Well, after a rest day that didn't feel much like a rest day, the run training officially begins. I am using the Conservative Couch to 5k plan from beginnertriathlete.com
This conservative plan is a 7 month plan and actually times out really well for my first triathlon in 2011. Essentially, you start out walking and the first week works out to 40 minutes. The plan for this week, is the following
Monday - 10 minute walk (for my neighborhood, probably closer to 13-15 with the route and no squirt with me.
Tuesday - No walking planned, but I am planning to lift at the gym.
Wednesday - 10 minute walk (again, closer to 13-15 minutes.)
Thursday - No walking planned but a 60 minute rehab ride after taking my daughter to school.
Friday - 10 minute walk (actually 10 this time)
Saturday - 15-30 mile bike ride in the am and 10 minute walk in the evening with the family.
Sunday - Rest day.
My husband is going on the walk-to-run journey with me and as it usually happens, he'll pass me about 4 weeks in. That's okay though because I am still rehabbing the left knee from surgery in March and the right knee is only 3 weeks out currently.
My new favorite thing is google calendars. I have posted my training plan for the triathlons on there and have been able to merge my training calendar with the family calendar and work calendar. It is free on google and you can make it public or private and if you are training with a group, you can share the training plan.
I have merged two plans from beginner triathlete into the plan and have tweaked them to fit my schedule and my goals. Rather than going for distance at this point, I am going for time. All of my plans are in minutes vs. miles. It is easier to fit into my schedule and see when I need to take a day off either for health or schedule conflicts.
My sister and my friend are part of my training group. The hope for me is that with three of us, all using the same calendar, we can start tracking our progress and encourage each other. I am at somewhat of an advantage because I have done triathlons previously, but at a disadvantage with the rehab and recovery. I normally couldn't run because of my knees but I am hopeful that with the problem fixed in both knees, once I am fully healed, I can actually run again. I used to enjoy running in school and then as my knees got worse, I grew to HATE it. I have walked the run portion of every single tri I have done.
Now here is where it gets interesting. I am not one to just waiti for New Year's to set my goals. So, without further ado, here they are. Order is not necessarily priority. I am just putting them out there so you can see them and I can see them.
1. Ride a Century
2. RUN the RUN portion of a triathlon (walk/run is okay)
3. Complete three triathlons this coming year. (With a top half finish in Athena in 1 race.)
4. Continue to inspire, motivate and mentor new cyclists with my team.
5. Break through the 170 lb. barrier. (I've been stuck at 173 for almost 4 months.)
6. Run the Quay 5k time sub 40 minutes ( 36 minute goal)
7. Complete my first OWS (Open Water Swim) in a race.
8. HAVE FUN!!!
So there they are and they may change as time goes. Life is fluid, I need to be as well. God will put me where he wants me to be. I am just along for the ride.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Trakkers GPS
Hello all, just a brief update.
Two years ago, I applied for a team sponsorship for The Spiritual Spinners and unfortunately, I didn't even make it past the first cut. Last year, I missed the deadline and so couldn't apply. This year... I MADE THE DEADLINE!!!!
I am hoping that I get the sponsorship and even better would be the team sponsorship. How many of my teammates would love to have a GPS they could wear and the family could track you on a ride?? Especially those long solo rides where you are just out beating yourself up.
I am really hoping for this sponsorship. I think it is a great product and while right now there main athletes are triathletes (yes I know I am a triathlete) I think distance cycling and multi-day tours would be huge. I have been at Bike MS and many times wondering where my teammates are who did the Century. Wouldn't it be nice to go out and find out that they are 23 miles from the finish which, depending on their average speed gives you at least an hour and no worries about missing them finishing??
Anyway.... wish me luck, hope and prayers. Also, I need to update... most recent weigh-in was 173 lbs... still maintaining down 20 lbs from the start of the year and hoping to break through the plateau that seems to have me stuck.
Just Keep Moving and remember... You never know until you tri
Two years ago, I applied for a team sponsorship for The Spiritual Spinners and unfortunately, I didn't even make it past the first cut. Last year, I missed the deadline and so couldn't apply. This year... I MADE THE DEADLINE!!!!
