresh Fusion Wellness. My website is http://www.freshfusionwellness.com/ Check it out!!

Phil is still back in school so money it tight as we are down to just my salary right now. So...we are carpooling! And since I no longer have to lug all my school books around I am now walking the hour and a bit up to SAIT to meet him for my ride home. It actually works out quite perfectly and I figure a little extra exercise cant hurt this girl. I really need to lose weight but instead of doing the tried and true bodybuilding diet that I know works fast, I have been doing it slowly, healthily and I have decided I am ok with not being teeny tiny in my wedding photos. I am really working on self love instead.

Sick....again...

2010-01-05T07:15:00.000-07:00

Well, as the title says, im sick again. What is going on??? Everything I am doing to boost my immunity is just NOT working!

So a quick recap, we went out to BC to see Phils family, it was a brutally long drive out there and an even longer one back. We left the puppies in a kennel in Strathmore and missed them so much! I took a 2.5 hour private ski lesson at Apex and made it UP the chair lift (I am terrified of heights) and down a huge run! So proud of myself. I started feeling ill at Apex and have not been better since :(

New Years Eve was nice, we just picked up the puppies and spent the night enjoying our little family. We watched movies and both hockey games and I STAYED AWAKE!! Wooohooo!!

On the 2nd we went to a Flames Game. My Dad had given us his tickets and they were AMAZING! In the lower bowl club seats! We were so close to the players and even had our own server! Phil quite enjoyed the experience.

The 3rd was pretty much spent sleeping...I felt like I had been hit by a bus, any amount of standing made me feel like I was going to pass out. Nothing got done but sleep. Oh well....obviously thats what my body needed.

Yesterday was our first day back to real life. Boy was it rough getting back into the swing of things! But the day got better and Phil even picked me up after so I didnt have to worry about the train :) Then I found out I had not one, but THREE parcels delivered!! WOOHOO! It was like Christmas all over at my house!!

The first box was from Integrative Nutrition and was my winter welcome package! AMAZING!! I got raw chocolate, vegan raw chocolate sauce, gluten free dairy free blueberry maple muffin mix, a shopping bag, two books (That were on my xmas wishlist!!) a workout dvd, calendar and so much more!

The next box was full of samples from Amazing Grass. I ordered them and cant wait to try them!! I am actually snacking on the chocolate peanut butter protein bar right now....delish!

The third box was also from Integrative Nutrition and was my textbooks and more gifts! A magnet, bookmark, stress ball in the shape of a heart, two tote bags, a bunch of textbooks, dvds and a hot water bottle!

Seriously! So much stuff! I was so excited!!!!! BEST DAY EVER!! I brought my new calendar to work today, its all mantras and good positive thoughts for everyday of the year. Today's is "Today I just show up and flow through the day." Wow, that is how I feel today for sure! Unfortunately I missed my first swim lesson last night due to a massive coughing fit, and had no sleep since I was up coughing all night so flowing through the day is just what I need to do today!

I also want to make this year more positive, I know this post doesnt sound like it, but its something I want to work on, so this month I am going to eliminate "I dont want to, didnt want to, and wont" from my vocabulary. I want this year to be of joy and if I make the effort I know Life will match it.

We made it!

2009-12-28T10:00:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay in postings. Things got pretty crazy! Lets take a look at the last few days:

Thursday - Christmas Eve
Got up at 6:30 and started baking. Lots to make to bring and I had to prep for our own christmas eve dinner. We had butternut squash ravioli with a browned butter sage sauce, vanilla carrot puree, roasted veggies (brusselsprouts, potatos, onion, sweet potatos, celery and carrots), I made Phils polish salad and then some chocolate brownies with white chocolate chips and white chocolate coconut drizzeled on top. YUMMY! We spent the night visiting family and family friends and got home around 8pm to start our own dinner. It was a relaxing night and we both helped cook.

Friday - Christmas Day
We went over to my families for xmas, it was so nice. We have a huge buffet table set up and people just eat all day. So many goodies. We headed home at about 6 and watched my new movie, Julie and Julia (OMG my new favorite) and then snuggled until I fell asleep. Then Phil got in his xbox time hahaha

Saturday - Boxing Day
Money is tight right now as Phil is now laid off and has gone back to school and the wedding is not far away so we skipped the boxing day sales. Instead we cleaned and cleaned and made the whole house and packed for our trip to BC. We had lots of guests come by so that was nice!

Sunday
We woke up bright and early, loaded up the rav and took the puppies to the Kennel. Unfortunately the kennel was an hour east of the city, so then we had to drive back to the city and still had another 8 hour drive to Summerland. I was so happy to get out of that car!! You dont stop as much when the dogs arent there...man my legs are stiff today! We got to summerland in time for dinner. It was nice to see Phils family. We played lots of games and then went to bed at almost 2am.

Which brings us to today...I am the only one up right now, so hopefully people start to stir soon....we are supposed to be headed up to his parents cabin up in Apex today for some skiing, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and tobagganing. My training for the next few days is strictly cross training stuff....should be fun!

Im not sure if we will have internet up there but if I do I will post about our adventures :)

Last Day of Work!!!

2009-12-23T09:03:00.000-07:00

YAY! Its finally here! The last day of work until January! WOOHOO!!

So last night my weight session got cancelled. I was so tired I couldnt form sentences so we just went to bed early...like really early, 8:30! Its ok, that session was optional and I can do it tomorrow as I am off all day.

This morning I was up at 4:30 again to run. It was HARD today...those 30 mins seemed to take forever. I can definitely tell my body is getting more and more tired! Tonight I have an hour swim, it will suck because kids are out of school and its holiday hours so the pool will be crowded!

I have been doing some precourse work and learning alot.
-It doesnt matter what it is I just need something sweet to stop the craving, a peice of fruit works just as good as chocolate....a real revelation for me!
-I have already found two trigger foods I cant have in the house, marshmallows and sprinkles. Its bad! I am making rice crispy squares tomorrow for christmas so whatever is left over after that is being TOSSED OUT! I feel bad about the waste but I cant have it in the house
- I love trying new foods and recipes, so I should do it more! I had a passionfruit last night...OMG! So amazing!

So still having trouble eating meat. I was making Phils ham sandwiches this morning and kept picturing the pigs....eeek....so tonight I am making quesadillas with black beans instead of chicken! You know I just looked at MyPlate and today is a completely vegetarian day! Go me!

For breakfast I decided to try some oats...I really want to like them and they are so nutritious and filling...but I dont! I tried pumpkin oats.....1/2 c oats, 1/2 c water, 1/2 c milk, 1/4 c pumpkin, sweetened with agave nectar and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice and brown sugar.....eewwwwwwwwwwwww!! I had seen a rave review and pictures and thought it sounded so good...maybe oats are just not for me! I will continue to try but I couldnt even choke these down!

