Holy Toe Clips Batman!

I tried my new toe clips for the first time yesterday. (Thank you Mom and Dad!) Wow. They are not joking around about how much better you can cycle. I was more efficient and definitely faster. Three more miles an hour faster to be exact. I compared my last ride to the one with my toe clips on iMapMyFitness. It uses my phone's GPS to show me the routes I take and how fast I take them. It's pretty cool. It can also map runs but my runs don't usually last that long. Anyway, imagine how much faster I'll be when I really get the hang of them! I was impressed and I'm excited to find out.

I also was practicing the 3 to 9 drill (or 9 to 3 drill, whichever you prefer I guess). You basically forget that you are pedaling in a circle. You think of your rotating pedal as a clock, but 6 and 12 don't exist. You are trying to basically just push through from 3 to 9. Just imagining it, I noticed I was pedaling faster.

So today is April 2nd and I've decided to make April my "Give it Everything I Got" month. Not that I haven't been giving my training all I've got. I just haven't put it first, I haven't put myself first. I mean I've made big strides in my fitness and my attitude but I have been lazy at times and made more exceptions to my workouts then I wanted to. So, NO MORE. This month I'm gonna kick ass. I'm not gonna be bullied into working extra and sacrificing my workout.  I'm not gonna make excuses, I'm gonna get out of bed, and I'm gonna make April a month of serious progress.

No Eye Contact.

I think I should start carrying fliers to the gym and every time someone starts to talk to me, I can hand them one, smile, and go back to what I was doing.
Here's what it would say...

Hi! My name is Carrie. Thank you for you interest in what I'm doing but

1. I do not need a personal trainer. You see me here at least 4-5 days a week and I think I'm going pretty well on my own. Thank you.
2. I'm sure it's impressive, but I don't care how many reps, how much weight, how many laps, or how long you've been on that machine.
3. Kindly wipe your nasty ass sweat off that machine, I would like to use it without getting an STD.
4. Please put on some clothes.
5. Seriously...put on some clothes.
6. Could you please hang up your phone? I'm not here to listen to your conversations while you are screaming over the noise of all the other machines.
7. Just because we made eye contact, doesn't mean I want to hear your life story.
8. Truly, when you have to grunt that loudly to finish a rep, I think that means it's time to take it a bit easier... I don't want you to over strain yourself and watch you shit your pants.
9. If you are going to impede my progress by running to a machine to claim it as your own, kindly use the damn thing, you aren't the only one trying to workout here.
10. Steroids are known to do A LOT of damage to your downstairs area, I think you should lay off for a while.
11. Really? Who wears jeans to the gym?
12. Headphones. Use them.
13. (Blank for the purpose of a write in)

I would circle the best option and hand it over. I think it would make my experience at the gym a much better one.

Today a nice older gentleman would have gotten a #2 today while we were swimming. I was pausing between a lap and he looks over and nods (like one would nod whilst saying "sup") and says 'looking good over there'. I roll my eyes, thankfully my goggles are still on, and say thank you. In kindness, because I knew that's what he was fishing for, I said 'you too'. Mistake. Big mistake. He talked for like 5 minutes trying to impress me with his swim lingo ("Yeah, I'm just working on my 100yd. I.M. Oh sorry, I mean individual medley. That's when you change your stroke each length of the pool...") Bitch I know what an I.M. is! I was on the swim team when I was younger. Just cuz I'm only rocking out freestyle, doesn't mean I don't know other strokes exist!

I finally got back to swimming and ended up doing 10 laps. Again, not really impressive but my "recovery time" between laps is significantly shorter than it was before. I'm still supposed to be stopping after each length and catching my breath. Also, the swim for the TRI is equal to 18 laps so I'm getting there.

 I couldn't tell if this guy was hitting on me or if he just needed someone to tell him how awesome he was. I don't frequently get hit on so, who knows. I am curious though. Maybe my training is causing me to gain some confidence that is making me more approachable? Yesterday, an EMT at work called me gorgeous and I laughed at him and he looked genuinely confused and perhaps a little hurt (?) He told me it was a shame I didn't get greeted like that all the time. It was sweet but so completely different then what I'm used to. I'm sure he was just being nice and I should just take the compliment, but it's hard for me and I'm still trying to figure out if he was just maybe joking around for his partners benefit...like hey look at me make this secretaries day by calling her something nice, or really thought I was cute and was upset that I laughed at him.

Either way, swim guy was also disappointed with me and got out of the pool after our little chat. I wasn't trying to be mean, I just think swimming is a very individual thing and I enjoy the time to myself I get while I workout. It's a nice time to clear my head and just relax. I don't mean to be antisocial but if you see me at the gym, smile and wave and just let me do my thing. We can talk all you want in the locker room. (Provided you are fully clothed)

Focus on Nutrition Time

... starting Thursday...

