Ahhh......was actually able to get a great sleep in. Put my kiddies in the tub-and Ava and I were asleep by 745pm. I was then able to sleep until 6am and did not go to the gym this morning because Mr. P has yet another challenge in store for me today.
What you may ask? Well it is just an itty bitty ride....Ha Ha Ha....it's more like a 2 hour plus ride out past Lockport. The issue for me, is that this happens to be on the highway and I hate riding in traffic at the best of times. The only saving grace, is that we will be riding in the middle of the afternoon, I have a great pair of Oakley's to protect my eyes (can' say enough about how good these things are) and I plan on wearing my red jacket (hopefully the red will caution them to back off!).
Now if only the weather holds up, the ride will be less stressful. Right now it looks chilly (I think the temp went below zero) and on the verge of rain. I also hope my calf muscles loosen up as yesterday my swim instructor was relentless in giving my kick drills. Must eat a few bananas as I can not have a repeat of seized calf muscle-especially on a long ride! Oh and then after I get home from the long ride, I am hosting a Board Meeting for my daughter's Montessori school so I am very glad I am rested today!
One thing I have noticed is that all this cycling is rubbing off on my better half. I think I mentioned that Michael has adopted Bart (my old Mountain bike. In reality, the bike is not old-it was purchased last year in a moment of panic when I was being pressured by a sales clerk to buy another bike-part of the negative experience I made reference to earlier). Anyways Bart and Michael have been getting along swimmingly and Michael is now combining his workouts with both running and cycling. This is good I say, as one of my dreams is to go on a cycling vacation in the South of France through the country side. I know this will have to wait until the children are grown which means we have lots of time to practice. Hell maybe by that time we can cycle all of Europe-maybe even Asia! In all seriousness, I am so proud that my husband is taking on cycling-maybe by next year I can even get him in the pool! One step at a time! Wha Ha Ha Ha
Friday, May 7, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
My eyes nearly popped out!
Yes you read that right my followers, my eyes nearly popped out of my head. Last night, I went to look at the results of my duathalon and discovered that I placed first in my age category and first overall for Short Duathalon female. There were a total of 102 participants and the weather was 8c -wind was of 40KPH NE wind, and steady steady rain. I know there was some skill involved, but probably a little beginners luck combined with the fact that I bet many people stayed home. Having said that, I will still take it and be proud-at least for a little while!
Today I did another brick workout, and I saw him again on my run. Mr. Fox! Now I don't know if it was the same fox I saw a while back, but this fox was beautiful and crossed my path approx. 2 feet in front of where I was running. Incredibly, the fox stood off to the side and just looked at me and after I had passed, he trotted away. Strange I say to meself, because this is the only wild creature that I haven't been freaked by. And BTW if I should of gotten freaked today would have been the day as I had spent last evening watching Billy the Exterminator!
I have to say, it is great moments like these that I truly wish I had my dad with me to celebrate. He always knew what to say. He has missed so much, meeting my Michael, dancing with me at my wedding, and meeting his grandchildren! I wonder if the fox is in someways connected to nature and my dad-I just had that thought-probabally nothing to it!
Today I did another brick workout, and I saw him again on my run. Mr. Fox! Now I don't know if it was the same fox I saw a while back, but this fox was beautiful and crossed my path approx. 2 feet in front of where I was running. Incredibly, the fox stood off to the side and just looked at me and after I had passed, he trotted away. Strange I say to meself, because this is the only wild creature that I haven't been freaked by. And BTW if I should of gotten freaked today would have been the day as I had spent last evening watching Billy the Exterminator!
I have to say, it is great moments like these that I truly wish I had my dad with me to celebrate. He always knew what to say. He has missed so much, meeting my Michael, dancing with me at my wedding, and meeting his grandchildren! I wonder if the fox is in someways connected to nature and my dad-I just had that thought-probabally nothing to it!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Did it!
I did it! I still can't quite believe it, but I completed my first duathalon ever last evening in a torrential downpour and with gale force winds for an extra added bonus. Thinking back, I really should have considered wearing my wet suit-and I could have sprayed the PAM all over my body without worrying about a sunburn scenario-Oh well, maybe next time!
