No workout today because of an early 7am breakfast appointment in the city . I knew that since I would not workout this morning I needed to be super tight with my nutrition. And I was... I had coffee, broccoli with shrimp (sauteed no sauce) and 6 ounces of protein for dinner. I ended with no calorie deficit because of my snack of Gouda and crackers. My kids are addicted to flavored Gouda cheeses and crackers. No American for them -- sweet red pepper Gouda please. It is soo funny.
The highlight and most impactful time of my day was my breakfast appointment. I was invited by a friend to attend the Special Olympics Breakfast of Champions . It is their major fundraising event. For me, this event and this cause really resonated . Each person on stage would end their talk with "I am Special Olympics". The guest speaker was Dick Hoyt. Dick Hoyt's son Rick was born without the ability to speak or use his arms or legs. He was eventually able to communicate through a special computer. Through this computer he told his father that he wanted to participate in a 5 k race. His father was not a runner, but agreed to do it anyway. He pushed his son in a wheelchair for the entire distance of the race, and came in 2nd to last - but not last. When he was in these races, Rick felt like he didn't have a disability- like he was running like everyone else. As a result of the joy it gave his son, Dick continued on entering marathons and triathlons - pushing/pulling his son every step of the way. They even finished the very difficult Ironman triathlon.
Dick was on Oprah before and many people have heard this story and I'm sure it impacts many people. For me, this story and the cause of Special Olympics pulled at me in a very deep and profound way. First I understand how difficult it is to get my very abled body ready to do a Sprint distance triathlon. I cannot imagine how difficult it would be to do it while pulling along my child.
Second- for a short but very difficult time in my life, I had to picture my life with a child with severe disabilities. God decided that he needed him more than we did. But I carry in my heart my 2nd child Sydney - who had he lived would have probably been severely disabled. I think about Dick's heart and what it must feel like to be able to give your child the gift of feeling normal - even if for a short while. Being able to give that gift is what pushes Dick to go through the grueling training and physical pain of preparing for and competing in really tough races . If Sydney were here - I'm sure I would want to give the same type of gift.
I was also touched by all of the athletes that participate in the Special Olympics. Many have completed marathons, triathlons, bike rides etc. despite have serious intellectual or physical disabilities. Some of us able bodied people can't get our butts on the treadmill for a few minutes and yet these athletes are competing.
Finally - there but for the grace of God there go I. A few years ago, I was diagnosed as having probable Multiple Sclerosis. I went through testing for 7 months - numerous MRIs and other tests. Some tests were positive others were negative. MS is diagnosed based on the frequency/occurrence of the symptoms or episodes. I had 3 over the course of 6 months and nothing since. It has been 2 years with no episodes. I could have another one tomorrow , 10 years from now or never. I could wake up tomorrow and not be able to move my legs or arms. If /when that happens - I'm sure after the shock of it all, I will want to still be active and possibly complete a triathlon. I'm glad an organization like Special Olympics exists - just in case I ever need it.
I say all this to say that I have been doing a bunch of thinking over the last year about my legacy and how I want to use my life to impact others. Through sharing my faith and helping others know God, I am impacting others and through my public service organizaton but I am making a dent. I still wonder sometimes, is there more I can do? More that I can do beyond writing a check and annual fundraisers. I am glad that I went to this event because it certainly helped me answer that question and the answer is a resounding YES. I have decided to volunteer with the Special Olympics and in some way I will help others feel what I feel when I do something that I didn't think I could do. I want to be able to help other experience what Rick Hoyt and so many other like him experience.
Today was a great day.
What is this all about?
I started this blog to keep me accountable in my fitness and clean eating journey. My first post was in March of 2007 and I've been posting ever since. As you will see I've had many highs and lows...but this is all about the journey...not just the destination
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Crest that hill, Crest that hill, crest that hill...
Today was heavy arm workout day and cardio. Based on my new theory of weights first, I did my upper body workout first again until fatigue with 30 minute rests between sets. I then went outside for a quick run. I had limited time today because of an 8am meeting. I needed to run a little faster than normal so that I could make it back and get dressed for work.
My weight workout was tough and I tried to do drop sets-where once you reach fatigue, you drop the weight and do a few more reps . This is killer but really effective according to the latest research.
