Great Workout week ends abruptly

Well I did a bike/swim day on Wednesday. I ran with my ipod today. I'm glad I got the podcast suggestion from Neil because the current music in my ipod makes me run really fast and I can't keep it up after some of those songs.

Today I swam farther and with better form than I had to date. I still need to figure out a method to keep track of my laps, but it felt good and I concentrated really hard on keeping my head down. I'm not keeping up with Sophia but concentration is important right now. Unfortunately at the end of the swim I found out the pool was going to be closed after Saturday until they are able to retrofit the drain with the covers required by law. The manager estimated that it would not be done until after the new year because they were unable to find any covers in time. I'm so sad, I just joined this pool....

I was not discouraged and actually worked out again on Thursday. This meant I had worked out everyday, in some form, all week. I was feeling great and was trying out all the suggestions friends had sent (see below) but then disaster.

Thursday night Riley got really sick. It was scary because it seemed to happen so fast. Runny nose in the morning, difficulty breathing by midnight. I called the oncall nurse for reassurance and she said I could wait until morning to bring him to the doctor. I stayed up with him all night and even when he went to sleep I was too worried and just watched him to make sure he was breathing.

We took him to Dr Lee first thing in the morning and found out he had the croup. They gave him steroids which was scary but they said it would insure that the swelling of the windpipe was minimal. He slept fine Friday night under the vaporizer but I skipped the workout on Saturday morning to make sure he was okay. The medicine kept him awake and by Saturday night he was miserably tired. It was a long night so again today, no workout.

At this point I don't know when I'll workout again. Seems like time is flying by and with my todo list before Christmas, I'm not sure how to fit a workout in (even though I know I just said "there is always time for a workout"). I'm so tired and the rain has started. I'm hoping to at least run before Christmas. I hope the gym is open during the break....

Suggestions from friends on tools to help with the workouts:

• http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/ Suggested by a neighbor, this site allows you to map out the path you took or want to take. It will give you mile/km markers and tally up your total distance. You can save your maps and share with others.

• http://www.mapmyrun.com/ Suggested by Sophia, this will track your distance and create workout reports and calculate calories burned, weight lost, etc.

• http://podrunner.com Suggested by Neil, this series of podcast help you build up stamina to complete various race lengths. I've tried the 10K series but think I need to back track a bit.
  

Burrito Run

I've worked out the past 5 days and tonight I made it to the team workout. Cameron skipped her gym class and scheduled a make-up on Saturday so that meant Jeff could stay home with both the kids. I was excited and headed out to Foothill 's track. But of course I got lost driving since I still don't have my car. I really should think about how to get to where I'm going but I'm so used to my navigation system that I'm that much worse at directions now.

Tonight the coaches sent us to spend 20 minutes warming up. They said we should try and run 2 miles within that time. I decided I would actually just do a warm up and ran really slow. I hadn't talked to Cookie since Saturday so we spent some time catching up. We were moving at a snail's pace and so it was taking us almost 4 minutes per lap. We ran around for 1.5 miles before the coaches stopped us to kick off the race.

All the team members were split into two groups, fast runners and slow runners (I took the slow group). Then we were paired up, a member from each group. The coaches explained that the Burrito run was each team member had to run 2 miles for a total of 4. We had to guess the combined time and the team closest to their time won.

I was paired with Nicole, another mom with two children 2 and under, and we called ourselves "Mommy Supreme." We weren't real clear on the rules so we guessed it would take her 16-17 minutes to run 2 miles, and then I guessed it would take me about 30. I say we weren't clear on the rules because our estimates were as if we had to run 2 miles straight. When the race started it became clear that we could alternate laps.

Most teams each ran a .25 mile and then swapped. Nicole ran two laps before we decided to take advantage of trading off so we stuck to the .50 mile tag. Since we were getting breaks in between we were faster than our 40 minutes guestimate. We completed the race in just over 30 minutes.

Needless to say, we didn't win. But we didn't lose either. The loser missed their estimate by more than a half hour. The winners, a team that had both done team-in-training events before missed their estimate by less than a minute.

We also had to recommit, meaning we had to guarantee the fundraising goal in order to continue training. I signed all the forms and wondered what I should do to raise the rest of the money. I guess I'll be having a garage sale soon...

