How Hard Can It Be? Year 2

[Veronica]

I have 22 weeks until Barb's Race - my HIM. Two weeks until I start "training."

I had all sorts of grand ideas about what I was going to do through the winter. Most of them didn't happen. Whatever... I am still in better shape then I was last year at this time.

Last year I did Barb's Race as a fundraiser. I don't think I'm going to do that this year. My pool of potential donors is pretty small and I don't like hitting them up every year. :p

I've been thinking about my goals for the race. I expect I'll still race Athena. I weigh 154 right now. The Vineman people cut off Athena at 145. While i can certainly picture where I could take off ten pounds, I don't see THAT happening.

Last year I unbelievably placed third. I won the swim for the group, with a time of 34:34. That's good enough for me right now and I don't plan on focusing much training time on the swim again.

I placed 4th on the bike with a time of 3:37. I definitely want to improve there. I was 4th on the run with a time of 3:07. I think I ran maybe 1 out of the 13.1 miles. So lots of room for improvement.

Who knows what this year's field will be like, so I'm not even going to think about placing again. Although I was only 4 minutes behind second and 37 minutes behind first.

I think I'd really like to get the total time under 7 hours. I think most of the time will have to come off of the run and a bit off the bike.

The time change is coming , the weather is getting warmer and I'm getting into a training frame of mind. Finally. :p

Veronica

[Wahine]

Good luck with all your training!! You should be able to reach that sub 7 hour goal! I have no doubts.

Looking forward to reading about your progress.:D

[eclectic]

Good luck Veronica!

This will be fun to follow you through training and completion. I think you have a very good plan in motion.

I am w/ you on the swimming - It would take me a lot of work to speed up a little bit and to me that is not the best place to use my time and energy as my run is REALLY bad!

It sounds like you have the swim under control - as was said "you don't win on the swim but you can lose on it"

Again Good luck and keep posting :D

[Veronica]

Every weekend I write out a very ambitious training plan for the week with workouts both before and after work. The plan has at least two days of running, two days of biking, one day of swimming, 3 days of yoga and two days with my personal trainer. That's 10 workouts Monday through Friday. Weekends I use for a longer ride with Thom and a longer run. My training week runs Sunday to Saturday. Monday and Tuesday I generally follow the plan. Life tends to kick in by Wednesday and Wednesday through Friday generally turn into just one workout a day or sometimes none.

Why do I write such ambitious plans?

Well... there are three disciplines to triathlon and I'm really good at only one of them. Because I am a mediocre, at best, runner, it takes priority. Between runs I always schedule in a yoga session. I think the thirty minutes of stretching I get between runs helps to keep me injury free. I haven't gotten an injury yet, so that must be true. Now I hope I haven't jinxed myself.

I love/hate my personal trainer sessions. The best part of working with a trainer is that we never do the same thing. She changes it up every time. That's also the worst part; it's never easy. About twenty minutes of every session is spent on Core work - abs and lower back. The rest of the time varies, lower body, upper body, agility... She is always thinking of new ways to torment me. :-) I don't know how much it actually helps with my racing, but I enjoy it and I love having muscles.

You would think cycling would be what I'm best at; but it's not. Last year at Barb's Race, I came in third overall, about 4 minutes behind second. My swim, second transition and run were all faster than the second place finisher. She beat me on the bike and in the first transition. I can say that placing isn't all that important; but it is fun and I'm a competitive person. The thing about biking is it's easy for me to go out and just ride. I can do it for a long time (remember the double centuries) and not work very hard at it. But that is not how you get faster at biking. Intervals are what make you faster. I don't like to do intervals. I especially don't like to do intervals outside. Outside, I want to just ride. That's where Coach Troy and his magic Spinervals DVDs come in. I try to do two of those a week - typically one I like and one I don't. The DVDs I don't like usually involve shorter sets at a super high intensity - kind of like sprinting. I am not a sprinter. I prefer the videos where the sets are longer. The intensity may get just as high, but I have longer to get there.

Then there's the swimming. In college I was not a super fast swimmer and I'm still not a super fast swimmer. Realistically, I could take three to five minutes off my swim time from last year's race if I set aside the time to really train for swimming. But that's just not a big enough gain in overall race time for the effort I would need to put in to achieve it. If I can actually run the entire 13 miles this year, I could take off FORTY minutes or more from my overall race time. It doesn't help that the pool chemicals bother my sinuses for a few days after each swim either.

So every weekend I write out the ambitious plan. If I can't follow it, swimming is the first thing to go, followed by biking. Everything else, I try very hard to stick to. Without the plan it would be too easy for me to just do the bits I like and that are easy.

How did I do this week?

Three runs, 2 outside and one on the treadmill, 2 yoga sessions, 1 hour with the trainer - she was sick the day of my second session, and 4 bike rides, but three were outside. The weather was just too nice this week to want to ride the bike in the trainer. I had one day when I did nothing.

I wonder what next week will bring.

[redrhodie]

Wow, that is ambitious! I'm glad to hear you took a rest day. I don't train for anything, and I need 2 rest days to recover :rolleyes:!

Was the woman who beat you on the bike segment on a comparable bike to yours? Sometimes, it's the bike, not the rider.

[Wahine]

That's a great first week V. Good luck with your program.

I'm in the same boat as you on the bike... I can go for a long time but I hate pushing into the red zone. My solution was to try bike racing this year and getting a riding buddy that kicks my butt very consistently and makes me push as hard as I can up hills etc. Ouch. It's a miracle I still like him.

So I wish you well on your speed and interval journey... I literally feel your pain.:eek:

[Veronica]

Wow, that is ambitious! I'm glad to hear you took a rest day. I don't train for anything, and I need 2 rest days to recover :rolleyes:!

Was the woman who beat you on the bike segment on a comparable bike to yours? Sometimes, it's the bike, not the rider.