I almost procrastinated my way out of my run by putzing around with my Ipod, making sure it was charged etc. Well since we have 4 MP3 players (2 ipods, a Zune and a Sansa) - this should never be a problem. I just grabbed my zune and hit the road. I listened to my all time favorite running podcast- Podrunner - Cold Sweat. It is the most perfect running music for me. Just when I feel like stopping - it comes in with a thumping beat that makes me want to pick it up.
Anyway - my run was a 2.5 loop around my neighborhood. The only difference this time was that I reversed the route. What I didn't realize was that by reversing the route - it made it tougher because of the hills. Especially the small hills that are fairly undetectable when traveling down. What I love most about exercise is that you get so many opportunities to push yourself beyond your limits in a very tangible way. My opportunities for this came on the last hill - which was the steepest. I was already ready to be done but had about 1/2 mile left to go, most of which was up hill. I told myself that all I needed to do was make it to the top of the hill: Crest the hill was all I kept saying to myself. Once I got there it was flat and I would be done. I wanted to stop or at least slow down, but I kept going. It reminded me of other areas in my life where I want to bail and sometimes I do. Especially around difficult conversations with people I love. It is so easy to bail and walk away. The hard part - like running up a hill is to keep going and crest the hill. After that it is flat road and cool down.
Nutrition today was pretty good. I started this week with a plan to have protein shakes, 10 ounces of protein and water - 3 days this week. After my blender at work decided not to work, I had to go to plan B. I did well with just 2 protein shakes and 10 ounces of protein. All in all - 1350 calories -due to an extra tablespoon of peanut butter.
Total deficit for today 543 calories.
My weight workout was tough and I tried to do drop sets-where once you reach fatigue, you drop the weight and do a few more reps . This is killer but really effective according to the latest research.
I almost procrastinated my way out of my run by putzing around with my Ipod, making sure it was charged etc. Well since we have 4 MP3 players (2 ipods, a Zune and a Sansa) - this should never be a problem. I just grabbed my zune and hit the road. I listened to my all time favorite running podcast- Podrunner - Cold Sweat. It is the most perfect running music for me. Just when I feel like stopping - it comes in with a thumping beat that makes me want to pick it up.
Anyway - my run was a 2.5 loop around my neighborhood. The only difference this time was that I reversed the route. What I didn't realize was that by reversing the route - it made it tougher because of the hills. Especially the small hills that are fairly undetectable when traveling down. What I love most about exercise is that you get so many opportunities to push yourself beyond your limits in a very tangible way. My opportunities for this came on the last hill - which was the steepest. I was already ready to be done but had about 1/2 mile left to go, most of which was up hill. I told myself that all I needed to do was make it to the top of the hill: Crest the hill was all I kept saying to myself. Once I got there it was flat and I would be done. I wanted to stop or at least slow down, but I kept going. It reminded me of other areas in my life where I want to bail and sometimes I do. Especially around difficult conversations with people I love. It is so easy to bail and walk away. The hard part - like running up a hill is to keep going and crest the hill. After that it is flat road and cool down.
Nutrition today was pretty good. I started this week with a plan to have protein shakes, 10 ounces of protein and water - 3 days this week. After my blender at work decided not to work, I had to go to plan B. I did well with just 2 protein shakes and 10 ounces of protein. All in all - 1350 calories -due to an extra tablespoon of peanut butter.
Total deficit for today 543 calories.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Back to normal.... skinny chick who could not hang
I have a new theory about the proper sequence of weights and cardio. I've read several articles/books that suggest that cardio be done first in order to warm up - then do weights. I've also read that when doing cardio, fat burning doesn't really start until minute 20. So here is what I believe - if fat burning doesn't start until minute 20 and there is no downside to lifting first - why not lift first then do cardio. This way I get all the fat burning benefits of cardio at minute 1 (assuming my lifting routine was intense enough to get my heart rate elevated).
I began the day with a really tough leg workout... (my killer workout from last week) and then finished up with spinning and a quick run. I did 3 super sets of everything (no more than 30 second rest) until fatigue. I'm a little sore now - hopefully it doesn't get too much worse.
I then took spin class - and boy was it good. I really pushed it. We did a bunch of hills and speed work - this was exactly what I needed after the heavy weights- as muscles need to break down before they can be repaired. Also because I did my strength training first, fat burning started at minute 1:). My cadence (revolutions per minute) got up to 132 at one point. I was next to a woman who thought she could hang, but just could not. She was a skinny chick who was decked out in her cycling outfit. We had this little competition going (at least in my head) where she would try to spin faster than I did. Well that lasted for about 37 minutes until she had to throw in the towel and end before the class was over. I sort of chuckled to myself because it really undescores that fitness goes much deeper than what you look like. I revel in this fact because I am incredibly fit (as measured by my heart rate recovery and my cardio endurance) but I may not look as fit as many skinny chicks.
