So much to be thankful for...

Just got back from an 8 mile run around Mission Bay. I am always amazed at how beautiful San Diego truly is - the beaches, the people, the active lifestyle, the sunshine, Sea World, the boats, it was just one of those mornings. I spent a quiet Thanksgiving having dinner with my parents. I am so grateful that they so fully embrace the fact that I am vegan. I felt bad for Dad since I am sure he would have preferred turkey, but Mom put on a truly amazing spread of fruits and vegetables. Dad filled my car up with leftovers - I think they worry that I don't eat - or maybe he just didn't want mom to continue the meat-free theme =) My sister is in Cancun and should be coming home today. I haven't talked to her in over a week - seems like forever. Hope they had a great time.

I managed to avoid the malls yesterday, but can feel the days counting down towards Christmas; so think that I will brave the wilds of at least Cedros Avenue this afternoon in search of my sister's B-day gift which is on Tuesday and my mom's B-day which is on Sunday.

During my run my left leg kept falling asleep - this is a new development which I can't say is completely unwanted, but have a feeling that it is not a good sign.... Hope everyone is having an amazing Thanksgiving weekend. There is so much to be thankful for....

Asthma or not Asthma?

I am beginning to think that maybe the air sucking sound I make when running isn't so much because I am THAT out of shape, but maybe a mild case of exercise induced asthma. It got bad this Saturday on my ten mile run - it was foggy and cold and I still sound like I inhale packs of cigarettes a day. I went for a fun run with Movin' Shoes tonight and had hoped to do an easy 4 mile, but had to turn around at three. It was cold and I just couldn't get my breathing under control. Good news I now have enough reflectors and lights so I should be easy to see on the road as I keel over - the nice thing is Sue turned around with me; so I wasn't all alone in the dark. Although the sense of guilt for cutting someone else's run short didn't make me feel good... I'm hoping maybe this is just the tail end of the cold I picked up in Mexico... Otherwise think I will ask my doctor at my annual in January.

I also have no shame - I am gleefully posting my weight at Magg's an off-season no weight gain competition. Thanks to Sarah and Maggs for letting me join even though they have no idea who I am. Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

USWTS Triathlon Experience

This is my last official triathlon for this year - a year with a whopping two, but as a newbie I think it is good. I was looking forward to this race to see if I have improved and also because it supports ovarian cancer research. One of my best friends from college lost her mom to ovarian cancer; so this is a cause dear to my heart. Besides I had heard that this was a newbie friendly race since it is an all women's course.

I got to the race super-early and setup my spot. I had an end spot again which makes me happy and calm. Met a few women who were racing for the first time and it was fun to talk to them - one even flew out from New York just for this race. My swim heat was a weird age break down it was 32-36 year olds....but I was competing in the 35-39 year old age group - made for a little confusion on the racks. The race took place at the South Shores Boat Ramp in Mission Bay. The walk to the water had me very concerned since it felt like I was walking on glass. I have tender feet and the rocks and whatever else was on the ground made for slow going. This is the first race ever that I have done that had a water start. The waves were going every 3 minutes apart. The waves were about 75 women in a group. I ended up middle of the middle for the start and then they said go and it was a roller-derby start. I was under the impression that women were civilized. Not at this race - there was elbowing, pushing, kicking - it was a free-for-all. Not sure if this just got my competitive spirit revved or if I just wanted to get away from everybody, but I knew I was having a good swim when I started passing swim caps from the previous two wave starts. Came out of the water and felt great. Feet must have been numb because I didn't notice running across the shards of glass =)

Transition was pathetic - over 3 and half minutes(3:37), but got out onto the bike course. I have been having a lot of discomfort on my bike seat and this race did not start out well as far as the feel went. I kept my bike in the big chain the entire race - I think that might have been a mistake, but I am experimenting. I just missed a crash by a few seconds. There were water bottles and bike parts flying and people making erratic moves throughout the bike ride. There were a couple of tight turns but I managed to stay in my lane not cause any wrecks and not fall off my bike. It was my first time riding Fiesta Island and I enjoyed that. I kept thinking on the bike how lucky I am to live in San Diego. But overall I just wanted the bike to end. I kept standing a sitting on the bike, but could not get happy.

Next transition from bike to run was better 1:22. Legs felt tired, bit besides for a brief walk through a water station ran the course. The best part was at the end somebody tried to pass me and I was able to hold her off and finish ahead of her. I was able to kick it up quite a few notches - think I could probably push myself a little harder on the run portion.

