I've stepped in it now.....

My title today is borrowing the phrase from my friend Susie, because that is the only way to describe what I have gone and done now. Here's the set-up. I've been looking for other races in my area online at Running in the USA , mostly 5K's, but other sprint tri's or bike tours, etc. in preparation for the Danskin Srpint Tri. They had the Nautica NYC Triathlon listed and I decided to check out the event site. So I'm thinking, "This would be a great goal for next summer. Oh look! They need volunteers, I can do that. It's only right here in in the park a stone's throw from our apartment, cool!" So I fill out the volunteer form, submit it and continue to check out the site. Hmmmmm...what's this? "Tri Clubs" I've been looking for people to train with. So I click a few links, check out some of the training team sites including Team In Training for Leukemia & Lymphoma. I noticed they had triathlon training and were going to be hosting an informational session the next night. I signed up to find out what they were all about. I called a friend of mine to see if she wanted to meet me there afterwards since she worked in the area. She agreed, but said she would be there a bit later.

I show up at the information session and am feeling immediately overwhelmed. "I hope I am not expected to sign up. They only do the NYC Tri? That is too long. Fundraising? Who is gonna give in this economy? Look at all these people here. I can't get training and coaching unless I join and I can't join because....because.....well.....I just can't. How am I going to work this around my 3 year old. What will Tom say? It's just too much." You know where this is going don't you? I'm signed up.

And what does this mean for me? The Nautica NYC Triathlon is an Olympic distance triathlon consisting of the following legs: 1500m (.9 mi) swim, 40K (24.8 mi) bike, 10K (6 mi) run.

I didn't sign up right away. I clutched the registration form (all filled out) in my sweaty palm and went upstairs to the Triathlon Training kick-off that they were holding after the info session for all us newbies. I sat down in the auditorium while they started talking about the who, what, where, when, how and whys of the organization. I need to mention here that when I entered the Danskin Triathlon I had wanted to try to make it more than just about me reaching a goal and how can I incorporate some kind of fundraising to donate to a charity. Team in Training covers all of these goals. They take care of all of the funding and in return I bust my ass training and I raise at least $2600 in contributions. After all of the talk and intros and a couple of survivors talking about their experiences both with Leukemia & Lymphoma (profiles in courage, without a doubt) my friend shows up. She asks, "so, what do you think?" "I'm terrified, is what I think. I don't know if I can do this." She asks me why I think I can't and I give her my reasons: It's damn scary, I don't know if I will be able to raise all the money, I didn't plan on doing a tri this long, is it safe to swim in the Hudson(actually I am joking about this one), it's damn scary, oh yeah, I said that, but it bears repeating. Talking with her and getting some feedback from someone whom I have tremendous respect for and know to be very sound and logical in her thinking, I was able to come to the conclusion that, yes, it is scary, but I can do it. Thanks Law. The way this all came together was almost like the universe speaking to me. I know that sounds a bit strange zodiac/astrologer woman who keeps 30 cats in her tiny apartment, but it really did all come together quite remarkably, and I mean that from the very beginning.

I woke up this morning still reeling from my decision and finally let my hubby in on my little plan. "In the Hudson River?! You are going to swim in the Hudson?! You need to find out which shots you need to get." Turns out there is an organization in NYC called Manhattan Island Foundation that sponsors swim events in the Hudson regularly. Here is a video of one of them. So yes, Mom, I will be swimming in the Hudson after all.

I should mention that they handed out the first months training schedule last night. It looks very doable and they are starting out slow and will build momentum. The first meeting is Saturday morning and I can't wait!

On a fundraising note. I am excited and intimidated by the task of raising funds. However, I know this is an extremely worthy cause and I feel privileged to be a very small part in the fight against Leukemia & Lymphoma. There will be a website set-up under my name for donations and I will post it here when it is up and running. Thank you!

