How's the Training Going?

Truth is, not very well. I'm officially a week behind. I've been sick, probably another sinus infection, since Monday. Painful stuff, and very irritating. Plus, my Mondays and Wednesdays are a real headache until we get all this Mother's Day stuff out. I have 30 minutes to get home, eat, then leave for class. Lucky for me a lot of my "walking at work" (if you missed it, walking is my job) also involves lunges or squats, and even if it doesn't I pretend. I am going to try to do some yoga today, avoiding tilting my head too much. I go tomorrow for a physical, maybe I can get Dr. Cashier to Roto Rooter my sinuses while I'm there.

Last week however, was alright. A quick update on what I failed to post, straight from my Beginner Triathlete account:

Friday I did my 1.5 mile Penguin Run, I ran the first 6 minutes without stopping and it wasn't as bad as it had previously been. Why? Because the internet is an amazing place for info. You know, all those years of softball and gym class and I don't remember anyone once stopping me and saying, 'you've got it all wrong.' It might sound silly. I mean, how hard is it to run? You learn that when you're two. But after reading an article on about.com with just basic tips and such, it was so much easier! So I ran, then I walked, then I ran a little more, etc. And I finished 1.51 miles in 15 min 16 secs. A lot of room for improvement, but getting better. It feels good just to be able to say that I mostly ran instead of I mostly walked.

After my run I went to the gym and I swam 250 yards in 10 min 7 secs. Trying to remember everything I've read/ watched about swimming correctly/ efficiently is a bit intimidating when my head is half submerged. But overall, it went well. I wish I could be doing more swimming this week, along with everything else, but a pool isn't a good place for a sinus infection to be hanging out. Ouch! Thanks to United States Marine "JimmyDShea" for being such an awesome instructor. Check out his other videos too, he's pretty funny. Also just typing "triathlete swimming" into any search box, almost any, can retrieve helpful results. 

Saturday, after shopping and attending the Tour de Cure Kick off Party, Janean and I took our bicycles out to Watkins Mill. It was such a beautiful day, which lead to it being insanely crowded. It was fun though. We did almost 4 miles in around 24 minutes. I doubt we'll be going anywhere this weekend, there's snow in the forecast, but I would like to do something like that every weekend.

Sunday was my day off. I wouldn't have taken it though had I known that I would be sick and miserable the following week.

I have to go accomplish things now, before the water filter changing man gets here at noon. Pray that I don't drown in infected yellow snot while doing yoga!

The Suspense Had Been Killing Us!

Today I biked my two mile "I'm a Beginner" route, I wanted to do more but I was short on time. It went really well, I didn't get nearly as tired and I ended up with my fastest time yet, 10:45. 

That's not even the good part though. I went to the gym after my bike ride and straight to the pool. It was quite the mess trying to do my "aqua jogging" warm up. Not only was the annoying man there (who is getting much nicer), but it was like "Kid's Day at the K" (the 'k' is Kauffman Stadium, home of the Royals). Kids were every where and very bumpy. And looked at me like they were unsure if I was there to join them or the seniors, ha. I jogged a few laps, then went to the lap lane with my new goggles. Then I did just what I was told to do by the article online. It was awesome! So much easier than ever before. I ended up swimming 200 yards. I was pretty out of breath by the end, but I probably could have done a few more laps. I didn't want to push it though. I was wrong about where I got the info, it wasn't YouTube, although I did watch several videos. The really helpful one was "How to Swim Freestyle" written by a pretty awesome summer camp swim instructor. You should definitely check it out, hopefully it's as beneficial to others as it was to me.

Too Bad so Sad

Spring Break is over, it's back to school for me.

I've decided I am the worst runner I know. It's bad, real bad. Do they have classes so one can learn how to run properly?! I've never been a good runner, that's the truth. Hopefully soon though. I think strength wise, I'm good to go for now. These little legs can handle the 1.5 mile Penguin Run(Oh yeah, I name my routes!). But these lungs are another story. I'm going to take a physical soon, just to make sure every thing's right in here. 

The truth is, I haven't been to the gym since last Tuesday. My excuse: I have a pretty messed up work schedule this semester. Anyways, I'm going tomorrow! I'm finally going to try out the strokes I learned on YouTube. I get really excited about it until I get there and see the kids posing as life guards and the old men swimming 50 laps. 

Bike riding is going pretty well, I'm about to tack on another mile or two. I'm not going to lie though, my bum hurts terribly. Picture me in some cute little bike shorts... On my tough mountain bike.

So tomorrow = gym + bicycling. Maybe I'll ride a bicycle at the gym, it's kind of cold out again.

