My first Triathlon!

My first Triathlon was a month and a week ago.  It was pure awesome-sauce, and is now my new favorite thing.  It was only a sprint tri - 600 meter swim, 12 mile bike and 5k run, but it was super fun.  I did decide that it was a little too easy, and am going to tri (lol) and Olympic one next year.  

I got stuck behind a very slow person on the swim.  I patiently waited until the wall, hoping that they would do the polite thing and stop the let people pass, but she just kept on going.  I decided to try to pass her, and she seemed to speed up when I was doing that.  I was slightly annoyed, pushed past her, and finished the best that I could.  I could tell that I had used more energy than I wanted to though.  

This bike trail kicked major ass!!  It was so my favorite part.  It was a whole lot of up hill (glad I trained for lots of hills).  I passed tons of people, and then it was a nice down hill ride at the end, in which many people passed me.  - I still need to figure out how to be faster.  There were a few scary parts because there were lots of rocks on the road, cars driving by, and bad wind.  After two times of my bike almost falling over, I decided to slow down.  :)  

Finally the run was ok. lol.  My sweet husband was there and ran with me for a while.  The books I read said that the hardest part is switching (swim to bike, bike to run) because your body gets used to one thing and then you change it.  I didn't notice a huge switch with swim to bike, but I really noticed a difference from bike to run.  It literally felt like my legs weight 10 more each.  It took about a mile to start feeling good.  The trail was boring, and my shorts kept slipping off my swimsuit so that wasn't the best part, but it was only 3 miles, so it was fine.  

In the end I felt extremely proud, and had a blast. I finished in just under two hours.  Greg was there to cheer me on every time I was in the transition area, and he is the best husband I could ever ask for.  He is even thinking of trying a triathlon next year.  

 

Now comes the difficult part.  I still have about 20 pounds to lose, (yes, I gained a bit back once school started :p , what do you do. lol)  and I want to try to do it before it is time to start training for UVM in March.  For most people I don't think this would be too hard, but I am working like 60 + hours a week.  Anyway,  I have taken about a month long breakish to settle back into the crazy.  Now it's time to get going again.  I'm so close to my goal, I just can't stop now.  I love the person I am becoming, and I want to keep moving forward.  

Ready, set, go!

Who knew I was a Pear ??

When I was in high school, I spent 3 months interning with an aerobics instructor.  She told me that people were either apple or pear shaped - they either carried there weight on there upper body making them an apple, or they carried it on the lower body making them a pear. 

I have always considered myself an apple.  I carry most of my weight on my upper body.  One thing I have noticed about my measurements is that I have had pretty good loses every where except my hips.  I have not seen a significant change in about half a year.  This didn't ever bother me because it's not an area that I have concern about, but I looked in the mirror the other day and realized that I am pear!  Because I have lost so much in other areas, I'm actually kind of curvy now.  Who knew?  It was just an interesting realization for me. 

Also...I weighed myself.  :P  Why do I do this to myself?  I'm doing ok though, I just can't let it get out of control.  Training is going well.  The time is almost here, and my first day back to doing both jobs is next Thursday.  :(  It has been a really great summer, and it's looking like I will actually have a classroom this year, which is exciting.  I just hope I can keep everything up and keep my sanity as well.  

Happy summer!

Impromptu Blog

Well I actually was not planning on blogging today, but I sat down at my computer to check email, Facebook, and stuff when a beautiful cat jumped into my lap. She is now asleep, and I am a sap. :)   I don't have the heart to kick her off, so I am blogging today.  :)

The truth is, I've been feeling a bit bummed.  I read a book a while ago that had a list of 20 or 30 things that people who lose weight and keep it off have done.  It was scientifically proven and blah blah.  Two of the things were - weigh yourself often; and don't let that number get to them.  They are able to look at it as a reflection of either what they have done well, or what they still need to change in their diet. 

Well, I've come to a realization.  I am not able to do the latter.  I think that I have written in the past about how the scale and I are not friends.  I become obsessed, then start checking my weight more and more often.  (Sometimes even multiple times in a day).  The number would go up, and then I would freak out and go into some sort of depression. 