Week 5 Day 1 C25K...Feelin' Good

Here was my run for today:

At a 1% incline
5 minute warm up walk @4 MPH
5 minute fun @ 6 MPH
3 minute walk @4 MPH
5 minute run @ 6.5 MPH
3 minute walk @ 4MPH
5 minute run @ 6.5 MPH, final minute of this run @ 7 MPH
5 minute cool down @4 MPH

278 Calories burned
2.7 miles covered

I ran on the treadmill today because I wanted to get some lifting in today as well, so thought it would be easiest. A shame too as today was really nice out (for February in the Northeast that is). I felt really great during this run. Makes me wonder how it would have felt outside. Things are different this week compared to weeks past. Every day is a different run and the third day is a 20 minute run. Taking it one day at a time.

On another note, my swimsuits arrived......It is amazing how good you can look in low light. The trick here will be getting out of the locker room's glaring lights without catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror. Pure vanity, I know, but I'm a slave to it. I decided to keep two of them the TYR reversible in blue/black and the Dolfin in navy. My darn goggles haven't gotten here though. I ordered them from eBay, but the guy had 100% rating and he lives in Deer Park for crying out loud (that is just out on Long Island), so it shouldn't take almost 2 weeks for them to get here. Did I mention that I emailed him twice to see what the dealio was and radio silence.....grrr....

On a happier note boys and girls, I am proud to present my new bike! She needs some pedals and I am trying to decide if I should go safe with cages or be daring and go clipless.

Week 4 Day 3 of C25K...Brrrrrrrr

So I planned on getting up this morning to run despite staying up for, what I thought, was an abysmal Oscars. It was almost more painful to watch than running! Well, it was freezing this morning and so I went back to bed (nice excuse, huh?). My sitter couldn't make it in today, but Baby Toots had school in the afternoon, so I decided I would run then. Besides, it would be warmer (all things being relative). It was still cold! It was 33˚F with a 17 MPH wind and I run on the water - ok, I'm not Jesus, I don't actually run on the water, I run near the water's edge. Geez! Can't a girl catch a break? It was tough running I don't mind saying. But I did it all and managed to turn it up at the end despite my lungs feeling like they were on fire. I'm sure the cold didn't help, but I had to know if I would feel the same this week outside as I did inside.

Yesterday I found my bike! Yeah! We went out looking this weekend and I tried out a Jamis, 2008 Bianchi and Trek. However they were all way over my shoestring budget. It was painful, but I didn't get any of these lovely, shiny new toys...sadness descends....Alas, take heart my intrepid readers, I did find a bike on Craigslist. In fact I found two. A Bianchi a step below the one I tried and a 4 year old semi-custom Giant TCR2. The ad for the Giant wasn't that great, but it was in my price range and seemed the right size (I know, I know fit is most important, get a proper fit, etc....working within my means) and so decided it was worth a look. It was actually a lot better in person.

Turns out the woman who owned the Giant just received a Cervélo from her hubby (also a bike enthusiast). Did I mention how jealous I am?! The Giant felt really nice to ride and they did some nice upgrades on it. It has an aluminum frame and fork (would have liked a carbon one), Specialized S-Works Carbon Road Handlebar, carbon headset spacers and carbon seat post, Mavic Cosmic Elite wheels, Kenda Kaliente L3R Pro tires and here is the clincher: all Ultegra components. This is a stock photo of the bike (yes, it is yellow), but I will post one of the real deal when it come home to mama!

C25K Week 4 Day 2

Today was a comedy of errors. I planned to run outside this morning, but when I woke up it was 23 degrees. I stood around for about 15 minutes trying to decide if I should still run outside or go to the gym and run on the treadmill. Baby Toots has had a wicked cold all week and last night I started to feel that tickle in the back of my throat. After standing around and contemplating what to do, I went to the bathroom (WARNING: the next statement contains information not suitable for children or the faint of heart) and hocked up a big, green, chunky bit tinged with red. The decision was made; treadmill. Once I got outside it didn't really feel that bad and I thought about going back inside and changing for a run outside. I decided that the two pair of pants along with my long down coat and hood just made it feel warmer than it really was, add to that my run would be on the river and it was windy and would feel that much colder, I kept with the plan and headed to the gym.