OH did I mention I met my goal of drinking water yesterday? I actually drank 3 bottles! WOOHOO! And only had a sip of diet sprite before deciding the aspartame isnt worth it. I am making changes, they are slow, but atleast I am making them!

Im starting to feel it :)

2009-12-22T07:54:00.000-07:00

Good morning!

So first my exciting news! My ipod is here!!! Its shiny and red and I have watched so many videos already! I should rephrase that, I have watched so many disturbing videos that I may have to become a vegetarian!! Ignorance is definitely bliss and my happy bubble was popped last night after watching some of the meat videos. I was supposed to bring chicken for lunch and couldnt bring myself to do it....

Last night I had to bike for an hour, it was hard mentally. Physically it was ok, it was just supposed to be an easy spin in the small chain ring, and i think that is why it was tough to stay focused. I tried watching a movie, watching tv, listening to a program, I just couldnt get it.

This morning I was up super early again and went for my 30 min swim. It was so hard! My body is definitely not used to this volume of training! I hopped in and sunk...my legs felt like lead and while swimming laps it felt like I was on a treadmill....going hard but getting no where fast! I finally realized my planned workout was not going to work today so I spent the remaining time working on arm drills. My arms have now been added the growing list of sore muscles! :) AND IT FEELS GREAT! I am so happy to be back at it!

I saw my friend Polly yesterday, she quit her job earlier this year and financially has the ability not to have to work so has instead spent her time working out everyday and changing her diet. She looks AMAZING!! She has lost 21.5lbs and I cant get over how much better she looks! Really makes me feel bad about my weight, there is no excuse...I need to get this weight off! I keep thinking of 20lbs weights and having to carry that extra stuff on every run and swim. Its a health thing now, not just looks. I am going to do it this time.

I am tracking everything in daily plate right now and trying to get a good mix of GOOD carbs (veggies, fruit, whole grains), fats and protein. Todays menu looks like this:

Breakfast - 4:45 am
Mini whole wheat bagel w/ T fat free cream cheese

Morning Snack - 7am
Sugar snap peas, herbal tea, protein shake

Lunch - 11:45am
Going out for Christmas lunch at Vietnamese place. Trying NOT to have bun, maybe a pho soup?

Afternoon Snack - 2pm
2 Turkey bites, Snap peas

Dinner - 5pm
Salad with fat free cesar dressing
Roasted Chickpeas

Evening Snack - 7pm
Pomogranate mmmmmmm

My goal today is also to get ATLEAST two bottles of WATER in (4 cups). Im struggling getting it in and drinking things like diet pepsi and crystal light when thirsty but not water...Today I am going to have a bottle of water with me at all times so I can make a better choice!

Need a new camera!

2009-12-21T09:37:00.000-07:00

So I didnt forget about posting my pictures, in fact I even took most of them, and then the camera died...like completely froze in the on position and still hasnt turned off....the batteries will die eventually right? So my goal of posting pictures is going to take awhile!

I am still tracking my foods on myplate.com. However when I logged in this morning all of my posts from last week were gone! boooooo

So the weekend was so busy! Saturday I spent the day doing Christmas baking. Everything (except two cookies) went right into their containers and then right into the freezer! Cant be snacking on that stuff! :) The we spent some time cleaning and then headed over to my Granparents for dessert and to surprise my Uncle for his birthday. Sunday was more of the same.

Ironman training started this weekend! Less than 36 weeks away! Can you believe it!? I CANT!!! Saturday I biked for an hour. It was the first time I had been on my bike in months!!(due to a flat I hadnt fixed) and boy did I feel it! I couldnt sit for the rest of the night...Im still pretty tender and dreading tonights ride! Sunday I had to run for an hour....I am not where I wanted to be running wise because of being so sick, the longest i had run was 20 mins and Sunday called for an hour! I really didnt think I could do it and procrastinated until 9pm! I figured I should just try, it was the first OFFICIAL day and I wanted to start on a good note. So I tried...and I finished!! WOOOOHOOOO! Man! I was so excited, what an amazing feeling!! I did 10:1's but thats ok, I plan on running those for the Ironman anyways. AND I met my first goal of this season of RUNNING a 5k. SWEEET DEAL!

This morning I started at 4:30 with my 30 min run. I dreamt about running all night so it was actually easy to get started this morning. I hopped right out of bed, took the dogs and got dressed on the way down the stairs. I got up so fast I forgot my glasses and had to crawl back up the stairs to pu them on! hahaha

Tonight I have a 60 min bike on the schedule. 20 mins easy spin, 20 mins time trial, 20 mins easy spin.

I think tomorrow I have swimming, I should really keep a copy of the schedule with me!

The last peice of exciting news.....I have a package being delivered today from the Institute of Integrated Nutrition!! I cant wait to see what it is :)

Almost Christmas

2009-12-18T21:20:00.000-07:00

I know, I really suck at updating, but I am making it one of my resolutions for 2010 and I might aswell start now. I spend enough time reading everyone else's blogs so there really is no excuse.

So some exciting news! As I am finishing up my Diploma in Natural Nutrition I have been considering what I want to do in the near future school wise. I dont feel confident enough yet to start my own business but from the consulting I have been doing I know this is DEFINITELY the direction I want to go in. Sooo.....after lots of research and reflection I have made a decision....I have officially registered at the Institute of Integrative Nutritio in New York! Im doing it as a distance program and will be starting February 1st! I am so thrilled and excited and cannot wait to start! I think this will open so many doors for me!

In other news, my Ironman Canada training officially begins on Sunday! I am not where I was hoping to be at this time due to the swine flu I got. Man that thing was brutal and had me out for 4.5+ weeks.

Today I spent a few hours at Cycle path getting my tire fixed and talking bikes. I was really considering buying a new one as I just dont love mine the way I should, but now that I have registered for this course (did I mention its expensive?) I am just going to make some adjustments to the one I have. Tonight I spent some time "getting to know" her.....I need a bike name! Any suggestions? I cleaned her up and set her up on the trainer. I put on my odometer and got the aero bars out and ready to be put on. The tape needs to be taken off as there isnt enough room for the bars right now and since I am taking some off I thought I would actually make it fresh and put a whole new one on! That will change the look right away! I also talked to the guys there and have decided to do a bike fit in the new year. It should help fix a lot of my problems.

Starting tomorrow I hope to start posting pictures of my meals. I hope this will keep me accountable as it seems to have worked for so many other bloggers.

Well its been a long day and Phil has just gotten home so I am off to relax...its one of my last days!

Heather

*Update: I just got an email and my textbooks have been shipped! WOOHOO!!! *

Another Day

2009-11-02T08:09:00.000-07:00

Well I have officially not eaten meat in 4 days!! That is a HUGE accomplishment for me!

So far I have been on plan but it is only 7:10! haha.

