Today Is Gonna Be a Challenge...

Today is going to be a challenge. Normally I wake up at 4:30 a.m. and go swimming & that just sets my self control for the day. If I don't swim on Monday morning, I always seem to have the mindset of "I haven't had my workout yet for the day, it's still the weekend, I can eat what I want" and I tend to snack on crap all day.

Well, this morning, I got up at 4:25 a.m., but I forgot to write down my swim workout the night before, so I had to pull up my computer and write it down and then get ready.

I got outside and my car was frozen over. By the time I would've got my car scraped off and up to the gym, there would've been no swimming lane. :( I'll have to swim and run tonight when I get off work.

I hope I can have enough self control today at work to not snack on all kinds of crap. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Improved Swim Time

I'm pretty stoked! I improved my swim time again. My workout on Friday was to do 200 swim, kick, pull, 1000 yds steady and then do my drills.

In my previous workouts like this, it has taken me 25 minutes to swim 1000 yds. On Friday, it took me 21:10 to swim 1000 yds. I really wanted it to be 20 minutes, but hey, I'll take 21:10. No problem. Improvement is improvement, right?

I'm excited for my first triathlon (April 2nd) to see my final time on my triathlon with all of the extra training I've been putting in.

Winners Podium Here I Come

I met with B.J. (my personal trainer) on Thursday this last week and we did our training on my running. As we were training he asked if I wanted to make it up to the podium this year. I told him yes I did, but I wasn't sure if I'd be capable of doing it this year. However, B.J. told me that he thinks I've got what it takes to make it up to the winners podium this year!

I'm SO excited!!! I think it would be absolutely AWESOME if I made it up to the winners podium! I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

I'm Closer Than I Thought!

I'm SO excited. I'm closer to competing in an Ironman triathlon than I thought I was.

Last week I got an email from active.com and it was their newsletter. Normally I don't read the articles, but there was an article entitled (How to Train for Your First Ironman) (you can find the link here) As I was reading the article, I'm quickly realizing that I'm closer and closer to doing an Ironman.

In the article, it says you need to be capable of swimming 3 times a week for an hour each time and you need to be able to swim 100 yds in 2 minutes. I can do that!

It says you need to be able to bike comfortably for 1 1/2 hrs or so and keep a pace of 15-16 mph. I can do that too!

It says you need to be able to run a 10-11 minute mile. I run a 9:40 mile!!!

This would allow me to complete an Ironman in 13-14 hrs and they give you 17 hrs to complete an Ironman.

So, what did I do? I entered a contest to get free entry in to the St. George Ironman this year. I'm like 99% sure that I won't win, just because SO many people enter that contest, but I figured, hey, why not?

Also, currently, I'm debating on entering the lottery for the St. George Ironman in 2012. It costs an insane amount of $$$ and you're not guaranteed to get in, so I'm not sure about that yet. Plus, I'd kind of like to do a full marathon, a century ride and a full marathon before I do an Ironman.

I don't know. We'll see where this takes me. I just know that I have now set a goal that before I'm 40 yrs old (8 yrs away), I will compete in my first Ironman.

My Passion

I know this might sound silly, but after 3 years of working out and doing triathlons, it really hit me tonight that it is my passion.

I got done swimming and running at the gym tonight and headed back to the locker room to get my bags and a lady apologized to me for having all of her stuff spread out and blocking one of my lockers.

I told her "Oh don't worry, I'm the same way. I've got to have 2 lockers. I bring so much stuff to the gym, it's ridiculous."

She laughed it off and said she brings so much stuff to the gym she feels like she should be training for a triathlon or something. I told her that's what I am doing, and that just struck up a conversation.

She is debating signing up for a triathlon. I told her to DO IT! They are SO awesome! We just got talking and stood there talking about triathlons and how I'd lost over 100+ pounds and how I'm doing 15 races this year, blah blah blah.

As I was talking to this stranger, I noticed that I was getting a lump in my throat and I was getting kind of emotional about it all. I was also getting chills, and it's not because I was cold either. Lol. It was the good kind of chills. I don't think I've really experienced that before when talking about "my story" to people. Maybe it's because the people that I've told my story to have watched it unfold, you know?

But, this just really reinforced to me that what I am doing is what I need to be doing right now in my life. It's what I absolutely LOVE and that I need to share my story with anybody willing to listen.

Seriously, if I can do it, so can you! This is my passion! I wish I had another way to spread the word to people.

6.2 Miles After a Swim & From 10:00 to 9:40

I'm SO excited!!! I went running tonight and ran 6.2 miles in 1 hour. That has taken me from running a 10 minute mile down to running a 9:40 mile. Granted, it's only a 20 second improvement, but hey, improvement is improvement, right?

I'm just soooo stoked about this! I feel like I've been stuck at a 10 minute mile for quite a while now.