The race was much better than I psyched myself up for. I was even keeping up with the 20 something young boys out there on the course-not bad for an old lady! I am so thankful I did the race, and now feel like at least if I have bad weather conditions out in Calgary, I will have at least one dreadful day of weather experience (actually two if you count the first time out with Mr. P when the wind was gusting to a gazillion mph). Thank the good Lord for Snaggle (aka Seema) who also insisted that I complete the course even if the race got cancelled. I needed to do this, even though I was freakin scared out of my mind!
The physical component of the race was very doable. However, I did elect to take a Red Bull Shot prior to the race which spelled disaster for me when I tried to sleep (or lets say I didn't sleep) last night! Funny, the can says that consuming a Red Bull shot is "equivelent to consuming a premium cup of coffee". Crap I say-it's more like consuming 10 cups of coffee-and trust me I can drink a lot of coffee!
The one thing that I did not prepare meself for was the cold I felt after the race. I was soaking wet from head to toe and I am sure that the temperature in the Park was roughly 7 degrees (that's not taking wind chill into effect). Hence, when I was done, I was shivering uncontrollably and had a hard time holding onto the steering wheel of my vehicle for the 40 minute drive back. Once at home, I think I used up all the hot water, showered for over an hour, and put on two layers of PJ,s my wool socks and wool toque. I also needed an extra comfortor on the bed as I had such a hard time getting warm.
Since I went out and did this all by myself not knowing a soul, I must admit I felt rather intimidated. But everyone was so nice. When I told one of the race directors that this was my first duathalon, he smiled and told me that once I completed my first race I would be hooked. I am not sure if I am hooked, but I do know I am committed to doing the series (4 more races) and that I will feel a lot less anxious going forward now.
The best part you ask? It's not my time, its not the endurance. Its's the fact that I faced fear in the face (with a whole lot of encouragement) and did it!
The race was much better than I psyched myself up for. I was even keeping up with the 20 something young boys out there on the course-not bad for an old lady! I am so thankful I did the race, and now feel like at least if I have bad weather conditions out in Calgary, I will have at least one dreadful day of weather experience (actually two if you count the first time out with Mr. P when the wind was gusting to a gazillion mph). Thank the good Lord for Snaggle (aka Seema) who also insisted that I complete the course even if the race got cancelled. I needed to do this, even though I was freakin scared out of my mind!
The physical component of the race was very doable. However, I did elect to take a Red Bull Shot prior to the race which spelled disaster for me when I tried to sleep (or lets say I didn't sleep) last night! Funny, the can says that consuming a Red Bull shot is "equivelent to consuming a premium cup of coffee". Crap I say-it's more like consuming 10 cups of coffee-and trust me I can drink a lot of coffee!
The one thing that I did not prepare meself for was the cold I felt after the race. I was soaking wet from head to toe and I am sure that the temperature in the Park was roughly 7 degrees (that's not taking wind chill into effect). Hence, when I was done, I was shivering uncontrollably and had a hard time holding onto the steering wheel of my vehicle for the 40 minute drive back. Once at home, I think I used up all the hot water, showered for over an hour, and put on two layers of PJ,s my wool socks and wool toque. I also needed an extra comfortor on the bed as I had such a hard time getting warm.
Since I went out and did this all by myself not knowing a soul, I must admit I felt rather intimidated. But everyone was so nice. When I told one of the race directors that this was my first duathalon, he smiled and told me that once I completed my first race I would be hooked. I am not sure if I am hooked, but I do know I am committed to doing the series (4 more races) and that I will feel a lot less anxious going forward now.
The best part you ask? It's not my time, its not the endurance. Its's the fact that I faced fear in the face (with a whole lot of encouragement) and did it!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Nervous
Well my official first race of the season is on for tonight-the short course duathalon. I am very nervous about this, and ate a whole bunch more waffles this morning! I don't normally excersise in the evening and am usually in bed by 9pm. This duathalon begins at 630pm, so I am going to be one tired girl! My biggest contemplation is whether to take an energy shot or Gu as these containe caffeine. I know if I do, I may be up half the night. On the other hand, if I don't I just might not be alert enough-and that would be bad on the bike!