I don't like to build in a rest day. I take them when my body/mind says to. Some weeks I can go five days straight, others I need a day off every other day. I suppose if I were way serious I'd have a more specific plan, but really this is about having fun and pushing myself in a different way. I'll get more serious when I'm a better runner. :D

I don't know what kind of bike she was riding. I was ahead of her out of the water, so at some point she passed me. But I wasn't looking at numbers or anything at that point, so who knows. :D This year I plan to ride with aero bars. We just put them on my bike in the trainer so I can start getting use to the position. In a month or so I'll put them on my outside bike.

Veronica

[kacie tri-ing]

That is pretty ambitious! My HIM is in 2 weeks, and my coach has me doing a bit less than that . Of course, I will be able to let you know how that works out for me in two weeks :cool:

[tribogota]

You say "if" you were "way serious", well if your training schedule and goals is NOT serious, I just don't know what serious would be, some obsessive non working person who didn't have to shop, cook, pay bills, etc who could do triathlon full time...and I mean FULL TIME :D
I like the idea of not building in a day and then doing whatever your body tells you to... I think that is what I do. For example, this week, I had an olympic last sunday, traveled monday, trained without stop from Tuesday, and thought of taking the day off today (Monday), but didn't, didn't feel like it (felt extra motivated), so my body is telling me "we are ok", and if I take every other day off this week, no problem. Then when I am not motivated, some extra days off won't matter. Of course this is untested un empirical training philosophy, but works for me.
ps, your swim time kicks butt, I hope I can do my HIM in that swim time.

[Veronica]

Bummer... I just found out that there will be no Athena division at Barb's Race this year.

I suppose that just means I can get as skinny as I want. :D

Veronica

[roadie gal]

Good luck! It was fun following you along last year.

I think having a written plan helps a lot. If I don't write it down, I don't do it.

[Veronica]

I had a GREAT run this morning before work. I love it when running feels effortless and I could just go for forever. I planned on at least two miles and did four in the end. If it weren't for work, I'd have done another mile, maybe even two. Why can't running always feel like that? :rolleyes:

Veronica

[kacie tri-ing]

Oh, I LOVE those runs too! I even love when a mile or two inside of a run feels like that!

[Veronica]

Last weekend I was poking around at the Barb’s Race website looking to confirm what the weight restriction was for the Athena Division. I couldn’t find it, so I e mailed them. The reply I received on Monday said that they were not going to have an Athena Division. There just hasn’t been enough participation to make it worthwhile. I was seriously depressed. It is so not fair. I had been thinking that I could have a faster time this year than last year’s Athena winner. Yes, I know, it’s not about placing, it’s about doing better myself. However, thinking I could take 37 minutes off my time and possibly win was motivational. But when I looked at where I would place in my age group with that time, I didn’t like it and got even more depressed. The top 5 finishers in my age group all finished in under 6 hours. With the time I was thinking of, I’d be in the bottom third. Reminder to self - It’s not about where you place, it’s about doing better yourself. Right.

Monday afternoon is one of my days with the trainer and this particular day was a Weigh & Measure Day. As my trainer, Shawna, was measuring my body fat with calipers, I was telling her about how I would now have to race against the wisps and the twigs. She finished all the measurements, did the math and my Body Fat percentage is 26%. The lowest it has been in the last few years was 23%, last September when I weighed 148. Since late December my weight has been fluctuating between 154 and 156, and it sure isn’t from increased muscle mass. My lean body mass (116 pounds) is more than what some of these women weigh in total. It is so not fair. We talked a little bit about changes I could make in my diet (yeah, right!) and then went off to work out.

I started doing the math during my workout and came to the conclusion that if I lost 13 pounds of fat, I ‘d have 18 percent body fat. That’s what I had in college. The actual number is 14 pounds of fat. I did some rounding in my head I guess. :-) Somehow that just galvanized me into action. Thirteen pounds of fat, that’s more than a gallon and a half of milk. EWWWW! Tuesday I started revamping my diet. On Wednesday, Shawna and I talked more about nutrition and I’m making some serious changes. I’ve cut my calories to 1500/day and I’m keeping track of fats, carbohydrates and protein. My target is no more than 40 grams of fat, 173 grams of carbohydrates and 100 grams of protein per day. I’m having a hard time keeping the fat down and I’m seriously under proteined.

These changes have really got me thinking about what people eat. It’s no wonder Americans are so fat! I love to eat at Jack in the Box. It’s where we usually go after a long bike ride. My favorite meal there has 1800 calories and 93 grams of fat! And that’s just for a (big) burger and a (big) shake. Imagine eating there all the time and never working out. Shawna told me that it’s a good thing I do so much cardio because with the way I have been eating, I would be seriously soft.

Thursday I had to choose between the peanut butter for my apple or my chocolate chip cookie. Naturally, the cookie won. But at 11 grams of fat, that one item has more 1/4 of my fat grams. I know people, myself included, who will eat many of these cookies in one day. They are very tasty, but nutritionally they are worthless. On Friday our PTA had a movie themed spread for the teachers - pop corn, soda, Kit Kats, Twizzlers, Whoppers, but worst of all… Reeses Peanut Butter cups - my favorite candy bar!

I ate my apple slices. I figure I need to get as wispy as possible if I want to finish in the top half of my age group.

This week’s training has been a mixed bag. We’ve needed to do a lot around the house lately so last Sunday became a chore day and that’s what today (Saturday) is shaping up to be. This week I had my two trainer sessions, biked once, ran twice and did two yoga sessions.

I did both of my runs on Wednesday and it felt so good. Wednesday morning I went out before work with the intent of just doing two miles. But I got into such a nice groove I did four miles instead. Wednesday afternoon before working with my trainer, I did a two mile interval run on the treadmill. That also felt really good. Unfortunately, I woke up Thursday with an odd pain in my right hip. I did yoga and really tried to stretch it out. It almost feels like a cramp, but not quite as sharp. I don’t know if it was a result of running or the weight work I did on Wednesday, or just from getting old . In any case, I won’t be running today. I haven’t tried biking with it yet.

If it doesn’t get better, I guess I’ll be hitting the pool next week.

