After the award ceremony, notice the bling

After the toil and turmoil that was my last race I was leery to sign up for anything else for a while. Then along came this multistage, spaced out through the day, less than a sprint tri race (10 km bike, 400 meter swim, 5 km run). Hmmm maybe I should do it. Okay I’ll sign up.

The order of this race is a bit kooky since they have a town festival going the same day. The bike is first so the roads can be cleared of riders before the normal, sane people are out of bed. It was a bit chilly so I kept my team jacket on. They started the riders off in two waves, the first wave was the group that was doing the longer version of the race called the Man of Steel (30km bike, 800 m swim and a 10 km run) the kind of irritating thing is that they did not adjust the time of the second wave by the 2 minutes or so that we waited to begin. As you see I am getting a bit competitive, no timing chips in this local fun race. Mark reminded me that all of my direct competition was at the same time disadvantage. The bike went really, really  well. I was able to surge ahead and keep up with some teenager types. I felt good and I knew it was only a 10 km ride, hilly though, and I had promised Mark that I would leave it all out on the course. According to my watch I did the 10 km in 19:34. Really happy since there is a pretty skookum hill in the middle of it.

Next came the swim. But first is the waiting around, as the events are separated by many hours. I knew that several of the ladies in my category were much stronger swimmers than me (wink Taryn, Bryn) so I just had to try my best. The challenge with most short distance events for me is that I need a fair amount of time to warm up and then I do well. 400 meter swim I can do that without drowning, sure. I got in and warmed up for a couple of lengths  and then started swimming. I felt like what my coach has described as the “crazy dog” too fast of stroke turn over, gasping breaths, and getting nowhere fast. My “turns” were terrible, did I mention this part was in the pool? I probably wasted 30-60 seconds with my turns. Oh well I got it finished and I wasn’t the slowest, not that I am competitive or anything.

After the swim I had a pretty good chance of getting a top 3 place, there were 8 participants in this category. I am ashamed to say that I googled the other lady who was close to my time to see what her 5 km run time was like. Again, competitive much? She had a fairly similar time to mine so it would just depend on how the run went.

My lovely friend Heather ran along with me in the run, I know pacing is wrong but you can’t have your medal back. Besides she said that was close to a PB for her on that course too. About half way through the race we had the dark horse behind us at a safe distance. From then we just booked it and tried to get the fastest time we could get. I was very pleased with the time and I definitely think that I left it all out there on the course. Time 29:08 I believe. Sub 30 min on  this hot and hilly course at the end of the day made me very happy.

my ever supportive family

My finish time was 58:23 sub 1 hour. With this time I was able to secure first place, something I have never seen before. Over the moon!!!! My hilarious friend Bryn came a close second with 44 seconds separating up. She totally killed the run knocking almost 10 min of her previous time. I gotta watch out for her.

with Mike who won his age group

I have to remind myself on those hard training days with the gang that are all more experience, lighter, stronger… that all my hard work with them pays off in spades when I bring my fitness level back to my peer group and as my coach said “crush the field”. he he he . That might be a bit braggy sounding for me but my new competitive self really likes the sound of it.

I have some great news about my latest 5 km race to share with you next time.

Cheers

Betty

cycling, running, swimming, triathlon cycling, running, swimming, triathlon

Here is the third and final portion of my harrowing first attempt at an Olympic distance triathlon, the run edition.

one last chug

After getting off the bike I knew how I would feel, my legs would be wobbly and feel like lead and my spirit would still be a bit down. Knowing these things I just got off my bike and started pulling off my cycling gear. I popped on my new runners with my “go faster” elastic laces, which are the total bomb by the way.

Elastic "go faster" laces

Off I go and the first part is an up hill, one of the few hills on this course. Hmmm not feeling too bad when are the lead legs going to come? … BOOM there they are. Just keep running, running, running. Got about a km in to the run and I needed to walk. Now I don’t like to walk in a running race, in fact it irritates me to walk and it irritates me when others walk and then end up beating me, but that is my own head trash. Part of the reason I don’t like to walk is that it is so hard to get myself motivated to get running again. For the first lap of the 5 km route I did a lot of run/walking. Near the end of the first loop Mark met up with me because he thought something had happened to me, like I had quit or something. He walked along side me for a while which just made me get choked up and I thanked him for the moral support but let him go on his way because I couldn’t stop crying. Weird!

Oh the stress of being a spectator, where is she?...

The second loop was much better. I was able to run a more than walk  and I even started to pass a couple of people. I kept a couple in my sights but I wasn’t able to catch up to them. All in all not a great example of my running ability, but then again it is not just a running race it is a triathlon and all of the disciplines influence each other. I wonder if I had not had such a brutal time in the swim if I would have had more psychological “energy” for the bike and run?

