Wednesday, December 31, 2008

December 31st

New Year's Eve Training

• End of Week 5 Pushups test - still couldn't get past 30. Will repeat Week 5 again to get stronger.
• Upper body workout - did the usual
• Abs - 4X30 crunches
• Core workout - various exercises using my new stability ball.
• I thought about doing other stuff but felt pretty laid back today and just want to chill.

Final installment of my "Year in Review"

I learned a lot this year, but first and foremost, I learned that I still have a lot to learn. Not surprisingly.

Here are just a few of revelations I've had in 2008.

• I can do things I never imagined I'd ever be able to do. I know that's cheesy but it's true, what can I say?

• I can set goals and actually meet them. Finally.

• I need to keep adjusting my goal plan as I learn more about what my body can and cannot do.

• I have to listen to my body sometimes, and ignore it other times, but I haven't quite figured out which is which yet.

• I need to alternate between hard and easy weeks when I'm in the heaviest of my training.

• I don't give up very easily. I keep finding ways to try, try again.

• There is no challenge so great that it cannot be met by breaking things down into smaller steps, and in the case of open water swimming, micro-steps.

• I can swim! OMG, I can actually swim pretty well! (In a lake, over my head, without a wetsuit, even thru weeds - yes I can!)

• I AM an awesome biker (16/113 last summer)!

• I can run pretty fast but if I do, I suffer for weeks after. Running is my biggest challenge and will likely continue to be a challenge over the next few years.

• I am way more competitive than I ever thought. *sheepish grin*

• I am much more interested in doing really well on a sprint triathlon, than "just finishing" a longer tri.

• I still may do longer races but will hold off for at least another year.

• I can wear a bikini again - OK I'm not a 20 year old but I look pretty damn good for my age anyway. July - first time in a bikini in 30 years. (That may have been my biggest achievement of the year, LOL..)


• I feel a WHOLE lot better when I eat a healthy diet - trying to aim towards a quasi-mediterranean diet most of the time.

• I can eat under 2000 calories a day, exercise an hour a day, and STILL not lose weight (argh).

• I still don't drink enough water or get enough sleep.

• I have a tremendous support crew - family and friends (real and virtual), who have supported and encouraged me all the way along this journey. I cannot tell you how many times I did a workout simply because I didn't want to let people down. What an amazing motivator! Thank you all so much - I could not have accomplished so much without you!

• I am a very lucky girl who happens to love life!

Happy New Year everyone!

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

December 30th

Went for a run this afternoon. Still snowy. Legs a bit tight and sore but ok. Went slow and did a 10 min walk/run warmup and walked 1 min after another 10 and then last 5 minutes walked home. Only did 4km.

I cut this from my Beginner Triathlete log - my totals for 2008. Of course, I still have one day left so they may change a bit.

Bike:117h 51m 59s - 2743.65 KM
Run:62h 18m 13s - 508.07 KM
Swim:36h 38m 01s - 64450 M
Strength:26h 15m
Hiking:2h 00m
Yoga:6h 35m


That is a total of 251:38:13

I averaged about 5 hours a week over the whole year. My winter hours were less and my summer hours were closer to 10 per week.

I love data...

Monday, December 29, 2008

December 29th

It was interesting for me to look back at my blogging this year and watch the progression. I think if I had to sum up my year it would be in two words Determination and Perseverance. I was frustrated a lot of the time but I just kept making mini-goals and readjusting as I went. I celebrated every accomplishment, no matter how minor. I was surrounded by wonderful supportive friends and family. If I can do it - ANYBODY can!


Looking back at 2008


January 1st
I blogged about my goals and also added my ongoing mini-goals through the year.


Not long into the year, I began having trouble with my shins again and got orthotics.


Later in January, I continued to struggle with the running.


By the end of February, I started to stress about my impeding laser eye surgery, and more running problems.


By March, my running problems start to turn around.


In April
, I was starting to understand my body, what it can do, and what it is telling me.


