Well, I'm back. :) I'm not the best at keeping up with blogging but, I thought it would be a good help as I'm starting to get back into training for races. Short version of the past year and some- I got pregnant a few months after my first triathlon, was told I had low fluid, stopped exercising except for occasional walking because of this, had my baby at 26w 7d, feel into a deep dark depression, and have been getting back into things in the last couple of months.
I have a half marathon, which I'm so not ready for, coming up in 2 weeks. I think a whole lot during the day about running, eating, lifting, etc, etc, and I just thought I should start putting it down somewhere, mostly for my own amusement.
Running completely changed my life. I learned that when I was feeling sad or crappy I would get on the treadmill, run my guts out, and then feel a hundred times better. So what do you do when you can't run? I'm still not sure I know the answer to this question. Because of my emergency c-section, I had to take it pretty easy for a few weeks. I tried running slowly on the treadmill after about four weeks, but every bounce from a foot landing sent repeated pain to my incision spot. I felt discouraged and realized I needed to give it more time. Time..bleh. After about another few months, I was completely and totally miserable and unhappy. One day, I don't remember why or when, I just woke up and got on the treadmill again. It was a much better experience, and although I was sooo slow, it felt good to be moving my feet again. I started doing it a few days a week and slowly started feeling like me again. I felt as though I shed a little darkness with each step that I took until finally, I was me again.
So there you go :) When I started running back in 2010 I say it saved my life because it helped me to actually live instead of just eat and watch TV, and again it saved my life by helping me get over the most challenging event of my life. I love running! It is the most freeing feeling in the entire world!! I don't get it from any other kind of exercise. So now off I go...
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Monday, September 23, 2013
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!
Monday, August 5, 2013
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!
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!
Monday, July 29, 2013
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?
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?
Thursday, July 11, 2013
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. :)
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. :)
Monday, June 24, 2013
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!
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!
Friday, June 7, 2013
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!
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!
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