I am hoping that I get the sponsorship and even better would be the team sponsorship. How many of my teammates would love to have a GPS they could wear and the family could track you on a ride?? Especially those long solo rides where you are just out beating yourself up.
I am really hoping for this sponsorship. I think it is a great product and while right now there main athletes are triathletes (yes I know I am a triathlete) I think distance cycling and multi-day tours would be huge. I have been at Bike MS and many times wondering where my teammates are who did the Century. Wouldn't it be nice to go out and find out that they are 23 miles from the finish which, depending on their average speed gives you at least an hour and no worries about missing them finishing??
Anyway.... wish me luck, hope and prayers. Also, I need to update... most recent weigh-in was 173 lbs... still maintaining down 20 lbs from the start of the year and hoping to break through the plateau that seems to have me stuck.
Just Keep Moving and remember... You never know until you tri
Long Layoff
I honestly had to step away from all things exercise related for a while. It was hard for me to want to work out and cycle and do the things I enjoy and not be able to do them. I am still fighting some health issues (undiagnosed) at this point, but Dory is becoming my friend. I do what I can when I can and rest when I have to. Sometimes it seems like I do more resting than anything else.
New Bern... I made it and was able to complete 50 miles on saturday and I sat out sunday due to some dizziness (again... undiagnosed cause.) I had my right knee fixed on that monday. As many of you remember, my recovery from the left knee surgery was long and torturous. The right knee has been the polar opposite. I am already back on the bike, crutches were gone after 3 days and I am looking forward to training for my first triathlon next year.
I am planning on doing the White Lake Sprint with a friend. I have already laid out my running training and cycling training... the pool will be difficult as my gym does not have a pool and I am trying to figure out how to get swim training in, let alone for a 750 meter swim in open water. I am really looking forward to this and hoping that I can keep pushing through whatever is going on physically.
I also know that when the body says no, sometimes I just have to listen. I have a S L O W training plan built or should I say very conservative. The run plan is a 7 month (28 weeks) plan. I start with walking and slowly progress to walking and jogging/running. I'll see how the fixed knees do and may return to strictly walking. I would like to do well with my White Lake Tri as it will be my 5th tri and my first at a lighter weight than I have been for the last several years.
Stay with me y'all. I am on the rebound and plan to just keep moving!!!
New Bern... I made it and was able to complete 50 miles on saturday and I sat out sunday due to some dizziness (again... undiagnosed cause.) I had my right knee fixed on that monday. As many of you remember, my recovery from the left knee surgery was long and torturous. The right knee has been the polar opposite. I am already back on the bike, crutches were gone after 3 days and I am looking forward to training for my first triathlon next year.
I am planning on doing the White Lake Sprint with a friend. I have already laid out my running training and cycling training... the pool will be difficult as my gym does not have a pool and I am trying to figure out how to get swim training in, let alone for a 750 meter swim in open water. I am really looking forward to this and hoping that I can keep pushing through whatever is going on physically.
I also know that when the body says no, sometimes I just have to listen. I have a S L O W training plan built or should I say very conservative. The run plan is a 7 month (28 weeks) plan. I start with walking and slowly progress to walking and jogging/running. I'll see how the fixed knees do and may return to strictly walking. I would like to do well with my White Lake Tri as it will be my 5th tri and my first at a lighter weight than I have been for the last several years.
Stay with me y'all. I am on the rebound and plan to just keep moving!!!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Hip Hip Hooray
Well, the last time I posted, I was quite disheartened from having experienced my first ever heat-related event.
Come to find out after several weeks of think dehydration was the only piece of the puzzle, I called my insurance company to find out what the hospital billed, I was so loopy upon leaving the hospital, I didn't really remember what they told me... Come to find out, they billed heat exhaustion. They didn't tell me that. So here I am getting frustrated that I don't seem to be making any progress on recovering from dehydration and a repeat trip to the ER a week later. I followed up with my doctor 10 days ago. His advice (as much as I hated to hear it) was to rest, rest and more rest, lots of water and gatorade and if I am going to be outside in the heat... hydrate before going outside, carry water or gatorade with me and hydrate the whole time. The worst part of the visit was when I asked him about my big ride in September in New Bern... would I recover in time to ride one day, let alone 2 days of 50 miles. His answer had me in tears... Probably not!!! Darn it... I have not missed a Bike MS event since I started riding in 2005. This is my sixth year riding and I was going to do everything I could to get there.
