The question becomes "are sober people boring"?
I know a few people that choose not to drink at all-- and they are actually some of the kindest and most fun people I know. I'll take heed from their example and see how it goes. Wish me luck.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Are sober people boring?
I was privy to my first hangover in months on Wednesday of this past week after a fun night out with colleagues in a snowy Asheville. The good thing? It's been months since I drank enough or an odd enough mixture to get a hangover. The other good thing? I don't want to ever have that feeling again. So, I've made an odd decision. To stay hangover free for the rest of my life. OK, well...most of it. I'm NOT going to stop drinking wine & yummy beer or bloody mary's BUT I'm going to continue to reign it in even more. It's the right decision financial. It's the right decision for health reasons and it's the right decision mentally. Don't you love it when it works out that way?
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Tri the Parks
I've gone ahead and done it. Registered for my third triathlon today.
April 26th-- John Tanner Sprint Tri-- part of the Tri the Parks series
I'm super excited to be doing my third race and am hoping to be competitive in the Athena category. I've been working on my swim, bike and run and plan to be more prepared than any other race.
Goal times:
Swim 600 meters: 15 minutes
Transition: 4 min
Bike 13.8 miles: 45 minutes
Transition: 4 min
Run: 36 min
1 Hour 44 minutes
Today I did my first brick workout in a LONG TIME. No wonder I struggled with the run in Naples...that shit is hard.
My focus between now-race will be the run & swim. I know I can bike well and will continue to build those muscles-- but I must get better on the run and the swim.
GO TRAINING GO!
April 26th-- John Tanner Sprint Tri-- part of the Tri the Parks series
I'm super excited to be doing my third race and am hoping to be competitive in the Athena category. I've been working on my swim, bike and run and plan to be more prepared than any other race.
Goal times:
Swim 600 meters: 15 minutes
Transition: 4 min
Bike 13.8 miles: 45 minutes
Transition: 4 min
Run: 36 min
1 Hour 44 minutes
Today I did my first brick workout in a LONG TIME. No wonder I struggled with the run in Naples...that shit is hard.
My focus between now-race will be the run & swim. I know I can bike well and will continue to build those muscles-- but I must get better on the run and the swim.
GO TRAINING GO!
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Intro to Hip Hop
I haven't taken a single dance class since I moved to Atlanta. There I said it.
Until tonight.
No joke, one of the best dance studios in the city is .5 miles from my house. But, mostly I'm out of town on Tuesday's when the Hip Hop for Beginners class takes place. (excuses, excuses). But not today.
I took my overweight white girl ass to Dance 411 and walked into a class that was NOT a beginner class. For the record, I shouldn't be taking actual beginner classes as I've been dancing my whole life- BUT-- i'm rusty-- so I thought, beginner class is where I should start. IF THIS IS THE BEGINNER CLASS THEN I DARE NOT EVER TAKE ANOTHER LEVEL. No joke, I'm pretty sure Janet Jackson's sister was in the class as was Usher's cousin and Britney Spears' look alike was also right up front.
I want to be clear of what I looked like vs. what EVERYONE else looked like.
Until tonight.
No joke, one of the best dance studios in the city is .5 miles from my house. But, mostly I'm out of town on Tuesday's when the Hip Hop for Beginners class takes place. (excuses, excuses). But not today.
I took my overweight white girl ass to Dance 411 and walked into a class that was NOT a beginner class. For the record, I shouldn't be taking actual beginner classes as I've been dancing my whole life- BUT-- i'm rusty-- so I thought, beginner class is where I should start. IF THIS IS THE BEGINNER CLASS THEN I DARE NOT EVER TAKE ANOTHER LEVEL. No joke, I'm pretty sure Janet Jackson's sister was in the class as was Usher's cousin and Britney Spears' look alike was also right up front.
I want to be clear of what I looked like vs. what EVERYONE else looked like.
Me:
Everyone else:
But-- it was so much fun. We learned a routine to Burn (Ellie Goulding) and the choreography was awesome. I loved the teacher and everyone was kind AND SO GOOD. Just like my swim coach said yesterday-- you have to be in the pool more than once a week. Well, I have to dance at least once a week to not feel like an idiot. And I need to get some cooler dance clothes--- Britney was dancing in a flannel shirt, blonde hair down, bedazzled boots and bright red lipstick. WTF.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Swima Bika Runna
I feel like today I went back to my first sorority pledge night but actually I was going to my first Atlanta Triathlon Club training session. It was similar except for back then I was in great shape and had tons of self confidence. Clearly, I was nervous and I almost didn't go at all...but something made me get in the car and drive-- to Washington Park pool. AND IT WAS AWESOME.
