Triathlon ready:  helmet, swim goggles, swim suit, bike gloves, running shoes and BIKE SHORTS.

Not sure how I'm supposed to swim with a helmet and shoes on...

and bike shorts it is...

First of all, survived Easter weekend.  Had a fantastic time with 30 youth and young adults as we kept vigil in anticipation of Easter.  I was awake for 32 hours straight and for 15 of those I was in constant motion.  At about 7am I thought I wouldn't make it (but still had two worship services to be present for) so I decided that I should go for a swim.  I joined my swim team at 8am and it was definitely the right choice.  That little bit of exercise gave me the boost I needed to make it through.  

Curious... I always used the excuse of  "I'm too tired" as a way to avoid exercise.  Turns out that I was too tired because I didn't exercise.  Who knew that exercise actually GAVE people energy?

Anyway, slept off and on for the rest of Sunday but it took until today (Wednesday) before I finally feel normal (well, normal for me).

Monday was bike night.  I had not yet been on my new (to me) bike so decided to give it a go in the afternoon and biked to The Bike Doctor to pick up a few supplies.   I bought my bike on Kijiji for $50.  It's an antique I think.. road bike.  Probably from the early 80s.  It works fantastic.  I could not believe 1. how fast I could go and 2. how much less energy it takes to ride than my mountain bike.

I decided to bike to our meeting place which I mistakenly thought was about a 15 minute bike from my house.  Took me half an hour.  I checked online and turns out its just over 8 miles one way.  So, first time out and biked 30 minutes there... over 30 minutes with the group... and 30 minutes home.  (I'm not really known for doing things in moderation).  My butt felt every single bump and stone all the way home.

The bike itself was FANTASTIC.  I had such a fun fun fun time.  I decided to take a risk and join the intermediate/advanced group and I'm really glad I did.  I was able to keep up with out much trouble at all.  It was exhilarating.. really.   I arrived home pretty hyped up.. despite my aching backside.

And about my butt... so I've rethought my decision to return my bike shorts.  I'll take the diaper-butt look over the sore-butt feel any day.  So... back to the store I go.

Tonight I'm going for a practice swim and tomorrow is run night...

LOVIN EVERY MINUTE OF IT!!!

@#$%$ weather

I really hate to complain BUT... SERIOUSLY!!!!

This cold/snowy/winter weather is really annoying me.   I know it's pointless to get upset about things I cannot change and have absolutely no control over BUT.. SERIOUSLY!

Monday night bike was cancelled again.  We were given a few options instead... run, a fitness class at the YWCA.   I chose to go swimming.  I'm glad I did as I struck up a conversation with a woman swimming in my lane and turns out she is a Tri It volunteer.. Karen (I think).  It was just fun to make that connection.   Also, she is a great swimmer and although I couldn't keep up to her, it caused me to push myself a little harder than I otherwise might have.

I'm not able to go on the run tonight because I will be participating in the Maundy Thursday service at my church.   I'm going to try to get in a run on my own before that.   Did you know running is kind of addictive?   I thought about just taking the day off but my legs are twitching.

This weekend is going to be fun and challenging.  Beginning on Saturday evening at 8pm I will be gathering at my church with youth and young adults from around Saskatoon for our annual Easter Vigil.  We spend the entire night praying, worshiping, making new friends, playing games and consuming crazy amounts of sugar and caffeine so that we can stay awake.   Sunrise this year for Easter is at 5:59 so we will be on the Wildwood hill at 5:45 to begin worship with other early birds to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.  After worship we head to the church for breakfast and then a little break until regular worship at 9:15.

I'm going to use that opportunity to go for a swim for my regular swim time from 8:05 until 8:40.  I really hope I don't fall asleep and drown in the water.  My hope is that the little burst of exercise will perk me up enough to help me make it through til worship is over at noon and I can finally go home to bed.

Heads up to my swim team... if it looks as though I'm drowning, I probably am.  Help!!

