I'm not an athlete

I love talking to people about training for a triathlon. The thing I hear most is I did a triathlon, I swam in high school. My friend does triathlons, he ran in college.  Let me tell you what, I played golf in high school and I wasn't even that good!! I think they just let me on the team because they felt sorry for me.  I never swam on a team. I wasn't in cross country or track and I never rode a bike in a race. Well today I swam my 18 laps. It was a hard swin but I did it.  On Saturday I swam my 1/2 mile (18 laps) then I attempted a 2 mile run. I did this at the Y. I started out strong on the run then kinda pooped out. I walked some but I ran more than I walked.  This makes me think, Am I an athlete now?? I know I'm not a true Triathelete but can I call myself an athlete now?? I started swimming in September NEVER having swam before.  Now I can swim 18 laps.  I've tried running in the past but not consistently.  I've ridden a bike but not like this.  Am I an athlete???  Yea, I think I am.

I swam a half mile!!!!!!!!

..........No you didn't... Yes I did... NO, you didn't.... YES I did!!!!! Ok so this was the conversation Amy and I were having on the way home from swimming.  Of course, Amy is correct.  No, I didn't!!!!!  Dang!!!!! Ok I should have swam 1.5 more laps!!! I swam 16.5 laps in a 25 yard pool.  My math was off, Amy's was NOT!!! :-)  Even though I didn't go a half mile this is the furthest I have ever swam!!!!!  I am beginning to feel more like a triathlete.  My brick workout last week, my ALMOST a half mile swim yesterday.  It's all coming together!!!  I never thought I'd feel this way but it's amazing what you can do when you set your mind and body to it.  My biggest supporter is God.  For with out Him I would NOT have gotten as far as I have.  Thank You God!!!!!

BRick workout

I have done my first brick workout!!! Yay I survived!!!!!!  A brick workout is where you do a bike workout followed by a run workout. I've been wanting to try a brick workout for a while but I've run into some road blocks.  I live in Wisconsin and it's winter.  I would workout on my stationary bike and want to go running but the roads were icy.  I also just finished a sinus cold. I hadn't worked out in 9 days.  Today was the day. The roads are clear and my sinuses are cooperative.  I decided to ride my stationary bike for 5 miles and then run.  It took about 20 minutes to go 5 miles.  I tried to set my stuff out after I was done with my bike ride to change clothes because it's 34°F outside.  I couldn't find several things after my bike ride and I was delayed herring outside to run.  GRRRR!!!!!  I did it though, I got dressed started out and I ran!!! I ended up running 2 miles.  AT first I had a stitch in my side which lasted for about a quarter mile.  I fell pretty accomplished.  But right now my legs are tired and sore.  27.5 weeks till Triathlon Day!!!!!

I SWAM today!!

Ok, I've been swimming since September.  I started with swim lessons and I've been trying to increase my time in the pool and for some reasons, like work, I haven't been successful on a consistent basis. Well today I said, I'm going swimming.  I need to be able to do 20 laps comfortably in the pool.  I gotta go get more time in.  Well today I SWAM!!!!  I did 7 laps!!!! Ok, 1 1/2 laps was with a kick board BUT..... I didn't stop I the middle of a lap.... AT ALL!!!!
That's a GREAT accomplishment!!! I have many fears and anxieties and the water used to be one.  I feel VERY accomplished right now!! 

I am VERY grateful to Amy for suggesting don't the Triathlon together!! I don't know if I'd EVER have been able to swim lime I can now!

Thanks Triathamom!!! My friend, Amy!!!!

Back in..... AGAIN!!

Well these past couple weeks have been difficult with me as far as training goes. Christmas vacation, I work as a School Nurse, I had EVERY intention of swimming and running!! Well we went out of town for Christmas. And I did neither.  I started swimming on New Year's Eve. That went well. Ran the next day, swam the next.   It was a Saturday.  I brought Amy with me!! We NEED some training together. Poor girl!! She got in the pool and proceeded to swim 16 laps!! 16!!  I think I got to 8!!! I thought..You go girl! :-)
Needless to say, I have a LOT of work ahead of myself. I need to be able to swim 20 laps, in a 25 meter pool, In order to survive this Triathlon.  I'm still hoping and praying I can make it too at least 16 laps.  However this was the first time I went that far.  I have anxiety about the water. Every time I'm in and swimming I gain more confidence and less anxiety.

I too am signed up for the Iron Girl.  I signed up the first day within 2 hours of them going live. I'm excited, scared, butterflies.... And more!

I'm In

Nothing like actually PAYING for the event to get you motivated. I just signed up. My heart is racing.

Next step... go for a run. Go run. A LOT.

IronGirl, here we come!!

This is THE Year!

Mary and I talked each other into this adventure last summer. Then I told myself there was PLENTY of time, I didn't need to start getting serious about training till next year. And now. Next Year is here I've been procrastinating on doing anything and have hardly run at all. Today's the day.