I did a longish swim without my fins this morning (60 laps) and felt really good. My stroke today just felt right-but my kick still sucks! I found out from Mr. P that the first triathalon last year the water temperature was 13 degrees c. I really don't know how I am going to hack this-my wetsuit better hold up!
Sorry for the short post, but I can't seem to focus, and I've got to get a grip! Serenity now!
I did a longish swim without my fins this morning (60 laps) and felt really good. My stroke today just felt right-but my kick still sucks! I found out from Mr. P that the first triathalon last year the water temperature was 13 degrees c. I really don't know how I am going to hack this-my wetsuit better hold up!
Sorry for the short post, but I can't seem to focus, and I've got to get a grip! Serenity now!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Sausage Casing
Ok there has been a big problem with my swim suit as of late. I believe it has something to do with the glue they use to ensure the thing is hemmed properly and does not rip. Well my suit has malfunctioned in a big way, and after every swim I have been noticing this black goo all over my body. It is kinda like the substance of tar and does not wash off easily at all.
Well today I had it! After my swim, and being covered in black goo, I say to meself, self, I am going to the store and blow even more money that I really had not intended. A good suit is usually anywhere from 60-80 bucks, and I can think of a lot of other things I would rather spend my money on at this moment. However, this black gue I can no longer take, and I am not entirely confident that it would be "harmless" staying on my skin with repeated exposure!
So off I go to the swim store. The ladies there know me by name, what with all the swimming caps and goggles I have been going through. As I walk through the doors they are smiling, and I know something is up. They reveal that they recieved their shipment of wetsuits in. Yeah I say to meself, after consuming 4 waffles this morning and feeling like I am 4 months pregnant! But they convince me to try some on.
Fortunately for me, I have an extremely patient little daughter, who was very interested to see how her mommy could stuff her body into a teeney weeney wetsuit. In fact I almost laughed out loud when they handed me the first one to try on.
Now the saleslady was very knowledgeable in helping me. She told me, that putting on a wetsuit should be done like how one would put on a pair of nylons-only the wetsuit does not stop at the waste. I followed her advice and tried very carefully not to tug too much as the ouside shell of the wetsuit is very suseptible to tears and nicks from fingernails.
By the time, I got the thing up to my neck, I was sweating perfusely and felt like I was choking when I zipped the thing up. Then I looked in the mirror-and was horrified to see a giant sausage staring back at me. These suits are not very forgiving and are supposed to fit like "a second skin". Repeat, 4 waffles before trying on a wetsuit is not a good combo!
When I walked out of the changing room, the 2 salesladies circled me like sharks, checking out where the suit gaps, how tight it was in certain places and pulled and tugged in all directions to ensure I had it on properly. Once my wetsuit was adjusted in the crotch area (clearly embarassing for me, but not the pro's) I felt less like choking. After spending about ten minutes walking around and getting the feel of it, I tried on another. Then I tried on the first one again, and then the second one. An hour and a half later, I not only spent 70 bucks on a swimsuit, but a whole whack of money on the wetsuit.
I have been clearly instructed not to swim with the wetsuit on in a pool, as the chlorine or bromide solutions in pools will eat away at the neoprene. The clerk was very kind in saying that I could try it out in Bird's Hill Park and likely aim in the next two weeks. (Yikes I say to meself, as I am sure the water will be very cold-but then again probabally not as cold as the glacier fed river I will be swimming in at Ghost Lake in Calgary!)
The clerk has encouraged me to wear my wetsuit around the house, as these suits will tend to mold to your body and give a bit. I expressed fear in not being able to get the thing on properly or efficiently. She smiled at me and said, that in order for the suit to get on easier, I could use a product called Body Glide (I actually use this when I wear new runners to prevent blistering until the shoe is worn in). This comes in a stick like deodorant, and I said, that to her that I would need several sticks to cover my body. She laughed again and then told me a secret that some people do: They spray themselves with PAM prior to putting the suit on. She did caution me that PAM tends to stain clothes.