I'm Like a Machine or Something!

So I worked 8+ hours everyday this past week with the exception of Monday. I was up late every night, which resulted in not getting up until 10ish every morning. Leaving little time between coffee, breakfast and getting to work. All I did at home, as far as I remember, were crunches and pushes everyday. I was headed to the gym Thursday before work, already running late, and realized I'd forgotten my towel (I did make it one other day I guess). To the point... Every day at work I did different weird things (FYI: I walk for a living) trying to get a work out. I ran around (don't tell, I'll be in big trouble), I squatted (I'm totally nearing "dropping it like it's hot" capabilities) and did TONS of stretching. I didn't actually think it was doing much for me though. Then tonight, even after walking all around North Kansas City (Snake Saturday Parade), I was like, man I really need to do some real exercising. I told Janean that until she came up with something to do and it was time to go, I was "running" on the elliptical machine. 4 miles and 36 minutes later, I decided I should probably stop before I turn into Forrest Gump. Then I did some silly boxing/ dancing to the hip hop channel with some little hand weights. I'm not gonna lie, I feel pretty flippin' awesome now. It was so much easier than before, which goes to show all of my "working out at work" talk is not a bunch of crap. Oh ho ho doubters!

Don't forget to check us out! TOUR DE CURE!!!

Northland Newbies!!!

We have a team name, and a TEAM PAGE! How exciting, eh? Incase you missed it, "Northland Newbies." Silly? Yes. But it's also fitting, for most of us.  So go to the page and sign up to join us, or give to us... or just to forward our page to your friends and family!

Update: My training's going okay. Rushed. I've not had a lot of time. This 40 hour work week stuff is kind of for the birds. Oh, and tuesday when I went to swim, someone stole the lane I was headed to, grrr. I didn't have time to argue or wait, I was already later for work than I'd planned to be. And the big smelly man really does break the lazy river. I stopped to see if I was dragged by the current, NOPE. You would think that one would notice they are no longer swimming up stream?

Random: This has nothing to do with training or fundraising. Just funny/ embarrassing. Every few months our neighbors get these two dogs at their house, as if that's not strange enough. When these little visitors come, they never fail to leave their outside light on. This damn light has a way of shining right through the blinds and into my eyes, keeping me up all night. And it stresses the little dog out, she knows those little dogs are here to visit. So all night long, and all day, the dogs just want to go outside. To make a big stink barking at these poor little sissy dogs. On to the story. Yesterday I let them out, not thinking, and of course they went straight over there making their fuss. Barking their heads off. So I'm like crap! My hair is standing straight up (I'd showered then gone back to bed) and I'm in these ridiculously patterned flowery pajama pants and a silly track jacket... The neighbor man was out there corralling his dogs as well. I was so embarrassed to look so ridiculous and have such bully dogs. I tried to apologize, but he seemed embarrassed for me and just kept his head down.

Not My Strongest Moment

The good news is that this week is spring break! Unfortunately I have to work this time. 

The bad news is that today is kind of stinking. I was a lazy girl most of the weekend, in terms of exercising. Saturday was so busy, a baby shower and 2 birthday parties, I was barely even home. Then yesterday daylight savings time messed me all up, I was getting up late as it was. We started working on the basement, and before I knew it, it was late and I'd had a couple of margaritas. I did end up doing some crunches though. 

Today was crummy from the start. I snoozed all stinking morning, got to work right on time, stayed for an hour and came back home. I was up all night with a stomach ache and I was exhausted. That's plenty of whining and crying...

Today it was pretty cold out. I was suppose to ride my bike, but instead I ran on the elliptical machine for about 15 minutes which ended up being about 1.1 miles. Then I did strength training on Wii Fit for 30 minutes. The funniest thing has happened on there, my trainer is growing his hair out. It's so silly. When I first saw it, I laughed and laughed. He keeps it back in a little ponytail and it's just hilarious, mostly because a video game character grew out its hair, ha. I also did about 15 minutes of yoga, on Wii Fit. It doesn't sound like much, but I did nearly everyone of them.

I started registering for the triathlon today (it's August 1st), but realized that you have to have an estimated time for swimming 500 yards. Ha! 500 yards?! My training plan doesn't have me going that far until week 11. Should I train a bit harder so that I can have a good idea of my time soon enough to not miss out? I'm going to say yes. 

I'm waiting for Janean to get home, hoping she'll go with me to the gym where I'll pop on a bike and swim. Swimming is going to be fun, I get to try out the silly video I watched on youtube and see if it helped. I'll have to break down and get an instructor before this is over with.