Tonight its back to training. I want to complete a marathon before the Ironman so today I am looking at possible destinations. Tonight I am going to run for 30 mins and set out this months training plan. I am still not in full blown training for the Ironman. That starts Dec 20, but for now I just want to keep my fitness up and have fun while doing it. Wednesday nights I take a dance class, Mondays I do yoga, things like that. The only thing I am continuously working on is the swimming and running. My two weeknesses. Actually, I would probably bike too but I blew my last tube last week and havent made it to the LBS to get a new one!

This weeks workouts:
Monday - 1 h yoga, 30 mins run, upper strength
Tuesday - 30 mins interval run, lower strength
Wednesday- 1 h Zumba, 45 min swim
Thursday - 30 mins run, core work
Friday - 30 mins interval run, 1 h swim, massage :)
Saturday - rest
Sunday - 50 min run, 15 mins stretching

Planning ahead

2009-11-01T20:50:00.000-07:00

Planning ahead is the way to success right??? So here is my game plan for tomorrow.

Green Smoothie, Grapes, banana, pomegranates, "fudge" bar
Lunch:
Spaghetti squash with tomato sauce
almonds, apple
Dinner:
Zucchini rolls, peppers, carrots, cucumber with Peanut sauce and hot sauce, frozen chocolate "fudge"

Wish me luck!

So Im trying something new..

2009-11-01T15:30:00.000-07:00

As my studies in holistic nutrition are coming to a close I am finally learning more and more about different types of diets. The one that has really struck a chord with me is the Raw Food Diet. Its not really a diet, just a different type of eating, like vegetarian. Its basically only eating live foods and not cooking anything over 110 F. Live foods include seeds, nuts, sprouts, fruits and veggies. I had a few days of transition as my diet was NOT very good but I am finally getting the hang of this! First I just want to make it clear that this diet is WAY more than just eating a bunch of carrot sticks. There really are so many options! Second, I just wanted to keep this blog for myself as a learning tool and a place I can record my recipes and meals to stay on track and be able to go back to if need be.

Last night was Halloween, junk food galore! I did partake in a few mini smarties boxes but then I went to the kitchen and made myself a strawberry smoothie. I made it super thick and ate it like a sherbert. YUMMY! It made me remember that I can have sweet alternatives! (The strawberry smoothie was made with a baggie of frozen strawberries from this summer, some water, and agave nectar for sweetness)

This morning started off with a banana. Then I had some leftover wraps from yesterday and homemade granola. It was romaine lettuce, with my corn "tortilla" I made yesterday, with tomato, peppers, green onions, avacado and homemade salsa. It was pretty bland tasting today so I threw on some hot sauce as i looked at the ingredients and it was all clean. Much better!

Then I went to costco for some errands and had one of my fudge bites. (Cashews, dates, water, cocoa powder) At costco I picked up some Lara bars as they are raw and I thought might be handy to have in a pinch.

I was hungry again when i got home so I sliced some zucchini, made some peanut sauce, put the peanut sauce on the zucchini, and topped with cucumber, peppers, carrots and hot sauce. HOLY YUM!!!! I could eat this all the time!!!!!!!!!

Since I had the food processor out I thought I would experiment with another type of fudge bites....I added oranges and apricots but it was too wet so now i have put it in the freezer and we will see if its better frozen?

Then I opened my pom morsels from costco...seriously, if this is eating raw...I could get used to this! I never tried pomegranates...OMG! They are amazing! I will have to try some of the POM juice everyone is always talking about.

For dinner I am going to have a cooked dinner, I am making yam fries and then Ill have a big salad with some seeds and nuts. I am working towards 100% raw but I definitely dont want to feel too deprived and I do have two huge yams to eat up still. I figure as long as its still vegan and still clean eating it cant hurt too bad!

If I am hungry later tonight I will make my green smoothie as I havent had one yet today.

Tomorrow is my first day at work so I will have to plan ahead to make sure I dont go off track! I guess I should clarify and say that I will not be a 100% raw vegan. I would like to be most days but I love me my meat and my fiance would NOT be accepting if I swore it off completely. Every other week if I have a meat meal I am ok with that but I will not be eating it more than once a week. The other thing is chocolate. I wont make it if I have to cut it out completely. SO I am going to take a raw chocolate course next month but in the mean time I have an organic chocolate bar that I can have a peice of every night.

Thats it for now!
Heather

Day 2 of many more to come

2009-04-28T08:35:00.000-06:00

Today is Day 2 of hardcore training.

So far so good.

I wanted to go swimming last night after work but a big snow storm came in and I voted for getting home safe so I skipped the swim. I got home and the snow literally stopped at the entrance to our community. FRICK! So I changed quick and went off on my run. No way I was going to slack off! The run was better than on Sunday but still having a hard time with it. I started doing intervals but I didnt have my watch so it made things tricky. Since I didnt swim I decided I was going to bike. It had since started snowing and there was no way I was driving to the pool in it, plus the playoffs were on.

So yesterday's totals:
am - Bike 30 mins
lunch - yoga 60 mins
pm - 30 min run, 60 min bike

Today I started my day with a quick 25 min swim. I had a morning meeting and the pool didnt open until 5:30 but I was there when they opened and got it done. I plan on doing another 30 min run at lunch if the weather holds and then another 30 mins swim after work and hopefully if its still nice a bike ride outside. Otherwise it will be another hour session on the trainer. Then hopefully ill have enough energy for some strength.

Phil is back on nights starting today so hopefully I can stay motivated.

Oh and the best news!! My Ironman hoodie came in the mail yesterday! I LOVE IT! Its huge and I swim in it, but I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!

Yup...still snowing!

2009-04-27T15:03:00.000-06:00

I thought I had posted more recently than that, but not much has changed. It got hot again and then freezing again...we have had atleast 3 huge dumps of snow and our lawn seems to change from green to white daily now!! Why cant it be summer yet??

Well today is April 27th....98 days until my ironman, 347 days until the wedding! Im way more nervous about the ironman....infact my first triathlon is less than a month a way and I do not feel ready at all.

I dont know what it is, I have a plan and cannot stick to it!

This weekend I experienced extreme failure and humiliation and I am humbled for sure! I had my 12k run in Canmore with the girls...I actually thought I could do it...I couldnt...I did 3 and died. I could give you the excuse that I had been sick all week and home from work, and that I was still having the runs and had gone 6 times before the race, but really, even if I had been ok, I dont think I would have been able to do it! Now I am really scared...I have a half marathon and lots of triathlons coming up really soon and there is no way I am ready! Same with swimming!! I can only swim 50m continuously! How the hell am I supposed to swim 2k!??! Ok, I am really freaking out!!!

So the Canmore run was hard....it was probably 75% uphill! 2 loops of 6k each. And we are not talking a gradual uphill...it was steep and LONG. It was a brutal race! And I have so much respect for May and Tiffany for managing it! I need to step up my game...I am so slow and need to get my distances in. Enough slacking off, time to buckle down and harden up.

