Bike the Coast

Tomorrow is the day! 25 mile bike ride people. I am excited. I was stressing out about gas, and how far away it is, food for the trip ect., but now I am just letting the Lord have all that, and we are just going to enjoy it.

There is a 7 mile, 15 mile, 25 mile, and a 50 mile challenge. Mine starts at 7:30 am, so I want to be there by 6:50 am. That means we have to leave by 3:50 am! Going to bed E A R L Y tonight!

Davey is so sweet to always go along. He got a call for a job in the Union and they wanted him in Sacramento today at 7am. I was freaking out. Not so much about the Bike the Coast, but about the Spin Certification on Sunday. Who would watch the boys for 8 hours? I don't have any family here except my sister-in-law who is a college students, and just happened to be going home for the weekend. I was stressing! Luckily the guy told Davey to be there Monday morning. Feww. But, awe man! Boo. I don't want him to go :( After talking with his parents he decided to turn that one down because it is so far (office in Sacrament, could be working all the way in Yureka), and the Union will call him with a closer job. It was risky, but we are confident he will get a call again in a few days. His Dad just got hired with the Union so they want to work together on the same job, which is only 2 hours away. So I freaked for nothing, and he goes along to support me. I love him so much! I wouldn't want to do any event if he wasn't there, and that's the truth. He is the one I want by my side the most. But I do need to become a little less Dependant on him, and I do want him to do a triathlon for a change. There is one next month that's easy, cheap, and good for a first timer, so I hope to have the money to sign him up for it.

I studied the course map last night so I wouldn't get off track again even if there is no one directing people. I will go down the coast from Oceanside, to Carlsbad, to Encinatas and back. Should be easy route to follow, it's just down and back.

I could finish anywhere from 2 hours (pretty fast for me) to 3 hours (pretty slow). I am going to do my best and have fun and enjoy the view! It's not everyday I get to ride by the ocean. I wish it was!

Cody had a pre-op appointment yesterday. His pediatrician is a triathlete. I asked him where he rides and runs and he told me he goes up on the aqueduct. Why didn't I think of that! That would be so nice. He said he does a 13 mile run up there and a nice long bike ride. W O W. The only thing is it's a bit far from us, but worth it I'm sure.

We ran last night. Davey pushed the boys and left me behind (lol). I enjoyed the run on my own listening to peaceful music. At first I was so slow, my calves were burning. Then I got into a better grove. I did one big lap around my neighborhood, and a smaller one with in after that, totaling 2.09 miles! That's the furthest so far! Whoot! I did it in 29 minuets, which is not too bad for me. I am so excited that I can R U N! Me. The overweight asthmatic. Yes I am slow, but I can run with out walking, something I always wanted to be able to do. I am on running cloud 9.

2 miles? No way!