Ride and Tie

Today was the Ride and Tie race put on by our Team in Training coaches. A ride-n-tie race involves teams. Two partners share a bike, tag teaming between riding and running. We met very early this morning in the cold at Bay Front Park in Menlo Park, CA. There was a costume requirement so me and my team mate played Good and Evil. I was the angel of course ;-)

The race starts with the bikers ahead of the runners. After a short distance the biker jumps off the bike and takes off running. The partner then jumps on the bike once they reach it, pass the running partner and after a short distance jumps off and then starts running. The teams continue this process until they come back to the start. At the start the partners meet up and run up a hill where they must complete a task.

Once the task is complete, the teams head back down the hill and do the loop again. My partner and I did about 4 swaps during the 2.2 mile loop. We actually finished the loop pretty well with us passing each for the last time at the parking lot. We didn't do so well on our tasks, earning only 1 point of the three challenges.

We only did three loops due to time. Only 3 teams actually completed the intended 4 loops. After the race we met another Honoree, person fighting the cancer battle who has been directly helped by funding from Team-in-Training. He told us his story and I couldn't believe the struggle he was having to endure in order to survive. I imagined what it must be like to have to watch your husband or worse, your child have such an experience. What he described sounded like torture but somehow he continued to fight because he says, he wanted to live. I prayed I would never have to see this first hand. I was thankful to have met him.

After the practice the team usually meets up for a "Hang with the Gang" lunch. I usually don't go because I want to get back to the kids, but since Cookie was nice enough to drive me, I went along today. It was fun to meet people, but I realized I was not good at small talk anymore. Seems if you don't have kids I'm not really sure what to talk about with you. I can't believe I'm really one of those people now.....

A mini-Tri?

A friend of mine told me about her training days where she runs from the Sun office to the NASA pool at Moffett Field, swims 20-30 laps and then runs back to the office. I thought that sounded awesome and hoped I could do the same one day. Today I decided to try and meet Sophia at the pool.

I changed my clothes at the Google gym on Salado Dr and took off running. I was supposed to leave by 3pm but of course I was late. After running a 1/2 mile to main campus I grabbed a Gbike and rode to the Crittenden campus. I left the bike in the parking lot and crossed the bridge to the trail. I ran along the NASA fence and to the front gate. Jeff met me along the way to give me money in case they didn't take credit.

I ran to the pool and Sophia had also just arrived. It was a total of 3.5 miles from my office, good to know. I signed up for a membership and showered off before getting into the pool. I had to run with a bag the whole way. It wasn't comfortable so next time I plan to get a locker so I can keep the stuff I need there. An annual membership was $80 and I bought a prepaid swim card for $50.

We started swimming and Sophia is a much better swimmer than me. I went slow and tried to remember all the drills from the TnT training sessions but my memory was fuzzy. I thought I would practice using a kick board but realized I wasn't sure how to do that. Each holding position I tried felt awkward.

During the swim I realized that if I looked down instead of forward my butt would pop up and my body would be in a better position. I tried hard to do this but its really not a natural feeling. I automatically want to look where I'm going. Also watching the bottom of the pool while swimming is a little freaky, especially as you move into the deep water and go over the dropoff. I know its only 10-12 feet but its mentally a trip.

I only did 7-10 laps. I figured this was mentally all I could handle and I still had to run back. Given that this was my first time doing it, I wanted to not overdue it. It was nice to catch up with Sophia and we agreed to try this again next week if possible. I took a quick shower and grabbed my things, envious of Sophia's locker, and took back off towards the office.

When I ran past the bike I'd left, I talked myself into riding back to the office. This was pretty easy since the sun was going down and I still had to pick up the kids and Jeff (one car is a challenge). I went back to the gym and changed into some warm clothes. I wieghed myself on the way out and was kinda disappointed that I've not really lost any weight.

I'm happy with this combination workout and I'm looking forward to improving next time.

Wrecking Havoc on the Workouts

What does getting in a car accident do to your workout schedule? I've not worked out since getting in a 5 car accident, 101 northbound on my way to drop off the kids before work. It was scary
having the kids with me. Luckily my car is a tank and took the impact pretty well. Unfortunately we had to take it directly to the shop since it was not safe to drive.

I was feeling pretty bad about the lack of workouts so this morning PJ and I decided to run a 5K. I was unsure how we would do but headed toward the Guadalupe River Trail anyway. The first mile was a pain but PJ was kind and stayed right with me.

The second mile was great! I felt really good. This is the reason people run. I remembered what my previous trainer, who ran many marathons. He said the first few miles are always bad and you just have to push through. So I was optimistic about the next mile.