Veronica

[Blueberry]

V-

No words of wisdom to offer - just sympathy. I did want to add - though - you're an inspiration for lots of us on TE:)

CA

[tribogota]

I have done 5 triathlons and out of the 5 I have come in last or second or third to last in FOUR of them, overall categories, men and women. In one race I was coming in last and some guy was slowing down, I asked him if he wanted me to run with him, or if I should just pass, he said "nah, go ahead, I'll finish last today". The judges had actually stopped tallying that runners were passing, they said "oh we know you're not gonna cheat". I sort of wish that I could do well, but I also accept my own speed limits. I just feel pretty amazed that I am out there at all, and that I train so much. Just the fact that you train for an HIM already makes you the top in your age category in the WORLD! Most people are NOT doing triathlons, or training more than 3 hours a week, so please be super proud of yourself! You are in a one percent of the world category.

[eclectic]

Loved the post Veronica!

I am so sorry there is no Athena division. I must say I CAN feel your disapointment. When we did the biathlon a few weeks ago I felt it was very unfair also - it was divided by relays or m-F but not by age at all. The mixed team who ended up winning it were 2 kids under the age of 20 who were HS varsity state placers in running and swimming. Their ages added to 38 - ours added to 101!
But like you, I had to reframe my thinking - we dropped 6 minutes off our previous time so it was all good.

AND it sounds like it has really gotten you motivated! Apples instead of Reese's PB cups - you ROCK girl!
Good luck in maintaining the momentum

I too decided enough was enough and started WW. online. I tried counting the carb/fat/protein but it was a pain and nothing was happening. WW Points work for me so I pretty much eat South Beach style but watch portions by counting points. After stalling since last fall - I dropped 5.5 lbs in 2 weeks! Now I just have 17 to go :rolleyes:
My motivation is I will be able to ride up hills faster and run faster!

Keep up the good work and keep reporting! I love them

[salsabike]

I have done 5 triathlons and out of the 5 I have come in last or second or third to last in FOUR of them, overall categories, men and women. In one race I was coming in last and some guy was slowing down, I asked him if he wanted me to run with him, or if I should just pass, he said "nah, go ahead, I'll finish last today". The judges had actually stopped tallying that runners were passing, they said "oh we know you're not gonna cheat". I sort of wish that I could do well, but I also accept my own speed limits. I just feel pretty amazed that I am out there at all, and that I train so much. Just the fact that you train for an HIM already makes you the top in your age category in the WORLD! Most people are NOT doing triathlons, or training more than 3 hours a week, so please be super proud of yourself! You are in a one percent of the world category.

Nice post, tribogota.

[Veronica]

I guess I should have put more smiley faces in my post. Yes, it upset me that I can't race Athena. Depressed is too strong of a word. I should have used a word that conveyed mad/sad better.

I guess I wasn't clear enough that I am "making lemonade." Not being able to race Athena has really pushed me to consider my nutrition and that's a good thing.

Veronica

[txred9876]

This is off the trek official website

The TREK is a Race That Fits Every Women’s Comfort and Experience Level.

The Trek Women Triathlon Series will feature an unprecedented seven official race categories including…



Age Groups (separated by five-year increments)
Mixed Age Group (so women can do the race with family and friends)
Athena (150 lbs. minimum)
Women in Uniform (military or government)
Physically Challenged
Elite
Relay
… as part of a continuing effort to provide the best possible race experience for all women. Selected cities within the Series will also include "youth focused" triathlons.


they still have the athena catagory.... I am not sure what is close to you.
Tina

[Veronica]

Thanks! I'm still looking for a Half Ironman distance tri with an Athena division. :)

Veronica

[kelownagirl]

Sorry they don't have an athena division Veronica, that sucks, especially when you have been working so hard towards a goal.

That being said, I've always been confused about the whole athena division thing. Taller women, and/or larger framed women, seem to automatically be athenas simply based on weight, not on body fat or fitness. I always figured it'd be fairer in some ways to have divisions based on body fat % rather than weight itself. Clearly you are in awesome shape and have a lower body fat %age than I do - I'm only 120lbs but still am around 30% fat. I'm just thinking it must be frustrating to the overweight women who are putting themselves out there and racing, but still have to race against really fit, but bigger-framed women.

[Veronica]

I suppose it is easier to use weight, since most people know what they weigh. Not everyone knows their body fat percentage. And how do you measure someone's fitness to put them into categories?

Power to weight ratio favors women who weigh less. I can put out 200 Watts of power (2.9 W/kg) but so can someone who weighs 40 pounds less than me (3.8 W/kg). I know how it affects cycling, I don't know how it affects running, but I'm sure it does.

In any case, my post was a bit tongue in cheek. Where is the icon for that?

I wanted to get people thinking about what they eat, not focus on poor little me not being on the podium...:cool:

And I've already lost 3 pounds since Monday. :D Bring on the eggbeaters, the tuna and the whole wheat enchilada. No, no enchiladas or Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!


Veronica

[redrhodie]

It's good you're taking your diet more seriously. I don't eat a lot of junk, and I know from my experience in giving it up (many years ago) that eventually it tastes like what it is--junk.

I won't eat a Reeses PB Cup anymore. It's sad, because they used to be okay. Now they add chemicals to replace the cocoa butter to make the chocolate cheaper. I don't eat PGPR or TBHQ. Those are real ingredients. TBHQ may be a carcinogenic. Yeah, let's give it to the kids. Good idea.

[Crankin]

You have made some interesting points, Veronica. Anything that gets us thinking about nutrition is good, even though I really understand your disappointment at the elimination of the Athena category.
I think our bodies constantly try to fool us. Mine has adapted so much to my healthy eating (I gave up junk 25 years ago) and exercise, that any time I gain a pound, it takes a long time and a lot of effort to lose it. Cycling doesn't seem to do much for keeping my weight down anymore, though I am sure I would gain if I stopped! I added in the running, but my pace is not fast. It seems to help, but I can't run more than 2-3x a week or other issues start.
In the past couple of weeks I have seen subtle changes in my body that I don't like. No one else would notice it, but I know that it means I have to do something different. At this point, I am not sure what that is. I can't starve myself. Do I really want to give up the couple of glasses of wine I have each week, or going out to eat? My life already seems very focused on sports/nutrition in the eyes of most people.
I can't justify the expense of a trainer, since i am not working. My gut tells me that weight training, etc. would work. I do a little and I do yoga, but there are only so many hours in the day.
Just some random thoughts. Keep us posted!