Words has it that next Monday we're going to bike rain, snow or shine.. can't wait!!

Happy Easter everyone!

gettin my groove on

So far this week I have ran roughly 20km, swam about 8km and beat my personal best in squats, deadlifts and bench presses at the gym.

Feeling pretty good.

Hard to believe I've had time to do anything else. 

t's a bit ridiculous (and embarrassing) how much I am enjoying this whole fitness/exercise/triathlon training.  Honestly, I go to bed and night feeling excited and I just can't wait to get to sleep so it'll be morning and I can go to the gym/go for a run/go swimming.   I know I tend on the side of obsessiveness in general but this is over-the-top... and I'm not at all interested in changing that.  It feels so good to be excited in my body... to be doing something physical... to be pushing myself.  I kind of feel unstoppable.  

I know I need to be careful so as not to injure myself... and I am.  I feel pretty confident that all the core/butt/back/leg work I have been doing at the gym for the past 7 months has prepared me pretty well for the more intensive cardio workouts.   So far nothing aches or twinges (well, nothing new.  I do have a little hip issue but it actually seems to be sorting itself out thanks to my much beloved foam roller).

Monday night we had our bike boot camp.  Lots of fun.  We did coordination exercises, core exercises, stretching and something for our butts.  I liked the ladder drills the best.   I'm reallllllllly hoping that next Monday it will be nice enough out for us to actually get out on our bikes.

Thursday night was run night.  Again I was able to run for a little more than 30 continuous minutes at a fairly decent pace.  The evening began with an informational session on proper running form.  Learned lots and was able to practice some of what I learned (who knew that running properly would take so much concentration... shoulders down and back, lean forward, arms at a 90 degree angle, feet striking closer to the body so as not to strike with the heel... here I thought all I needed to do was run).   I'm enjoying my little running group.  So far there are 5 of us but I suspect the group will get larger as others move up.  It was a beautiful night to run along the river.

I'm going to have to miss the swim on Sunday morning.  It's Palm Sunday and I'm responsible for the service this week.  I have lots of prep I need to do and have to be at the church early to greet people.  I will try to swim a little later in the day though.

So.. I'm feeling pretty darn grateful right now.  Grateful for this program.  Grateful that my body is more than cooperating with me.  Grateful that I am meeting new friends and feeling more at ease in the group all the time... they are a wonderfully supportive bunch.  Also, very grateful for Michelle and MaryAnn's amazing leadership.... lots of love and laughter between the two of them.

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!!!

just couldn't do it...

returned the bike shorts.  Had to be done.

I remember as a kid/teen riding my bike everywhere and never having issues.  Do our bits get more sensitive as we get older?  At any rate.. I'm gonna suck it up and ride on.

Speaking of riding... I got a new bike yesterday!   So excited.  Found it on Kijiji.  It's a "vintage" road bike.  Probably from the 80s.  Excellent condition.  Already tuned.  New tires.  Comfy(ish) seat.  Took it for a little test spin yesterday.  WOW.. is it different from my mountain bike.  Almost peeled out a couple of times on gravel (but didn't).  Can't wait to give it a real go.

But that won't be tonight.  Still too mucky out for our bike sessions so instead we will be doing a "boot camp".  Sounds awful but am looking forward to meeting some more ladies from the group.  Those that sweat together, bond together.

I think I'm finding a nice rhythm to my exercise routine.  I'm working with my trainer (Reed) at Goodlife Fitness doing strength training on Mon, Wed and Fri mornings.  Biking on Monday eve, running Thurs eve and swimming on Sunday morning.  I'm trying to get in an extra bike/swim/run each week so that every day I am doing some sort of cardio activity.

