Procrastination pays

Friday morning I contacted my friend Lisa to find out about the Splash and Dash she had signed up to do on Saturday.  I started thinking that I would be really interested in doing it too.  However, it was already too late to register online and I was unable to contact the organizers during the day. 

So, I figured I would go with her in the morning, with all my stuff, and hope that they had day of registration.  If not I could be her cheerleader!  I was pretty much of the mind set that I would be sitting this one out.  We were some of the first people there and amazingly they had registration sheets and I actually had cash on me (Lisa helped make up the difference). 

I went from thinking I'd be watching to participating.  Instant butterflies.  I don't know she swallowed a (butter)fly? Perhaps she'll die.

A dolphin was spotted swimming around the buoys before the race started.  That surely had to be good luck! 

This mass swim start was a shock to me.  Perhaps it had to do with the fact that I decided to start up with the men.  Who do I think I am?!  I will never make that mistake again.  They were BRUTAL.  If some of them could have swam over me I think they would have.  I realized that one of the other events in a biathlon is the "avoiding getting kicked in the face" event.  It takes some maneuvering to manage not to get a foot in the nose. 

When the mayhem of the swim was over we went quickly to the transition area and headed out running onto the Marine Corp's base; with an uphill run to the General's house.  Holy crap does that house have a view!  I was a little worried about the hill but it ended up being much easier than I had anticipated.  I felt strong and finished fast. 

I ended up placing second in my age group and got a medal!  Woo-hoo!  It does pay to wait and see. 

How apropos

I've been meaning to make note of this and have forgotten on many occasions.  With that kind of lead up you might think I've forgotten to mention that I've found the fountain of youth or that I've found the diet that makes you lose weight without changing your food intake with no exercise.

Get real!

Actually, what I thought was really funny were the songs that were playing on my iPod when I crossed the finish line for each of my 1/2 marathons. 

The first was "Free Bird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd and "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns N Roses.  Could any two songs be more appropriate for crossing the finish line?! 

I think not.

Will the real Risha please step forward

I've been posting about my training and weight loss for a while now and I've certainly been able to share my results with everyone.  It's a good feeling to get stronger, leaner, build more muscle mass, and watch the scale go down. 

I think for many of my friends they would say that I don't need to lose any more weight.  Which, is very sweet and perhaps true.  How much weight do I need to lose?!  Honestly, I don't need to lose at all.  I want to.

I want to get back to what my average weight was: 125-127 lbs.  I'm only 5"2 so it really isn't an extremely low number.  I just think people have been so used to seeing me at my heaviest that my average might seem too far in the other direction. 

I have promised myself that I will not beat myself up over the numbers on the scale.  I'm working to be healthier and lose the spare tire that seemed to have claimed residency the past 5 years.  I don't know if I'll get to the "target" goal and it really is alright if I don't.  I just want to let everyone know that I'm really not crazy or obsessed.  I just want the inside me to match the outside me.   =)

Plateau

Plateaus are a thing of beauty...if you're looking at a naturally formed rock structure.  Not so much when you're looking at the numbers on the scale.  I knew I would hit it; it was inevitable.  I really can't complain because I got stuck at 136 lbs for 3 weeks and not months.  However, with the scale showing results pretty quickly it was a little frustrating seeing the number looking back at me in all it's green LCD glory. 

I looked up several articles about weight loss plateaus and how to step off of them.  Most recommended changing up your workout routine.  Ummmm...I really can't change it up more than what I'm doing right now.  Here was the shocker and what put a HUGE smile on my face.  It said that your body gets used to the amount of calories you consume.  So even if you've limited your calorie intake your body will get used to that amount and level off in the weight loss department. 

I consume an average of 1200-1400 calories a day and I burn between 800-1500 calories each workout.  I've been pretty religious in both areas.  What the articles suggested were to consume more calories, than normal, one day and on a different day consume less.  It tricks the body out of auto pilot and gets it back on track.  I can do this!  I think I like the days that I get to consume a few more calories! 

I took advantage of this and finally I lost one more pound.  Hello 135.  I like you, but I don't like you THAT much.  If you decide to make room for one of your smaller cousins I'd be happy to say Aloha! 