In May, I got a wetsuit!


By June, things were finally starting to go well.


My first 5k race of the season. Do I try to go hard or protect my legs?


At the end of June I finally got my new carbon Trek Madone 5.1 road bike


And I got into the 'zone' when I was running!


In July, I faced new fears - the open water swim....


I had another running race - 8km - went easy this time.


I realized I couldn't do any of it without Erik.


Later in July, I had to face my swimming fears.


Early August, planning, practicing, rehearsing,,,


My mantra....


Freaking out just before the triathlon. It's here!!!!


I did it! August 17, 2008


Zen Run 10k, for run, had to walk lots, still have leg pain.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

December 28th

Workouts in the past two days

December 27 - 5km run in 41:22 (snowy roads)
December 28 - upper body, situps, crunches, plank.

Past Goals


I've been thinking a lot about my goals and training plan for 2009 and I plan to post them sometime in the next few days but right now, I'm looking back to where I was time last year and reflecting on what I've accomplished this year.

It's funny but I found an old goal list the other day that dated back to 1996. It was the same goal every year, and only the date was changed at the top. In fact, I just crossed it off and tried again every year. And I never seemed to actually meet my goals. Yet in the past two years, I have been able to accomplish so much - what is different? - I really do not know. Time to reflect.

My Goals for 1996 2001 2002 July 2002 January 2003 August 2003

1. To eat, exercise, and sleep properly for at least 21 days and establish a new habit of healthy eating, sleeping, and exercising.

I tried hard every year btu never seemed to make it stick. Then I started biking in the spring of 2006 and the following December, I set some goals for 2007.
In 2007:
1. Do a century ride.
2. Ride to Vernon and back.
3. Climb Anarchist Mountain as fast as the boys.
4. Climb Gordon Hill in less than 4 minutes.
5. Beat my previous TT Route time of 33:50 minutes, 28.3 km/h.
6. Do a 5 km running race, goal to finish in 30 minutes or less.
7. Do some long rides - 200+ km at least 2 times this season.

In December 2007, I reflected on those goals and noted that I:
1. Rode 100 km several times this summer. May 27, 2007 Metric Century in 3:47
2. Rode to Vernon and around the lake - 162 km, 100 miles on August 24, 2007
3. Anarchist Mountain 46:35. Beat Yogi, beat Erik's 2006 time.
4. Gordon Hill in 3:30 on June 16, 2007
5. TT Route in 32:28, 29.6 km/h on May 11, 2007
6. I started running last January after spending years thinking I could not run. In June 2007 - ran my first 5km race in 26:17. Came in 5th in my age group and 23rd overall. Followed that with severe shin splints and didn't run much for the rest of the year.
7. Didn't get to do any long rides but did cycle 340 km over 9 days in Provence, France.
Then, I set new goals for 2008:

1. Return to running asap. Start slowly, build slowly. Work my way back up to 5 km, then 10 km, and hopefully do half marathon in October.
2. Do a duathlon in May.

3. Start swimming in January.
4. Do a triathlon in August.

Reflecting on these goals now:
1. I built up my running again with physio, massage, orthotics, and perseverance.
- 5k race June 10, 2008, 26:26 3rd in my AG
- 8k race July 9, 2008, 46:17
- 10K Zen Run for fun, Oct. 10, 2008,. 1:08:00 (leg pain, had to walk lots)

2. Did not do the duathlon in May. My running was not strong enough yet.

3. Took swimming lessons in January and swam 2-3X a week all winter/spring. Overcame a huge fear of open water during the summer and managed to do the triathlon without a wetsuit at the very last minute. (OMG)

4. Did the Apple Sprint Triathlon on August 17, 2008. I came 4/12 in my age group (55/113) and did awesome on the bike split coming in 16/113 overall in the bike. My run was my weakest event because I'd had a lot of shin problems all summer and hadn't run much in the two weeks previous. I was ecstatic about my results and exceeded my goal of 1:35-1:40 with a time of 1:30:04.