Also, tonight I did my swim workout, which consisted of swimming a total of 2000 yards (80 laps) (72 laps = 1 mile in the pool I swim in). Here is exactly what I swam:

200 swim and 200 kick
400 drill
4 x 100 with 30 second rest
200 pull
4 x 100 with 30 second rest
200 pull

Now, with all the crap I ate on Monday and having a 1/2 marathon in 3 weeks, I decided I needed to run after my swim, so I was planning on running 6 miles.

I was kind of nervous going in to the run. Not because I didn't think I could do it. I've ran 6 miles before (yesterday) and I've done my share of 10k's, etc. I was nervous because I was REALLY hungry and didn't know if I'd have the energy after swimming to run 6.2 miles.

Well, a couple of laps in the run, I really wanted to quit. I wanted to just pack up and head home, but it then occurred to me that in August, I'm doing my first Olympic distance triathlon. I'm going to have to swim 0.9 miles, bike 24 miles and run 6.2 miles. I figured now is as good a time as any to start practicing that and getting geared up for it. So, basically I forced myself to run the 6.2 miles tonight and you know what? I LOVED every minute of it. I'm SO glad I did it. I can't wait until August.

Another Good Running Song

I heard this song the other day while I was running and couldn't believe how good it helped me keep my pace, so I thought I'd share!

More Strict

On February 15th, I decided I needed to be more strict with my eating habits. It seems that lately I have been more relaxed with it. I can tell a difference too, and I'm not happy about it. So, for me, the only way to get back on the band wagon is to go really really strict.

So, I still have my grits or oatmeal and yogurt for breakfast with a piece of fruit. For lunch, I will have a frozen meal (Lean Cuisine, Smart Ones, etc.) with a salad, and that is the same with dinner now too. :) Good thing they have a large selection so I'm not having the same thing every time.

For dessert, as of late, instead of having 100 calorie popcorn or something, I honestly find myself gravitating towards fresh fruit. I love it! But, if I want something else, I will have a 100 calorie popcorn or snack pack or something like that.

No more cheat days for me. Or, if I do have a cheat day, it's going to be one candy bar and that is it! Nothing more. I might try that out this weekend. We'll see how I feel about it.

No more carbonation either. I'm going back to coffee. I wasn't drinking coffee for a while just because it didn't sound good to me, but I have been able to tell a difference from when I had carbonation and how it was negatively affecting my workouts, so no more carbonation.

We'll see how this new eating plan works for me. I'll keep ya posted.

The Pact I Made

I don't know if I should post this on this site or if I should post it on my weight loss site. It could go on either site I guess. I guess I could post it on both sites so that people around the world that can't view this blog can still see the post.

On February 15, 2011, I made a pact with my friend Katy that I was not going to drink alcohol for 2 months unless someone bought me a drink! Oh Lordy how am I going to do it!!! Also, I can't buy Katy a drink and she can't buy me a drink! Gah!

It'll be good for me though. Especially with race season coming up. It will save me money too. The thing that is going to be hard, is I can't even trade alcohol for like a Diet Coke.

Lately I have noticed that I have been drinking WAY too much carbonation and I have been able to see the negative affects of it in my working out. So, on February 15, 2011, I also swore off carbonation.

So, even when I can't have a beer for 2 months, I can't even have a Diet Coke instead. I'll have to have water. :( I feel bad for the bartenders at the club that I go to. I wonder how I'm going to explain it to them. I hope they understand. :)

I'm Feeling Guilty...

I'm feeling guilty right now because I haven't gone to the gym today. I didn't need to swim this morning, so I didn't get up early to do that. When I got home from work I was supposed to go up and ride a bike for 1 hour and then run 6 miles. I took a little cat nap and I just haven't had the energy to go.

Granted, I've had a headache all day too. The nap was much needed and I still haven't got rid of my headache.

So, to make up for not going tonight, instead of going to the bar tomorrow night, I will come home from work and hit the gym.

But I still feel guilty for not getting up and going.

2nd Job Needed

I tell ya, being healthy isn't cheap. Sometimes I say to myself "It sure was easier being fat", and yes, it was easier, but it's not worth it. I would so much rather have this hard life of finding time to workout and everything like that because I love it so much more.

Because being healthy isn't cheap, I am now in need of a second job. This season of my triathlons and 1/2 marathons is the most expensive season I've had so far. I'm afraid next season is going to be more.

I'm eventually going to need to upgrade to a better bike, and right now, the bike I'm looking at is at least $1,500. The helmet that I want, because it is aerodynamic, and will help me go faster, is $165, and that's not the cheapest helmet out there.

Unfortunately, I'm not good enough to get sponsors yet, so all of this has to come out of pocket.

So far this season, just in registration fees, I've paid over $600, and I still have to get a hotel for 1 of my races. I eventually would LOVE to do a race out of state, and that will cost even more because then you have to figure in transportation, hotel, plus, most out of state races are USAT sanctioned, therefore they cost more.

