Training Update

Rode 15+ miles of hill after hill after hill. Anthony (the coach) says he wants to do many more hills. I do believe he is trying to kill me. One of my teammates, Hank, got me to run with him. We did interval run/walks. Worked ok for me. I am sore today though.

Rode 10.5 miles this morning. Hopefully will get in some more this evening. We'll see.

Timed 800M for seeding

I had set goals early in training for each of the events using the listed results from last year in my age group.

My Goals:
24 minutes for swimming
1 hour 15 minutes for biking
45 minutes for the run.

So on the Sunday we rode in Lexington, I completed the bike in 1 hour 35 minutes, on a mountain bike. With the road bike I should be able to shave at least the 20 minutes off to hit my goal.

We had to complete the 800M last night for seeding on the tri application. My swim was clocked at 20' 54" - How flipping cool! I am already 3 minutes better than the goal I set.

Now, my goal for the last five to six weeks is run, run, run. They tell me I should start running (or walking) five days a week. I am going to have to start getting up early to get out and walk/run. I just don't have much time in the evenings with the kids activities and my other training. So, starting tonight...it's to bed early (by 10) and getting up an hour earlier, five days a week! I'll keep you posted.

Also, my fundraising isn't going as well as I had hoped! If you haven't yet and you are able to donate, please do so on the following link:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/ky/CoxTri09/lburgan

Thanks for your support!

New Bike and Continued Training

I got my bike in Friday. It is so pretty! It is pure white with some blue lettering. Just my size (small), I love it! Pat put it together for me. I had to adjust the brakes and there was a problem with the gears, but I think we have all that adjusted now. Thanks Rick! It was ready for me when I got home from swimming last night. Rode it around the block a couple times. Tonight's extra training is a 60 minute bike ride. I am definitely gonna get that in since I missed it this weekend.

Swimming last night was good. I felt the best I have ever after a swim. I am usually pretty whooped. We were supposed to swim 1800m (2x200, 600, 500, 300) but because I am a slower swimmer, I only got 1600m in. But I look at it this way...I swam over a mile! We used the kick board (liked) and a buoy thingy you put between your legs (no kicking, just strokes). Boy was that buoy thing hard! I had a hard time breathing. But I am sure it will help in the long run. Wednesday we are going to do our timed 800m for the entry form seeding. I can't wait!

New Bike on it's way

Okay, so after talking with people Sunday on the ride, and then my husband talking with various people at Norton's that are doing the Norton's Ride for Cancer, he talked me into finally getting an actual road bike. As much as I grunted about spending money on something I may never do again, we compromised . . . I bought an inexpensive GMC Denali 700c Road Bike. It is really just my size . . . a 19" frame. Sounds like it has everything the more expensive bikes have, you know tires, brakes, gears, a chain, etc. ;-) Found it at Dick's Sporting Goods, but had to order on line. They said they would assemble it for me when it comes in for about $10-$20. Not too bad to make sure it is together correctly.

So, hopefully I will get it in and together before my first ride in August. We'll see. I just hope it wasn't a waste of money!

Monday Swim Practice

Coach didn't seem to care that most of us there had done the practice Tri Sunday...He worked us hard. The minimum he set for us was 200m, 200m, 500m & 300m. I did them all, but this morning I feel like someone has beat the living (*$! out of me! I thought I was whooped yesterday, boy was I wrong. I really believed that since I trained last night, I would feel better today. Again, wrong! I can barely hold my head up. Work will be fun today...

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ky/CoxTri09/lburgan

Practice Tri in Lexington

Yesterday we had the great fortune to train with the Lexington Team In Training team and do the actual complete course (swim, bike and run) for the triathlon in September. We got to meet Susan Bradley-Cox, the namesake for the Tri. Very cool!

What a beautiful day for a ride on the hills of Kentucky...and do I mean HILLS! The swim went fine. I finished it feeling pretty good. Yes, all 800M!!!! Just remembering to keep a steady pace and that I am there to finish, not win!

Then on to the bikes! I felt pretty good until the first hill...then the second...then the third. Had a really hard time. I did walk up two of the hills. My knees were burning so bad, I had to get off the bike. I thought I was going to fall. I was the last one to finish, but by-God I finished!!! Being last and all, I had the fortune of having Susan riding with me. She really helped me out with changing my gears, etc. so I didn't work myself so hard. I think I have it figured out.