SO.... I started listening to my body (more.) When I was tired, I slept, I was carrying water and gatorade with me at all times... Mitch even bought me an 8 pack to keep in the fridge and drink... I was alternating the gatorade with the water. Late last week, after hours upon hours of sleep, I started to feel a bit better AND the temp and humidity broke. I decided to head outside and see how the body would respond to the bike. 3/4 mile into my ride, my arms got wobbly ( I thought it was the bike.) I pushed up to the stop sign at 1.5 miles, turned around and went home... But I was excited. I had been on the bike, I didn't feel like someone had pulled my powercord out of the outlet, AND didn't feel like crap. (aside from the fact that I only rode 3 miles.)
I spent time at Jordan Lake on saturday (8 hours worth) swimming, sitting and kayaking. The heat (mild as it was) didn't bother me. If I felt like I was getting too hot, I grabbed a gatorade, drank some and hopped back in the water to cool off. By 8pm, I was exhausted... but good exhausted!!! I was tired, but not drained. I came home and proceeded straight to bed.
Sunday, I volunteered at a triathlon in Fuquay Varina for the first ever Tri the Quay Triathlon. I enjoyed volunteering and writing random numbers on people's bodies. It was fun!! I came home, rested and spent the day doing cuddle/snuggles with my girl and watching movies.
TODAY!!!! I rode 22.8 miles in just under 90 minutes... That is an average speed of almost 15 mph. I think I will be okay for New Bern and I am still hydrating... I guess I just need more hydration that most people... Oh well, to quote Dory from Finding Nemo... "Just Keep.... drinking!!!" This has become kind of my motto lately, with cycling, triathlon and life. Just keep swimming, spinning, walking/running, drinking (hydrating) moving and praying.
Thank you all for the thoughts and prayers and please keep them coming...
I'll keep you updated on my progress through New Bern and in the lead up to surgery in October... Great news BTW, I have several interview coming up and would appreciate prayers for those... I really need a job to finance my fitness lifestyle. Unless some gym out there wants to sponsor me.
Just Keep going
Come to find out after several weeks of think dehydration was the only piece of the puzzle, I called my insurance company to find out what the hospital billed, I was so loopy upon leaving the hospital, I didn't really remember what they told me... Come to find out, they billed heat exhaustion. They didn't tell me that. So here I am getting frustrated that I don't seem to be making any progress on recovering from dehydration and a repeat trip to the ER a week later. I followed up with my doctor 10 days ago. His advice (as much as I hated to hear it) was to rest, rest and more rest, lots of water and gatorade and if I am going to be outside in the heat... hydrate before going outside, carry water or gatorade with me and hydrate the whole time. The worst part of the visit was when I asked him about my big ride in September in New Bern... would I recover in time to ride one day, let alone 2 days of 50 miles. His answer had me in tears... Probably not!!! Darn it... I have not missed a Bike MS event since I started riding in 2005. This is my sixth year riding and I was going to do everything I could to get there.
SO.... I started listening to my body (more.) When I was tired, I slept, I was carrying water and gatorade with me at all times... Mitch even bought me an 8 pack to keep in the fridge and drink... I was alternating the gatorade with the water. Late last week, after hours upon hours of sleep, I started to feel a bit better AND the temp and humidity broke. I decided to head outside and see how the body would respond to the bike. 3/4 mile into my ride, my arms got wobbly ( I thought it was the bike.) I pushed up to the stop sign at 1.5 miles, turned around and went home... But I was excited. I had been on the bike, I didn't feel like someone had pulled my powercord out of the outlet, AND didn't feel like crap. (aside from the fact that I only rode 3 miles.)
I spent time at Jordan Lake on saturday (8 hours worth) swimming, sitting and kayaking. The heat (mild as it was) didn't bother me. If I felt like I was getting too hot, I grabbed a gatorade, drank some and hopped back in the water to cool off. By 8pm, I was exhausted... but good exhausted!!! I was tired, but not drained. I came home and proceeded straight to bed.
