I lied...

There is no way I can swim tonight, I can barely breathe!  My sore throat turned in to a stuffy/runny nose today and I'm talking like a life long smoker...

Monday

Today I was feeling a bit better, I developed a sore throat over the weekend.  I worked an extra long day, but Greg helped me adjust my bike a bit, and I rode it on the trainer on the patio for a while, then did a quick (for me... :) ) quarter mile jog around the grass.
Tomorrow = swim!  I mean it this time too!!!

Ugh!

This morning I irritated my neck again.  I played in the pool a bit with the girls, but that is the extent of my working out today :(
I hurt, even after icing... I'm going to take some medicine and go to bed...

Why do you do triathlons?

This question can be asked in many ways.  Because people are curious about a lifestyle they aren't familiar with, because people can't imagine how much work and effort it is and want to understand, and other positive reasons.  The worst is the one from your family and friends asking in such a way to make you feel like it means nothing but a distraction from them, from other responsibilities.
I got into it because I had nothing that was mine, nothing that was just me.  I was part of the family, wife, mom, and there was no Chris anymore.  I needed something to be positive about, to try for, to succeed at, as ME.  I do it to feel good about myself, the training is hard, the motivation is hard, but I continue on even when I don't do my best, because I have a goal for me and it allows me to feel some control over what I do.  I HAVE A GOAL!!  For this reason alone I should be supported.  I should not be questioned about why, in such a way that it is discouraging to me.  Be "encouraged" by saying, you don't try hard enough, if you aren't in it to win then why do it? 
I do it because I need to do SOMETHING!
In a book I read last night, the most important thing to say is "I AM A TRIATHLETE"  So that is going to be my new answer when people ask, why?
So, when you ask me, and I respond by saying, because I am a triathlete, don't get mad, don't be rude, don't discourage (whatever your reason may be).  Say~ "That's great, I hope you have a great race!"

Thursday

No swimming, my neck hurts a bit, but my back is really tight.  I think too much bending over yesterday.  I did walk 2 miles today.  Tomorrow I'll do better.

Wednesday Bike Ride

Today I was a little sore from the lifting yesterday, but did manage to go for the bike ride I had planned.  We rode for 45 minutes, 6 1/4 miles, with me pulling the girls all but the last hill back to the house.  My legs were sore, and I did not like getting back on the mountain bike after riding my awesome tri-bike.  I finished the evening with an hour of weeding in the garden and I'm going to try to watch one of my Total Immersion DVDs that I checked out from the library. 
Tomorrow = swim!! 
Saturday is supposed to be a simulation day, but since I haven't been working out, I'm going to postpone it a week or two (or three..., oh wait, then it will be race weekend!)

After the Workout

We went to the gym, I knew I wouldn't be up to the full workout, so we did a circuit of all the machines.  I did nearly the lowest weight on all of the upper body things and my neck did get a little sore.  Then we did elliptical for 10 minutes, and my legs hurt :(.
24 days, and I will NOT be ready!  I got some videos from the library, the total immersion series hopefully they will help to improve my swimming. 
Well, I'm off to ice my neck for a while.  Tomorrow, I want to swim a bit and maybe get on the bike in the evening if it is a nice night. 

Tuesday

Today, I'm going to resume working out!  I'm not going to attempt to do my scheduled workout, but I'll do SOMETHING and that is a start!  I did yesterdays workout just fine, it was a recovery day... lol :)

Day 10

Today is Day 10 of my neck pain.  Mostly it is a dull pain with sharp pains that catch me off guard when I turn my head suddenly or pick up the girls.  At my appt today I learned a few new stretches to do.  Lets speed this healing up already!!!  I took a two plus hour nap this afternoon with my neck pillow, and I feel okay this evening.  A few more days and I'm going to go crazy!  29 days till ChelanMan. 

News

I finally got a call back from the ChelanMan registration people, they have switched my registration to the sprint distance.  I'm sad, but a little relieved.  I have a year to get ready for the olympic race next year, and a two sprint races in 4 weeks... I hope my neck feels well enough to get back to working out.

Pain and Bacon

I walked 2 miles this morning, and I hurt :(.
Pushing the bike trailer stroller was okay until I had to go uphill...
I'm going to treat myself to one of my favorite foods as a treat.  Bacon here I come!

After the appt

I have been banned from working out for at least another week!!! NO swimming, NO biking, NO running.  AAARRRGGGG!!!!  I am in pain this evening, so it's probably a good thing, but come ON!  I'm going to be so behind :(

Afternoon...

I know this morning I said I was ready to start working out... but after sitting at my desk all day, I'm really hurting.  I do have a chiropractor appt today at 330, so maybe that will help.  As of now, I don't think I'm ready for much working out.  Maybe a bit of yoga or walking... we'll see :(

Good Monday Morning!