I tried again to do the spinervals dvd yesterday but I was still in pain from the run so I managed 20 minutes and then biked for a bit more just working on one legged drills and stuff. Then I tried to go for a quick run off the bike and it was so hard!! I just went around the block and I had to stop before even making it back to the house. I am so disspointed in my fitness level!

This morning I was up at 4:45 and biked in the basement. I only had time for 25mins, but I made it count and worked up a sweat, I did some intervals and some one legged drills. At lunch today I had yoga so I was able to stretch my sore muscles out a bit. Tonight I am going swimming right after work. I want to work on a few things and knew I wouldnt be able to in class so I am going on my own to get it worked out. Then after dinner I have to do 30 min interval run. I am going to time myself and do 30 secs all out and then 1 min rests. I need to get my speed up!

No more sissy ass training....Its time to harden up and get some results. Im also planning a training plan diet, lets get this going!!!

Oh and im selling my trek road bike and looking at getting a new one.

Till next time!

On track..literally

2009-04-14T08:52:00.000-06:00

Well Easter weekend has passed and we made it alive!! Now things can get back on track around here. I did manage two runs, a snowshoe and a swim over the weekend so that was more than I thought I could get in. Unfortunately I fell down the stairs while moving some boxes and hurt my ankle. It really hurts to swim and run right now. BAH!

Today it is snowing!! Only in Calgary...sigh...I was really enjoying the +16 temperatures!! Good news is that it should be back up to that by the weekend. But my run outside today is not going to happen so I have packed my gear and im off to the Y after work for a run. I am thinking about running on the track there so now I just need to come up with some good track workouts. Ill be looking for some later on today.

My nutrition is also not doing so great so might aswell get it whipped into shape aswell. I signed back up to weightwatchers and I have started today with recording my foods. Already I am getting lots more water in and am way more consious of everything. How do I only have 1.5 points left for dinner?!?! It should really help. I am only going to eat activity points if there are more than 4 or if I am STARVING. I am also trying to cut out diet pop. I will still allow myself crystal light for now, but no more diet pop! Hopefully getting the nutrition on track will help with the energy levels and with the training.

I dont have my training book here today but my goal for today (since I was a sloth yesterday and skipped my run) is to run for 45 minutes, strength for 30 mins and if I have time after errands, swim for 45 mins....otherwise ill try to get my swim in before bike class tomorrow...or maybe right after work.

Oh and I did sign up for yoga on Mondays and Wednesday so hopefully that will start improving aswell!

Have a great snowy tuesday!

Got my butt kicked

2009-04-08T10:49:00.000-06:00

Well first, I have some stomach bug, I have been fighting it since the weekend but its just not going away. We skipped our game on Monday night and both crashed after work. The sleep definitely helped a bit. But then Phils sister called and had to fly in to calgary and then fly out the next morning so we were up at 1 to go pick her up and then I dropped her off at 5:30. So we were back to being tired. Tuesday there was no way I was going to make it at work all day so I took the afternoon off and went home and slept until 4! That helped so much!! I was still nauseous when I ate but atleast the spins are gone! I ran a bunch of errands and decided one more day to recover was needed. I couldnt leave the house again due to stomach issues anyways.

This morning I had my second bike class...Oh my gosh...KILLER! We did rolling hills and kept increasing the tension until we were standing and then after 20 minutes we got off and ran 4 laps off the bike. This was my first experience running off the bike and my legs were like jelly!! Then we ran back to the bikes and did it all again! After the second run I was really struggling! The people in my class are fast and I am sure slow! I am going to have to definitely step it up!!!

So some personal things I learned this morning...I have a lot of negative self talk. Everytime it got hard my mind said I should just stop because I couldnt do it, or I didnt want to hurt myself, or any other number of excuses....BULL!! I can do it and today I spent a lot of time turning that negative talk into positive and it worked! I was able to dig deep and get it all done! I am super pround of myself today!

I also relalized how important nutrition is and I want to make sure I am starting to eat better to help with the training. Starting with my hydration. Today I need to make sure i get in all my water!

Tonight I am goign to go for a run and I do have my swim stuff in my car so depending on how late I get off of work I may go for a swim too. I just dont want to overdo it! I also need to do my strength training. My plan for the run is to go do some hill repeats near our new place. Lets hope I can do it! Its a long long LONG ass hill! Perfect for pushing myself and training! Oh and then maybe some yoga and roller work before bed to stretch it all out.

Speaking of yoga. Today was signup day for yoga at work! YAY! This last session was so good that I am signing up for mondays again....AND Wednesdays! I think it will be awesome after bike class today!

All moved in!

2009-04-06T10:07:00.000-06:00

Well what a hectic weekend! Sure enough I got NO training in at all, it was a jam packed weekend and my body honestly couldnt have handled anymore. As it was everday was an early morning and a late night and I sure felt like I had run a half marathon! We got us all moved in on Friday and then had to move my brother into his condo. I actually skipped out on that and stayed home to unpack. I arranged furniture, built beds, unpacked lots of boxes and got everything set up for Phil when he got home. He was sure surprised it was almost all done!

I did so much painting it was stupid this weekend! I painted almost the whole house! Three bedrooms upstairs and the whole main level. My arms are killing me......who knew that it was such a workout. So between moving the heavy boxes and furniture, doing about a kazillion loads up and down stairs...going up and down the ladder painting, im tired! And sore! Oh and then of course I get sick last night. Like throwing up sick with the spins! It hit me about 10 and man oh man did it hit hard. I didnt fall asleep until after 3 this morning...so no swimming for me this morning. My poor arms and body really couldnt take it at 5am!!

Today we have a late flames game and its our last of the season so unfortunately thats another late night for me! FRICK!!! We still have lots to do too! We have to paint the bathroom downstairs, go to ikea to get the stuff for Phil's family coming, go to walmart to get the rest of the stuff, we need to go get our vaccuums and floor cleaners from the condo. My brother has been using them but now we need them! Oh and we still have to get everything from our storage unit at the condo! Plus we are having all that furniture delivered this week and have to assemble it all....Can you say stressful!?? I am hoping to get in a run tonight before the game but if im still feeling this sick after work I dont think thats possible! I am going swimming first thing in the morning tomorrow though and then hopefully it will be nice enough for a nice bike ride after work. We will see how much time I have, I know Phil just really wants to get it all done already!

We are moving!!!

2009-04-01T14:12:00.000-06:00

We get our keys at 4:30 today! HOOORAY! We are so excited! And more exciting news! The puppies were born last night! The website is http://www.myguardianangelshepherds.com/ and she has pictures at the bottom of the news page!

Yesterday was a workout writeoff. I didnt get anything done. Well for starters I was ill all day and had a screaming headache all day. Then I realized that I had to finish packing! So I spent 3 hours finishing that up so we can start moving stuff tonight! Then I had time to get my stuff together for this morning and that was it, it was bed time!