[Veronica]

I almost completed my ambitious training plan this week. I followed it all the way through Thursday morning.

Monday morning I rode my bike in the trainer. I did the video Zoot Challenge. which is one of my favorite videos. It is much easier to get on the bike in the morning when you like the video. In the afternoon I had my trainer session. Monday is leg day and we’re focusing on increasing my muscle endurance. Shawna, my trainer, had the ladder out on the floor and I did many, many reps of fast feet moving in and out of the ladder, fast feet sideways down the ladder, jumping down the ladder on one foot, long jumps down the ladder and goodness knows what else. In between ladder sets it was jog in place with high knees or step ups. What I like about doing endurance work is it tires out my muscles, but it doesn’t leave me really sore.

Tuesday morning I did Yoga for Triathletes and in the afternoon I did a 3.5 mile run. The run was okay. It was hot and it reinforced that I should not eat oatmeal for breakfast on a run day.

Wednesday morning was another yoga session. This time it was Rodney Yee’s Flexibility routine. In the afternoon I did a two mile interval run on the treadmill before doing upper body work with Shawna. This was a great run and I wish I had gotten there early enough to do a longer session. Eggbeaters are a much better breakfast for running on.

Thursday I hooked up with some friends and rode up the south side of Mt Diablo. It was a social ride and I ended up not having enough time to go to the summit and get back home in time for a meeting I had. It was nice to ride with some of my buds though. I got in 28 miles and 2200 feet of climbing.

What did I skip?

Thursday afternoon yoga - I was wiped out after my meeting and decided to think about cooking a real dinner instead. Okay, so honestly Thom barbecued the steak and I cooked the rice.

Friday morning run - I had to finish packing for our whirlwind trip to San Diego to get the tandem. There will be more about that later.
http://www.tandemhearts.com/coppermine/albums/SDCBS/SDCBS-21.jpg

I’ve been doing pretty well with my food intake. It was hard on the trip to eat healthy. It has been two weeks since I have had a Red Bull. I find myself really craving one every now and then. I really wanted one after Tuesday’s run. I made do with OJ mixed with water. Apple slices have become my new chocolate. Maybe I’m a pod person… :rolleyes:


Veronica

[Veronica]

I didn’t do much this week: a couple of biking videos, some yoga and met with my trainer twice. I stuck with my scheduled workouts through Wednesday. Thursday morning I woke up with that tickling in the back of my throat that tells me I’m a getting a cold. Thursday was the last day of school before Spring Break and it was a rainy day - indoor recess - twenty-nine fifth graders cooped up all day, the day before a break. I was pretty wiped out and just ready to veg by the end of the day. I had planned on doing a bike ride outside on Friday, but it was raining and my cold was getting worse. I read three books instead. Saturday I actually had a low grade fever and napping was the order of the day. Sunday was gorgeous and Thom and I went out for a short ride on the tandem. I tried to not work too hard since whenever I did my chest would start rattling. We’re a little rusty as a team, but things smoothed out as the ride went on.

The time off was actually a good thing. I had pulled or strained a muscle in my right leg last week and the down time gave it a chance to heal. I’m on vacation this week. Not having a schedule is nice. I plan to do lots of reading and relaxing.

[Veronica]

Woo hoo!!! I’ve been working with my new trainer, Shawna, for four weeks now and seriously following her recommended dietary changes. AND IT’S WORKING! In four weeks I’ve lost 5 pounds overall and dropped to 22.5 percent body fat. I’ve actually lost 6 pounds of fat and gained a pound of muscle.

There’s nothing like seeing some results to recharge your batteries and keep you motivated. :p

Veronica

[jesvetmed]

Wow V! It sounds like things are really paying off for you. Great job on sticking with it. You are working so hard! Keep it up - -it's inspirational.
Jes

[five one]

Woo hoo!!! I’ve been working with my new trainer, Shawna, for four weeks now and seriously following her recommended dietary changes. AND IT’S WORKING! In four weeks I’ve lost 5 pounds overall and dropped to 22.5 percent body fat. I’ve actually lost 6 pounds of fat and gained a pound of muscle.

There’s nothing like seeing some results to recharge your batteries and keep you motivated. :pVeronica

Hi Veronica,

I will most likely never do a tri, but I have been reading your story with interest. Based on photos you have posted of yourself, I think we have a similar build. I've been (half-heartedly) attempting to rid myself of some excess fat in hopes that that will help be become a better climber. Hope springs eternal :D. I am curious about what your trainer recommended you change in your diet. I have yet to find the right combination for myself. Care to share the wisdom?

Thanks.

[Veronica]

I've really cut the sugar - no soda, no Red Bull, no chocolate. I eat about 1500 calories a day, aiming for 40 grams of fat, 173 grams of carbs and 100 grams of protein. My carbs are mostly coming from multi grain products. I also do a lot of cardio and lift weights - lots and lots of reps.

This is a picture from today.

http://www.tandemhearts.com/coppermine/albums/workout/v-back-01.jpg


Veronica

[redrhodie]

It's working! You look amazing!

How do you feel?

[Veronica]

I feel really good.

I haven't been out for a long ride in awhile though and I do wonder how that will feel. My longest cardio sessions have only been two hours or so.

We've just been so busy on the weekends that we haven't been able to get in long rides. Good things busy, so it's ok.

We're tour marshalls for the local Tour de Cure 50 mile ride next weekend. That will be interesting. :D We'd planned on riding the tandem, but the fork needs to be replaced. It's a super flat route so the tandem would have been cool.

Veronica

[bambu101]

Great job!