The third mile got harder. I guess I'm not at the level where I can easily run a 5K. PJ continued to stay with me and even ignored the other dogs on the trail!!?!!? When we finished the big loop on the trail I thought I would sprint the last quarter mile. This turned out to be a mistake. PJ got so excited that he ran down the levee, pulling me across the trail and nearly off the levee. I had to drop to the ground to avoid tumbling down the hill. PJ then ran up the hill and gave me a big lick since I was now at eye level. Crazy Dog!

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2440044 After taking a short break, we headed back home the long way.

There is always time for a workout

Its really easy to talk yourself out of working out. Today Jeff called and said he would pick up the kids. It was almost 5 and I was wrapping up things at work and thought to myself I should go to the gym before heading home. Read some email, got a drink, talked to some coworkers... now it was after 5. I thought it was too late and I should get home to the kids.

I was talking to Chris as I was leaving saying how I wish I would have just gone to the gym, and he told me that I was crazy thinking I didn't still have time and I should just go. So I did.

It was a great workout. I followed Erin's exercise plan but put the exercises in pairs to save time (instead of taking breaks between each set, I just worked a different muscle). I finished the workout in 45 minutes and was driving home by 6pm. I was so glad that I didn't talk myself out of it again and was surprised how easy it was to actually fit it in. I will need to continue to remind myself that I actually do have an hour to spare.

Taking advantage of our pool

I finally made it to the neighborhood pool. I kept thinking it would be too cold. We always have wind and even though the pool is heated its really cold even in the summer. I was surprised how not cold it was this morning. There was actually no wind and once I got swimming I didn't feel cold at all.

I did my drills including bi-lateral breathing (love the pool bouy), full stroke, chicken arms, 3:6, gliding, etc. I definitely used my pool bouy and when I started to swim without it I forgot that you actually need to kick.

My kick needs work. I found some very helpful videos on YouTube to help me with my technique. I'm so sad that I finally took advantage of having a heated pool in the neighborhood and its the last weekend the heat will be on. Oh well I got some great advice on places to swim for the rest of the season...

Turkey day workout

So I've been running with the dogs the past few days. They really rub it in that I'm not a great runner. They take off and get about 100 yards ahead of me then turn around and race back, then head out again. After doing this a few times they lay down and wait for me to catch up only to take off again. That sucks!

This training thing is Hard! I feel like I'm wobbling everywhere that I go. I feel like I'm getting worse not better. I really want to be successful at this but I'm wondering if I have what it takes. People keep asking me what event is the hardest to me. I have no answer, its all hard!

My fund raising is at $1800.... I'm stressed that I'm not going to make my goal.... I still need to get a swim in.... My bike is in the shop.... MMMMMMMMMM, Turkey!

Saturday Bike Clinic

Today we had a bike clinic at Sports Basement in Sunnyvale. We had to bring out bikes, and helmut. I met up with Elisabeth there and she told me the workout was scheduled until 1pm. (Uh, there is no way I can leave the kids that long).

The first thing they did was pair people up who had a mountain bike and not, by height. I got paired with Britney... Apparently in a few weeks we are going to do a tag team race together swapping running and biking. Oh, and you have to wear a costume....(Do I fit in with these people?)

Then the team broke up into 3 groups. Tire Changing 101, Riding correctly, and Running. I did the first two but when I got to the running group I opted out. I needed to feed Riley and the thought of going for a run in that condition was not very comfortable, besides I already made plans for brunch.

I left the clinic early and met up with the Netsuite alumni. It was great to see everyone. I would have liked to stay for the entire workout but they really should tell us when the practice is planned for 5 hours. Not sure what happened after I left at 10:30....

Missed a workout

Even though I took this week off expecting to get a lot of training in, I missed the workout tonight. I did get a gym weight training workout in and I went on a few runs but tonight was just too hard. The kids are sick and I didn't have a sitter for Riley. Jeff was really tired because he took over in the middle of the night when Riley got up. I took Cameron to gym class.

I really have to figure out this scheduling thing. I still haven't been able to get a swim in on my own. Bruce did tell me about the Mountain View pool and highly recommended it. Its closer than the Menlo Park pool and cheaper. Our pool is having its heater turned off this weekend....

Back to the Pool

Tonight was a coached workout at the Burgess Pool. They said to bring clothes to change into but I didn't think that meant to continue the workout. I brought comfy clothes to drive home in. Anyway, the workout included a swim and core workout. Those that ran first last Saturday were going to swim first tonight.

Uh, that means I'll be wet when I do the core workout, that sucks!