I followed 2 people in with Ironman bags...so clearly, I was in the right place. I immediately introduced myself, told them I was a newbie and asked them where to go. Everyone was so kind. I plopped myself in the "beginners" lane and started following the instructions of coach Chris. No joke-- had I joined ATC just 2 months sooner I would have been prepared for the Olympic. It was that beneficial.
So, on to the other news. I know I've been gaining weight. I can tell, I can feel it-- I just know it. I've been a big pussy about getting on the scale but tonight after swim practice I felt so good and had enough confidence to face my situation. I was right. I've gained quite a bit of weight back. BUT. I'm in the best shape of the past 5 or so years-- and I know that I can lose the weight. But I have to stay with it. AND KEEP IT OFF. I'll properly weigh tomorrow AM so i'm comparing it to my other weigh ins.
More vegetables. Less pasta and grits. More water. Less beer.
I followed 2 people in with Ironman bags...so clearly, I was in the right place. I immediately introduced myself, told them I was a newbie and asked them where to go. Everyone was so kind. I plopped myself in the "beginners" lane and started following the instructions of coach Chris. No joke-- had I joined ATC just 2 months sooner I would have been prepared for the Olympic. It was that beneficial.
So, on to the other news. I know I've been gaining weight. I can tell, I can feel it-- I just know it. I've been a big pussy about getting on the scale but tonight after swim practice I felt so good and had enough confidence to face my situation. I was right. I've gained quite a bit of weight back. BUT. I'm in the best shape of the past 5 or so years-- and I know that I can lose the weight. But I have to stay with it. AND KEEP IT OFF. I'll properly weigh tomorrow AM so i'm comparing it to my other weigh ins.
More vegetables. Less pasta and grits. More water. Less beer.
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Life Lessons....2nd Tri.
So this past Thursday I headed to Naples, FL with my buddy Christina to compete in my 2nd triathlon and her 5th (or so). She was competing in the half iron (and won her age group, BTW....huge props) and I was planning to compete in my first Olympic Distance.
Back in September I did my first triathlon-- a sprint distance and had a blast. I competed on a mountain bike and did it for the experience. This time I came more prepared in terms of gear but less prepared in terms of proper training. After doing my first ocean swim (ever) on Friday I decided that I wasn't quite ready or trained properly for the Olympic Distance and decided to drop down to the Sprint-- although this specific race had a swim that was double my first race.
Friday and Saturday the ocean had been smooth and easy but when we arrived to the beach this morning the breakers were huge and the sea looked plain mad. Turned out it was. The men set off first at 7:00 and we followed about 3:00 minutes after. It was a shit show to say the least. Doggy paddling, back stroking, breast stroking-- very few people got into any type of rhthym-- the waves were just too much. Left and right there were swimmers calling for help from the lifeguards and about the time I got to the last buoy the kayakers right in front of me were franticly blowing their whistles, flailing their paddles and doing their best to get the attention of the paramedic boat. They had pulled a man out of the water and had started CPR on him. He wasn't responding. Everyone in the water was so confused, not sure how we could help or if we should just stop racing. We all eventually forged on-- knowing we could do nothing to help and would just be in the way. I was oddly comfortable in the water-- it reminded me of when my mom and grandmother used to go to the beach and "ride the waves" as they would call it. I'll never forget those beach trips and how tickled they would get when the waves would come.
My goal that I knew was easily do-able for the swim was 21 minutes-- I got out in 24. Considering that I stopped multiple times to help folks and we all stopped for a bit when the racer was pulled out-- I'm fine with the time. My previous race was 16 minutes for 400 meters-- a huge improvement considering this was 700 meters.
Then I transitioned (pretty well) to the bike and headed out. I knew my bike would be my strongest leg and it was--- I picked off about 20 people on the bike and ended up finishing in 40 minutes-- about 18.5MPH which is fast for me. Considering my gears weren't working like they should I'm thrilled with my bike time. My previous race bike time was 1:08-- that's a 28 minute PR-- insane. However....
I pushed so hard on the bike that by the time I got to the run my legs were done. Also, it was here that I realized my lack of proper training really showed its ugly face. Triathletes train on each discipline separately but also do what we call "brick" workouts. This means working 2 disciplines in one day-- for example-- you go for a long bike ride and then a run. Or a swim and a bike ride. Or a run and a swim-- you get the point. The reason for the "bricks" is to get your muscles used to the transition between disciplines. Between my last race and this race I did 0 bricks. Pretty much a horrible idea. 41.04 was my run time-- a snail could have possibly passed me--I ran faster my previous race.