This morning was the bike portion of my morning class. It was so good! The bikes were brand new and super comfy! They had a great computer monitor on them so it was way easier to know where I was supposed to be at. The instructor was great and I have a feeling we will learn a ton from him! Friday is the run portion but I think I will have to miss it at we have to pick up the moving truck at 7am....FRICK! I dont want to but I dont have much choice. I am going to try to still get up and just do a tempo workout on the treadmill in the condo. Might aswell use it once more!

Tomorrow morning I am going to try to get a swim in before heading to the new house to paint! But like I said, this weeks priority is the moving! We need to get it all set up and ready for when his family comes next week! EEK!

oh and monday night my tired blew on the trainer...FRICK! I just replaced it! So my bike is currently out of commission until after the move. Tonight I am going to try to fit in some strength training too...I must get rid of this arm flab! Its embarrassing!

Exciting News!

2009-03-30T11:25:00.000-06:00

Guilty guilty guilty....I know I have written and thats all I am saying

Lots of exciting news outside of Triathlon first....We bought our first house! And we move in on Wednesday! Its in Cranston and its so perfect! Our condo is packed high with boxes and the moving van is booked we are now just patiently waiting for Wednesday!!!!

We also put a deposit on a puppy! Its a german shepherd puppy and the breeder is out past olds. We went to visit her a few weekends ago and she is just so amazing. The website is myguardianangelshepherds.com and there are tons of pictures on there. The puppies are due this week so we are waiting to hear now! We can go pick ours up in 8weeks so the countdown for that is on too!

Phils family is coming out for Easter this year, so in a week and a half...so we have to move quick, unpack quick and paint quick quick quick. But it will be nice to be able to show it off to them and we are all going to try to get out to the mountains for some skiing while they are here! Should be fun!

As for training....I got a new bike...a new Trek mountain bike, well actually I got it about two months ago, but its awesome and I love it so much. We had a week where it was super nice here and I was out on rides every night! So different riding outside, I am so thankfull I got the chance to.....unfortunately it snowed again and there is more coming so the bike has been packed to move. I am feeling way more confident on the bike though and cant wait to get out again!

I also signed up for a Triathlon Course at the YMCA. Since we are moving to a different area of the city I have to change pools anyways, and the pool at the Y is about the same price but it has way better hours!!! So I was signing up and saw this Triathlon course, its mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and is swim, bike and runs in that order....Today was my first swim day and oh my gosh! I am hurting pretty bad here but it was just what I wanted. Lots of drills and I really had to push myself. I have never swam that hard before!! I cant wait to see what the biking brings on Wednesday! The class is 6-7am so it means I have to work longer days but I think it will help my training HUGE!

Yoga at lunch is still going really well. I love it more each time I go and have started practicing atleast 20-30 mins a day on my own. This week my plan is to learn how to do headstands! Our session ends next week so I am going to sign up for one more. Mondays just work out so well and I think after this mornings swimming class some stretching would be good! I bought a yogitoes mat for my mat this weekend so today I am going to test it out. Basically its a non slip pad you put on top of your mat so you dont slide all over like I usually do!

Other than all that I have just been super busy with work and school and wedding planning! Sometimes I wonder how I can fit it all in but I guess its all working some how!

This weeks training:
Monday - Morning Tri Swim, Yoga at lunch, Bike 80 mins (easy spin)
Tuesday - Strength, Run (30 min intervals), Swim drills
Wednesday - Morning Tri Bike, moving
Thursday - Day off to Paint the new house, yoga breaks throughout, Swim drills at 5:30am
Friday - Morning Tri Run, moving
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - Run (60 mins steady run)

I am willing to be flexible this week as we are moving and that is definitely the priority this week, but here is hoping I can get it all in!

Have a great week!!!!

Pushups!!

2009-01-27T12:47:00.000-07:00

Here is the challenge I am doing

http://hundredpushups.com/

Week one has been good so far! I have done Day 1 and Day 2 workouts and yes, my starting number was 4...I have never been able to do man pushups! So far I am doing well and my last set today I was even able to do 6!! WOOHOO!!!

If anyone else wants to do it let me know! We have a group on Facebook right now!

Im Back!

2009-01-27T11:57:00.000-07:00

Ok I swear that will be the last hiatus!! :)

Lots of news! Im engaged!! So exciting!!! Our trip to Costa Rica was fantastic and Phil proposed on Christmas eve! We are both so excited and are planning our Wedding in 2010. So between the wedding, the engagement ring, Phils debt, and the fact hes not working right now money is SO tight!! I had to cancel my coach for the triathlon and we are not doing much for entertainment right now!

The bad news...I havent been training...AT ALL! I had big plans for training while away but we were always on the go and honestly didnt have time. We did lots of activiy but no biking or running and the swimming was more for fun! So this week I am getting back into the training mode!

187 days until Ironman Canada! BAH! I have been biking and that is still ok, but its the running and swimming that I had not attempted until last night! It was brutal. I only made it 6 minutes before dying at running...I pushed thru and did 15 minutes but that is a pooor poor result! I will be running 4-5 times a week until I can get it better...no long distances, but 30-45 minutes and doing drills aswell! Swimming went way better than expected...my endurance is definitely down but atleast I can still do the front stroke. So now I know where I am starting and can build on that.

I have worked out a schedule and plan to keep to it. Phil is going to help coach me with swimming. Tom, my sisters boyfriend, agreed to help me with biking, especially once I need to hit the open road! And I have enough runner friends that I have lots of support there!

I had to revise my 2009 Race schedule as some dates changed, some races were cancelled and some were already sold out! So here it is:

April 25th – Rocky Mountain Soap Co. 12K
May 24th – U of C Tri a Tri
May 31st – Calgary Half Marathon
June 20th – Chinook Olympic Triathlon
July 12th – Coral Springs Olympic Triathlon
August 2nd – Ironman 70.3 Calgary

I have planned out one long day of each sport. Mondays will be my long bike days, wednesdays are my long swims, and saturdays are my long runs. I am hoping to swim 3 times a week, bike 2-3 times a week and run 4-5 times a week.

I am also doing Yoga on Mondays here at work at lunch time so that will help. I understand how important stretching is so I want to make sure I stretch EVERY day!

I also ordered the p90x dvds and plan on doing that but if I have to choose between workouts my Tri ones will be priority!

So thats the update! I am ready to start training and just itchin to get out of here today so I can get my biking done!

Oh wait, and I am doing another challenge...the hundred pushup challenge....Hopefully by the end of it I will be able to do them all! Its 6 weeks so lets keep our fingers crossed!

Happy Training!

I made it!

2008-10-22T08:24:00.000-06:00

I made it! I did my first spin class taught by Greg! I was really nervous going and was definitely the greenest there, I think I may have been the only one there who hasnt done an ironman!!! There were even some pros there! Crazy! I kept up though :)

I have come to the conclusion that:
1.) I am going to get that cervelo bike I wanted for the half ironman
2.) I am going to keep going to the classes
3.) I need to put some money into my bike for waterbottle holders, waterbottles, towels, cadence meters etc.
4.) I can do anything!