Today started off on the completely wrong foot. I discovered that I had accidentally deleted my entire running playlist from my phone. One hundred (or something) of the best running songs I've ever heard were all gone. I admit it - I sobbed. Sat at my desk and cried. Went upstairs to Wonderful Husband and he gave me a pep talk. I decided I was NOT going to let the Universe of Bad Stuff discourage me. This is The Year and I have to get serious about training.

So first Wonderful Husband took me for a walk around the block. Then I went off for a run on my own without music. And it was nice. And it turns out there's almost no traffic on New Year's Day. So it was very peaceful. Dear Universe of Bad Stuff... GET LOST! You can't stop me from that wonderful day in August when Mary and I will cross that finish line together. IronGirl, here we come!

Settling In

I've come up with a plan to maintain my fitness through the winter and begin prepping for the Big Day (10 months from now). So here it is. Run three times  a week (at least one run has to be at least 5 miles). Bike once a week, at least 10 miles, at a moderate to hard pace. Next spring I'll really start hitting the swimming. The end.

And then I ignored that plan, talked myself out of doing anything almost every day of the week, only biked twice and since gave it up. Good thing I got a new helmet. For that one ride.

I keep feeling these twinges in my shins, and then convince myself I shouldn't run so I don't hurt myself worse. But I don't know if that's a reason or an excuse. I'm just stuck. I need a goal. I need a big looming EVENT to keep me going. I really liked those long runs, and now I really miss them. Sigh. I've gotta find some motivation soon. I'll keep you posted.

Getting back in the saddle

Well I've been sick for almost a week.  I've ALWAYS had difficulty staying on a workout plan, such as running, then when I get sick I say.. Oh I'll start back up again and I never do. Well I started back running again.  YAY for me!!!! 
I was supposed to run Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  I feel pretty lucky to have gotten sick and switch my training now to Saturday, Monday, Wednesdays since so many races are on Saturdays!!  (P.S.  I didn't go to my swim lesson either)

I want to run as many 5K races as possible leading up to the Triathlon. I want to be as proficient as possible for the run. 

So if you get sick as soon as your able to"get back in the saddle"..... Saddle up!!!! Get back in the swing of things.  It's always best to have a friend or someone encouraging you. 
If not I'll tell you.. YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

Let's start with ABC or DO RE ME?!?

Well I think Amy was the one who talked me into it.... Or maybe it WAS me!!!!!  Either way we talked about training and doing the Iron Girl Triathlon!!  Well I've been dealing with an injury for the past 2 years. To be honest I really don't know how it happened. I had/have tendinitis in foot.  After walking in a boot, 2 cortisone shots, physical therapy and many tears I feel well healed enough to tackle my/& Amy's next journey!  I watched Amy train for a 5K we were supposed to run together. Then I saw her for a 10 mile run.  Then I got to watch her train for a Half Marathon.  I do admit I was a little jealous and wished to be able to run next to her.  NOW we get to train together for a Sprint Triathlon!!

I was biking more this summer, due to my foot, and once Amy and I decided to take on training I started out on the Couch Potato to 5K. I've trained with this program before and it worked GREAT!!  Started it up again.  I also signed up for swimming lessons. I have a fear about the water and I've only had 2 lessons and I am feeling more comfortable and confident in the water. 

WE hope this blog will help any other aspiring Triathletes!!! 

Welcome to Our Journey!!!!

The Very Beginning

WAY back, a whole month ago or something, Mary and I got to talking. She talked me into it, or maybe I talked her into it, but the next thing you know, we've agreed to do the IronGirl next summer. No problem, plenty of time to train, its a year away. Right?

There's been a lot of talk, and its been decided, yes we're really doing it. And we're going to cross that finish line together. Within the amount of time provided before the course closes. We have one year to get ready. Here we go!

Today we did our first bike ride together. Our plan is to match up our training when schedules/families/life allows. And text each other on the other days. My plan is to get some time in the saddle, I haven't seriously ridden a bike since before kids. Also my plan is to not forget how to run (counting on Dad for a bit of help motivating me, Dad, are you in?). And ALSO my plan is to not get completely terrified by the swimming part of this gig, and mostly I'm doing that by just trying not to think about it.

We rode 10 miles, we were at mile 3 or 4 before Mary told me she thought maybe I was being too ambitious, since I'm so rusty with the whole riding thing. We kept an easy pace, talked about our goals and plans, enjoyed the sunshine and wind. We stopped along the lake to admire the crashing waves, coasted down hills and just generally enjoyed ourselves. I would say it was a very good start to our training.

Notes to myself...
1. Get my own helmet, can't borrow Archer's forever.
2. Find a decent water bottle, disposable bottle with screw off cap does NOT work well.
3. MIRROR! Need a mirror for the bike!
4. Ugh this was tough on my backside. Gonna need a lot more time in the saddle!

P.S. Thanks to Archer for the great team name! It's perfect!!