It was a very normal- workout day - at my very normal regular club. Very uneventful - in at 5 out at 7:30 --simple. No drama... just the way I like it.
I began the day with a really tough leg workout... (my killer workout from last week) and then finished up with spinning and a quick run. I did 3 super sets of everything (no more than 30 second rest) until fatigue. I'm a little sore now - hopefully it doesn't get too much worse.
I then took spin class - and boy was it good. I really pushed it. We did a bunch of hills and speed work - this was exactly what I needed after the heavy weights- as muscles need to break down before they can be repaired. Also because I did my strength training first, fat burning started at minute 1:). My cadence (revolutions per minute) got up to 132 at one point. I was next to a woman who thought she could hang, but just could not. She was a skinny chick who was decked out in her cycling outfit. We had this little competition going (at least in my head) where she would try to spin faster than I did. Well that lasted for about 37 minutes until she had to throw in the towel and end before the class was over. I sort of chuckled to myself because it really undescores that fitness goes much deeper than what you look like. I revel in this fact because I am incredibly fit (as measured by my heart rate recovery and my cardio endurance) but I may not look as fit as many skinny chicks.
It was a very normal- workout day - at my very normal regular club. Very uneventful - in at 5 out at 7:30 --simple. No drama... just the way I like it.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Night Workout
What do you call people like me who , bored on Friday night - decide to go to the gym? Losers!! Not really but really :)
There is a bit of a different crowd at the gym on late Friday nights. Well I joined them tonight. I had a bagel for dinner (yes a bagel) and I didn't workout this am due to an early morning meeting. Plus quite honestly I was bored. We didn't have any plans and as a result everyone in the house was busy with house activities. The kids were watching the Hanna Montana and Raven Marathons. I can't blame them since they don't watch TV during the week, they cherish their Friday night TV time. Hubby was busy doing his things. I was .... well restless. I cleaned up my nightstand, cleaned out my closet, gave myself a pedicure and then felt completely bored. It was close to 10 pm and still light out. I decided I'd take advantage of the time and go work out.
I ran for 2 miles , then did elliptical and weights. Since it has been a 2 weeks since I ran, I took it easy - for fear that my knees would give me trouble. It was all good and the treadmill worked well. I felt so good during and after the workout , that I decided that I would change my routine and get my swim in at night. I'll use the am for weights, run and cycling and then swim in the evening. Kills a couple of birds with 1 stone .
There is a bit of a different crowd at the gym on late Friday nights. Well I joined them tonight. I had a bagel for dinner (yes a bagel) and I didn't workout this am due to an early morning meeting. Plus quite honestly I was bored. We didn't have any plans and as a result everyone in the house was busy with house activities. The kids were watching the Hanna Montana and Raven Marathons. I can't blame them since they don't watch TV during the week, they cherish their Friday night TV time. Hubby was busy doing his things. I was .... well restless. I cleaned up my nightstand, cleaned out my closet, gave myself a pedicure and then felt completely bored. It was close to 10 pm and still light out. I decided I'd take advantage of the time and go work out.
I ran for 2 miles , then did elliptical and weights. Since it has been a 2 weeks since I ran, I took it easy - for fear that my knees would give me trouble. It was all good and the treadmill worked well. I felt so good during and after the workout , that I decided that I would change my routine and get my swim in at night. I'll use the am for weights, run and cycling and then swim in the evening. Kills a couple of birds with 1 stone .
Friday, June 22, 2007
off kilter and time management
This week is the first week in a long time that I have truly felt out of balance. My work/life/workout balance is way off. I think I worked 75 + hours each of the last 2 weeks, worked out for only 5 hours and spent no time doing anything else I like. Time with my family feels totally out of whack - I missed a few end of year performances during the day. What a bummer.
I did the bike ride last weekend and the rest of the week my workouts have been very light. I did weights and cardio for 45 minutes 1 day and that was about it. I have been feeling very off base because of not working out. Plus my food choices are not as great as they should be ..and the scale is letting me know. So far I have put on 2 lbs in the last 2 weeks. This is definitely not good. What is so funny is that 2lbs feels like 20 lbs. I can tell exactly where the 2lbs are. Plus I feel like I've lost a bit of muscle tone. Hubby says I'm a bit neurotic , but this is the way I feel.