Total time with transitions: 1:53. If I had run and swam the way I should have-- I would have finished in 1:44-- a podium for the athena category. But I didn't. And that's Ok. (Previous race 2:07 w/ a shorter swim)
During the 9 hour drive home I spent a good amount of time thinking about if I have the ability to focus completely on "my race" and block out everything/everyone else. Do I? Yes. Do I want to? I don't think so. I can't imagine not stopping to help someone in the water, providing comedic relief for those on the bike and singing Kesha for the awesome dude that ran with me at the end. In the end life is about the people that you meet and enjoy along the way. I learned a few hours after the race ended that the man in the water was not revived...he had a heart attack while swimming. http://www.marconews.com/news/2014/jan/12/man-dies-cardiac-arrest-naples-triathlon/
Life has funny ways of constantly reminding you how short but yet amazing it can be. I swam in the ocean today as the sun was rising. I pushed myself to my limits. But yet I remain so humble and grateful for everything that I have-- most importantly the ability to smile, laugh, and love.
Back in September I did my first triathlon-- a sprint distance and had a blast. I competed on a mountain bike and did it for the experience. This time I came more prepared in terms of gear but less prepared in terms of proper training. After doing my first ocean swim (ever) on Friday I decided that I wasn't quite ready or trained properly for the Olympic Distance and decided to drop down to the Sprint-- although this specific race had a swim that was double my first race.
Friday and Saturday the ocean had been smooth and easy but when we arrived to the beach this morning the breakers were huge and the sea looked plain mad. Turned out it was. The men set off first at 7:00 and we followed about 3:00 minutes after. It was a shit show to say the least. Doggy paddling, back stroking, breast stroking-- very few people got into any type of rhthym-- the waves were just too much. Left and right there were swimmers calling for help from the lifeguards and about the time I got to the last buoy the kayakers right in front of me were franticly blowing their whistles, flailing their paddles and doing their best to get the attention of the paramedic boat. They had pulled a man out of the water and had started CPR on him. He wasn't responding. Everyone in the water was so confused, not sure how we could help or if we should just stop racing. We all eventually forged on-- knowing we could do nothing to help and would just be in the way. I was oddly comfortable in the water-- it reminded me of when my mom and grandmother used to go to the beach and "ride the waves" as they would call it. I'll never forget those beach trips and how tickled they would get when the waves would come.
My goal that I knew was easily do-able for the swim was 21 minutes-- I got out in 24. Considering that I stopped multiple times to help folks and we all stopped for a bit when the racer was pulled out-- I'm fine with the time. My previous race was 16 minutes for 400 meters-- a huge improvement considering this was 700 meters.
Then I transitioned (pretty well) to the bike and headed out. I knew my bike would be my strongest leg and it was--- I picked off about 20 people on the bike and ended up finishing in 40 minutes-- about 18.5MPH which is fast for me. Considering my gears weren't working like they should I'm thrilled with my bike time. My previous race bike time was 1:08-- that's a 28 minute PR-- insane. However....
I pushed so hard on the bike that by the time I got to the run my legs were done. Also, it was here that I realized my lack of proper training really showed its ugly face. Triathletes train on each discipline separately but also do what we call "brick" workouts. This means working 2 disciplines in one day-- for example-- you go for a long bike ride and then a run. Or a swim and a bike ride. Or a run and a swim-- you get the point. The reason for the "bricks" is to get your muscles used to the transition between disciplines. Between my last race and this race I did 0 bricks. Pretty much a horrible idea. 41.04 was my run time-- a snail could have possibly passed me--I ran faster my previous race.
Total time with transitions: 1:53. If I had run and swam the way I should have-- I would have finished in 1:44-- a podium for the athena category. But I didn't. And that's Ok. (Previous race 2:07 w/ a shorter swim)
During the 9 hour drive home I spent a good amount of time thinking about if I have the ability to focus completely on "my race" and block out everything/everyone else. Do I? Yes. Do I want to? I don't think so. I can't imagine not stopping to help someone in the water, providing comedic relief for those on the bike and singing Kesha for the awesome dude that ran with me at the end. In the end life is about the people that you meet and enjoy along the way. I learned a few hours after the race ended that the man in the water was not revived...he had a heart attack while swimming. http://www.marconews.com/news/2014/jan/12/man-dies-cardiac-arrest-naples-triathlon/
Life has funny ways of constantly reminding you how short but yet amazing it can be. I swam in the ocean today as the sun was rising. I pushed myself to my limits. But yet I remain so humble and grateful for everything that I have-- most importantly the ability to smile, laugh, and love.
