Woo hoo :)

So, I made it through my first 10k Training workout. I started out with a 5 min walk and then wogged for 20 minutes. Then I went down to a 2.5 mph walk on a 10 incline to stretch out my shins really well. I'm trying my best not to get shin splints. I'm fortunate that I don't get knee pain, but sometimes I think the shin pain is worse. I've got to work on how to get through it, because it was HORRIBLE at the tri. Every step was like a knife through my shins, but I just had to keep going or I would have passed out and rolled into the lake to die. I can only imagine the pain that Lynn and Courtney must have been going through. They are such troopers :) I've never met 2 more determined women in my life :)

I wore my new Brooks that I scored for a phenomenal $40 at DSW. The catch? They are men's size 8, so they aren't all cutesy and such. But they aren't overtly masculine either. They were in the womens' section. They're white with red trim. They are REALLY comfy, and super supportive, even without superfeet. So, I can only imagine that they'll be even better :)

Tomorrow is a 15 min jog followed by a 5 minute run. So, hopefully I'll be able to do it. I'm a little sore already, which is pretty sad, but I'm guessing it just means I didn't get a good enough stretch. Hopefully I'll do better tomorrow! :)

More insanity

I signed up for a 10K run... at the end of October... THIS October. What the F*%& was I thinking????? Wish me luck...

Soaked

So I went swimming at the forest preserve today.... well, not intentionally... I was out on one of my 2 lap rides and got caught in the rain. SERIOUS rain. I managed to make it to one of the pinic groves and hung out under one of the shelters with a few guys that worked for the county who were there collecting the trash. They were checking under the tables for Daddy Long Legs, and saw at least one under every table. Needless to say, I did NOT want to sit down. Then there was a break in the rain, so I headed out again, and another downpour started. I hate backtracking, so I pressed forward to the next picnic grove. By now I was soaked. Walking in wet sneakers is bad enough, but imagine riding in a pair of wet biking shorts with the built in butt cushion. Now I see why babies get diaper rash. I was sitting at the picnic table SHIVERING and wishing that I'd packed a fleece or something.

So I sat there freezing in shelter #2 for about 15 minutes, bored out of my mind because who would have thought I'd need reading material on a bike ride... And I didn't want to play games on my phone for fear of draining the battery.... So I just waited it out. When I hit the trail again, the sun came out and it got HOT. The water on the asphalt trail was steaming. The sun was beating down on me, and I was actually glad that I was soaking wet. Except for the squish squish squish of my shoes pushing against the pedals. Not a good day to have worn sneakers, especially with big thick athletic socks.

I finally made it home and into a nice hot shower, minimizing the risk for pneumonia. My bike is a mess of mud, dried leaf mush and who knows what else. I probably don't want to know. I guess now's a good time to learn proper bike cleaning techniques. Maybe I'll just borrow my neighbor's power washer *LOL*

Need to go to REI for more Camelbak Elixir and Clif Shot Blox. Maybe I'll ride to REI in the morning and then hit the trail on my way back. Only downfall is that the ride to REI is through a VERY busy part of town, big shopping area... probably safer to drive there, then come home and hit the trail :)

It's way past my bedtime... more tomorrow. Hopefully my morning ride will be less eventful :)

Overdue Update

My training has been lacking, so I need to regroup. A friend of ours is doing a half-marathon in December in Las Vegas and is trying to talk us into making a girls weekend out of it. Well, I think I might do more than go and watch. I tracked down a training program and I think I can do it. It's a 12 week plan, and I have a few weeks to get up to where they need be to be for week 1, so I think I can do it. We'll see how it goes.

I biked to work all last week, and it was fantastic. I really need to start my mornings with a bike ride even if I'm driving to work. It just puts me in a great frame of mind for the rest of the day.

My head is spinning right now (from all the fumes I inhaled while they painted the pool today?) as I'm trying to tweak my resume. My lovely wife marked it up for me and gave me some great feedback. Now I'm just trying to strengthen my action verbs and cut the fluff without selling myself short. I'm going for the Graphic Communications Specialist position that opened up at the Administration Center, and I have to convince them that even though I have no official Graphic Arts background that I am the right person for the job. Not an easy feat :( But, I learned the hard way that the only surefire way to fail is to not try. So this time, I'm trying.