So here is the plan . ..SOUND THE ALARM. Enough already. I know this can all be traced back to not going to the gym and disrupting my routine. Well I decided that I'm done with that whole issue and the instructor is not worth me losing any momentum. There will always be obstacles - some bigger than others. So I will chalk the whole swim incident to character refinement and be happy that my action resulted in a new policy. But as an aside - would you believe I got a bill for that swim lesson. The audacity! Ok - now I'm really done. (of course I'm not paying).
So here is what I learned this week about time management. 1) I suck at it but didn't always. When I was in college, I was an RA, a National Officer in my sorority, worked a full time job, had a boyfriend, was on the deans list and never missed a beat. I was incredibly disciplined with my time. Now I'm not quite as disciplined and allow more flexibility. 2) I think I have a new approach. My new approach comes indirectly from Bill Gates. My VP used to work for Billg and picked up a few great tips that he shared with me. This is a bit much but worth attempting.
He decides at the beginning of the year his priorities and how he wants to spend his time: time at work, time with family , personal time etc. He then plans out everything for the year. For example he might say ..I will spend 20 hours a year with person X and then has his assistant plan it out. He then constantly evaluates to make sure he is hitting his targets by category and if not, he adjusts. He spends quite a bit of time load balancing.
I like the idea and I'm going to give it a try. I'll try it for the week instead of the whole year. My time for the week would look something like this:
168 hours available This schedule = 168
I will also need to do a double click and plan out the individual areas , like how I will spend my 50 hours of work time... and my 11 hours of workout time. I'll post my new workout .
Is this realistic? Is this the right balance. I'll give go.
I did the bike ride last weekend and the rest of the week my workouts have been very light. I did weights and cardio for 45 minutes 1 day and that was about it. I have been feeling very off base because of not working out. Plus my food choices are not as great as they should be ..and the scale is letting me know. So far I have put on 2 lbs in the last 2 weeks. This is definitely not good. What is so funny is that 2lbs feels like 20 lbs. I can tell exactly where the 2lbs are. Plus I feel like I've lost a bit of muscle tone. Hubby says I'm a bit neurotic , but this is the way I feel.
So here is the plan . ..SOUND THE ALARM. Enough already. I know this can all be traced back to not going to the gym and disrupting my routine. Well I decided that I'm done with that whole issue and the instructor is not worth me losing any momentum. There will always be obstacles - some bigger than others. So I will chalk the whole swim incident to character refinement and be happy that my action resulted in a new policy. But as an aside - would you believe I got a bill for that swim lesson. The audacity! Ok - now I'm really done. (of course I'm not paying).
So here is what I learned this week about time management. 1) I suck at it but didn't always. When I was in college, I was an RA, a National Officer in my sorority, worked a full time job, had a boyfriend, was on the deans list and never missed a beat. I was incredibly disciplined with my time. Now I'm not quite as disciplined and allow more flexibility. 2) I think I have a new approach. My new approach comes indirectly from Bill Gates. My VP used to work for Billg and picked up a few great tips that he shared with me. This is a bit much but worth attempting.
He decides at the beginning of the year his priorities and how he wants to spend his time: time at work, time with family , personal time etc. He then plans out everything for the year. For example he might say ..I will spend 20 hours a year with person X and then has his assistant plan it out. He then constantly evaluates to make sure he is hitting his targets by category and if not, he adjusts. He spends quite a bit of time load balancing.
I like the idea and I'm going to give it a try. I'll try it for the week instead of the whole year. My time for the week would look something like this:
- Quiet time/spiritual time - 6 hours
- Alone time with hubby - awake/no kids - 9 hours
- Quality family time - 22 hours
- 1:1 time with each child - 2 hours (1 hour each)
- Workout time - 11 hours
- Worktime 50 hours (max)
- Sleep :49 hours
- Commute time 6 hours
- Public service/free time/time with friends: 5 hours
- Clean up/chores/garden: 7 hours
168 hours available This schedule = 168
I will also need to do a double click and plan out the individual areas , like how I will spend my 50 hours of work time... and my 11 hours of workout time. I'll post my new workout .
Is this realistic? Is this the right balance. I'll give go.