When we got back to the transition area, I decided that if I wanted to drive home, it was probably best I didn't try the 4 mile run. My knees were swollen, my body aching and I was plum tired! So, I iced down my knees for a while and climbed in the car to head home. The more I thought about it, the worse I felt about not trying the run. Thought about it all the way home.

Got home and showered, iced down and pretty much went to bed! This morning...I'm very glad I didn't do the run! Probably wouldn't be able to work. Getting sorer by the minute! Getting ready to ice again. Praying swimming is an easy night tonight! The water should feel good!

Walking getting easier too!

Well, walking last night seemed to be easier! YEAH!!!! I have figured out I need to really relax during my walk. I guess I am so tense, my calves get stiff and I cramp. But last night I really worked on relaxing as I walked my 30 minutes. Twice around the Prosser parking lot plus once around the main building. I am guessing this is about 1.25 miles or so, maybe more. I plan to run it with the van Thursday to get a better estimate. The whole point is that I didn't cramp, it actually felt pretty good! One more step closer to finishing this Tri!

We just got our training schedule for the next month. Anthony (the cycling/running coach) is having us do some strange things during our rides with the gears. He knows what he is doing, but I just got the gears down on how to use them...now this? He always give us a minimum amount of stuff to do on the training and then adds stuff for Intermediate and Advanced. My goal is to do at least two of the extra runs and some extra biking. Here we go....

Oh, Team In Training has asked for volunteers for the Louisville Ironman. We are going to be body markers! I have volunteered for this, as it sounds like fun...Plus I get a t-shirt and a TNT hat! What better reason to get up at 3 in the morning?

Look for me at the intersection of Breckenridge and Taylorsville Road Saturday from 12-3. TNT is doing a roadblock!

Donations: http://pages.teamintraining.org/ky/CoxTri09/lburgan

Swimming getting a little better

Swimming is getting a little better. It is really hard to get started...the water is cold, muscles are cold. Once I get going it does get easier. Last night we did 2 - 200m warm ups and then an 800m, timed. I think I swam the 800 in about 33-35 minutes. I lost track of how many laps I had done. They kept telling me to keep going (other swimmers) so I did, but I really think I swam two extra 100's. Oh well. Going to miss swimming tomorrow, but we are heading to Lexington for a practice on the actual full course. I will swim and bike, but unsure about the run. Coach may not make us do that anyway. We won't even start until 12:30 p.m., so it could be very hot. I hope to get in an 18 mile ride Saturday morning. I just want to see if I can do it. I may go to Cherokee because of the hills, but not sure. I don't want to do too awful much and not be able to swim and bike Sunday. We'll see.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ky/CoxTri09/lburgan

A personal best yesterday on the bike: 10.5 miles, 60 min ride. Missed training with the team because of ross' tri @ the aquatic ctr, but went out last night. gonna ride probably tonight again.

Picture of the LLS TNT Triathlon Team

Here's a picture of us from last week at Seneca.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ky/CoxTri09/lburgan

Running...My Favorite Thing in the Whole World!

I attempted to run last night. Did the 15 second intervals that my teammates told me to start on. Boy was that hard. 15 seconds of running (when you don't) is a long time. Still trying to figure out why my legs stiffen and cramp. My shins were hurting while walking/running too. I stretched really well, but guess not well enough. Ugh...will I ever be able to finish the last leg of the Tri???????? About 9 weeks left before the big day (so basically 8 weeks of training). I have got to get this figured out...

Quickie update...

Swam 1400 m last night. Able to get through a 500m slowly without any major stoppage. Thought I was going to throw up, but I didn't. Fun times... Oh, didn't get my run in, but going to try some things my teammates told me, intervals, etc. We will see.

Not Realizing It . . . Until Tonight

I got my bike back yesterday from Schwinn. After the busy night running one of the kids around and grocery shopping, I was determined to get a ride in before dark and I had about 30 minutes, so off I went. The gears on my bike have been giving me fits, so I also wanted to test those out. WOW! They worked great! Not wanting to venture out on the main roads because of the setting sun, I decided just to ride between the two neighborhoods. One is fairly flat and ours has some decent hills (nothing like Cherokee though). I rode right at 5 miles in the 30 minutes of daylight I had. Not too awful bad. But you know what I noticed, I really wanted to ride a lot more! I was actually upset I wasn't able to get more time in!