It was a fun race and I am glad that I felt well enough to go lift weights and then salsa dance after the race. I'm still a long way from being ready for my half-ironman in April, but am happy with my progress.

New Beginnings

This weekend is the end of summer and the beginning of Fall and in that manner I am celebrating by working-out. I am exploring a new running group that is training for the Carlsbad half marathon and going on a beginner, beginner bike ride and hopefully some surfing since I am moving back to my beach bungalow. Oh and a follow-up I have been reinstated on Facebook. Wahoo. Wishing everybody an amazing Labor Day Weekend.

"Because when I am bad - I am oh so bad..."

I was banned from Facebook today. I sent unintentional spam. Beware videos sent from friends. I was stupid - I shouldn't have opened or tried to run the video, but it was from a friend that I had just recently reconnected with on Facebook. It didn't seem that "bad" and then when I realized that it seemed to be sending out emails - I quickly shut down my computer, but the damage was done and my profile has poofed into the ether of the internet. I feel sadly friendless. How can I get through a Monday without knowing what my friends are doing???? I have communicated to the nameless Facebook warning group and am pleading my case. Please return my account.
On the workout front. I did a BRICK workout at the gym two miles biking, then 1 mile run - repeat. Think I need to bike longer to get the burned out leg feel, but my heart rate stayed up high the entire workout and even got the treadmill up to 7.0mph and didn't fly off the back end. Wahoo!
On the way my mind thinks-what happens to you if you exceed your maximum heart rate? Am I shortening my life by exercising? I heard something that there is like an hours of operation for our hearts. That mice have a crazy rapid heart rate and yet it beats just as long as a whale that has a crazy slow heart rate - but they both beat the same number of times before they die. I'll just have to hope that my spradic forrays into exercise are mitigated by my crazy sloth resting heart rate of 50bpm.
Maybe my heart rate monitor is counting the beats to my demise. On that happy note...

Who designs these shoes????

I am a child of the eighties, I have no problem with neon colors, but do running shoes have to be so ugly? I've loved my light blue Adidas Mana's, but since I am going to be putting some more running mileage on my shoes - I went to Movin' Shoes in Encinitas to get a new snazzy pair. I now own a pair of Nike Lunaracers. They truly defy description. They are super light-weight - look like they will do well around water. And are bound to make people smile or outright belly laugh. Perhaps it is because I am a slower runner that these seem ridiculous. Do I really want people staring at my feet? Is the goal to cause hysterics in the people behind me so that they won't be able to catch up to me? Or is this for pitch-dark runs so that everybody can see me? Not that I do any late night runs, but have no doubt that the drunk drivers will have no problem finding me with these shoes. I am taking them out for a test run this evening so I will let you know.
It was a weekend of purchases. Bought a Polar heart rate monitor so that I can see what is going on in the H20. I have a Garmin GPS 305 that I love, but will not bring in the pool with me; so I'm excited to see if I am pushing myself in the pool.
See you out on the road. You can't miss me in my new shoes =)

Race Photos

Is there anything more unflattering than race day photos? I either look like I am so zoned out, in pain, drowning, not moving, but yet I am ever after that photo that captures that feeling of the race. Also they serve as prime motivation to get back in the gym.

New Adventures

Last weekend I went and had my swimming style critiqued. It is weird to see yourself swim, but useful in that I can see how my stroke gets all messed up when I breathe and that I kick too much and that my hands enter the water very stretched out. But the good news is that I actually rotate! I always thought that I didn't do that because when I learned to swim there wasn't any focus on twisting. Why this emphasis on swimming? From my previous post you would think that swim was no issue. That is what I thought until I saw the split times from the Solana Beach Triathlon. I can only hope that the split included my clothes changing/putting on time... The swim was my slowest leg.
It broke down that bike - my newest and scariest portion was my fastest - then run (which is laughable) with such a crappy first mile, and then swim. God is funny.
So off I went to La Jolla and had my swim stroke broken down and was given a few exercises to practice. While there I met up with some fellow TCSD members. They were both training for full Ironmans. I said that I wanted to do a half and they asked which one I had signed up for. Being the consummate procrastinator - I said I didn't know. I think they thought I wasn't serious; so that evening I went home and signed up for my first half next April as well as a few practice races. I have an aquathon to see if I have improved since my one in April and another sprint triathlon coming up. I also signed up for some e-training to make sure that I am training properly - one for my sprint in October and the other is for my half in April. I am very excited. Stay tuned for more timely updates.

