Had family over today for a grill out. Am working on getting as many people as possible to come to the race next August. I am using the Ironman video on Utube as propaganda. We'll see:) Even with family over still managed to squeeze in a bike & swim!
TODAY'S WORKOUT: 1800 yard swim (lots more breast stroke than freestyle) - it took about an hour & a 16.1 mile bike. Can't wait till fall since the trees will be so pretty!
Monday, September 3, 2007
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Saturday, September 1, 2007
A Little Backstory
So, you're probably thinking, "This lady is totally off her rocker!" Tri newbie signs up for Ironman - what is she thinking? I know my family and friends secretly think it. There's probably even some who think I can't do it. Well, the bad news is that I probably am a little crazy. The good news is that, although new to triathlon, I'm not totally new to sports. I am a runner.
Since junior high, I have been an on-again, off-again runner. I started with cross-country but only stuck with it for a year. I thought the Galloway method of training was cool way before it was even invented. In the late 70's people were still running as fast & far as possible - way too intense for me. I would make up injuries so I wouldn't have to go out for that 5 mile run!
After cross-country I tried track. I ran the mile, which I liked a lot. However, at about the 5th meet, the coach decided, on the spot, that each of us should compete in another event of his choosing. He signed me up for the high jump. While I nervously stood in line to compete in an event I'd never even tried, I just knew that I'd hit the bar face on & hopelessly embarrass myself in front of the crowd. I said no way & walked off the field - never to return. For me, my running career was over for quite a while.
Fast forward ...we were living in Singapore at the time & I was somewhat overweight, pregnant with my fourth child & had braces on my teeth - hot! It was then & there that I decided that when those braces came off my soon to be perfect teeth, I'd be skinny (and maybe healthier too)! As soon as Grey (my 10 year old) was born, I was off. We were lucky enough to live less that a mile from the botanical gardens in one of the safest places in the world. Almost every night when I got off of work I would take a turn through the gardens. By the time we moved back to the States in 1998 I was easily running 5-6 miles 5+ times a week. Those braces came off right before we moved home & I was looked & felt better than I ever had before.
From that point on I tried to stay committed to running. However, over time, I would begin to lose my motivation & take extended breaks for months at a time. It never failed, though, the weight would inevitably start to creep back and I'd be out on the road again. I continued this way, quasi-managing my weight & health, until about 2004. It was right after the birth of my 5th child, when I hit upon the bright idea of signing up for a race.
Now, as previously referenced, I'm not one to go the easy route. At the time, I was lucky to be running 5-10 miles a week but decided that I'd sign up for a marathon. We were living in Minneapolis so I signed up for the 2005 Twin City Marathon. I had about 10 months before the race & I was committed. I searched around & joined the Lifetime Fitness Running Club & began to train with them. Through the the cold fall & winter, the unusually hot spring, battling mosquitoes all the way, on I trudged. It was easier because I knew that I'd be letting the group down if I didn't keep up my training. In May before the October marathon I ran my first race since high school - a half marathon. I ran a 2:10 so I was happy. I immediately followed that up with 3 more halfs & saw it as a badge of honor when I lost 2 toenails on my left foot - yuck!
Unfortunately, as sometimes happens, life got in the way. My husband got a new job in Louisville & the family moved about 2 months before the race. All 7 of us plus 2 dogs & 2 cats moved into temporary housing while we waited for our house to be finished. Although I had committed to keep training & go back for the race, that went quickly by the wayside. It was hot here (way hotter than MN) & hilly. The grade of my driveway here is bigger that the hills in Minneapolis. It was just too tough for me to make the change while trying to settle the kids & get the house finished at the same time. I was out of the race. It didn't take long for me to quit running altogether.