I've followed the plan in the book 100% so far. I actually worked out 7 days in a row. Hooray for little victories, I've never done that before. I took Monday off and got back into it today. But training isn't just about the workouts. I have to start really considering what I'm eating. So, tomorrow is my birthday. I've decided that's a silly day to start eating well. Especially when you have reservations at Hamada - no one can resist those noodles, they're awesome. So change starts Thursday.

When people make changes or resolutions for the year, they usually do it on the first of the year. Well I say "Suck it" (DX style of course) to those cliche resolutioners. ((If you are a resolutioner I apologize, I'm sure you are doing great)) I am going to make a change starting March 22. I am going to make my 25th year my best so far. When I turn 26 I am going to do it in style as a healthier, stronger, and more physically fit person.

I know that week 2 is a bit early to declare a love of triathlon. I mean I haven't actually done an event yet, but I can really see myself getting into this. If, excuse me, when I make it through training and complete the event I can't just go back to doing nothing. So I think I'd like to do a couple sprint tri's next year and just keep training. Some people do a "tri season" and do a tri a month during the summer. I know I'm getting ahead of myself, so I'll just have to see how #1 goes and then go from there.

There is a chapter in each book I got on triathlons that focuses on nutrition. I'm going to read over them again and gather information. I'm not sure, though, that I need to eat like an athlete yet. I did find success with Weight Watchers last year. I lost and kept off 25 lbs for more than half the year and because I thought I didn't need meetings anymore, I gained a little more than half of it back. I'm embarrassed to admit it but admitting to a problem is half the battle. I have a problem with food and I'm working on it. Sometimes I wish I could hire someone to stand next to me and slap food out of my hand. Any takers? I can pay you in books...

I have to be my own solution. I can't expect someone else to do my workouts and regulate what I eat. I have to do that and I will do that. When I turn 26 I will be a triathlete and I will be stronger (hopefully emotionally as well as physically) and I will be half way through my degree program at Trinity. I can't wait to put 24 behind me and I look forward to who I will be when I celebrate my 26th birthday. Turning 25 isn't so scary after all, actually I'm really looking forward to it.

...Yes, I did make a wrestling reference back in the second paragraph. Deal with it! :)

Zombie Fodder

(Source: regalthreads)

If I was on The Waking Dead, my character wouldn't even have a name. I would be Zombie Victim #6.

If the Zombie Apocalypse happened right now, I'd be the fat guy from Zombieland running on the football field getting taken down by a zombie. I would be the person kept around because if our group was attacked, they would have a chance to get away while the zombies are tearing into me. Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg's character) was right. Rule #1 - Cardio

Can you guess how my first run session went?

Today was a strides, or sprints, workout. The plan is to alternate walking one minute and running one minute for nine minutes for a warm up. Then sprint (at not quite your max speed) for 100yds, walk back then run again, repeating for 4-6 times. Finally a cool down of brisk walking for 5 minutes.

The first ten minutes was a pathetic struggle for me. I'd say the first run minute went okay. I was pretty winded but I made the whole minute, after that I have to be honest, I barely made it 30 or 40 seconds before I thought my lungs would explode. Now understand I only had to run 4 minutes total to begin, not even all together. Pathetic. So obviously I took more than one minute to catch my breath before I started the sprints.

The sprints went better than the walk/run did. I think its because it didn't take me a whole minute to sprint (stride) the 100 yards. I ran or at least jogged in a fast like manner for the 100 yards. I walked back to my starting point like a doomed man walks to the gallows, sadly and slowly. I felt awful. But instead of quitting after 4 (remember I had to do 4-6) I forced myself to do one more and did 5 sprints.

As I was doing my 5 minute cool down - a.k.a. my slow, extra long, shameful walk to the car - a woman who was walking the track with a rolling walker smiled and gave me a thumbs up. I gave her a weak smile and thanked her, telling her she was looking good and moving faster then I was. She laughed and told me that she was in a wheelchair for many years and that it doesn't matter how fast she moves, just that she can and she does. I congratulated her and told her to keep up the good work and told me to do the same.

In my head I thought, what good work? My face was red, my right foot had a weird side cramp, and I was breathing like someone who was hyperventilating. But I guess she was right. I can move and I did all the moving my body allowed, so I guess I can count today as a win.

Today I declare the 3 mile run portion of my TRI, my nemesis. That way, when I finish, I can feel like a super hero.

The Wind in my (leg) Hair

Guess who needs to shave her legs? Yikes.

