Training Swim #1

Background

Today was my first session swimming for my Triathlon training.  The event is 500 yards long, and I like to train for atleast 600 yards, just in case I zigzag in the water and add extra distance unknowingly.

For those who don't know, June 2010 I decided I wanted to do a triathlon.  I had recently finished the Fairfax Days 5k, and ran the entire thing without stopping, which for the few months before that had been my #1 goal.  In my Fairfax Days 5k race bag was a flier for the Trihawks Sprint Triathlon to be held September 17th... it seemed like a logical step for my next goal.  There was just one small problem... I knew I could do the run part, it was a 5k, and I figured I could ride a bike 16 miles even if I hadn't been on one in 10+ years, the problem was that I didnt' know how to swim...

Anyone who knows me, knows that I don't like being told I CANT do something... especially by myself.  So I set out to figure out how I COULD swim.  I enrolled in swimming lessons, and slowly introduced myself to the water.  I trained doing mostly side stroke because it was easy and I felt comfortable doing it, and I had limited time to figure out how to go the 500yrd distance.  I had tried to learn freestyle but just wasn't picking it up fast enough.  I did the entire swim portion of the triathlon side stroke... and it took me 19 minutes.  This year with 10 weeks to train, I want to do as much of the swim portion as I can in crawl (freestyle) and I am really hoping to get closer to the 15 minute mark so I'm not last out of the water again (OK, I wasn't last, but close!).

Today's Swim

So, like I said today was swim #1, after 9 months of no swimming... I planned out my swim training and assumed I'd be unable to swim longer then 50yrds doing any stroke, as that was hard to start at last year during training.  So today I wanted to just get to one end of the 25yrd pool and back without stopping doing any stroke I could muster, and throwing some crawl into the mix as well.

Right off the bat I felt silly in my 2 piece swimsuit, and noted that I would invest in a 1 piece for training.  Last year I trained in this suit, but then wore shorts and a sports bra to the event.  I couldn't find my goggles before I left the house and was in a hurry to get to Pilate's class so I grabbed a pair Josh had and was on my way... within the first 2 seconds of being in the water I realized these goggles weren't going to be my friend, they leaked, and they leaked badly, but I pushed on.

I started off with side stroke and then attempted some crawl... I was gasping for air after just 4 arm strokes, so I switched back to side stroke and finished my 50 yards.  Those 50 yards seemed very easy so I continued.  During my several attempts at crawl I noticed each time I was gasping for air, and seemed very rushed.  I FINALLY figured out how to rotate my body, not just my head, but it still didn't feel right.  After awhile more doing side stroke I came to the conclusion that because when I run I breath slow and long maybe I should try to slow down my stroke and that might allow me enough time to breath without feeling rushed and later down the road I could work on speed if needed...

That was an amazing conclusion and it really worked.  I pushed it to 300 yards and for the last 4 laps I did half a lap of crawl at a slower pace, followed by 1.5 laps of side stroke for recovery.  My last lap I did 3/4 a lap of crawl and quickly realized that soon I'll be doing lap after lap of crawl with no problems.  And with 10 weeks left to train, I should be in good shape for the triathlon!

When I got home I ordered new goggles, and a one piece swimsuit.  And I'm considering jumping my swim training up to twice a week :-)

Happy Training everyone!

Week 2- The 2 Mile Run

The Run

This is week 2 of my 6 month long training.  I was able to do my first 2 mile run today, and it was great.  My pace was slow, but I think that is ok, because I'm sure as I get use to running again my pace will get better. 

I decided to try out a new waist pack water bottle holder a friend had given me.  I wanted to try it on a short run, so that when it comes time to needing it for the longer ones I'd know if I like it or not, before being stuck with it for 5+ miles.  It is the Nathans Elite 1 Hydration Pak and holds a 22oz bottle (which I had to take back to the running store because the spout part of the lid broke off completely, Running Wild gladly exchanged it for a non-defective one even though I didn't have a receipt).  I had a hard time deciding how to wear it at first.  It seems like it's suppose to sit on the side of your hip, but on me that meant my arm would constantly hit it while they sway back and forth as I run.  So, I put the water part in the middle of my back.... it was out of the way and in the house jumping around it seemed as though it would work just fine.  Unfortunately during my run I had to take the water bottle out because it bounced around too much, and then I had to also constantly pull it back down as it road up my hips to above my belly button... so, I'm sad to say this is not a winner :-( and I'll be sticking to holding a bottle of water instead of wearing one.

Tomorrow is my first Pilate's class, and it's also my first swim training.. it'll be my first time swimming in 9 months so I'm a little nervous to see how much stamina my body will still have in the pool... also not real excited about putting on a swimsuit, but a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do I guess.

Introduction to Ammer!

Hello world.  This is my first attempt at blogging.  I have some interesting life experiences that I share with a group of fantastic people all over the world and thought only fitting for me to blog instead of email each person individually.


Background:

I am a 27 year old female.  I was born, raised, and am still living in Iowa. I have the perfect job and work hard. I have a big heart and enjoy helping other people. I really believe in doing the right thing, and will go out of my way to help if I can.  I am passionate about what I believe in and don't have a lot of tolerance for ignorance or laziness. I never was great with grammar but love to write, so if you are an English grammar freak you might want to move on along now.  If you want to know more just ask!!

What I Will Write About:

My email sharing usually consists of a couple different things.  One being funny things that happen in my life... usually envolving animals.  I have an 11 year old deaf all white beautiful pittbull named Kiki, whom I adopted when my boyfriend and I started dating 8.5 years ago.  He rescued her when she was 1.  In Janurary of 2010 Josh (against my wishes) brought home a stray cat, whom he named Lucky.  Lucky has since become MY cat and I love him (which is not a small feat since prior to him I have hated every cat I have met).

Lucky sleeping after a 3 day Tom Cat adventure that had me hysterical

Kiki, my princess!!

Another item I will likely write alot about is my training.  I started Running for the first time in May 2010 and got hooked.  During my 3rd 5k race I got a flyer for a sprint triathlon, and decided to train for that.  I learned to swim, recently had learned to run, and got back on a bike after atleast 15 years off one for that race.  The race was Sept 2010, and it was difficult but I finished.  I then ran a half marathon in October 2010.  The interesting part about that is 3 weeks prior to the race I apparently broke a bone in my foot.  Xrays didn't show anything, and it wasnt until I had a MRI in March 2011 that we found out the bone died.  I had a sesamoidectomy surgery on my inside sesmoid bone on my left foot in May 2011 (this is where they remove the dead bone)

My foot a week after surgery (so 5 weeks ago)

THIS week I was finally cleared to run for the first time in 8 months. 

6 Weeks Post Surgery, looks SO much better!!

I am training for 3 events: Redo the triathlon I did last year which is Sept 18th, redo the half marathon which is in October, and complete the Disney Marathon Jan 8, 2012!!  I am also thinking about trying to complete a short adventure race...

So there is the intro to me.  Questions, just ask!