Yup! I ran 2 W H O L E miles with out stopping last night! I am amazed at what I can do, when I really had no clue I could. I wish I would have known this before the 5K at Tri Carson. I now know, that I can run a whole 5K. Last night I felt great after the 2. I could have done more. I was glad to stop, don't get me wrong. I did the 2 miles in 27 minuets. Faster than Thursday's run. But still very very slow. Thats a 13:30 mile. S L O W. Davey ran 3 miles in 28:30. He's so fast! And he was pushing a stroller. Let's just say he's really sore today. Me, I feel good. I will ice my knees just to be safe though.
We decided to go to the track as a family. It was so much fun. The boys L O V E it. They run with us until they are tired then go in the stroller, and Shane yells "Go Mommy!!" the whole time. :) Then on our cool down lap after we finished running, they run the lap. Shane did 1/2 mile total and Cody did 1/4 mile. Shane says, "Mommy, I run too!". It's so cute.
I just find it amazing that when I am at the gym on the treadmill (let's say last week) I am dying for my 3 mins to be up so I can walk. That's why I didn't think I could run far. But during Tri Carson, I ran the last leg of the run (a little less than a mile) and was surprised I could do it with out dying. So it sparked my curiosity. I am not one to think "It's all in your head" like Davey does. BUT I set my mind up that I was going to run two laps around my neighborhood Thursday night and I did and last night I just determined to do 2 miles, and I did. There is a mental aspect, being confident and knowing you can, really makes your body able. I was under estimating myself on running. I am so glad I stopped enabling myself to do less than what I can! I was really stressed about being behind on C25K, but now I'm ahead.. yay :)
Thursday and Friday I did cycle in the morning and ran at night. Confession: I have N O T been tracking my points :/ but I have not been eating a lot.. I hope.
I don't want to make this a super long post, but there are many things going on in our lives I have not posted about yet. So many burdens, blessings, and growth.
About a month ago now, Davey got laid off. There is just no more work for his company right now, and in the near future. He was one of the last one's to be laid off. I won't bore you all with all our details and goals for career/ministry/finances ect. but I will say, looks like Davey is going to get on with the Union with his Dad and work on a 2 month project, 2 hours away from home. This job would be a huge blessing seeing it's government paid job and Davey has not worked in 4 weeks. It would also be very hard because he will be gone 6 days a week, only home Saturday nights and Sunday days. He worked a job far away for a few months last year and it was so horrible being apart. I dreaded it so much. I miss him, get so depressed, feel unprotected, and lonely. I will have so much work just for myself, i.e: boys, house, puppies, big dogs, yard work, selling the puppies, bills, ect. Of course, I am thinking about how I won't be able to work out as much either. If I want to take the boys to the gym, it cost $6 for 2 hours. If I only go 3 times a week that's $18 a week, and $72 a month. Plus I am just getting certified in a week, and how will I pursue that with him gone? What if I get a chance to sub? I won't have the time or ability to work on my songs and rides to have prepared in case I get a chance.
What about running outside? Do you know how hard it is to run with a double stroller that is not a jogging stroller? Really hard. It's doable though, I know. And how bout riding bikes outside? Nope. I don't have a bike trailer, and even if I do, there really aren't roads here safe enough or bike paths I would pull my boys on. I will say, I have already pleaded my argument for a bike trailer and a jogging stroller though for while he is gone. Enough complaining. I am just going to suck it up and try not be a baby, and do what I need to do.
What's the big deal you might ask? Well, I have a schedule all written out for 4 months, Dec-March to train for an Olympic distant triathlon for next season. I don't have one in mind yet, but was hoping to do a few sprints and maybe an Olympic, then I want a baby. [:)] So in my head I have it all planned out, but why am I getting so upset? I already know, God's plans are different then our own sometimes! I'll just train the best I can while Davey is gone. That's all I can really do. If you have not noticed, I am always a worry wart. I stress about things I can't control. I need the Lord's help in this area.
Anyone have any ideas on how to train with the boys I'd love to hear them! :)

Tri-Carson-4 days!

Tri-Carson is in 4 days now! I am excited! I am not nearly as organized as I was the last one. This one is a reverse triathlon, Run 3.1 miles, Bike 12 miles, swim 200 meters. The swim is short, thank God. Swimming after all that is really hard, no doubt. I am really hoping to beat my last time, but I have to admit, I have not been focusing on "training" for this one. Yes I have been working on my running, and I have been doing Spin, but I have not ridden my bike outside at all, or swam very much. So to beat my last triathlon time, I must reach these goals:

Run: Beat 45:50 (See Jane Run Triathlon)-[15.3 min mile]
Run Goal- 39:50-[13.3 min mile]
Bike: Beat 49:20 (SJR Tri)- [4.5 min mile]
Bike Goal- (bike is 12 miles, 1 more mile than SJR)- 48:30 [4.05 min mile]
Swim: Beat 10:34 (SJR Tri)-[2.6 min per 100 meter]
Swim Goal- (Swim is half the distance)- 5:10-[2.55 min per 100 meter]

It's going to be tricky, we have to wake up at 4:00am to leave by 4:45am to get my sis in law and her friend by 5:00am, to get there by 6:30am. That only gives me 30 minuets to set up transition area, stretch, warm up and to get my bib and packet. :/ I might need to leave earlier.

Good thing is, I have left over nutrition from SJR Tri. I have 2 Ensure, 1 package Shot Blocks (not really enough, but will do), and 2 power bars.