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About Me
- alondaray
- West Coast, United States
- I am a christian woman, wife, mom to 2 great kids, a member of Delta Sigma Theta, A Jack and Jill mom, sister, daughter . I am also incredibly fit but wasn't always. I am a recovering fat girl - who takes it one day at a time.
Alonda the Triathlete!
The backstory-----How did I become a triathlete...
In February 2006, I went on a ski trip with my new colleagues from work. On the way back, I sat next to a girl named Wendy - a really friendly woman who talked about her experience as a newcomer to Seattle. She told me how her main source of making friends was through her workout buddies. She also mentioned that many of her friends participate in triathlons and that (get this) I should consider doing one too. I thought she might have been delirious from all of the skiing. I assured her that I was not the one. She obviously had mistaken me for someone else. Perhap my heavy coat prevented her from seeing what was underneath (50 lbs of extra weight and lots of evidence of no exercise). She continued with this crazy talk, speaking of how fun it is and how supportive the Danskin Triathlon is. I wanted to be sure that she and I were thinking of the same thing... Triathlon (swim bike run -some huge number of miles -all on the same day right after each other). Yup this was it. I chuckled and told her to have fun.
A few weeks later at the office, she mentioned it again. Now at this time, I had been contemplating joining my company sponsored health club (PROCLUB) and in particular the weight loss program called 20/20. After all, I had really packed on the pounds. I arrived in WA 50lbs overweight and pretty unhappy with myself. I actually started to think that completing triathlon would be a good goal...impossible but a good goal. I decided to go for it. At the same time I also decided to join the weight loss program. My first meeting with my trainer ..Anthony Parker was on 3/14/06. I told him ..in all of my fatness, that I wanted to do a triathlon. He looked at me and said hmmm, ok.
I began this really intense workout and nutrition program and began building my endurance. My first meetings with Anthony consisted of walking on the treadmill for 20 minutes and then doing stairclimber or eliptical for 15 minutes. Followed by a bit of strength training. I did this 3x a week (between 6am and 7:30) and then worked out on my own 2 other days. I had absolutely no endurance and could not run for more than 1 minute. Over the months, my endurance grew ..slowly at first then more rapidly. I also figured that I needed to improve my swimming skills if I was going to swim for 1/2 a mile. I took a Total Immersion Class.. which teaches swimming efficiency. Let's set the record straight here... I could swim well enough to save myself if I was thrown off of a boat. I was a decent (not great) swimmer. At the start of the class, I could do 1 (that's right ONE) lap and then I started breathing heavy. At that point I new the triathlon was totally out of reach. After all 1/2 mile was equal to 20 laps. I left the 1st day of class feeling scared and dismayed that I was too aggressive. Maybe I should have set my goal for 2007.
The next week's class, I asked the teacher what I needed to do to build my endurance. He said just keep at it, it will come. You know what, it did. Each week I got better and better. 4 weeks later I was able to swim 9 laps. I then started swimming before my workouts with my trainer (a little crazy but hey). My trainer was pretty impressed. I also started biking on the weekends. In fact in May I did a 30 mile bike ride as a part of the Tour De Cure for Diabetes. I really love biking...:)
Ok so I still had not tackled the most difficult part, the running. Not only could I not run but I absolutely hated it. I started adding running to my treadmill work. Anthony suggested intervals. We started with 2min run 2 min walk . I did this for weeks extending the time and the speed. I was up to running at 5.5 and walking at 4.0. Then Anthony said ..let's see if you can run a mile. I thought he was kidding. I did not think I was ready for that. This was May 5th (a day after my birthday). Guess what I did it. And I didn't feel like I was going to die. I was on top of the world. All day I had a little extra spring in my step. I just kept replaying in my head the "goal attained" message on the treadmill. I just could not believe it.
I kept it up, continued working out 5x a week. I took another swim class "Triathlon Swim Training" to help even more. This class was filled with drills and specific swim workouts. I really saw progress. By the end of the class, I was able to swim 28 laps. Now the challenge was to swim in Open Water. That's right. The triathlon was going to be in Lake Washington.
I finally felt like I could really do it. I didn't have a specific time goal , my goal was to finish. The week before the race I was sooo nervous. I was doing mini triathlons with a few really good girls. I kept up with them during the swim but one bike ride was particularly hilly and....they left me in the dust. I felt so bad and really began to rethink whether or not I should do the race. I spoke to one of the girsl about my bike performance , and she said that my bike was holding me back. That day, I decided to retire my 35lb mountain bike for a 19 lb feather light road bike. Boy what a differnce. This was a risky thing to do so close to the race but it worked for me.