The water was heated but it still felt pretty cold out. My goggles filled with water on the first 25 yards and man I was pretty winded. I tried to tighten them and pop, the strap broke. (Okay I think tonight is going to suck.) I swam back to the other side and borrowed some goggles but all of them kept fogging up. I was really struggling in the water. I didn't swallow much water but I couldn't seem to get a rhythm going...

Coach Meggen brought out the pool buoy (I love that thing), but still I could not seem to figure it out. The coaches gave us a few more drills to practice... Uh, I'm not sure I'm going to remember these.

Finally it was time to get out and do the core workout. (Oh my god its cold out here.) Luckily the core workout was pretty simple. The hardest thing for me was the lower abs leg lifts, but it felt good.

Coach Meggen asked me to get a swim in at least a few times a week.....I'll try...

Captain's Workout

I actually made it to Foothill College for the Captain's workout after all. Sonya called me this afternoon and said she could watch Riley while I went to the workout and I jumped at the chance. Elisabeth got there really early and got some extra running in. I got there about 20 minutes late and the team was on the other side of the track. I quickly did some stretches and took off to try and catch up to them. They were doing lunges so I figured I could run around and meet up with them..... Uh, they took after finishing the lunges so I was chasing them all the way around. Luckily when they got to the beginning of the track they were starting lunges again....

Gasp! Gasp! Gasp! Lunge 1, 2, 3. Ugh!

Carol was leading the workout and she had us run while picking up our knees really high (Wow, we look dumb). "Now run while kicking your feet to your butt" (Ah, yes this workout kicks our ass). "Now skip to the 100 ft mark" (Why don't we skip more as adults, this is way fun). "Okay Run!"

Gasp! Gasp! (I'm not going to make it)

After finishing this lap we had to pair up and share an embarrassing holiday story. I totally couldn't think of one. It seemed liked all the other stories started out with "Once when I was drunk..." but I couldn't even think of one of those. The only thing I could think of was my terrible birthdays as a child including the party that got flooded out, which sucked btw. Elisabeth guessed, after hearing this story, that this is probably why I don't have b-day parties...

Run for 5 minutes, walk for a few minutes....(repeat) Okay, Carol cannot count minutes. I'm watching the time and her clock is way off, or is it mine.

After 4 more laps the workout was over. I was happy to stretch and get back home.

A bike ride

So the Team in Training team were off to a bike ride today up on Foothill. But its a weekend and giving up my afternoon with the kids for a workout is not really something I feel like I want do. Instead we decided to have a family workout. Cameron and I took a bike ride. She got in her seat with her helmet and we decided to take a ride to the airport.

Daddy, Riley, and PJ followed on foot. Cameron and I rode around the neighborhood and then headed to the Guadalupe River trail. We rode to the airport and back. Daddy was behind us and by the time we got back to him, Cameron was ready to get out of the bike. We told daddy we would meet him at the playground at Thamian Park.

The ride was probably only 6-7 miles but it was fun to do it with Cameron. She pointed to the ducks and sang me a song, ABCs of course. Cameron played on the playground, in the sand, and watched the tennis players until Daddy got back. Then we all went home together to have lunch.

I really want a new bike but I want to do more training before I go spend a bunch of money. I definitely don't want to use my mountain bike for the race.

Workout at Burgess Pool

Bright and early this morning I was off to Burgess Pool for a run and swim workout. I was dreading this more than anything else. I had big plans to follow the workout schedule to a tee, but of course life got in the way this week. I've done nothing since the Tuesday run, and well that was an easy one.

We started with a stretch and the run. I am by default a pretty competitive person and had to remind myself this workout was not a race and I had to focus on getting in shape for the actual race. My goal was to run the whole time, no matter how fast. Pace, Pace, Pace, Breath, Breath, Breath. Lots of people ran right by me and I resisted trying to keep up with them. I reminded myself that I was in the middle of the pack which was fine. As we ran through the streets I had to resist the urge to walk. I kept telling myself I would only stop if forced, the stop lights. I watched the runners ahead of me stop at the lights and without fail (all 6 times) I arrived just as it turned green. No rest for me.

During the run I thought of Riley and Cameron. I thought that reaching goals I've made for myself was really important and it was up to me to set a good example. I was thrilled when I made it back to the park, through the parking lot, and to the pool without stopping. I was scared of the swim before, but now it didn't matter I had already reached a goal.

Now to the pool. My problem with swimming is I can't do laps. I just can't get that breathing thing down. I've had several people tell me what I should do, but I still can't breath. The swimming coach told me the same thing everyone else had, "pivot your body, pull your hip out of the water" but still I swallow water. I pivot but I'm still underwater. I was thinking to myself, my butt must be like an anchor.