Well, I am not sure I will go with PAM especially if it is a sunny day. Can you imagine the sunburn one would get if one were covered in PAM for 7 plus hours in the sun? I think, I will practice putting on and taking off my wetsuit as much as I can. If any of you come to visit me, and wonder why I have a wetsuit on-Now you know! (just please don't put me on the BBQ)
Well today I had it! After my swim, and being covered in black goo, I say to meself, self, I am going to the store and blow even more money that I really had not intended. A good suit is usually anywhere from 60-80 bucks, and I can think of a lot of other things I would rather spend my money on at this moment. However, this black gue I can no longer take, and I am not entirely confident that it would be "harmless" staying on my skin with repeated exposure!
So off I go to the swim store. The ladies there know me by name, what with all the swimming caps and goggles I have been going through. As I walk through the doors they are smiling, and I know something is up. They reveal that they recieved their shipment of wetsuits in. Yeah I say to meself, after consuming 4 waffles this morning and feeling like I am 4 months pregnant! But they convince me to try some on.
Fortunately for me, I have an extremely patient little daughter, who was very interested to see how her mommy could stuff her body into a teeney weeney wetsuit. In fact I almost laughed out loud when they handed me the first one to try on.
Now the saleslady was very knowledgeable in helping me. She told me, that putting on a wetsuit should be done like how one would put on a pair of nylons-only the wetsuit does not stop at the waste. I followed her advice and tried very carefully not to tug too much as the ouside shell of the wetsuit is very suseptible to tears and nicks from fingernails.
By the time, I got the thing up to my neck, I was sweating perfusely and felt like I was choking when I zipped the thing up. Then I looked in the mirror-and was horrified to see a giant sausage staring back at me. These suits are not very forgiving and are supposed to fit like "a second skin". Repeat, 4 waffles before trying on a wetsuit is not a good combo!
When I walked out of the changing room, the 2 salesladies circled me like sharks, checking out where the suit gaps, how tight it was in certain places and pulled and tugged in all directions to ensure I had it on properly. Once my wetsuit was adjusted in the crotch area (clearly embarassing for me, but not the pro's) I felt less like choking. After spending about ten minutes walking around and getting the feel of it, I tried on another. Then I tried on the first one again, and then the second one. An hour and a half later, I not only spent 70 bucks on a swimsuit, but a whole whack of money on the wetsuit.
I have been clearly instructed not to swim with the wetsuit on in a pool, as the chlorine or bromide solutions in pools will eat away at the neoprene. The clerk was very kind in saying that I could try it out in Bird's Hill Park and likely aim in the next two weeks. (Yikes I say to meself, as I am sure the water will be very cold-but then again probabally not as cold as the glacier fed river I will be swimming in at Ghost Lake in Calgary!)
The clerk has encouraged me to wear my wetsuit around the house, as these suits will tend to mold to your body and give a bit. I expressed fear in not being able to get the thing on properly or efficiently. She smiled at me and said, that in order for the suit to get on easier, I could use a product called Body Glide (I actually use this when I wear new runners to prevent blistering until the shoe is worn in). This comes in a stick like deodorant, and I said, that to her that I would need several sticks to cover my body. She laughed again and then told me a secret that some people do: They spray themselves with PAM prior to putting the suit on. She did caution me that PAM tends to stain clothes.
Well, I am not sure I will go with PAM especially if it is a sunny day. Can you imagine the sunburn one would get if one were covered in PAM for 7 plus hours in the sun? I think, I will practice putting on and taking off my wetsuit as much as I can. If any of you come to visit me, and wonder why I have a wetsuit on-Now you know! (just please don't put me on the BBQ)
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Regeneration week is coming to an end
Sniff....sniff....easy week is over-I am awaiting my new program for May-which Mr. P told me would be kicked up a notch. Yikes!
Today my legs feel quite tired and achy. I did not anticipate this, as I have regularly been doing workouts just as long or longer than yesterday's. Strange how that happens!
Last night before bed, I was surfing the net for any information I can find about triathalons. I do this quite regularly-especially when there is crapola on the TV. Interesting tid-bit I found out was in regards to "hitting the wall" (runner's term) or "bonking" (cyclist's term). I am quite certain, that had I run a long distance at the pace I was running yesterday I most definitely would of "bonked on the wall" (Donna's term).