Solana Beach Triathlon Experience

Okay I need more discipline on blogging...
When I turned 35 a year and a half ago, I wrote a list of 50 things I wanted to do in the next 35 years. Today I get to cross one of them off- I competed in my first triathlon. I am hoping that it is one of many... I had such a great day today. If anyone is thinking of taking up this sport I highly recommend Solana Beach's triathlon.
San Diego is considered the modern birthplace of the triathlon; so it can be an intimidating place to start out, but everybody was so nice today. Yesterday at the Expo there was a 2 hour newbie course overview. They covered everything and the instructor Steve Tally was amazing he came running by me during the run section - he took 2nd place for his age group. Not only was he funny - that man can run!
On Steve's advice I got to the race a little before 5am this morning. I got great parking and got a great end spot on the bike rack; so I could have plenty of room to lay my shoes and stuff out. It was fun watching all the competitors show up, the different bikes, outfits and bodies gave me hope that I wasn't completely out of my class.
I got down to the beach to get comfortable with the water and see what the course looked like. There was a fairly strong northern current, but the surf was crazy calm. I ran into an old high school friend Heather Hawthorne(married name Thelen?? I think) It was amazing to watch the Elites and a few waves take off before my heat. You can learn a lot just by watching others. My heat had about 142 women from 30-39. After last weekends swim clinic I was expecting to get pummeled, but women are obviously more civilized in the water. I got a couple of really good drafts(which is legal in the swim) after getting around the first buoy. Before I knew it I was going around the second buoy and headed back to shore. Got a little washing machined with about 10 other women when a rogue wave rolled through, but actually carried me pretty far into shore; so besides the water up the nose - not a bad ride!
Out of the water there was a fair little run up an incline, across a street to get to the bike transition area. I was psyched that there were still a fair number of bikes on the racks in my age group. Wet suit came off relatively painlessly - put shirt and shorts and shoes and helmet on and trotted with bike to the bike out area. I mounted my bike off to the side so as to not cause any collisions and didn't really want to get mowed down to start my ride. The bike was my big fear of the day. I've swum my whole life - I've done marathons and half marathons before - but the bike was all new. I clipped in one shoe and made the first turn and merged into the heats that were ahead of me. The second shoe took a little while to get clipped in, but about two minutes into the ride I finally heard the click - I was now ready to ride. The first stretch of biking I sounded like a wheezing asthmatic as I tried to get salt water out of my nose and just get comfortable. I'm not sure if it is the wet bathing suit that then gets the bike shorts pad wet that made the saddle a little less friendly, but get to the first of 4 u-turns on the course and I don't fall and I don't obstruct other riders yippee!! The bike ride wasn't bad despite all my fears, I did okay. Whatever advantage I had out of the water I lost on the bike, but today was an internal race and I passed a few on my ride...
With for me a graceful (not flying) dismount from the bike I headed back to my transition area - this time the sight of all the bikes on the racks was not comforting... Got out of the bike shoes and into my Adidas. Headed to the run out stomped on all the timing mats and headed out. This is where the race got ugly - it felt like I had 20 lb ankle weights on each foot! The shuffle that ensued was not pretty. The first mile was an ugly mess, but after the first mile my legs started to feel more normal and the shuffle picked up and I got into a rhythm. I started to sing "I Can Only Imagine" in my head which is an inspiring song in it's own way, but there is a you tube video with the Hoyt's - an Ironman son and father that I find truly inspiring. If I feel weak - I only have to think of this video.
I finished the race in 1:26:01. I was anticipating a 1:30 time so I was happy that I gained some time somewhere - they haven't posted the splits yet... I just feel blessed that I can compete and have fun in the process. Thanks to everyone who sent encouraging words and thoughts.

36 Days

Well, this weeks exercise has been a bust with heat and getting ready for company. I'm headed to a yoga class this morning and have signed up for a 5K tomorrow. Am hoping that my friend's desire for a bootcamp/vacation will be what I need to motivate me to exercise.

Namaste.

38 Days

The Phoenix 117 degree weather has sucked all the moisture from my body and the fact that US Airways no longer does beverages I think that I am way dehydrated. Basically the last two days I am just limping along. The thought of exercise makes me nauseous. Hopefully a ton of water and some salt and a good night's sleep and I will feel better tomorrow.