Wish me luck.

Flight of the Bumblebee

Years ago, in their drunken ignorance, a group of arrogant scientists decided that based on their size, shape, and their tiny wings that flight was impossible for bumblebees. Today, girls of size are often judged in the same way.

Truth be told, Bumblebees CAN and DO fly. Just because first glances and assumptions seem to point to one rule, one explanation, one scientific "law" with concrete proof doesn't mean that it is the truth. The bumblebee has a different structure, a different way of flying than their lighter, more amply winged counterparts.

And I, in the same way, took flight. Just as my coach, Susan Kane, described in her book, through many stories of many woman in many Danskin Triathlons, I too spread my wings and flew across the finish line.

Gimme my loot!

I can't wait for swagfest... erm... the expo tomorrow. I love free stuff. Love it love it love it :)

I need to pack, so better get to it! :)

Transitions...

Just like any good triathlete, I'm made a successful transition today. Yesterday, I had 10 panic attacks, including one right before our last open swim training last night. After some supportive words from my coach and workout leaders and a few minutes in the water I was much better. Despite being at least 200 yards behind the rest of the group when I started my swim, I finished about a pool length behind the majority of the group.

Today, I made the transition from panic to excitement. And now I'm moving into anxious. I want it to be Sunday and I want to be doing the tri. I want to be walking to the finish line, arms linked with the girls like the Monkees hooting and hollering and screaming to the crowds that we are triathletes :)

Freaking

So, this time next week, CoCo and I will be puking our guts out, freaking out about the tri the next morning. It's gonna take me about 3 Ambien to get a decent night's sleep... I'm excited but scared. I mean, what if this was a huge mistake? What if I should never have gotten myself into this. It has been a huge investment on my part... Time, money, energy, etc. I'm not sure if I have prepared myself mentally as much as I have physically. I rode 19 miles this morning without stopping. I couldn't have done that 6 months ago. I ran for about 7 minutes the other day on the treadmill, and that was AFTER 2.5 other hours of workouts spread out over the day. I have come so far in such a small amount of time, but I'm scared that it won't be enough.

I know that this is just my fear of failure rearing its ugly head. I know it's just my own lack of self-esteem. But I'm so nervous. I can't wait to be with CoCo, Alana, Lesli and Lynn, all chillin in the hotel room, sharing the nervousness and the excitement, looking over all of our loot and waiting to wear the finisher's medals around our necks. That's what I need to remember -- how good it will feel to cross that line and be told that I "am a great triathlete".

Dang....

I wore my hair down today for the first time in a while... It's getting LONG...

Oh, and then I was having fun with Photo Booth. They have this cool setting called "Glow" and it made me look uber-goth. Too bad I can't look this good for real!!!!

Even MORE gear! :)

I got a confirmation email from Nashbar today :) My stuff is on the way! YAY!

For under $100, shipping included, I got:

• One yellow sleeveless jersey
• One orange short sleeved jersey
• One long sleeved 2-tone blue jersey
• One kickstand (*BLEARGH*)
• One rearview mirror (yeah, I caved)
• One 70 oz Camelbak hydration system
• One pair of Zinetic Pocket Slippers (check these out... WAY cool!)

So, hopefully it'll all arrive before this weekend so I can practice using some of it at our mini-tri! :) Also, I need to stock up on shot blocks & clif bars and such. I should just buy a case at REI *LOL* :)

I also ordered Road ID's for my lovely wife and me, and got us some reflective strips for our helmets/bikes/etc as well :) You can never have too much reflective shit on. I have no problem with people going "Eww! Fat Yellow Biker ahead!" because at least that means they SAW ME and STOPPED! :)

Swam at one of the AHPD outdoor pools today. It was awesome. I think I liked it better than swimming inside! I managed not to burn to a crisp, which is a definite plus :) I think I should drag myself out of bed in the morning for a run/jog/wog/walk whatever. I'm sure the Stinkus would love a good run :) We'll see. I'm REALLY tired, so I might not make it up that early :)

Training

So, I survived our bike training, but one of my teammates didn't :( She sliced the back of her leg on her sprocket and needed 15 stitches. She was SUCH a trooper.
Meanwhile, here's my before, during and after of my arm wounds:

The itchiness is almost over too, which is good. It was making me CRAZY. I'm still achy, but it's getting better. It's more annoying than it is painful.