I'm ready for a new week, and getting back to working out.  I'm feeling much better today, a little pain, but well enough to look forward to working out!  32 days 16 hours and 30 minutes to ChelanMan!

Saturday

I'm feeling a bit better every day.  I didn't get a workout in today, but maybe tomorrow!  99 readers as of this post.  Sorry it's not more interesting, I'll get back to working out soon!  :)

Friday

I'm feeling about the same as yesterday.  I thought I was doing better this morning, till I vacuumed and did laundry.  Now I'm more sore than earlier today.  I will think seriously about a little Wii yoga a little later, but don't bet on it :).
I did not hear back from the ChelanMan people about changing my registration.  Maybe over the weekend I'll know more.

Nighty Night

My second chiropractor appointment since my little injury went much better.  I felt bad for Dr. Colby as he says, "I thought about you all last night."  I sure hope I didn't ruin his night along with mine and Greg's.  It's nice to know that you aren't just a chart, but a person.  I can move around a bit more now, still in pain, but at least I can look around.  The girls will be home with me tomorrow so I hope that I can handle that. 
Also, on another note.  I wrote the ChelanMan contact an email today requesting to change my registration from the olympic distance to the sprint distance.  I just don't think I'll be ready, especially after this week.  I want my experience to be positive, and I'm really scared that I would be unable to finish the race and/or hurt myself trying.  I don't know if they will let me or not, I'm crossing my fingers.  I'll have to make it my goal for next year. 
Goodnight everyone. 

p.s. Dr. Colby Smith is with Spinal and Sports Care Clinic in Spokane Valley, I highly recommend him and Dr. Shirley.  http://www.spinalandsportscare.com/

June 10

My neck is feeling surprisingly better, I can move my head to each side a bit and even look up!  It was hard to find a comfortable way to sleep, but I managed with help from the vicodin.  Today will be more relaxing and keeping it still, and a doctors appt at 345. 
Last night we had to make our third trip to the doctor for the day, Selena has an ear infection :(, we had the same nurse and same doctor that I had seen in the morning.  She had a rough night, hopefully the antibiotics will make today easier on her. 
I got some tri books from the library, so I'll have lots of material to read while I sit around.  THAT's how this is going to help my training! 

Did I say awful night??? I meant awful day!

After my earlier post, I seem to have injured myself.  After not even being able to dress myself, I called Greg to come home and help me with the girls and take me to the chiropractor.  Diagnosis... Cervical sprain, Cervical segmental dysfunction, Thoracic segmental dysfunction, Lumbar segmental dysfunction, Sacral somatic dysfunction, Upper extremity segmental dysfunction. (Really?? that doesn't sound right)
Basically, I can't move my head, AT ALL, or lift my right arm over my shoulder.  I'll admit, I cried... especially when the doctor asked if I could lay back on the table (by the way, no, I couldn't do it).
There was nothing he could do for me except massage the muscles to get them to stop spasming, it didn't work.   Alternate ice and heat and come back tomorrow, and if the pain is bad, go to urgent care and get a perscription for the pain.
So that's what I did, the second doctor confirmed what the chiropractor said, but said NOT to do ice and heat, that it wont help.  Wrote a prescription for vicodin and sent me home to sit and do nothing. He also asked if I would like a neck brace, which I politely declined...
I guess, it will take at least 3 days for this to work itself out, possibly have pain for longer, it all depends.
The one good thing about it is I got a QP with Cheese for lunch, and now I can read or watch tv or sleep the rest of the day.
And for the big question... "How is this going to help my training?"
IT'S NOT!!!  None of it is, and I'm not to happy about it.

Awful Night

I need to figure out a more filling snack, or something.  I was hungry before bed, but fell asleep anyways.  Then at 1, my darling daughter woke up and was crying, but wouldn't say why, finally by 230 she was back to sleep.  The whole time I felt like throwing up, because my stomach was so unhappy.  I'm starving this morning!  Off to find something to eat!

End of the day

I hear a QP with Cheese calling "eat me, eat me"  and an order of fries doing the same. 
I was strong and when I wanted a chocolate snack a little bit ago, I got a calcium chew instead of candy...
The workout this evening was good, I swam 25 laps (1250 meters) and then enjoyed stretching out in the water.  A few minutes on the treadmill till Greg and the girls picked me up was nice too.  My legs are still tight, and although I'm not sore, when I stretch I ache.
Tomorrow is a bike run transition day, I'd like to take the girls for a ride in the trailer while I ride, so hopefully the weather will be nice enough after work.

