I did it!!!
I'm not going to tell you all the details in this blog, you'll have to watch the last part of my Give It A Tri series on News 10 Now, or log onto our Website to see and read about it! :o)
But it was a great experience. I finished in well under 2:30 (my time was 2:00:46). I didn't get any cramps at any time, I felt good throughout the entire thing. And now, it's one more thing I've accomplished in my lifetime!
I thought there would be so many women at the park that I'd never see anyone I knew. But I ended up seeing all the women I interviewed for the Give It A Tri series, and a few other people I met along the way!
I want to give a big "THANK YOU!" to everyone who volunteered to let me interview them for the Give It A Tri series. My goal with the series was to show women that people just like them are out there trying out the triathlon experience for the first time, and that if they can do it, so can you! So thank you, for being a wonderful example to other women who might want to "give it a tri" some day!
Monday, July 27, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
the big day!
Tomorrow's it!! And it's only hours away, I'm not thrilled about waking up at 5:00am to get there because I'm NOT a morning person.
Plus, it's supposed to rain. Booh! (I guess it'll cool me down, though!)
I did two final training events- I went to Jamesville Beach on Wednesday for the swim and run. I had a cramp problem again, and it was also the same combination of running right after swimming. So, I'm hopeful that during the triathlon when we do the biking in between, that cramping won't be a problem. Also, my shoe laces on my right sneaker came undone TWICE during the run and they've never come undone before. Normally I just leave them, but it was only about 5 minutes in the first time so I tied them back up. I let them go the second time.
Thursday I did the 800m swim at Oneida Shores. Then I did the running course, just to see what it was like. I did it with a girl I met through Iron Girl, and we just did a light jog to check it out. Even not running fast it seemed to go by quickly. I'm glad the tri ends with a run!
I'm trying to do everything in under 2:30... So, wish me luck!
Plus, it's supposed to rain. Booh! (I guess it'll cool me down, though!)
I did two final training events- I went to Jamesville Beach on Wednesday for the swim and run. I had a cramp problem again, and it was also the same combination of running right after swimming. So, I'm hopeful that during the triathlon when we do the biking in between, that cramping won't be a problem. Also, my shoe laces on my right sneaker came undone TWICE during the run and they've never come undone before. Normally I just leave them, but it was only about 5 minutes in the first time so I tied them back up. I let them go the second time.
Thursday I did the 800m swim at Oneida Shores. Then I did the running course, just to see what it was like. I did it with a girl I met through Iron Girl, and we just did a light jog to check it out. Even not running fast it seemed to go by quickly. I'm glad the tri ends with a run!
I'm trying to do everything in under 2:30... So, wish me luck!
Monday, July 20, 2009
got my bike on
Today I did the bike course again, and I'm glad I did. Things started to look familiar, and it made a HUGE difference to know where I was going before I started biking (unlike last time...!) I don't think I improved my time at all, and may have even biked slower because there was no one in front of or behind me to motivate me. I estimated last time I did it in about 1:20, but I'm guessing it was more like 1:30. That's what it took me today. My butt still hurt as much as the first time, but I felt better overall about the course.
Although, I'm pretty sure I've biked the course backwards both times. The first time I was following someone most of the way. This time I saw a bunch of women going the opposite way as I was getting near the end. (A lot of the Iron Girl women were there today because Oneida Shores Iron Girl participants do the 800 meter swim course on Mondays and Thursdays, and a lot of times they do the bike course too). But, it's still 18 miles either way!
This marks the last long bike ride I'll be taking before the triathlon. I can't believe Sunday is the triathlon!! I've got some more swimming and running planned before then. Then on Thursday I'm helping my boyfriend put some last-minute stuff together for the Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival. He's going to have a booth there, his first art show, you should check out his photography Web site! It's going to be a busy weekend for both of us!
And, I've still got one more "Give It A Tri" piece to put together before the triathlon. So, not just a busy weekend, but a busy week!