Brick surprise

Two weeks ago I did my first brick workout which consisted of biking and then running.  I've been doing back-to-back workouts for months now, but not this particular one. 

I had fully anticipated that my run pace would suffer at least 30 seconds slower after the bike ride.  Riding 12-13 miles will surely take a toll on your legs and endurance, right?  So I hopped up on my bike and did a 13 mile ride which consisted of two hills.  (I really need to work on hills, ugh.) I transitioned from the bike to the run in a somewhat timely manner and took off down the road.

Everyone warns you about how your legs will feel after being on the bike.  All the warning in the world doesn't compare to actually having your legs moving under you and feeling like you have no control over them.  I was certain that if a video camera had been pointed in my direction I would have won $10,000 on America's Funniest Videos.  My legs were moving quickly, yet it seemed like I was going nowhere.

Then I looked at my Garmin.  I was running an 8:30 minute mile.  WHAT?!  I couldn't slow my legs down the first quarter to half a mile.  After that I felt like I finally had some control over my body.  However, I was still running faster that I had anticipated.  A LOT faster. 

I ended up running my fastest 5K ever!  27:11.  I haven't even done that in one of my road races.  I haven't done that particular brick workout since.  I'll be doing it again this week.  Let's see if it was just a fluke or a sign of things to come.  I'm hoping for the later.

It's all in your head.

Today was the first day I did the "king" of asanas (yoga positions), the headstand.  I should say it was the first time I attempted it in the middle of the studio floor and not up against the wall. 

It wasn't perfect.  My legs were piked forward, slightly, but I got up and balanced without assistance.  Woo-hoo!

Then...I stayed up for what seemed like a world record breaking headstand.  It was probably only a couple of minutes, but when you're balancing on your head time goes by slower.    I've just started attempting this pose so I can't say if I've benefited from all the wonderful things they're supposed to do: of course help blow flow to the head and brain, help circulation, relieve lower back stress, bring a sense of calm. 

I can say that once the terror of falling over onto the person next to you subsides, it really is calming.  And any kind of calming for me is close to a miracle.  (Picture below is from yoga-made-ez.com)

Maui 1/2 Marathon

I am SO happy I decided to sign up, travel to Maui, and run a 1/2 marathon there!  It was such a wonderful and amazing experience.  You really could not ask for a better course, a more beautiful setting, or a more organized event.  It was a pleasure to be a part of. 

You'll have to excuse me while I still bask in my euphoria from the run.  I'll try to recap the best I can.

When I stepped outside of the Hyatt's lobby at 4:45 am the heaviness of the air hit me.  "Uh-oh" was all I could think.  Get that kind of thinking out of your mind, fast!  It's kind of hard to talk yourself out of how hot you feel when it seems as if a wet blanket of air is sitting on your shoulders.  I also saw a toad hop away, on the beachwalk, as I was walking toward the starting line.  I'd like to remind you how terrified I am of toads and frogs.  I believe half of Ka'anapali  heard me scream.  It was all good though.  Once the race started and we ran onto the main road the breeze picked up and the excitement took over. 

It was just one of those runs that I kept reminding myself to stay in the moment.  Actually enjoy it and remember it!  I probably looked like a crazy woman because I kept waving and smiling at everyone on the side of the road.  Trust me, there were a lot of people on the side of the road.  It was so nice to see people clapping and cheering you on as you run by.  I'm going to use the word "see" loosely, seeing I'm legally blind without my glasses; and seeing that I don't wear them when I run.  I'm almost in need of a seeing eye dog during races.  Haha! 

This slight impairment can be an asset though.  It can almost be like running while you're drunk.  Everything is blurry and has a hazy dreamlike quality.  Perhaps it helps to think I'm really just dreaming when I'm running and that I'll wake up any moment.  It also helps, the lack of vision, when you're running and you can't really make out the huge squished bullfrogs on the highway as you run past.  At least that is what I kept telling myself when I almost stepped on a dried corpse of an unfortunate amphibian.  Gag! 

The long/short of it is...I beat last year's 1/2 marathon time by 16 minutes!  I completed this race in 2:13:20 and stayed under my pace goal.  Now those evil thoughts are creeping into my head, "Maybe I can do another one under 2 hours?"  Yup, I just might be hooked. 

