Had a major epiphany last night. So I haven't been able to work out in about a week due to various circumstances...see earlier post. Saturday I was able to do a 45 minute bike trainer workout with a 20-min run brick afterwards. I was worried I had lost some ability or endurance since I hadn't worked out in a week, but it felt great and I was able to complete it without any problems!
Sunday I was supposed to do a 85-min run (10/1 run/walk). Got really busy and was unable to workout.
Monday comes; my husband is off all week, and we are BUSY! I almost talked myself out of running, but at 7:15pm I set off in the car to Union Street, a lovely historical neighborhood that leads into downtown, then another historical neighborhood. It's relatively flat, straight, sidewalks everywhere, and lots of magnolias and beautiful landscaping to look at. And I DID IT! I set my Garmin to an interval workout of running 10 minutes and walking 1.5 minutes. I'm clumsy, and I can't get a drink, get the bottle back on my belt, take a swallow of gel, etc in 1 minutes. I ran 5.87 miles, only .33 miles away from a 10K! My upcoming 10K race is in 11 days, so I was stoked!
As I was running, a toddler comes running towards me with his mother behind him. As he gets close, he stops running and says, "Look mommy, there's a runner." And she says, "Yes, she is a runner." I about had tears running down my face, mixing with the sweat. I've seen runners and always think they have that "look", which I definitely don't have. People who see me run at triathlons or on the street often give me the thumbs up or words of encouragement; when I see pictures of myself running, I know why...being heavy is not a pretty sight running. However, tonight, as I completed essentially 6 miles and hearing I'm a runner from a young child, I have finally accepted the fact that, yes, I am a runner. Yes, I am a triathlete. It's not about what I look like, how fast (or slow) I go. It's the fact that I go.
Work: I'm still very much behind in my scholarship/manuscript writing and in grading for my adjunct job. My 3rd prn job as a clinical instructor starts Thursday (ugh) but the money will be good...my toes starting hurting as I ran yesterday...usually a sign that my shoes need replacing (but in this case it could be the distance).
Weight - I'm down to 209.4!!! Only a few more pounds and I'll be below 200!
Nutrition: I made chicken pad thai tonight with cabbage as the noodles. It was fantastic! Scott & Allison loved it; Scott didn't even season it with anything! Lots of veggies that tasted awesome! I do love this new lifestyle.
I hope that my next blog post will find me continuing to train, much more on target with my grading (at the very least) and maybe some work completed on a manuscript (but that may be too ambitious, wink wink).
TTT
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Friday, June 7, 2013
Ugh and double ugh!
Ugh and double ugh! This week has been horrible. Saturday I drove about 45 minutes to a YMCA that's situated on a lakefront and has open water swims. I swam almost 1600 yards in about 50 minutes, and it was sooo much fun. I had to rush home to get to my daughter's softball game, the last one of the season. Then I had to run her over an hour away to a park for a church youth cookout. I was supposed to also do a brick workout - bike 45 minutes and run 20. Got home and got busy and didn't get that brick workout done.
Sunday, I really wanted to get up early and run 75 minutes before church, but laziness took over and I opted to sleep in. After church, had lunch with the Davises and went swimming at their house, ran home to take the kids back to church, then back to the Davises for dinner. Home after 9pm. Ugh, oh well...
Monday I don't even remember what happened, except that I worked from home and got NO work done and went to Allison's softball tournament game (we won!). No workout again. Tuesday - worked from my office, rushed home to go to 2nd softball tournament game. This is where it gets really fun - Allison slid into 2nd base and broke her ankle. Wednesday was spent at the orthopedic office and waiting on her. Thursday I was supposed to shadow on Peds since my 3rd job (prn clinical instructor) starts next week, but I opted to stay home with Allison. Thursday night she started having increased pain, burning, tingling, and decreased movement in her toes. Called the oncall and split her dressing, which relieved the pressure, but also meant that we had to back to the doctor today to get her splint reapplied.
Bottom line: I haven't worked out in a week! UGH! I'm behind on work for my full-time academic job - just on writing reports and revising syllabi - nothing I can't get done this summer but still...I'd like to get ahead and work on manuscripts. OH I did forget that I did submit a co-authored manuscript for review! Whew - 1 down, about 4-5 to go :) I did keep my nutrition pretty much on point this week, so that's good. So far my weight has fluctuated this week per my normal - within a pound, so that's good too :)
I'm behind on my 2nd adjunct online job - currently have 13 papers left to grade from last week, but now also have 38 discussion boards and 38 more papers to grade. And my 3rd job starts next Thursday. Ugh.