The article talked a lot about how this happens when your glycogen stores in your muscles get depleted. Glycogen is produced by ingestion of carbs-hence you often hear about runner's carbo loading before a race. This needs to happen well in advance, as a night of spaghetti before the big one is just not going to cut it. In endurance sports, your body will also pull energy from the glucose in your bloodstream and from any stored fat that you might have kicking around. The problem with the blood and fat energy sources, is that they peter out quite quickly, and your body can't use the fuel in fat efficiently. The key is to stay hydrated, eat consistently throughout the race (approx one power bar or it's equivilent every hour) and stay at an endurance heart rate pace-avoid anaerobic racing-unless you are doing short distances or are doing this in your training.
What perhaps was even more interesting to me is what you eat after the race. Apparently if you can get a whole whack of carbs into your system within 30 minutes of finishing a race, your muscles act like a sponge and can absorb glycogen even better than weeks of pre-race carbo-loading. In the end, this leads to faster regeneration, and a way better recovery.
Maybe I should have eaten a whole lot of pasta last evening, and my legs might have felt better this am? I guess, I will be doing more experimenting! In the meantime-bring on the KD!
Today my legs feel quite tired and achy. I did not anticipate this, as I have regularly been doing workouts just as long or longer than yesterday's. Strange how that happens!
Last night before bed, I was surfing the net for any information I can find about triathalons. I do this quite regularly-especially when there is crapola on the TV. Interesting tid-bit I found out was in regards to "hitting the wall" (runner's term) or "bonking" (cyclist's term). I am quite certain, that had I run a long distance at the pace I was running yesterday I most definitely would of "bonked on the wall" (Donna's term).
The article talked a lot about how this happens when your glycogen stores in your muscles get depleted. Glycogen is produced by ingestion of carbs-hence you often hear about runner's carbo loading before a race. This needs to happen well in advance, as a night of spaghetti before the big one is just not going to cut it. In endurance sports, your body will also pull energy from the glucose in your bloodstream and from any stored fat that you might have kicking around. The problem with the blood and fat energy sources, is that they peter out quite quickly, and your body can't use the fuel in fat efficiently. The key is to stay hydrated, eat consistently throughout the race (approx one power bar or it's equivilent every hour) and stay at an endurance heart rate pace-avoid anaerobic racing-unless you are doing short distances or are doing this in your training.
What perhaps was even more interesting to me is what you eat after the race. Apparently if you can get a whole whack of carbs into your system within 30 minutes of finishing a race, your muscles act like a sponge and can absorb glycogen even better than weeks of pre-race carbo-loading. In the end, this leads to faster regeneration, and a way better recovery.
Maybe I should have eaten a whole lot of pasta last evening, and my legs might have felt better this am? I guess, I will be doing more experimenting! In the meantime-bring on the KD!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Trial Run
Ok, so today was the Big Day- the trial run of the short distance duathalon that I will be doing in the park on Tuesday.
I picked up my fine feathered friend, Miss J and can't tell you how great it was to have her with me! She is an awesome person, and did fantastic despite having some technical issues that were completely out of her control.
Her courage and strength today I totally admire, and brought me back to the times when I tried new things. Not so long ago I remember swimming my first 25meters in the pool and thought of what an impossible task further distances would be. I also recall trying to ride a road bike for the first time last summer and because of the negative experience, I let a year slip by before I was to try again. Here I am today, actually doing this, because at the end of the day, I decided I was not going to let those horrible, humiliating feelings stop me from accomplishing this goal. I hope Miss J feels the same way I do, and will continue on to do some duathalons with me!
So today, Mr.P and his lovely wife Mrs. L were so kind and gracious in helping me. Mr. P did not waste any time in cracking the whip and got me standing on my road bike. I must admit I felt like I was hyperventilating as it is a very wobbly feeling. Much much different then standing on a stationary spin bike! It did get easier and I realize I need to be in a bigger gear to feel more stable, but I obviously need to practice a whole lot more of this.