On Thursday, since I didn't get my full 12 mile ride in because I was making sure Sarah was ok, I decided that, despite my hour swim at lunch, I was going to hit the trail. So, I biked from my house to the trail, did the whole trail, and then biked to Jamba Juice. It took me a little over an hour and it was 13 miles :) Then, I walked home with my bike, and it was .9 mi door to door and I walked around 3 mph, which I know thanks to my bike computer *LOL* :) I must have looked like a nutjob, walking down the street with a Jamba Juice in one hand and my bike in the other. But oh well... I did a mini-tri in one day (even though the swim and bike were a few hours apart) so whoever felt like laughing at me could kiss my arse because I don't think they could do what I did that day! :)

I love my tri suit and I'm so glad I bought it. I can say that this will NOT be my last tri, if for no other reason than because I have invested so much $$ in gear and shit that I have to make this my new sport of choice *LOL* :) There's one in the Indiana Dunes the weekend after Labor Day, so I might have to do it. It's a little longer than the Danskin, but I think I'm game :)

Tomorrow night is hilly running. OH FREAKING GOODIE. Oh well. I gotta suck it up and do it. I know I'll be walking the last leg, but the running will be good cardio & calorie burning. I need it. I feel like a fat bloated heifer. You'd have thought I'd have lost 5-10 pounds by now... HA! Nope.

Oh well. I feel healthier. That's what counts :)

Back to work

Swam for just over an hour on Saturday. Last week was a BAD week for me training wise. But my arm is healing nicely, my new tri suit fits & works well, this Saturday is the swim clinic up at the tri-site, so I'm pretty excited. My team has been awesome, SO supportive. We had a run session on Wednesday. We did 3 miles and I did it in about 45 minutes. Not a great time, but not bad for coming off the injured reserve list. And my team was all applauding and high-fiving for me for not giving up. And then on Saturday they were all mesmerized by my injury. I laughed and said they should have seen it before it started healing!

So, gonna do the bike this week in my tri suit to see how it feels. Not sure how far/fast we're going, but all I know is that THIS time I'm going to stay in the lead or close to it. I am NOT going through this again! I'm still sore, bruised, etc.

More news as it happens :)

Hee he he he hew... Wipeout....

SO... I go to my training, and we started out at the bike shop learning how to fix some minor bike problems (fix a flat, lube a chain, etc) and then we had a lecture about bike safety and etiquette, especially when riding in a group. Then, the less experienced cyclists stayed behind to work on some drills (changing gears, sharp turns, etc) and the rest of us headed for the trail.

So, I ended up #2 in the line, which fine by me because a) only one person to see around and b) I could see and hear better as to what obstacles were ahead. We were cranking along just fine, when this one beotch with a chip on her should attitude decided that she HAD to pass me and get in front of me.

At the forest preserve, the majority of places where cyclists have to stop (there are posted stop signs and the cops will write tickets) are in the groves, and so they are usually in a clearing. Well, the ONE that we came up on was smack in the middle of all the trees right after a someone sharp bend in the road. The leader called out "Stop Sign", but I couldn't hear it. All I saw was the beotch in front of me slamming on my breaks, and since there was a 3 foot drop to my right I slammed on my breaks and went flying. Had said beotch called out "Stop Sign" immediately after the leader did, then I could have had more than a knee-jerk reaction and none of this would have happened.

Oh, and here's the kicker... She started babbling about how there was oil on the trail ("Careful! That's oil! I slipped on the oil"). Now keep in mind that this is a forest reserve trail. No motor vehicles pass on said trail, so unless there is an oil-peeing deer somewhere in those woods, it was NOT OIL. And to top that off, as everyone was fawning over me, she was like "Yeah, I'm fine. I'll be fine". Ummm... not sure who she was talking to because no one was concered about her lack of injuries.

Now, there are several things I am VERY grateful for...