Everyone there were riding beautiful tri bikes which put my tiny trek to shame...I cant wait until I can get one of those! One day.......one day...I may sell this trek in the summer and get a cervelo...or I may just keep it and get the tri, but I do need a mtn bike in the spring, lol...where are they going to all go!?!!

Anyways, I got there at 6:30 and class didnt start until 7, I thought I would be so early, but in face I was the LAST one there!!!! Holy Moly...so I set up quick and got warmed up with an easy cycle. Greg started at 7 and we finished about 8:20....I have never sat on my bike that long...man my bum hurts today! So after I got my stuff loaded in the car (oh yah, I need a bike rack too!!!!) I headed to the pool for my swim..

I was completely dead from the biking...I tried to do the front crawl but it just took so much out of me....so I just did as much as I could, stuck around for 30 mins, not 45, and went home and straight to bed!

This morning I was up at 4:40 to get to the pool when they open at 5:30....can you belive I have already been up 4 hours as I right this and most of my coworkers are still not even here!!! I went to Acadia to swim and somehow ended up in the fast lane, it seemed to be the only lane that had room so I decided to stay...I got some flippers and was able to keep up to everyone else (haha I cheated I know) and just worked on my stroke....only 25mins this morning as I had to get to work.

Tonight is a rest night and I have Polish although I am considering taking it off as its still a sub and I dont want to learn the alaphabet again! We will see.......

mmm cervelo bike...ill be dreaming all day now!

Another day....more goals!

2008-10-21T11:37:00.000-06:00

So these past few days have been really great! Lots of training even though real life seems to want to get in the way!

I did have to shuffle a workout and double up on Saturday because of the Flames game on Friday but im ok with that...it still got done!

Going swimming everyday has made such a huge improvement...I am going to continue this and my secret goal is to be able to join a masters swim group by the middle of January! We will see....I had my second last swim lesson and showed up an hour early...oooops...so I got a two hour workout and my swim coach was life guarding before the class and was so impressed with the improvements! She had me swim intervals and do some arm work and then just lots more practice...but atleast no more blowing bubbles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

I have been getting on the bike 10 minutes everyday that I do not have to bike just to get used to the saddle and it seems to be helping too...not nearly as sore! Tonight I am going to start my first night of bike classes with my coach Greg. I was going to do it on my own but I am having trouble staying motivated and know I will do better and improve more if I go to the classes, im starting late so hopefully I can keep up tonight! It will be nice to meet some others training aswell! Just not sure how I will get my bike there, lol

So my training this week has been good for the most part...I didnt push hard last night as I know I have a killer workout tonight, and I skipped my daily swimming yesterday and Friday as I was just too tired. Friday I actually slept thru the whole thing!

M - B 45 min, R 15 min
T - B 45-50 min, S 45 min (I will be biking for 90mins instead)
W - Rest
T - R 40-50 min, S 45 min (I will bike for 90 mins instead of the run and will swap the run for tomorrows bike workout)
F - B 55-65 min
S - R 55-60 min
S - S 60 min

So a few minor adjustments again, and will be keeping up the daily swim and bike for improvement reasons.

Now for my new goals...I still have to run these by Greg....and Phil...but I think I have figured out my 2009 Race Schedule!

April 5 - MRC Sprint Triathlon
April 26 - Police Half Marathon
May 31 - Calgary Marathon
June 14 - Arbour Lake Triathlon
August 2 - Ironman 70.3 Calgary

I also plan on volunteering at the Try-it Triathlong on June 1st, the Chinook half iron on June 20th, and Ironman Canada on August 30! SOoooo excited

And yes you read that right...a marathon! I think it will be a good half way goal for me....Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever even consider a marathon but this is goign to be a year of a lot of firsts....I am going to do it! In some ways it seems even scarier to me that the triathlon, so it will be nice to have the confidence to know I can do it and it will make the half marathon I have to run a whole lot nicer!

WISH ME LUCK!

I did it!!

2008-10-15T10:05:00.000-06:00

Last night I got in both my bike and swim workouts! I also cooked all my meals for the rest of the week so I dont have to waste time preparing them!

The bike was hard, I tried doing the one legged drills, I can make it about 20seconds before my leg gives out on me....who would have guessed it was so hard! I kept a pretty good pace for the rest of the ride, I was pouring sweat so hopefully that was good! I need to get myself a cadence monitor for my bike so I can see what I am doing.

This was my first time going alone to the pool so I was really nervous, but I did it, I swam for 45 minutes. There were really rude people in the pool during the LANE SWIM who were splashing and horsing around in the MIDDLE of the lanes!! So frustrating...the guards didnt say anything, finally after being kicked in the head, an old lady yelled at them, unfortunately it just made things worse...so I gave up trying to swim the full 25m and just swam out to them and back...about half way. The good news is I practiced the front crawl lots! I can so that distance now, not well.... but ill work on it!

I was so tired when I got home I tried as quick as I could to get to bed but after watching the end of the Flames game (WOOHOO We won!) and saying goodnight to Phil it was already 10:45! I slept like a rock though! It was really hard getting up early this morning for swimming.

BUT I DID! although I did press snooze twice and started my swimming about 15mins late, I made it! I went to the Acadia pool, it was busy for 5:30! Got my flutter board and off I went blowing bubbles. Im so hardcore :) I also spent time under the water, just looking around, hanging out, working on getting more comfortable! What a difference from 4 weeks ago!

I made it to work by 6:30 too, so that worked well....I still have to leave by 3:30 today so I can make it to class tonight! I am going to do my 10 minute bike when I get home and then this chica needs a NAP! I dont have to leave until 6:15 so that should give me lots of time to eat, nap, and do my homework.

Plan on doing my swim tomorrow morning as well, frees up more time tomorrow night, oh and Kathy is meeting me in Fish Creek to do the run with me! YIPPEE!! A training buddy!

Return to blogging

2008-10-14T12:30:00.000-06:00

My apologies for the lack of blogging, it’s been so crazy! I know, that is the usual excuse, but it really has!

First, on a personal note, my Grandma is doing much better; she will still be in a cast for a long time, but she’s healing well. My Grandpa has been in the hospital since my last blog, one thing after another, he is also recovering nicely now that they have sorted him all out.

Now onto my training....things have been going well....I definitely know where I stand now and how much work I am going to have to do! I have kept up with all of my training so far, that is good, now it’s just a matter of continually pushing myself and improving.

Friday I met my coach for a swim lesson, I couldn’t get past blowing bubbles...its so frustrating, I just want to get it! I am going to swim everyday, not long, ill leave those for my actual swim workouts, but I need to be in the pool getting more comfortable...I need to find my inner fish!!! Anyways, there wasn’t any point learning any drills until I can get the basics down...im more determined than ever to learn! Tonight will be my first night going swimming alone...im a little nervous, but I think it will be good for me!

