It's Alive!

Time to raise this blog from the dead... Okay. It's been about two and a half months since I've posted here. That was my post-season break. It's November 1 and I wanted to look back on last season's races and training and think about where I want to go from here.

Triathlons

I only did two triathlons this year: Quad Cities and Steelhead. I definitely would like to do more races than that next year. I think the pressure of the 70.3 made it hard for me to enjoy my training as much. I'd like to avoid that going forward, so I want to focus on shorter races in 2008.

As of right now, I'm planning on Accenture Chicago being my "A" race. It's the biggest triathlon in the world and since I live right here, how can I NOT do it at some point. It's likely one of the best chances I'll have to race alongside (okay, behind) professionals, so I'm excited about giving it a shot. It's olympic distance (1500m swim, 40k bike, 10k run), so it's a reasonable distance to train for, but will still be a good challenge.

Other races I'm considering are Galena (May), which is hilly and challenging, a long sprint distance, and a good early season race. I'd like to try to do the Quad Cities Tri again to beat my pretty awful performance from last year. There is also a triathlon in Waukegan that would be good since it's so close to home.

Running

I did a few running races this year including the Shamrock Shuffle, the Corporate Challenge, the Race Against Hate, and just recently the Trick or Treat Trot. I plan on doing the 8k Rudolph Ramble the second weekend in December, and possibly a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. I'd like to do more running again next year, possibly working up to a half marathon. I'll certainly do the Shamrock Shuffle and a few others again next year. I'll have to see if Heath is up for a New Year's Day run, like I did last Jan 1st. The running races I haven't thought out as much as the triathlons, so I'll be doing more researching on those coming up. I'd also like to do the Muddy Buddy, which isn't a tri, but a sort of adventure race.

Cycling

Last year I did the Indoor Time Trial series, and was very pleased with my results, especially since I was (and still am) such a cycling newbie. It makes me excited to think about how well I could do if I really turn on the training this off-season. I'd like to do that series again (though it's a bit farther away now that I live in Evanston - probably worth the drive, though). I'd also like to a few more outdoor time trial races as these will help with my triathlon cycling. The races range from the 10k indoor races, to 16k to 40k outdoor races. They're not very expensive, but they tend to be kind of far away.

My big challenge will be to schedule my races such that I don't feel like I have an obligation every weekend. I want to have a good balance so that I feel like I can relax and/or go camping or visit friends and family without feeling like I'm constantly on the go.

Overall, I'm really excited to think about how much I can improve for next year. I figure if I can do as well as I did this year on really inadequate training (have to be honest with myself here - there is no way I should have been able to finish Steelhead like I did.), just imagine how fast and fit I could be if I put in a more solid commitment. My new training plan starts today. I signed up for a winter maintenance/base building training program through beginnertriathlete.com, which is a great resource for triathletes of all levels. They have forums, training programs, training logs, articles, and all sorts of features that build a kind of DYI triathlon community. I don't have the $ to plunk down on a personal coach, so the online resources are great. Once I get my online training log set up, I'll link to it, so I can be accountable for sticking with my program.

My main initial goal is to get into a routine where I exercise in the mornings before work, rather than after work, when I'm burned out from the day and my commute and don't have the energy to exercise. Once I get into that habit, I should be able to manage the training quite well.

I needed some extra motivation to run, so I signed up for the Run for the Zoo 2007. The course winds through Lincoln Park Zoo and I get a nice Dri-Fit t-shirt (and we all know that the t-shirt is what really matters). I bravely signed up for this as my first 10K race, but I should be more than capable of covering 6.2 miles at this point. Small races along the way help to get my butt outside and running.

Where am I?

I'm back from Ireland with an aggravated hamstring injury for starters. I tried to run this morning, but was slowed considerably by it, and it's been bugging me all day just sitting at my desk. Not sure what to do about it, but I'll hang in there and maybe just up the swimming to work on keeping the aerobic fitness up.