I'm curious- Do you find it difficult to meet the 100 grams of protein requirement? And are you less hungry since making these dietary changes?

[kacie tri-ing]

Your pull-ups look awesome! Way to go!

[Veronica]

Yes, the protein is hard. I still haven't quite mastered that part. I'm getting closer though. The hard part for me is balancing out the fat and protein. I like tuna - but with mayo, sort of thing. :D My trainer keeps suggesting protein shakes, but I'm trying to stick with real food. Egg whites are my friend.

And no, I'm not really any hungrier most days.

Veronica

[Veronica]

This is a very big deal. I have given up my cookie-a-day habit. If you have eaten one of my cookies, you know they are pretty tasty. But, they are nutritionally garbage at 211 calories and 11 grams of fat. That’s 1/4 of my fat allowance per day! So instead of a cookie, I’m now eating a yogurt, 140 calories, only 6 grams of fat and the added bonus of 4 grams of protein.

Training this week has been tiring but fun. I’ve started doing three days with my trainer, Shawna Walker. (http://www.shawnawalker.com/) Day 1 was lower body and left me a little sore. Day 2 was upper body. I brought my camera in for this and Shawna took some pictures of me doing pull ups. These were assisted, but I’m working towards doing them unassisted. The pics are posted in a thread called Chicken Wing or Back Muscle. You can also see them on our website. My training is focusing on building muscle endurance so I don’t rest between sets. Instead I do some other exercise. The pull ups were immediately followed by sets of 15 push ups. Day 3 was Boxing Day. It was a blast. I put on boxing gloves and Shawna had padded mitts on her hands and I hit her hands - repeatedly. Don’t worry, I’m not going to become a boxer. I don’t think I’d like getting hit for real. There was no biking, no swimming this week. I did do a couple of runs and a couple of yoga sessions.

I’ve had a few people ask me about what I’m eating. Basically, I’ve really cut down on the sugar and the simple carbohydrates. It’s really not that hard and I don’t feel deprived of anything.

For breakfast I rotate between 3 egg whites and 1 whole egg scrambled with a quarter cup of grated cheese and an ounce of ham and some fruit salsa on top, or steel cut oatmeal with 1 tablespoon of real maple syrup and a 1/4 cup of whole milk or 3 multi-grain waffles with 2 tablespoons of natural peanut butter and 1 tablespoon of syrup.

At morning recess, I have a Nature Valley Sweet and Salty Almond bar. I also take an apple that has been cut into slices and snack on that throughout the day.

My work day lunch is almost always the same. I have a turkey and cheese sandwich with mustard and pickles on whole grain bread from the local bakery. Dessert is a small yogurt either a La Crema or one from Trader Joe’s. I eat this because I know when work out later these will sit well. If I don’t have sandwich fixings I will take a Healthy Choice steamer bowl.

Dinners have been a problem. Both of us are tired by the end of day and neither of us feels much like cooking anything major. We have been so busy on the weekends that I haven’t had time to cook up something that we could eat as leftovers either. Part of the problem is the stuff I would cook - pot pie, lasagna, cream based soups, etc. are all way too high in fat. Some nights Thom has barbecued a steak. Often that’s all I’ll eat, just a half a steak. Some nights it’s a frozen mini pizza. I usually eat a fruit and frozen yogurt bar after dinner. We know we need to work on this. I need to go through my Healthy Cooking cookbooks and start using new recipes.

Veronica

You can talk about what you want from life as much as you like, but what you do, what you invest your time and energy into, is your real priority.

[txred9876]

This is a very big deal. I have given up my cookie-a-day habit. If you have eaten one of my cookies, you know they are pretty tasty. But, they are nutritionally garbage at 211 calories and 11 grams of fat. That’s 1/4 of my fat allowance per day! So instead of a cookie, I’m now eating a yogurt, 140 calories, only 6 grams of fat and the added bonus of 4 grams of protein.

Training this week has been tiring but fun. I’ve started doing three days with my trainer, Shawna Walker. (http://www.shawnawalker.com/) Day 1 was lower body and left me a little sore. Day 2 was upper body. I brought my camera in for this and Shawna took some pictures of me doing pull ups. These were assisted, but I’m working towards doing them unassisted. The pics are posted in a thread called Chicken Wing or Back Muscle. You can also see them on our website. My training is focusing on building muscle endurance so I don’t rest between sets. Instead I do some other exercise. The pull ups were immediately followed by sets of 15 push ups. Day 3 was Boxing Day. It was a blast. I put on boxing gloves and Shawna had padded mitts on her hands and I hit her hands - repeatedly. Don’t worry, I’m not going to become a boxer. I don’t think I’d like getting hit for real. There was no biking, no swimming this week. I did do a couple of runs and a couple of yoga sessions.

I’ve had a few people ask me about what I’m eating. Basically, I’ve really cut down on the sugar and the simple carbohydrates. It’s really not that hard and I don’t feel deprived of anything.

For breakfast I rotate between 3 egg whites and 1 whole egg scrambled with a quarter cup of grated cheese and an ounce of ham and some fruit salsa on top, or steel cut oatmeal with 1 tablespoon of real maple syrup and a 1/4 cup of whole milk or 3 multi-grain waffles with 2 tablespoons of natural peanut butter and 1 tablespoon of syrup.

At morning recess, I have a Nature Valley Sweet and Salty Almond bar. I also take an apple that has been cut into slices and snack on that throughout the day.

My work day lunch is almost always the same. I have a turkey and cheese sandwich with mustard and pickles on whole grain bread from the local bakery. Dessert is a small yogurt either a La Crema or one from Trader Joe’s. I eat this because I know when work out later these will sit well. If I don’t have sandwich fixings I will take a Healthy Choice steamer bowl.

Dinners have been a problem. Both of us are tired by the end of day and neither of us feels much like cooking anything major. We have been so busy on the weekends that I haven’t had time to cook up something that we could eat as leftovers either. Part of the problem is the stuff I would cook - pot pie, lasagna, cream based soups, etc. are all way too high in fat. Some nights Thom has barbecued a steak. Often that’s all I’ll eat, just a half a steak. Some nights it’s a frozen mini pizza. I usually eat a fruit and frozen yogurt bar after dinner. We know we need to work on this. I need to go through my Healthy Cooking cookbooks and start using new recipes.