My 10K is June 22 - like 2 weeks from tomorrow. At this point, I may be doing a lot of walking, but I'm really going to shoot for 10 minutes of running and 1-1.5 min of walking. I'm really hoping tomorrow to get back into my training routine. Scott is off next week, so he can help with Allison and Carson and the household chores. Hopefully I can get back on track grading for my online job and get that caught up and get those workouts in!
I hope that you have had a better week than I have - work, nutrition, workouts, etc.
TTT
Sunday, I really wanted to get up early and run 75 minutes before church, but laziness took over and I opted to sleep in. After church, had lunch with the Davises and went swimming at their house, ran home to take the kids back to church, then back to the Davises for dinner. Home after 9pm. Ugh, oh well...
Monday I don't even remember what happened, except that I worked from home and got NO work done and went to Allison's softball tournament game (we won!). No workout again. Tuesday - worked from my office, rushed home to go to 2nd softball tournament game. This is where it gets really fun - Allison slid into 2nd base and broke her ankle. Wednesday was spent at the orthopedic office and waiting on her. Thursday I was supposed to shadow on Peds since my 3rd job (prn clinical instructor) starts next week, but I opted to stay home with Allison. Thursday night she started having increased pain, burning, tingling, and decreased movement in her toes. Called the oncall and split her dressing, which relieved the pressure, but also meant that we had to back to the doctor today to get her splint reapplied.
Bottom line: I haven't worked out in a week! UGH! I'm behind on work for my full-time academic job - just on writing reports and revising syllabi - nothing I can't get done this summer but still...I'd like to get ahead and work on manuscripts. OH I did forget that I did submit a co-authored manuscript for review! Whew - 1 down, about 4-5 to go :) I did keep my nutrition pretty much on point this week, so that's good. So far my weight has fluctuated this week per my normal - within a pound, so that's good too :)
I'm behind on my 2nd adjunct online job - currently have 13 papers left to grade from last week, but now also have 38 discussion boards and 38 more papers to grade. And my 3rd job starts next Thursday. Ugh.
My 10K is June 22 - like 2 weeks from tomorrow. At this point, I may be doing a lot of walking, but I'm really going to shoot for 10 minutes of running and 1-1.5 min of walking. I'm really hoping tomorrow to get back into my training routine. Scott is off next week, so he can help with Allison and Carson and the household chores. Hopefully I can get back on track grading for my online job and get that caught up and get those workouts in!
I hope that you have had a better week than I have - work, nutrition, workouts, etc.
TTT
Sunday, May 26, 2013
South Charlotte Ramblin Rose Recap
Sunday, May 5 - my 42nd birthday! It dawned overcast and chilly with rain showers in the forecast. What a day for a super sprint tri. My first tri was a Ramblin Rose - women's only event with lots of support and encouragement from lots of bystanders. This event was in a different location. I had driven the bike route the day before so I was at least somewhat familiar with it. A friend from work, Becky, and her friend, Caryn (who wound up being a year ahead of me in nursing school and lived on my floor) were also doing this tri.
Found my spot in transition and got set up...found Becky and Caryn for a few photos. Ready for this thing to start!
The swim was a 200-yd pool swim with an out-and-back in every lane before switching lanes. Oh my goodness - can you say HATE THIS?! It was so crowded, couldn't pass effectively. Wound up breaststroking the whole thing because my face was in the feet of person in front of me otherwise. Yuck!
Fairly strong swim, considering. Quickly out of T1 (for me) and on the bike. Man my legs felt amazing! I was passing people right and left. Before I knew it, I was over halfway done with the 8 mile loop! Whoo Hoo!
On the final legs of the bike ride, I'm thinking, "You'd better save some of those legs for the run. Quit going all out." So I did.
Back into T2 - did not fall getting unclipped - a huge deal for me! Running shoes on and out to the run. Well - most of the run was a trail run - I HATE trail runs. I like pavement. I'm too clumsy to run on a soft, uneven surface. I did run some and walk some, which was better than the White Lake Tri. Unfortunately, I saw people that I passed on the bike course now passing me, BUT I passed them first and they were young, lean, and fit looking, which made me feel better. I know I'm slow as Christmas when running. Ah, the finish line! Finally!
I shaved 11 minutes off my previous Ramblin Rose tri time and was happy with my results overall. Some things I learned: read the event descriptions carefully. I do not like up and back pool swims. I do not like "trail" runs. I know this now.
I also know that I like the longer distances, like the sprint and hopefully the Olympic :)
Now, I have lots of academic work to do...summer is not "off" contrary to popular belief.
More posts coming later...lots to discuss including a "down" period I had last week, run-walk combos, and motivation...
TTT
Found my spot in transition and got set up...found Becky and Caryn for a few photos. Ready for this thing to start!
