Out and About

I'm Free...

I'm back from my rest days. Poor Abby, she and I went to h.s. registration night while I was letting my antibiotics take effect. I can't believe she will be in the 9th grade next year. She and I hit the mother/daughter wall. They scare ya to death at those registrations. Then she picked the session on computer classes. She and Mr. Beedy "hit it off" when she found out she could keep learning javascript. I just kept my mouth shut and let them go. They could've talked into the next session. I was relieved. I told her that I needed to workout.... she patiently agreed. 

So, I got to swim yesterday and it was great. It was a hard workout, too. I had some sprints in there... and now I have lots of sprint-breathing questions for coach Steve when I see him next. By the time I did my easy 100 at the end I felt so comfortable in the water. I did flips every time, even in the shallow. Don't know how they looked but they are feeling much better and I haven't ended up 2 lanes over in quite some time. Lifting afterwards felt great. I love to lift and think it is good for me in many ways. 

I got to run today. I had it all planned out. Late start though. That's okay. I miss running with the group. I chose to start from a school where we've started group runs in the past. Guess what... my Garmin flipped. I called techy Jim. HELP! I figured some out on my own but, never got it going. So, I had to sorta guess my 12 miles. And I guessed pretty good. I am learning how to run w/ a fanny pack (it's been hard on my stomach). I am figuring out that running without my ipod helps me listen to my body better and increase my speed which is very surprising. It was a beautiful run although I took a wrong turn. But, there was a bathroom w/ t.p. along the way. Great trail. 

Awesome Denver Day! The kids played b-ball. Emma is making fossils out of clay. Abby helped make pizza tonight. All in all... it feels so good to be back. Jim is working on my site to give it some bells and whistles. Maybe it will be up tomorrow. Thank you, baby... I love ya! 

Oh, I found out that several of my neighbors are planning to be at my very first triathlon. Isn't that cool??? Thanks guys! Today they asked Jim about my training and said they'd love to come. I am lucky girl. 

Rest Days and Me

Eeek! 

Rest days and me have never gotten along. Physically, my body says, "It's time." But, mentally by the end of the day, eek, I can be more than antsy. Believe me, there is much to be done w/ 2 kids. And it is time to enjoy Jim and the kids without training. Lots of work, too. 

I have a sinus infection. I had a 2nd migraine last week. I haven't been taking time to do things that take money and sitting time. I could do the "pants" my teammates talk about and see my PT on a regular basis as I did before. 

I told my coach, Steve, I had an infection. I didn't want to say it. He told me to put health first and consider resting a couple days while on antibiotics. Of course he said consult my doc.

I blog it only because... I figure if I do... I will rest. Today is rest day anyway. Tomorrow, I swim. I really wanted to. It is a tuff workout and I wanted to build my lungs. But, I will be resting instead. The next day rest is on the schedule. 

I know whining seems very silly. I see a man in an electric wheel chair riding to work everyday as I drop my daughter off at school. His tiny front wheels get stuck on the gravel that the snow plow trucks leave behind. I have coffee w/ my friend who was laid off from her job. I know this is silly. It's just something that is a challenge in my training. By the end of the day, my own family is ready for me to workout.

I have only given this blog to teammates, my loving brother (I love ya. Keep sending the kid's youTube videos), and a couple of training friends. I am getting ready to change up the site anyway. So, I don't mind telling ya.

 

Swam w/ a GROUP!

Swam With a Group

Today was a first for me. I swam about 1.75 miles non-stop without props. On the way there I almost threw-up due to nerves. I am not kidding. But, I jumped in the pool and did it. I don't really know pool etiquette. Andrea was very helpful in telling me "what for" and "how to" regarding swimming w/ more than one other person in my lane. My coach told me to set aside the buoy but, I never needed it. My legs and arms were just fine. I started off fast... nerves. As time passed, I settled way down and counted my laps in rhythm.  Never before had I swum in a 50 meter pool and with a group like that. I DID IT! 

By the time I got out of the pool, I felt great, not even out of breath. Andrea told me where to find the clock so I could check my time. I was happily surprised for someone who had never done that before. Sure, lots of people could swim faster. But, me, that was my very first time and I did it w/ a sinus headache. It felt awesome. I even went 5 laps past the original goal. I shocked myself. I didn't know I had it in me. And I didn't know I could do it w/ such ease. 