Sunday, I volunteered at a triathlon in Fuquay Varina for the first ever Tri the Quay Triathlon. I enjoyed volunteering and writing random numbers on people's bodies. It was fun!! I came home, rested and spent the day doing cuddle/snuggles with my girl and watching movies.
TODAY!!!! I rode 22.8 miles in just under 90 minutes... That is an average speed of almost 15 mph. I think I will be okay for New Bern and I am still hydrating... I guess I just need more hydration that most people... Oh well, to quote Dory from Finding Nemo... "Just Keep.... drinking!!!" This has become kind of my motto lately, with cycling, triathlon and life. Just keep swimming, spinning, walking/running, drinking (hydrating) moving and praying.
Thank you all for the thoughts and prayers and please keep them coming...
I'll keep you updated on my progress through New Bern and in the lead up to surgery in October... Great news BTW, I have several interview coming up and would appreciate prayers for those... I really need a job to finance my fitness lifestyle. Unless some gym out there wants to sponsor me.
Just Keep going
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Mission trip update
Well, my mission trip is ending earlier than I would like. I will be returning to the Quay tomorrow with Jen Rosa's dad. He had already planned to leave tomorrow due to business obligations, but I will be returning with him due to an unresolved health issue. During the day on Monday, I became dehydrated, dizzy and light-headed. By dinner, I had no appetite and had gotten very pale and weak. I laid down on my air mattress to try to recover only to realize, I was getting worse. By the time we decided I needed some sort of treatment, I was so weak I had to be helped to the van, practically carried.
When we got to the ER, they took me pretty much straight back and started hooking up all the wonderful machines. After some testing, they started and iv and waited for labs to come back. I found out that my potassium was too low. Following OJ with a potassium supplement, (yuck.). I was discharged and told to rest and stay out of the heat. I looked at the nurse and asked, "You do realize why I am here, right?". Well, when I got up yesterday, I felt like I had been hit by a truck. Barely ate and went back to bed. Following some angels from another team giving me bananas and picking me up some OJ, I rallied last night and felt a little better. This morning was another step in the right direction. After breakfast, that changed. I was already feeling worn out and weak after being up only 2 hrs. I went to the worksite with my team, happy to be out of the center. By 1pm, I was done. I came back to the center and went to sleep only to be awakened by both forearms in full cramp mode. This evening after much prayer and deliberation, the concensus was for me to go home and find out what's going on. So tomorrow, I will tearfully leave my team, my group, the staff and my family to go home. I hate this, but my health and safety come first and I need to figure this out. Please keep me and Russ in your prayers as we journey home and I would greatly appreciate some healing prayers. This is also the only way I can update my facebook as this will post as a note on my page. Thanks everyone.. Love you all and God Bless!!!! ASP ROCKS!!!!!
When we got to the ER, they took me pretty much straight back and started hooking up all the wonderful machines. After some testing, they started and iv and waited for labs to come back. I found out that my potassium was too low. Following OJ with a potassium supplement, (yuck.). I was discharged and told to rest and stay out of the heat. I looked at the nurse and asked, "You do realize why I am here, right?". Well, when I got up yesterday, I felt like I had been hit by a truck. Barely ate and went back to bed. Following some angels from another team giving me bananas and picking me up some OJ, I rallied last night and felt a little better. This morning was another step in the right direction. After breakfast, that changed. I was already feeling worn out and weak after being up only 2 hrs. I went to the worksite with my team, happy to be out of the center. By 1pm, I was done. I came back to the center and went to sleep only to be awakened by both forearms in full cramp mode. This evening after much prayer and deliberation, the concensus was for me to go home and find out what's going on. So tomorrow, I will tearfully leave my team, my group, the staff and my family to go home. I hate this, but my health and safety come first and I need to figure this out. Please keep me and Russ in your prayers as we journey home and I would greatly appreciate some healing prayers. This is also the only way I can update my facebook as this will post as a note on my page. Thanks everyone.. Love you all and God Bless!!!! ASP ROCKS!!!!!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Breaking the Law
Hello friends, family, followers and stalkers!!!