Halfway there I realized that I forgot my HRM. I would just have to do without. The gym wasn't too crowded so I found a treadmill easily. I ran the same program as Week 4 Day 1 with a couple of exceptions, I felt better today and really didn't feel like puking.

Done on a 1% incline....
Five minute power walk warm up @ 4 MPH
Run 3 minutes @6 MPH
Walk 90 seconds @ 3.8 MPH
Run 5 minutes @ 6 MPH
Walk 2.5 minutes @ 4 MPH
Run 3 minutes @6 MPH
Walk 90 seconds @ 3.8 MPH
Run 5 Minutes @ 6.5 MPH- last minute of run @7 MPH
5 minute Cool down walk

I am not sure how this changed my distance or calorie expenditure because just at the beginning of my first 5 minute run I accidentally disengaged the emergency stop cord on the machine. Everything came to a screeching halt. It took me about 30 seconds to get back up and running and all the stats reset, so my info at the end was not accurate. Funny part was the machine's heart rate monitor hovered around 188-195. I wondered where that was coming from and who was going to crumple into a heap on the floor? At least I got the run in. I did some hill work again at the end. This time all hills were 10% incline @ 5.5 MPH (each uphill was for 30 seconds or so). I did this for 5 minutes walking "downhill" for about 45 seconds.

When I was dressing to leave I was wondering why it was so difficult to put my other shirt on; it was on backwards. So it was going to be that kind of day. With Baby Toots off from school this week for Winter break there is no telling how challenging my day will continue to be.

I haven't mentioned this yet, but there is one thing that really concerns me about my training and that is my lower back. At some point I herniated the disks at L4 and L5. When I say, "at some point" I mean in my late 20's, so I have dealt with this on and off for many years already. The running is the only part that worries me at the moment as I am feeling the discomfort form time to time. I think i need to give a couple days rest after completing each week. the effect from the bike remains to be seen. In the past it hasn't been an issue, but I was riding a hybrid so I was sitting more upright; this won't be the case with the road bike.

On another note, one of my swimsuits arrived. It is a two piece and not too bad (at least with the lights dimmed, Ha!) although the bottoms are a little baggy looking in front. May need to size down on those, hello muffin top! The others have yet to arrive along with my goggles.

Oh! I uploaded my own design for the background....Not sure if I like it, but going to give it a whirl until I have time to design something better.

C25K Week4 Day 1 (what a bloodbath)

As I mentioned I did my run inside on the treadmill today and was a little sore from my boot camp class yesterday. This is the first time I have done this since beginning this program. Here is what the run consisted of today:

Done on a 1% incline....
Five minute power walk warm up @ 4 MPH
Run 3 minutes @6 MPH
Walk 90 seconds @ 4 MPH
Run 5 minutes @ 6 MPH
Walk 2.5 minutes @ 4 MPH
Run 3 minutes @6.5 MPH
Walk 90 seconds @ 4 MPH
Run 5 Minutes @ 6 MPH- last minute of run @6.5 MPH
5 minute Cool down walk

Distance covered was 2.4 miles. I then added some hill work(6% 2x, 8%, 10%) for the next 5 minutes.
total calories burned: 373
total miles: 3.4

I should also mention that my heart rate stayed pretty much in my aerobic zone occasionally dipping in to the anaerobic zone and never above 170. I am pretty proud of myself for that. I think I should be anyway, right? Still trying to figure this stuff out.

I don't mind saying that in the second 3 minute run I felt like I wanted to puke. I stuck it out and I didn't feel much better in the last 5 minute run and despite this still pushed myself a little in that last minute. I can only chalk this up to the possibility that I am running more slowly when I am outside. This is why I am thinking I may need to invest in one of those HRM/footpod watches...sigh...and economics are grim at the moment. We'll see.

I am kind of dreading the next run-same program, but outside-although part of me is anxious to see how it will compare to the treadmill. All will be revealed.