So now I have to decide what my goals are for 2009. The long term plan was to do an oly or a half iron in 2009/2010 and maybe IMC in 2010 or later. What will I do? Stay tuned.

Friday, December 26, 2008

December 26th

Gee, guess it's time for a catch-up. Not surprisingly, I've been pretty busy getting ready for Christmas. As a teacher, I tend to leave all my organizing until I'm out of school on the 19th and then hit it hard. Subsequently, I've done nothing but cook, clean, shop, wrap, (and party!).

Here's a quick recap of the workouts I did manage to squeeze in.

Dec. 18
- did the week 5 push exhaustion test. Only did 30, needed to do 45 so repeating week 5.

Dec. 21
- Week 5, day 1 pushups, situps exhaustion test (50), 3X20 crunches and 2X30 plank.

Dec. 23 - 4.3km run in 31:19. Snowy, -12C, felt ok.

Dec. 24
- Week 5, Day 2 pushups

Dec. 25 - 30 min snowy walk with the dogs.

Dec. 26 - Week 5, day 3 pushups (13+13+15+15+2+12+10+31=121
- Week 1, Day 1 situps (double the pushups plan, column 3) 20+24+14+14+18=90
- Upper body strength workout


We had a wonderful Christmas with lots of good food, and good company. I'm still waiting for my sister and her family to make it here to Kelowna if it ever stops snowing on the coast...

My kids gave me a beautiful framed photo of the three of them. Gorgeous kids if I do say so myself. :)




Merry Christmas everyone!

Thursday, December 25, 2008

December 24th

It was a small group at my house on Christmas Eve but we had a ton of fun. My two very musical brothers, my musical husband, and my mom on Djembe. I'm playing the 'egg" in this shot.





Wednesday, December 24, 2008

December 23rd

Merry Christmas everyone!

From Kelownagurl and Mr. Kelownagurl.




And here are the less-angelic sounding outtakes of Jingle Bells, much later on that evening...

Saturday, December 20, 2008

December 19th, 20th

Doubling up these posts because I've been so busy. Did a ton of shopping, errands, and other related Christmas stuff today. By the time I had a moment to workout, I was totally bagged. Tomorrow is more snow (can't believe it ) and a wind chill warning of -36C (-32F) "Frostbite will occur in minutes." Guess I won't be running but I WILL do something for SURE.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

December 17th/18th

Overwhelmed at school, meetings, errands, still sick. Every night I've come home and fallen asleep before I made dinner. Then gone to bed early on top of that. Didn't want to run in the cold air with this cough. I just wanna be better by Christmas.

So those are my excuses for not working out. :P

Did my exhaustion test to end Week 5 but couldn't do 45 pushups. Guess I'm repeating Week 5....

Good news - one more day of work then TWO WEEKS OFF!!!! :)

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

December 16th

Well I do have a new cold, darn kids at school, catching me when my resistance is low - the only thing running today was my nose. I didn't want to risk running outside in -20 temps with this cough. I am doing yoga tonight and that's it.

GO AWAY STUPID COLD!

Monday, December 15, 2008

December 15th

Rest Day

After my awesome afternoon/evening yesterday, I finished off some leftover steak and baked potatoes, chugged a little cough syrup and went to bed. Then I woke up at 1am feeling terrible, sick to my stomach and dizzy enough I had to wake up the hubby in case I passed out. Later, I decided it was a combination eating heavy food late, after a hard workout, and taking cough syrup with a revved metabolism (I am super sensitive to cold meds and avoid them most of the time). I eventually managed to get back to sleep but was restless and felt really bagged when I got up this morning. Going to take it easy tonight and go to bed early.

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. :)

Sunday, December 14, 2008

December 14th

Pushups, Abs, and Core

13+13+15+15+12+12+10+30=120 pushups (Week 5, Day 3)

5X30=150 crunches

Plank - regular (3X45 sec. total)

Plank - side - 30 seconds each side, feet against wall.

