Today at the gym, I wanted to test my new and surgically enhanced, or at least surgically repaired back out on a bike. My goal was to see if I could cycle for at least 1 hour without significant back discomfort while maintaining a road bike position. I ended up calling my experiment a success after only 30 minutes. My back felt absolutely fine, but my 'nether regions' were another story. I am not sure why I did not think to wear a pair of cycle shorts to get a little extra padding down below, but it truly is a necessity for a longer ride, even at the gym.
I had such a great week with my running and weight lifting in addition to my biking experiment
today that I went ahead and registered for the half-ironman in Wisconsin on the 20th of June. I am very excited about the race. Here is a link to the race: http://www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1646770&assetId=EA22BA1E-5990-4E9A-88B8-27FA471E95F4
The most difficult part now will be being smart in preparation to avoid an injury. My official training does not start for another 4 weeks. I am going to continue slowly adding in dimensions of training for the next few weeks so it is not such a shock to the system.
That is all for now. Enjoy your weekend.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Suck It Up Buttercup
This week is my first 'real' week back focusing on preparing to start my 'official' triathlon training which should start March 28th if I am going to do the Half Ironman in June in Wisconsin. This will give me 12 weeks of intense training which I am confident will leave me fully prepared to swim (1.2 miles), bike (56 miles), and run (13.1 miles) while keeping a smile on my face. My goal for this week was to add weights back which was no easy feat considering I had not lifted legs since my back problems began almost 14 months ago. I did it, and boy oh boy did I feel it. My other goal for the week was to get in 20 miles of jogging, walking, or heck crawling (thank goodness it did not come to that). There were so many good reasons to miss out and end the week at 17.5 miles-it was raining which meant I had to run on the treadmill which I am not such a fan of; my legs were oh so sore from lifting; the boys had a music class today which meant no gym time; there was laundry to fold, etc. During many triathlons, I would repeat a mantra over and over again to help me push through the pain, and today I had to dig to finish this week out strong. So, I told myself to SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP, and I did.
On a side note, this morning while trying to get the laundry out of the dryer, I had Parker laying across my legs, and Andrew trying to climb over both of us to 'help'. I said "PLEASE Andrew give me some space. I need some space." The next thing I knew Andrew had his fingers in my mouth. I asked him what he was doing. His response "Here mama, eat this. It is some space."
On a side note, this morning while trying to get the laundry out of the dryer, I had Parker laying across my legs, and Andrew trying to climb over both of us to 'help'. I said "PLEASE Andrew give me some space. I need some space." The next thing I knew Andrew had his fingers in my mouth. I asked him what he was doing. His response "Here mama, eat this. It is some space."
Thursday, February 26, 2009
You have to start somewhere
I have had this blogger name for pretty darn close to a year now, but life has been crazy and not at all what I have expected. I have gone around and around about what I would like to make this blog about-a training journal of sorts, all about the kids (any mom knows this could fill pages), or something else entirely? I am not sure what will become of this blog, or if it will fizzle, but for now I am just going to say what is on my mind.
This morning was a special treat in that the kiddos slept in until 7:15 and since I was up at 5:45, I had some time to stretch, shower, have coffee, and watch a bit of the early morning news all without chatter. Today's main story that I saw had to do with cancer. A new study has come out or rather a collaboration of studies stating that almost 2 in 3 cancers is preventable. Unless you are residing under a rock, or smoking behind it, I think we all know that cigarettes are a carcinogen and not a good idea, and that accounts for about 1/3 of cancers. As a sister to a former (YEAH) smoker, I realize that it is extremely difficult to quit, but it can be done. This segment focused more on those cancers that are caused by unhealthy weight and lack of exercise. Another 1/3 of cancer is considered preventable with a healthy diet and exercise routine.
After dropping Andrew off at preschool today, I went for a solo (Parker was along, but asleep) 5 mile walk/run. It left me lots of time to contemplate where it all went wrong for our culture. It has always seemed odd to me that when something tastes really good, Americans tend to eat faster rather than slowing down to savor it. I know I am guilty of this as well. As a nurse, I also always found it strange that weight was such a taboo topic, but let's be honest, when someone has a weight problem, it is fairly obvious. A few years ago I came across a study which asked physicians about various health topics, and they were most uncomfortable talking with their patients about weight, even when their patients brought up the subject, and even more so than sexual disorders/dysfunctions. At least weekly I also had patients who would ask either not to be weighed or to be weighed with their eyes closed so they would not know how heavy they were. CRAZINESS!
I don't want to come off preachy because Lord knows I have more than my fair share of weight to shed, particularly after baby #3, but I am trying, and that is all I ask of all of my loved ones and friends out there. If not to be stronger and have your clothes fit better, then just to live a little longer for those that care about you. Thinking about this study even prompted a second walk for today with the whole family in tow of an additonal two miles with even some jogging thrown in.
Well, that is post #1, thanks for listening.
This morning was a special treat in that the kiddos slept in until 7:15 and since I was up at 5:45, I had some time to stretch, shower, have coffee, and watch a bit of the early morning news all without chatter. Today's main story that I saw had to do with cancer. A new study has come out or rather a collaboration of studies stating that almost 2 in 3 cancers is preventable. Unless you are residing under a rock, or smoking behind it, I think we all know that cigarettes are a carcinogen and not a good idea, and that accounts for about 1/3 of cancers. As a sister to a former (YEAH) smoker, I realize that it is extremely difficult to quit, but it can be done. This segment focused more on those cancers that are caused by unhealthy weight and lack of exercise. Another 1/3 of cancer is considered preventable with a healthy diet and exercise routine.
After dropping Andrew off at preschool today, I went for a solo (Parker was along, but asleep) 5 mile walk/run. It left me lots of time to contemplate where it all went wrong for our culture. It has always seemed odd to me that when something tastes really good, Americans tend to eat faster rather than slowing down to savor it. I know I am guilty of this as well. As a nurse, I also always found it strange that weight was such a taboo topic, but let's be honest, when someone has a weight problem, it is fairly obvious. A few years ago I came across a study which asked physicians about various health topics, and they were most uncomfortable talking with their patients about weight, even when their patients brought up the subject, and even more so than sexual disorders/dysfunctions. At least weekly I also had patients who would ask either not to be weighed or to be weighed with their eyes closed so they would not know how heavy they were. CRAZINESS!
I don't want to come off preachy because Lord knows I have more than my fair share of weight to shed, particularly after baby #3, but I am trying, and that is all I ask of all of my loved ones and friends out there. If not to be stronger and have your clothes fit better, then just to live a little longer for those that care about you. Thinking about this study even prompted a second walk for today with the whole family in tow of an additonal two miles with even some jogging thrown in.
Well, that is post #1, thanks for listening.
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