Hehehe!!! I have been somewhat lazy lately in the updating of this blog, but I have lots to share.
I guess my therapist was partly correct. Once I finally got back to full strength and function with the quad, I put on about 2-3 lbs of muscle weight. So I am currently holding steady at 172 lbs. Between travel and illness, working out and cycling have taken somewhat of a backseat. I ended June and started July with a whopper of a sinus infection. After fighting it on my own for about 2 weeks, I finally saw the doctor. Antibiotics, cough medicine and a nice drug co-pay later, we left for Ohio for our vacation to see hubby's parents.
We left for Ohio on July 3, travelling early in the day so we could maximize our time with his family. We got there around 5 in the evening, unloaded, had dinner and visited until around 10pm. At that point, with the bike still loaded, I headed to bed. I had to leave by 5:30am in order to make the bike tour in Vandalia, OH by 8am. I arrived right on time, took my time unloading the bike, and getting set up and had the mechanic check it after the journey up with stuff rolling around in the back of the van. Met up with Kelli and Rob and Matt. Kelli and Rob rode and Matt was our volunteer SAG support. The ride had SAG support but there were other issues involved so Matt came along as well. THANKS MATT!!!!
Vandalia Freedom Tour!!! OMG, this is far and away the most beautiful bike tour I have done! The views in the first 8 miles alone had me wishing for more rides like that here in NC... I am sure they exist, but I have a feeling they happen in Western North Carolina and not Eastern. Only one bad climb on the 50k route, but after that it was all gravy. After that, I visited with a high school friend and her family and then into Wilmington, OH for fireworks with the family.
I continue to watch my weight and portion sizes, but after a week in Ohio on vacation, I had put on a couple lbs, but by the time I hit the gym on saturday (July 17) it was already gone.
Since being home, I found out that my sinus infection migrated to asthmatic bronchitis while we were in Ohio. So a new antibiotic, steroids and more frequent use of my inhaler and I am hopefully on the mend. BUT... as most of you who truly know me understand... I never quit moving. I was recently asked "Do you ever stop??" my answer... sometimes. I once heard someone say that they'll have plenty of time to rest once they are dead. I kind of agree with that. You only have one life, so live it to the fullest and enjoy every minute of it. Because you never know when it's your time. That was recently driven home quite clearly last month when a friend was out riding solo and was hit by a car. I have had my share of close calls and the closest is also the most recent.
While cycling with a friend on friday, she was breaking in her new bike (which I think she has named) and I was testing new pedals and cleats. We were only about 2 miles into the ride and a van pulled along side us, just above our speed barely past us and turned across my front wheel. Thankfully the MS Society Eastern NC Chapter asks Bike Marshalls to take an advanced handling course. I was able to pedal, brake and maneuver out of a possible accident. Were I not in my Church team jersey, I may have stopped to advise the driver not to turn across the front wheel of a cyclist, but I let my good common sense win out. I kept riding.
Now, I have continued to ride in spite of my bronchitis and continue to feel better, but still wondering if I am doing more harm than good. I haven't decided yet. I continue to take my meds and rest when I can. (It's kind of hard with a 5 yr old in school.)
Finally this weekend... Friday was my easy ride to acclimate to the new pedals with Sandra. Going 14.5 miles in a little over an hour. The avg speed was 13 mph and a top speed of 35 miles an hour in a 35 mph zone. WOOHOO!!! Caught another speed limit.
Saturday was 45 minutes and 10.5 miles on the bike at the gym. 5 minutes on the dreadmill and then exercises to continue to strengthen my left knee. I also added some good old core exercises just for the fun of it and I am feeling that today.
Sunday (today) was a 12.5 mile sprint with high cadence and some good wind. I realized that I was making good time on my out and from previous rides on this route, I figured that I had definitely strengthend my speed and stamina.... until I turned around and realized I had been riding with a tail wind. Still, the goal was all out as fast as I could, so onward I went... into the headwind. I also realized that the out was flat to downhill and the back was flat to mildly uphill, but into the head wind having buried myself on the way out, it was a lot tougher. I turned at 25 minutes, and the back was in 28 minutes. Not bad. I was big gear for the last 2 miles, in the drops and pedaling for all I was worth. I looked like the big boys in France with as hard as I was pushing.