1/2 the distance, twice the fun!

1/2 marathon in Maui in just over a week!  The race was in the back of my mind the whole time I was doing my triathlon training.  Knowing that I would have to start increasing my 6 mile runs every week weighed a little heavy on my mind.  I really wasn't giving myself a lot of time to fully prepare for the race. 

I did my first 1/2 last year and followed a much more structured training plan. I had more miles on my legs by this point in my training.  My hope is that for this one, even though I haven't been running as many miles each week, with the cross training my legs are stronger.  So far this theory is holding up. 

The first jump in mileage went up to 8 miles.  In the past 8 miles has been kind to me.  I liked that distance and my body responded well to it.  Not this 8 miles.  This 8 miles was tough; shockingly tough.  All I could think was "I'm in trouble".  The next week I needed to do 10 miles.  This time I got up extra early and was out the door by 6:00 am.  What a world of difference.  I ended up running almost 11 miles and could have kept going.  Phew!  Yesterday I did 12 miles and it was another tough one.  However, I didn't get out and running until after 8:30.  The late start and the heat really takes a toll on how effective a run you have.  At least that's what I believe.  I completed my run, but I had to dig down deep at mile 9 to keep running 3 more miles. 

So, the rest of the time I get to scale back.  Perhaps another 8 mile run and a couple 4 mile ones thrown in.  Don't tell anyone that I've been bad and haven't done any hill work.  I specifically picked the Maui race for its flat course and because it travels along the coast line.  If you have to be running for at least 2 hours straight you might as well have something pretty to look at.

Waiting, and waiting, and waiting.

Sorry I haven't updated you regarding the race.  I'll start with the bad and end with the good.  I tend to think that it's the best way to do things. 

1. It was the worst organized event I have ever been a part of.  The right hand definitely did NOT know what the left hand was doing.
2. Nothing was computerized.  Not even the registrations to differentiate who did the 5K run and who did the 10K run.
3. We did not have timing chips.  So we have no idea what our official time was in either the swim, run, and both combined.
4. They started giving out awards to the overall winner of the race.  Ummm...duh.  There can't be an overall winner because if you ran a 5K of course you will finish before the person that did the 10K.
5. The 10K wasn't even measured out properly and was short by an entire mile!  Also, what was supposed to be a road race course was changed to cross-country.
6. They did rock, paper, scissors for prizes instead of just picking out bib numbers
7. They still do not have final results! 

Here are my reason why I LOVED the race.

1. The swim!  Even though the directions were horrible and the tide was ultra low, it was so exciting to be a part of.
2. I was the third overall woman out of the water!  At this point things were not screwed up so I really WAS the third woman out.  As you can tell I'm pretty pumped about this.
3. I beat Jake (The Bachelor) in the swim.  Oh, and even though he's supposed to be a douche he was pretty hot.
4. I loved the combination of events and challenging yourself.
5. I came in first in my age group for the 10K run.  However, I think I was the ONLY female in my age group to do the 10K run.  Hahaha!!!!!
6. I can not wait for my first real triathlon.

So, there you have it.  I've been so late in writing this because I had hoped to have some official results.  I don't believe that I will ever see them.  Completely lame seeing I paid $100 for the race and couldn't get any of my money back because it was a charity event.  Sorry homeless children.  If the organizers had their act together I'd be willing to donate my money and time next year.  Just isn't going to happen.

Going Bi

Wow, I'm really surprised how nervous I am for the biathlon this morning.  It's a 700 meter open water swim and I chose the longer 10K run.  It didn't help to know that only 2 other women signed up for the longer run.  Maybe I'll be faster than them in either the water or running? 

This will certainly be a lesson in humility.  The chances of me running across the finish line last is pretty high.  Oh did I mention that this is a celebrity charity event...so the media will be there to capture it.  Fantastic. 

Excuse me while I go and try not to dry heave.

Broken record

I haven't posted anything the past couple weeks because I was feeling like there wasn't really anything new to write about.  My life became very boring; even though I was extremely busy working out. 

I've had to become a bit more creative and change my routine around the past week.  My children are on break from school for the next three weeks.  Morning workouts are turning into evening ones and runs now include my jogging stroller. I should mention that I really dislike working out at night.  Blah.