Plank with 20 leg lifts, and 20 arm lifts.

3X10 Squats (20 lbs)


Upper Body Strength workout with 5-10 lb hand weights

I decrease my reps and increase my weight today.

3 sets of 8 reps in this order.
1:00-2:00 rest between sets.

double tricep kickbacks - 10
double bicep curls - 10
double hammer curls - 10
shoulder press - 10
lateral raises - 35
flies - 5
french press - 20•20•16 (shoulder started to hurt)

Trainer


THEN, because I was feeling so good, 40:00 on the trainer - warm up and cool down with 30:00 in Zone 2. Hard to keep my HR below 150 tho. Had to keep cadence down around 80-85...


I felt better each day this week - here are my workouts. How did YOUR week go?


8- (30:00) 31 pushup test, 120 crunches, 3X15 weights, core
9- (30:00) 4.1 km run. Felt great!
10-(30:00) 90 pushups, 125 crunches, 3X15 weights, core
11- (56:00) Run 8:00, trainer 48:00
12- (30:00) 100 pushups, 120 crunches, 3X10 weights, core
13- (33:14) 4 km run
14- (35:00) 120 pushups, 150 crunches, 3X8 weights, core


My Current Thought Process on 2009 Goals / Training

I posted this question over at BT and got some great feedback so I thought I'd put down my thoughts here as well in hopes of getting feedback from my fellow triathlete friends.

As you probably know, I did my first sprint triathlon last year, and it was a huge challenge for me but I did it, placing 4/11 in my age group. My swim was ok, my bike was excellent (16th overall) and my run sucked. (I started swimming last January, and had only been running for less than a year.)

My long term goal is to eventually do an Ironman so ever since my triathlon, I've been working on running longer and was half hoping I can do a half IM next summer (I know I can handle the bike and swim). However, I am really struggling with getting my longer runs (shins, knees etc) and I am starting to wonder if my personal strength is actually in the shorter race. I wonder if perhaps I should stop trying to do long runs and focus my run training on improving my 5k time instead. I could go a long way if I could knock 5 minutes off my run and improve my swim, maybe even podium.


So here's my question - why is the sprint considered a lesser race than doing an Oly, Half IM, or IM? When people asked me about my race coming up, as soon as I said it was a sprint, they would nod and respond as if to say - "oh, you're doing the easy one."


Are there people who specialize in doing a sprint?


Of course, I realize that I can do anything I want, and what other people think is irrelevant, I'm just trying to figure things out in my mind. And what I decide will affect my training this winter and spring.


I'm starting to think that maybe for a year or two, while I'm still young (ha ha, relatively), I should focus on really improving my 5k run, continue to work on my noob swimming skills, and maintain my bike fitness, and go for a PR in the sprint. There are lots of sprint tris around here, I could easily do 4 or more of them next spring/summer/fall. Then maybe in the years to follow, when I no longer have the short race speed, I could go back to working on my longer runs and do some endurance races where my goal would be to finish instead of place.


Anyone have any words of advice?


Here are couple of pics of the foot-deep snow on my deck.





Friday, December 12, 2008

December 12th

Pushups, Abs, and Core

10+10+13+13+10+10+9+25=100 pushups (Week 5, Day 2)

4X20=120 crunches

Plank regular (3X30 sec. total)

30 Squats (16 lbs))


Upper Body Strength workout with 3-8 lb hand weights

3 sets of 8-10 reps in this order.
1:00-2:00 rest between sets.

tricep kickbacks - 8
bicep curls - 8
hammer curls - 8
shoulder press - 8
lateral raises - 3
flies - 3
french press - 16

Thursday, December 11, 2008

December 11th

Went for a run, top of right foot hurt so much I had to bail after one lap. Just tenderness from tying new shoes too tight - it will go away.