The swim was a 200-yd pool swim with an out-and-back in every lane before switching lanes. Oh my goodness - can you say HATE THIS?! It was so crowded, couldn't pass effectively. Wound up breaststroking the whole thing because my face was in the feet of person in front of me otherwise. Yuck!
Fairly strong swim, considering. Quickly out of T1 (for me) and on the bike. Man my legs felt amazing! I was passing people right and left. Before I knew it, I was over halfway done with the 8 mile loop! Whoo Hoo!
On the final legs of the bike ride, I'm thinking, "You'd better save some of those legs for the run. Quit going all out." So I did.
Back into T2 - did not fall getting unclipped - a huge deal for me! Running shoes on and out to the run. Well - most of the run was a trail run - I HATE trail runs. I like pavement. I'm too clumsy to run on a soft, uneven surface. I did run some and walk some, which was better than the White Lake Tri. Unfortunately, I saw people that I passed on the bike course now passing me, BUT I passed them first and they were young, lean, and fit looking, which made me feel better. I know I'm slow as Christmas when running. Ah, the finish line! Finally!
I shaved 11 minutes off my previous Ramblin Rose tri time and was happy with my results overall. Some things I learned: read the event descriptions carefully. I do not like up and back pool swims. I do not like "trail" runs. I know this now.
I also know that I like the longer distances, like the sprint and hopefully the Olympic :)
Now, I have lots of academic work to do...summer is not "off" contrary to popular belief.
More posts coming later...lots to discuss including a "down" period I had last week, run-walk combos, and motivation...
TTT
Thursday, May 2, 2013
End of semester and training
Well, it's the end of the semester, which means papers and final exams to grade. What joy! I can't believe how quickly my first academic year flew by. I had a breakfast meeting with my dean and a coworker on Wednesday, and there's some promising and great changes going to be proposed from the rank, promotion, and merit committee at our faculty breakfast next week. I think these changes are greatly positive, making the promotion process more transparent and having a review every 2 years to ensure new faculty are "on the right track" with their scholarship, teaching, and service. This is so exciting to me...I definitely don't want to be left in the dark with no clue as to what the committee wants, as another colleague was at a different institution. She submitted her tenure portfolio to the first committee in the process, only to be told she didn't have enough publications, which meant she had to work her butt off for a year to get publications out in order to get tenure. I saw how stressful that was for her, and I don't want to be in that situation. So transparency is a great thing.
As for my performance this year, I am mostly happy with my teaching and service, but not at all happy with my scholarship. I have submitted one manuscript to my coauthor for her revisions, but it hasn't been submitted to the journal yet. I have great ideas for two to four manuscripts from my dissertation, and a student really wants to do a research project with me, which could lead to another publication, or hopefully a poster presentation at the very least. So why can I not get off Facebook, Candy Crush Saga, and Spider Solitaire in order to get these things done??? I wish I could get IT to block these websites somehow (that I couldn't reverse) so that I can be more productive. Not to mention that the rest of this month will be consumed with writing our accreditation candidacy report, department goals, and how our program meets two of the university's core compentencies - ugh!!!
Triathlons - love the nutrition plan and training! I've lost ~20lbs since I started working with Lea in February and I feel great! But tris are another distraction from writing - I'm obsessed with reading blogs of others who are in training and dreaming of when I'm training for big races, like half Ironmans and Ironmans. But it's a healthy distraction :)!
I have a mini-sprint Sunday, almost the same distance as my first triathlon in September 2011: 200 yard swim, 8-mi bike ride, and 2-mi run. My time in that tri was 1hr 24min (that was a 250 swim, 7 bike, 2 run)...I would love to finish this Sunday - my 42nd birthday! - in under an hour but will be moderately happy as long as I finish ahead of my old time - a little nervous, but more excited!
I will provide a race report after Sunday's performance :)
On a somber note, one of my best friend's father is very sick with colon cancer & bowel obstructions. Surgery is scheduled for May 10, but he will be in the hospital with intravenous feedings (TPN) until the surgery day...praying lots for this family, but still feel so helpless and wish I could do more. All of my coworkers are struggling with issues. I feel so bad for them too. But at the same time I feel selfish being so happy with my training, weight loss, and athletic performance. I feel so bad blogging aobut my accomplishments and feelings about tris and tenure track when I should be doing something for these struggling people - what, I don't know, but it feels wrong to concentrate on myself, even though it's good for me right now. Just say a little prayer for me and the rest of my peeps :)
My daughter was chosen to become part of the high school marching band (she's a rising 8th grader) - a great honor! Excited to be a band parent :)
Enough for now...have to go make more protein poppers since my husband loves them and ate all of my last batch :/
Have a great week!