While talking with the hubby last night, I realized how I felt when I had to get off the bike. I asked him if he remembered four weeks ago when I couldn't make it from our house up the tiny hill into the neighborhood beside us. Couldn't be much more than 1/4 mile or so. I would have to stop and would be out of breath, complaining and asking again, 'why was I doing this?' It is hard to believe that now four weeks later, I am complaining that can't ride longer. Funny how that works, uh?

Beginning of week 4

Well. I made it through another ride in Seneca & Cherokee Parks Saturday. A little over 8 miles. Sunday it rained on and off so I didn't get to ride. Although I did ride for about 30 minutes on the stationary bike on Monday morning before work. I missed swimming yesterday because I had to take care of some family things. This week is going to be a little wild! Ross is doing a camp this week for a Tri-It for kids this coming Saturday. And, Bekah is going to a high school camp with the Purdue soccer coaches, plus drivers ed (yikes). So I will be missing some team training sessions and will have to make them up.

Here's my plan...Hopefully my bike will be out of the shop today!

Tues: Bike 60 minutes, Run 20 minutes
Wed: Try to make swim practice...Run 20 minutes
Thurs: Bike 60 minutes, Run 30 minutes
Fri: Run 30 minutes
Sat: (on my own), Swim 60 minutes, Bike 45 minutes, Run 15 minutes (will not all happen sequentially, probably spread throughout the day)

I really have to get my stuff together. We are going to Lexington next week (July 19) to practice on the actual tri course. Again, why did I sign up for this...

Soreness...will it EVER end...

You know, some days I wake up feeling pretty good. Some days, so, so. Then there are days like today that I feel as if I have been hit with a Mac Truck! No joke. I wish it were just my muscles. You know, the aches and pains you get when you haven't used them in awhile? My aches are mostly joint related. From my toes to the tips of my fingers. This is a pain I have felt for a long time, so it is nothing new. I was just hoping that exercising would alleviate it, if not eliminate it. The feeling doesn't help my mood at all. Everything sets me off, even the tiniest things. These are the days I really wish I could (and really probably should) just stay in bed and wait for the pain to pass. I hate feeling this way and hope it subsides by the time I have to run/walk tonight. Otherwise it will be a wasted day!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ky/CoxTri09/lburgan

Got up and walked this morning before work. Ab 25 minutes...I have got to get where I can run. I don't know if I'm scared or what! I know I feel silly looking when I run. So maybe it's that...

Feet/ankles and knees are really hurting from working on flipturns last night!

Yesterday was a bust! Didnt do anything because I felt horrible. But got up this morning, put my new road tires on (was on knobby ones)...thanks to Patrick and our neighbor Mitch! Then I rode for 45 minutes and got in 8.5 miles. That is a personal best. I wouldn't have stopped, but I was out of water. I may ride again tonight or walk/run while Ross is @ soccer practice. Two full weeks down...11 to go.

WOW! What a great swim! I made a 300m hardly stopping at all. Then a 200m only stopping briefly on the last turn. It really must be all in my head with how the lanes are set up...25's or 50's. Gueww now i have to run after next Monday's swim...A promise is a promise.

Swimming ... Day 3

Last night we learned flip turns. That was easy. After I got comfortable with when to start into it, it all came flooding back to me. Got that down. Now I have to work on keeping my head down. I am looking up (now understanding why my neck hurts). I guess I am trying to see in front of me. I also noticed that I have a hard time turning to take a breath when I am looking down. So Wednesday I have to work on these things and also trying to breathe to my right. I have no idea why I breathe to the left, I always used my right. But I need to get the left side stronger and I think that will help my endurance too.

A bunch of the group are running after swimming now. I was asked, but just didn't feel I could. I still am hurting, besides I really cannot run (yet)! But I made a deal with Katie (she is the director of TNT). When I can swim a 100m without stopping, I will start running afterwards with the group. So here it is in black and white (well, pink), my promise to the group! I really would like to do this by July 13th!

