Road to First Mini Triathlon

5/29/13

Ran yesterday, check

Biked 30 today 20 of it uphill, arggh. Can def feels abs, quads and inner thigs getting a workout. Our ride is either super difficult or easy - uphill all on the way out, at least you get it over with.
I know why gloves are important - sweaty paws don't make for a good grip. Shorts helped today. Took little 30 seconds breaks on the up hill. Gears and I are becoming fast friends


Swim - check

Running almost as fast as biking, not sure if that is saying much for either :)

6/5/13

Finished first week of training and completed all tasks. Swimming was overall good but def need goggles and to put hair in ponytail for freestyle - did breast stroke instead.

Week 2 of Biking, hills still kicking my butt - feeling the burn in quads front, anterior and lateral also feeling it on the uphill in abs (which I like)

6/7/13
Officially signed up for the Big Event! No backing out now, although I did buy the insurance in case something happens :)
Signed up for just for fun and co ed - two weeks after the competitive bug hit, changed to age and women's only event


6/16/13

Finishing my third week of training, can't believe it!  Wetsuit arrived yesterday -- neosport sleevless - it is great, easy on/off not constricting and got delivered from Amazon of course :) Also purchased some biking shorts to keep legs from chafing and bum from getting sore - it now makes sense to me why all the bikers wear those goofy outfits!

Went on first group ride and 17miles -- it was awesome. What a fantastic time, great people, beautiful ride. I am being told my bike is a piece o Crapoli (at least for this type of riding) and it needs to go back :(Apparently I am working much harder than I need to because of the bikes performance ability. I guess the good news is I am getting a better workout and I when I get on a proper bike it will be like cheating (we will see). I am grateful to my little bike though b/c it got me to the point yesterday where I could go out on the group ride, go 17 miles and have such a terrific time. 

One month down - month two - step up the swimming.
This month starts swimming 2 x per week.  I haven't missed a training yet and today have learned a great lesson in determination, perseverance and persistence oh and don't forget "artful dodging"

Note to self - correctly check the open swim vs lap swim schedule. Today my horoscope said I was going to have a momentous day --

I think if you mean by momentous - swimming with a pool full of sea urchins little one’s) making artificial waves with no lap lanes -  as in good training for the mass of peeps that will be racing against in open water, then --- yes :):):) 

6/28/13

2 months before the big event!

Did first "brick" training. 30 minute ride (took a minute off my uphill - yeah).
29 minute run to follow - not as easy :( between the wobbly legs from the bike, the resistance of the dog and all the up hills - kind of a struggle. I did do it, just much slower than I would have liked to.

I am learning that form and breathing play a big part in a successful outcome so I am trying to improve on those aspects.
Tomorrow is the pool - hopefully we can get there before all of the summertime sea urchins do :)

Road to First Mini Triathlon

5/25/13

When my sister asked if I wanted to do a mini tri in August I originally thought, thanks but no.

Then I gave it some consideration and thought what a great way to work some more muscles, tone, define and broaden my horizon. 
I already ran, I use to swim in high-school and seriously, how hard could riding a bike again be???

I downloaded a training schedule, bought a bike at Costco along with helmet.  I tested it out by riding around in my suit and heels in the store and scored the floor sample so I didn't have to do the necessary "assembly required".
Brought it home and said Yes to the mini tri!

Ummmmm, seriously underestimated the bike riding ease!  Riding a bike is not the childs play that I remember it to be. I curse the hill we live on :):):) PS. Is it normal for your lady parts to fall asleep while riding? 

About five minutes in (all uphill btw) I thought thank God I only spent $250 and Costco would take it back cause this blows!

Alas, I couldn't quit this soon into it and  I decided to trudge on and make it up the hill. 

I read a blog on line about tips for beginning cycling and was getting confused by what all the gears do and when to use them. One learns very quickly what all the gears do and don't do, what makes the bike faster, slower, harder and more efficient, why you don't wear floppy pants especially on the chain side and how to put the chain back on if it slips gears cause there is no way you are walking you and the bike home.

Day 1 conquered the hill! Once I became one with the bike and familiarized myself with how to properly ride it, all was good, not easy, but good. Did 22 Minutes, legs wobbly but overall had great time :)