The Journey to July 2012 begins this week

Here I am again! Cannot wait to participate in the Gals for Cal tri in July. I have been very bad about keeping the training up, but that all changed on Saturday. I put the training schedule on my iPad and calendar so I have a visual reminder every day of what I am supposed to be doing. I am hoping that by keeping a (better) digital digest of what I am doing it will keep me motivated on those very cold New England days that seem to last forever.

Last year my only goal was to finish the tri; I did not focus on time or techniques as much, I just wanted to cross that finish line. This year's goals are many:

1. Improve my overall time

2. Work on the swim!!!!!!

3. Increase strength/core body training

Saturday: 1st day back! Went to the gym and walked and tried to run on the treadmill for 30 minutes using the manual speed setting, so no inclines. Not my finest moment.....a lot more walking then running and only did 1.2 miles. Oh well, you have to start somewhere.

Monday: Kids and hubby were home, so I was able to get back to the gym on the last day of vacation. Hit the treadmill again with renewed determination. Set the treadmill to Cardio Level 2 for 30 minutes. Those inclines were tough, but I did 1.83 miles today.

Tuesday: One of the (many) areas that I did not focus on last year was overall strength/core training. So this year I am adding it into the routine. Today I did 15 minutes of ab and upper body resistance and weight exercises in the comfort of my own home thanks to Exercise TV On Demand.

Wednesday: Office day today, so I should have had no excuse to find time to go workout today. WRONG! Too cold to get motivated to go to the gym and workout. Not a good day.

Thursday: Was my scheduled "off" day

Friday: back to Yoga. I haven't been since October 7th, yikes!!!! Had an amazing practice today and the whole time kept wondering why I stopped making the time for yoga. It does an amazing job of working those muscles you didn't even know you had, plus the peacefulness and centering it brings is a great way to start the weekend.

So, aside from the mid-week hiccup, was a pretty good start to the training. Let's see what next week brings!

It's easier to swim when it's warm

For April vacation, we packed our bags and headed for sunny Key Largo in FL. After this winter weather, we were so glad to be somewhere warm where we could wear shorts. Since we were on the Gulf side of the island, the water was clear and blue and felt like bath water. If you don't believe me, check it out

I ended up doing my swimming drills 3 days of the trip. I swam 2 days in open water and 2 days in the pool and what a difference. The water was pretty calm with minimal waves, but I realized how without the sight line at the bottom of the pool I was all over the place in terms of direction. Hopefully with the swarm of people during the triathlon it will help to keep me in line.

Running was more problematic. I only ran twice, 1 time in the hotel gym (which was air conditioned) and 1 time outside. Running in 88 degree weather was not fun. My face was so red when I finished that I think the people around me thought I had a really bad sun burn. Luckily once I "cooled off" my face turned back to it's regular shade of pasty winter white.

So, even though I wasn't able to stick to my training schedule, I did do more than I anticipated, especially with swimming. It motivated me to get back to the pool for next week. So on Monday it will be back to usual in the Farley house and that will include the training schedule!

15 weeks!

Really????? Is it really 15 weeks until the tri????? When I think of July it seems so far away but looking at my workout schedule I realize that there is a lot to accomplish between now and the 24th.

Up until now I have been using a mash-up of different training schedules to get me "warmed up" since I hadn't reached any of the prerequisites on the tri-newbie's training schedule. Well I am happy to report that I have reached the running and biking start points, but swimming is still eluding me. Even though the tri-newbies schedule is for 11 weeks, I figure with school vacation week and kids sick time I better star now so that at the end I should be all set.

Last weeks workout stats:

Tuesday: running on treadmill, 40 minutes walk/run combo 3.3 miles

Wednesday: abs and arms workout, 30 minutes: very sore arms the next day!

Thursday: running with Cindy on treadmill, 40 minutes walk.run combo 3.1 miles

Saturday: running on treadmill, 40 minutes walk/run combo 2.5 miles (huh?????)