Basically, everything is the same but different.

War wound

It finally happened.  My first injury from training.  Believe it or not, I actually fell over again.  And again, it was when I was almost standing still. 

4 miles into my bike ride I approached a very narrow bridge.  At the same time I noticed a cat that looked as if it could be part Bengal (my cat is a Bengal) so it of course distracted me. As I was trying to decide how I would cross said bridge, I forgot to disengage my left foot from the pedal.   I fell completely over onto the path.  Bloody knee, huge bruise on the inner portion of my lower thigh, and road rash on the outer portion. 

Like a a good masochist I got up, wiped off the blood, and continued to ride 16 more miles, did my yoga (thanks again Amanda for your yoga towel) and road home.  I eat danger for breakfast. Haha!

From Tri to Bi

Well, my first triathlon has magically become a biathlon.  Tag the World founder, Robert Parks-Valleta, called each participant to explain what happened.  From what I understand the city of Honolulu told the coordinators that they were not allowed to have an organized/timed bike ride that weekend.  Why things changed I have no idea.  You would think this would have been all set in stone prior to promoting the race. All I know is that I better see some celebrity booty swimming and running! 

So, now I will be swimming 700 meters and running the optional 10K (instead of the 5K).  There will be an organized, "unorganized" bike ride after the run.  However, it will not be timed and will not count towards where you place upon finishing.  If it doesn't count I'm not doing it.  So there!

I'm a little disappointed; however, I'm also a little relieved too.  One less event means one less thing to worry about.  I'm still training as if it were a tri and I figure I'll just be a head of the game when October rolls around. 

Burn baby, burn!

It is pretty amazing, when you stop and look at the numbers, to see just how many calories can be burned.  Four days a week I do double workouts of either run/circuit or bike/yoga.  On those days I burn an average of 1000 to 1400 calories.  My two swim days I burn approximately 500 calories (I must be slacking- ha).  Last week a total 5,045 calories were burned! 

This is certainly was not standard for me; however, neither was this workout schedule prior to my commitment to training.  Here's what really gets me... for four months I didn't exercise and burned very minimal calories.  How the heck I didn't double my size is beyond me.  I wasn't eating as much as I am now, but I also wasn't eating as healthy. 

So the moral of this story is- pay attention to what you feed your body and keep moving.  You'll feel better, look better, and stay healthier.

The argument for cloning

I've decided that this lady is now me.  She's my avatar and I'm pretty disappointed that she's running around in my body, pretending to be someone else.  Who does she think she is?!?

These legs were made for?

I guess they were made for kicking, running, biking, weight lifting, and yoga!  They're tired, but not as tired as last week.  This is good news because that means they're getting stronger and can handle the wear and tear of training. 

I have muscular legs and I'm getting a little concerned that they will turn into a version of Popeye's arms.  There's a line between strong and sexy or thick and masculine.  I've seen ladies who have "man legs"; trust me it's not pretty.  I guess I'll get what I get and not complain.

At least they get me from place to place and hopefully, it will be faster and faster.

Will power over brain power

"I know I can, I know I can, I know I can."  I had to say that over and over to myself during my run yesterday.  To get some appropriate mileage in, I have decided that I will run to the gym and beyond before circuit training.  This is hard on legs that have been used and abused just about all week long.

The run to the gym was shorter, hotter, and not as safe as I had intended.  There really isn't a shoulder on the road to run on so that was my last run to the gym.  I did get there and hop right onto a treadmill though, and ran another 3 miles.  Then did 40 minutes of circuit training. 

The verdict is in

As you know, on Tuesday I did yoga and then rode my bike. It was an exhausting workout that burned lots of calories. My legs felt like lead afterwards and I was drained for the rest of the day.

Today I did my ride before yoga to see how my legs fared. They're still tired and I'm steal beat. I rode a total of 19 miles today. I noticed that I rode stronger on fresh legs, and the yoga was bit more forgiving for the second half of my workout.

So...when the schedule allows me to, I'll be biking first and yoga second. If my legs give out on me in yoga I'll just fall over on to my mat. If my legs give out on me on my bike I'll fall over on the road an get run over. Yoga mat is the winner!