About 4 months went by & I fell into quite a funk. I didn't know anyone here, the house was finished so my biggest time consumer was gone & although I didn't want to admit it, I missed running - especially my running buddies. I started to nose around on the internet & joyous, I found a new group. The local Fleet Feet opens the store early on Saturdays & Sundays for runners to meet up before training runs. Right after Christmas 2005 I hooked up with the group that I still run with today. They had all just completed the 2005 Chicago Marathon (for some it was their first) & had great things to say about it so, of course, I had to sign up. Being the fantastic, supportive people that they are, they signed up too. We spent the year training. I got in a couple of halves & actually ran my first 5k & 10k in 2006 too. In October we ran Chicago. (I'll save that story for another day!)
After the race, in typical Debi fashion, I took another break from running but was back at it a couple of months later (surprise - the weight was creeping back). And guess what - I signed up for another marathon. I'm doing Marine Corps this October. As much as I resist it, I'm just the kind of person that needs a large, almost unattainable, goal to get my lazy ass out the door. I don't think that exercise of any sort will ever be my favorite past-time but it is the necessary evil that enables me to live & eat the way I want without becoming a fat, lazy slob. And if I'm completely honest, I miss it when I'm not doing it. I like the way it makes me feel & look, I like the camaraderie of the other runners & I love the sense of satisfaction I get from completing events that a few short years ago would have been impossible. (The look of awe on others people's faces doesn't hurt either!)
So here I am - almost ready for marathon #2 but this time I go into the race with the next big event already scheduled. This should be the required push I need to get me through that after-race lull & keep me heading out the door.
TODAY'S WORKOUT: 17.6 mile run - the weather is finally fantastic!
Since junior high, I have been an on-again, off-again runner. I started with cross-country but only stuck with it for a year. I thought the Galloway method of training was cool way before it was even invented. In the late 70's people were still running as fast & far as possible - way too intense for me. I would make up injuries so I wouldn't have to go out for that 5 mile run!
After cross-country I tried track. I ran the mile, which I liked a lot. However, at about the 5th meet, the coach decided, on the spot, that each of us should compete in another event of his choosing. He signed me up for the high jump. While I nervously stood in line to compete in an event I'd never even tried, I just knew that I'd hit the bar face on & hopelessly embarrass myself in front of the crowd. I said no way & walked off the field - never to return. For me, my running career was over for quite a while.
Fast forward ...we were living in Singapore at the time & I was somewhat overweight, pregnant with my fourth child & had braces on my teeth - hot! It was then & there that I decided that when those braces came off my soon to be perfect teeth, I'd be skinny (and maybe healthier too)! As soon as Grey (my 10 year old) was born, I was off. We were lucky enough to live less that a mile from the botanical gardens in one of the safest places in the world. Almost every night when I got off of work I would take a turn through the gardens. By the time we moved back to the States in 1998 I was easily running 5-6 miles 5+ times a week. Those braces came off right before we moved home & I was looked & felt better than I ever had before.
From that point on I tried to stay committed to running. However, over time, I would begin to lose my motivation & take extended breaks for months at a time. It never failed, though, the weight would inevitably start to creep back and I'd be out on the road again. I continued this way, quasi-managing my weight & health, until about 2004. It was right after the birth of my 5th child, when I hit upon the bright idea of signing up for a race.
Now, as previously referenced, I'm not one to go the easy route. At the time, I was lucky to be running 5-10 miles a week but decided that I'd sign up for a marathon. We were living in Minneapolis so I signed up for the 2005 Twin City Marathon. I had about 10 months before the race & I was committed. I searched around & joined the Lifetime Fitness Running Club & began to train with them. Through the the cold fall & winter, the unusually hot spring, battling mosquitoes all the way, on I trudged. It was easier because I knew that I'd be letting the group down if I didn't keep up my training. In May before the October marathon I ran my first race since high school - a half marathon. I ran a 2:10 so I was happy. I immediately followed that up with 3 more halfs & saw it as a badge of honor when I lost 2 toenails on my left foot - yuck!