I am a fair weather athlete, meaning that the temperature has to be over 50 degrees for me to be running outside! I am looking forward to that day, hopefully Mother Nature will let spring come soon!

I have also found that I like running with music or having someone running with me to talk to. I tried on Saturday running without music and within 5 minutes grabbed my iPod. I like biking in the silence, but for some reason I am not going fast enough running!

Until next week.......

The first week back is the toughest?

Monday was the first day that everyone felt better! The kids went to school and I went back to work and got back in the saddle for training. It hit me that July really will be here before we know it, and I better start pushing myself a little bit more. No more easy little jog's, it's time to really start training!

Running was very hit or miss for me. Had a good day Monday, great day Tuesday (3.3 miles), not so good day Thursday (could barely make it to 2 miles). Why the discrepencies? I think a big part was that on Monday and Tuesday I went to the gym in the AM. I was rested, had a piece of toast with the kids before school so I had something to regulate my blood sugar but wasn't stuffed. On Thursday, I went to the gym around 12:30 after having a huge late breakfast out. I think the full stomach coupled with my need for an afternoon siesta did not bode well for running.

I jumped back in the pool this week too. The last time I swam was 2 1/2 weeks ago at my first swim lesson. So I decided that before I had my lesson on Friday I should at least show up and try to remember what she taught me. Let's just say that it was so bad that the guy I was sharing the lane with kept asking me if I was OK. I was so tired and felt like I was going to be sick, that it wasn't until I was done swimming that I realized I had again had a full stomach and was attempting this after lunchtime. So I guess the lesson that I learned this week is have enough in my stomach so that I don't pass out, but not enough that I feel bloated and want to throw up!

My swim lesson today was great! Worked on more breathing techniques and my stroke. She also gave me some basic exercises to do outside of the pool to build up more core and upper body. What I really need to work on is not getting water up my nose! It drives me crazy.

So overall, I would have to say that I had moments of good with some moments of fatigue, but I now am learning what my body needs in order to do what I want it to do.

Next week I need to start biking. I am hoping that the weather will be nicer so that I can get out onto the open road.

I'm trying, really I am.....

.......but it is really hard when you and your kids are still sick. So after last week, Liam is now back to his usual energetic self. Starting on Monday though, I could feel those warning bells going off in my head. Tuesday was starting with the cough and stuffed up nose, and by Thursday I was lying on the couch with Katie (home from school too) as we watched "Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2" under the blankets. It was such a beautiful day today that I opened the windows in the hopes of airing out whatever it is that has decided to visit. I did sit on the steps waiting for Liam's bus, but since I was bundled up in my fleece jacket and still felt cold I felt that the weather was wasted on me today.

Does it count though that I was picturing in my mind running on the treadmill, working on my breathing and running for over 2 miles? I guess until I feel better, visualization will have to do.

Here's to next week!

It's official!

Well, it is official. I have registered for my first Triathlon! I am feeling excited, scared, challenged, inspired and many other emotions all at the same time. I huge THANK YOU to Cindy Q. for allowing me to join her team, "Gals for Cal". I can't think of a better reason to step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself to do something so "not me".

This blog is to serve as my virtual training journal until the event in July. I am hoping that if I have to keep track of my experience, it will help to keep me on my training schedule. I started running again in January and tried to get to the gym 2-3 times a week to run. I am up to about 2 miles, 1/2 walking 1/2 running as my baseline. I had my first swim lesson last Friday. The instructor was great, teaching me proper stroke techniques and most importantly, how to properly breath while swimming.

I wasn't able to work out this week because I was home with a sick boy, but starting Monday I hope to get back on track. I put my training schedule on my calendar to remind me that it is an important part of the day. While very daunting right now, I hope that as the weeks and months progress I will be building up my strength and endurance.

I am so looking forward to this Journey to July!

For more information on the Gals for Cal, check out their website at: www.galsforcal.com