More good news is, I don't need a wet suit because it's in a pool (which will be very interesting), and I will be quick hopefully in T1 and T2 since I am wearing the clothes I am going to swim in for the run and bike. I really hope it is well organized and well marked.

Bad news, I don't have a bib belt, still can't ever figure out what to do with the bib because of the swim. And more bad news, I am almost out of my inhaler, and I have no medical insurance anymore. I have been needing it most days a few times a day since the pups were born. Not good. It will be a real struggle to finish strong if it runs out. I will do my best though, and I have been praying God will provide one. Maybe I can borrow a friends....

Training this week: Monday I did Cycle and accidentally half my c25k (missed where it said repeat).
Tuesday-C25K, Cycle with Coach, Body Sculpt with Jessica, but take it easy.
Wednesday- Swim 800 meters (or 25 minuets) and bike outside a few miles just to feel my bike.
Thursday & Friday- Rest

Couch to 5K Week 1

Yesterday was the first day of C25K training for me. It was brisk walk for 5 minuets, run 90 seconds, walk 2 minuets for 20 minuets (anyone do c25K? Does that mean 20 min including the 5 min walk?). I did a total of 27 minuets. I only went about 1.7 miles in that time!! Slow slow slow I am. Hopefully my speed with increase with time. I am really excited about this and the fact that in 9 weeks I will be able to run a whole 5K!!! I have never been good at running. EVER!

When I was little my sister and I did Karate. My sister loved it, but I did not! I would cry every time a boy hit me. I am such a girl. I had my red-black belt.. the belt right before black.. and right before our black belt test I finally wore my Dad down and I QUIT!! All because I didn't want to RUN the 2 [or 3?] miles for the test! When we would run on the track with our class I would day dream about pretending to faint. I have asthma and always wanted to fall over and act like I was having an asthma attack.. yeah.. than my mean instructors would really feel bad for torturing me with these runs! OH boy.. I am dramatic. I was probably about 8-9 years old than. P.S. did I mention how I always regret quitting so close to the goal?? To this day I wish I could say.."I have a black belt" like my sister can or my Dad who has a few in different types of Martial Arts. From then on I did gymnastics, cheer and dance and was a totally happy girl. So it turned out okay. :)

It didn't always hate to run though.. I use to run with my Dad a lot at the track around ages 2-8. I loved the Dad and me time. We would do sprints, and at the end of our 2-3 mile run we'd say, "One more lap!!" and really go for it. I always remember my Dad saying.. "It's all down hill from here!"

And yes, even though I have done 2 triathlons, and 1 5K, the furthest I've run with out stopping is 1 mile (and that was last winter/spring time). I WANT to be a runner. I WANT to be able to run the whole 5k or 10k leg of the triathlon. I WANT to be able to get up early and go on a 5-8 mile run with out stopping. I WANT to run the whole Gobble Wobble 5K!! And with God's help, I WILL. Period.
Just like many of you like running because it's cheap and you can do it anywhere, I like that too. I went to Ross yesterday.. wasn't really looking for shoes but found these awesomely adorable $20 Adidas cycle shoes.. or so I thought!! I was so excited. When I got home Davey said, "those aren't cycle shoes I don't think.." So I pull out the actual Adidas tag.. and sure enough they said Track and Field! Ah Man!! I wanted to keep them so bad, but you can't run with them on the road, they have wholes for spikes on the bottom. They look just like cycle shoes.. well sort of.. they have shoe laces instead of buckles, so anyways, I returned them. ;( I was frustrated and the gazillion people in line at Walmart while picking up diapers didn't help, I couldn't wait to run. Here are the shoes.. on Adidas website for $50! Ugh. I should have just kept them and pretended they were cycle shoes. ;)


Last night felt great to run in my neighborhood while it sprinkled on me, and as I breathed the fresh air. So here's to my beginning as a runner!

