Ramping up my training...smile

The NYC Triathlon Beginner training program is pulling and pushing me into top gear.  I've been doing so many first and longest workouts this year that I'm starting to get a little board of the usual training tracks I go on.  Yes I know it's safer to stay on my usual, but, it's so much more fun to go to newer and longer rides.  If my new found training buddies aren't  discouraged by having to wait for me to catch up, then it's all the better for me.  I don't want to ruin their workouts, so this Sunday I'll make a cue sheet for my 20 mile bike ride and take a phone number of one of them.  They do intend to do the route twice, which, I don't think I have that in me right now, but, if they do, they are sure to find me along the side of the road if I'm in trouble...so far so good, but, things can happen...smile.

What playlist for NYC?

What music do I listen to while riding my bike 28 miles from Central Park to Harlem and back? I've been to NYC many times and I know it has a sound track all it's own. The taxis blaring, the people yelling the sirens sounding, is all part of the sensory bombardment you get just leaving your hotel room. Hmmm...I think this will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to soak it all in. Underwater, over the highways and through Central Park. Yes, I'll feel like Dorothy and want to click my heals soon after and I know, this country girl belongs back in Kentucky. NYC really isn't "my kind of town" as Frank says, but it's a great place to visit...smile

Today I ride my bike. I'm looking forward to it...smile

I picked my Specialize Vita Sport hybrid bike up at the Bardstown Road Bicycle shop yesterday.  I was disappointed it was so dirty.  How unprofessional.  My bike is white and they didn't even bother to wipe off the black grease hand prints.

I'm going to finish out the season with this bike, then maybe look into a nice road bike.  I don't think I'll buy a bike from the BRB.  They are nice people, but, I paid 60.00 bucks for a tune up and to get it back filthy????  Come on people.  There are lots of choices in Louisville these days for bike purchasing.

Maybe I'm just looking for a reason to get angry.  Working out for a triathlon could be a means to a distraction from something.  Of all the addictive behaviors I could have chosen, I suppose exercising and competing in destination races is a good one.  I don't know if I'm addicted to exercise.  Sometimes I look forward to the training and sometimes I'm worn out.  

I missed my workout yesterday.  I was feeling a little down.  I haven't heard from my oldest daughter for a while.  She's in Portland and I'm worried about her.  If she doesn't want to talk to us, that's okay, just text us every once in a while to let us know she's fine.  Mother's Day about a month ago, was the last time she called.  She has since changed her number and deleted her Facebook account.  We are going to Alaska in August and if we haven't heard from her before then, should we stop in Portland and try to find her?  I don't know...

I will curse Sanjay Gupta or will be so grateful for him...

Here I am, down to the requisite wire everyone that races might recognize.  Whether tis nobler to think I am an athlete, or think what the hell was I thinking will ultimately end up with me loving the fact that on a fateful day summer 2011, I watched Sanjay Gupta lead a group of regular folk, like me to compete in an Olympic Distance triathlon.  He called these 6 people the Six Pack. These six people were chosen to swim, 1.5 miles in the Hudson River, Bike 28 miles in NYC and run a 10K around Central Park. 

Since September of last year I have been diligently fighting for last place on every triathlon I've competed in.  Well, they weren't all last place.  I did outrun a 14 year old girl one time.  Did I say my husband says I've lost the concept of the word race?  My "race" has evolved into me loving the scenery and stopping to take pictures.  I'm "just a finisher" status takes on new meaning for me.  But, I can't help myself, I just love swimming, biking and running my way behind everyone else.

Life is so good.  Sometimes I don't just pinch myself, I crack myself up when I think of all the times I've had it pretty good.   I better be quiet because I've also lived through those times when it all goes terribly awry...

My First Mini Marathon, the Derby Festival Mini Marathon, 13.1 miles

I came to running by way of triathlons. This is backwards from most triathletes coming after they have already been an accomplished runner. Running is the hardest of the three disciplines in a triathlon for me. I love the training though and I've been following a training schedule solely for running a mini marathon. After this 13.1 mile run, I'll switch back to training for my Olympic distance run in July. I'm considering doing the Tri Fest in May. I might participate in the Aquabike. I just know if I'm ready for the full Olympic distance, which I could choose to do, but don't know if I'm ready. I'll know after I switch my training schedule which has multiple brick workouts that are pretty intense. It is the beginner training schedule for the NYC triathlon. Here are my items I've found I need for a long run. This mini will be the longest run I have ever tried. I hope I can do it! I'll start from the ground up. My good running shoes, $14.00 wicking socks, Craft running tights, tech shirt from the event, cornstarch and Body Glide for things that rub.