Monday, December 23, 2013
Fish out of water
I haven't swam for a month. Yes. That's right. I've been focusing on biking and running and really I use the term focusing loosely. But today in Nashville I made my way to Centennial Sportsplex to get a session in-- and I felt GREAT. In fact-- it's the best pool session I've ever had. In the past I've absolutely preferred open water (lake) to pool swimming as the water is easier on my nose but the cardio work I've been putting in on the bike and run has helped my swim. I had been struggling to swim 150 without needing to stop and today I did 500 without stopping at a 2:30 pace per 100. Pace is not great, in fact, it's slow-- BUT the goal is to NOT DROWN.
I also had in my head that the January race was a 1200 meter swim- -triple my last race distance of 400 BUT I WAS WRONG-- It's a 1500 meter swim-- folks, let's just call it a mile. A MILE. Of Swimming. The half Iron does 1.2.
So I can stay focused I've noted my training plan from now until race day:
Tuesday 24: BIKE 32 (pool closed)
Wednesday 25: BIKE 16 (pool closed)
Thursday 26: Pool 1600 & run 2
Friday 27: Pool 2000
Saturday 28: Run 2
Sunday 29: OFF/HUNGOVER/HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARA
Monday 30: Pool 1200
Tuesday 31: Bike 20 & Run 1.2
Wed 1: Run 3
Thurs 2: Open Water/Wetsuit testing at Britta's-- INTENSIVE SWIM
Friday 3: Open Water/Wetsuit testing at Britta's--INTENSIVE SWIM
Saturday 4: OFF/walk/hike
Sunday 5: Bike 30
Monday 6: Class at gym (SPORT)
Tuesday 7: Run 3
Wed 8: Run (in LA)
Thurs 9: OFF
Friday 10: Walk (Naples)
Saturday 11: Swim (In ocean/race site) 1500 -- try to swim course if possible
Sunday 12: RACE
I also had in my head that the January race was a 1200 meter swim- -triple my last race distance of 400 BUT I WAS WRONG-- It's a 1500 meter swim-- folks, let's just call it a mile. A MILE. Of Swimming. The half Iron does 1.2.
So I can stay focused I've noted my training plan from now until race day:
Tuesday 24: BIKE 32 (pool closed)
Wednesday 25: BIKE 16 (pool closed)
Thursday 26: Pool 1600 & run 2
Friday 27: Pool 2000
Saturday 28: Run 2
Sunday 29: OFF/HUNGOVER/HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARA
Monday 30: Pool 1200
Tuesday 31: Bike 20 & Run 1.2
Wed 1: Run 3
Thurs 2: Open Water/Wetsuit testing at Britta's-- INTENSIVE SWIM
Friday 3: Open Water/Wetsuit testing at Britta's--INTENSIVE SWIM
Saturday 4: OFF/walk/hike
Sunday 5: Bike 30
Monday 6: Class at gym (SPORT)
Tuesday 7: Run 3
Wed 8: Run (in LA)
Thurs 9: OFF
Friday 10: Walk (Naples)
Saturday 11: Swim (In ocean/race site) 1500 -- try to swim course if possible
Sunday 12: RACE
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Wetsuit Legal
Purchasing a wetsuit has been one of the more stressful experiences over the past few months. A couple of things to note:
-very few triathlon shops cary XL sizes in their store-- so it can be difficult to try on different brands and see what sizes work for you
-the sizing guides say that XL's are for those that weigh 160+ which made me SUPER nervous about if the biggest size would even fit me
-wetsuits are expensive-- and they can tear pretty easily so just trying on the damn thing could cost you $200 if you mess it up
SO....the suit came in the mail and I took it to the office to try it on so I would have moral support and of course, Chrissy-- my triathlon spirit guide-- to help me if I get stuck. Getting the suit on my legs was decent....getting the suit over my hips was, well, it was more of a dance move than anything, and then getting the thing all the way up was more a dance/struggle.
BUT....in the end. It fit perfectly. I CAN only imagine that wetsuit would fall off someone who weights 160 lbs but never here nor there. NOW I just have to swim in it.
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-very few triathlon shops cary XL sizes in their store-- so it can be difficult to try on different brands and see what sizes work for you
-the sizing guides say that XL's are for those that weigh 160+ which made me SUPER nervous about if the biggest size would even fit me
-wetsuits are expensive-- and they can tear pretty easily so just trying on the damn thing could cost you $200 if you mess it up
SO....the suit came in the mail and I took it to the office to try it on so I would have moral support and of course, Chrissy-- my triathlon spirit guide-- to help me if I get stuck. Getting the suit on my legs was decent....getting the suit over my hips was, well, it was more of a dance move than anything, and then getting the thing all the way up was more a dance/struggle.
BUT....in the end. It fit perfectly. I CAN only imagine that wetsuit would fall off someone who weights 160 lbs but never here nor there. NOW I just have to swim in it.
.JPG)
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