Speaking of cardio activity... holy crap is it hard to run against the wind.  I went for a run on Saturday afternoon along the 14th street trail.  Running away from home it was a breeze.  Didn't even notice the wind.  Made it to the Preston corner no problem.. feeling pretty proud cuz I wasn't really even out of breath (it was about 2.5k).  Turned around to run home and made it about 2 blocks before I thought I was going to die.  Walked a minute or two and then carried on, alternating walk/run.  Started thinking about how disappointing it must be for real triathletes (or any other athlete for that matter) to train and train and train... striving to beat their personal best... only to have crappy weather on traithlon day.   I can run 5k no problem on a nice day but...

On another note...
I made an observation about myself today (in response to my friend Hillary's comment on my previous blog post where I was giving credit for my ability to run to my magic shoes and she pointed out that perhaps it was I... not my shoes... that deserved the credit).

I have never been an athletic, fit person (actually, I've mostly felt pretty disconnected from my body for most of my life).  My decision last August to join the gym and get in shape had more to do with panic about reaching middle age than anything else.  Working with a personal trainer has been absolutely transformative for me.  I began at the gym with the goal to take off a few pounds and gain more energy.  And that has happened.  But, over the last few months I have been amazed as my body has changed... become more strong, more dependable, more confident).   I would have NEVER signed up for Just Tri It if I hadn't already begun this journey.  

So the body has changed so much.. but the mind.. my self-image.. is slow to catch up.   I didn't think I'd be able to run more than 5 minutes and I ran 30.   I didn't think I'd be able to continuous swim for more than a few lengths and I swam the other day for 30 minutes.. no problem.  I'm pretty sure I'm going to do okay on the biking as well (so long as I don't wipe out).   So I can no longer think of myself as "a lazy slug" (seriously.. that was my inner message).  I can no longer make excuses for not trying and doing new things because I really have no idea of the strength and power that are inside of me.  I am more and more coming to believe that my body's capacity to do amazing things is 80% mental and 20% physical.

Now I need to work on translating this to my social life.  I have always seen myself as shy, awkward and not very good meeting new people.  So.. I am shy, awkward and have a hard time meeting new people.  My new mantra needs to be "I am a loving and loveable person".    So watch out Just Tri It ladies...

Who knew Just Tri It would be so inspiring... I just thought it'd suck :-) (I like to start with low expectations so I'm not disappointed).

and on to week #2

This week started with our Monday bike session where we learned how to change a bike tire (well, someone demonstrated how to change a bike tire, the verdict is still out as to whether I actually learned anything).   We also spent time learning about road safety and having our helmets fitted.

I can't wait to actually get out on my bike.  I wish I had a road bike though... more speed with less effort.  However, it will be fun to go out with the ladies and pedal our butts off.  I can't say I'm overly anxious to put on my new bike shorts though.  I'm afraid my decision to purchase them might have been a bit rash.   I'm just far too vain to wear something that makes it look like I'm wearing a diaper (call me silly). It's probably not as bad as I think and if other women in the group were to swear to me that they too would be wearing these horrible things, I be willing to look ridiculous in solidarity.

It must be possible to be comfortable AND fashionable.

Thursday night was our run night.  I did decide to be brave and give the 30 minute continuous run group a go.  There were only 4 of us:  the volunteer Bernie, Jane, Jill and myself.  It was awesome.  We ran from the YWCA along the river to the Broadway Bridge, up the bridge, along the river and then back down the University Bridge, over to City Hospital and back to the Y.  I have no idea how far it is but it took us 30 minutes exactly.  I was completely fine for the first 10 minutes, then there were about 2 minutes when I thought I might die but that passed quickly and then I felt like I could have ran for another 30.  Strange.   I wonder if the "feeling I"m going to die thing" was just anxiety.. "what if I can't do it?"  "what if I'm too slow and hold everyone else back?"  Not only did I do it, but I met some lovely women in the process.  I ran mostly beside Jill, a lovely woman who recently moved to Saskatoon from Toronto with her partner.  Time went rather quickly when there was someone to chat with.

My new magic shoes continue to amaze me.

Tonight is a "wine and cheese" night at Brainsport for the participants with sales on all merchandise just for us.  There isn't really anything I need, but...