Lagoon swims

I'm not sure how I feel about the lagoon swims.  I don't feel like I'm pushing myself as hard as I should be.  I would much rather be in a pool where I tend to swim faster, longer, and straighter!  I'm trying to avoid the lure of swimming in a crisp clear pool because I know the triathlons will be taking place in open water.  Makes sense to practice in the lagoons and ocean, but my mind keeps drifting to the comfort of lane lines and predetermined yards.  

Today I used hand paddles to focus on my stroke and a pull buoy to save my legs.  A pull buoy is a sculpted piece of Styrofoam that you place between your legs, and you use your upper thighs to told it in place.  This stops you from using your legs to kick and keeps them buoyant so that they are not dragging/sinking behind you. 

I think it's time to step up the swim workouts and not get distracted by the pretty fish swimming by. 

Oh my aching...

...legs.  What did you think I was about to say? 

Road the bike to yoga and decided to be double dorky; two for Tuesday, right?!  I had my yoga shorts on under my bike shorts.  I felt like a marshmallow being sucked through a straw.  Either that or a new form of Korean style bratwurst.  Let's just say that I was thankful to take one of the layers off for yoga. 

Today I noticed that my heels went down just a hair closer to the floor in the downward dog position.  The yoga gods must have been listening to my prayers.  I'm also thankful that it wasn't a hard leg workout today too seeing that I had a bike ride scheduled right after.

From yoga I decided to ride up to one of my favorite Pho restaurants and grab some lunch.  Nothing like a great bowl of soup to motivate you to ride your bike after 1.15 hours of yoga.  Filled my belly up and road back home.  15 miles in all and over 1400 calories burned this morning. 

Food for thought

I've never been a believer in fad diets or quick fixes.  Mail order food and diet supplements only mask the problem people have as to how to eat properly.  In my opinion, I think they're a form of cheating yourself.  "Winners never cheat, and cheaters never win."  I know it's kind of a Grandma-ish/lame saying, but the basis of it is true.  If you do the quick fix; you might look great for a short time- but at what price?  Usually all the weight comes flooding back once you are off the specialized food or diet pill, plus some!

Anyway, I'm rambling because I've been thinking about what I'm eating, how often, and how much.  Now that most days I'm doing dual workouts I'm burning so many calories that I can't seem to consume enough to keep up.  The workouts are making me crave healthier choices for meals and snacks.  Almonds, apples, grapes, cheese, boiled eggs are now my snacks of choice. 

So many running and triathlon websites get so technical about the percentages of fat/protein/carbs to body proportion and which way the wind might be blowing.  Too much thinking for me.  I'm preferring the simple approach- eat healthy, eat often, and having beer and wine is okay!

Run & Circuit training

After months away from the gym- I finally made an appearance.  I was wondering if it would be similar to a practicing Catholic who hasn't gone to church in ages?  Thankfully, the roof didn't cave in and I was not struck down by an angry Senior Citizen wanting the treadmill I was on. 

Speaking of the dread-mill...I logged in 5 miles on it before starting the circuit workout.  I really, really, really, hate the damn thing.  Can I look up and watch the very boring TV show that is playing on the gym's television?  Nope.  If I do I'll run right off the side of the bloody thing.  I can only look straight ahead if I don't want to be zig-zagging all over the place.  It's very similar to my problem with looking over at something when I'm driving my car.  Why the steering wheel has to follow my line of vision is still a mystery. 

Anyone want to go for a drive?!

Resting

Yesterday was my day off for some rest and recovery.  It was actually pretty strange not having swim/bike/run/ or yoga scheduled.  That one day off really did help recharge the batteries and slow down the mind. 

How did I spend my day?  Oh, I went with my family to the North Shore and met my friend, Erica, and her son for breakfast.  Then we headed over to Shark's Cove (happy to report I have not seen any sharks there) and did a little snorkeling. 

When we came home the kids went upstairs and played; while I sat on the couch for an hour and watched a show on Discovery.  I had to fight off feeling guilty about not doing anything.  How sad is that?!  Those of you that know me well, know how hard it is for me to sit still and not pop up to get/do something every few minutes.  I probably make them anxious.  Good thing I'm self-centered or that would bother me.  Hahaha!!!  I'm just kidding. 