As a side note: I tried my lace locks today for the first time....not that great, I think I may need to try a different kind. I am also awaiting the arrival of my swimsuits.....I have a bad feeling they will be arriving today. I still feel proud of myself for toughing it out, but I need to do better. I will just have to keep at it.

Please Allow Me to Introduce Myself...

I think in my first post I didn't really get a chance to give you a little info on who I am. For those who know me, this is nothing new perhaps, but for anyone who stumbles in here lost in the vast wilderness that is blogdom and you stay long enough to be even remotely interested....this one's for you!

So, I am a 41 (42 this year, eek gads) woman married to a way cool Chino-Latino dude named Tommy who rocks as a cameraman for an undisclosed cable news network. We have been married for 8 years (this year) and have a 3 year old son whom I'll call Baby Toots. Baby Toots doesn't have a job, so he is just a cool little dude who makes us happy, crazy, insane, ecstatic, tired, fed-up, and happy again. I guess he does have a job; he does it well. I am an artist (hmmmm) and designer of dinnerware, stationery and freelance illustrator and have the good fortune to be able to work from home

I am a lifetime athlete of sorts. I have always been involved in some sport or other. Here is where my promised athletic history comes in. I was a die hard tomboy growing up. Very competitive, especially with the boys. I never wanted any boy to be better than me at anything, and no girl ever was...at least in my elementary years. I owned a bike, skateboard, roller skates and played baseball, softball and soccer. My Dad worked for IBM back in the day and they had a country club where I grew up, so there was always some organized sports or activities. I played softball there, learned to swim, even went bowling. Our local town had organized sports as well: soccer and softball, both of which I played up until high school when I joined the school teams. In junior high I was on the track team and soccer team. When I went to high school I played soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter and softball in the spring, then soccer and softball in the summer. I also rode my Sears Free Spirit ten speed everywhere! I thought that bike was the end all be all. I would be out in the driveway on the weekends washing and waxing that bike...makes me laugh now, but I loved the freedom it gave me.

When I went to college I played on the softball team my freshman year only. I didn't really do a lot my sophomore year except some beer curls and perhaps the occasional run as our dorm was closest to the track. My junior year I bought a cannondale road bike. I loved that bike too. It was blue. I would go out and ride for hours into the country. I continued this until I graduated.

After graduation I moved to NYC. I sold my cannondale as it wasn't getting much use on those really horrible streets (remember NYC in the 80's?). I needed to find something to do and a way to meet some other people. I joined Seido Karate. I had no idea at the time, but my dearest friends today are some of the people I met there in the early days. In fact, one of them is the reason I am doing a triathlon at all. I studied there for several years and reach Shodan (first degree black belt). I left there sometime after because of some issues I had with the dojo, that I couldn't personally rise above. So.....I picked up soccer again, and weight training. I played soccer for the next 10 years until I found out I was pregnant. I resume playing again next month, but my focus will be on training for the triathlon.

So there you have it; me in a nutshell. I am really getting excited about doing this. Tomorrow I begin week 4 of my Couch to 5K (C25K), program. I have been running outdoors only. Tomorrow I am going to run on the treadmill and get a gauge on how fast I am running and how far, etc. I don't have an HRM that figures all that. I also just got hip to Robert Ullrey's podcasts for the training method of running. Will be using it for the first time tomorrow; takes the thinking out of timing all the intervals myself.

Friday the 13th..ch ch ch ch ch ah ah ah ah ah

So, not sure everyone gets the reference in the title; the sound effects when Jason shows up? Anyone? My personal Jason is lurking around the corner. Yesterday I dug deep and went in pursuit of my new swimsuit (no rhyme intended). It was an ugly experience. The last time I wore a race suit or a one piece, for that matter, was in high school gym class, I am still recovering. Who sends an awkward teenage girl out in front of teenage boys with a swimsuit on? What kind of twisted madness is this all in the name of aquatic survival? I can't remember, but are these suits supposed to feel like they are looking for a place to hide in my ample, well, do I really need to spell it out? Am I supposed to feel like a cased sausage and is this the reason for no shelf bra? I felt so squeezed with the cottage cheese dimpling out around the leg holes. Ugh, it was awful. I walked away discouraged and empty handed. As a result, in the wee hours this morning I decided to just order a bunch online at Swimoutlet.com and one from Land's End , try them on in the comfort of my own home and send back what doesn't work. The light is so much more forgiving in my room (the light dimmer has to be the best invention known to man ). I might actually look good, ha! So, my personal Jason(s) should be arriving in the mail soon.