Tuesday I did my first bike training. A nice, easy 20 minute ride. It was beautiful out and I am thankful for how great the weather is this week. I'd have to say my first two days of training were pretty successful. I'm a bit sore - mostly my thighs and arms - but I know it's gonna be worth it so I am not complaining. Actually I'm a bit proud... my muscles hurt from my TRI training... doesn't that sound awesome?

I am telling anyone who will listen that I have signed up for the triathlon. Now, this is not me fishing for someone to congratulate me, I haven't actually done anything yet. This is me fishing for said person to perhaps remember I am training and ask me about it days or weeks later. Accountability. I would feel like a total ass if someone asks me how it's going and I have to mumble something about how I gave up. SO! If you see me, ask me how my training is going so you can remind me that I am not allowed to give up. (Thank you in advance.)

Last night I told a few people at work about my triathlon and one of the Rn's, told me that she knows I'm gonna do great and that she would take a day off so she could be there to see me finish. I wanted to cry. I couldn't believe the confidence she had in me. This is the second co worker who has expressed interest in being there waiting for me at the finish line. I expected my family to be there, but I never imagined having more than that. I am a lucky, lucky girl.

Today was swim day. I would call today successful because I did actually get in the pool and I did swim but not much else went right. First of all, I am extremely glad there was no one in the locker room to see me put on my swim cap.

Close your eyes and imagine a comic version of Carrie struggling with a perceived garbage bagged sized silicone cap...see me pulling it down past my arms, my elbows trapped...picture me yanking the cap off, leaving me bald...picture me stuck in the cap like a giant body condom...picture me going to town on said cap with a pair of garden shears...

I promise you all these things went through my head in a Scrubs-like daydream. It did take me an embarrassingly long time to put the cap on and I hated every minute of it. Finally, after the cap was on I got into the pool. As I began swimming I noticed a nice old gentleman trying to pick up an equally nice old woman with the promise of a rousing game of bingo, after Aquarobics of course. (Not joking) Then the woman left he began loudly singing while swimming backstroke THE WHOLE TIME. (Also not joking)

Sidebar: Anti fog swim goggles are a lie. A lie.

So I finish my swim. Today was just an easy 20 minute swim -see the pattern of week one yet?- and I managed to not drown so I consider it a win. But know this! I HATE SHOWERING AT THE GYM!!!! You never have enough room for all your crap on the ONE hook, at least one person will see you naked, and you can never get completely dry.

Also, singing old swimmer guy could still be heard while I was showering. His lovely voice echoed through the tiled room like a bullet trained for my ears.

Worst part: I forgot my bra.

Tomorrow is my first run day. It's also high time I shave my legs. Stayed tuned folks.

First Steps

Today I learned that you should always bring an extra hair tie to the gym. Why you ask? Well maybe you would know better than me and you aren’t asking but I’m going to tell you anyway. When the one you have snaps, working out with hair in your face sucks a whole lot.

This wasn’t my first time in the gym, but it’s the first time I really was there with purpose.  Today is the first day of my sprint triathlon training. I am going to swim a ½ mile, bike 12 miles, and run 3 miles in the same day, one right after the other.  Now if you’ve ever met me, you will understand how silly this seems. I’m not athletic. I am not a “swimmer”, “cyclist”, or (and I stress this one seriously) a “runner”.  I am just a gal who is turning 25 next week and I don’t have much to show for it. Sometimes I feel like I’m just waiting for my life to start.  Like I’m waiting for when I finally finish school and start my career, which are still a few years off. So I’m stressing about the things I can’t change (you can only work so many hours and take so many classes at the same time) and I am going to change the only thing I have complete authority over  – myself.

Enter: Slow Fat Triathlete by Jayne Williams. I found this book while I was browsing and thought, well hell – I’m slow and fat, this books for me! It was. It was funny and informative and got me thinking that even though I am not an athlete at all, maybe I could become a TRIathlete.  So I did some research and did what I do best, I bought some more books! After spending a lot of time with Your First Triathlon by Joe Friel and Triathlons for Women (4^th ed.) by Sally Edwards, I decided that I might as well TRI. (Yes, this corny joke will be a recurring one- deal with it!)

So I modified some training plans for the next 25 weeks and I will be doing my best (aren’t you glad I didn’t day TRI-ing) to get my fat ass into a shape that is, hopefully, less round and finish the Danskin Women’s Sprint Triathlon on August 26^th with a smile on my face. I have no crazy ambitions. I just want to finish…and preferably not be last.

Why the blog? Well. Some folks (mostly Kait, my sister) will tell you I have a tendency to get into something and then forget about it. Well, I will record my effort in this blog and hold myself accountable for my training with it. I also paid the non refundable entry fee of $100 so I would hate to waste the money.

I am excited and terrified.