Although, I'm pretty sure I've biked the course backwards both times. The first time I was following someone most of the way. This time I saw a bunch of women going the opposite way as I was getting near the end. (A lot of the Iron Girl women were there today because Oneida Shores Iron Girl participants do the 800 meter swim course on Mondays and Thursdays, and a lot of times they do the bike course too). But, it's still 18 miles either way!
This marks the last long bike ride I'll be taking before the triathlon. I can't believe Sunday is the triathlon!! I've got some more swimming and running planned before then. Then on Thursday I'm helping my boyfriend put some last-minute stuff together for the Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival. He's going to have a booth there, his first art show, you should check out his photography Web site! It's going to be a busy weekend for both of us!
And, I've still got one more "Give It A Tri" piece to put together before the triathlon. So, not just a busy weekend, but a busy week!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
get me a GPS!
Tonight I went to Oneida Shores to swim the actual 800 meter course. I was really surprised by the amount of seaweed and gunk in the water!! I know there's a bunch at Jamesville Beach, but this lake was wayyyy worse!
I was also frustrated, more than any other time I swam, with the number of people that were kicking me during the swim! I actually got kicked right in the gut at one point! (She apologized, which I appreciate, but I was too focused on moving forward to say 'it's okay!' back to her!)
But I finished in about 18 minutes, which is about my average, so that was good. I didn't get any cramps. Someone told me if you eat potassium-foods before you go out there it can help prevent cramps. So, bananas it is!!
Then I decided to do the bike course, which is 18 miles. That was HORRIBLE!! But I'm glad I did it so now I know what to expect. The rides at Jamesville Beach seemed to get shorter each week, so maybe if I do this course one more time before race day it will help.
I'm a really slow biker, and having a heavy bike doesn't help. I lost the woman in front of me after about 5 miles and ended up getting lost! I know there's a loop to it, but when I passed by a road I knew I'd passed by before I wasn't sure if I was supposed to turn or keep going straight. I'm very easily disoriented, and I'm not particularly observant with landmarks. I decided to stop and think things through, in front of a house in case I needed to go in and ask them for directions!
I turned around, checking to make sure there weren't cars about to hit me, and I saw a biker!! As he approached I asked if he could help me with directions. Turns out his wife is doing Iron Girl so he was doing the course and had the course map with him. He said I was going the right way and let me keep the map (which I later referred to twice!)
It took about an hour and 20 minutes for me to complete the course, and it was a painful 1:20. I'm pretty sure my posture on my bike isn't correct, but I'm not sure what to do. I think I'll ask someone at the CNY Tri Club next week for some pointers.
I'm really tired now, so we'll see if I have energy to do some working out tomorrow!
I was also frustrated, more than any other time I swam, with the number of people that were kicking me during the swim! I actually got kicked right in the gut at one point! (She apologized, which I appreciate, but I was too focused on moving forward to say 'it's okay!' back to her!)
But I finished in about 18 minutes, which is about my average, so that was good. I didn't get any cramps. Someone told me if you eat potassium-foods before you go out there it can help prevent cramps. So, bananas it is!!
Then I decided to do the bike course, which is 18 miles. That was HORRIBLE!! But I'm glad I did it so now I know what to expect. The rides at Jamesville Beach seemed to get shorter each week, so maybe if I do this course one more time before race day it will help.
I'm a really slow biker, and having a heavy bike doesn't help. I lost the woman in front of me after about 5 miles and ended up getting lost! I know there's a loop to it, but when I passed by a road I knew I'd passed by before I wasn't sure if I was supposed to turn or keep going straight. I'm very easily disoriented, and I'm not particularly observant with landmarks. I decided to stop and think things through, in front of a house in case I needed to go in and ask them for directions!
I turned around, checking to make sure there weren't cars about to hit me, and I saw a biker!! As he approached I asked if he could help me with directions. Turns out his wife is doing Iron Girl so he was doing the course and had the course map with him. He said I was going the right way and let me keep the map (which I later referred to twice!)