Finally the coach took an interest and immediately spotted the problem. My butt was sinking and therefore I was not above the water in order to take a breath. Duh! So Meggen gave me a pool buoy. I put it between my legs and just worked on the stroke and breathing. Oh my god I love that thing. It was the first time I've ever been able to take a proper breath during laps. Apparently my problem is with my kick, but I was given drills to practice breathing on both sides.

The coach was great and I really felt like it was a breakthru. I finally knew what I was doing wrong which is the first step after all. It was a great day and I have still have time to have breakfast with the family.

The first workout

The first workout meeting was not really what I expected. We all checked in and met our mentor groups. Everyone on my team was really cool but our mentor was still in Vegas "recovering" from his first Ironman race.

The coaches, captains, and staff had some team building activities plan. We were given a scavenger hunt. Since we were at Foothill College's track, it required us to find items from our car. I was only able to contribute: an air freshener that I stole from Cookie's car, and an apple core which was the only fruit any of us could come up with. If there had been baby toys, I would have kicked butt.

After the activities we actually started to run, but we had to meet new people every time the whistle was blown. I met some cool people including Carol who was almost twice my age and doing her 10th triathlon. I also met a few other moms and people who were equally inexperienced as me. The running was very light and those that have done other TnT events stated, "this will be the last time workouts will be easy..."

The Fitness Test

So today, courtesy of Google, I was given a fitness evaluation. I was really dreading this. 5 months ago I gave birth to Riley and during that pregnancy I didn't work out and I gained 75 pounds. This was surely not going to go well. The test consists of getting a Resting Baseline and body measurements, then doing some exercises to test Cardiovascular Efficiency, Strength Endurance, and Flexibility.

I met Erin, one of the Google trainers and we started with the measurements. Height, RBP (resting blood pressure), RHR (resting heart rate) were fine. Weight and age, were annoying, but to be expected. Body Composition was 25.57% which is Good (range for good is 24.1-28%). I was really surprised at this, I sure do feel mostly fat. Waste to Hip Ratio .84, I think it should be better but its healthy.

Strength Endurance part I (push-ups) was average, which was okay because I just did enough to be average. The tendonitis in my wrist has been doing much better and I didn't want to risk it. Strength Endurance part II (abs) were excellent. I can do crunches all day but still no six pack, probably the chocolate. I also tested "very good" for flexibility, but then there was the bad news.

Not a big surprise but my Cardiovascular Efficiency was "Below Average." I think this has always been the case. This is the area I'm going to have to work the hardest at, and its absolutely what I hate the most. Erin gave me a strength building workout to try and follow in addition to the Team-in-Training program (mostly cardio). We're going to do this test in a few weeks to see how I'm doing.

Strength Workout

3 sets 10 reps each

1. Ball Squats
2. Chest Press Machine
3. Row Machine
4. Tricep Pulldowns
5. Lat Pulldowns (seated on stability ball)

2 sets of 10

1. Step-taps - Shoulder Press
2. Step-taps - Bicep Curls

2 sets of 15

1. Glute Heel Pushups
2. Hip Raises

2 laps of walking lunge

Abdominals

1. 3 sets of 12 ball crunches (both middle and side)
2. 3 sets of 15 lower body bicycle
3. 2 Planks (holding for a minimum of 30 seconds)
   

Team in Training Kickoff

Today was the Winter Season Team in Training kickoff meeting. The president talked about what Team in Training is and the programs they support. We were introduced to people fighting cancer and heard the details of one Honoree's struggle. We met the staff, coaches, mentors who would be supporting our training and of course supporting our efforts to fund raise. My goal was to do a triathlon and raise money for a cause, but watching the honorees, many with their kids made me realize I was part of something really important.

Cookie was there right with me. She can't believe I'm getting her to do this, but its going to be so much fun doing this together. We both set goals for ourselves, finish, lose weight, meet new people, and laugh a lot. I think its going to be a real struggle because....well, we don't really like to run, bike, or swim ;-)

While I feel really intimidated I think I'm ready. I set this goal 3 years ago. I got a trainer and then got pregnant. Cameron is awesome. After she turned one, my friend Joanie convinced me to run a half-marathon, I figured that would kick off my training again, but I got pregnant (I did the race but unknowingly I did it at 10 weeks). Now Riley is 5 months, and its just time. I don't really have any excuses. My coach seems great, my team is motivated, and Dr Medina made sure I was done with the kids. Google just gave me 12 weeks with a nutritionist and a fitness evaluation so the timing is perfect. All I have to do is the work.