Saturday Phil and I went for an early morning run. We were in Summerland for Thanksgiving and what a difference....in Calgary we only have flat areas by us, there was nothing but hills out there....holy moly, what a workout...I tried to keep my HR down (I am supposed to be keeping it between 140-150) but couldn’t. I will definitely have to add more hill training in!

Sunday we had our 10k run in Kelowna, it was very fun getting ready but I was immediately left in the dust by everyone...I ran on my own but I was not feeling it that day, especially once you add in the hills...by the 45 minute mark my knees were hurting so bad and I had a bad cramp, my HR was 194 and I was going way to hard for how slow I was actually moving.....I finished at 115 and change....I was happy, but in comparison to EVERYONE else I actually did poorly...I am going to have to work on the running big time...who am I kidding, I have so much work to do for everything!!!!!

Yesterday was spent travelling...ALL DAY!!! It took me forever...and Phil stayed in BC for a week so I was all alone...it was such a long day filled with snowstorms, rainstorms, wildlife, traffic, accidents, and LOTS of slow constuction....the 7.5 hour trip took me over 11hours and I didnt even stop for anything to eat...one gas stop and thats it....CRAZY...so needless to say, no training, which was fine b/c I had booked the day off of training in advance!

So this weeks plan is as below:
M - Travel Day
T - S 30-45 mins; B 45-50 mins
W - Off
T - S 30-45 mins; R 40-45 mins
F - B 50-60 mins
S - R 50-60 mins
S - S 60 mins

I am making some modifications, I am going to add swimming on Wednesday and Friday. Probably Saturday too, just to get used to it.....I am also going to do my strength on Wednesday. Sunday I plan on doing some yoga to stretch it all out. Oh and I am going to add 10mins biking everyday I do not already have it planned just to get my butt used to that seat...man does it still hurt!! My biking this week is all about getting a smooth cadence and one legged drills...should be interesting! The run is supposed to be easy and focusing on getting my HR down, and the swim is just to get in the water!

Anyways, as Phil is gone I have nothing to do BUT train so this should be a great week! This week I also plan on getting my eating habbits back on track! Going for groceries tonight and will be eating mostly vegan for the rest of the week...

This weeks challenge to myself:
Drink 4 bottles of water EVERY day

Update of my hectic week!

2008-09-25T09:16:00.000-06:00

So its been a week since I posted last and it has definitely been a whirlwind of a week....

Friday I met with my new coach...he seems great and I am excited to start with him...I sent him my schedule and will be starting my training at the beginning of October I believe.

Friday was a crazy day with hours of driving involved...after meeting with Greg I had to race to meet my mom at the running room in somerset....so far!! and since I was running late it was a short visit..then back up to valley ridge to pick up Phil (I had dropped him off in the am so I could take the car). We went to his mechanics in the NW and I got a call from my mom that my Grandma had fallen and broken her arm in a few places and her leg and was on the way to the hospital...so I called my sister and we picked her up and drove to the Rockyview hospital...called to see where everyone was and turns out they were going to Peter Laugheed instead...so we drove all the way up north again...called again and there were issues at the clinic and they hadnt left yet. I guess my Grandmas BP spiked and they were trying to get it back to a normal rate before they could move her....so we met my dad for dinner by the hospital and made it back just as the ambulance got there...Turns out she had dislocated her wrist and they were putting her under so they could adjust it...not pretty! Good news is Grammy is ok! She is banged up and in casts...but shes ok!

Saturday Phil and I spent time over at my Grandparents just helping clean the place, getting the laundry rounded up and brought over to my moms, feeding them etc....because of my Grandpa's illness he cant take her so its going to be an interesting 30 weeks (yes thats how long she has to wear the casts!!!) Right now mom is going over twice a day to put the aircast on Grammys foot on and off as Pa cant do it....

So by the time sunday rolled around Phil and I were both exhausted...I dont remember what we did Sunday but I do know that I had a great swim class...my instructor taught me how to keep my face underwater and I am so much better...all I had to do was hum...who would have guessed! Phil and I also did a 6.5 k run later...in the rain, lol...but it was fun! I think we will make it in the 10k but we are definitely NOT racing his sister and dad!

Monday was a recovery day, I was starting to feel ill again and since I did my run the day before I just vegged...

Tuesday I went for a quick run and then Phil and I went swimming....lots of kicking drills and I practiced swimming with my head under...not as good as on Sunday, but with practice I will be fine!

Wednesday was another crazy day!! We had a fire alarm at work and were evacuated...this is the second in two weeks which wouldnt be so bad but we are on the 25th floor and there are so many stairs down!! It takes forever!!! Atleast I could leave a few minutes earlier! Phil picked me up and we went for my bday dinner at Tony Romas, mmm ribs!!!! Then we went to meet Katy to look at the bike she was selling...it was so pretty!!! and fit so nice! I bought it :) Happy Birthday to me! :) It took longer than I thought so I was running late to my first night of Polish class, but thankfully I found my class and got seated before she started! I learned a lot and was able to teach Phil on the way home....it was fun! Going to be tough trying to remember all of this...but im sure I will get the hang of it!

Today is my BIRTHDAY!! YAYA!!! Phil gave me his gift this morning...the new Garmin Forerunner 405! It has a heart rate monitor and gps so I can track my runs...I have the Garmin 201 right now so this one is so much nice! And its bright green!! I love it...looks more like a watch and has a touch dial to change screens! Very cool! I will have to get the bike adaptor so I can track cadence and stuff too! Everyone has been calling and emailing me nice wishes all morning, haha Polly and May even had a teleconference to sing me their duet...hahaha too funny!

ALthough we wanted to run tonight its not going to happen, Phil got us tickets to the Flames Game! So excited...ill run the stairs in the saddledome instead :) So that is my birthday plans...

I am only working half a day tomorrow and going to go up to bowcycle to get shoes and stuff for my bike...then Phil can pick me up there and we can head straight out of town and to Canmore for my birthday weekend with the Family! Cant wait!

This weekends fitness will consist of an 8k run on Friday, a 4-5 hour hike on Saturday and more swimming on Sunday! I will check back in on Monday!

Do widzenia (goodbye in polish)

Sick boys suck!

2008-09-18T09:16:00.000-06:00

Its half way thru my week and I wish I had better news...Phil got sick this weekend and passed it on to me...im fighting though!!! I am...I think thats why I was so tired earlier in the week...I have just been taking it easy, going to bed almost as soon as I get home...I actually only missed two days of training, so thats not so bad!

Last night Phil tried to pull the "im too sick to workout" card on me and to his surprise and horror it didnt work...I packed up our swim gear, loaded him in the car and off we went to the pool...I dont think he realized how bad I am so now he is all gung ho on getting me to the pool more often to practice! It was actually lots of fun! We had a lane practically to ourselves and were there for over an hour!! I practiced kicking mostly with a flutter board, just back and forth...man it was a long way!! I practiced lots putting my head under water and holding my breath...I know that sounds lame, but thats where I am at...need to start somewhere! I also just spent a lot of time working on the motions...I kept my head out but practiced the front crawl just to become more comfortable with it....pretty good for lesson 2!