Veronica

You can talk about what you want from life as much as you like, but what you do, what you invest your time and energy into, is your real priority.

I am not in training like you are but I also find my hardest meal is dinner. Many nights its yogurt and fruit (or whatever is handy). My husband fends for himself most of the time and he has been working late hours so sometimes he eats grab and go food (not good for ya but he is still normal weight since he has a very physical job).

We cheat a lot also because there is a subway just up the road from the house and we will split a foot long!

We do a lot of snacky stuff also like lunch meat and string cheese.

I know... strange stuff but its working so far!

Tina

[tribogota]

Is that number right? you only eat 1500 calories a day, while training for a HIM? I eat about 3000....don't you feel weak and fatigued and a wee bit grumpy? Am I eating too much?

[Veronica]

Yep, only 1500 calories a day. Yes, I'm often feeling a bit hungry, but I felt that way on 2,000 calorie/day too, but not grumpy or weak. When I do a longer ride I do a eat bit more. But longer for me means 3+ hours.

I'm trying to get as lean as I can before my event in August. I don't know if you're eating too much. It all depends on your activity level and metabolism.

Veronica

[Veronica]

Trainer sessions, yoga, running, some outside biking - yippee!

We were tour marshalls for the Napa Tour de Cure. There are a few pictures (including one of our new car!)on our website and a write up about the ride. The link is below.

Still no swimming. :rolleyes: I'll get back in the pool eventually.

Veronica

[Veronica]

I’m under 150 pounds now and out of the Athena division! My clothes have steadily become looser and looser and I have to belt my pants to keep them where they are suppose to be.

On Saturday I went shopping and was greatly disappointed to discover that none of the things I tried on fit. My waist seems to be a six and my hips an eight. I’m pretty sure there is some serious size inflation going on though. At one point I was looking for a size four skirt. I really dislike shopping, so we were only there for about 45 minutes, but I have definitely got to get some new clothes.

My training is going pretty well. It’s warmed up here, afternoons were in the low 80s this week. I ran to the gym on both Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. Thursday’s session with Shawna left me wiped out. It was circuit training: jump rope, boxing, push ups, step ups, jumping, etc., with very little recovery time. It was tough after the 3.7 mile run to the gym, but in a good way. I was very glad that Thom came to pick me up however. Once summer comes my plan is to run to the gym, have my session and then walk/run home. It’s only two miles if I walk the most direct route.

Sunday we went for a ride out on the coast to the Point Reyes Lighthouse. We started at the visitors center near Olema. It was about 61 degrees and sunny with the wind blowing from the northwest- giving us a nice (not!) crosswind in both directions of this out and back ride.
http://www.tandemhearts.com/coppermine/albums/pt-reyes-2009-05/ptr-01.jpg

http://www.tandemhearts.com/coppermine/albums/pt-reyes-2009-05/ptr-02.jpg

Thom took a few on the road shots in the beginning. My knees were feeling a bit twingy and I was taking it easy to get them warmed up, so he quickly started pulling away from me. But he soon turned around to go ride this road.

http://www.tandemhearts.com/coppermine/albums/pt-reyes-2009-05/ptr-03.jpg

I had no interest in such torture at this point so I continued on, out toward the lighthouse. The route out to the lighthouse is not flat. There is one significant climb over a ridge at the beginning and the rest of the way is long rollers. It was quite the adventure towards the end. The further out on the point we went, the windier it got. I was a little worried about getting blown over.

We were a little underdressed for the windy conditions at the lighthouse so we turned around at the parking lot and headed back the way we came. We’ve been to the lightouse before


http://tandemhearts.com/coppermine/albums/point-reyes/05_Too_big_to_take_home.jpg

and I’m sure we’ll head out that way again - when I’ve forgotten how windy it is and how much I hate long rollers.

Veronica

[Susan Otcenas]

I’m under 150 pounds now and out of the Athena division! My clothes have steadily become looser and looser and I have to belt my pants to keep them where they are suppose to be.

On Saturday I went shopping and was greatly disappointed to discover that none of the things I tried on fit. My waist seems to be a six and my hips an eight. I’m pretty sure there is some serious size inflation going on though. At one point I was looking for a size four skirt. I really dislike shopping, so we were only there for about 45 minutes, but I have definitely got to get some new clothes.



Congratulations! I know where you're coming from - nothing fits anymore.

Re the waist/hip thing, I've noticed the same thing. Size 6 fits my hips, but the waist seems too big & gaps. But, here's what I've discovered... It's about where you want the pants to settle on your hips. I was not raised on lower rise pants. For me, it feels natural to have the waistband in the vicinity of my belly button or a teeny bit below. But that is NOT how jeans are being built anymore. If I allow the waist to settle more like 2 inches below my belly button (and the crotch to therefore settle down a bit as well), the waistband seems to be more appropriately sized. It feels very odd to me to wear pants this way, but as I look around, that seems to be the "fit" that's intended. Slowly, I'm getting used to having the rise be lower, but it's still a struggle...

Susan

[GLC1968]

Susan and Veronica -

As a person who has spent my entire life with a waist that is easily two sizes smaller than my hips/rear/legs - I can tell you that it is not easy. I'm actually kind of enjoying my current over-weightness because I am now far enough overweight that I've gained a little in the waist and my pants fit better now! (silver lining...right?) :p

Yes, where on your waist you wear the pants makes a difference. So does style/fit. There are quite a few mainstream retailers out there that make pants designed for women with smaller waists. The 'curvy' cut at the Gap works but bear in mind that this cut is designed to also accentuate this feature, so while the clothing fits, it may not be the most flattering depending on your desired look. Ann Taylor Loft has the 'Julie' cut. This is my favorite for work pants - the petites fit me right off the rack with only a tiny extra room in the waist and no gapping above the butt. Eddie Bauer makes the 'Berkley' cut that is also a decent choice. Banana Republic also makes a cut but I forget the name of it. At REI, I really have to shop around and it's time consuming. When I find a style that fits, I almost always buy two.