Hurting more now than when started

I cannot explain it and I am sure it has to do with the Cherokee ride Saturday, but boy am I sore. EVERY muscle on me hurts. Even in the palms of my hands! So bad that I only rode 15 minutes yesterday, which means I have to ride 45 minutes tonight after swim practice. Yuck!

Saturday I hurt so badly afterwards. Both my knees and ankles were swollen. I iced them when I got home after breakfast, but I am not sure it was enough. I really should have rested more, but I was determined not to nap. I had things I wanted to get done. Maybe that was my mistake and why I feel like I do. I have to remember baby steps!

Last week I felt so good every morning. Little soreness, full of energy. Yesterday (Sunday) and today I have no energy and just down right hurt! I don't know the difference ... but I am going to start into a training diet today (had a nutrition and hydration class Saturday) and hopefully that will help me a lot with the ups and downs in energy.

I also have a doctor's appointment this week for my yearly physical. Going to talk with her to get her advice. Have her check my sugar (it's been acting really weird lately) and a few other things. Hopefully she will also give me a referral to a rheumatologist. I tried to make an appt with my old one, but since it has been over two years, they need a referral. I want them to work with me on the arthritis in the hips, ankles and knees. I think that will help a lot with my running. We'll see!

Rode seneca n cherokee this morning. All I can say is ouch! More later...off to breakfast now.

You can also find me on twitter - @jhssoccermom

I really am starting to wonder if I will ever be able to run. My ankles and knees hurt and my calves feel like they are going to cramp at any time. I walked and tried to run for 30 minutes, but just couldn't. :-(

Second day of swimming

Not near as bad as Monday. I dont know if the jitters have subsided or if my body actually remembers that i used to do that at one time! Whatever it is, its great. Now not to say I was perfect, but i was able to get myself slowed down enough to not get so tired. And was able to concentrate more on the mechanics of the stroke. 30 minute run tomorrow...we'll see.

Running vs walking

Well i did a little hybrid walk/run last night. Since it stormed, i decided to use the treadmill. I did ride the stationary bike for 15 mins first. Then did my "running" for 20. Did I tell you before? I hate running!

First Swim Training

It's noon of the day after our first TNT Team Swim Training! I was very sore this morning. Had a real hard time getting moving. But I am up and going, surviving the day. My hips and calves are the sorest parts! My shoulders are a bit sore too, but not like my hips.

You know, I swam in middle school and freshman year of high school and my muscles have no recollection of it :) But again, I will survive and we are on to running tonight.

Truth in Training

Ok...I really want to post that everything is going great...that I am not having any problems with this whole Tri thing...But I promised myself I would blog this adventure truthfully!

So, Saturday morning really was ok, but yesterday was awful! I got out on the bike by myself for the first time. It was humid and I still haven't gotten something to put my water bottle in so I left it at home. I rode for about 15 minutes and got very sick. So I headed back home. I rode for a total of 20 minutes, about 2 miles.

I don't know if it was eating breakfast too close to the ride; what I ate for breakfast; not hydrating enough before hand or what. Nerves? Being out by myself for the first time. Was I worried I'd fall or have a flat and have to walk back. I didn't have my cell either! Or could it have just been the humidity. Maybe I waited too long to get out there, for me anyway.

But I was determined to get my 45 minutes in so at about 8:15 last night, Pat and I rode the 25 minutes I had left. Made it 4 miles. So even though it wasn't all in one trip, I did get it done.

Tonight starts the swim training. I hope it goes better than the biking and running! I am still questioning why in the world I signed up for this . . . It seems right now, a very stupid thing to do. I'm tired, sore, grumpy and disappointed in how bad a shape I really am in, but yet still very determined! Get me through this first week . . .

First TNT Team Training - Bike & Walk

It's Sunday morning and I am sitting here eating my breakfast, preparing myself for my first solo ride today (45 minutes). Yesterday was the first team training. We did a 45 minute bike ride and a 15 minute run. I may have been the slowest pace on the bike, but I don't care. I finished it! I actually got a whole 8.1 miles. A few stops to catch my breath and some great accolades and pushing from Chris (a coach who actually does Iron Man competitions), I was able to make the whole 45 minutes. The run (which I walked) wasn't easy. I just couldn't get my legs back from the bike. Walking was better than quitting! I walked about 1/2 mile or a little less.