Sweaty Jog/Walk

I just jogged half a mile and walked half a mile, it is HOT!  Whew, I can really feel it in my legs too.  I wish I hadn't lost the ant stick for my garmin monitor, I had to order a new one last night, so I can't even look at my little graphs and be proud of myself... In a few days I'll have a lot to download/upload, whatever it is doing :).  My MP3 player was all charged up and I listened to Def Leppard and Van Halen... love those guys!

Breakfast ended up being chocolate chip pancakes, no lunch yet, I'll go figure something out now.

USA-Triathlon Tips...

Essential #7: Sunglasses – Eye protection can truly make your race much more comfortable. Have your favorite pair of sports shades ready at T1 and enjoy. (But maybe steer clear of racing in fashion shades; there’s nothing funnier than watching someone cross the finish line in cop shades or their new Dior’s.)

That's me... although my glasses are not new Dior's... just my $10 Kohl's specials... LOL the guy did make fun of me over the mic when I crossed the finish line...  Hear that Greg.. now I need new glasses to go with the new wetsuit! :)

http://www.usatriathlon.org/refresh/resources/multisport-zone/multisport-lab/ten-race-day-essentials-for-triathletes

June 8th

I can move this morning!  I'm not too sore at all, the girls were good and built pillow forts while watching Dragon Tales this morning, and I got to take a bath!  Now to pick up the house and make breakfast... I'm thinking bacon, eggs, and fried potatoes... which probably will translate into Belgian waffles.  No strawberries for the top though.  I need to get to Costco, I need protein bars and strawberries!  Today's schedule indicates Swim workout C and Run workout A.

Sleep

I'm off to bed, I just did 32 minutes of Wii Fit Yoga... I am sore!  Hope I can move in the morning!
On a side note, I made a triple berry smoothie with homemade almond milk and flax seed.  It was great... I love my new blender that does it all!  

For Sean...
I've had a couple plain eggos, a luna bar (smores) and chamomile tea, pb and j for lunch, with string cheese, and peppermint tea, and dinner was spinach and cheese ravioli and grilled cod, with almond milk and chamomile tea.
I'm still starving... what I really want is a quarter pounder with cheese, a large fry, and a vanilla frosty... I'll probably make a berry and flax seed smoothie and  chips with pico de gallo...

Training Schedule

Green = Run
Blue = Swim
Red = Bike
Purple = Resistance Training
X= Day Off
B = Blue Zone Training
G = Gray Zone Training

June 7th, Radiant Lake, The Aftermath

Ah.... I slept okay. I'm a little sore, in the hips, and my leg muscles are super tight. I would have loved to soak in a hot bath, but Selena was up at 6 and I didn't get the chance.
I am starving! I'm going to make some breakfast, and follow some advise I read in one of the tri-training books, I will think the following thing before I eat anything "How is this going to help my training?"
Today on the schedule, I'm supposed to have the day off. I think I'll do a little Wii yoga tonight, and maybe jog a mile around the grass in the back. I'm posting a copy of my planned training, I will try to stick with it as much as possible, and post the actual workouts on the google calendar at the bottom of my blog. I'll also try to figure out how to post pictures...

June 6th, Radiant Lake Triathlon

Today, June 6th, 2010 I competed in the Radiant Lake Triathlon in Rathdrum, Idaho. It was a sprint distance race. Last year I did the Race the River Triathlon in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, also a sprint tri, and had a great time. I decided for a goal this year, I wanted to do an Olympic distance race because the sprint seemed pretty easy last year (even though I’m not particularly fast, my body didn’t feel too taxed). So, I registered for the ChelanMan Olympic race on July 17th.

Today was a totally different story from last year’s race. I decided Wednesday night that I should do this race, after waffling about it since it was first announced. I read that the water temperature was expected to be 68 degrees, not warm by any means, but doable. The water temperature was posted at 60 degrees last week. This did sound cold, but since I swim fairly well, and have done longer distances in the pool recently, I didn’t think it would be too bad, I was wrong. I was one of two people out there today without a wetsuit. Everyone looked at me like I was a crazy person, I thought, I’ll be fine. Then the announcer says, “All non-racers need to leave the transition area now. If you aren’t wearing a wetsuit that means you.” Ummm…. Does that mean racers who are too dumb to know better should leave now too? A few minutes go by, and again the announcer says, “If you are not wearing a wetsuit you need to leave the transition area now, all non-athletes must leave the transition area.” Wow! Now he’s talking to me in two ways. He must not realize that I don’t consider myself an athlete either. This did nothing to reassure me that the race was going to be fun.

I wandered down to the water, stuck my feet in, and again got “the look” from most of the other racers. “The look” was the look of shock that there was someone stupid enough to attempt this swim without a wetsuit. I was hoping that I wasn’t the only one, and I wasn’t, there was a man racing who was just in tri shorts and a Garmin chest strap (at least I had my chest strap under my tri suit tank top!).