Biker gang

Yesterday I went for a group bike ride with my friends: Aimee, Sarah, Lisa, and her friend, Tarah.  Rode 15 miles around Ko Olina and broke in my new bike shorts.  Wearing them takes the same level of confidence that a competitive male swimmer has when he wears his Speedo.  I felt like I had a target on my butt that read "Look here!"  That all disappeared when my hiney sat on my uncomfortable, aerodynamic bike seat. 

The ride itself was great! It was a fairly easy ride with one long, low hill and one steeper one (we did them 3 times).  I really need to work on my hills.  I'm pretty wimpy about my legs feeling the burn.  I tend to store a lot of lactic acid in them and can cramp up easily.  I don't think I was even close to that happening, but I was a little hesitant about pushing it too much.  Especially, seeing I had been working my legs for the past 7 days. 

I'm looking forward to my next ride with these wonderful ladies.

Rebel yell

WOW!  I went for a 5 mile run with multiple hills mixed in and it was rough.  My training program has only just started this week and my body is already rebelling.  I haven't worked out 6 days straight in months and it's taking it's toll already!  I'm tired and my legs hate me. 

I guess I have to break it to them (my legs) that we haven't even started the real training yet.  Bring on more runs and 2 days of circuits mixed in.  ...she cried, more, more, more!

These "strings" are not playing my tune.

Holy tight hamstrings, BATMAN!  I went to my third Vinyasa Flow yoga class yesterday and I really love it.  I just don't know if my hamstrings and calves will ever open up and stretch out.  I can't even get my heels to touch the floor in the downward dog position. 

I know yoga will help tremendously with the training I'm doing; to help balance, strengthen and ground me.  Here's my little prayer to the yoga gods,  "Please just make me stretchy and bendy so that I don't look like such a dork when I try to touch my toes."  "I would also like to have killer arms like Madonna, just without the fake British accent, thank you."

Weight a minute

Oh the shame.  Putting this out on the world wide web for all to see.... Honestly, I'm not really bothered by it.  I figure if you're following my blog the least I can be is honest with you.  So here goes! My current weight is 151 lbs.  Last year when I was training for my first 1/2 marathon I had lost 14 lbs.  It's amazing how the weight likes to creep back up on you when you lay dormant for 4 months. 

I try to not let the scale dictate my self worth and know that it is a fickle bathroom appliance.  I also know that muscle is taking up a large percentage of my current weight.  However, I keep all my earned weight/fat in my torso.  I'm excited to see the inevitable changes that will be taking place as I move toward the finish line. 

I've stopped trying to work towards an ideal weight goal.  We all know where that gets us.  Weeping on the bathroom floor next to a smashed up scale screaming, "WHY?!" Okay, too much?

I just want to look and feel strong and healthy.  I also know the lighter I am the more efficient I'll be.

Would I be upset if I gained six pack abs in the process?  Of course not, but I'm not looking to take on Tammy Lee Web anytime soon.

Yeeeeaaaahh, I'm gonna need you to come in on Saturday...

Training six days a week should be interesting.  Here's the basic training schedule.  I will add what I specifically do as I get further into it.

Monday-      Run 4.5 to 8 miles, Circuit training at the gym

Tuesday-      Ride bike to yoga, Vinyasa flow yoga for 1:15, Ride bike for 2-10 miles

Wednesday- Open water swimming at the lagoons

Thursday-     Ride bike to yoga, Vinyasa flow yoga for 1:15, Ride bike for 2-10 miles

Friday-         Run 4.5 to 8 miles, Circuit training at gym

Saturday-     Swim either open water or pool

Sunday-       Rest

I know you're jealous... 

It's a date!

I don't know how it escaped my attention that I forgot to let you know when the big day/days are. 

My first triathlon will be Tag the World Celebrity Triathlon on, August 22nd, in Waikiki.  Yes, this gives me six weeks to train.  Six stinking weeks.  I know I can do each event individually, it's the doing it all in a row thing that makes me nervous. 

Oh, I should also mention that while I'm training for the tri I also have another 1/2 marathon the following month in Maui. 