Hit the trainer instead. So boring. Stayed in Zone 2 the whole time (Joe Friel, 140-151 bpm). Did some spinups, high cadence drills, and one legged drills. 48 minutes total. It's been awhile since I was on the bike.

Concert was today - yay, it's all done! All I have to do now is organize two school-wide singalong assemblies for next Friday. As well, such is life...

Big winter storm brewing for tomorrow. 15-20 cm of snow expected, strong northerly winds, then cold for the next 3-4 days. Highs on Monday and Tuesday of -12C (10F). brrr... I hope it stays until Christmas.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

December 10th

~~Hello to my new followers - most of you I know, but I'm curious about one of you, possibly from South St. Paul, calling yourself "Google Knol". Who are you? Please email me - I'm curious. Thanks. :)

Pushups, Abs, and Core

17+19+15+15+24=90 pushups (Week 5, Day 1)
5X25=125 crunches
Plank regular, side, and regular with leg and arm lifts. (4X30 sec. total)
30 Squats (body weight)
30 Lunges


Upper Body Strength workout with 3-8 lb hand weights


3 sets of 15 reps in this order.
1:00-2:00 rest between sets.

tricep kickbacks - 5
bicep curls - 5
hammer curls - 5
shoulder press - 5
lateral raises - 3
flies - 3
french press - 10

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

December 9th


No more whining, how 'bout some cheese?


Here's a pic of me taken a few days ago day, showing off my new hardware. Cool eh? It's one of those sickly-looking "by the light of my computer" photos taken when I still wasn't feeling too well, but it'll have to do for now. Yeah, I know you can't really see them all that well. That's why I paid extra to have clear front brackets.
:-# <--- me smiling with braces. Braces - feeling better day by day. I can eat most normal food now - I just can't bite into hard things like nuts, raw veggies (wah) and meat. Still need lots of wax, especially on the back brackets. Cleaning my teeth is a major operation twice a day though. I need to get up earlier now. :)

Training - I didn't feel like going for a run after I got home from work but I forced myself with a little help and encouragement from my twitter friends (thanks Zappoman, UltraRob, and Marathonchris!). After my crappy run on Sunday, I wasn't expecting much but I had no pain at all! I could have run longer but I stopped after 30 minutes just to be on the safe side. My feet felt ok in the new runners too. Did about 10 minutes of yoga when I got home. Yay me!


Big News about the New Aquatic Centre!

I am SO stoked and excited about the April opening of the new pool. Currently I have a monthly membship at the YMCA which I love. However, it's a 30 minute drive from my house so I tend not to go unless I'm doing intense training.

The new Aquatic Centre will be run by the YMCA as well and it's only 3.5 km from my house, a short 4 minute drive. The monthly membership fee includes EVERYTHING, including the Olympic size pool (52m), 10,000 square feet of workout space, and a huge waterpark.

All this for only $45 a month, which is actually less than the $55 I'm paying for the cushy private change rooms at the Y right now.

Mission Aquatic Centre Pictures


Facilities

Leisure Indoor Water Park


Accommodates up to 500 swimmers including a wide variety of interactive water features:
• A wave pool, with up to 1.5m high waves
• A river run with rapids and waves for an exciting ride on an inner tub or other floating device
• 3 water slides approximately 60m, 80m and 90m long
• An ocean wave surf simulator termed a “flowrider” that is ideal for the “boogie boarder”
• A children’s water play area packed with toys, spray nozzles, jets and pull valves
• A steam room
• A family orientated (wheelchair accessible) and an “adult only” whirlpool

Olympic length, 52 metre main pool

Featuring a movable floor and 2 bulkheads which will allow a variety of aquatic activities to occur simultaneously; sports and competitions, programs and enjoyment for up to 500 swimmers:
• Learn-to-swim programs
• Length swimming
• Aquatic fitness classes
• Aquatic specialty courses such as: lifeguard and instructor training; scuba diving; under water hockey; canoe & kayaking; water safety programs; and, triathlon training
• Springboard diving—2x1 metre and 2x3 metre diving boards
• Swim clubs, private rentals and birthday parties
• On-deck seating for 350-400 people