Somehow we got lucky and got to swim for free!! We did buy a 10 pass so we can go more often! I think next time is going to be on Friday as tonight we are going BIKE shopping!!!!! BIKE SHOPPING YAY!!!!!

I am also meeting my new coach *hopefully* on Friday at 11am!! Wish me luck!

Get 'er done!!!

2008-09-16T08:05:00.000-06:00

So I bailed on last nights bike...I was so exhausted I went to bed before 9!!! Sooo tonight I have to make it up..which means I have to run at lunch so I have time to bike tonight....sheesh!!! Wont do that again!

Here is this weeks plan:
M - Rest
T - 5K Run, 25 min Bike
W - 5K Run, 1h Swimming Practice
T - 30 min Bike
F - 35 min Bike, 1h Swimming Practice
S - 7 K Run
S - 1h Swimming lessons, 4k Run

I am going to go to Bowcycle on Thursday to get a bike!! They are open until 8 so that will give me time to hopefully find one! I have also been emailing Greg at Legend Coaching and will be meeting with him on Friday to discuss training with him...I have already filled in his questionairres etc. so I will call today to set up a time to meet!

Week summary

2008-09-15T06:56:00.000-06:00

I wanted to post earlier but I have just been so busy lately! Not to mention exhausted!!! My body is still adjusting to this exercise.....

So I made most of my goals last week...just a few changes....

Tuesday I did 25min bike instead of 15 mins....my legs were feeling good so I pushed it
Wednesday I did my 4k run, Thursday I actually had a dinner with my family and never biked, so Friday I biked for 20 mins to make up for it and then went for a 3.5k run in the rain!!! Saturday I started to do my 6k run but Phil called and wanted to do it with me so I turned back and only did 4.75k...no bike....Sunday I had my first swimming lessons and man were they tough! So I swam for an hour and then attempted my 6k run but unfortunately I got shin splints and only made it 4k....now my legs hurt!!

So first I just want to say how proud I am of myself...I really tried my hardest...and running in the rain...that shows dedication :) My apologies to all the wormies I killed...there were just so many!!!!

Swimming went so well...although it did make me realize how far I still have to go! I did progressions to learning three different strokes. We would start out with a flutter board, then a flutterboard with motions and head in the water and then the stroke...I learned that i freak out when I have to put my head in...oh dear! So this week I am supposed to just practice putting it in while swimming...lets hope I can get over that fast! Phil and I found another pool closer to the condo that has better hours so we may pop in there a few times this week to practice.

We also went looking for my bike...unfortunately only cyclepath was open on Sunday and they didnt have any road bikes....well they had a few but they were for tall men...I was so dissapointed! I hope we can get up to bowcycle this week and look there...otherwise it will be late november before the new models are in...I really cant survive on the gyms stationary until then...someone is ALWAYS on it and its always lined up too...I had to use the recumbrant last week and there is really no point to even using that one!

I dont have this weeks schedule with me but I will post it later...I know today I have to bike for 30mins and tomorrow I am running 5k....thats as far as I have looked ahead though!

First official week of training

2008-09-09T08:08:00.000-06:00

So here are my original goals for this week....

Mon - 4k Run
Tues - 15 min Bike
Wed - 4k Run
Thurs - 20 min Bike
Fri - Rest
Sat - 6k Run, 15 min Bike
Sun - SWIMMING!!!

I did make it for my run last night but only managed 3.5K....Phil has my car today so I may have to do wednesday's run tonight and hoof it to the post office to pick up my Ironman training books. Should be a good hour run there and an hour back....will be interesting to see if I can make it or not!

We are officially signing up for the 10k on Monday (pay day) so then its official...I know a month is plenty of time to train....I just need to get up to that 10k distance and I will be fine!

I start my swimming lessons on Sunday and I cant wait!! I am going shopping for goggles this week and hopefully Phil is going to start swimming on Sunday too!

Part of me keeps thinking this will get easier, then I have to remind myself that this is only the beginning and I have a long way to go...my 'plan' is to get prepared for the ironman in time for the half ironman, so I will be able to perfom well and then its a matter of increasing my speed and stuff for the ironman next year....I am driven and cant wait to start seeing improvements.

This will be an interesting next two years for sure!

So it begins...slowly...

2008-09-05T15:18:00.000-06:00

So far the training is going well. I have been on two runs this week, about 3 k (5k in total) each...I know thats not much but its what I can do without screwing up my knee. Phil even came with me on one which was a totally new and very exciting that he wants to help and participate. I was scheduled to do a 5k run today for my long run but we ended up hiking for 7 hours yesterday and I am tooo sore! Not to mention the blisters....I think the long run will have to wait until Sunday.

Tomorrow we are heading home so that means an entire day in the car....a right off. Nothing else is planned for this week. Next week I will increases my run distances to 4k and plan on running three times. Twice at 4k and one long run for 6k. I am also starting swimming next sunday so I have to go shopping for a bathinsuit and goggles. Oh and biking....next week I plan on biking 8k twice and biking 10k once. I dont have a bike yet so I am stuck with the stationary one in the gym. Next week I will start looking into getting one.....I am also going to get a big calendar and write my training schedule down so Phil can follow along. He told me if he sees a schedule up he will do the workouts too...yay!

Time to start!

2008-09-02T14:18:00.000-06:00

After contemplating and lots and lots of research I have decided its time to start training. I orginally wanted to do the Ironman in 2009 but I think giving myself two years will be much better. I have spoken with coaches, read training blogs from other competitors, read some trianing books and came up with a schedule.

This week probably isnt the best week to start as we are in Summerland visiting Phils family.I came prepared to tell them the news but to my surprise only 5 mins after arriving they annouced that they would be running in the 2010 Ironman...So its official now, I will be there aswell! Gives me even more drive now knowing I have to keep up with them!

Phil is on the wall....he doesnt know if he wants to or not, its a lot of money and more time spent training, but he is going to try!

Next week I start my adult swim lessons and the local pool. I know how to swim, but not how to swim well so I want to work on technique, endurance and speed. Should be fun!! Phil wants to start swimming again so it will be nice to be able to do this together.

I have started my running already....its not easy...but I am taking it slow and using my running room training to build my time up. Right now I am not worried about going fast, just trying to work up the cardio and endurance and once I can complete the distance I will worry about speed.

I have also started researching bikes and will hopefully be getting one later this month. It will be too cold to use outside (its already snowing at home!!) so I will also get a fluid trainer and some spinervals dvds so I can train inside.

My workouts are planned, although they dont seem like too much right now. I know in a year from now that will be a different story!

So here we go!!!