As I was coming up to the last corner I saw a mirage… One of my teammates (Gary S) was walking around the bend. He was coming to look for me. He stuck by me and encouraged me to keep running, bring it home. For some reason his presence didn’t make me cry.  He even called ahead to let someone know that I was almost at the home stretch. Coming down the finish chute was such a great feeling! I actually finished a race that I thought was over from the start. As I crossed the finish line I saw all of my friends and family there cheering me on and I teared up once again, such an emotional day, my goodness. I think I always have the best cheering group on any race. Mark, Mom, Dad, Meredith, Mike and Heather.

time should read 3:50:04 according to timing chip or close to that

If I ever wonder if paying for coaching is a good idea when I am such a newbie. I should just remember that my coach was at the finish line waiting for the very last one from the team to finish and gave me a big congratulatory hug. We are so lucky to live here in Penticton where we can train with great coaches and swim, bike and run on the Ironman Canada course.

coach Kev

I have a great post brewing about a confidence building race I just participated in. Stay tuned.

family, fitness, goals, running, swimming, triathlon family, fitness, goals, Mental health, running, triathlon

After getting out the the water at the WCOC Oliver Olympic triathlon and stumbling to the transition area I stood by my bike and sobbed. What do I do next… I am freezing, confused, demoralized. I looked up and there was Mark looking over the fence at me, encouraging me to get going, come on, finish this thing. I slowly flung my wetsuit over the rack, donned my bike gear, all the while blubbering. When I thought I was ready I looked up at Mark with a pathetic tear stained face and cried DO I HAVE EVERYTHING ON??? “Yes now get going!”

Of I went in a bit of a crowd with the Sprint distance athletes that had started the swim a considerable time after the Olympic athletes. At least I wasn’t completely alone starting the ride. All was well for a while until we reach the turn around point for the Sprint and all the sudden I was alone…, and I remained alone for the most part of the ride. It is difficult to ride alone, with nobody to catch or stay ahead of, you are truly racing yourself.

I did find that during the first bit of the ride I was still pretty demoralized from the swim experience, and I found myself having odd morbid thoughts. Like if I fell off my bike nobody would look down on me for having to pull out of the race. Having survived the harrowing swim I wasn’t going to let a silly 40km bike ride take me down. Besides I knew my family would be waiting for me along Blacksage road to cheer me on a take my picture. Better practice my smile.

As the ride went on I felt a bit more fluid and I even used the aerobars quite a bit. I even managed to catch up to a couple of people and pass them. I was super happy to round the corner to the transition area once again, but a bit concerned about setting off on the run course. Hello Lead Legs.

Stay tuned for the Run portion.

cycling, family, running, triathlon cycling, fitness, triathlon

This is me in grade 9 baby

I had a great week 2 of my new attitude and new weight loss goal.

Monday: Spinning 60 min

Tuesday: Running 30 min with dogs, Swimming 60 min with Masters club

Wednesday: Rest day working 12 hours

Thursday: Running 30 min at dark o’ clock, work 12 hours, Swimming 60  min with Master SO TIRED!

Friday: Rest day working 12 hours

Saturday: Cycling outside 40 km rode to OK falls via Maclean Creek Rd. 2 hours of riding (harsh headwind)

Sunday: Running 45 min didn’t feel too bad.

My eating was great while I was on the U turn plan and then for a couple of days after too. Come Friday I ate healthy all day and then at night a gave in to soft serve ice cream and apple pie. After our killer ride I gave in to sourdough bread and spinach dip but managed to have only one slice of pizza and a huge salad.

The key is to regroup from the small indiscretions and move forward with a plan. I was down to 178 which still leaves me 10 to lose in 3 weeks. I wonder what I will have to do to lose this weight. Obviously I am doing enough exercise! Just keep eating well and maybe kick up the intensity of the workouts. I don’t know…

Keep on keep’n on.

Cheers

Betty

cycling, fitness, goals, nutrition, running, swimming, triathlon, weight loss diet, fitness, goals, health, running, triathlon, weight loss rewards

Geocaching and having a giggle. Haven't tried geocaching? Google it, It's super fun.

I took things up a notch this week. I am using a system called U-turn from u weight loss, it consists of a kinda yucky shake (they warned me it would be yucky) sort of tastes like I might imagine infant formula tastes. I am also taking their kickstart product which is a supplement that helps the body flush toxins. I have to admit my energy has been much improved. I have also been much more diligent about taking my calcium, omega, vit D, and fiber as well. Is it annoying to take these supplements? Yes in a way but it is much more annoying to have no energy, be depressed and worry that an airplane seatbelt might not fit.