It took about an hour and 20 minutes for me to complete the course, and it was a painful 1:20. I'm pretty sure my posture on my bike isn't correct, but I'm not sure what to do. I think I'll ask someone at the CNY Tri Club next week for some pointers.
I'm really tired now, so we'll see if I have energy to do some working out tomorrow!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
cramping my style
Tonight was a CNY Tri Club training event at Jamesville Beach. But we weren't able to bike tonight, which actually ended up being a good thing because I still had to go back to work and finish up some stuff at work for our "Give It A Tri" series.
Tonight I had one of my worst nights, because I got a cramp right at the end of the swimming. Which was discouraging because I very rarely get cramps and I'm not sure what causes them. It continued to hurt for the first 7 or so minutes of my run. I'm not sure if biking in between would have helped me to get rid of the cramp or not. I just hope something like that doesn't happen on race day because I know I'm not at my best when I'm hurting!
Yesterday I got in some biking after work. Not a ton, I went from work to Wal-Mart which is only 4.5 miles on the back roads. So in total I probably rode about 9 miles there and then back home.
Tomorrow I'm planning to go to Oneida Shores to swim the full 800 meters on the actual course!
Tonight I had one of my worst nights, because I got a cramp right at the end of the swimming. Which was discouraging because I very rarely get cramps and I'm not sure what causes them. It continued to hurt for the first 7 or so minutes of my run. I'm not sure if biking in between would have helped me to get rid of the cramp or not. I just hope something like that doesn't happen on race day because I know I'm not at my best when I'm hurting!
Yesterday I got in some biking after work. Not a ton, I went from work to Wal-Mart which is only 4.5 miles on the back roads. So in total I probably rode about 9 miles there and then back home.
Tomorrow I'm planning to go to Oneida Shores to swim the full 800 meters on the actual course!
Monday, July 13, 2009
vacation training woes
I'm back from my 4-day trip to Ohio! I was able to get some exercising in, but not nearly as much as I wanted to.
I started in Massilon, OH where I visited a good friend from elementary school who I've stayed in touch with.
On Day 1 I did a very short 20 minute job (I tried to run faster than I usually do so it would make up for the 10 minutes less that I was running!) I didn't want to keep everyone waiting around for me so I made it short.
On Day 2 I did a normal 30 minute jog because I woke up before everyone else. Something I noted is that while I'm on vacation I usually eat worse and exercise less. My body knows and acts accordingly! It really makes me realize the importance of a healthy diet and exercise, and makes me see how training for this triathlon has helped to make me a healthier person.
That night we ventured out to Willoughby where the only physical activity I had was the 3 or 4 games of Corn Hole that I played! What a fantastic game! I'd played it a few times before in Rochester, but it's big in Ohio!
Day 4 was going to be fun- Rock climbing at the Dick's Sporting Goods store that has a climbing wall inside! Except that they stopped offering climbing because they didn't want to pay for the insurance anymore, so we didn't get to climb after all. I did get to try horseback riding (I'm terrible at it!) but that wasn't much exercise.
Day 5 was also slated to be an exercise-packed day with a half mile swim at a nearby beach! But about a third of the way into the swim someone who works for the park came out in a jet ski and told us we couldn't be swimming so far from the shore. Then suddenly we see the U.S. Coast Guard flashing the lights on their boat and they told us to get in instead of swimming back to shore. They asked for our social security numbers to do background checks and everything. And as far as we know, the only reason they didn't want us out there is because they were letting other boats use the swimming area too so they didn't think it was safe, not because we did anything unlawful. Meanwhile, back on shore, my friend's wife and my boyfriend who had been canoeing beside us were getting grilled by a sheriff who thought they stole the canoe and wanted to do background checks on them too.
I decided I was done with the swimming, and my boyfriend and I were heading home in a couple hours anyway, so we called it a day!