Triathlete at Last? A 53 Year Old Female...What I Have Learned

Tomorrow is the 4th race in a series of sprint triathlons put on by Head First Performance. It is the 5th triathlon I have competed in. It is the longest distance I will have participated in, so far. Swim: 1/4 mile in an indoor pool; Bike 16 miles on country roads around Shelbyville, Kentucky and Run: a 5K in the Clear Creek Park in Shelbyville, KY. In this area, out of 300 or so racers, there are about 10 of us, women age 50 to 60, still enjoying the thrill of the competition. I have 20 to 30 years and 30 pounds on the majority of the participants in this area's triathlons. But, my gosh it is so much fun. Find something that scares you and run towards it...smile.

Swim: My Craft Triathlon Suit is worn the whole time. Your race not only consists of the 3 stages of a triathlon, swim, bike, run, but there is also the transition times as well. There is no time to change clothes, so the triathlon suit has a small bit of padding built in for the bike.

I get ear infections, so I have ear plugs. I also have to wear goggles, because the chlorine wrecks my eyes. I finally found this style of goggles I like and I bought 3. Under my Triathlon suit, I wear a Pearl Izumi sports bra...no Jiggling...smile. I also wear a swim cap. Swimming is the only thing I can compete in and do relatively well. I think it is those extra pounds that help me stay atop the water, compared to the zero body fat people that will sink and have a bit more difficulty.

Bike:
After I get out of the pool, I grab my towel and put on my slip on shoes to wear to the transition area where I sit on my blue crate and put my 14.00 pair of socks. These socks help wick the moisture from sweat and the pool away. The moisture can cause blisters. I then put on my bike shoes. If I have time I'll use Body Glide to help keep the blisters away. Jelly Belly Sports Beans go in my shirt pocket for added energy.

Setting on my crate, I put on my day glow shirt. I wear a day glow shirt, because a lot of races are done on country roads with no shoulders, so I want to be seen. I also slip on my Sham Wow headband. It makes my helmet fit and keeps the sweat out of my eyes. I then put my gloves on, they are padded in case I fall. Attached to my bike is a Smart Water Bottle in which I add 2 pills called Nuun, which are loaded with electralites. I sweat a lot and they help me stay hydrated. I also like a handkerchief which I tuck in my shirt or hold in my hand. We ride through the country and since starting this adventure, I found that I have exercise induced asthma.

Allergies:

For my asthma, I use an inhaler, Claritin-D. I also like to chew gum when I ride, I think it keeps me from needing as much water. You are at your most vulnerable when you are getting your water bottle out and open. So, the less the better, for me.

Run: The last leg of the triathlon is the most difficult for me. As I said above, I have 30 pounds on most all of my competitors, so in a fair world, they would be carrying extra weight, but, that's not the case, so I am a pretty slow runner, compared to this group.

These shoes I like because the ties are off center. My feet kept going numb and I have a high arch on my feet. I tried these and I like them, so I bought 2 pairs.

After a race I have another bottle of Smart Water on hand, plus coconut water, which both help to replenish my electrolites. I have an extra sweat suit on hand and usually don't take the time to shower, since Bob is waiting on me to go home.

I am lucky my husband wants to go to all my races. I told him I can do it myself, but, he seems to like coming. Tomorrow he will have about 2 hours to kill while I finish this long race, for me. I'll never be an Ironman, but, I sure am enjoying these sprint triathlons and hopefully with a lot more training, I will compete in an Olympic distance race in NYC in July. Swim 1 mile in the Hudson, Bike 28 miles around NYC, and run 6.3 miles in Central Park. Woot!!

Getting Ready for the 10 Miler...gulp!!

Well, here I go. On to my first 10 mile race. My oh my, what have I done? Yikes! Six, maybe eight, but ten? Yikes and double yikes!!