I don’t think that I will be taking these things forever. I will find the right balance of vitamins, minerals, supplements that work for me health wise, financially, time management.

My eating has been right on track. I am following the U turn recipes to a T. I am following a certain schedule and calorie level for the week and then I will gradually increase my calories over the next month to six weeks until I am at a maintenance level. Hopefully my weight will stabilize and I will be able to eat a normal, healthy amount of food while being active. I really am loving these recipes. I am running the risk of turning in to a chicken again so I am balancing it out with some shrimp too.

Exercise has been off the hook!

Monday: Spinning

Tuesday:Masters swimming (didn’t really like it but I did it)

Wednesday: Working days, walked to work

Thursday: Spinning at noon (testing day,hard!) Met with Olly and set up some triathlon coaching.

Friday: Rest day, thank goodness because I worked nights last night and tonight too

Saturday: 90 min swim with the tri group (never, ever thought I could keep swimming that long)

Sunday: 45 min  run with Mark, good a bit achy but not too bad once warmed up, geocaching with the girls FUN!

This chick is gonna be busy. I am going to have to make friends with 5:30 am to get my short run in during the week. I do not like getting up earlier than 6:00.

I am hoping to be at my new goal weight by the end of Feb. I lost 7 lbs the first week which I am sure was lot of water weight but at least it is off my body. I am going to weigh in tomorrow so I will let you know.

cycling, fitness, goals, nutrition, running, triathlon, weight loss body image, diet, fitness, nutrition, triathlon, weight loss

I finally did it! I went to a Masters swim session last night. We were running a bit late so we were going to just do our own thing and swim laps, then we met the lovely coach and decided to well just jump in with both feet.

Before I started thinking about triathlon I would have counted swimming as the least of my worries behind running and cycling with clip in shoes. Hmmmm…. swimming is going to be my biggest challenge. Considering that I breast stroked my entire swim portion of my  Sprint Triathlon. The lake was very angry that day but people beat me by 10 mins despite the conditions. I really need to work on my form and I think that will greatly improve my speed and ability to go harder and longer…thats what she said (obscure The Office reference).

To further analyze swimming I think there is an innate fear of drowning that makes me panic a bit. I have trouble breathing on my left side so I have to either breath every 2nd or 4th stroke. When I get tired every 4 strokes makes me feel like I am drowning. My goal is to learn how to breath every 3rd stroke, that would make life so much easier.

When I started running I felt like the odd man out with no stamina or technique, but now I can run a sub 30 min 5k. Therefore the swimming can only get better. I think I will visualize a strong, elegant stroke, breathing every 3rd stroke, having enough air to swim as long as I need to.

Here is to adding the final element.

fitness, running, swimming, triathlon blogging, fitness, triathlon, weight loss

My first 10k

I have been getting a bit worked up trying to meet a certain deadline with my weight loss.  I have decided to just chill and stop being so fixated. Just do what has been working well so far, enjoy the process and love the outcome.

The Law of Attraction is something I fervently believe in. So the more I fixate on not losing weight, the less weight will come off. Does that make sense?

I have been listening to  Bob Proctor, I downloaded his audio book It’s not about the money. It is a great book about a personal journey towards wealth, but it also talks about the laws of attraction, confidence, belief in what you want to do with your life.

I have become reinvigorated on my walks with the dogs. It feels like I have come full circle. I began my weight loss journey by walking along the channel with the dogs. I went for a walk today and just powered through the walk I used to get tired doing, and even went further to boot. It is super cold and windy but I find the walk so calming and enjoyable.

Since I started exercising I have progressed from walking short distances, to walking further and faster, to Nordic Walking, and then to running, which morphed in to triathlon. The sky is the limit now…What should I do next? There is a small kernel that is nagging at me like a tiny rock in your shoe on a long run. The kernel is a large triathlon that happens to take place in Penticton. I am not promising anything but I am starting the process by taking a spinning class with Triathlon coaches. I really need to work on swimming but one thing at a time.

This post might have become a little unfocused along the way but oh well. This is my forum.

fitness, ponderings, running, triathlon, weight loss body image, fitness, running, triathlon, weight loss

Jane's steady hand

I wasn’t sure if I should enter the Summerland Sprint Triathlon because my training was really slacking. I finally decided to just sign up and go for it. One of the factors that pushed my towards signing up was seeing my friend Liz when I was out shopping and she said she was going to do the race.  There are signs everywhere and we need to listen to them. So literally jumped in with two feet.