Unfortunately, as sometimes happens, life got in the way. My husband got a new job in Louisville & the family moved about 2 months before the race. All 7 of us plus 2 dogs & 2 cats moved into temporary housing while we waited for our house to be finished. Although I had committed to keep training & go back for the race, that went quickly by the wayside. It was hot here (way hotter than MN) & hilly. The grade of my driveway here is bigger that the hills in Minneapolis. It was just too tough for me to make the change while trying to settle the kids & get the house finished at the same time. I was out of the race. It didn't take long for me to quit running altogether.
About 4 months went by & I fell into quite a funk. I didn't know anyone here, the house was finished so my biggest time consumer was gone & although I didn't want to admit it, I missed running - especially my running buddies. I started to nose around on the internet & joyous, I found a new group. The local Fleet Feet opens the store early on Saturdays & Sundays for runners to meet up before training runs. Right after Christmas 2005 I hooked up with the group that I still run with today. They had all just completed the 2005 Chicago Marathon (for some it was their first) & had great things to say about it so, of course, I had to sign up. Being the fantastic, supportive people that they are, they signed up too. We spent the year training. I got in a couple of halves & actually ran my first 5k & 10k in 2006 too. In October we ran Chicago. (I'll save that story for another day!)
After the race, in typical Debi fashion, I took another break from running but was back at it a couple of months later (surprise - the weight was creeping back). And guess what - I signed up for another marathon. I'm doing Marine Corps this October. As much as I resist it, I'm just the kind of person that needs a large, almost unattainable, goal to get my lazy ass out the door. I don't think that exercise of any sort will ever be my favorite past-time but it is the necessary evil that enables me to live & eat the way I want without becoming a fat, lazy slob. And if I'm completely honest, I miss it when I'm not doing it. I like the way it makes me feel & look, I like the camaraderie of the other runners & I love the sense of satisfaction I get from completing events that a few short years ago would have been impossible. (The look of awe on others people's faces doesn't hurt either!)
So here I am - almost ready for marathon #2 but this time I go into the race with the next big event already scheduled. This should be the required push I need to get me through that after-race lull & keep me heading out the door.
TODAY'S WORKOUT: 17.6 mile run - the weather is finally fantastic!
Friday, August 31, 2007
A Quickie
Couldn't bring myself to get out of bed at 4:45 this morning. I can't wait until next Wednesday. My littlest guy is going to school so I can work out while he's gone. I also found out that 3 glorious days a week I can leave him for an "extended" day lasting until 2pm. Just think of how much working out I can get done in the time? Maybe I can add in some hot yoga.
When I finally did get up (6am) I had to get the kids out the door before working out. Since by then, I was confined to cartoon watching with the 4 year old, I drug the trainer back upstairs to give it a 2nd try.
I still found that it took some getting used to - it's boring & I'm constantly watching the clock - but I was able to get a solid 45 minutes of high cadence cycling in while watching the Today Show. I noticed that I get much hotter & sweatier sitting in the house. Hard to believe with as hot as it's been outside. The new saddle looks like it might be a keeper & I love, love, love the aero bars. I still need a place to put the clicker as down the back of my riding shorts isn't going to work long-term but overall, I'm happy with the results.
When I was done with my ride I had a brief moment of panic when it looked like my bike might be stuck in the trainer again but 5 seconds of careful pulling popped it out!
TODAY'S WORKOUT: 45 minute ride on trainer (+ cleaned the kitchen & did 2 loads of laundry!)
When I finally did get up (6am) I had to get the kids out the door before working out. Since by then, I was confined to cartoon watching with the 4 year old, I drug the trainer back upstairs to give it a 2nd try.
I still found that it took some getting used to - it's boring & I'm constantly watching the clock - but I was able to get a solid 45 minutes of high cadence cycling in while watching the Today Show. I noticed that I get much hotter & sweatier sitting in the house. Hard to believe with as hot as it's been outside. The new saddle looks like it might be a keeper & I love, love, love the aero bars. I still need a place to put the clicker as down the back of my riding shorts isn't going to work long-term but overall, I'm happy with the results.
When I was done with my ride I had a brief moment of panic when it looked like my bike might be stuck in the trainer again but 5 seconds of careful pulling popped it out!
