Writer's Block

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Why I Ran Today

WARNING:  I'm cranky.

I planned on using the elliptical and keeping it low impact today, but my plans abruptly changed when I got to the Y Family Center because Lady Loud was already on one of the ellipticals.

Who is Lady Loud, you ask?

Well, I don't rightly know since I have never met her (on purpose), but I do know quite a bit about her.  For instance I know she has a teenage son with a beautiful girlfriend he can't keep his hands off (see my post, Tales From the Y) and that his delivery was long and arduous (or as she calls it "the BEST BIRTH CONTROL EVER!)  I also know prior to today she had never before seen an episode of Everybody Hates Chris, but now thinks it "precious" and "hilarious."  And, most irritatingly, I know she has a younger son, Maximilian, whom she laughingly refers to as her "mid-life baby" who does NOT come to the Y with her, yet she still works out in the Family Center (again see, Tales From the Y, for my thoughts on THAT.)

In the beginning, I thought she actually knew the women she was talking too.  The details she shares are, I think, fairly intimate.  So she has these long, intimate, LOUD conversations with people and then when they inevitably leave (Lady Loud works out forever) she cheerfully asks their names and shouts at their departing backs, "I'll be here tomorrow!"  She'll talk to anyone at any time about any thing.  She is a talking magician, conjuring conversations out of thin air.  I avoid her at all costs even if it means my knees will sulk and punish me for the rest of the day.  I have absolutely no interest in hearing about her convoluted PTA drama.  Well, strike that.  If I'm completely honest with myself I kinda do want to (over)hear her drama, but I don't want to listen to her loudly fake-whisper about her drama.  I don't know if she's lonely, compulsive, oblivious or what, but I do know I'd rather listen to whining kids than her shouted life happenings.  And that's saying a lot.

See?  Cranky.


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Back in The Saddle Again

Bike saddle that is.

Ugh.  My workout routine was rudely disrupted this past week by a series of opportunities to indulge in my favorite vice; baked goods.  Children's birthday parties, friendly get togethers, and a ginormous bake sale all conspired against me.  I am left a bloated, exhausted, and jittery victim of sugar overload.  I went to the Y on Thursday and almost tossed my cookies on the elliptical (pun very much intended).  TMI?  Well, that's what this blog is about; documenting the good, the bad, and the ugly on my road to becoming a triathlon.   The past 8 days were definitely ugly.

Tomorrow I'm back though!  I'm going to provide my body the fuel it needs to get through my increasingly ambitious workouts.  I will be back in that unbelievably uncomfortable training-bike saddle tomorrow night.  That's my promise to myself.


Peace out.



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It's Time

If I'm going to consider myself officially training for a triathlon I need to start swimming and biking.  I've been putting it off because, well, because swimming is hard and I don't have a bike.  Pretty good reasons, but the time for reasons excuses has passed.  I need to get my butt in the water and on a bike.  Not at the same time though.

So I looked up the pool schedule at my local Y to find a time I can drown swim laps.  I didn't realize Y employees are comedians.  They listed the morning lap swim as starting at 4:45 a.m.  A.M.  As in 4:45 in the morning.  I'm laughing so hard my sides hurt.  Seriously, hold on, it's hard to type with tears in my eyes.

Ok, I've recovered my composure.  Swimming at 4:45 in the morning?  That is just INSANE!  Who is even working at the Y at 4:45 in the morning, much less swimming?  I probably don't need to tell you that this night-owl triathlete will not be swimming, or doing anything other than dreaming, at 4:45 in the morning.  That means I need to find another time.  Unfortunately, the rest of the schedule is hard to decipher.  I guess I'll have to ask someone when I'm there tonight.  I'm telling you all this to hold myself accountable.  I am going to start swimming laps at least once a week starting next week.

As for the biking, for now I'll be doing that on a stationary bike since, although a friend graciously offered to let me borrow her bike, I don't have a helmet.  I'll start doing the stationary bike at least once a week starting tonight until I can get a properly fitted helmet.

Alright, that's enough goals for one day.



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Tough Cookie

I'm getting calluses on my palms.

I can't decide if they are bitchin' or gross.  I must be leaning towards the latter since I bought lifting gloves.  Well, technically, they are "fitness gloves" according to the packaging.  I don't know there is a difference other than marketing terms.  I don't think I'll worry about hubby borrowing them:

Cute, right?

I'm amassing a shitload of equipment.  I own assorted weights, a resistance band and a toning bad (one is for arms, one is for legs), a plethora of DVDs, a yoga mat, running shoes, crosstrainers, 6 pairs of workout pants, 4 pairs of workout shorts, a bunch of sports bras, an iPod, an armband to hold my iPod, bottles of supplements and vitamins....  I could open my own gym.  And I still need a bike and everything that comes with that, a swimsuit for actual swimming, and a cap.  Geez.  Hey, honey, here's an answer to where all our money is going.  Who knew being fit meant I'd need an extra storage shed?

It's worth it though.  If you read this blog regularly you know I don't always feel that way, but most days I do.  Even if my pants are tight, there's no denying I'm in better shape than your average American.  Hm.  That sounds conceited.  I don't mean to brag.  But I'm doing it, you know?  It feels good just to say I'm doing it.  No excuses.

Several of you have told me you find this blog inspiring.  I hope so!  Even if just one of you makes one change towards a healthier, more active lifestyle, I can die knowing I made a difference in the world.  I don't want to die though.  Hear that, God?  Not yet, ok?  It's just a figure of speech. 

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Progress

They fit.

I tried on the pants last night and, not only was I able to button them, I could breathe AND sit down.  Definitely not as roomy as I prefer, but wearable.  Yay!  My favorite pair of jeans back in circulation.  I still have a month left before I promised I would post a picture and I'm going to take that time so no photo yet.  I'm more motivated than ever now that I finally see my hard work paying off; especially since I was recently discouraged to see some videos hubby posted online(!) featuring our adorable boys and my not so adorable mid-section.   Note to self: threaten ask hubby to please, from now on, only film me from the boobs up.

PS  How cool is the strikethrough feature?  I noticed it a few weeks ago and have just been dying to use it.



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