GOALS- New & Achieved

I have been reflecting on this journey, and it's so amazing to me, that just a little over a year ago I was pondering the idea whether or not I could run a 5K someday. I still ponder the thought of running the whole thing.. but I know I will DO IT!! I feel like nothing is out of my reach now. Okay so it's taking me forever to lose the 104 pounds I set out to lose, but I've come so far physically and mentally in this process, and just all around HAPPY. God get's the glory. He is my Father running along side of me. How do people live without HIM??

Goals Achieved: Besides the Triathlons, Santa Monica 5K, and the -44 pounds.. the biggest thing I have accomplished is the way I think about food. When we are out of town, I dislike very much eating foods I know aren't doing anything for me.. and actually poisoning me. I physically feel very sick to my stomach. When we get home and I eat better my stomach is better! Crazy! Who would have thought?

I have many non fitness related goals, such as, getting Shane fully potty trained, getting organized and on a better schedule, reading more, creating more delicious meals for my family, more time with God, witness to more people and more.

My fitness goals are:
*Finish at least 3 more Sprint Triathlon's~ Next one scheduled for 10-23-10
*Finish a 25 mile cycle event~Hoping to do Bike the Coast 11-6-10
*Complete the Couch 2 5K plan~Starting TODAY (yes I just couldn't wait till Monday)
*Run a whole 5K with out stopping~Scheduled for 11-27-10 Santa Monica Gobble Wobble ( I switched)
*Run a 10K with out stopping 12-11-10 Can I do it so soon after 5K? I think so!
*Do an Olympic distant triathlon~Avia Wildflower Olympic distance 5-2-11 1.5K swim, 40K bike 10k run (this one is very hard, with lots of hills, so I will try to find an easier one around this time that's not in the ocean) & Morgan Hill Sprint Tri 5-15-11 (called a Sprint but really more like an Olympic.. 3/4 mile swim, 15 mile bike 5 mile run.
*Run a half marathon~2-6-11 (Shane's 3rd birthday!) Really want to do this one... but that's really soon for a half marathon.. so we'll see. It's by the beach!
*A dualathon
* A Mud Run [they look super fun]

So these are all hopes, but I need finances for them all, gas to get there, gear ect.

That's all for now.. more once I accomplish these. Notice they all happen before August 11? Well I HOPE to be at goal by then and we do want more children.. even though timing is ultimately up to God! So if He allows this schedule, and we still live in So. Cal, I will strive to do this schedule. I know the running goals seem impossible.. I am going to work hard and do my best.

Almost there!

I weighed in this morning. I know.. I know.. only been one day. But I felt like I was bloated yesterday from the weekend and maybe eating right yesterday helped that and I would have a little loss. And I did!! 200.0 Soooo close! I am going to weigh again on Thursday because we are having our Strength and Beauty meeting, so hopefully we will see 199! That's a total of -44 pounds now. So motivated!

Davey was looking at our bank last night and realized we were charged $60 from Active.com for a membership!! I never sighed up for one! I called this morning and found out they actually charged us twice! Once in April and once in September. Apparently unless you click a small "No thank you" they automatically charge you for a membership when you use them to register for an event. So good news is they are refunding us $120! I decided to surprise Davey and use $50 of that to sign him up for this. It's a WAR 5K! It has obstacle courses and mud mounds and all kinds of fun things, and it's very close to home. He really wants to do events also but will never pay for them himself, so I surprised him. I know he will say, "We could have used that money for....!" but underneath that he will be so excited. Now he has something to train for. Yay!

I was looking at 5K's for me as well and I choose this one. I can't pay for it now though, but that's OK because it's not until December 11. I am so excited to train for it. It is 10.5 weeks away and the couch to 5k plan I am going to do is a 9 week program. I plan to start on Monday of next week! Yay.

Now... I also really want to do this triathlon and this cycle event. The cycle event is reasonably cheap, it's 26 mile ride in the city I live. The triathlon is much cheaper than most because it's at a college campus in a pool, only an hour away from home. They both don't require any gear I don't already have. Oh what to do what to do?? Well, I registered for the triathlon! Yikes. Why did I do that? And there are no refunds! Oh well, it was practically free with the refund from Active.com. I will think about the cycle event. It would be fun and good training for a bigger tri. It doesn't require any gas or any gear, so really just the small fee. We'll see.