After the last minute instructions, the gun went off and the first wave of racers started. Three minutes later, a horn sounded and the second wave started. This was it, three minutes to get acclimated enough to the water to begin swimming when the horn sounded again. I treaded water thinking, “I can do this, I can do this.” When the horn sounded I took a breath and started swimming. I made about 15 strokes before I kept my head above water and felt like I was going to pass out. I was seeing pink caps pass me left and right and there was nothing I could do, every time I put my face in the water I felt like I was going to pass out. So I did what I never thought I’d do, I used my last resort, my sidestroke. I was cruising along at about ½ a mile an hour at least being able to breathe. I looked back and what I saw was open water, I was in last place. Looked to my other side and there was one pink cap alongside me, whew, I wasn’t last yet. The horn sounded for the last wave to start, and before I knew it, I was being passed by the purples. I almost gave up, I gave serious thought to doggy paddling to shore and laying there till someone came to rescue me, but decided I’m not quitting yet. Once I rounded the fountain and was headed back towards the starting point, I got into a rhythm with my breast stroke (which I consider my best stroke, and the one I fall back on when I need to catch my breath). I felt pretty good, I was able to get my face in the water and make smooth strokes, I even passed a few people, pinks, and an orange or two! Once I rounded the final corner I started having trouble again. It felt like I wasn’t moving. I didn’t think a headwind made a difference in swimming, but now I know it does. I swam my way to the exit and stumbled up the concrete pad, not even caring that I didn’t smile for the camera person. In transition, I felt like I was a walking ice cube, but I made it to my spot, the girls were there and came up to me and kissed me, I got my feet dried off and shoes on, there were other women near me getting their gear and told me good job. I appreciated the encouragement; I was colder than I have been in a long time. I got my bike off the rack, and pushed it out of transition. When I hopped on, I couldn’t get my foot into my new pedal strap thing, finally got it and started the 13.9 mile ride.

My speedometer wasn’t working, which really bothered me, I like to know how far I’ve gone, so I can talk to myself about being half way there… no luck, I just had to ride and hope for the best. As I left the development area, I saw my in-laws pulling in to watch me race, it was nice of them to come watch, and nice that they got to see me before I was out on the course. I came upon a mile marker sign a while later, I was thinking I was doing pretty well, till I realized that it wasn’t saying two miles left, but that I had only gone two miles…. Ouch! I got through the 11.9 remaining miles by alternately crying and asking myself why I got myself into this mess, and singing a song from one of my girls favorite movies, I’m sure you’ve heard it before, it goes something like this…

We can do it, we can do it, We can help our Cinderelly, We can make her dress so pretty, There's nothing to it, really, We'll tie a sash around it, Put a ribbon through it, When dancing at the ball, She'll be more beautiful than all, In the lovely dress we'll make for Cinderelly
Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry, Gonna help our Cinderelly, Got no time to dilly-dally, We gotta get a-goin'

Ah… Disney saved me again. :) Once the bike was over, which really didn’t end up being that bad, it was back to transition, took off my helmet, grabbed some shot bloks and was on my way. I gave a half hearted jog till I was away from the people, and then walked. I kept an eye on my monitor, and kept my pace at less than a 15 minute mile. Once in a while I’d jog a little bit, but I mostly walked. When I neared the 2 mile mark, a nice lady caught up to me and we started chatting. It was great to have someone to jog and walk with, it helps me motivation wise to have someone with me. Thank you Cassie for helping me keep up the motivation at the end!
I finished the race, I survived, which is saying something because when I was in the water I seriously didn’t think I’d make it. Watching the awards made me feel pretty proud that I had competed with some really great athletes! My final times were: 25:44 swim, 3:55 T1, 55:56 bike, 1:08 T2, 40:14 run with an overall time of 2:06:57. I got 98th place out of 106 athletes, but I finished!

As I was packing up my space, I kept hearing, “great job, I don’t think I could have done it without a wetsuit,” and “You’re the one that didn’t have a wetsuit, right? Great Job!” and other similar compliments, it was nice to hear, and nice to know I made an impression, lol.

On the drive home, I began thinking that an Olympic distance race in 5 weeks probably isn’t the easiest goal, but I’ll up my training and see what happens. I’ll check into avoiding “the look” and getting myself a wetsuit… and maybe start running a bit. And when the going gets tough, I’ll just remember… We can do it, we can do it… hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry, gonna help our Cinderelly, GOT NO TIME TO DILLY-DALLY, WE GOTTA GET A-GOIN’

Keep me honest, all you readers, you obviously know me, or you wouldn’t be reading this, so poke and prod and scold me, I need all the motivational help I can get! Stay tuned!