TTT
As for my performance this year, I am mostly happy with my teaching and service, but not at all happy with my scholarship. I have submitted one manuscript to my coauthor for her revisions, but it hasn't been submitted to the journal yet. I have great ideas for two to four manuscripts from my dissertation, and a student really wants to do a research project with me, which could lead to another publication, or hopefully a poster presentation at the very least. So why can I not get off Facebook, Candy Crush Saga, and Spider Solitaire in order to get these things done??? I wish I could get IT to block these websites somehow (that I couldn't reverse) so that I can be more productive. Not to mention that the rest of this month will be consumed with writing our accreditation candidacy report, department goals, and how our program meets two of the university's core compentencies - ugh!!!
Triathlons - love the nutrition plan and training! I've lost ~20lbs since I started working with Lea in February and I feel great! But tris are another distraction from writing - I'm obsessed with reading blogs of others who are in training and dreaming of when I'm training for big races, like half Ironmans and Ironmans. But it's a healthy distraction :)!
I have a mini-sprint Sunday, almost the same distance as my first triathlon in September 2011: 200 yard swim, 8-mi bike ride, and 2-mi run. My time in that tri was 1hr 24min (that was a 250 swim, 7 bike, 2 run)...I would love to finish this Sunday - my 42nd birthday! - in under an hour but will be moderately happy as long as I finish ahead of my old time - a little nervous, but more excited!
I will provide a race report after Sunday's performance :)
On a somber note, one of my best friend's father is very sick with colon cancer & bowel obstructions. Surgery is scheduled for May 10, but he will be in the hospital with intravenous feedings (TPN) until the surgery day...praying lots for this family, but still feel so helpless and wish I could do more. All of my coworkers are struggling with issues. I feel so bad for them too. But at the same time I feel selfish being so happy with my training, weight loss, and athletic performance. I feel so bad blogging aobut my accomplishments and feelings about tris and tenure track when I should be doing something for these struggling people - what, I don't know, but it feels wrong to concentrate on myself, even though it's good for me right now. Just say a little prayer for me and the rest of my peeps :)
My daughter was chosen to become part of the high school marching band (she's a rising 8th grader) - a great honor! Excited to be a band parent :)
Enough for now...have to go make more protein poppers since my husband loves them and ate all of my last batch :/
Have a great week!
TTT
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
White Lake Sprint Triathlon
Sunday, April 7 was the White Lake Sprint Triathlon - 750m lake swim, 14 mi bike ride, 5K run (3.1 miles). I signed up for this tri because through my mom's "fellow" we could get a house there free; it's a nice, flat course; and I thought it would be great for my first sprint tri. My coach, Lea, had me training hard (for me anyway). I was running 50 minutes at a time, swimming 1600 m, and biking 1hr 15 minutes and running right after the bike (brick workout because your legs feel like bricks after you get off the bike). I was as prepared as I could have been.
Then a cold snap hit us. White Lake is only 9 feet deep and therefore has quite drastic temperature changes. We started receiving emails the week before stating the water temps were in the 60s, and wetsuits were highly recommended. AAAGGGHHH - wetsuit? Imaging trying to stuff this flabby, icky body into neoprene...not a pretty picture. There's also not many places around me to try on wetsuits. I came across a great website in my research, triwetsuitrentals.com, and called them. They asked my height (5'3"), my weight (225#), and where did I carry my weight (stomach, butt, legs). Well, luckily they had one that they thought may work.
The package arrives, and they shipped me two to try: both Zoot, both men's, both XXL. Way too long. One sleeveless, one long-sleeved. Tried on the sleeveless and it fit. And I could get it on by myself - a big bonus...who wants to ask a complete stranger in the transition area to help you shimmy into this wetsuit? Not this chick! So I bring them both to White Lake.
White Lake hosts a half Ironman tri as well, which was the day before (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride, and 13.1 mile run). The officials announced that the swim was optional due to the water temps (56) and that wetsuits were required if the athlete chose to swim. Well, I started freaking out! What should I do? If that option was available for the sprint, should I swim? Should I not? My husband said, "You're crazy if you swim." I contacted Lea in a tizzy, texting and asking what I should do. She calmed me down and asked if there was any way I could get in the water today (Saturday). I had never done an open swim (lake swim); all my training had been in a pool. Never swam in a wetsuit. I had read lots and discovered that many people, fit people, panic in open water swims. Well, I decided to give it a shot...put on the long sleeve wetsuit, swim cap and goggles, and went for a swim. Talk about COLD, but after a few strokes, I couldn't feel my hands or feet any more, so it didn't bother me. The only problem I had was the long sleeve wetsuit made me feel like Randy, Ralphie's little brother on A Christmas Story...I couldn't put my arms down, which made swimming a little challenging, but not impossible. I felt so much more relaxed after that cold swim...I knew I could do this!