View Larger Map
Wrap it up... I know it's been a while and I KNOW I promised to post more frequently, but as a mother, wife, business owner and more... it's kind of difficult. I really enjoy writing about my experiences with this new lifestyle change. It allows others a glimpse into how to make it work. While I don't currently work full-time in a paid position, many moms wonder how to make the time. Maximize the support of your spouse... on my weekend rides and workouts, my husband is here and watching our daughter. My daughter loves to send me off with a "Go Mommy Go!!!" I like to think I am giving her a good example of how to care for yourself and staying active as you get older. I will admit.. at 37 it's a lot more difficult than it was at 27, but it's worth it. I have lost weight, lost fat, and continue to grow stronger both in body, mind and spirit. I couldn't do this without the help and support of my family... all of them. Mom and dad, Krista and Barney, my in-laws. The encourage me to continue doing what I love, which is fighting MS one mile, one pedal stroke, one step at a time. You can help me fight this battle too, by clicking the link below and donating to Bike MS and sponsoring me. If not me, then who? If not now, then when?? JOIN ME IN THIS FIGHT!!!
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/NCTBikeEvents?px=2020194&pg=personal&fr_id=13428
Hehehe!!! I have been somewhat lazy lately in the updating of this blog, but I have lots to share.
I guess my therapist was partly correct. Once I finally got back to full strength and function with the quad, I put on about 2-3 lbs of muscle weight. So I am currently holding steady at 172 lbs. Between travel and illness, working out and cycling have taken somewhat of a backseat. I ended June and started July with a whopper of a sinus infection. After fighting it on my own for about 2 weeks, I finally saw the doctor. Antibiotics, cough medicine and a nice drug co-pay later, we left for Ohio for our vacation to see hubby's parents.
We left for Ohio on July 3, travelling early in the day so we could maximize our time with his family. We got there around 5 in the evening, unloaded, had dinner and visited until around 10pm. At that point, with the bike still loaded, I headed to bed. I had to leave by 5:30am in order to make the bike tour in Vandalia, OH by 8am. I arrived right on time, took my time unloading the bike, and getting set up and had the mechanic check it after the journey up with stuff rolling around in the back of the van. Met up with Kelli and Rob and Matt. Kelli and Rob rode and Matt was our volunteer SAG support. The ride had SAG support but there were other issues involved so Matt came along as well. THANKS MATT!!!!
Vandalia Freedom Tour!!! OMG, this is far and away the most beautiful bike tour I have done! The views in the first 8 miles alone had me wishing for more rides like that here in NC... I am sure they exist, but I have a feeling they happen in Western North Carolina and not Eastern. Only one bad climb on the 50k route, but after that it was all gravy. After that, I visited with a high school friend and her family and then into Wilmington, OH for fireworks with the family.
I continue to watch my weight and portion sizes, but after a week in Ohio on vacation, I had put on a couple lbs, but by the time I hit the gym on saturday (July 17) it was already gone.
Since being home, I found out that my sinus infection migrated to asthmatic bronchitis while we were in Ohio. So a new antibiotic, steroids and more frequent use of my inhaler and I am hopefully on the mend. BUT... as most of you who truly know me understand... I never quit moving. I was recently asked "Do you ever stop??" my answer... sometimes. I once heard someone say that they'll have plenty of time to rest once they are dead. I kind of agree with that. You only have one life, so live it to the fullest and enjoy every minute of it. Because you never know when it's your time. That was recently driven home quite clearly last month when a friend was out riding solo and was hit by a car. I have had my share of close calls and the closest is also the most recent.
While cycling with a friend on friday, she was breaking in her new bike (which I think she has named) and I was testing new pedals and cleats. We were only about 2 miles into the ride and a van pulled along side us, just above our speed barely past us and turned across my front wheel. Thankfully the MS Society Eastern NC Chapter asks Bike Marshalls to take an advanced handling course. I was able to pedal, brake and maneuver out of a possible accident. Were I not in my Church team jersey, I may have stopped to advise the driver not to turn across the front wheel of a cyclist, but I let my good common sense win out. I kept riding.