In Ireland, I learned that I am able to cover the cycling distance for the triathlon. I also learned that hills are hard! The nice thing is that I covered the 55 miles last Monday with big heavy panniers on my bike, and not really in an aero position. The bad thing is that it was spread out over the whole day. The next step is to work on efficiency and pace, so that I can fly through the 56 mile bike leg!

Swimming had to be on the back burner since there really was no way to swim over there. I'm going to step it back up this week and try to get in the pool at least twice. I'm trying to exercise in the mornings in general, so will be hitting the pool on the mornings I'm not running. Cycling will stay in the afternoons for now, just because that works better for me for the time being. Maybe once I move, I'll shift things around, particularly if I have better (i.e., less trafficy) places to ride.

As far as fundraising goes, I've hit my goal of $2300! My Body Shop party and one more donation put me over the top. I decided to bump my goal up to $2800 to see if I can beat it by $500. I know a few coworkers that still intended to give a bit. Plus, I could always hold another party and get a couple hundred more bucks! The ladies love their bath-y stuffs!

There have been rumblings that my social life has been taking me away from my training a bit. While that is only partly true (my laziness has definitely played a role, too), it needs to be addressed. I've adjusted my training schedule to be more compatible with my social calendar, which is definitely a start. Working out in the mornings should also be helpful. I just need to get into the habit of getting up by 5 to get my workout in. I cheated and didn't get up until 5:30 this morning, but it was a start!

Week 10 ~ ??? ~ $2030

Okay, time to take stock. I've been seriously slacking on my training. Can't lie about it or kid myself about it anymore. I hit some sort of training wall. I wasn't afraid of getting burnt out, but I think I did a little. I haven't slacked so much that I won't be okay for the race, but I need to get my butt in gear. Now. I could blame it on a number of things, but the fact of the matter is that I need to do a better job of committing to my workouts. I've allowed myself to go straight home after work too many times. I've been taking it easy on the weekends and eating a lot more junk. I need to be a lot better about how I'm eating and make sure to bring my exercise clothes with me if I'm away from home here and there. Regardless of what else is going on, I need to make time and make efforts to get out and do my workouts. Hopefully it is easier now that the weather is finally breaking (fingers crossed).

The bottom line is that sometime in the middle of last year, I decided that I wanted my life to be a certain way, and that included living a healthier lifestyle, with better eating habits and regular exercise. I've fallen off that a bit, and need to refocus on ensuring that I'm living a lifestyle I can feel good about. It is apparent to me that my lack of commitment to this part of my life is negatively impacting other aspects of my life, and there is no reason for that to continue.

Fundraising bumped up again. I'm now at 88% of my goal with several months to go. I have a fundraising event next week that will likely put me over my goal. I also have several people that have told me they still want to contribute. Perhaps I'll make my $500 over goal incentive!

Week 9 ~ ??? ~ $1910

This week the ??? = not quite enough. I don't recall exactly how much training I did, but I know it was beneath the training program minimums. Part of that was the fact that I was out of town for the past two weekends, but mostly it was my own laziness and lack of willpower. I'm going to step it up and try to stick to it this week for sure. I'll be on the bike tonight and running tomorrow. Nutrition also needs to improve significantly!

Fundraising is still going well. I'm getting close now, it's hard to believe that I have less than $400 to raise. When I signed up, I was so afraid that I would struggle to reach my goal! I'm confident that I'll get to it now, especially considering that I have until July something to get there and have two more fundraising events scheduled that should each bring in a pretty good chunk of change.

Week 8 ~ ??? ~ $1795

Again, I was lazy on keeping track of my training. I stayed fairly close to the training plan set up by TNT, so I think I'm still doing okay. Plus I added the ab/core class on Thursday at lunchtime. I was still sore from it on Sunday! Being out of town over the weekend bumped a few workouts around, but they were cycling, so I'm not terribly worried. Ireland will signifiantly improve my cycling fitness for sure. If it stops raining this afternoon, hopefully I can get out for a run before the temps take a huge dive this week.