The next day dawned beautiful, no wind, with just a slight case of nerves. I didn't bring my Keurig coffee machine (I'm somewhat of a snob when it comes to my coffee) but my mom made a pot of whatever was there in the house we were borrowing, but I couldn't drink it - yuck. Ate my protein bar, made sure I had everything packed in my transition bag, and off I went...with Scott and the kids along for support. Finally found a parking place, and Scott carried my bag while Carson pushed Brigid, the bike. Made it to transition, got everything set up, met some great people, struggled into my sleeveless wetsuit (because I could get it on by myself) and made my way down to the pier. I knew there were 6 Athenas registered (women over 150#) but I couldn't really tell who they were. I was definitely the biggest one there, men or women. But that 's OK. I was out there, ready to do it.
Next thing I knew, it was time for my wave...all royal blue swim caps in the water (grouped by age - women over 35 and all Athenas). The countdown began and then the whistle blew...and I was off. The course was a triangle, 250 yards each leg. After my feet and arms went numb from the cold (water temp was 58), it felt really good. Much different than the pool! Next thing I knew, I was climbing the ladder and walking to the transition area for the bike ride; I'm a bit clumsy so I didn't want to run and fall in front of everyone. Get the wetsuit off, bike shoes on, helmet on, gloves and sunglasses on, and away I go. Forgot my race number belt with my jelly beans in it, but oh well.
The bike ride was 2 7-mile loops of flat, flat road, which means you have to pedal the whole time. There's no coasting for a break. Which was OK; I was used to that when I rode on the trainer. However, the lack of caffeine gave me a whopping headache. Every bump on that road, I hit, and I felt. The road our house was on was close to the end of the loop...when I got close I was looking to see if my family was there - and they were...all cheering me on. Gave me a huge smile! OK, one more time. Oh I forgot to mention that when I was trying to put my water bottle back in its cage I almost wrecked - knee hit the water bottle, I swerved, hit some pine cones on the side of the road, almost took out a bystander, but straightened up, got back on course, and got the stupid water bottle back in the cage, with much cheering from the bystanders. Did I mention I was clumsy?
Got the 2nd loop done; Larry, my mom's fellow said it was 27 minutes. I rode the loop the day before and it took me 30 minutes, so I was pleased with the time. Scott promised to take me to Carrabba's if I finished the race in under 2hrs 22minutes (cut off time was 2.5 hours) so that was my goal. Made it back to transition, unclipped and got off the bike without falling (a major accomplishment)! Changed to running shoes, put on my race belt and number, my visor/sweatband, and I was off for the run. Well the legs were definitely bricks. I probably ran 0.5 miles and then started walking. Looking at my watch, I knew if I walked the whole 5K, I would make it under 2:22, so that's what I did. My head pounded with every step I took, and it was much worse when running. Everyone that passed me on thier way back to the finish line or passed me going the same direction was so encouraging. When I saw my race pictures I know why...I looked like some kind of freaky whale out there. I told you I was the biggest one there. But I don't care, and didn't care then. I thanked everyone for their encouragement, had a huge grin on my face, and kept going until I walked across that finish line!
Looking at the results, I was 1st in the swim, 1st in transition 1, 3rd in the bike, transition 2, and run, so I know what I need to work on. But I'm proud I did it and that I finished 3rd of 6 Athenas, even if 3 didn't finish or were disqualified. I may have come in close to the bottom of everyone racing, but I did it.
There are several things I learned - I must have coffee, good coffee, before a race. I can swim in the cold. I need a bucket in transition to sit on. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE TRIATHLONS!
That's all for now.
TTT
Then a cold snap hit us. White Lake is only 9 feet deep and therefore has quite drastic temperature changes. We started receiving emails the week before stating the water temps were in the 60s, and wetsuits were highly recommended. AAAGGGHHH - wetsuit? Imaging trying to stuff this flabby, icky body into neoprene...not a pretty picture. There's also not many places around me to try on wetsuits. I came across a great website in my research, triwetsuitrentals.com, and called them. They asked my height (5'3"), my weight (225#), and where did I carry my weight (stomach, butt, legs). Well, luckily they had one that they thought may work.
The package arrives, and they shipped me two to try: both Zoot, both men's, both XXL. Way too long. One sleeveless, one long-sleeved. Tried on the sleeveless and it fit. And I could get it on by myself - a big bonus...who wants to ask a complete stranger in the transition area to help you shimmy into this wetsuit? Not this chick! So I bring them both to White Lake.