I also ordered a pair of Aqua Sphere Eagle swim goggles. I like these because I can also replace the regular lenses with diopter lenses (I am nearsighted) if I don't feel like wearing my contact lenses. They are easy to change out. so I have two sets in one without having to pay a fortune for prescription goggles. I already had a swim cap from taking Baby Toots to swim lessons the last two summers.

Today I completed my third week of my couch to 5K running plan (it lasts 9 weeks-in case you didn't check the link in my first post). What this entailed today was a 5 minute walk/warm-up then a 90 second run followed by a 90 second walk, 3 minute run, then 3 minute walk. Repeat this two more times. After doing this I did some stair work for about five minutes. It was really windy today and it is always especially windy on Riverside Drive, but the day was gorgeous out. Much to my own surprise, I really like running outside. It is a lot more difficult than the treadmill, for me at least, but it feels nice to be outside instead of in the stuffy gym. I can't wait to get my bike!

I had a Gary Fisher hybrid, but decided to sell it last summer before we moved. My thoughts at the time were to get a little smaller bike (I think mine was a tad too large) so that I could strap Baby Toots in a seat on the back and I could get out and ride a bit. I used to commute to work on my bike until I started commuting in my bedroom slippers. In any case, my plan never materialized and now my intentions have changed. I am still on the fence about whether to get an entry level road bike or a high-end hybrid. What if I become scarred by the triathlon experience and run screaming at the very mention of the word triathlon and am stuck forever with a road bike?! Ok, maybe a bit too melodramatic. However, if I know myself, I have a feeling I may really like it, in fact I may take it to the point of obsession (My husband, Tom would appreciate my honest assessment of my obsessiveness). It's what happened with karate, and with soccer. I mean, here I am at 41 and I am still signed up to play soccer (albeit very casually). In any case avoid ladders, black cats, salt and mirrors today....oh, and keep fingers crossed and garlic at the ready.

Thoughts on Training

I've been researching training plans and schedules, but none of it does any good if I can't run very far on real terra firma outside. The treadmill is so much easier, but I've decided to do my running in the outdoors. I decided in order to get myself running in the right direction (I know...bad pun) to follow "The Couch to 5K Running Plan" by Josh Clark. My friend Evan who considers himself quite funny (ok, he is) asked, "You are training for a 5K on your couch?" From his lips to God's ears, I wish! But, so far so good. I've thrown in some hill work for good measure. I've been following the plan for about two weeks. Yes, even on those cold, cold, freezing, did I mention cold days we've recently had here. Oh, did I mention on the river walk? Near the boat basin? I'm still waiting for feeling to return to my teeth.

I also discovered a couple of websites called Tri-Newbies Online and BeginnerTriathlete.com. They have been pretty helpful too in gathering information and training plans. I'm kind of flying by the seat of my constantly expanding pants, doing bike work at the gym and some small bricks. Bricks refer to training on two disciplines during the same workout, one after the other with minimal or no interruption in between, just as you would do in a race. I can tell you my legs feel a bit like lead when I get off that bike and start running. Tomorrow is a run day and I know I will regret having taken a boot camp class today. My hamstrings and glutes are going to be screaming come tomorrow morning.

I am itching to get to the pool, although really not too much, when I consider I will have to be going between the hours of 6:15-8:30 AM!! That is when the only Olympic size pool that is even remotely near to me has lap swims for adults. Otherwise I will be dodging much smaller, spastic, arms and legs attached to small bobbing torsos; kids, toddlers and the like. My gym has a pool in midtown that is 18 yds. long. I could start there, but it will take all kinds of advanced math to figure out how many laps I did, times 18. Ok, maybe not advanced math, but anything that requires me to think about math while working out causes my brain to slowly soften; think patting your head and rubbing your belly in a circle or just walking and chewing gum.