TODAY'S WORKOUT: 45 minute ride on trainer (+ cleaned the kitchen & did 2 loads of laundry!)
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Shout Out!
Yeah! I got my bike back - a big shout out to Brian over at Cycler's Cafe. He didn't even laugh too much when I tried to explain to him how I broke my bike getting it out of the trainer! He very patiently showed me how to put the chain & back wheel back on & he put on my aero bars & is letting me try out a new saddle. Apparently it's not completely normal to feel crippled after getting off the bike or to have it hurt to pee for a week after... He's ordering a new stem so I can sit more comfortably & a new part to my computer so it can be attached to my back wheel. I hate being on the trainer & not knowing how fast & far I'm going.
The new aeros are super cool. Very comfy. I'm hoping I can use them lots as they're way more comfy than keeping my hands on the bars. I'm certain it's going to make me so much faster ;)
Anyway - I'm off to a school meeting - my youngest is getting ready to start Pre-K. He's been the only one home for a couple of weeks & it's been tough to get workouts in. Starting next week I hope to have 3 luxurious hours every morning to squeeze my workouts into.
Till next time...
TODAY'S WORKOUT: 6.25 mile run followed by a nap to recover from getting up at 4:45 every morning.
The new aeros are super cool. Very comfy. I'm hoping I can use them lots as they're way more comfy than keeping my hands on the bars. I'm certain it's going to make me so much faster ;)
Anyway - I'm off to a school meeting - my youngest is getting ready to start Pre-K. He's been the only one home for a couple of weeks & it's been tough to get workouts in. Starting next week I hope to have 3 luxurious hours every morning to squeeze my workouts into.
Till next time...
TODAY'S WORKOUT: 6.25 mile run followed by a nap to recover from getting up at 4:45 every morning.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Did you ever want to boot kick your bike out the door?
As a mom of 5 children ranging from 4 to 18 with a husband who works all the time, it's sometimes hard to find the time to get my workouts in. To solve the running problem I've been getting up at 4:45 to run outside before I get the kiddos up for school. However, for the bike, I decided an indoor trainer would be necessary for those days that I just can't get outside.
After researching the options, I decided to get a Kinetic Road Machine fluid resistance trainer and promptly ordered one from trisports.com. As I waited impatiently for it to arrive, I decided that more equipment was necessary to make my Felt F75 into that magical machine that would have me zooming at pro speeds around Louisville. I settled on a set of Profile Carbon Stryke aero bars and ran out to the local bike shop to grab them. Although they offered to install them at the shop, I declined, saying that I was pretty mechanical.
Imagine how excited I was when I got home from the bike shop with my aero bars to find the trainer sitting on my doorstep. My evening was set - after I got the kids to bed I would assemble the trainer, install the aero bars & surely have time for a ride while I watched some tv.
9:00 - I was ready. Assembling the trainer was actually pretty easy. Not too many parts, decent instructions. I think I only put one part on wrong through the whole process. Next, I brought in the mat & wheel block, set everything up, wrestled my bike into the house, changed out the skewer on the rear wheel and set the bike into the trainer. Now it was about 10:00. How long could aero bars possibly take? I was well on my way to my first indoor ride.
10:00 - I opened up the parts box for the bars, laid everything out on the kitchen counter & read through the instructions for the 1st, 2nd & then 3rd times. Torque wrench? I don't think I have one of those. Shims? This is starting to sound complicated. I read through the instructions one more time, and then, failing to make any more sense of them, packed everything back into the box & promised myself I'd figure it out tomorrow. By then, it was 11:00 & I was too tired to ride. I set my alarm for 4:45 again and was off to bed.