White Lake hosts a half Ironman tri as well, which was the day before (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride, and 13.1 mile run). The officials announced that the swim was optional due to the water temps (56) and that wetsuits were required if the athlete chose to swim. Well, I started freaking out! What should I do? If that option was available for the sprint, should I swim? Should I not? My husband said, "You're crazy if you swim." I contacted Lea in a tizzy, texting and asking what I should do. She calmed me down and asked if there was any way I could get in the water today (Saturday). I had never done an open swim (lake swim); all my training had been in a pool. Never swam in a wetsuit. I had read lots and discovered that many people, fit people, panic in open water swims. Well, I decided to give it a shot...put on the long sleeve wetsuit, swim cap and goggles, and went for a swim. Talk about COLD, but after a few strokes, I couldn't feel my hands or feet any more, so it didn't bother me. The only problem I had was the long sleeve wetsuit made me feel like Randy, Ralphie's little brother on A Christmas Story...I couldn't put my arms down, which made swimming a little challenging, but not impossible. I felt so much more relaxed after that cold swim...I knew I could do this!
The next day dawned beautiful, no wind, with just a slight case of nerves. I didn't bring my Keurig coffee machine (I'm somewhat of a snob when it comes to my coffee) but my mom made a pot of whatever was there in the house we were borrowing, but I couldn't drink it - yuck. Ate my protein bar, made sure I had everything packed in my transition bag, and off I went...with Scott and the kids along for support. Finally found a parking place, and Scott carried my bag while Carson pushed Brigid, the bike. Made it to transition, got everything set up, met some great people, struggled into my sleeveless wetsuit (because I could get it on by myself) and made my way down to the pier. I knew there were 6 Athenas registered (women over 150#) but I couldn't really tell who they were. I was definitely the biggest one there, men or women. But that 's OK. I was out there, ready to do it.
Next thing I knew, it was time for my wave...all royal blue swim caps in the water (grouped by age - women over 35 and all Athenas). The countdown began and then the whistle blew...and I was off. The course was a triangle, 250 yards each leg. After my feet and arms went numb from the cold (water temp was 58), it felt really good. Much different than the pool! Next thing I knew, I was climbing the ladder and walking to the transition area for the bike ride; I'm a bit clumsy so I didn't want to run and fall in front of everyone. Get the wetsuit off, bike shoes on, helmet on, gloves and sunglasses on, and away I go. Forgot my race number belt with my jelly beans in it, but oh well.
The bike ride was 2 7-mile loops of flat, flat road, which means you have to pedal the whole time. There's no coasting for a break. Which was OK; I was used to that when I rode on the trainer. However, the lack of caffeine gave me a whopping headache. Every bump on that road, I hit, and I felt. The road our house was on was close to the end of the loop...when I got close I was looking to see if my family was there - and they were...all cheering me on. Gave me a huge smile! OK, one more time. Oh I forgot to mention that when I was trying to put my water bottle back in its cage I almost wrecked - knee hit the water bottle, I swerved, hit some pine cones on the side of the road, almost took out a bystander, but straightened up, got back on course, and got the stupid water bottle back in the cage, with much cheering from the bystanders. Did I mention I was clumsy?
Got the 2nd loop done; Larry, my mom's fellow said it was 27 minutes. I rode the loop the day before and it took me 30 minutes, so I was pleased with the time. Scott promised to take me to Carrabba's if I finished the race in under 2hrs 22minutes (cut off time was 2.5 hours) so that was my goal. Made it back to transition, unclipped and got off the bike without falling (a major accomplishment)! Changed to running shoes, put on my race belt and number, my visor/sweatband, and I was off for the run. Well the legs were definitely bricks. I probably ran 0.5 miles and then started walking. Looking at my watch, I knew if I walked the whole 5K, I would make it under 2:22, so that's what I did. My head pounded with every step I took, and it was much worse when running. Everyone that passed me on thier way back to the finish line or passed me going the same direction was so encouraging. When I saw my race pictures I know why...I looked like some kind of freaky whale out there. I told you I was the biggest one there. But I don't care, and didn't care then. I thanked everyone for their encouragement, had a huge grin on my face, and kept going until I walked across that finish line!
Looking at the results, I was 1st in the swim, 1st in transition 1, 3rd in the bike, transition 2, and run, so I know what I need to work on. But I'm proud I did it and that I finished 3rd of 6 Athenas, even if 3 didn't finish or were disqualified. I may have come in close to the bottom of everyone racing, but I did it.
There are several things I learned - I must have coffee, good coffee, before a race. I can swim in the cold. I need a bucket in transition to sit on. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE TRIATHLONS!
That's all for now.
TTT
A lot of catching up to do
So sorry I haven't been on here since I started the blog...intentions were good but life and training got in the way. I so envy my fellow bloggers, Swim Bike Mom and The Heavyweight Runner, who work full-time jobs, are so into their training, AND make the time to keep all of us abreast on their progress almost daily. I endeavor to do better!