40 Days

It's like the start of Lent which means I need to get serious. Training plan for the week.
6/16 Mon - 1500yd swim
6/17 Tues - Spin Class (this is iffy with airplanes having to be on time)
6/18 Wed - 5K run/30minute bike ride on trainer
6/19 Thur - 1500yd swim/2mile run/20 minute bike ride on trainer
6/20 Fri - Day of rest or make-up Day
6/21 Sat - Yoga (Shilpa in town)
6/22 Sun - IronGirl 5K

Looking to get faster and more efficient.

Later this evening - went to the pool with 300 kids today. I think I managed 1100-1200m this workout. I was really fatigued and didn't have the swim I wanted, but the water felt good and I practiced some of the techniques that Ruthy taught us. Have an early flight tomorrow; so am going to go to bed and hope that my energy level is higher tomorrow.

41 Days

Oops missed the posting date, but that's because I was so tired. A bike clinic that was basically 1.5 hours of riding, pilates class, and an hour of salsa rueda means that I slept well last night.

The bike clinic was really good for me. It forced me to clip in, clip out numerous times. I rode with other people, cars and e practiced drills that I think will make me a better biker. The bike fell, but I managed to stay upright the entire clinic. Although Andrew wanted us to take some dramatic weight shifting to corner effectively. I think that they may be beyond my comfort/abilities right now. I was just happy that I was able to ride and not hurt myself or anybody else.

The one negative is that the coach said my bike was too large for me. The bike is an extra-small. How much smaller can my bike be???

42 Days

Today consisted of no training. Got up early to go to the pool to avoid the fair and US Open traffic - only to find that there was a swim meet; so no lap swim today and then dinner with the parentals and an early wake-up for the bike clinic means no exercise this evening. Hopefully will make up for this lapse tomorrow. I am excited and scared about this bike clinic - this could be the first time that I am going to ride my bike in traffic! I have my Road ID - helmet, ugly spandex and polyester - ugly shoes - I look the part - except I don't have biker calves... Should be fun! I warned the instructor.

43 Days

Well, I learned a lesson tonight - eat before running a 5K. The orange at 1:00pm didn't cut the 6:00pm workout. Ran/walked/jogged/sweated/gasped a 35 minute 5K, but put the miles in - need to still do 30 minutes on the bike, but will do that after a decent dinner. Also - need to add more upbeat songs to my IPOD - sad miserable songs do not make for a quick tempo and when you are struggling - not what I need.

Had fun in the pool last night. It was weird wearing a wetsuit within the pool, but I didn't get too hot. Ruthy had all three of us gang start - think I elbowed and scratched some poor woman. Maybe need to curb my competitive streak in the pool. She also had us practice drafting and EVF - something like early v??? forearm - it was hard and felt unnatural, but when I did it right made me faster. I think I need to learn all the strokes again. I may hire Ruthy for some private coaching.

Starving so am going to go eat dinner. Food for fuel.

44 Days

Well, the run last night went well, minus a breath-stealing side stitch a mile in, but after taking a 2 minute walk break was able to finish strong. Got the treadmill to 7mph - for those non-penguins I know that seems slow, but for me that is my goal a 21 minute 5k. I have a lot of work to do to make that happen - these two weeks of inactivity have taken their toll on my cardio performance.
I'm excited for the pool tonight. The weather is amazing. We are supposed to bring our wetsuit, but I think I might sweat to death in the thing - the pool water is 80 degrees. Nothing like the open water swimming temp. We'll see. I like the coach Ruthy. Her triathlon story is amazing. I know you want your coach to be amazing, but it can be intimidating. Another newbie coach, Paul talks about how he is excited that he can get the treadmill at his gym up to 12mph... That's a 5 minute mile...who are these people? And why do they want to hang out with the novices. I think they must think we are pathetic. But maybe that's my own insecurities talking.
Thinking about wetsuits. I used this trislide silicon stuff when I did an aquathon in May. The stuff is a miracle. I scuba dive and surf and have never removed a wetsuit so quickly and gracefully in my life. Didn't seem to make getting into the suit any more graceful - that was still a chore. I purchased my wetsuit from Xterra . They are a local San Diego company and they were very helpful. I purchased a sleeveless model because I wanted to have good shoulder mobility. It was pretty cold during the Aquathon in May, but think that it won't be bad for the Tri in July - worst case I can break out my surf wetsuit and swim.