The other thing to mention is that I met up with a wonderful group of women called the Soul Sistas. They are a group of African American Women of all ages who participate in triathlons and bike races. They are so awesome.We (the soul sistas) took pictures the day before the race... I'll post when available.
So the day of the race..... Everybody in the house is excited and up. My kids and my nieces - who were visiting from NJ are all up and ready to root me on. I left early so that I could get ready.The goal was to meet me by the swim finish. This was alll pretty tricky because there were 40 waves of swimmers starting every 3 minutes. All I can say about the swim is that it felt much longer than 1/2 a mile. I kept focused and didn't get nervous. I focused on keeping my breathing relaxed. It worked ...and by the way I wasn't the last swimmer in my group YEAHHH. I don't know how it all worked out but as soon as I finished my swim, I saw them. Byron , Tyler, Paris, Ahlia and Ivy were all waiting there for me with the most beautiful handmade signs saying GO MOMMY, Go AUNTIE, I love you. It was so terrific. Once I saw them I was energized.... Now on to the bike.
The bike was the best part of the entire race. I love my bike and I love to fly down the road. The entire 14 miles of the race was closed to traffic. Our longest stretch was on the express lane of one of the largest highways. Imagine flying down a highway with nothing in your way (but other riders on your right). It was so amazing. I was going pretty fast but could have gone faster - but wanted to save my legs for the run.
Now the run... I hate running and I am really bad at it. I am slow and not terribly efficient. After biking hard for 40 minutes, your legs are really worked up. During the after bike run, your legs turn into "bricks". They are heavy and hard to move. If you push through , you can get over the feeling and get into a stride. Well I also felt pains in my knee. So instead of running the entire 3.2 miles I decided to walk run. In the end it was actually fine - but while doing it I was a little disappointed. Danskin is great because there are so many supporters on the way. Cheerleaders who are yelling "go for it" from their back porch. It was just what I needed. In fact I heard Destiny's Child Im a survivor , on my way and that was what I used in my head to keep me going.
So when I realize I am about 1/2 mile from the end, I start getting super excited and very emotional. It is all coming together now -- all the training, the visualization of actually crossing the finish line and my waiting family. I got on my cell phone to cal my husband, just to make sure he was at the finisth line. He cracked up that I called:)
When you come close to the finsih line, there are all these spectators lined up waiting for you. It is so great! I ran through a narrow entry to the wide finish line area. And there they were.. my family (My hubby, kids and neices) - with signs and smiles. When I crossed the finish line, my name was announced and the official put a medal around my neck. Well I just lost it and started crying. I could not believe that I had just completed a triathlon. I was officially a triathlete.
A few weeks later at the office, she mentioned it again. Now at this time, I had been contemplating joining my company sponsored health club (PROCLUB) and in particular the weight loss program called 20/20. After all, I had really packed on the pounds. I arrived in WA 50lbs overweight and pretty unhappy with myself. I actually started to think that completing triathlon would be a good goal...impossible but a good goal. I decided to go for it. At the same time I also decided to join the weight loss program. My first meeting with my trainer ..Anthony Parker was on 3/14/06. I told him ..in all of my fatness, that I wanted to do a triathlon. He looked at me and said hmmm, ok.
I began this really intense workout and nutrition program and began building my endurance. My first meetings with Anthony consisted of walking on the treadmill for 20 minutes and then doing stairclimber or eliptical for 15 minutes. Followed by a bit of strength training. I did this 3x a week (between 6am and 7:30) and then worked out on my own 2 other days. I had absolutely no endurance and could not run for more than 1 minute. Over the months, my endurance grew ..slowly at first then more rapidly. I also figured that I needed to improve my swimming skills if I was going to swim for 1/2 a mile. I took a Total Immersion Class.. which teaches swimming efficiency. Let's set the record straight here... I could swim well enough to save myself if I was thrown off of a boat. I was a decent (not great) swimmer. At the start of the class, I could do 1 (that's right ONE) lap and then I started breathing heavy. At that point I new the triathlon was totally out of reach. After all 1/2 mile was equal to 20 laps. I left the 1st day of class feeling scared and dismayed that I was too aggressive. Maybe I should have set my goal for 2007.
