I did it! I signed up!

I literally just signed up for my first half-ironman! I have been following the training plan for a week now, and decided there is no time like the present to just do it!!

Follow me on my journey!!


Happy running and racing!!

Calorie Counting and Half Ironman Training

The hubs and I bought new iPhones last week. I was browsing around the apps store and found the "Lose It" App. It's a simple and convienent way to count calories and track what you are eating. I started three days a go with a goal to lose about 10-15 pounds. It is so simple I can't believe it. For some of my foods I have even measured out my portions just to see what an actual portion size is for certain foods. You can even add in exercise to your day. Thankfully I have a heart rate monitor so I can track actual calories burned instead of an estimate. I don't plan on weighing myself for quite awhile, I just want to get in the habit of tracking what I eat. I am also hoping that shedding some pounds will help me be a bit faster when I race.

2 Days of Half Ironman Training Done!!! So far so good, I have stuck to the plan... so far!

Monday: supposed to be a rest day, but wanted to go to Zumba. I also took a 30 minute spin class and did a nice 30 minute swim after. I will probably not be doing this every monday.

Tuesday: 60 minute bike ride on the indoor  trainer. Hills and intervals.

Wednesday: 45 minute swim, mostly drills. I haven't done a real swimming workout since October. 30 mintute run, first run in the past few weeks.

Thursday: 90 minute bike ride. Not looking forward to riding my bike for 90 minutes indoors.

A Very Long Week

This week has been an incredibly long week. My grandmother unexpectedly passed away last Monday. My husband and I drove up to be with our family and to help out with my grandfather a short time after we lost her. I worry about him the most. He has been married to my grandma for over 65 years! I couldn't even begin to imagine what he feels like right now. I have never seen my grandpa cry until last Monday, that made me so sad.  We are having the memorial for her today  are expecting quite a few family members and family friends to join us this afternnon. It's probably going to be one of those bittersweet moments, where you are sad but enjoy seeing so many people you haven't seen in a long time. I love you grandma!

During all of this craziness my husband and I were able to take some time out to ourselves and we were able to pick up my bike from the shop. They had to do a few adjustments and that is what I was waiting for. I was only able to get on it one time. It was the longest hour of my life. I didn't have a workout planned, no intervals, no hills, I just pedaled and watched the Olympics. I really, really love the bike and can't wait to take it outside of my basement to actually ride it for real!!

My goal this past week was to start training for my half-Ironman that I plan on signing up for. That didn't happen. Once everything settles down after today that is my new goal! The training plan that I have picked out seems really doable and actually looks like fun. We'll see!!

Happy running and training!

10 Reasons why you should volunteer at a race

This morning I was able to volunteer for a local 5k, with 3,000 plus participants. I have never volunteered at a race before only particicpated in them. I had no idea what to expect. I arrived at around 6:15 in the morning to help set up for the event. Wow! These people are pros! They knew exactly what they have to do to keep everything running on time. I felt like I was in the way as I had no clue what I was doing. I met up with another first time volunteer and we were responsible for making the chutes at the end of the race. It took us quite awhile but we finished.

My next task was to work the packet pick-up booth and hand out t-shirts. There were a ton of volunteers ready to help. We came across some packets that were missing but they were able to get squared away with new timing chips and numbers. One thing I learned about this is, arrive as early as you can to pick your packet up just in case there is a problem with it and a new number can be reassigned no questions ask. Or better yet, pick your packet up the day before if you can. One gentleman who is very well-known in the Seattle running world came about 5 minutes before the start time and we could not find his packet. I looked up his name and couldn't find it. I let him look up his name and he couldn't find it. I directed him to someone who could help him and he tossed my list he was holding at me. RUDE!!!! Here is a little nugget of advice: COME EARLY TO YOUR EVENT JUST IN CASE THERE IS A PROBLEM!!

The last thing I did was to cut time chips off of shoes. This was really fun and not as bad as it looks. I was able to watch the first runners cross the line and congratulate them! Wow! They are amazing! This job also allows you to watch many first time racers cross the finish line for the first time. Watching that is just as inspiring!