...and I have my second tri the month after that (October).  This one will be real interesting because the participants will be swim/run/swimming across 4 lagoons.  That means you have to swim across one lagoon, run up hill on the beach and run back down the beach and into the next lagoon...four times!  Then get on a bike, ride 13 miles and run a 5K. What fool thought this would be fun to make people do? A masochist that's who!  I guess the egg is on my face and everyone else's face who actually pays good money to do it.  Welcome to the world of triathlons. 

I could have gorged myself on top quality sushi for a week with the small fortune I shelled out for these races.  The sense of accomplishment better be just as fulfilling as a stomach full of raw fish. 

I fall down and go boom

I tend to think that I have fairly good control over my center of gravity.  That all changes when you're bound as one to your bike.  After purchasing my new pedal and shoes I went over to my friend's house (she and her husband have several tri's under their belts) so that they could be installed, and I could get a quick lesson as to how to clip my foot on the pedal and how to release them quickly when I need to stop.

They were both very helpful and gave very simple instructions.  "Clip one foot in, get some momentum, and then click your other foot in".  "When you want to release your foot twist the heel outwards and you'll be free".  EASY! 

I stand there and click my right foot in.  Got it!  Then instead of moving down towards the street I think it's a great idea to clip my left foot in.  Without moving.  It was as if it happened in slow motion.  I click myself in and fall completely over onto my right side with both feet firmly attached to the pedals.  Excellent!

Last pieces of the puzzle

I've been saying for YEARS that I wanted to do triathlons...but I couldn't run.  From a bear or a leaping frog (total fear of frogs- I know it's weird) I could run like the wind; however, I lacked the necessary skills to run further than that slimy mucus covered thing could leap.  Trust me, in my dreams those suckers have wings and red beady eyes.  Sorry, back to the point.  I've established that I can finally consider myself an intermediate runner but I was missing one very important piece of equipment that all serious triathletes have....a bike! 

I agonized over which bike to get, did I really want to spend that much money, could I get away competing with my 4 year old daughter's Diamondback?  I finally decided on this little beauty:

It's a Specialized Dolce Sport, blah,blah, blah.  The frame is 44 cm and it really does look as if my 4 year old daughter could ride the thing.  It's shiny and new and all mine.  I considered not taking the plastic off that lovely white seat and realized how impractical that was.  Imagine the rash after that?! 

I took my new gadget for a spin with a good friend of mine and she highly recommended I get  bike shoes and clipless pedals. 

It helps transfer the energy more efficiently and instead of only using your quads to push the pedals down and around, being attached to the pedal allows you to use your hamstrings to pull the pedal up.  If it will make me faster and save my legs for the run then heck yeah, I'll get some!

I decided on getting a pair of Specialized mountain bike shoes and Shimano M540 mountain bike clipless pedals. 

My daughter was very insistent that I get these shoes because they were pretty.  She secretly wishes they were Twinkle Toes and that I ride my bike with pink sparkling streamers on the handles.  The final pieces are finally falling into place. 

It started like this...

I know you're super excited to hear about what led up to the moment that I hit "submit" on my online registration, right?  Okay, not that exciting but just a bit of background.  I swam competitively for many years: through elementary school, high school, and college.  I was a sprinter, and in reality still am.  I've got a sprinters body: short, compact and muscular.  My husband refers to it as "Umpa Lumpa-ish".  He loves me, he really loves me. 

Being a type A personality, I felt the need to try and conquer running.  Why...I don't really know.  It was something that I could step outside my door and do without a gym membership or babysitting issues.  Within 6 months I went from running only a mile to doing my first 1/2 marathon.  Over achiever you might ask?  Nope, just stubborn and slightly foolish.

Don't I look dork-a-licious?

Seeing that I had at least learned to pace myself and endure some distance (without keeling over in death) I knew it was time to reach for the stars.  Alright, not the stars but a celebrity triathlon!  Insert wink here. So, that's it in a nutshell.  I used to be a swimmer, now I guess I'm a runner with swimming in my proverbial closet, and I'm moving up in the world to triathlete.  Exciting isn't it?

E como mai

Aloha, and welcome to my very first blog! Please save the spank on the butt, reserved and usually only accepted for newborns, as I am a newbie both to the triathlon and blogger world. So, like everything else I do in life- let's jump right into it with both feet!