I started keeping a little list of funny doctor names:
Dr. Skylizard
Dr. Aswad
Dr. Precious Jewel
Dr. Buttram
Dr. Criss Cross (will make you jump! jump!)
Yes, my humor is sophomoric, but you love it!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
Next?
So now that my tri is over, I have been thinking about what I'm going to do next to change up my workout routine. I've been thinking for quite some time about joining a Masters Swim program my gym offers. My hangup -- they meet at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, plus 8:00 a.m. on Sundays. Yikes! I also thought I'd suppliment the other days by doing pilates in the morning, thereby leaving all my evenings free to pursue other things. This change was going to be effective starting this morning.
My alarm went off this morning. Time for pilates! Yeah, not so much. I turned it off and fell back asleep. Hmmmmm . . . might have to rethink this plan . . .
No, actually I'd like to seriously give the swimming program a try. I think if I did lap swimming for an hour and a half, three times a week, I'd be in pretty good shape. It just would have been smarter to start this during the summer months when the rising sun helped wake me up.
My alarm went off this morning. Time for pilates! Yeah, not so much. I turned it off and fell back asleep. Hmmmmm . . . might have to rethink this plan . . .
No, actually I'd like to seriously give the swimming program a try. I think if I did lap swimming for an hour and a half, three times a week, I'd be in pretty good shape. It just would have been smarter to start this during the summer months when the rising sun helped wake me up.
Sunday, September 09, 2007
I did it! I did it! I did it!
If you haven't already figured it out, I did it!!! I have successfully completed my first triathlon!
I was wide awake by 1:30 a.m. this morning. It was the kind of awake where I just knew I wouldn't be able to fall back asleep. I was one if the first to arrive at the park at 5:15 a.m. I wasn't alone -- there were a few others who couldn't sleep either! I got all set up and chatted with some of the other women. Many of us were there for the first time, so I quickly realized I wasn't alone in my apprehension.
The Sprint waves went first, followed by my SuperSprint waves. The water was cold, but not bad -- 70 degrees. I did a mix of strokes and managed to keep calm, but can now really see why some people freak out during this part of the race. With all those bodies in the water, it's easy to get hit and it can be challenging to see very far in front of you. I made it to the exit spot and ran the 0.10 mile up to the transition area. It was a little weird running in my bathing suit . . .
At the transition point, I did my best to dry off, but it was hard to put my pants on because I was a little wobbly on my feet. I even had to sit down to put on my shoes and socks. My friends were there, cheering me on the whole time! Then I was off for the bike ride portion.
I was feeling pretty good about the bike ride. However, at about the halfway point, I made a poor gear change and my chain popped off! I had never had this happen before and had no idea how to fix it. I took a look and tried to move it, but couldn't get it to budge. A couple ladies stopped and tried to help, but no one could get it. I ran with the bike to the next point where there were helpers and they called a policeman over. He said he'd fixed 15 chains today, but mine was the worst. I told him that I like to do things right! He finally managed to fix it for me, which was great, although this all took 10-15 minutes and many people were passing me. If he hadn't fixed it, I would have been disqualified. That would have upset me GREATLY and it was at this point I realized just how badly I wanted to finish this race. I hopped back on and made my way back to the transition area.
I dropped off my bike and took off for the run. As I reached the start of the trail, my whole back siezed up. I did my best to stretch it out and grabbed some Gatorade and one (or both) of those things worked because I was soon back in action. The run was hilly, but I managed.
Crossing the finish line was the best! Not only were my friends there to cheer me on, but many others were as well. I felt wonderful afterwards! I love endorphans!
After a nice lunch, I drove back home and took a much-needed shower. I smelled of sweat and lake!
This was a great day! I almost had an "ugly cry" (as Oprah calls it) when I was about a 1/4 mile away from the finish line. I started thinking about why I really decided to do this race in the first place -- to celebrate my return to health. How wonderful that I feel back to normal and strong enough to complete a race like this. However, the sobbing was throwing my breathing pace off, so I had to shake that off and keep my eye on the finish line. I did it!!!