Everyone should volunteer at least once!!!

10 Reasons why you should volunteer for a local race:

1. You get to know what goes on behind the scenes of a race: what it takes to get it set-up, take-down and everything in between.

2. Most race participants are extremely polite and you will hear a ton of "thank-yous' during your volunteer time.

3. You get a free t-shirt!

4. You may even be rewarded with a free entry to an upcoming race.

5. You get to witness those who are extremely rude to volunteers because there has been a mistake with their registration. (I only saw a few of those today)

6. You are able to eat the food if you so wish.

7. You get to watch the first speedy racer to cross the finish line.

8. You get to watch a ton of people complete their first race with smiles on their faces.

9. Yout get to meet a ton of new people who are passionate about what they do and want to give back to the sport.

10. You get to wake up even earlier than if you were actually participating in the event!

Pro Bike Fit

Last night I was finally able to do my pro bike fit for my new bike. I bought my bike and was fitted at Cycle University http://www.cycleuniversity.com/ It was really interesting. I was set up on a computrainer to warm-up a bit. During my warm-up the fitter watched me ride to see what adjustments he needed to make. I knew when I first bought the bike the saddle needed to be swapped because right away my girly bits were hurting. I think I now want to get a computrainer. Ooooooh, so many toys out there and soooooo not enough money for them all!

The fitter adjusted the aero-bars so I didn't have to reach so far, adjusted the saddle height and swapped out the men's saddle for a women's. The bike is still at the shop where they need to do some final adjustments, make the cables a bit shorter, and I guess they are cutting part a part of the aero-bar so it doesn't stick out and become a safety hazard. I should finally be able to take my bike home next week. It really doesn't matter anyway as it is pouring down rain today. But I do have all next week off and if the weather shapes up I am definitely taking it out for its innaugural ride!

I found my ipod!

My iPod has been missing since the beginning of my marathon training. I looked high and low and still couldn't find it. I went swimming the other day and opened up a pocket in my bag and "POOF" there was my missing iPod. I swear I looked in that pocket a million times and it wasn't there before. Go figure!

My workouts lately have been very sparse compared to when I was training for my marathon. It's been nice to just relax a little and not worry about an upcoming race. I have decided I am going to do my first Half Ironman this summer and need to get back on the wagon. I looked at some training plans and realized that I need to get started soon. I can't seem to find a plan that seems really good for someone who mainly trains on their own. I emailed my cousin who is an Uber triathlete to see if she can give me some good advice. The good thing about starting now is that I can get a good base built up so I can be ready to train hard. That's the plan at least ;)

Recently, I downloaded two great workouts from www.itrain.com for my indoor bike trainer. It's been hard just hopping on the bike and making things up as I go as far as intervals etc. These workouts can be pricey but if you are looking for some motivation on the treadmill, elliptical, or bike these are really WONDERFUL workouts. I ended up spending $20 for two workouts but I can always use them in the future and I don't have to use them all the time, just when I need a little push when I am down in my basement trying to get a workout in.

Workouts planned for this week (I just need to stick with them!)
1. Monday: Zumba and 30 minute spin class
2. Tuesday: if not called to sub, swim and run
3. Wednesday: I usually take off but if I am not working,bike trainer
4. Thursday: Zumba
5. Friday: off
6. Saturday: swim and run

Triathlon Race Schedule

Last year I met up with a friend who I used to swim with at a triathlon and she introduced me to her triathlete friends and then we all did a tri together last summer. So fun to know and race with active people! I just got an email with our potential racing schedule. I sooooooo wish I had an endless supply of money because there are several races in California and even one in Hawaii (not Ironman). How fund would that be to travel to a race with an awesome group of people? For now I will be participating in some local and some travel by car races. But it looks as though this will be my busiest triathlon season since I started three years ago, with a half ironman possibility in July. Let the racing begin!!!