The weird thing is that last night I barely got any sleep because our oldest had an asthma attack and allergy issues. I had visions of epi-pen use in my head along w/ ER visit. But, Benadryl and inhalers did the trick w/ her.  2 hr sleep was on the menu prior to the swim. The week was challenging. 

It felt great to accomplish something I'd never done before. I was able to get into the moment thru rhythm just like I could when biking down a hill. Running, that's a little challenging because I am working on form in order to become faster. But, I have high hopes that in doing so I will be speedy. Hey, I ran 10 miles 2 times in 5 days. I've never done that before either. Pretty cool, huh? Michelle and Beth, thanks for the encouragement! 

Doesn't it make you wanna tri-train? Go for it!!!! 

P.S. Go Lance!

Flip Turns, Swimming?

Flip Turns, Swimming? 

First, Congratulations, Emma, for moving up a lane. Abby, you're a good teacher for someone who could take or leave swim... Help your ole mom w/ flip turns. 

I am getting more comfortable in a certain pool no matter whose around. Yesterday, I had a 30 minute swim followed by weights and abs. 

I practiced my flips each time I got to the wall. The 1st time, I did it. Wow, this is going to be great. But, it didn't turn out that way for the next 30 minutes. I just didn't give up. I was the only one in the pool. That was nice because after one flip turn, I ended up 2 lanes over. The lifeguards had no one to watch but me. I stopped, laughed out loud, and asked, "How did I do that?" I really wanted an answer. They had no idea. So, I just kept going and practicing over and over and over again until my 30 minutes was up. Never once, did I quit trying a flip turn at the wall. I didn't get angry nor frustrated. It wouldn't have helped. For once I was able to come out of the flip without feeling as if I was choking or gasping. I knew a coach there. She and I talked afterward and she gave me some tips. I just have to keep trying to learn this new skill. 

I learn by watching. I had the time to watch my daughter's swim practice. There was a man w/ pretty good form swimming laps and doing fairly good flip turns. I watched over and over again while keeping an eye on my daughter. 

My being new to this sport and being 42 I am bumping in to something repeatedly. A parent noticed me watching him swim. None of my friends are triathletes. This parent told me that they were getting ready for 1/2 ironman triathlon. When you are new, some athletes have lots of advice. I love to listen. I watch more than anything. I have had several adults who've had the chance to compete in the past tell me not to get serious about my efforts.  It was great to listen to this athlete because I heard a/b several of the races I'd entered. I heard a/b the courses and what to expect out of the water. I heard all sorts of things I didn't know. Again, I heard the same thing, "You don't have to get that serious." 

This is something that I want. I love. I have a cousin who is studying in London. She is at the "right" young age to go to London and study. In a way, this my chance to "Go to London." People who knew me 20 yrs ago would not be surprised about my doing this. What is about adults that we tell ourselves to stop reaching for certain dreams at a certain age? I am hearing it over and over again when people get curious about what I do. We don't have to stop just because we are 40 something, or the economy is bad, or we have kids, etc. This is helping me w/ my life. This is what I need to do because I want to. Why is it wrong once we become "grown-up"? 

I am learning to do flip turns, to run differently (scary), to ride, to race... and I feel alive and full of hope when I do it. Today I will run 10 miles somewhere really pretty. I am so very fortunate to be able to do that. 

Finding My "Moxie" Again

Finding My "Moxie" Again

Jim, our 8 yr old, and me were talking about my blog. (Our 13 yr old is at a friend's.) 

I said, "I am not blogging about my migraine."  

"Mom, they are real. Why not? You should blog about what's real." 

My husband chimed in, "Yeah, why not?" 

This isn't a/b migraines. Every once in a blue moon, I get the tuff ones. But, I missed my ride that day. That is significant. Why? You ask. 

Last week, I crashed. Yep I crashed on my bike. I am not afraid. I love to ride. I love the feeling of the wind blowing past me and almost thru me. I love hills especially now that Steve has taught me how to stand. When I ride I totally get in the moment. I forget everything. Time goes by so fast. When it's over, I sometimes feel disappointed. 

I won't get explicit, but, last week's crash was the one way that I don't want to crash. It messed with me. 

Today, riding was on the schedule. I woke up early yet took hours to get prepared. You name it, the chore had to be done by me. Finally, by 9:15 a.m. this shaky body was on her bike and rollin' down the street. The neighbor walking her dog said, "Have a nice ride."

I cursed several cars w/ the mother of all bad words as I went down busy streets to get to C-470 westbound where I thought I would learn to breathe at a normal rate again. Yes, I got lost getting there. (I was trying to take a short cut.) There will be a day that getting lost won't be part of my adventures.

