- My face looks like the before picture in a Proactiv commercial.
- My apartment looks like a triathlon transition area between the bike, the wetsuit, swim caps, Gu....
- Is it wrong that I've started putting on Body Glide everyday?
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Training Quotes
Saturday, August 28, 2010
The Light at the End of the Tunnel
Where to start, oh where to start.
Both the training and fundraising has been going really well as of late...which is really good considering my race is TWO WEEKS AWAY! I have more to say about that a little later.
I found myself in a serious panic about fundraising two weeks ago. It was just getting too late to host any kind of well-organized event and frankly, I'm not very good at asking people for money and following-up. But, I managed to get over the shyness of asking and found that 85% of people are really generous! All I can do is ask and remind...if someone chooses not to give, that's fine. I know there are plenty of causes and fundraising efforts of friends that I've skipped and everyone knows that I need plenty of reminders.
There were a couple of "organized" fundraising events in which I participated. On two different Sundays, I stood outside Giant (that's a supermarket if you're not in the know) and sold baked goods. I always thought bake sales were cheesy and probably a little gross if I did any of the baking myself. Little did I know, with the right combination of people, how much fun they could also be. The stories that I have...the woman yelling at me in Japanese, the person who refused to donate because she "doesn't support Lymphoma" and the guy who showed up in the banana suit...thinking about any of these incidences makes me dissolve into giggles. I'll probably need to remind myself of these stories when I'm running by myself on Hains Point on race day.
Training has also felt super good lately. On Wednesday, I ran 6 miles. (I would like to give a special shout out to every gym teach I had through grade school, junior high, and high school. All of those mile runs that I gave half-assed efforts toward, it really was childhood rebellion and not an inability. Thank you.) 6 miles is probably the farthest that I've ever run in one shot. Ever. And let me just say, it felt awesome. By no means am I breaking any records. In fact, I'm pretty slow, but it feels good. It's awesome.
Today was the cherry on top of the sundae. We had a mini practice triathlon. It was only a 200 yard swim, 10 mile bike, and 3 mile run but it still felt good. My transitions were easy and despite that getting on my bike wet and running after riding both feel really weird, I still like it.
Race day is 14 days away. I want to wet myself when I think about it, but really, I think I'm ready. I'm scared and know that I'm not going to be fast, but I'm definitely going to finish this thing. And hey, if it goes well, maybe I'll even do something like this again.
Both the training and fundraising has been going really well as of late...which is really good considering my race is TWO WEEKS AWAY! I have more to say about that a little later.
I found myself in a serious panic about fundraising two weeks ago. It was just getting too late to host any kind of well-organized event and frankly, I'm not very good at asking people for money and following-up. But, I managed to get over the shyness of asking and found that 85% of people are really generous! All I can do is ask and remind...if someone chooses not to give, that's fine. I know there are plenty of causes and fundraising efforts of friends that I've skipped and everyone knows that I need plenty of reminders.
There were a couple of "organized" fundraising events in which I participated. On two different Sundays, I stood outside Giant (that's a supermarket if you're not in the know) and sold baked goods. I always thought bake sales were cheesy and probably a little gross if I did any of the baking myself. Little did I know, with the right combination of people, how much fun they could also be. The stories that I have...the woman yelling at me in Japanese, the person who refused to donate because she "doesn't support Lymphoma" and the guy who showed up in the banana suit...thinking about any of these incidences makes me dissolve into giggles. I'll probably need to remind myself of these stories when I'm running by myself on Hains Point on race day.
Training has also felt super good lately. On Wednesday, I ran 6 miles. (I would like to give a special shout out to every gym teach I had through grade school, junior high, and high school. All of those mile runs that I gave half-assed efforts toward, it really was childhood rebellion and not an inability. Thank you.) 6 miles is probably the farthest that I've ever run in one shot. Ever. And let me just say, it felt awesome. By no means am I breaking any records. In fact, I'm pretty slow, but it feels good. It's awesome.