What a trip! I thought I was going to get locked up in Ohio for trying to train for a triathlon...
I started in Massilon, OH where I visited a good friend from elementary school who I've stayed in touch with.
On Day 1 I did a very short 20 minute job (I tried to run faster than I usually do so it would make up for the 10 minutes less that I was running!) I didn't want to keep everyone waiting around for me so I made it short.
On Day 2 I did a normal 30 minute jog because I woke up before everyone else. Something I noted is that while I'm on vacation I usually eat worse and exercise less. My body knows and acts accordingly! It really makes me realize the importance of a healthy diet and exercise, and makes me see how training for this triathlon has helped to make me a healthier person.
That night we ventured out to Willoughby where the only physical activity I had was the 3 or 4 games of Corn Hole that I played! What a fantastic game! I'd played it a few times before in Rochester, but it's big in Ohio!
Day 4 was going to be fun- Rock climbing at the Dick's Sporting Goods store that has a climbing wall inside! Except that they stopped offering climbing because they didn't want to pay for the insurance anymore, so we didn't get to climb after all. I did get to try horseback riding (I'm terrible at it!) but that wasn't much exercise.
Day 5 was also slated to be an exercise-packed day with a half mile swim at a nearby beach! But about a third of the way into the swim someone who works for the park came out in a jet ski and told us we couldn't be swimming so far from the shore. Then suddenly we see the U.S. Coast Guard flashing the lights on their boat and they told us to get in instead of swimming back to shore. They asked for our social security numbers to do background checks and everything. And as far as we know, the only reason they didn't want us out there is because they were letting other boats use the swimming area too so they didn't think it was safe, not because we did anything unlawful. Meanwhile, back on shore, my friend's wife and my boyfriend who had been canoeing beside us were getting grilled by a sheriff who thought they stole the canoe and wanted to do background checks on them too.
I decided I was done with the swimming, and my boyfriend and I were heading home in a couple hours anyway, so we called it a day!
What a trip! I thought I was going to get locked up in Ohio for trying to train for a triathlon...
Monday, July 6, 2009
busy, training, and busy!
A combination of working, training, and putting the stories together for my Iron Girl series on News 10 Now has got my head spinning!! (We finally came up with a name for the Iron Girl series, it will be called "Give It A Tri.")
Since my swim last Thursday, I got in a 14 mile bike ride at Onondaga Lake Park. It took more effort than I thought it would, especially for a flat trail. And my butt hurt by the end from the seat!! I guess I'll need to focus on more biking so that I break in the seat.
I played soccer on Sunday for about an hour and a half, until my 9-year-old cleats started to give me blisters! (They're my high school cleats, that fit me when I was a senior, but don't really fit me so well now!) I figured a different type of running, as opposed to my usual jogs, would be good for me.
This morning I did my usual jog for 30 minutes. I realized how much more motivated I get when I'm running with other people. When I'm by myself I don't push myself unless I consciouly think about running hard. But when I'm running with other people (like during the CNY Tri club events) I use the people in front of me as a motivator- I want to pass them, so I run much faster.
If I write tomorrow, it means I found some time to get in exercise before my mini vacation to Ohio, to visit some friends. If not, then I'll either post during my trip, or when I get back!
Since my swim last Thursday, I got in a 14 mile bike ride at Onondaga Lake Park. It took more effort than I thought it would, especially for a flat trail. And my butt hurt by the end from the seat!! I guess I'll need to focus on more biking so that I break in the seat.
I played soccer on Sunday for about an hour and a half, until my 9-year-old cleats started to give me blisters! (They're my high school cleats, that fit me when I was a senior, but don't really fit me so well now!) I figured a different type of running, as opposed to my usual jogs, would be good for me.
This morning I did my usual jog for 30 minutes. I realized how much more motivated I get when I'm running with other people. When I'm by myself I don't push myself unless I consciouly think about running hard. But when I'm running with other people (like during the CNY Tri club events) I use the people in front of me as a motivator- I want to pass them, so I run much faster.