So much has happened since I started the blog in January...I hired a coach, Lea, who specializes in nutrition for bariathletes - athletes after bariatric surgery. Our anatomy is so different and our ability to eat certain things varies greatly from the "normal" endurance athlete. When researching how to best fuel for triathlons & long distance runs, the nutrition guidelines out there would NOT work for me. In this research, I came across Lea, who has generously agreed to take me on as her project :) It honestly is the best thing I could have ever done. I have lost 17 lbs just in the 2 months she has been coaching me. She gives me weekly nutrition plans, helps me figure out what works for me and what doesn't, and also gives me training schedules for the month. Which leads me to my next happening - I completed the White Lake Sprint Triathlon, and actually podiumed! I came in 3rd out of 6 Athenas registered! Now, 3 of those Athenas didn't finish, but hey...I'll take my victories no matter how they come. I'll post a separate race report in another entry.
In the academic world, the semester that had previously just started is now coming to an end with final exams next week! Amazing how quickly the semester just flies by...when you're not the student! Overall, my students have done well this semester in my Nursing Research course, and I'm impressed with their ability to critique research articles. I have enjoyed teaching this content a great deal, but I'm looking forward to a new group of nursing students coming in the fall...I love the excitement of the first semester of nursing school...it's good for my soul. I did finish the manuscript that I was collaborating on and have sent it to the other author...just waiting for her suggested revisions before we send it to the journal. I had intended to submit 2 other manuscripts this semester, but it looks like that will be summer work, along with getting courses ready, AND a huge accreditation report. Our nursing program will be going for candidacy status, which means we will be ready for accreditation spring 2014. Before that, however, we have to write a pretty big report so that the accrediting body can declare us eligible, or ready, for accreditation. That is due at the end of May, so guess what I'll be doing from final exams until May 31? You guessed it, along with setting department goals for the 2013-14 academic year AND collecting data/writing reports about how we meet the university core competencies...a fun month it promises to be :)
I can't believe my first year on "tenure track" is over. I'm having breakfast with my Dean next week to discuss my first year...a little nervous! Maybe I can quickly get a manuscript done in the next week and have it submitted so that I feel a little better, just in case he asks about my progress in scholarship ;) While there is some pressure to do scholarship here at my SLAC, it's nothing like the huge research institutions, thank goodness. I feel I won't have any problem meeting the requirements for tenure here, but I do have to be more organized and write more. I have to do better about not letting time slip up on me. Perhaps if I blog more often, I'll feel more inspired (or coerced by myself) to write...at least that's my hope :)
Thanks for reading/listening, and I'll post more about my sprint tri and what's coming up for me in another post.
TTT
So much has happened since I started the blog in January...I hired a coach, Lea, who specializes in nutrition for bariathletes - athletes after bariatric surgery. Our anatomy is so different and our ability to eat certain things varies greatly from the "normal" endurance athlete. When researching how to best fuel for triathlons & long distance runs, the nutrition guidelines out there would NOT work for me. In this research, I came across Lea, who has generously agreed to take me on as her project :) It honestly is the best thing I could have ever done. I have lost 17 lbs just in the 2 months she has been coaching me. She gives me weekly nutrition plans, helps me figure out what works for me and what doesn't, and also gives me training schedules for the month. Which leads me to my next happening - I completed the White Lake Sprint Triathlon, and actually podiumed! I came in 3rd out of 6 Athenas registered! Now, 3 of those Athenas didn't finish, but hey...I'll take my victories no matter how they come. I'll post a separate race report in another entry.
In the academic world, the semester that had previously just started is now coming to an end with final exams next week! Amazing how quickly the semester just flies by...when you're not the student! Overall, my students have done well this semester in my Nursing Research course, and I'm impressed with their ability to critique research articles. I have enjoyed teaching this content a great deal, but I'm looking forward to a new group of nursing students coming in the fall...I love the excitement of the first semester of nursing school...it's good for my soul. I did finish the manuscript that I was collaborating on and have sent it to the other author...just waiting for her suggested revisions before we send it to the journal. I had intended to submit 2 other manuscripts this semester, but it looks like that will be summer work, along with getting courses ready, AND a huge accreditation report. Our nursing program will be going for candidacy status, which means we will be ready for accreditation spring 2014. Before that, however, we have to write a pretty big report so that the accrediting body can declare us eligible, or ready, for accreditation. That is due at the end of May, so guess what I'll be doing from final exams until May 31? You guessed it, along with setting department goals for the 2013-14 academic year AND collecting data/writing reports about how we meet the university core competencies...a fun month it promises to be :)
I can't believe my first year on "tenure track" is over. I'm having breakfast with my Dean next week to discuss my first year...a little nervous! Maybe I can quickly get a manuscript done in the next week and have it submitted so that I feel a little better, just in case he asks about my progress in scholarship ;) While there is some pressure to do scholarship here at my SLAC, it's nothing like the huge research institutions, thank goodness. I feel I won't have any problem meeting the requirements for tenure here, but I do have to be more organized and write more. I have to do better about not letting time slip up on me. Perhaps if I blog more often, I'll feel more inspired (or coerced by myself) to write...at least that's my hope :)
Thanks for reading/listening, and I'll post more about my sprint tri and what's coming up for me in another post.