Today was the cherry on top of the sundae. We had a mini practice triathlon. It was only a 200 yard swim, 10 mile bike, and 3 mile run but it still felt good. My transitions were easy and despite that getting on my bike wet and running after riding both feel really weird, I still like it.
Race day is 14 days away. I want to wet myself when I think about it, but really, I think I'm ready. I'm scared and know that I'm not going to be fast, but I'm definitely going to finish this thing. And hey, if it goes well, maybe I'll even do something like this again.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
It Must be Freezing in Hell Right Now
I am wearing a helmet and remaining upright on a bike. That is all.Sunday, August 8, 2010
What a busy week! Here are the highlights:
Biking
Now that I'm finally riding, biking is not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I mean, I've had my fair share of near falls in the middle of the streets of busy DC. Also, I definitely do not understand the finer points of how the gears really work. However, I can manage to shift relatively well, I feel good about my pedaling, and I even managed to adjust the seat height myself! Saturday's team ride was long and hilly so I was able to practice the rate of my pedaling and even spend some time on the aerobars. (If you're not familiar, aerobars are the bars that come off the front of the handlebars and allow triathletes to get down into a comfortable and aerodynamic position. While riding in that position gave my arms a nice rest, it was also very scary!)
Swimming
I got one of the biggest compliments on Tuesday morning when one of the coaches told me that my kick was too big and I should focus more on controlling my speed with my arms. At first, using my arms more stunk! But with a little practice, I can see how this will be more effective and help save my legs. It also boosted my spirits when the same coach told me that I'd be just fine in getting through the swim. PHEW!!
Running
I am not a good runner. I will never be a good or fast runner. Slow and steady is definitely my prerogative when it comes to runs and I need to get over the fear of walking. I will be running a 10k after swimming 1.5 kilometers and biking 40. There will be no shame if I allow myself to walk for 1 minute here or there. As long as I don't walk across the finish line. That would just be embarrasing!
Overall
I've gotten through 80% of my workouts this past week. Although it's difficult, I've been trying to reign in my diet including cutting out coffee and alcohol...not sure how long that will last, but I'm trying!! The fact that the event is 36 days away does not scare me. I feel like I'm in a good place training-wise and pretty sure I'll get through the whole thing. The likelihood that I'll sleep the entire afternoon and evening of September 12th is very, very high!
Now, if only I could wrap-up my fundraising....
Biking
Now that I'm finally riding, biking is not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I mean, I've had my fair share of near falls in the middle of the streets of busy DC. Also, I definitely do not understand the finer points of how the gears really work. However, I can manage to shift relatively well, I feel good about my pedaling, and I even managed to adjust the seat height myself! Saturday's team ride was long and hilly so I was able to practice the rate of my pedaling and even spend some time on the aerobars. (If you're not familiar, aerobars are the bars that come off the front of the handlebars and allow triathletes to get down into a comfortable and aerodynamic position. While riding in that position gave my arms a nice rest, it was also very scary!)
Swimming
I got one of the biggest compliments on Tuesday morning when one of the coaches told me that my kick was too big and I should focus more on controlling my speed with my arms. At first, using my arms more stunk! But with a little practice, I can see how this will be more effective and help save my legs. It also boosted my spirits when the same coach told me that I'd be just fine in getting through the swim. PHEW!!
Running
I am not a good runner. I will never be a good or fast runner. Slow and steady is definitely my prerogative when it comes to runs and I need to get over the fear of walking. I will be running a 10k after swimming 1.5 kilometers and biking 40. There will be no shame if I allow myself to walk for 1 minute here or there. As long as I don't walk across the finish line. That would just be embarrasing!
Overall
I've gotten through 80% of my workouts this past week. Although it's difficult, I've been trying to reign in my diet including cutting out coffee and alcohol...not sure how long that will last, but I'm trying!! The fact that the event is 36 days away does not scare me. I feel like I'm in a good place training-wise and pretty sure I'll get through the whole thing. The likelihood that I'll sleep the entire afternoon and evening of September 12th is very, very high!
Now, if only I could wrap-up my fundraising....
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