I was wide awake by 1:30 a.m. this morning. It was the kind of awake where I just knew I wouldn't be able to fall back asleep. I was one if the first to arrive at the park at 5:15 a.m. I wasn't alone -- there were a few others who couldn't sleep either! I got all set up and chatted with some of the other women. Many of us were there for the first time, so I quickly realized I wasn't alone in my apprehension.
The Sprint waves went first, followed by my SuperSprint waves. The water was cold, but not bad -- 70 degrees. I did a mix of strokes and managed to keep calm, but can now really see why some people freak out during this part of the race. With all those bodies in the water, it's easy to get hit and it can be challenging to see very far in front of you. I made it to the exit spot and ran the 0.10 mile up to the transition area. It was a little weird running in my bathing suit . . .
At the transition point, I did my best to dry off, but it was hard to put my pants on because I was a little wobbly on my feet. I even had to sit down to put on my shoes and socks. My friends were there, cheering me on the whole time! Then I was off for the bike ride portion.
I was feeling pretty good about the bike ride. However, at about the halfway point, I made a poor gear change and my chain popped off! I had never had this happen before and had no idea how to fix it. I took a look and tried to move it, but couldn't get it to budge. A couple ladies stopped and tried to help, but no one could get it. I ran with the bike to the next point where there were helpers and they called a policeman over. He said he'd fixed 15 chains today, but mine was the worst. I told him that I like to do things right! He finally managed to fix it for me, which was great, although this all took 10-15 minutes and many people were passing me. If he hadn't fixed it, I would have been disqualified. That would have upset me GREATLY and it was at this point I realized just how badly I wanted to finish this race. I hopped back on and made my way back to the transition area.
I dropped off my bike and took off for the run. As I reached the start of the trail, my whole back siezed up. I did my best to stretch it out and grabbed some Gatorade and one (or both) of those things worked because I was soon back in action. The run was hilly, but I managed.
Crossing the finish line was the best! Not only were my friends there to cheer me on, but many others were as well. I felt wonderful afterwards! I love endorphans!
After a nice lunch, I drove back home and took a much-needed shower. I smelled of sweat and lake!
This was a great day! I almost had an "ugly cry" (as Oprah calls it) when I was about a 1/4 mile away from the finish line. I started thinking about why I really decided to do this race in the first place -- to celebrate my return to health. How wonderful that I feel back to normal and strong enough to complete a race like this. However, the sobbing was throwing my breathing pace off, so I had to shake that off and keep my eye on the finish line. I did it!!!
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Officially Body Marked
I drove up to Federal Way, WA, this morning to go to the pre-event event. I was totally overwhelmed, almost to the point of tears. They give you all your supplies, mark your actual skin (in very permanent ink!) with tons of numbers so they know who you are, and provide a pre-race talk. I'm alone on this race, which is a big part of why I felt so overwhelmed today. I have to remember quite a few things and have tons of different types of gear ready and working. Yes, I'm alone. My friend backed out a few days ago. I, however, did not. I'm doing this thing. A really nice lady who sat next to me during the course talk really calmed me down. She's done the race a few times, so gave me some great tips. On of those included walking part of the course and driving the bike course today so I would know what to expect tomorrow. I know I can do the physical part (well, except for the hills); it's the mental part that will be the real killer.
Afterwards, me and my arm marking went to the mall for some shopping and a movie. When I say my arms are marked, I mean they are really marked! All I have with me are short sleeved shirts, so got tons of comments. I feel like I am in a gang or something!
A couple of friends will greet me at the finish line and for that I am eternally grateful. There are supposed to be about 1,000 women there tomorrow. I'm in the 13th wave and jump in the cold water around 8:15 a.m. I think I have all my gear, I'm as ready as I'll ever be, so off I go. . . .
Afterwards, me and my arm marking went to the mall for some shopping and a movie. When I say my arms are marked, I mean they are really marked! All I have with me are short sleeved shirts, so got tons of comments. I feel like I am in a gang or something!
A couple of friends will greet me at the finish line and for that I am eternally grateful. There are supposed to be about 1,000 women there tomorrow. I'm in the 13th wave and jump in the cold water around 8:15 a.m. I think I have all my gear, I'm as ready as I'll ever be, so off I go. . . .
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