At the beginning of summer I asked Greg to hide the scale, and I decided that I would only weigh myself every three weeks. Last Monday was the day to weigh in.  My clothes had continued to feel more loose, and my measurements had been lower than I have ever seen, so I was sure that I would see at least four pounds on the scale, and last time I weighed in, it had been six, so maybe it would be six again blah blah.  I stepped on the scale and ...2.  It said I had lost 2 pounds in 3 weeks.  I stepped off, and then slowly stepped on again to double check - hoping that there was some sort of mistake the first time.  Of course I saw the same result.  I have tried to push past it, and still worked out four days last week, but I did not enjoy it.  I had to drag myself through, and I'm still stuck in this funk.  I also completely pigged out over the weekend.  I gave in, and didn't care.  It just gets to this point where I'm fed up.  I'm trying really hard to get into a good mood, and get back to just focusing on the triathlon coming up. 

So I think I have decided that if I cannot handle the negative results without throwing myself off for a couple of weeks, then I'm just not going to weigh myself anymore.  I'm setting goals that I have control of and can do.  There are three weeks left until the competition, and before I'm back to 65 hour work weeks, so I'm going to enjoy this while I can, and not worry about a silly number.  The truth is that I do feel so much better, can do more than I have ever been able to, and I am seeing some good results, so why I am wasting my time obsessing about my weight? 

Freedom Run and My Aching Back

First, the Freedom Run this year was so much fun!  I think mostly because I actually felt good about my  performance.  I only did the 5k this year since my knee has been giving me problems for so long, and I want to save it for my first Tri in August.  I was feeling really good until that magical mile number two, and you guessed it - my knee started hurting.  This time was different though, it was actually manageable, and I just slowed down and was able to finish the race, and even sprint past a handful of people at the end.  I was so grateful that it hung in there.  Good job knee!

It felt so good to actually be competitive again, and not just with other people but with myself.
When I crossed the finish line the clock said that I was about 20 seconds past my PR, and I was very ok with that considering I had done no running since UVM.  I knew that it had taken me a while to get over the start line, so I was hoping that maybe I had tied my PR, but when the results came in they showed that I actually beat my 5k PR by 53 seconds!  I was thrilled!

So all in all, freedom run felt great!

and the second part of my blog today...My Aching Back

Ok,ok, I think I am getting the hint that maybe I am training too hard.  First my knee, then my lower back was giving me some moderate issues for a day or two, and now my upper back/rib.  I did my regular Wednesday workout yesterday, and was feeling pretty good.  I took my niece to the pool for like an hour and just goofed around a bit.  When I went to bed I noticed that my back was hurting slightly, but I fell asleep thinking that it would feel better in the morning.  I woke up at 1:30 am in intense pain.  I felt a sharp, stabbing pain every time I took a breath.  I soaked in the tub for about an hour, and then figured out how to prop myself on the coach so that it didn't hurt as much.  I finally fell back asleep around 4. Erg!

I'm feeling a bit better today, but I had to call into work, which I was not happy about.  We kinda need that money right now.  Anyway, I do strength training 2-3 times a week, always with back exercises incorporated, so I'm not sure why all the back issues.  Maybe I am just getting old.  :(

Anyway, I think I may need to add another rest or easy day on Wednesday or something.  I'm just to the point where I can't stand holding still.  I've only been awake again for 2 hours, and I'm already going a little nutz just sitting here on my coach...  Uh, truthfully grateful for trials that help me stay grounded, and that help me grow.

- Happy...resting!  (Which I have learned is important too. :)

June Update

So the half marathon was on the 8th, and I am really glad that I did it.  I met a very cool lady on the bus ride up there, and we hung out until the race started when each of us went to our different pacer groups.  I was feeling really good when the race started, but almost exactly at mile 2, that sharp pain returned in my left knee.  I tried for the next few miles to walk/run, but that was just making it worse.  So at about mile 4 I knew I would only be walking from then out.  I tried to keep a positive attitude, but it was honestly very hard  as more and more people passed me.  I'm very competitive, and I like to be the one passing, not the other way around.  But anyway, it was a good growing experience for me.  I did run the very last bit of the way, because I just had to run across that finish line running.  It hurt like crazy, but I did it!  I came in at 3 hours and 32 minutes - my very slowest time ever, but i did it, and I DID get a medal!