Fear and me rode together for probably an hour. All I could think of were things that never crossed my mind when I road alone before. I hated it. I couldn't stand it when someone passed me going the other direction. 

Finally, it happened, a straight hill... and I felt it. I wanted to go fast. It was a high cadence day, and my feet kept pedaling. I caught so much speed that I tucked my body. Put my feet at 12 and 6 and flew. My "MOXIE"... there it is! I found my moment. I was nobody but a rider on her bike flyin' down a hill. 

A couple of guys were doing the cat and mouse thing w/ me.... oooh, got my moxie there, too! You can tell when they think they've blown ya away. They keep looking back to see where ya are. Only he doesn't maintain speed all dressed up in his expensive racing gear.  

Yee Hah! I am saying to myself. Right on your tail, Bucko. Don't say, "On your left" to me while ya keep lookin' back. I still got some more in my legs. What do ya know, we are at the light together. I am smiling. 

I learned that from my coach who smiles and says, "Hello," to every single person we make contact with on the trail. At least I practiced saying, "Hello," to 3 bikers in my nervous state of being. (I have found most cyclists to be really kind and helpful to each other.) 

I found some moxie. I wouldn't call it GROUP riding moxie, yet. Keeping it real, for Emma. 

 

 

One Wild Run, Triathlon

One Wild Run

I was trying to be a little more mindful of adding fun to the day instead of depending on my fun-loving husband. So, I decided to get all my work done as early as possible. I wrote everything down. Got it done. I was going to make my training day exciting. I was going to the mountains even if it was just a 6 mile tempo run. 

A friend and I used to hike a certain trail. I recalled the other part of the trail to be flat and plowed. I had some tempo workouts to my short run hence the need for flat. 

It was beautiful driving up there. Saw some deer. Got to the parking lot, only 1 car there. Awesome! The trail looked okay, just flattened snow. I actually passed the snow plow on the way up. 

Got off to a great start. Uh oh, the snow got a bit deep in my road running shoes... deeper and deeper. I followed the tracks of those who went before me. They eventually turned into single tracks. I was so focused that I didn't realize the "flat trail" was actually going downhill in the deep snow. 

I was thinking, Snow shoes would be a nice thing. Different running shoes would be incredible. Those rubber things that go around my running shoes... where do I buy 'em? 

The trail ended before I was ready. A tree stump was hiding under the snow and you guessed it. I fell right on my butt. I am learning to fall on my back. I laughed. Ya gotta laugh. Got up and ran back. On the way back, I realized I'd run downhill as I kept my feet going in the deep snow, the tempo part. Didn't fall again and didn't stop either. 

The run didn't go quite as planned. I learned to do my tempo runs elsewhere. When I was done I went to a picnic table. Mountains everywhere. They were beautiful. I have missed them lately. I will definitely go back for another run, not a tempo one. 

 

 

Signed Up , 1st Tri

Signed Up, First Tri

Did it... last night, I signed up for a couple of triathlons that my coach and I discussed. Shew, I did it. It's real now. 

After an eventful training weekend, I am now on the roster. My husband always tells me that I am competitive. I shrug it off thinking it's a bad thing but, I do not want to lose. I have never competed like this before. Last night, I started thinking of all the things I need to go over, transitions, running, transitions, transitions, transitions, running. Oddly, swimming never came into my worries. I am working on that now. Biking, I thought of a lot. Transitions and running... those things, I need to work on. I know my coach will get me ready and well prepared w/ the wet suite in the pond. My husband reminded me that we are still months away and today is REST day. 

I am really excited. And I am very nervous. I have so much to learn... In learning to race, I am learning to slow down, very weird. Not only do I want to do triathlons, I want to do them very well. That's me, though. And I am willing to change running shoes to do it :) 

Biking, How do You Stand?

How Do You STAND, Biking

I am learning what being coached is like. My coach has name, Steve. (My husband has a name too, Jim. Or, Jee-hum.) Steve and I biked the road for the first time yesterday. He picked the Chatfield Dam, a place I will probably get to know w/ my eyes closed. He reminded me of my friend Rob's blog. It's a great blog regarding running form. I re-read it last night. The title, "Kicking My Butt". I will put a link to it below. Rob does a great job discussing form and a great work-out you can do. Try it. I do it in the middle of my tempo runs sometimes.