1. My team members (except for said beotch) ran to my side to help me. One grabbed my bike (which had flown into the left side of the path and would have been a roadblock for cyclists/bladers going the other way. Another grabbed my brand new sunglasses, which landed about 4 feet in front of me. Another grabbed a water bottle off my bike and started rinsing out my wounds. Another found a paper towel in her bag and used it to get some of dirt off the would. I have a GREAT team. Well, except for said beotch.
2. My coach, who gave me triage in the parking lot, helped me re-rack my bike, and offered to drive my car and me home and then get a ride back to the bike shop.
   
3. The visor on my helmet, which pretty much saved me from any injuries to my nose or face.
4. My ample bosom, which pretty much kept me from breaking a rib or my collarbone.
5. Most of all, my lovely wife, who started cleaning and patching me up the minute I got home and has taken good care of me ever since.

I have learned from this experience:

1. Make sure that the riders around me know that I have a hard time hearing and need to either lead or be right behind the leader.
2. Make sure that I have first aid supplies in my bike bag.
3. Make sure that everyone I ride with knows the rules and remembers to follow them.
4. STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM SAID BEOTCH. For my sake, and hers. If I don't make it across the finish line because my training is derailed I will personally make sure that she reimburses me for every penny. I can't sue the training group as a company, but there is nothing that I signed that said I can't sue an individual :)

Gotta head to church.... more later.

More gear :)

Look what I got :) I'm so excited! :) It arrives in a week or so I think... Unfortunately it won't be here in time for our next swim clinic, but that's ok. I tried on the XL at REI last night and I got it on and zipped, but it wasn't very flattering. So, I ordered the XXL last night :) It's a lot lighter weight than the suit I'm wearing now, so it doesn't hold things in as well, but on the plus side, it's a LOT easier to get in and out of thanks to the zipper. It's got just a bit of padding for the bike. I'll have to see how supportive it is for the run. I might have to throw a swim bra on underneath, but hopefully I won't have to :)

I'm also going to get some open water goggles, but I really don't need those until the swim clinic up at the lake, and those I can get through the park district because we have a sponsorship deal with Tyr. I'm so excited that it's totally pathetic :)

Training is going well. I'm actually up this early because we have a bike maintenance workshop and then we head across the street to hit the bike trail at the forest preserve :) I've been in the pool a few times this week and it's getting easier each time :)

Better go prep the bike for transport :) More later!

Back in the Saddle Again

Rode my bike to and from work today. The weather was perfect and it felt SO GOOD to be on my bike again. It was also fun seeing how fast I could go now that I have my speedometer hooked up :) I can't wait to get out on the trail :)

My buns hurt though. Gotta retrain those pedaling muscles :) And despite my mega padded shorts, my butt-bone was going numb, so I think I need to play with the seat position. There's no reason that a 4 mile ride should be making my butt/lower back hurt.

Very tired... more tomorrow :)

What have I done?

So the Heart Zones payment hit my account... Even with my 10% off early sign up bonus, it's still a pretty good chunk of change. Hopefully the IRS will be quick with my prefund. It's nice that we're getting the money now, but I'm still kinda pissed that this means that NEXT year my refund will suck. Argh.

I need to get on my bike. I'm tempted to ride to work tomorrow. If my lovely wife stays home sick again tomorrow, I think I might. Only problem is, it might rain tomorrow. But I guess I better just suck it up because we'll be riding in the rain on race day of God decides to laugh at me for trying this thing.

More tomorrow.

Hi, I'm Sally

What an interesting lady that Sally Edwards is :) I met her last night at the seminar at REI. It was pretty much a rah rah rally but hey, it's what I needed to get me motivated. And I did hand over more of my money so that I can complete this thing. I met a couple of the ladies that are in my training group too, so that was pretty cool.

More later :)

Tri Training

So. I was at work today. And I was going through a pile of stuff my boss gave me before he left for vacation. One of the items was an application for pool use. For Triathlon training. DANSKIN triathlon training. So I call the lady, who happens to be the head coach for the team. I told her that I was signed up for the tri and so on and so forth...

