Friday, February 27, 2009

Ugh

Culture results finally came back. Yep, had/have strep throat. I've been pretty low energy, so it makes a bit more sense now. Even then, I ran 3.1 miles yesterday.

Since it's lent, I fasted Wednesday (Ash Wednesday) and today, and will be on Fridays from now until Easter. Fasting is not exactly ideal for triathlon prep, but it's a good day to focus on my core and mostly take the day off. At least until Easter. Still, did pilates and exercises for my knee today.

Physical therapy was cancelled yesterday due to snow, so I've only got 2 more appointments left before the re-eval with my doctor. Here's hoping my knee is fixed.

The swimsuit came in-- it's way tight! I guess it's supposed to be though. I really have no idea what I'm getting into with swimming. But to help, I'm going to an Introduction to Triathlons class. It's nice having Ken work for REI and fill me in on these things.

Monday, February 23, 2009

4 miles

I haven't done anything more than 2.7 miles in months, so when I told Ken I didn't want to do anything less than 3 mile runs from here on out, he held me to it. We ran 3.96 miles tonight.

I wish I had remembered how physically painful and mentally/emotionally exhausting pushing myself like that can be. I probably would have held up better if the same old knee pain hadn't showed up with new hip pain to go with it. BLECH! Something to talk to my physical therapist about. Ken says my form has dramatically improved, so that's the heartening.

Poor Ken got the brunt of my post-run frustrations. I'm hoping that improves over the coming months. According to my friend Sally Edwards, competitive runners have divorce rates higher than the national average, but it's not quite as high when both partners in the relationship are athletes. Something to think about.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Swimsuit shopping...

On thinking this whole triathlon thing through, I decided my cute little bikini is not the ideal swimwear for the Danskin. This means, swimsuit shopping, and pronto. There's training to do! Always a discount shopper and not being familiar with discount competitive swimwear shops in Seattle, I turned to the internet. REI did not come to my rescue, unfortunately. However, I did find a nifty little swimsuit store out of Texas with a decent return policy. Here's the winner:
Not pictured are the super tough skull and crossbones on the side. I'm hoping it will inspire me to be stay tough on race day.

I didn't realize this until after I signed up, but here's the other equipment needed:
1. heart rate monitor (according to Sally Edwards this should be my first triathlon purchase)
2. bike helmet
3. swim goggles
4. swim cap
5. triathlon shorts

Hmm... looks like more time to be spent at REI and Danskin.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Getting started...

I've signed up for the Danskin Triathlon. The Danskin SheROX Triathlon is an all women sprint (read: beginner's) triathlon held in different cities all over the country. I signed up for it last week and I'm very excited... but also a little nervous. I've never tried anything like this before, and to be honest, I have no idea what I've gotten myself into. I'll be updating this blog with my progress.

Now for the update:
I started running last week (2.7 miles each time), but now I'm sick (strep throat? flu? tests still pending). Today's efforts then are in resting up, doing exercises to help my knee tendonitis, getting a gym membership where there's a pool, and looking for triathlon clothes at REI online. I still need to get my bike up to Seattle, but that's for another day.

Oh, and if you feel generous and want to sponsor me, I'll be donating anything beyond the registration fee to the American Cancer Society. Sponsors get their name written on me on raceday. :)

Triathlon is August 16... less than 6 months away!