Today my shoulders, ankles and feet hurt quite a bit, but not enough I guess to keep me off the bike today. So, I'm off...gonna keep it pretty flat today. Probably just go down Shungate and around Raintree Ridge. Nothing too hard since I am by myself.

Swim training starts tomorrow. That should be fun! I'll let you know how it goes. Later!

Training Prep - Not Fun!

Well, night before last Pat and I walked about two miles. Not too bad. Felt really good! Last night we brought out the bike! That wasn't as much fun. My bottom is sore and I realized I have never been on a 21 speed bike. I have no clue as to all the stupid gears. I am learning with Pat's help. But I can guarantee you, I will lay it down before the week is over. Not looking forward to that.

I did go to Pacers & Racers Wednesday and got fitted for a good pair of running shoes.

Pat's taking me to Scheller's tonight so we can get slicks put on the bike. I am also going to pick up a helmet, gloves and a fanny pack that will hold my water bottle. I also have to pick up a swim cap and goggles for Monday's swimming training. My grandma swimsuit will have to do for now.! Boy, I think I picked the most expensive thing to do.

Can you tell I am so very new to this??

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ky/CoxTri09/lburgan

Official TNT Kickoff last night

Last night was great. What an inspiring night. LLS hosted the official kickoff for this season. We got to meet Noah, a great kid who one year ago was diagnosed with ALL, a form of leukemia. He is one of our two Heroes that we are honoring. We also met our coaches and mentors! I got to meet everyone on the Tri team. There is about 8 of us and half are from Indiana and half from Kentucky. We received our training schedules. All I can say is I am glad soccer season is over! We have our first bike and run training session this Saturday at Silver Creek. I was scared they were going to expect us to bike and run so many miles, but they train in minutes, so everyone can move at their own pace. I really like that. So it's 45 minutes of biking and 15 running. I THINK I can do that, I just won't go as far as everyone else and that's OK! Then we start my favorite part, swimming on Monday. We do that twice a week. Can't wait. I'll let you know how it goes Saturday!

Don't forget...if you are able to help support the cause, my website is http://pages.teamintraining.org/ky/CoxTri09/lburgan. Or you can mail a check to my house made out to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. My address is 5802 Windy Pl., Jeffersonville, IN 47130. Thanks for all your support!

Nervous! Anxious! Excited!

Well, tomorrow is the official kick off! We get to meet our coaches, honorees, mentors and team mates. I am so nervous! I have been trying to find a good bike. One of the coaches says they can get us to the finish line using a mountain bike, but I would like to find a cheap road bike (if there is such a thing). So I will be riding the exercise bike until I find one. I'll check in later in the week!

My Fundraising Page

Ok, as promised...Here's a link to my LLS TNT Susan Bradley-Cox Tri for Sight Tiathlon fundraising site. My goal is $2400. Can we do it?

My Fundraising Page

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I'm doing it - My first triathlon! Can you believe it?

OK. I have taken the first step to getting in shape...I have signed up as a member of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team In Training. I will be training for the Susan Bradley-Cox Tri for Sight Triathlon on Sunday, September 13, 2009, in Lexington, KY.

A couple weeks ago I got something in the mail on the LLS TNT and thought it looked fun. You join the "team" and train together for a common event. So I went to the informational meeting tonight. I wondered if their trainers could really get someone like me fit enough to complete a triathlon in this short of time. They said if you follow their schedule and train with the team each week, I will be able to get to the finish line. So I took them up on the challenge.

Here's how it works...You sign-up for a small fee ($50) and you commit to train and raise money for LLS. There is a minimum that you have to raise, because they pay for all the expenses for your trip. They offer everything from a century ride from Louisville to Lexington to a marathon in Maui. Of course the Maui trip is more fundraising to do...but how fun would that be?

I decided on starting with the tri in Lexington. I always wanted to do it, and here's my opportunity. I get coaches and mentors to push me. They offer fitness, nutrition, and gear clinics. Teach you everything you need to know about technique. It would cost me way over $50 for personalized training like this. Plus, we are raising money for a great cause.

Our kick off is next Tuesday, June 9. We will get to meet our coaches, mentors and honorees.

Can't wait!

Continue following me on this incredible journey. I will try to write at least once per week, if not more. My fundraising website will be up soon. Maybe you can help sponsor me too.