I was listening to a podcast today of NPR's "Wait, Wait Don't tell me" (which is hilarious). They had on Philippe Petit aka "Man on a Wire", tight rope walker between the Twin Towers and other landmarks or obstacles in his way. They asked him if there was anything he was afraid of. His response, "Any animal with too many legs or not enough". I thought it was hysterical (you really have to close your eyes and imagine this said with a French accent). I decided that would be my only fear going forward. In essence, the single thing that can stop me now is the misfortune of running (literally) into a spider or a snake, then it's over.

I promised a little athletic background, but I think I'll have to put that off for another post. I also have to figure out how to get photos in the middle of my post..hmmmmm.....

And So It Begins...

So it's final now. I registered today for the Danskin SheROX Sprint Triathlon to be held on September 13th. The race consists of a .8K (.5 mile) swim, 15K (9.5 mile) bike, 5K (3.1 mile) run. Did I mention this is my first Sprint triathlon and I am 41 years old, GULP!

I decided to start this blog for a number of reasons. To let family and friends, who are even remotely interested, follow this journey of a fevered mind. My other reason is to have a place to log in my fears, struggles and tiumphs. So where did this brainchild of mine come from? I think the seed was planted back in September 2008. One of my son's classmate's mom had done one. At the time I didn't think too much of it, but I could tell somewhere a synapse had misfired and thus the idea was born. Fast forward to about three weeks ago to dinner with some old friends I used to study karate with. One of them told me about the Trek Women's Triathlon Series (more on that later) that she had signed up for. There it was again, that misfire. This time though it hit it's mark. I was a goner. The idea really took hold and then I started telling people that I was going to do it! Was I mad! Why didn't someone stop me from my inane ramblings (hello, Tom?). It was too late, the damage was done. Damn, why did I have to tell anyone? The final iron in the fire was that I had just joined facebook and posted something stupid about it and people responded....I was done for. Did I mention I told one of the trainers at the gym too? UGH!

So for a few days I just walked around in some terrified state. How was I going to do this? In the interest of full disclosure, I knew I probably wouldn't do it if I didn't tell people about it. Telling EVERYONE made me accountable. It didn't hurt to have a goal either. The only goal I've have had the last three years since my son was born was making it to the end of the day with my sanity intact. I needed to reach a little higher. Interestingly enough I had already signed up to play soccer again (in the extremely casual league). I'm hoping I can juggle it all.

So what's my goal in this? Finish it. I also am thinking that I may sign up for the Trek triathlon too as it is in June and there is plenty of time in between. I mean, if I am going to do all this training then I might as well....

Friday I went out and treated myself to a new pair of kicks. I figure, I can skimp on the bike, etc., but I better make sure my running shoes are good; I don't want to deal with injuries. I went to the Super Runners Shop and they checked out my gait and gave me a couple of pair to try. I must have been a sight running around the block in my long down coat with two different sneakers on. I settled on the Saucony Progrid Hurricane. If you look closely you can see the blood on the heel of the back shoe-my mistake for wearing peds the first time out in them.

I bought myself a heart rate monitor (HRM) at the start of the new year. It has been great to keep me in the zone. I am on the hunt for my new bike (or used as it may well be). I sold my Gary Fisher hybrid last summer before we moved. I know it is in really good hands, but that leaves me with no wheels. Did I mention I need a swimsuit that doesn't scream Caribbean vacation? That is proving tougher than I thought. That mom I mentioned earlier (seasoned veteran of triathlons), told me I might have to lower my standards and I think she is right. There is no way on God's green earth that I am going to be happy in anything I can squeeze my booty into. I must put vanity aside and just suck it up.

I'll reveal more about my training and athletic background later. I have to say, I am stoked to do this.