I need to become a member of USAT and NUTs. It's just crazy how expensive it is to be healthy. But you know what? I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Olympic Distance Triathlon

Yesterday I signed up to do my first Olympic distance triathlon! Wahoo!!! I'm SO excited, yet I'm scared out of my pants. This is also my first open water triathlon too.

This triathlon will be at Jordanelle Reservoir here in Utah on August 20th. So, at least I have time to prepare for it. I'm now a member of Northern Utah Triathletes (NUTs) and they have open water clinics when the weather gets warmer, so that'll help me out too.



For those that aren't too familiar, The only triathlons I've ever done are sprint distance triathlons and most of them have been in the order of run/bike/swim.

With the sprint distance triathlons, you have to:
Run: 3.2 miles
Bike: 10-12 miles
Swim: 0.5 miles

An Olympic distance triathlon, you have to:
Swim: 0.93 miles
Bike: 24.86 miles
Run: 6.2 miles.

I know I can do it because I know I've run a 10k before, I swim 0.93 miles almost every day and I've rode my bike 50 miles before, it just makes me super nervous. But, I'm super excited too. Yay!

Beautiful Day

Today was a GORGEOUS day here in Utah. It was 44 degrees out, so I pulled out my bike and took it for a spin. I went 20 miles in 1 1/2 hours. It wasn't too hot outside, it wasn't too cold, it was just perfect. I enjoyed every second of my ride.

Now, you might think that 20 miles in 1 1/2 hours isn't too bad, but I'm kind of disappointed. When I ride a spinning bike at the gym, I can go 20 miles in 60 minutes. I feel like I should be able to do that on my road bike too.

I honestly just don't understand. Oh well, I will continue to take my bike out when the weather is good and I will eventually improve.

Good Running Song

Here is another awesome song to run to. It's got a really good beat and it is perfect for running.

Flip Turn

Let me start off by saying I'm the most uncoordinated person I know.

With that being said, I sure wish I could do a flip turn when swimming. I know that would cut down on my swim time.

This morning when I went swimming it took me about 6:10 to swim 300 yards, which isn't too bad, but I'm pretty sure I could get rid of those 10 seconds by doing flip turns. Too bad I'm uncoordinated, huh?

Everybody says it's easy and I'll you have to do is basically do a somersault in the water. Well guess what? I've NEVER been able to do a somersault in the water. Even when I was a kid and we were messing around in the pool, I wasn't able to do a somersault in the pool. I've never been able to do a hand stand in the pool either.

Maybe one day I'll be able to do a flip turn. :)

New Shoes

Saturday I went out and bought new running shoes. I went to Salt Lake Running Co. This is an awesome store to go to. If it's your first time at the store, they'll put you on a treadmill and record you running for 30-45 seconds and analyze how you run and then put you in the correct shoe for your running style.

Up until now, I've only worn Saucony brand running shoes. I've LOVED that brand. But this time, when I went in to the store, BJ (yes, my personal trainer. He also works at Salt Lake Running Co) handed me a pair of Saucony's and then he handed me these Asics.

There are 2 reasons I went with the Asics. (1) the Saucony's were too big. They were an 8 1/2 and I wear a size 8. (2) The Asics are just WAY better. They just have better arch support and everything.

I even bought a pair of running socks. I didn't think you really needed running socks, but after tonight, I'm convinced that running socks are a necessity. I will be going back to Salt Lake Running Co soon and buying more than one pair. Lol. The running socks I bought have extra cushion on the bottom of the sock and then they have a lighter fabric on top that helps breathe so your feet don't get wet from the sweat, therefore preventing blisters.

Tonight I ran in my new socks and shoes for the first time and I am IN LOVE!!! They were SO insanely comfortable! I ran 7 miles and it was like running those 7 miles on big white fluffy clouds!

Little Accomplishments

I know this is going to sound kind of stupid, but it's the little accomplishments that count, right?

The weather was GORGEOUS today here in Utah, so I decided to take my bike out instead of going to the gym.

When I pulled my bike out of the shed, the chain came off, and I was able to put the chain back on all by myself! I've always had to have help figuring that out before.

I was also able to put air in both my tires all by myself too. Because I have the presta valves, they're different and they can sometimes make it kind of difficult to put air in your tires, so I felt really good that I was able to do this!

Yay!

Excuses Don't Cut It

In my book, excuses don't cut it. If you're going to complain about being overweight and you keep saying that you need to get out and exercise, don't make excuses!

My mom and dad both complain about being overweight, but when I offer to pay for them to go to the gym with me or go out on a bike ride with me, they make excuses. If you're going to make excuses, then don't complain.

I don't recall complaining when I was overweight about it. If someone offered to workout with me or something, I just laughed at them.

Gah! It just bugs me SO bad!