Morning - no snooze for me today. I was excited - about to take my first indoor training ride. I quickly dress in my riding shorts & top, pull on my shoes, turn on the tv & hop on the bike. I start pedaling - hmmm - this is hard. I shift some gears around & then hop off the bike to adjust the tension. That's better. Now - starting to get into a groove I start flipping through channels to find something to watch. Settling on a program, I look around for someplace to put the clicker. Nothing - I decide to stick it in the top of my shorts - definitely not comfortable. Wow - I can't believe I've only been riding 5 minutes. My butt is starting to hurt. Then my hands. Then my arms. Back to my butt (and other parts). For the next 45 minutes, I dwell on what hurts. I wiggle & stretch. Arms up, down on the drops, sit upright - I could sure use those aeros. No good. Outside I never feel this way. Maybe this is why I hate the treadmill so much. Nothing but time to think about how miserable you are. And hot...5:45 - off the bike. I have 15 minutes to get the whole setup taken down & put away before I have to wake up the kids.
I open the quick release lever, slide back the thingie holding the right skewer in but can't get the left side out. Struggling, I try to slide the bike every which way but it's not budging. Then I notice that the back wheel is coming off the bike. I reach down to try to fix it & the chain drops off. What is going on? I spent about 20 mins like this trying not to damage my bike before I was finally able to pop it out of the trainer. In the meantime, the chain is off on the front & back & I can't get the tire back on. In disgust, I decide that I'll have to humbly take my bike into the shop to have them show me how to fix it. I might as well have them do the stupid aero bars too - and a new saddle - and an adjustment - anything to make it more comfie.
I take the bike out to the garage to put it in the car so I can drop it by the shop after I take the kids to school & realize that my SUV is gone (my husband is taking my oldest to college) & I'm left with his medium size sedan. Bummer. This is becoming comical. Not willing to give up at this point, I take off the front tire too, put both tires in the back seat & somehow wrangle the frame into the trunk without banging anything up. Kids up, out the door - off to the bike shop I go. I try to explain to them what happened but finally just give up. "Take it," I tell them. "I'll be by tomorrow at 4:00 to pick it up". So much for my mechanical abilities. I'm certainly going to have to work on that before next August. If I'd gotten a flat back tire today I think I'd still be sitting on the course...
TODAY'S WORKOUT: 45 minutes on trainer & 30 minute swim
After researching the options, I decided to get a Kinetic Road Machine fluid resistance trainer and promptly ordered one from trisports.com. As I waited impatiently for it to arrive, I decided that more equipment was necessary to make my Felt F75 into that magical machine that would have me zooming at pro speeds around Louisville. I settled on a set of Profile Carbon Stryke aero bars and ran out to the local bike shop to grab them. Although they offered to install them at the shop, I declined, saying that I was pretty mechanical.
Imagine how excited I was when I got home from the bike shop with my aero bars to find the trainer sitting on my doorstep. My evening was set - after I got the kids to bed I would assemble the trainer, install the aero bars & surely have time for a ride while I watched some tv.
9:00 - I was ready. Assembling the trainer was actually pretty easy. Not too many parts, decent instructions. I think I only put one part on wrong through the whole process. Next, I brought in the mat & wheel block, set everything up, wrestled my bike into the house, changed out the skewer on the rear wheel and set the bike into the trainer. Now it was about 10:00. How long could aero bars possibly take? I was well on my way to my first indoor ride.
10:00 - I opened up the parts box for the bars, laid everything out on the kitchen counter & read through the instructions for the 1st, 2nd & then 3rd times. Torque wrench? I don't think I have one of those. Shims? This is starting to sound complicated. I read through the instructions one more time, and then, failing to make any more sense of them, packed everything back into the box & promised myself I'd figure it out tomorrow. By then, it was 11:00 & I was too tired to ride. I set my alarm for 4:45 again and was off to bed.