For jeans...it sucks. I do like Gap Long and Leans (they are not long and lean...they are designed to make you look long and lean) but they aren't perfect. I actually have a couple of recent purchases of Carhart women's jeans that I bought for their toughness (for farm work) but they fit surprisingly well. One pair is low cut, the other sits more at my regular waist...but both are clearly built for curves.

Lastly, A-line skirts are your friend! ;)

Congrats to both of you on the weight loss. It's really refreshing to read how all your hard work is paying off. You guys are both very inpsiring!!

[Iris616]

Veronica-I lurked your thread all last season, and I've been following this time around too. So, I thought it was time to jump in and say "Hi". I'm really impressed with your dedication to the food issues...giving up RedBull and cookies!
Thanks for the inspiration.

[Veronica]

Veronica-I lurked your thread all last season, and I've been following this time around too. So, I thought it was time to jump in and say "Hi". I'm really impressed with your dedication to the food issues...giving up RedBull and cookies!
Thanks for the inspiration.

Thanks! Sometimes I do wonder if anyone actually reads this thing, besides me. :rolleyes: Although I really write it because I enjoy writing and rereading past weeks helps to keep me motivated.

I don't know what I am going to do with the 18 or so Red Bulls I have in the house. :D

Veronica

[kacie tri-ing]

Do you have goal times for your race? I feel like you are going to feel great!

[Veronica]

The only race I have a goal for is the Half Ironman. Last year I finished in 7:28, with a 34:34 swim, 3:37 bike and a 3:07 run, that was mostly a walk. :p

I'd like to take 30 minutes off that, some from the bike and but mostly on the run.

The races I'll do before are like dress rehearsals. I'd like to do better in them than I did last year, but that's about it. Even one second better will be fine. :D

Veronica

[kacie tri-ing]

I bet you will blow that run time out of the water this year with all of the training you are doing!!!

Man, I wish I had that swim time.....I am jealous. Edit: Were you a swimmer, or maybe I am just really slow!!!

[Veronica]

I was swimmer and I just have a naturally strong upper body. The mile was my event when I swam in college, in the late 80s! That's why I so seldom swim; I can't take much time off that. I am kind of anxious to see how the more streamlined, stronger me will do in the water. But the indoor pool at the gym is so chlorinated. It sees a lot of kid use. The chlorine really bugs my sinuses now. They also keep it too warm. It makes the water aerobics classes happy. The outdoor pool is getting some maintenance. Once that reopens I'll swim some, just to make sure I feel good about the distance.

Swimming is all about what's going on under the water. When I swim I think about the catch and push and that's it.

Veronica

[Veronica]

Clothing update - I ordered some stuff from Patagonia and they fit! I'm officially a size 8! :D How someone who weighs 149 pounds can be a size 8 baffles me a bit, but whatever.

Here's the dress I got for Thom's 25th reunion. I like that it will show off my back and shoulders without being too bare. I think my shoulders look better than model's :D:D:D

http://www.patagonia.com/tsimages/58861_DT6.fpx?wid=360&hei=360&ftr=8&cvt=jpeg

http://www.patagonia.com/tsimages/58861_DT9.fpx?wid=360&hei=360&ftr=8&cvt=jpeg

I decided on red rather than black as discussed in another thread. I have a short sleeve dress in the same material, also in red, that I wore for my 20th reunion and I really like it. Red is my favorite color and with a red dress I can wear my black cashmere hoody when I get cold. :D

I'm just so happy to have actually mail ordered something that fits. The stuff I got has a regular rise - hits just below the belly button. I don't have to wear a belt tomorrow!!!!!

Veronica

[redrhodie]

Good choice! I like the red better than the black or the other blue print you were considering.

[Veronica]

I tried on the blue print this weekend. I really liked it and almost bought it. But Thom noticed that the thread on the straps were already starting to unravel. Who knows how many people had already tried it on, but I want my clothing to be able to stand up to some abuse.

Veronica

[Blueberry]

Yay, V - I'm sure you'll look fabulous:)

And yes, I've followed this thread too. You're quite an inspiration:)

CA

[tribogota]

if you look at the page with the lists, your thread has received 1448 views so far...that CERTAINLY means we're following you, unless you looked at the page 1448 times:D,

[Veronica]

I think it counts a hit for every time I post in the thread. But I don't think I've read it 1400 times. Maybe 140 times, but not 1400. :D

We're in for some hot weather this weekend - mid 90s both days. I think we're going to head back to the coast to ride on Sunday.

Veronica

[MM_QFC!]

Congrats, Veronica - you look great and yes, defend your right to 'bare arms' a la Michelle Obama! :D Yes, you'll look much better than the Patagonia model in that beautiful dress too!
Great job on the training too...am sure that you'll keep meeting all of your goals...very inspiring to all...thanks!

[Urlea]

I should read this thread more often, it's great inspiration!!! Go V. !!! :D

The results of all your hard work are fantastic. That's gotta feel good! Keep it up, you're looking to have a great race season this year.

Kacie- you aren't the only one jealous of that swim time. :) Maybe if we grunt really hard our feet will turn into flippers. Or maybe we'll pass out, either or.

[Veronica]

When running or riding I wear a pair of sunglasses with an MP3 player in them - Thumps. Music can be very motivational. Some songs just push me to go a little harder; Pat Benatar’s “Heartbreaker” is one of them.

It’s gotten hot here in the Delta. Every year we get one weekend in May with “unusually hot” weather. Yesterday’s official high temp was 106! We had planned on heading up to Marin to ride the coast again this past weekend. But an opportunity to buy a cargo liner for the new truck came up. The seller was in Santa Clara, so we changed our plans and decided we would ride out of Woodside, over the ridge and down to Pescadero on the coast and back.