Fitness and Exercise Rooms
• 10,000 square feet of space for exercise machines, free weights and individual training
• 2,000 square feet of studio space for a full spectrum of fitness and wellness classes such as: yoga, pilates, jazz & fitness dance for all ages

Customer Service and Support Amenities
• Spacious change rooms with privacy for families and persons with disabilities
• Multi-purpose meeting room with child minding
• Food services with provision for both on-deck and lobby service

Monday, December 8, 2008

December 8th

I'm optimistic that my second week will be much more active.

Today I had to do my 2nd pushup test to see if I'm ready to move to week 5. I had to do a minimum of 31 and I just barely made it. The last two were really tough and my arms were shaking. If I have trouble doing week 5, I may go back and repeat week 4. We'll see. I'm going to start week 5 on Wednesday I think. No way I can do the first set now after that test. :)

Pushups, Abs, and Core

31 pushups (Week 5 test)
4X30 crunches (120)
Plank regular, side, and regular with leg and arm lifts. (4X30 sec. total)
30 Squats (body weight)
30 Lunges


Upper Body Strength workout with 3-8 lb hand weights


3 sets of 15 reps in this order.
1:00-2:00 rest between sets.

tricep kickbacks - 5
bicep curls - 5
hammer curls - 5
shoulder press - 5
lateral raises - 3
flies - 3
french press - 10

Sunday, December 7, 2008

December 7th

Today is the end of the first week of the Challenge! How did YOU do?

As you have probably read, I have been sick all week and have not been able to keep up with my 30 minutes a day but I have tried. Three days this week, I did my pushups, crunches, and yoga. On the other days, I was just feeling too crummy to do even yoga. I cannot remember the last time I was sick for this long. Maybe at least 5 or 6 years ago...

I am writing this in the morning, so that people can feel free to leave their updates in the comment box. Let us know what you did each day by commenting on this post.

I am planning to go for my Santa Run later this afternoon. I will update this post once I'm done.

8:30 Update

I was so busy all day getting ready for company and doing school work I almost didn't have a chance to do my run. Then I decided to be irresponsible and squeeze it in at the last minute crossing my fingers that I would still have time to clean up the house before people arrived at 4:30. I didn't have to time to grab my camera or my Santa hat so I didn't really participate in the Santa Run, and I didn't even do a full 5km but it sure felt good to be out there again.

I wore my new runners and they felt a bit uncomfortable so I had to stop and loosen the top laces a couple of times. My shins felt good for the first 2 km, then my knees started to tighten and I did a lot more walking than running for the last 1.5 km. I could only fit in 30 minutes so I headed back and hit the 30 minute mark just as I walked into the driveway!

Because the whole idea of this challenge to take good care of my body, I am not going to feel guilty about not working out much this week. Instead I'm going to celebrate the fact that I still managed to do all those pushups this week! When I did the first pushup test at the beginning of November, I could only do 5 in a row before I collapsed. Yay me! Tomorrow I'm going to do the next pushups test. If I can do 31 or more pushups without stopping, I'll be able to move on to Week 5. If not, I'll repeat Week 4.

So here's my summary of December Week One:

1- (30:00) 70 pushups, 100 crunches, yoga (sick)
2- Still sick
3- (30:00) 72 pushups, 100 crunches, yoga (sick)
4- Still sick
5- Still sick

6- (35:00) 85 pushups, 100 crunches, yoga (sick)
7- (30:00) run 3.77 km

Please leave a comment and let us know how YOUR week went!!

Saturday, December 6, 2008

December 6th

I'm pretty sure I'll start to sound perkier really soon!

I am feeling pretty much the same as yesterday except my ear is popping a lot more and I think I'm getting an ear infection. If it hurts, I hope it starts during the day when I can run to the walkin clinic for antibiotics. Lybbe told me to put a clove of garlic in my ear. Waiting to hear back from her - how long do I leave it there?