On the day of the race I felt organized, woke up on time, at a healthy filling breakfast, the kids and the dogs were well behaved. I didn’t really feel too nervous because I didn’t have too high of an expectation on myself. My main concern was the swim, and my fears were amped up when i saw the swells on the water. There were what looked like 2-3 foot  whitecaps . I really felt a sense of calm come over me I think it was because of the of the wonderful, spirited, kind women and men around me.  We struggled to enter the water because of the large slippery rocks we had to walk over to get to the swim start. Just as I was feeling a bit defeated my friend Bryn reached out and offered me her hand.

I breast stroked the entire swim. Every time I tried to front crawl I was hit in the face by a huge wave. I had to keep psyching myself up to keep going, it will be over soon…just keep swimming, swimming, swimming.

 Michelle M. and Me before the swim. I was one of 2 or three without a wetsuit

The bike was just fine. I can’t say that I hated it or love it. There was a crazy headwind while we were riding south, but there was a great tailwind as we were riding back north so it all kind of evens out. The bike worked out great. I can see how having riding shoes with clip on pedals would be advantageous and gears that shift smoother. I need to prove that I like the sport before I upgrade to a better bike. As you can see from the photo, I did keep smiling all the way through the race. Why do it if you are going to frown and grimace.

Me, Bryn, Liz and Dave

I never thought I would call myself a runner. I totally rocked the run, if I might say so myself. I came off the bike with the wobbly legs that I expected. After transition we headed up a hill right away!! Not a big hill but a hill none the less. What made it okay was the gaggle of family and friends at the top of the hill cheering  for me. Golly I am a lucky girl, so much support. As I was heading off on the run my legs were feeling like LEAD. I kind of knew to expect this so I just kept moving and over the next kilometer or so they loosened up and I started to pass people. Hmmm. What a feeling that was. I was wearing my new Newton running shoes and I had to keep reminding myself to try to run on the midsole so I would be putting less stress on my joints and I would be less tired. For the most part I was able to maintain this type of running style and I do think it helped with the energy return and fatigue.  I was very happy that I had run the course a few times with my friend Heather, so I knew what to expect. I was so excited and not really too tired when I rounded the last corner to head up the hill to the crowd near the finish. The finish loop was on the grass at the park. I could hear Steve King’s voice announcing the finishers names and my adrenaline started pumping harder. In the home stretch I nearly caught up to the runner in front of me.

I finished with a time of 1:45:13. I am really happy with my time and I do think that there is a tonne of room for improvement. I wonder how much time I could shave off next year?

Thank you so much to my family, friends, volunteers, fellow racers. I could believe how nice everyone was at the race. I asked Mark if everyone was so nice because it is a Sprint Tri and there is a lot of beginners,and he said “no that is just how triathletes are” I think I might like this sport.

Congrats to all of the fellow first timers who did the race. Michelle, Collette, Taryn, Bryn and the girls behind me in the line up.

Jane it was so nice to see your smiling face went I exited the swim, I wasn’t sure if I died and you were an angel and Mike and Heather, everywhere I turned there you were cheering me on.

Great big sweaty hugs for all

Betty

family, fitness, ponderings, running, triathlon, weight loss family, fitness, newton running shoes, running, triathlon, weight loss

I am too tired to write a big post about the amazing experience that was the Sprint triathlon today. I will give you a little taste  now and write a more descriptive one tomorrow.

I am really happy with my time of 1:45:12 the exact time might be a bit different but it is within a few seconds.

The swim was pure hell, something to be survived. I will elaborate, when I write more later.

Thank you so much to my friends and family who showed up to make me the most supported racer there. Thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers who made this day possible. Much love to all.

Cheers

Betty

family, fitness, running, triathlon family, fitness, health, running, triathlon

I found myself dreaming of transition mishaps last night. I couldn’t find my bike in the hundreds of bikes lined up in rows, in rooms and down hallways. I finally found the bike and then there was another problem…I have been trying not to think too much about this race and I wonder if I am going to be unprepared mentally. I am going to go over my clothing options again tonight as the weather is supposed to be 18 degrees and raining, not to meantion the water temperature. No I do not have a wetsuit yet. I do not want to commit to a $400 + peice of exercise gear before I am sure that I want to continue with the sport. I also have a bit of a freakout if I can’t get out of a piece of clothing easily I wonder how I will cope with a wetsuit which requires you to lie on your back like a vulnerable tutle and depend on others to free you from it’s latex grasp. It certainly is an idea I have to get used to.

I think the race will be fine. I have been taking it easy for the past few days as to not hurt myself before the race, so I am getting mentally antsy. My goal is to finish under 2 hours, I know that is a fairly generous goal but I would rather exceeed my expectations than fall slightly short.

If you are in Summerland on Sunday come see betty run and swim and bike. Adults race starts at 10:15.

Cheers

Betty

fitness, running, weight loss blogging, body image, nutrition, running, triathlon