From Fat to Triathlete

Archive for June, 2010

1

In or Out?

June 30, 2010

Yesterday’s workout consisted of some time outside and some time in the gym.  I believe I got great benefit from both workouts.  I started with a 45 bike ride, taking the long way to the gym.  When I got there, I locked up my bike, threw everything in a locker and headed for the exercise bike where I completed my hour bike ride with 15 minutes on the trainer.  Then I stopped for a few minutes, drank some water and ate a packet of  Power Bar Power Gel Blasts, (affiliate link). sampling_box_img3The flavor was Strawberry Banana and when I opened the pouch, they looked just like banana slices with some strawberry gel coating.  I was skeptical.  But, I thought I would probably need some energy for my 30 minute run, so I ate them.  They were actually very tasty and I was impressed with how much energy I had to run on the treadmill.  I felt like I could go a lot longer and ended up bumping up my speed a few times.  In the spirit of full disclosure, I did not purchase these Gel Blasts, I got them for free.  However, it was a free sample offer that PowerBar is advertising on their website.  They did not provide them to me for free in order for a review.  If you would like your free sample, just go here.  All that to say, I will most likely purchase these and use them in the future.

I enjoyed the indoor/outdoor aspect of my workout.  I really like riding my bike outdoors, but with the heat the way it has been spending an hour and a half outside would have been overly taxing.  It was nice to be able to cool off and use a bathroom.  So, which do you prefer?  Indoor or outdoor workouts?

Todays workout was a 30 minute run which I did outside and was able to take Wrigley with me as it was cooler than it has been.

Still tri-in

Jenn

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: Cycling, Nutrition, Running
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Let the Countdown Begin

June 27, 2010

Today marks the official start of my 20 week half ironman training.  The program I am using is from BeginnerTriathlete.com and can be found here.  The plan calls for a 40 minute run and 40 minute swim workout.  I’m not sure about fitting in the swim today, but the plan is to go canoeing this evening and I think that will give me the arm workout I need.  This morning’s run was 2.5 miles in 40 minutes.  And it is hot, hot, hot out.  According to weather.com, it is 86 degrees with 77% humidity.  I know it’s been hotter, and this isn’t a complaint, (I complained about the cold, so I have a hard time justifying complaints about the heat too…..) just observations about this morning’s weather.  I don’t really mind so much for myself, but Wrigley begs to go with me, and who can refuse this face?

wrigley azaleas So, I let him run with me for 15 minutes.  We try to follow all the safety rules for running with your pet.  It’s not worth it if something were to happen to him.

Exercise is important for a healthy, well-behaved dog.  We love that we can take Wrigley with us when we go places and he will be a nice calm boy.  But, this didn’t just happen.  We exercise his body by running and playing and his brain by taking him to obedience and agility classes and working with him every day.  There are some guidelines to exercising with your dog that I think can’t be said enough.

  • Do not participate in vigorous exercise within 45 minutes of eating.  This can lead to bloat which is a very serous and potentially deadly condition.  Some of the signs of bloat are pacing, hard or distended stomach, panting and drooling and unproductive attempts to vomit.  If you see any of these symptoms, call your vet immediately.
  • Make sure your dog has plenty of fresh water to drink.
  • If it’s hot, try to exercise early in the morning or late in the evening.
  • Keep a close watch on them and stop if they seem to be overheated, panting excessively or are acting outside of normal.
  • Never exercise with your dog if they have a injury or medical condition.

As I read back through these tips, the advice is good for 2 legged and 4 legged runners, except for maybe the bloat part.  People can choose for themselves what works best as far as eating and exercise.  If you are new to exercising, especially in the heat, be safe and don’t overdo.

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: Running
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Little Things Mean A Lot

June 9, 2010

Yesterday I got in 2 miles of running in 34 minutes – 18 minutes for the first mile with Wrigley and 16 for the second on my own.  Evidently we take about 2 minutes for him to stop and smell the roses.  Today’s workout was one mile in about 18 minutes, again with Wrigley.  The one thing I did learn, and it should have been something that was completely obvious, was that if I drink a glass of water before I run, I feel like I have much more energy.  Again, should be something obvious, and I was good about drinking water when I came in from a run, but never before I left.  Mostly because I was worried that I would have to come in for a “natural break” somewhere in the middle of my run.  But I was somewhat surprised at the difference it made.   Now I am trying to get in the habit of having some water and stopping at the bathroom before I leave the house.  I’m sure it will continue to make a difference.  Such a little thing, but with a huge impact on my performance.

slower

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: Nutrition, Running, Training
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Better Than Nothin

June 3, 2010

100812Tuesday’s run was 1.75 miles in 30 minutes.  I’m trying not to let the lack of speed frustrate me.  At least not now…

Today’s run was preempted by large amounts of rain….I want to do some swim training, but not up and down the street.

Tomorrow’s plan is for a 2.5 mile run, then my long run of 5 miles will be Friday.  I’ll probably try to take Wrigley for at least part of both of them.

I try to do a lot more running than walking.  I know walking is a perfectly good form of exercise, however it will not help me in my quest for a 10 minute mile.  Sometimes however, walking is all that I can muster the energy for.  It’s times like those when I have to just accept that at least I am out there and not on the couch eating chocolate.  ”It’s better than nothing”, so the saying goes.

And I am still tri-in!

Jenn

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: Training
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