The next week's class, I asked the teacher what I needed to do to build my endurance. He said just keep at it, it will come. You know what, it did. Each week I got better and better. 4 weeks later I was able to swim 9 laps. I then started swimming before my workouts with my trainer (a little crazy but hey). My trainer was pretty impressed. I also started biking on the weekends. In fact in May I did a 30 mile bike ride as a part of the Tour De Cure for Diabetes. I really love biking...:)
Ok so I still had not tackled the most difficult part, the running. Not only could I not run but I absolutely hated it. I started adding running to my treadmill work. Anthony suggested intervals. We started with 2min run 2 min walk . I did this for weeks extending the time and the speed. I was up to running at 5.5 and walking at 4.0. Then Anthony said ..let's see if you can run a mile. I thought he was kidding. I did not think I was ready for that. This was May 5th (a day after my birthday). Guess what I did it. And I didn't feel like I was going to die. I was on top of the world. All day I had a little extra spring in my step. I just kept replaying in my head the "goal attained" message on the treadmill. I just could not believe it.
I kept it up, continued working out 5x a week. I took another swim class "Triathlon Swim Training" to help even more. This class was filled with drills and specific swim workouts. I really saw progress. By the end of the class, I was able to swim 28 laps. Now the challenge was to swim in Open Water. That's right. The triathlon was going to be in Lake Washington.
I finally felt like I could really do it. I didn't have a specific time goal , my goal was to finish. The week before the race I was sooo nervous. I was doing mini triathlons with a few really good girls. I kept up with them during the swim but one bike ride was particularly hilly and....they left me in the dust. I felt so bad and really began to rethink whether or not I should do the race. I spoke to one of the girsl about my bike performance , and she said that my bike was holding me back. That day, I decided to retire my 35lb mountain bike for a 19 lb feather light road bike. Boy what a differnce. This was a risky thing to do so close to the race but it worked for me.
The other thing to mention is that I met up with a wonderful group of women called the Soul Sistas. They are a group of African American Women of all ages who participate in triathlons and bike races. They are so awesome.We (the soul sistas) took pictures the day before the race... I'll post when available.
So the day of the race..... Everybody in the house is excited and up. My kids and my nieces - who were visiting from NJ are all up and ready to root me on. I left early so that I could get ready.The goal was to meet me by the swim finish. This was alll pretty tricky because there were 40 waves of swimmers starting every 3 minutes. All I can say about the swim is that it felt much longer than 1/2 a mile. I kept focused and didn't get nervous. I focused on keeping my breathing relaxed. It worked ...and by the way I wasn't the last swimmer in my group YEAHHH. I don't know how it all worked out but as soon as I finished my swim, I saw them. Byron , Tyler, Paris, Ahlia and Ivy were all waiting there for me with the most beautiful handmade signs saying GO MOMMY, Go AUNTIE, I love you. It was so terrific. Once I saw them I was energized.... Now on to the bike.
The bike was the best part of the entire race. I love my bike and I love to fly down the road. The entire 14 miles of the race was closed to traffic. Our longest stretch was on the express lane of one of the largest highways. Imagine flying down a highway with nothing in your way (but other riders on your right). It was so amazing. I was going pretty fast but could have gone faster - but wanted to save my legs for the run.
Now the run... I hate running and I am really bad at it. I am slow and not terribly efficient. After biking hard for 40 minutes, your legs are really worked up. During the after bike run, your legs turn into "bricks". They are heavy and hard to move. If you push through , you can get over the feeling and get into a stride. Well I also felt pains in my knee. So instead of running the entire 3.2 miles I decided to walk run. In the end it was actually fine - but while doing it I was a little disappointed. Danskin is great because there are so many supporters on the way. Cheerleaders who are yelling "go for it" from their back porch. It was just what I needed. In fact I heard Destiny's Child Im a survivor , on my way and that was what I used in my head to keep me going.
So when I realize I am about 1/2 mile from the end, I start getting super excited and very emotional. It is all coming together now -- all the training, the visualization of actually crossing the finish line and my waiting family. I got on my cell phone to cal my husband, just to make sure he was at the finisth line. He cracked up that I called:)
When you come close to the finsih line, there are all these spectators lined up waiting for you. It is so great! I ran through a narrow entry to the wide finish line area. And there they were.. my family (My hubby, kids and neices) - with signs and smiles. When I crossed the finish line, my name was announced and the official put a medal around my neck. Well I just lost it and started crying. I could not believe that I had just completed a triathlon. I was officially a triathlete.
