Making a Splash

First, the latest fruit of my labor:

Isn't he cute?! And he thinks I'm cool! :)

Cole is almost 3 months old. When the heck did that happen? The past three months have been a blur. He was tounge tied a birth but, being my kid, it was an atypical tie. Called a Type Four Tounge Tie, we had to visit two ENTs before finding someone to clip it. Before we knew what was going on, he was a fussy baby who dropped over ten per cent of his birthweight and was thisclose to being admitted to the hospital. That was not cool.

However, he is obviously growing now and doing well, even if he is still fussy. We got the tie clipped and he's now 100 per cent breastfed!

I'm back at swimming. I am swimming 3x a week with the master's swim program Adam is in. We're outdoor and in a 50 meter pool. I'm impressed I can make it from one end to the other, although I am slow. And fat. And out of shape. BUT I CAN MAKE IT TO THE OTHER END WITHOUT STOPPING!

My orginal goal was to lose 20 pound by the time school starts. I've since changed that goal to simply loosing weight, period! I've been tracking my weight since June 1 and lost a measly half pound. Woo.Hoo. Time to get more serious, baby. I can feel the work out in my arms and back where I need the most toning so I am hoping for some defination (aside from "bread dough") by Aug.

Oh and has anyone done the 30 day Shred? I hear it is really good and tough but worth it. I was thinking of adding it to my routine.

Big Talker

Okay, so about that triathlon two weeks ago ...

During the weeks leading up to it, Trent started talking smack, saying that he was going to kick my ass, since he's a much faster runner than me. So what if he hadn't been swimming (and had never swum 600 yards without stopping in the YMCA pool). He was determined to whup me.

So, at the race we discover that we're the only ones without racing bikes. That was our first clue that this crowd was a little more elite than those participating in the Acworth Women's Tri.

I was in the third heat (with my age group); Trent was in the last heat (with the novices). So, I didn't get to see Trent's start to the race. All I knew is that I had to beat his behind, and I sure as heck couldn't let him catch me from a 5-6 minute defecit at the start.

I feel great about my performance! I kept the swim smooth and strong, shifting into breaststroke periodically so I could sight the course. I finished the 600m lake swim in less than 12 minutes and was the 8th woman out of the water.

The bike was a lot hillier than I was expecting. The race description stated that there would be rolling hills. These hills were doing more than rolling. They were mocking us. But the ride was beautiful, out in the countryside. I finished the 15 miles in 56 minutes. I didn't pass a single person; they all passed me.

The 5K run was also hilly, and it was an out and back course, so I knew I would see Trent eventually. On the way out, I kept thinking that I'd see him pass me -- laughing his ass off about beating me. That helped me keep my pace up. On the way back, 2 miles into the race, I began to wonder where he was. I actually started to get worried, which also made me run faster. I finished the 5K (at the end of a triathlon!!) in less than 29 minutes!!!!

When I crossed the finish line, Trent was waiting for me with water. What?? Yes, he finished the race 90 minutes ahead of me.

After 200 yards of swimming.

He finished his race on a jet ski. :-)

Triathlon next weekend

I am so ready to race next week.

600m lake swim
15 mile bike
5K run

I've stuck with my training plan, including increasing my weight in the leg press from 125 lbs to 165 lbs over the last several months, and doing bike-run workouts at least twice a week. The swim should be a piece of cake, as usual, but the bike to run transition is going to be so much more satisfying this time around.

The real question is, how is Trent going to do? This is his first triathlon ever. He's a great runner and a good cyclist, but he's never swum more than 150 yards without stopping. And he has only been in the water 1 time in the last 4-5 weeks. Fortunately, he does know how to do breaststroke, and I think he can float on his back, if he gets really tired. Should be interesting ...

What's everyone else up to these days? Do tell!

Anyone want to buy a house in GA?

Virtual tour:
http://www.icatch360.com/slideshow.cfm?ad_id=18684

As long as the Kansas Legislature approves its budget for FY 2011, I'll be signing a contract at Wichita State in June or July, and we'll be heading back to home to Kansas. :-)

Someone, buy our house. Please!!

Good workout today ...

45 minute swim workout (2200 yards)
35 minute cycle
19 minute run outdoors up hills

I'm adding a minute to my post- swim/cycle run each week, so by the time June 5 rolls around I should be up to about 25-26 minutes of running. That sprint tri will be a piece of cake. Or at least maybe I won't crap out during the run for once. Maybe I'll actually feel good ...

Had some quinoa and scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese and half an apple (sliced with cinnamon) after the workout. I'm trying to make smarter food choices, but sometimes the call of grilled cheese sandwiches, Snickers bars, Dr. Pepper, and any restaurant with pizza, queso, or Cajun fries is very convincing. Particularly after a long day at work. Sometimes I reward myself with junk food. How sad.

cole robert

cole robert
4.7.2010
2:49 pm
7 lbs, 1 oz
19.5 inches

most perfect birth ever :)

Moving up ... and annoying others.

Here's the thing about group swim workouts ... they're most effective when you swim with people who are about your speed. Fellow swimmers, am I right? Yes, I am.

So, last Saturday, I go to my triathlon training class, which begins with a 45-minute swim workout. Forty-five minutes. No big deal. Since the swim is so short, I like to try to get the most out of it. You know, challenge myself with intervals that will get my heart pumping and at least sort of simulate the experience of pushing myself during a race.

Now, I have no problem sharing a lane with folks who go on about the same interval as me. I also have no problem sharing with slower folks when the pool is really full. I can slow down so that the seven other people in my lane can go at a challenging, yet manageable pace--even if I'm not particularly challenged--if the pool is crowded. No problemo.

BUT!!! When there are only 1-3 people per lane, no one should have to be in a lane with someone who is either much faster or much slower. Unless, of course, you're in the lane with the superstar triathlete who is good on the land but not so good in the water. The person who wants to get "a good workout" and invades the fast lanes in order to do so, completely oblivious to the fact that he/she is slowing down everyone else in that lane.

Last Saturday, I'm getting ready for the warm-up, when Ms. Speedy hops into the my lane, which is already occupied by me and another swimmer (i.e., no chance for splitting the lane -- we all must circle swim).

Ms. Speedy then proceeds to inform us that even though she is a "slow swimmer," she wants to get a "good workout today."

I just gawk.

And then I push off the wall for the 400 warm-up.

It's not too long before I'm ready to pass Ms. Speedy, who (I soon discover) would be better suited to lane 2, rather than lane 4. As we make our way through the workout, I eventually move myself over to lane 5, which we're not supposed to use during our workouts ...

Ms. Speedy has slowed down my lane mates, so that they're all going her pace and on her interval. They're not even getting the yardage done.

So, Ms. Speedy, I'm wondering ... what was the point of moving over to lane 4, if you were just going to do the workout and intervals assigned to lane 2. WHAT IS THE POINT???!?!? You're just slowing down the rest of us, you goob.

This is yet another example of poor pool etiquette. Ms. Speedy, you FAIL.