Now, I have continued to ride in spite of my bronchitis and continue to feel better, but still wondering if I am doing more harm than good. I haven't decided yet. I continue to take my meds and rest when I can. (It's kind of hard with a 5 yr old in school.)
Finally this weekend... Friday was my easy ride to acclimate to the new pedals with Sandra. Going 14.5 miles in a little over an hour. The avg speed was 13 mph and a top speed of 35 miles an hour in a 35 mph zone. WOOHOO!!! Caught another speed limit.
Saturday was 45 minutes and 10.5 miles on the bike at the gym. 5 minutes on the dreadmill and then exercises to continue to strengthen my left knee. I also added some good old core exercises just for the fun of it and I am feeling that today.
Sunday (today) was a 12.5 mile sprint with high cadence and some good wind. I realized that I was making good time on my out and from previous rides on this route, I figured that I had definitely strengthend my speed and stamina.... until I turned around and realized I had been riding with a tail wind. Still, the goal was all out as fast as I could, so onward I went... into the headwind. I also realized that the out was flat to downhill and the back was flat to mildly uphill, but into the head wind having buried myself on the way out, it was a lot tougher. I turned at 25 minutes, and the back was in 28 minutes. Not bad. I was big gear for the last 2 miles, in the drops and pedaling for all I was worth. I looked like the big boys in France with as hard as I was pushing.
View Larger Map
Wrap it up... I know it's been a while and I KNOW I promised to post more frequently, but as a mother, wife, business owner and more... it's kind of difficult. I really enjoy writing about my experiences with this new lifestyle change. It allows others a glimpse into how to make it work. While I don't currently work full-time in a paid position, many moms wonder how to make the time. Maximize the support of your spouse... on my weekend rides and workouts, my husband is here and watching our daughter. My daughter loves to send me off with a "Go Mommy Go!!!" I like to think I am giving her a good example of how to care for yourself and staying active as you get older. I will admit.. at 37 it's a lot more difficult than it was at 27, but it's worth it. I have lost weight, lost fat, and continue to grow stronger both in body, mind and spirit. I couldn't do this without the help and support of my family... all of them. Mom and dad, Krista and Barney, my in-laws. The encourage me to continue doing what I love, which is fighting MS one mile, one pedal stroke, one step at a time. You can help me fight this battle too, by clicking the link below and donating to Bike MS and sponsoring me. If not me, then who? If not now, then when?? JOIN ME IN THIS FIGHT!!!
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/NCTBikeEvents?px=2020194&pg=personal&fr_id=13428
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Post-op Update
Hello everyone...
I am finally on the mend and back on the back.
I was mildly surprised when I went to the gym the first time after surgery and weighed in... I weighed in at 171 lbs. I have continued the weight loss and am now down to 168 lbs. I don't know what I did to drop the weight aside from eating very little due to the medications I was one.
I am now back on the bike while continuing my physical therapy. I am now 11 weeks out from surgery and am pleased with my progress, I still can't run, jump or do some other things, but the good news is, I can climb stairs again, I am allowed to start doing some light lifting with my legs and I am preparing for my big bike ride in September. My furthest ride since surgery was a 20 miler on my birthday, May 15, which was only 9 weeks post-op.
I seriously underestimated this surgery. I now understand that the surgery I had done was just about the most that can be done through an arthroscope, without actually opening the knee to fix it. Additionally, I have had to relearn many things that I took for granted, including walking. By cutting the tissue that was causing the issue, the muscle balance and control in my quadriceps changed. Doing stairs was goofy for a while. An additional bonus is that when my knee swells, I definitely know it. I get a golf ball sized lump on the outside of my knee. The fun part of that is that when the knee swells, i get goofy legged because the swelling outside of the joint capsule affects the function of my quads.
Another part of the equation is the blood thinners I take when needed, (3 weeks) after the surgery. The blood thinners increased the amount of swelling and bleeding in the knee which created a set-back. While my left knee has continued to improve, I am not looking forward to having the right knee fixed in September.
I am still making sure to watch my calorie intake and portion sizes, as well as trying to maintain activity as much as possible. Right now my only cardio is walking, cycling or swimming. Little to no impact...