So I'm going to REI tomorrow night for the seminar and to meet her and sign up for the training. Bye bye money, hello hope for surviving this thing! :)

Inspiration

Today was the Whipper Snapper One Lapper Youth Triathlon at the pool. It was a great turn-out, the weather was perfect, and everyone had a great time.

I was awestruck by one young lady. I saw her among the crowd, but didn't know she was a competitor. I wasn't there when she checked in, so I assumed she was there cheering on a sibling. I didn't notice her transition from bike to run, not sure why, but probably because I was getting ready to record the times at the finish line.

As I waited for last girl to come and cross the finish line, I had no idea what was in store.

There she was, moving as fast as she could on legs that weren't straight, weren't balanced. But she was moving. She was going as fast as those legs would take her. The whole crowd rallied around her as little G crossed the finish line, and her parents scooped her up into their arms. The look of joy on her face, the look of determination in those little eyes was humbling and humiliating at the same time.

I felt ashamed for all the excuses I've made. I felt humbled by her grace, her poise. She wasn't going to let anyone tell her she couldn't do it. She wouldn't let anyone else tell her, and she wasn't about to tell that to herself either. Her spirit was stronger than her body. She was like a little angel crossing that finish line, with her shoulders back and her head held high, and I couldn't help but get choked up.

I'm fat. That's my fault. I've been lazy. That's my fault too. But this beautiful little angel had real problems handed to her, under no fault of her own, and she triumphed. She glowed. She succeeded. She showed strength that most adults could only dream of.

No more excuses.

Monday Beating

So, I was introduced to the wonderful world of Jillian Michaels beatings this morning. No, I wasn't fortunate enough to get on Biggest Loser. My sister sent me some DVDs that she bought and she said it wasn't what she was looking for, so I got em! :) I did the Cardio Kickbox DVD this morning and I wasn't able to do everything perfectly, but I thought it wasn't bad for my first stab (or should that be jab?) at it... Tomorrow will be the Front Side DVD. I'm still recovering from y self-induced pain fest, but I think the cardio this morning was really good for getting the blood flowing and will help get rid of some of that lactic acid :)

On a completely separate note, I'm also taking guitar lessons from my brother :) My left fingers are on the first of blisters, but I have to build up my callouses. Matt was impressed with me progress for my first week and I'm now supposed to work on actual songs! WOO HOO :)

Now I better get ready for my day. Hopefully my morning workout will help energize me through the usual Monday Morning Mess.

Ouch

So after being Jenn the Wondersloth for a while, I went to the Buehler Y today and did 25 min on the elliptical and then did resistance training for almost an hour. I'm sore in ways I can't describe. But it felt GOOD. Then my lovely wife and I went to Frontera Grill for lunch which was DIVINE and then to Rauner Y for an event there (LW had to meet media) and then we met up with a friend for some beers and camaraderie. It was very fun :)

Anyway, just thought I'd check in and speak of my amazing feats of strength this morning *LOL*

Rain, Rain, GO AWAY

This weather is doing a serious number on my ability to log some biking miles. Yes, I know there are die-hards out there who will bike in the snow, but I'm just not one of them. The idea of catching pneumonia just to log some miles is NOT appealing.

This weather has just sucked. Winter sucked. Spring now sucks. It's cold and rainy and it's going to be like this through the weekend. Oh wait, I take that back... it's going to f'in SNOW.

Anyway... So, yeah. Hard for me to get into the training mood when all I want to do is curl up with cocoa and a blankie and take a nap.

Welcome!

Welcome to my latest venture into the world of the blog... I decided that the more I journal, the more I tell others about what I am doing, the more likely that I am to actually go through with it!!! So, to explain my blog title, I am doing the Danskin Triathlon.

Stop laughing. No, really, please stop. I'm serious! My wonderful friend Courtney, who I met via the Weight Watcher boards back in '02 talked me into the Disney Danskin in May, which then changed to the Chicago Danskin in July. You can read all about us and our insanity here.

So... it's time to buckle down and get serious. If I expect my 5'8" 260 lb body to survive a .75K Swim, 20K Bike, and 5K Run ALL IN THE SAME MORNING, I'd better get my ass moving and get to some serious training. I need all of you to keep me honest :)

More to come!