Perhaps the biggest accomplishment for me was drinking from my water bottle while riding (albeit I was riding considerably slower while trying to manage this task). This was soooooo huge for me, and I did it a total of 3 times without falling! I amaze myself to think that when I was 12 years old, I would cycle around the Army Base without holding onto my handle bars with ease. Now the thought of doing this terrifies me! Crap I say to anyone who maintains that you never forget how to ride a bicycle!
After having completed a 7 mile practice loop, Mr. P got me to do the whole duathalon, starting with the run (2k) bike (13k) run (2k). It felt pretty good although the last leg of the run, my legs were feeling a bit like lead weights. However, now I have a better idea of pacing myself!
One thing I am a bit nervous about, is the transitions which means changing shoes and racking/un-racking your bike. Since I have a hard enough time trying to find my car in a parking lot when I go shopping, finding my bike could be a very Big problem. I am seriously considering coming up with some sort of marker-a balloon? a flag? something!
As for the weather, I got a mix of it all, some sun, some wind, lots of cloud, and yes-rain. I asked about the whole rain issue and if I would slip and slide all over the place. Both Mr. P and Mrs. L were able to reassure me, that unless I took corners uber fast, that I would likely be just fine. Mrs. L also gave me a little tip and told me not to ride on the painted lines on the road, as they tend to get more slippery then unmarked concrete-who knew?
All in all, I must say, I had a very good training session. I feel much more confident knowing that I can complete the distance. I am still quite anxious about having to ride in a situation where there are many many people-I guess one scary thing at a time!
I picked up my fine feathered friend, Miss J and can't tell you how great it was to have her with me! She is an awesome person, and did fantastic despite having some technical issues that were completely out of her control.
Her courage and strength today I totally admire, and brought me back to the times when I tried new things. Not so long ago I remember swimming my first 25meters in the pool and thought of what an impossible task further distances would be. I also recall trying to ride a road bike for the first time last summer and because of the negative experience, I let a year slip by before I was to try again. Here I am today, actually doing this, because at the end of the day, I decided I was not going to let those horrible, humiliating feelings stop me from accomplishing this goal. I hope Miss J feels the same way I do, and will continue on to do some duathalons with me!
So today, Mr.P and his lovely wife Mrs. L were so kind and gracious in helping me. Mr. P did not waste any time in cracking the whip and got me standing on my road bike. I must admit I felt like I was hyperventilating as it is a very wobbly feeling. Much much different then standing on a stationary spin bike! It did get easier and I realize I need to be in a bigger gear to feel more stable, but I obviously need to practice a whole lot more of this.
Perhaps the biggest accomplishment for me was drinking from my water bottle while riding (albeit I was riding considerably slower while trying to manage this task). This was soooooo huge for me, and I did it a total of 3 times without falling! I amaze myself to think that when I was 12 years old, I would cycle around the Army Base without holding onto my handle bars with ease. Now the thought of doing this terrifies me! Crap I say to anyone who maintains that you never forget how to ride a bicycle!
After having completed a 7 mile practice loop, Mr. P got me to do the whole duathalon, starting with the run (2k) bike (13k) run (2k). It felt pretty good although the last leg of the run, my legs were feeling a bit like lead weights. However, now I have a better idea of pacing myself!
One thing I am a bit nervous about, is the transitions which means changing shoes and racking/un-racking your bike. Since I have a hard enough time trying to find my car in a parking lot when I go shopping, finding my bike could be a very Big problem. I am seriously considering coming up with some sort of marker-a balloon? a flag? something!
As for the weather, I got a mix of it all, some sun, some wind, lots of cloud, and yes-rain. I asked about the whole rain issue and if I would slip and slide all over the place. Both Mr. P and Mrs. L were able to reassure me, that unless I took corners uber fast, that I would likely be just fine. Mrs. L also gave me a little tip and told me not to ride on the painted lines on the road, as they tend to get more slippery then unmarked concrete-who knew?
All in all, I must say, I had a very good training session. I feel much more confident knowing that I can complete the distance. I am still quite anxious about having to ride in a situation where there are many many people-I guess one scary thing at a time!
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