Speaking of swimming! My shoes and goggles came today! Woo hoo!

One more thing... Don't forget why I really started this whole blogging thing! To get people to ride with us at Tour de Cure (click it!!!).

Ouch!

So the bike riding DID NOT get easier as of yesterday. 

First I popped onto the bike and was reminded of when you discover new muscles only because they're aching. It wasn't quite like that though, it was more, wow, my bum really hurts and I had no idea. Then I realized that although I'd shifted into the 3rd set of gears, it didn't actually happen (I bet there's a more specific name than sets of gears). So the whole previous bike ride when I thought I'd shifted as low (? maybe it's high. I should get a bicycling dictionary) as I could, wrong. I finally figured that out, but it makes a funny noise while it's in "those" gears. I don't know, I don't want to touch it for fear of breaking it for good. 

Moving on... It is the hardest thing to not cheat at the half way mark where I could head back through the park and cut like 3/4 of a mile off of my ride... and avoid the major hill. That hill, plus the others nearing my house, may very well be the death of me. My lungs did that thing that they did in middle school when we had to take gym outside in the winter, they felt like I'd smoked a pack of menthols. I was huffing and puffing, and certainly blowing nothing down, but I was doing a lot of moaning and fighting back of tears. I'm not really sore today, but all day yesterday my lower shins (I'm pretty sure shins are the bones, but just so you understand where) where killing me. The action I was doing to make them feel better was very similar to when Cordie gets a "poopy butt" and drags it around, gross. I was dragging my toes every where.

That's not the end of it. I was suppose to swim yesterday, but sadly I couldn't get the day off of work and I didn't have time to go. I didn't have time because we were busy putting on Roy's "new toes." So, I went downstairs and played Wii Fit. I started out with yoga, it went pretty well. I felt pretty good about the "tree" which as most of you know is tricky. Then I did crunches, the "jackknife" kind, where you also raise your legs. I did 30 of those and today, my abs hurt quite a bit (woo hoo for next day soreness!). Then I did Push Ups/ Side Planks. For those of you that don't know what side planks are, they are kind of funny. It goes push up, right side plank, push up, left side plank... for a right side plank, you put your left leg behind your right (yes you are still in "push up position") then point your left hand in the air. I did this 20 times, half way through, I ended up on my knees because I'm a wiener! After that, I just messed around with my "number 5" hand weights. My upper body feels pretty sore from just that, and I feel pretty good about it. I don't know about my lower body though. Should I be "kicking it up a knotch?"

It's Not as Easy as it Looks

You know, jogging inside is NOTHING like jogging outside. Holy crap. I waited for Janean, we jogged, she's going to correct me because, well... I mostly walked. We took the dogs, they need this as much as we do. Cordie (our 12 pound silky terrier) does this thing sometimes called a reverse sneeze (it might actually be inverted sneeze). It sounds like there's something stuck in her throat when it happens and it's really sad. So of course that happened while we were out. Janean and Goose (the 50 pound springer spaniel) were pretty far ahead of us already so they stopped to wait. Well by the time we caught up I'd become sad for Cordie, so I was carrying her. We looked a bit silly. I put her back down soon after, and she was fine. We finally made it back, I had my concerns.

Who knew there was actually technique to stretching? Thank goodness Janean was there or I may have hurt myself. I discovered this weird thing were when my legs are straight out, I can't bend at my waist. It was weird. She pushed on me and I bent, it didn't hurt, I just couldn't make it happen on my own. Comical to watch me sitting in the back yard trying though.

I can't wait til my shoes get here, these aren't doing me any good.

I'll Try to Make this as Entertaining as Possible.

I decided last week that I want to be in shape. For no reason but to be in shape. I found a "training" plan and started that Monday. Then I needed a goal. That's what made me remember Tour de Cure. That's my short term goal. My long term goal is the Women's Triathlon here in Kansas City (hopefully it isn't already filled).  I go to the website and I get insanely nervous about it. So, after starting this blog thing to "get the ball rolling" to raise money for Tour de Cure, I decided it's a good place to blog my training for these crazy adventures I have planned. I know a few of you run and stuff, and I could use all the advise and encouragement I can get. 

And while I'm asking for advise and such... I don't actually own a road bike. I own a mountain bike. Would it be allowed in the triathlon (it's a 10 mile ride)? And if it was, how much harder would it make things? I suppose that if I want to keep this up I should buy a real bike. The thing is, I haven't been working a whole lot of hours lately, so there's no way I could afford one right now. Plus, those things are really freaking intimidating. I'd have to take spinning classes or whatever they call those things.