Morning - no snooze for me today. I was excited - about to take my first indoor training ride. I quickly dress in my riding shorts & top, pull on my shoes, turn on the tv & hop on the bike. I start pedaling - hmmm - this is hard. I shift some gears around & then hop off the bike to adjust the tension. That's better. Now - starting to get into a groove I start flipping through channels to find something to watch. Settling on a program, I look around for someplace to put the clicker. Nothing - I decide to stick it in the top of my shorts - definitely not comfortable. Wow - I can't believe I've only been riding 5 minutes. My butt is starting to hurt. Then my hands. Then my arms. Back to my butt (and other parts). For the next 45 minutes, I dwell on what hurts. I wiggle & stretch. Arms up, down on the drops, sit upright - I could sure use those aeros. No good. Outside I never feel this way. Maybe this is why I hate the treadmill so much. Nothing but time to think about how miserable you are. And hot...5:45 - off the bike. I have 15 minutes to get the whole setup taken down & put away before I have to wake up the kids.
I open the quick release lever, slide back the thingie holding the right skewer in but can't get the left side out. Struggling, I try to slide the bike every which way but it's not budging. Then I notice that the back wheel is coming off the bike. I reach down to try to fix it & the chain drops off. What is going on? I spent about 20 mins like this trying not to damage my bike before I was finally able to pop it out of the trainer. In the meantime, the chain is off on the front & back & I can't get the tire back on. In disgust, I decide that I'll have to humbly take my bike into the shop to have them show me how to fix it. I might as well have them do the stupid aero bars too - and a new saddle - and an adjustment - anything to make it more comfie.
I take the bike out to the garage to put it in the car so I can drop it by the shop after I take the kids to school & realize that my SUV is gone (my husband is taking my oldest to college) & I'm left with his medium size sedan. Bummer. This is becoming comical. Not willing to give up at this point, I take off the front tire too, put both tires in the back seat & somehow wrangle the frame into the trunk without banging anything up. Kids up, out the door - off to the bike shop I go. I try to explain to them what happened but finally just give up. "Take it," I tell them. "I'll be by tomorrow at 4:00 to pick it up". So much for my mechanical abilities. I'm certainly going to have to work on that before next August. If I'd gotten a flat back tire today I think I'd still be sitting on the course...
TODAY'S WORKOUT: 45 minutes on trainer & 30 minute swim
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
And so it begins...
Each year, I'm always the one at my house watching Ironman Hawaii, crying as all the age group athletes triumphantly cross the finish. I think the pros are incredible, but I really get my inspiration from all the others. Stories like Sister Madonna Buder, Team Hoyt, Major David Rozelle (just to name a brief few) who can resist? Of course the one that consistently brings me to tears (I own the DVD) is Jon "Blazeman" Blais. Ever since watching him complete the race in 2005, I've remembered him saying:
Well, now that Louisville has an Ironman (it's inaugural was this past Sunday), what excuse do I have? Here's this great event, practically in my own backyard, that secretly I've always wanted to do. Combine that with the incredible call to action from Jon Blais & I can't resist. Never mind that I've never completed a triathlon. As my friends will tell you - if I'm going to go for it - I'm going big!
So - come along for the ride. Hopefully it won't be too bumpy along the way. I signed up, I'm in & I'm committed....(and maybe a little nuts!)
TODAY'S WORKOUT: 6.25 mile run & 45 minutes swim (plus lots of packing for teenager off to college)
“Live. More than your neighbors. Unleash yourself upon the world and go places. Go now. Giggle. No. Laugh. And bark at the moon like the wild dog that you are. Understand that this is not a dress rehearsal. This is it. Your life. Face your fears and live your dreams and take it all in. Yes, every chance you get. Come close. And by all means, whatever you do, get it on film.” John Blais - 2005 Ironman with ALS (Time: 16:28:58)
Well, now that Louisville has an Ironman (it's inaugural was this past Sunday), what excuse do I have? Here's this great event, practically in my own backyard, that secretly I've always wanted to do. Combine that with the incredible call to action from Jon Blais & I can't resist. Never mind that I've never completed a triathlon. As my friends will tell you - if I'm going to go for it - I'm going big!
So - come along for the ride. Hopefully it won't be too bumpy along the way. I signed up, I'm in & I'm committed....(and maybe a little nuts!)
TODAY'S WORKOUT: 6.25 mile run & 45 minutes swim (plus lots of packing for teenager off to college)
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