A few more donations put me at 78% to goal! I know there is at least one more check in the mail, and a number of coworkers and friends that haven't given yet but plan to. I'm also going to be doing a few other fundraising event. I should have no problem getting there by July!

Week 7 ~ ??? ~ $1695

Yeah, I was lazy on tracking my training this week. I know it was down a bit, and I'm not sure why. I think I kept getting sidetracked and was losing focus. I could definitely tell, too, that it wasn't good for me in that my confidence and overall mood weren't where they usually are. Good motivation to really stick with the program. I'm going for a bike ride tonight - outside! It's a beautiful day and it will be great for clearing my head. I tend to want to make up for workouts I missed in previous weeks, but then I get overwhelmed. It's silly anyway. I'm fit enough to do the workouts in the program and adding extra ones because I feel guilty for missing them previously is only going to burn me out and increase the risk of injury. Just going to stick to the plan this week (plus abs classes)! Time to refocus and not be so hard on myself.

Yes, that fundraising number is correct. I'm just shy of $1700. That puts me at over 73% of my fundraising goal. Some of that was from the raffles held in Michigan, and the rest was unexpected generosity from some friends and coworkers. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support. I know a couple more checks are in the mail as well, so that number should bump up again next week!

Week 6 ~ 4:30 ~ $1060

I was able to focus a lot on my swimming this past week and ended up slacking a bit on the biking. I'm having a harder time balancing progress in the three sports than I thought I would. I'm also feeling a bit guilty since I haven't been doing the circuit my trainer set up for me, nor the stretching she wanted me to be doing. I'm definitely going to be focusing on running this week, since the Shamrock Shuffle is Sunday, but I want to be sure to not slack on the other areas while I'm at it.

The gains in my fundraising were larger than they appear this week. I wasn't able to make it up to Michigan to collect the money from the raffles that my family held at their workplaces. I'll have that money some time this week and my total will jump up quite a bit! :)

A MILE! This morning before work I swam an entire mile!! Not continuously, but 1650 (so actually a tad over a mile if you want to be specific) total. 2 x 50 (those were only because my left goggle kept leaking, ugh), then a 500, then a 200 then 8 x 100, then another 50 (go ahead, add it up, I know you want to). Whoohoo! "Real" swimmers may scoff, but I've never swam that far before, so I'm extremely pleased. I'm all adrenaline-y right now and not too tired. I also made my goal of getting in the pool 4 times this week. I probably covered between 2.5 and 3 miles total. I'm debating running after work again, but we'll see how tired I am this afternoon.

I'm not a great swimmer by any means, but I think I do alright. I'm getting a little better and a little stronger every time I get into the pool. I've gone three days so far this week, and am planning on getting my fourth swim in tomorrow, hopefully during lunch again, since that seems to work quite well. It seems that no matter how clunky I feel in the water, or how smooth, or how fast I try to go, or how tired I am, my pace is ALWAYS the same. I'm kind of happy that I'm able to maintain, it, but at the same time, it's a bit troubling that it doesn't seem to deviate from 2min/100m AT ALL.

On a related note... I'm no pool etiquette expert, but today at the pool something strange happened. The pool is four lanes. I was the only person in the pool, in one of the outer lanes. Some dude comes into the pool area as I'm just starting my 1 min rest between 200's. As I am standing (clearly visible) at the end of my lane, he gets into the pool. IN MY LANE!! What the heck?!?! I KNOW that can't be proper pool etiquette. So after a period of confusion and a quasi-standoff, I ducked under the lane line thingy into the adjacent lane and resumed swimming. Totally threw me off. What would posses a person to do such a bizarro thing?

Week 5 ~ 5:00 ~ $990

Made it through week five. I skimped again on swimming, so my goal this week is to get in the pool at least four times. Otherwise training is going well. I want to make sure my running is solid since I've got the Shamrock Shuffle coming up in 2 weeks. It should be fun, though I'm still up in the air about how I want to get downtown for it. The weather was great this past weekend, and I was enjoying being able to train a bit outdoors. :)

Almost to a grand!! I'm really happy with how my fundraising is going. I got a donation from an Triathlete/Triathlon coach that works with my mom, and he offered to answer questions and provide advice as needed, which is so great. There are still other fundraising activities going on up in Michigan on my behalf. I'm confident that I'll make my $1200 incentive goal by March 28th.