Unfortunately, I believe my triathlon career, (as brief as it was) is over. Unless I continue my trend of just walking the run portions or finding aqua-bike events in the area. Who knows.
I plan to update more frequently now that I am back on groove. The funny thing is, I was reveling in my weight loss until my pt decided to burst my bubble and tell me that it is most likely due to loss of muscle mass, but I have still maintained the weight even as my quad has returned and is close to normal.
My original hope with picking my blog back up was to be an inspiration to someone... I think I may have inspired myself more than anyone else, but it has to start somewhere.
Now for a brief moment of levity. Considering that since December I have lost more than 20 lbs, I still receive the stupid comments of those who are too vain to recognize that we are all different and we all have to work at different levels in order to reach our goals. Some of us naturally have a high metabolism, or better self-control than others, but if you are one of those people, please be respectful of those of us who fight body chemistry, medical conditions and who knows what else to try to maintain a healthy weight or body image. I, in no way, shape or form want to be a waif. I am happy to admit that if I do return to triathlon, at my current weight, I still qualify as an Athena, although a slightly smaller Athena, I am still an Athena with bad knees and competitive spirit, that just wants to be a shining example to the one that matters to me most... MY DAUGHTER!!!
Just remember... You never know until you try(tri)
I am finally on the mend and back on the back.
I was mildly surprised when I went to the gym the first time after surgery and weighed in... I weighed in at 171 lbs. I have continued the weight loss and am now down to 168 lbs. I don't know what I did to drop the weight aside from eating very little due to the medications I was one.
I am now back on the bike while continuing my physical therapy. I am now 11 weeks out from surgery and am pleased with my progress, I still can't run, jump or do some other things, but the good news is, I can climb stairs again, I am allowed to start doing some light lifting with my legs and I am preparing for my big bike ride in September. My furthest ride since surgery was a 20 miler on my birthday, May 15, which was only 9 weeks post-op.
I seriously underestimated this surgery. I now understand that the surgery I had done was just about the most that can be done through an arthroscope, without actually opening the knee to fix it. Additionally, I have had to relearn many things that I took for granted, including walking. By cutting the tissue that was causing the issue, the muscle balance and control in my quadriceps changed. Doing stairs was goofy for a while. An additional bonus is that when my knee swells, I definitely know it. I get a golf ball sized lump on the outside of my knee. The fun part of that is that when the knee swells, i get goofy legged because the swelling outside of the joint capsule affects the function of my quads.
Another part of the equation is the blood thinners I take when needed, (3 weeks) after the surgery. The blood thinners increased the amount of swelling and bleeding in the knee which created a set-back. While my left knee has continued to improve, I am not looking forward to having the right knee fixed in September.
I am still making sure to watch my calorie intake and portion sizes, as well as trying to maintain activity as much as possible. Right now my only cardio is walking, cycling or swimming. Little to no impact...
Unfortunately, I believe my triathlon career, (as brief as it was) is over. Unless I continue my trend of just walking the run portions or finding aqua-bike events in the area. Who knows.
I plan to update more frequently now that I am back on groove. The funny thing is, I was reveling in my weight loss until my pt decided to burst my bubble and tell me that it is most likely due to loss of muscle mass, but I have still maintained the weight even as my quad has returned and is close to normal.
My original hope with picking my blog back up was to be an inspiration to someone... I think I may have inspired myself more than anyone else, but it has to start somewhere.
Now for a brief moment of levity. Considering that since December I have lost more than 20 lbs, I still receive the stupid comments of those who are too vain to recognize that we are all different and we all have to work at different levels in order to reach our goals. Some of us naturally have a high metabolism, or better self-control than others, but if you are one of those people, please be respectful of those of us who fight body chemistry, medical conditions and who knows what else to try to maintain a healthy weight or body image. I, in no way, shape or form want to be a waif. I am happy to admit that if I do return to triathlon, at my current weight, I still qualify as an Athena, although a slightly smaller Athena, I am still an Athena with bad knees and competitive spirit, that just wants to be a shining example to the one that matters to me most... MY DAUGHTER!!!
Just remember... You never know until you try(tri)
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