If I write tomorrow, it means I found some time to get in exercise before my mini vacation to Ohio, to visit some friends. If not, then I'll either post during my trip, or when I get back!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Morning Swim
Today I did my usual 36 laps at the Syracuse University pool. By usual, I mean usual for a Thursday and Friday (my days off). That's a 1/2 mile swim, which is the distance I'll have to swim during the triathlon. I did it in 20 minutes, which isn't my best time, but then again I'm not out to make great time... just out to finish!
I realized that, after leaving my goggles on for a longer period of time, I have them WAY too tight! I then had huge rings around my eyes for the next three hours! I've heard that they're supposed to be tight, but aparently not that tight! Guess I'll need to figure out the balance between too tight and too leaky!
I realized that, after leaving my goggles on for a longer period of time, I have them WAY too tight! I then had huge rings around my eyes for the next three hours! I've heard that they're supposed to be tight, but aparently not that tight! Guess I'll need to figure out the balance between too tight and too leaky!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
new goggles!
Tonight was the first time this week that I got to get some serious training in.
Monday I did a 30 minute jog, and yesterday I had to work late so I wasn't able to do any physical activity.
But tonight, I went to the CNY Tri Club's weekly event at Jamesville Beach Park. They do a quarter mile swim, 10 mile bike ride and 3 mile run. (The Iron Girl is an 800 meter swim, 20 mile bike ride and 3 mile run).
And tonight, I came prepared with NEW goggles! If you read my last post you'll know that last week I had a terrible time swimming because of my leaky, foggy goggles. Well, I went to Dick's before heading over to the park tonight and got myself a $10 pair of Reebok vetrospex goggles and they were AWESOME! Crystal clear, no blur, and minimal leaking. I was able to do the quarter mile swim in about 8 minutes!
I also had a photographer from our station, Jim McCann, there shooting video of me for the Iron Girl series I'm putting together for News 10 Now. So I took my time transitioning from swimming to biking so that he could get some shots of me as I put my socks, shoes, helmet, etc... on!
Biking went pretty well. Each week the course seems shorter and shorter! The run went really well, although I forgot to check my watch to see how quickly I did it! Overall I finished in 1:33, but I don't think I was slower than last week. I think the time I took between swimming and biking, to let Jim get video of me, is what set me back.
Next week I'll be out of town so I won't be able to go to the Tri event. But in the mean time, I'm hoping to get in some swimming tomorrow and a long bike ride on Friday.
Monday I did a 30 minute jog, and yesterday I had to work late so I wasn't able to do any physical activity.
But tonight, I went to the CNY Tri Club's weekly event at Jamesville Beach Park. They do a quarter mile swim, 10 mile bike ride and 3 mile run. (The Iron Girl is an 800 meter swim, 20 mile bike ride and 3 mile run).
And tonight, I came prepared with NEW goggles! If you read my last post you'll know that last week I had a terrible time swimming because of my leaky, foggy goggles. Well, I went to Dick's before heading over to the park tonight and got myself a $10 pair of Reebok vetrospex goggles and they were AWESOME! Crystal clear, no blur, and minimal leaking. I was able to do the quarter mile swim in about 8 minutes!
I also had a photographer from our station, Jim McCann, there shooting video of me for the Iron Girl series I'm putting together for News 10 Now. So I took my time transitioning from swimming to biking so that he could get some shots of me as I put my socks, shoes, helmet, etc... on!
Biking went pretty well. Each week the course seems shorter and shorter! The run went really well, although I forgot to check my watch to see how quickly I did it! Overall I finished in 1:33, but I don't think I was slower than last week. I think the time I took between swimming and biking, to let Jim get video of me, is what set me back.
Next week I'll be out of town so I won't be able to go to the Tri event. But in the mean time, I'm hoping to get in some swimming tomorrow and a long bike ride on Friday.
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