A coworker friend and I have started going to the gym at lunchtime on Tuesday and Thursday. It's good to get a break from the monotony of the office and get in a quick workout. We're taking the "six-pack attack class." (Yes, lame name, but it does the job.) I'm anxious to see how my middle looks after a few weeks of this.

Tuesday was a great workout, which I definitely felt, particularly in the upper abs. We did a lot of pilates moves, and it was relatively low key and slowly paced. Today, however, was completely different. We got our butts kicked. As the instructor barked at us and our legs shook, my friend kept looking over at me as if to say "she can't be serious." I will certainly be a sore girl tomorrow. Abs, butt, back, inner and outer thighs, quads, all worked WAY past fatigue. Both our legs felt like jelly walking down the steps in the parking garage afterwards.

But is that enough for me? Nooooo, of course not. I'm heading back to the gym in a little bit to run 2 miles then take my spinning class. I'll sleep well tonight. And hopefully be able to walk tomorrow. Tomorrow will be sort of a recovery day with swimming and a low intensity bike ride.

Week 4 ~ 5:05 ~ $870

Week 4 is now behind me and went quite well. I managed to keep up on the training as needed, except for not getting in enough swimming. I'll try to improve that next week. I'm motivating myself in general right now by watching my "What it Takes" DVD, which is so great. I just love it.

I've gotten another $200 toward my goal. Donations came in from some friends and family and there are some additional fundraising efforts taking place this week and this month. Hopefully those plus additional donations in response to my letter campaign put me over my end of March incentive ($1200).

Week 3 ~ 2:00 ~ $670

Week 3 has come and gone. It was a tough one, since I was sick for a good part of it. I wasn't able to work out on Friday or Saturday and didn't have much energy the rest of the week. I feel better now, and should be able to get back up to speed for Week 4.

No change in my fundraising amount from last week, but I did send out letters to family and friends asking for support. I'm also waiting on the last bit of cash from the Yeti when he gets back into town. I'm sure that the plateus are normal, so I'm not too worried. Yet.

Week 2 ~ 4:55 ~ $670

Week 2 is done. I had a cycling race on Sunday, and I pushed really hard at Spinning class on Thursday, so I cut out a bit of their cycling sessions to give my lower body a bit of a break. It was definitely one of those circumstances where I had to listen to my body and adjust my training accordingly. Things went well overall, still working on increasing volume.

Fundraising is still going strong. I'm up to just under 30% of goal. My friend, the Yeti, ran a 50/50 raffle last week and some of the proceeds from that have been added in. Still another $70 coming when he makes his delivery to me in a week or two ($220 from the raffle total - quite a success!). Thanks to Ed from work who contributed! My dad is running a raffle at work, too, so we'll see a bump up in my amount from that in a few weeks, too. I'd love to hit my $1200 by March 28th incentive. Plus that would put me over halfway to my goal!

I completely wimped out this morning. I intended to go to the 5:30 am spinning class this morning, then hop in the pool for a bit, but I hit the snooze button and reset my alarm instead. Oh well, it's ok since my body needs a bit of a rest after my circuit from yesterday. That thing usually kicks my butt. I have a late meeting today, so I don't think I'll be able to make my normal 4:30-5:30 class (grr). It really would have been good to get to spin class this week since I've got that race Sunday and the fitter the better.

I found out I'm racing at 9:30 and am next to one of the fastest girls. Awesome. Hopefully I can balance keeping my own pace and being motivated to go faster by being next to her. I'm not sure I could keep up with her, but who knows? My goal would be 18:30 (20.1mph) which is slightly less than a mph faster than my previous races. I'd really like to bump myself up a place or two in the overall standings, and hitting that mark would certainly help. Of course, I can't control how much the other girls ahead of me have been working out or improving. Shoot, I should've gotten up and spun this morning!