The triathlon is in the middle of August, and today begins my 3rd official week of training - which I am really enjoying so far.  I have been doing absolutely no running though  :(  in hopes that my knee will get better, and I have been taking some supplements that are supposed to help with joints.  I have been doing a lot of walking, biking, swimming, weight training, and conditioning via Insanity workout DVDs.

I did great the first week, and last week I actually cut my 600 meter swim time by a whole minute! Whoo hoo, that was exciting.  I did discover a somewhat negative side effect last week though.  I have felt hunger like I have never felt before!  I was eating four times a day before starting training - 7:00, 11:00, 4:00, and then 8:00 when I got home from work.  I think I'm going to need to add in another time during training, because I was either dizzy, or going to rip someone's head off at about 6.  Anyway, that is my long way of saying that I did not eat very well last week...  By the time I got home I was so hungry.  We had Little Ceasars 2 nights and wendys another in addition to our regular dinner.  Yikes!  My measurements still all either went down or stayed the same, but not by a lot.

So this week my goals are:
1.  Keep doing same workout schedule.
2.  Plan new meal time into the day.
3.  Only eat out/ have dessert one day this week.

Happy swimming!

Lolo Jones

I watched a documentary on Lolo Jones the other day and I just really liked it and wanted to share.  She had a tough life, and I just think it really shows that we have the choice to either let the things that we go through break us or make us. 

She mentioned in there that she didn't always have a father around or a permanent home, but running was always there.  It was consistent, caring, and fearless.  I just loved that!
Happy Running!

Detox

So G and I fell off the weight-loss-wagon...big time.  We started eating dessert every night again , and I mean a lot of dessert.  Then take out foods like taco time and papa murphy's started to creep back in.  We both started to feel very sick. lol.  After eating way too much last Friday night, we looked at each other, and decided that it was time to get back to taking care of our poor, mistreated bodies. 

G came up with idea of just veggie soups and salads for dinner this week as a kind of detox.  I loved the idea health-wise, and it only took two hours to make meals for this week!!  Talk about a great idea! 

The crazy thing is that when Saturday came around we really wanted to eat that junk again.  We stayed strong and only ate home made things, but when Sunday came, we were both really craving sugar.  I even had a headache and a sick stomach for both Monday and Sunday, and completely felt like crap.  It wasn't until yesterday, Thursday, that I actually started to feel good again.  I have so much energy again, and it feels great! 

It was just a huge eye-opener to me.  Certain foods really and truly are addicting.  When I eat good food I feel better mentally, emotionally, and physically, and I need to remember that. 

In other news I have decided that I am going to do the half marathon even though my knee hasn't been feeling the greatest.  I am more than likely going to be walking most of it, and probably won't get a medal, but that's ok.  I also officially signed up for my very first triathlon.  I'm already both excited and scared.  I have only been doing running so far, but I did sign up for the rec center this week, and start spin classes and swimming next week.  Can't wait, and I'm soooooooo glad summer is FINALLY here so I can start training!!!  Hooray!!
~Happy running.  :)

Frustration

I just hit a super low point today.  I know that I need to not let this get to me, and keep moving, but I am just so burned out.  I was having a hard time trying to bounce back from being sick a few weeks ago, and then I came to the realization that I'm not going to be able to do the half marathon this year.  My knee, my knee - I cannot go more than 2ish miles before getting a stabbing pain.  I was so mad the other day that I just kept running on it even faster, and then nearly tripped.  Erg!  Every since then, it's been hard to get any motivation to do anything, and I have gained 5 pounds back in two weeks, even though I was really watching my diet, and still exercised three days last week.  This week...I barely did a 30 minute workout on Tuesday....what's the point?  Sometimes I think I am simply destined to be a fatty - patty, so why should I even fight it.

Now that being said - it's time to stop whining, and get back to work.  2 steps forward, and 1 step back.  Part of the problem is that the kids at school have been really out of control lately.  This has been wearing me out like you wouldn't believe, and I just don't want to do anything.  My last teaching day is the 23, so I'm excited to have more time that I can dedicate to reaching my weight loss goals.  And since I will not be able to do the half, this is a great time to get in the pool, and on the bike to get ready for my tri.