Steve showed me the road he and Rob kicked butt. Then I saw it, The pond. We road our bikes right up to it. It's frozen now. People were ice fishing in it. Southerners, it doesn't snow everyday in CO. But, there was ice on that pond. It looked big right there in front of me. I'd seen it from across the road but, the trees were hiding it. I will be swimming in that pond in a couple of months. And I will be doing it several times a week. I was okay. Steve pointed out the things around. It's beautiful. Mountains, touch 'em. It is so quiet and calm. You don't have to imagine it. It's already there. The pond and I had to become acquainted. We did. I later saw a picture of a woman and her first time in that pond. The look on her face and hands, only that picture can describe. No fear there. 

Then we road. I love to ride. I love to go fast. I am inexperienced. That is the first thing out of my mouth anytime people say, "I want to ride w/ you guys." It's like a warning: stay away from me. Truth is, I'm afraid I will hurt someone. Steve wouldn't let me go any faster than him. He'd say, "Where are you going?" Even pulled the back of my shirt once to stay right beside him. Yep. 

I learned how to keep my pedal stroke high while staying in an easier gear... saving my legs for the run, tri-training. We talked about riding in a group, watching rider's body language, and looking way ahead of ahead of you instead of the rider directly in front of you. I am responsible for me and not getting hit by a car. I learned that one a while ago, though; I know several people who've been hit. I was able to talk and ride next to my coach at the same time. 

Then we road the dam. I learned a lot but, most newbie's ask... HOW DO YOU STAND ON A BIKE? 

Steve taught me when and how to stand. He told me to switch to a harder gear when the hill was pretty steep keeping my pedal stroke the same. Stand while breathing just the same. Sway the bike back and forth while keeping the tires moving in straight line. If I were riding a line on the side of the road, my tires would never leave the line. Elbows out, my bike moves side to side underneath me, my wheels stay in a straight line up that hill. Don't force anything. It sways to a rhythm. Sure, my wheels went sideways on the road. But, I am still going in a straight line up that hill. My body hovered over my bike on that line. I am a newbie... so I just felt how my body should hover the bike. But, for those of you who want to know, that's a start. 

Every cyclist I've ever talked to says that riding is an art. I would watch my coach, then try it. The questions come after trying it. Sometimes you just have to try it. Like, riding in a group :) 

I am learning more than I can imagine. It is so much fun. Most of all it is changing me for the better in my everyday life. I can tell you, you have to just try it. I hear excuses all the time, including moms don't have time for what you do. It's your kid's time. You're being selfish. Hey, my kids are on swim team and school activities. My kids are proud of me. I learn from them and they learn from me. This makes me a better wife and mom. It's beautiful out there. It truly is. What if there are so many more smiles you could take home? Kids learn by watching just we do. They love to brag about their parents. Mine get to brag about me... they will get say, "My mom swims in that pond!" 

Rob's blog w/ Coach Steve's running workout: (I'll fix when my hubby gets home. ) 

Title: "Kicking my Butt" 

 

Good Stuff

Good Stuff

Who'd 'a thunk? Yesterday I swam with my coach. I beat him to the lane and had jitters. So I decided to swim a couple laps in hopes to settle down. The pool and me are learning to become friends.

I didn't know he'd been watching me swim from the windows. After watching, he decided that we'd be learning flip turns. Last time we swam, he'd taught me this really cool way of gliding sideways off the wall and, I loved the feeling after practicing it a couple of times. 

This is a blog NOT my journal. So, I will keep it simple. We swam for a while. Then I realized, yep, he was about to teach me flip turns. I wasn't afraid. I wanted to learn. I was ready. 

I will tell you this: it is amazing how hard it was to take compliments. No more regrets or "I wishes". I wonder how many times most of us go through a day and hear the negative instead of positive. It's amazing how easy it is to block out a positive compliment. It's almost as if a mind can shut down completely without hearing, "That was great." or,  "You did excellent." or, "You are an athlete." 

So, I did it. I did a good job on my first day learning flip turns. Did I get it all in one day? No. But, I did a really good job on my first day. Actually my husband said that my coach said something different. But, hey... this is a start :)  At least I even blogged that much. (My husband and my coach are beginning to gang up on me, in case you were wondering. I have a very kind and loving husband. He has my back, as my coach says.)

I know I am NOT solo on this biggie. That is why I blog it. I hope that you and me can hear the positive things, not miss 'em. How much different life would be?