Now for how my training's going thus far:

The first day I had planned to bike between the 2 hours I had after work and before class, too bad there was still a couple of inches of snow on the ground. Instead, I popped onto the elliptical machine and "jogged" 2 miles which took me 18 min 32 sec. I can't lie, after the first mile, I seriously thought I might just fall off of the damn thing and die right there. I don't know why, buy I have a hard time getting my heart rate up on that thing and when I do actually get it up, it yells at me and tells me it's way too high. Anyways, I end up just sitting around a 107 most of the time I'm on there. Boo!

Day 2 was much more fun. A couple of hours before work, I went down to North Kansas City's community center and renewed my membership, too bad I'm "out of district." I'd never really used a gym before so I felt like I was doing everything wrong. So I went in, paid for my membership and a lock, and put my stuff in a locker. I headed upstairs to the track and walked 2 laps/ ran 1 lap (a lap is .1 mile) X 3 plus walked an extra lap (13 min 55 sec). Then I headed to the pool. When they say "head to toe shower with soap" do they mean it? I obeyed. Unsure if that meant with or without swimsuit and nervous that soap bubbles would be coming out of my suit the whole time. The lap lanes were full so I ran with the old men (old as in like 70 and older) for about ten minutes till a lane opened up. Can 2 people be in those things at once or is a lane only allowed a body at a time? I swam down and back, very poorly. It's probably hysterical for the life guards to watch. I should really take a class. Never the less, I did it and it took me 3 minutes. It wasn't too bad, I took my time, knowing what a weak swimmer I am.

Day 3: I'm pulling this straight out of my "beginnertriathlete" training blog/ calendar.

This was the first time I've rode a bike in almost two years. I thought it would be a piece of cake, ha. The first half wasn't bad, it was mostly down hill. I wasn't sure I was going to make it up any of the hills of the second half though. I seriously almost cried. I'm hoping for it to be easy within the next two weeks, which is how long I'll be doing 2 miles. I also need to set a goal, register for a race, or do something to make sure I keep this up. 

1.84 miles. 11m 28s. Climb: 141 feet.

Day 4: Again, coming out of the other thing.

Today I ran in the lazy river as my warm up and cool down. There was this big guy in there, the lazy river is only like 4' wide, that looked like he was in awesome shape at one point and was trying to get that back. He was pushy and mean. You have to understand, it's 11:30 in the morning, these are 70+ people that are there so that they can maintain some sort of fitness. And to make matters much much worse, the large man needed to dunk his upper body in the water, he was sweaty and very smelly. Then he decided to go against the current, which is great for him, but I swear he broke the whole thing and the water just stopped moving. I mostly felt bad for the seniors that are there every day being pushed around by the big smelly bully.

 Enough complaining. I swam my first 100 yards today. I know I know, it's not like I went far. But you don't know just how out of shape I am. I was hurting by the end.  I had planned on doing another 50 as a cool down, but I didn't want the life guards to have to jump in and save the youngest person there who was also in the only lap lane against the edge of the pool. What a sight that could have been.

 I can't decide if I want to ride my bike now or just hang out until Janean gets home to jog with me. Suddenly I can't get enough exercise. 

 And... my new tennis shoes are on their way and my swim goggles. They will both make life much better. How exciting, eh?

"Aqua Jogged" 1/4 mile. 9m 11s.

Swam: 100 yards. 1st 50: 3m. 2nd 50: 1m 31s.

I promise these will be shorter in the future. That was just an update because I know everyone reading this wants every last detail. Bwahaha!

Here it Goes

So, I don't write well, and I am the opposite of creative? So why am I doing this? Because it's easier to figure this out than facebook AND anyone can come along and see this and join the cause.

Cause? Who said anything about a cause? Oh yeah, there's a cause.

As most of you know, Janean is a type I diabetic. I'm not going to get into too much detail about what that means, google it if you want to know more. But she's important to me and there is a lot of progress to be made. So the cause? Oh yeah, Tour de Cure!

It's a race, on bicycles and we're going to do it. Because of the short amount of time between now and the race, June 14th, we're going to do the short one this year. It's 10 miles.

Now the purpose... We're creating a team. The team hasn't actually been made yet for a couple of reasons. Number one, I'm not creative. We need a name. Number two, I'd like to know about how many people would join our team before I set our goal.

So... email me, call me, send me a post card or a text message, let me know that you're in and that you will be on our team! There's a pretty good chance that someone you know has diabetes, do it for them. Never mind the fact that this is a great opportunity to get out and get fit!