As for the running, I'm sure this is just one of those minor setbacks.  It just came at a crappy time this year.  Must be positive, must stay focused, must be dedicated!
Ready, and GO!

Evolution of Eating

Our eating started out as a eat whatever you want, however much you want, whenever you want.  There have been several small steps to where we are now.

1.   We focused mainly on the glycemic index.  The reason why carbs have a bad rep, is because of the way they react in the body, and certain carbs make your blood sugar levels go way high, so then your body releases insulin and it quickly changes into fat so that it can be absorbed by the body.  Complex carbs that don't increase your blood sugar level so drastically are not going to affect your body the same way as simple carbs.  Most people forget that veggies are actually carbs.  Low glycemic foods also make you feel full longer.

2.   Calorie counting + low glycemic index.  I was shocked when I found out how many calories I was actually consuming, especially when going out places.  One tiny crisp bean burrito from Taco Time is about 350 calories, and I would easily eat three, and a taco.

3.   Planning snacks and Cooking once a week - It gets really hard to make smart choices when you get so hungry.  So I started planning out meals and snacks for the week, and cooking them all on Mondays.      One of the things I really like about this is that I actually look forward to dinner, instead of dreading going home after a long day of work to make dinner.  Different books say different things about eating through out the day, but most of them do recommend it.  At first I did the biggest loser thing with 3 meals at 300 calories each, and three 200 calorie snacks.  I then switched to what Chi Running recommends, and I'm in love with it!  You eat a large breakfast and dinner - like 400-500 calories each, and then eat small calorie snacks a few times during the day.

4.    The last thing has to due with the documentary "Forks over Knives".  The documentary explains that a diet with large amounts of animal food (butter, milk, meat, etc) and oil raises the chances of cancer and heart disease.  The documentary is very much about being a strict vegan that also doesn't consume any oil. While I agree with the main point, I still believe the most important thing about eating is to be balanced.  So that is my very long way of saying that we have switched to almond milk, and do eat butter, milk, and meat, but sparingly.  Can I tell you, that I feel great!  I have so much energy nowadays. Even on the days when I only get 4 hours of sleep, I still feel like I can get through the day.

So that is what we do.  We also have Friday night date night that we use as kind of a free night.  We eat whatever we want, and then get dessert.  One of the books that I read said that one of the keys to losing weight and keeping it off, is to find what works for you.  So while this is what works for us, I encourage everyone to find what works for them.

The Transition

So I have run several races since the very first half marathon, and even though I love running, there is something I love even more - swimming!  I'm I good at swimming? No, but I would literally swim for hours everyday if I could.  When you are running or biking, there comes a quiet peace and meditative quality.  Swimming magnifies that aspect 50 fold.

I also do not have a body made for running.  I had a gait analysis, and I am a pronator, big time.  Even with the right shoes, I still have knee and hip pain if I run for more than 5 or 6 miles...sometimes less. :(  Last year I made the mistake of pushing myself too hard.  It's kind of a long story, but basically I made a stupid mistake with my sock choice the day of the half marathon, got blisters the size of gumballs at mile 4, had bad form the rest of the race, and hurt my hip very badly. The worst part was that I only took about a week off and then went on to run my fastest 10k 3 weeks later.  Now, even though I think it was totally worth it. (I beat my pr!) I could not run the Nebo half in September because my hip was still giving me problems.

So, that was just a long way of saying that I'm going to try a tri! lol.  I'm a bit nervous for the bike part though.  I love riding bikes, but not when racing...scary.

Last thing for today.  I was going through my journal a little bit today, and found this from an old fortune cookie.  "You cannot love life until you live the life you love."

I'm sure some people out there are thinking that I'm obsessed with this stuffed, or that maybe I don't know what I'm talking about, or would she just shut up about running already.  The truth is that when Greg and I were eating whatever we wanted, and playing video games for hours and hours, I was still mostly happy. It feels good to do whatever you want.     But I did not love my life.  I did not feel good about my body, my career, and most days I just felt inadequate, and that this was not who I wanted to be. 