Update: Meeting cancelled, I can go to my beloved 4:30 session after all! I'll have to take it sort of easy since my legs are a bit achy from yesterday, but it'll still be a great workout. Pam is the best spin instructor over there. :)

The blizzard-like conditions here led to a cancellation of the group swim practice last night. I'm glad because I wasn't going to go anyhow. Once I got home from work last night, that was it - I wasn't going out again. So tonight (which was originally slated as a rest day) has turned into: doing the circuit that I didn't feel up to on Monday, followed by swimming for 20 min or so. Shouldn't be too bad. I kind of like swimming after doing another workout since then I'm not freezing as I get in the pool. Plus, it's a much more soothing and graceful activity, so while my heart rate is still elevated and I'm getting a good workout, my joints and muscles aren't taking the same pounding they get on the treadmill or straining like they sometimes do when I'm on the bike.

Also, Indoor Time Trial #3 is this weekend. I'm hoping to improve my time from the previous flat course by 45 seconds, which would put me at about 18:30. I think it's very doable - my strength and fitness have improved considerably since the beginning of January. Plus I'll have my tunes, which I know helped a ton on the rolling course a few weeks ago. Hopefully I can con somebody into coming along for moral support (and to hold my backpack while I race.)

Week 1 ~ 4:10 ~ $310

Every week I'm going to post my progress, including the total training time and how much money I've raised so far. I completed the week 1 training schedule for TnT. Not anything crazy, fairly light running and biking on their schedule, supplemented with my circuit (45 min), a yoga session (60 min) and a spinning class (60 min), for a grand total of 4 hours and 10 minutes. I feel pretty good overall, but was really fatigued on Sunday. I think my calories aren't keeping up with my training, so I should make sure I watch that a bit more closely in the coming week. Riding the trainer at home stinks, so I'm already looking forward to better weather so I can ride outside. For Week 2, the volume isn't going up too much, so I'm sure it will be very managable.

I was at 13% of my fundraising goal at week's end. Not too bad so far. A big thanks to my (anonymous) very generous friend! This week, there are a few 50/50 Raffles underway, which should bump me up even more. I'm also going to get printing/stuffing/mailing out my initial letter campaign. Time to hit up the extended family!

Did the circuit that Aubrie (my trainer) put together for me. I feel like such a doofus pulling a mat and dumbbells over by the treadmills and doing the workout. The girl getting her hair done in the salon was giving me weird looks. The circuit is tough, but it is a good workout and I'm going to try to do it every Monday. Last time I was doing the run portions of the circuit (1/4 mile x 5 with exercises between) at about 6mph (10 min miles) but this time I ran all of them at 7mph, which is closer to an 8.5 min mile. I'd like to be at 8.5 min miles for my race pace, but I'm far from it. I can run the quarter miles that fast, but I don't know how long I could maintain it for. I also seriously suck at pushups.

Still no website. ARGH! We were told there was a good chance that we would be able to set them up by yesterday and still no word. I'm getting very frustrated.

TnT Kickoff Event was Saturday, and training began yesterday. I'm still pestering them about getting it so that I can set up my webpage. I'm frustrated that my fundraising is being held up so much by that simple fact. Hopefully I can get it going soon and get a bit of money in. I am trying to come up with some fundraising ideas and have a few so far. Hopefully they work and I'm able to get some money fairly quickly here. Training starts off nice and slowly, so hopefully I'll be able to manage alright. I have to bike tonight and am going to try to do my circuit from my trainer tonight as well.

I may be getting a bike from my friend, so I'll have a bad weather/trip to Ireland/Mindy can borrow/beater bike. I'm getting a great (and by great I mean phenomenal) deal on it, and it has all the features (materials, components, etc) that I was hoping against hope that I could get. I just will have to lean it against the wall in my apartment unless I feel like investing in a rack that holds two bikes. I'm excited though, since I was in need of a bike for Ireland, and this will be great to have even beyond that trip.