TTT
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Can I do it? Yes I can!
So here I am. Writing a blog...something I've always wanted to do, but never took the time. Who wants to read about me anyway??? I've come to the conclusion that while no one else may read this, putting the words on paper may help me now and along the way...and if someone else reads it, great! If someone else comments on what I've written, fabulous! If someone else can say, "Wow, I'm not alone!", well then that would just be off the chain (I'm a huge Guy Fieri fan)!
A little about me and what I envision my blog to be.....I'm a newly graduated PhD in Nursing, 2nd semester on tenure-track assistant professor (for those of you not in academia, new assistant professors have anywhere from 5-7 years to "prove" themselves in teaching, scholarship, and service...if you meet the "criteria", which are different at every institution, then you get "tenure", which doesn't guarantee your job forever, but you can't be fired for differing viewpoints or opinions; it's what almost every academic strives for). I teach at a SLAC (small liberal arts college) in the southeastern US and this is their first year having a nursing program, so we're writing everything from scratch...a little stressful and busy, but it's fun getting to do things "your" way. Oh, and by the way, my institution technically doesn't have tenure, but a "continued contract" which is essentially the same thing. I'm married and have two children who are almost teenagers. I'm a Christian. And I used to weigh 338 lbs...yep, you read that right...338 lbs. I had gastric bypass surgery in January of 2011 and started my new life. I have since lost between 100-110 lbs and have sort of stalled out in the weight loss department. And I want to run triathlons. One of my BFs (who's totally thin and healthy) trained with me all summer of 2011 and we completed a mini-sprint distance tri...and I loved it. Unfortunately, I took all of 2012 off to finish my PhD dissertation and then started this new job, sooo....now I'm back at it. I've signed up for 5 tri's in 2013 with a goal of completing an Olympic distance tri in September and a half-marathon in November, and a half-Ironman in 2014 along with a full marathon...crazy, right? So this blog will be my ramblings about academia, my procrastination with completing scholarly-type work (which I should be doing now instead of blogging), and my training for these upcoming tri's...can I balance it all? Can I do tri's and tenure-track and be a wife and mother and responsible church member??? I'm going to tri...join me for the ride!
Now, I have to get a manuscript revision done that I promised to a colleague would be done in October...and here I am :) I'll be blogging later...
A little about me and what I envision my blog to be.....I'm a newly graduated PhD in Nursing, 2nd semester on tenure-track assistant professor (for those of you not in academia, new assistant professors have anywhere from 5-7 years to "prove" themselves in teaching, scholarship, and service...if you meet the "criteria", which are different at every institution, then you get "tenure", which doesn't guarantee your job forever, but you can't be fired for differing viewpoints or opinions; it's what almost every academic strives for). I teach at a SLAC (small liberal arts college) in the southeastern US and this is their first year having a nursing program, so we're writing everything from scratch...a little stressful and busy, but it's fun getting to do things "your" way. Oh, and by the way, my institution technically doesn't have tenure, but a "continued contract" which is essentially the same thing. I'm married and have two children who are almost teenagers. I'm a Christian. And I used to weigh 338 lbs...yep, you read that right...338 lbs. I had gastric bypass surgery in January of 2011 and started my new life. I have since lost between 100-110 lbs and have sort of stalled out in the weight loss department. And I want to run triathlons. One of my BFs (who's totally thin and healthy) trained with me all summer of 2011 and we completed a mini-sprint distance tri...and I loved it. Unfortunately, I took all of 2012 off to finish my PhD dissertation and then started this new job, sooo....now I'm back at it. I've signed up for 5 tri's in 2013 with a goal of completing an Olympic distance tri in September and a half-marathon in November, and a half-Ironman in 2014 along with a full marathon...crazy, right? So this blog will be my ramblings about academia, my procrastination with completing scholarly-type work (which I should be doing now instead of blogging), and my training for these upcoming tri's...can I balance it all? Can I do tri's and tenure-track and be a wife and mother and responsible church member??? I'm going to tri...join me for the ride!
Now, I have to get a manuscript revision done that I promised to a colleague would be done in October...and here I am :) I'll be blogging later...
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