Oh, by the way... the pool and me, it isn't so bad all the time anymore. There are times it is good and even fun. Can you believe that? A first for everything. 

Side note: For those of you in my shoes with swimming, HELPFUL HINT:  Take the time to get in the hot tub right after your swim. It can be calming. Anything you associate w/ swimming that helps you enjoy the water is of great help. 

 

 

Life Is Good Now

Life is Good Now

It's easy for me to wish that things were different. At 42, I can easily wonder, 

"What if I would've competed w/ a track team a long time ago?" 

"What if I started tri-training when...? What if I learned to bike then?"

"I never knew the trails were even here." 

"What if..." 

Regret...  "If only..." Or "When I get ..." 

I know it may sound strange, but I remember listening to a mom talk about training for a marathon. She told me that it taught her much more about everyday life. As I was riding the other day, I was able to blow snot on the road without falling off my bike. But, I was told that I wasn't a pro 'til I could blow snot out of both sides at the same time. Not there, yet.

For once, I am learning to say that it's okay for me to be training for my very first triathlon. And all the things that have happened have only prepared me for now. I have met many people who've competed in many tri's with much success. It can be intimidating. But, there are so many people who would love to be in my shoes, training for their first tri at 42. I get to do it now. I am so lucky to have husband who couldn't be more supportive than mine. I have 2 daughters in my corner all the way. Our oldest said that one day she might even do one with me. It would bring tears to my eyes to cross a finish line with her. 

And, that mom, she was right. The grocery and the pool... 2 places that can stir anxiety in me. Yesterday, my youngest and I spent over an hour at a health grocery. We took our time, walked slowly, even ate lunch in there. Talked. Laughed. The fish guy helped us. The fish guys are always nice. Normally, I can hardly chat or think in the grocery; get me out of there. But, we actually had fun as she stood on the cart wearing her snow-boots, and I pushed her around. 

Regret and wishing life away does me no good. Enjoying the process of learning even being a newbie is A-okay. Oh, I got to run the dam yesterday, got lost on the trail but, I got to sing at the top of my lungs with my i-pod. No one was around. And I was able to enjoy the moment. My grass was greener on that dam. And I blew snot on the road, too. I am learning... important stuff :) And it is fun! 

 

It is a "New" year

It is a "New" year! 

I have not been the party-going kind of girl lately which would most likely shock some of my friends. It would also explain why I've not answered some of your evites - sorry! Lately, we've said "yes" to the evites. 

Last night, the neighbors were kind enough to do New Year's at their house. It was great meeting traveling family members (interesting, easy-going and genuine people.) I've known for quite some time that one of my neighbors was a serious cyclist who races. I've been too intimidated to tell him that I was serious about my tri-training. We have other neighbors with much more biking experience than myself. They've invited me along. But, I kept telling them, "I need to get a little more experience clicking in and out." 

Naturally, they asked me how I was doing. Today, they chose to go on my "slow-paced-conversational" ride. They laughed when I said, "It's my newbie status." Said, "No problem. We'd love to join you." They understood following a coach's schedule. 

Somehow I ended up chatting with the serious racer. We were like 2 kids at Christmas getting their most favorite toy in the whole wide world. He understood that this is something, me, at 42 yrs old got to do. We talked nutrition. The same foods that made him feel good worked for me. We talked sprint vs. endurance. We talked training. We discussed our age and what we need to do. He told me to listen to my coach. It was important to let my coach know how my body responded to specific training. We talked stuff that will bore you to tears. We could have and would have talked for hours. But, his son had to go to bed as my daughter could have played guitar hero w/ all the kids past midnight. 

My racing neighbor told me one thing he found most helpful... he kept a JOURNAL! He said it was the single most important thing to his training and racing. And he has won races. He said it helped him figure out the art and science to what did and didn't work with his body. He'd compare notes with his friends, too. By the way, I don't use my blog as a journal. I've kept a journal ever since my coach asked me to do so. I blog for my family and friends because I am new to this. Many new people are joining the sport, hence blogging! 

Little did I know how much support I had... how many people would be in my corner. After talking to him, I was even raring to face my next pool workout which initially made my heart skip a couple beats. A party, going to a party, was awesome, even for me. 

Mom and Dad, it was good to video chat with you at Jodie and Stephen's. Hey, Peyton, Katelyn and Caroline... quit growing so fast and keep writing on your daddy and Uncle Stephen's head. I love you all! Oh, the Apple didn't work on Emma's tooth. But, she'll keep trying.