Hills

Here are some pictures of yesterdays hill adventure. The first time up all three hills I was pulling everything I had to get up them. Then The second time was so much easier! Amazing! It was still very hard.. and my heart rate went up a million beats, but I was faster and Davey was impressed and said I looked like I was very powerful! Yay!
I swam 600-700 meters at the gym before the hills. The water was more choppy due to more serious swimmers in the pool. It was great practice, but slowed me down. I did 400 meters in 10:30. I kept having to stop and clear my goggles from fog! I am going to get no fog goggle drops!
I planned on walking after I biked, but Davey was extremely tired and hungry, so I decided to make dinner first, (Chicken Marinara, with Mushrooms, Noodles, and Green beans). By the time we ate it was 8:30pm and I was beat. I plan to go to bed early every night, and Davey was super tired too. So I cleaned up the kitchen, changed and put the boys to bed, cleaned the living room, and Davey and I made our special picnic area on our living room floor where we watch our favorite shows on hulu.com (we don't have cable). Last night we watched the America's Got Talent Finale. I am so excited Biggest Loser starts tonight!
So anyways, I was bummed I didn't get to walk. I am feeling a little behind on the training. I knew I was getting sick though, so I decided it was fine. We went to be and I woke up at 1am with the worst sore throat and ears. Ugh!! Again at 3am to which I began to panic because of the tri being in only 4 days! I drank hot lemon water, took a Vicodin, (that's not a regular thing for me just FYI), and went back to bed. Didn't get up with Davey at 5:30am like usual, slept until 7:30am when Cody woke. I plan to go get some Airborne and rest. Please pray for me that this passes quickly! Swimming while sick is horrible!
The wetsuit didn't come yesterday, but it should be here today.. it better be! Time to start packing for our trip too.. I am such a procrastinator and refuse to do that this time. Okay enough rambling, here are the pics!
Me at the base of Hill 1 (Easy one)
Base of Hill 2 (Hard one)
Climbing Hill 2
Still climbing.
Top of hill 2.
Bottom of hill 3 (Worst hill!)Ouch, still climbing.Really tough now! Almost there! Made it! Top of Hill 3!

Another Triathlon

I was wrong about the registration date for the June 5 tri, so it is still a possibility. I am having issues deciding which one I want to do. The one on June 5 seems great, definitely easier than Wildflower tri I did, but that is the reason I don't want that one. I want a harder one. Is that realistic though? I am pregnant, and I don't want to hurt the baby. I am looking at a couple in July so I could be more prepared and do a tougher one.
The one on June 5 is a backwards tri, which makes it harder (I think). You run, bike, then swim. It is dangerous to swim when you are so tired, that is why they usually do swim, bike, run! I am itching to register so I can say to myself ,"I am doing this and you better be ready!" Triathlons are: Motivation, fun, a new passion of mine. I wish I could do one a month! I want to do one for a good cause, but unfortunately can't find one this summer! I rather pay and have it go to cancer research than nothing. I could get sponsors as well (Davey has been bothering me to do this). He wants to do the next one I do if we can afford it.
People have been asking me, "What possessed you to do a triathlon?!!" Many things! I have always loved swimming, and have been told I am a good swimmer. I don't like running much, but riding a bike is fun! Also I get bored easy, so I have always wanted to do a triathlon! Also motivation to keep me training. I am so glad I can say, "I have done a triathlon!" instead of, "I have always wanted to do a triathlon." God gets all the glory though. I could NOT have done it with out Him!
I am so honored that I have inspired several people to do, or think of doing a triathlon! A couple of my friends have asked me if they could do the next one with me. That is so awesome that I could affect someone else in desire to be a triathlete! Me, an overweight pregnant mom and wife!
I have been thinking a lot about becoming a spin instructor (before I found out I was pregnant). After the baby is born, and I am healed and active again, I really plan on registering to do so! I think that would be so fun. What accountability too!
I am thankful to God for providing all our needs, our wants, and our desires. I am sorry for all the times I am ungrateful. I love that He cares even about my desire to do triathlons, and that He provided everything I needed to do so (including a bike... for free!). =)