My teeth still hurt but I ate some soft bread and processed cheese ok. Making eg salad sandwich for supper. Nice to eat semi-solid food today.

Today I didn't run (Erik really didn't think it was good idea for me to go out and run in the cold), so I did:

Week 4, Day 3 of the pushups challenge and 100 crunches followed by Yoga.

16+18+13+13+25=85 pushups. I rested fully between sets and did my crunches afterwards so I could have more energy to complete the sets. They were tough.

I am going to go do some yoga rught now while my headache has abated.

Hope everyone else is doing well.

And hey, tomorrow is the end of the first week! How about you all comment how your week went. Give us a rundown of what you did each day? Mine is pathetic but yours will be better!

1- (30:00) 70 pushups, 100 crunches, yoga (sick)
2- Still sick
3- (30:00) 72 pushups, 100 crunches, yoga (sick)
4- Still sick
5- Still sick

6- (35:00) 85 pushups, 100 crunches, yoga (sick)
7 - ??

Friday, December 5, 2008

December 5th

It was a long day but I am feeling a little bit better. I got home late, had a nap, and had to go out to our staff Christmas party. It was nice but I couldn't eat anything and Erik and I were both feeling pretty crummy and tired. Now I'm home early at 9pm and ready to hit the sack. Tomorrow I am going for a run. I'm going to get back into exercise mode now that my headache is gone and I think I will be able to get back on track with my exercise challenge.


In Memory of my dad, Melvin Dudley Park, who died in an industrial accident on Friday, December 5th, 1975.

I still miss you, Dad...

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Thursday, December 4, 2008

December 4th

At the risk of being a total downer, I have not worked out today. I still have a raging headache which has lasted 3 days and my mouth is so sore from these braces that I have only eaten yogurt and plain soup and pudding all day. I went to work today and survived but had an avalanche of things to do before craft day tomorrow and our concert next week so I didn't get home until close to 6. And just as my cough and laryngitis is beginning to subside, my nose is starting to burn and my throat is sore. I think I'm getting a head cold on top of everything else. Even my ear is starting to pop.

ARGH!!!!!!!

I'm sure I'll stop complaining and get back to training soon.

Just ignore me in the meantime.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

December 3rd

Well yesterday was a rest day for me. I had a bad headache all day and it let up for about one hour in the early evening but I didn't take advantage of it quick enough. It came back with a vengeance and it's still there tonight.

Desipte that, I did managed to do Week 4, Day 2 of the Pushups Challenge and 100 crunches.

14+16+12+12+18=72 I didn't do more than the minimum in my last set because they were so darn hard.

If the headache lets up, I will try to do some yoga tonight.

***Warning - more whining ahead.

I got my top braces put on this morning. They don't look too bad, nobody at work even noticed them when I stopped in to pick up the boys - I had to point them out and open wide.

However, my teeth are now killing me and I can't bite down on anything. All I've eaten today is a bowl of soup and I'm off the store right now to get some instant breakfast or Ensure to drink for the next day or so.

The insides of my mouth are being abraded so put some wax on them. I get canker sores so easily, it's hard to imagine that I won't have a mouth full of them in the next few days. Argh.

I still have my cold, my sinuses are blocked up, and I cough my brains out at night - only got 4 hours sleep last night, but slept two hours this afternoon to catch up.

I absolutely have to go in to work tomorrow so REALLY hoping the headache is gone by then.

**Whine over**

So how's everyone else doing? :)

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

December 2nd

First off - I haven't done any training yet today. I felt awful this morning, but I went into school for 20 minutes to rehearse with the kids, and then went to the doctor. She thinks it's a virus so I don't have to take antibiotics (yay) but she thinks I should stay off work for the rest of the week so my voice comes back fully. I have to be away tomorrow because I'm getting my stupid braces (known only as SB from now on) and if I had to, I could stay home Thursday, but Friday is craft day and we have our first rehearsal on the stage so I pretty well HAVE to go that day. Hopefully I'll be feeling better.