Running changed me in a way I cannot fully explain.  I can honestly say now that I love my life.  Nothing's perfect, and it's never going to be, but I'm no longer letting myself down.  I accomplish goals everyday when I say I'm going to run at a 6 pace for 15 mins, and I make it for 20.  I can tell you that I am amazing, and can do amazing things, and so can you!  I can also tell you that my body is amazing.  I put it through so much wear and tear, and after the first 3ish times of running 13 miles, I'm only sore for about a day after.  Long distance running is the only time that I have felt truly connected mind and body.  Once you are at mile 11, and you think you can't go any more, your body keeps going.  It won't let you down, and it knows what you can do.  It even knows that if you are truly determined you could keep going 100 miles like some of these ultra runners. lol. Anyway, I'm now, mostly, living the life I love.  Doing and eating what we wanted brought momentary happiness, but having self discipline, and participating in life has brought us pure joy. 

Story of the Shirts

My very first 5K was the Scottish Sprint right before the Scottish festival in 2010.  The truth was, I was completely freaked out.  I remember talking to my sister about how it was 3 whole miles. The longest distance I had ever run before that was the mile and a half in gym.  I was totally psyched out.  Greg was patient with me and stayed with me during the race.  Running hurt, so I walked a lot of it.  I did so bad, but I did it.  :)  It took us 45 minutes to finish a 5K, and there were only a handful of people behind us.  It felt good to get out, but I was a bit embarrassed.

A few weeks later Greg saw an advertisement for another 5K.  It was to honor a little boy who had been killed by a car.  I was very hesitant, remembering the experience of the Scottish Sprint, but decided to go for it.  I actually did a much better job that time, but still ended up walking to the car as fast as I could after I was finished so that I could cry.  Poor Greg, lol.  He stayed so positive throughout the whole thing, and I just bawled like a baby.  

It wasn't until March of the next year, and a good pair of running shoes later, that I finally had a good experience running a race.  Greg and I did the Rex Lee Run in March of 2011, and it was wonderful.  There really was just this positive excitement in the air around us, and ssooo many people there.  The funds for this run go to cancer research.  During the run, there were many people with pictures of loved ones who had passed on there shirts.  It just seemed different somehow. And then we were hooked.  We started talking about how amazing it would be if we could run a 10k, or even a half marathon one day.  

So what did we do?  We started training longer, ran a 10k in the freedom run, and began training for the Utah Valley Half marathon.  Now, it's a super long story, but basically Greg got to run his first half marathon, but registration was full for me.  So I signed up for the 5k, got the t shirt below, and ran my own half to my parent's house and back, and I loved it!  I ran my first official half marathon in September.  It was the Nebo Half, and it was all down hill.  Downhill is wonderful for biking, but not running!  I have never been more sore in my whole life.  My time was 2 hours and 20 minutes, my best time to date.  

I learned something from each of these runs.  1st: If you think you can't, and that it's too far, then it will be.  2nd: It's okay to cry, but be proud of the steps you took. 3rd: Have heart, and care about people.  4th: I am stronger than I thought I was. 5th: Make the best of your situation 6th: Anything is possible if you are determined enough. 7th: Buy good running shoes, or you will be sorry.  :)  

There comes a time when every inch of your body is screaming in pain, begging you to stop and rest.  Much like the craziness of real life.  There is just such great power gained when you use your will to over come, and convince your body and mind to work together.  

And in the end, it's all for something great - the knowledge that I did it, and got something great in return.  

This is now my weight loss extravaganza page/ Training of a Triathlete blog.  

I was just looking over some of the way old posts on this page, and it was very enlightening.  We are doing so much better then we were back then, but it was the start of our weight loss process.  Funny note - We found out that what we thought was about a mile was really only about 0.6 of a mile, so the numbers are a little off. lol.  

To start off let me introduce you to this Kathy.  This is me at my very highest weight. (I stole this pic from a friend on facebook, hope that's ok.) At this time we were literally eating whatever, and how much we wanted.  Pizza for dinner followed by a giant bowl of ice cream with reeses, and oreos on top almost every night.    

I realized that I had to do something a week or two before this pic was taken.  My clothes were not fitting well anymore. So I went to target, and had to buy size 18.  It just hit me that if I got any bigger, I would have to buy in the plus size category.  I was not ok with that.