Anyway, my point is - I can't do my planned run today. It'll just exacerbate my cough and congestion. So I guess it's another yoga day instead. I plan to do a more intense 30 minutes plus workout instead of the regular running one.

To all the Challengers - how did you do today? You can comment here daily, or let us know once a week how things have gone. Just so you know, I tend not to do my daily post until the evening (PST) so you may have to do it a day later if you're in bed before me. It looks like we've got at least 15 people along for the ride this time. That's awesome! I tried to link your blogs if you have them.

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Triathlon Training

Well I have only have more month left to keep in generally good fitness and then it'll be time to get back to more organized training. I was looking back at my January training log and I think I am probably in better shape now that I was a year ago. I still have problems with my shins but in general, the things that tired me out a year ago, wouldn't be a problem for me now. I know how to swim now so this year I can work on form and speed, and I think if I can just maintain my cycling fitness, I'll be doing well on that front.

Strength

I had a gym pass last year and I was going 3 times a week. This year, I think I'll just stick with the strength training I'm doing at home. The only thing I'm missing out on is the leg press so I will have to add some squats as well I think. I could also do some leg exercises at the YMCA gym after I swim if I want.

Swimming

Which brings me to swimming. I absolutely must get back to swimming soon, but if not right away, then definitely in January. I hate to admit I have not been swimming since my tri last August so it will take me awhile to get my fitness back. I also need to get some private instruction again to work on my stroke. The new pool doesn't open until March, if it's on time, so I have to drive a half hour to the Y twice a week I guess.

Cycling

I have my trainer set up and I am going to be building my aerobic base in December and January. I will also do spin ups and one-legged drills to smooth out my pedalling.

Running

I am way ahead of where I was this time last year, thankfully, even with my lack of running over the past 2 weeks. Hopefully, I can continue to slowly build up my kms and maybe start to do a little speed work? Maybe?

Monday, December 1, 2008

December Challenge

Merry Christmas, Happy December!!

It's time for the December Challenge and I need you guys! I am heavily motivated by challenges and love to take people along for the ride. I can't believe how many days I did not feel like working out last month, but I did it because I couldn't bring myself to blog that I had bailed.

So my personal challenge this month will be to continue doing 30 minutes of exercise every day. I am going to try for 45 minutes whenever I can but my minimum will be 30 minutes.

Because it's December and I have some heavy commitments, I am going to allow myself one day off per week, if needed.

Rules:

1. Take care of your body. If you're injured, or too sick to train, then take the day off without feeling bad.

2. Post here at least once a week, or every day if you want, to let us know how you're doing. We will cheer you along!

3. Do any kind of exercise you like: I plan to run, bike, swim, hike in the hills, cross-country ski, and do yoga. Do things that work for YOU.

4. You do have a bad day and skip your workout, don't let that be an excuse to quit altogether. Get back on the wagon the very next day and go for as many exercise days in the month as possible!

Other things to consider...

Think about drinking lots of water and eating healthfully when you're not at parties or family gatherings. Christmas is about enjoying the season but we don't have to pig out at every meal and every snack in between.

So who's in? So far we have:

Jenamn
Erin337
Solorunner
Mary_W_Walters
Maddyhubba
Marathongirl
LIrunner9
Lesley
MsTeechur
Craig42k
Papayasf
Gord (Run to Disney)
Lybbe
Renwick (atho he spells it some weird way. :)
Ortingrunner
Meechellee
and me of course!


I'll add more names as they come in to me. I'm hoping a few more men will join in as well!

PS I'm going to have to do something easy myself tonight. I am still feeling pretty crappy and have had a headache all day. I just took some Ibuprofen and did my Week 4, Day 1 pushups (12, 14, 11, 10, 23), 100 crunches (5X20), and then some relaxing yoga.