The first challenge was Kings Mountain Rd. This road climbs 1500 feet in 4.3 miles for an average grade of 6.7%. It’s mostly shaded by huge redwoods and has lots of switchbacks. The climb began right away so it was my warm up. I turned on my Thumps when the climb started and I predicted it would take me ten songs to get to the top.

http://tandemhearts.com/coppermine/albums/kings-mtn-2009-05/mk-01.jpg

I was moseying along, enjoying the music and the scenery, with an average heartrate in the 160s until the fourth song - “Heartbreaker” came on. There’s something about that driving beat; it just propels my legs to go faster.

I passed Thom on the next hairpin and kept going. I thought he was right behind me, but when I looked back the first time he was no where in sight. Now I was in a groove and I was going to push hard all the way to the summit. I knew I had to keep my heart rate right around 175 or I’d blow up. On the steep hairpins it would top out at 178 and I’d bring it back down. It’s funny the difference of just three beats. I can climb at 175 beats per minute for hours, but at 178 I’m hurting.

I could see Thom below me on a couple of the hairpins; he was slowly reeling me in - pacing himself in the heat. He caught up to me about 3 miles in, a mile from the summit. As we got closer to the top, there were several sections that were not shaded and it was HOT! Much hotter than the 80 degrees the weatherman had predicted for this area. We entered one of those really hot sections just as “Smooth” by Carlos Santana came on my Thumps. I was singing out loud:


"Man, it’s a hot one
Like seven inches from the midday sun.”

Thom and I kept up the pace I had been setting and eventually arrived at the summit. It was an 11 song climb. There were a couple other groups there and everyone, including us, was discussing how much more riding they were going to do. The temperature was about 10 degrees warmer than the forecast called for, so everyone was trying to decide how hot was too hot. I had had fun pushing hard up this climb. But I was worried we would find ourselves seriously suffering when it came time to climb back up to this ridge from the coast. We decided we would just roll back down Kings Mountain to the car and have a nice lunch before getting the liner. Thom took a few pictures of me descending.

http://tandemhearts.com/coppermine/albums/kings-mtn-2009-05/mk-02.jpg

http://tandemhearts.com/coppermine/albums/kings-mtn-2009-05/mk-3.jpg

Once at the car we discovered it was actually 95 degrees. Boy, did the weatherman get it wrong!

The rest of my training has been much the same as past weeks’ - a little running, a few trips to the gym, a little yoga. I bought a waist hydration pack from REI on Saturday. I have to start running in our heat and I really dislike the handheld pack I bought last year. Hopefully this will be comfortable when I run.

Veronica

[Veronica]

I've posted my latest training update on our website.

Veronica

[roadie gal]

V, when it gets hot down there you need to come up here and ride... especially if you like hills. ;)

The road around Lake Tahoe is partially closed for road work, but there are lots of other places to go. And we're at least 10-15 degrees cooler than Sac.

[txred9876]

Yes your notes do get read even if we do not post comments!

Your doing great!
tina

[Veronica]

My clothing situation has become a real problem. All of my size tens are falling off of me. I’ve lost ten pounds since March and five percent body fat.I ordered some size eights from Eddie Bauer last week. I was so excited when they arrived, couldn’t wait to get home and try them on. Alas, they were too big! Apparently super-sized Americans still want to pretend they are little and clothing manufacturers are happy to oblige. Bear in mind, I was a size 8 in junior high and a size 10 in high school. My wedding dress was a size 14. If size 8 is now too big, what am I? a 6?

We took the size eights back to the Eddie Bauer Outlet store on Saturday. I tried on some sixes and found some that fit, but I didn’t really like the style. We went off to the Gap Outlet. I couldn’t find anything that fit properly at the Gap, which was fine since I didn’t really like any of the styles anyway. From there we went to the Anne Taylor outlet. Here I discovered I am a Petite, Curvy 4? What? Yeah, I am lean, but I am NOT a size 4! The only pants they had in this cut were really ugly. I did try them on. They did fit, but white flat-fronted pants with tiny gold chains at the waist is not a look I’m into.

We gave up and went to lunch at Baja Fresh. This was the best part of our day. Our local Baja Fresh has closed and I really like their shrimp tacos.

On the way home we were near the Anne Taylor Loft that has opened locally, so we decided to give it a try. Loft seems to be a younger, “fresher” version of Anne Taylor - slightly less tailored look, a lot more trendy. In this store I am a size 6, Julie cut. I think Julie means curvy. Whatever. I did find three bottoms that fit and that I liked. Good grief, all I want is to look decent at work.

Nothing really new on the training front to report, just more biking , running, yoga and weight lifting.

Check out the details on our participation in Race Across America (http://www.tandemhearts.com/wordpress/race-across-america/).


Veronica

[Crankin]

You are absolutely correct about the sizing. I buy most of my clothes at the Loft and my size keeps getting smaller and smaller, despite the fact that I am the same size! It makes it hard to shop on line.

[roadie gal]

You are absolutely correct about the sizing. I buy most of my clothes at the Loft and my size keeps getting smaller and smaller, despite the fact that I am the same size! It makes it hard to shop on line.

I wish women's clothes were sized like men's. A guy can go into any store, grab a pair of pants that are sized by waist and length and know they'll fit. I have clothes ranging from size 6-12 in my closet that all fit. feh

[Susan Otcenas]

Yeah, I am lean, but I am NOT a size 4!

Veronica - I know what you mean! I am 4 pounds lighter than I was when I was 25 (15 year ago. ack!) I was a size 8 then. Now? My newly purchased size 6 jeans and shorts are already getting big on me, and I just got two pairs of jeans which claim to be size 4s.

I keep saying the same thing - I am NOT a size 4. Except these days, apparently I am.

It's no wonder that we at TE always hear complaints about how cycling clothing "runs small". While the whole world has been vanity sizing like crazy, cycling apparel has actually been relatively stable in it's sizing over the years (with some exceptions of course). I'm a good solid medium in many brands (sometimes a small in jerseys, depending on the brand) which fits with my mental image of me as "really a size 8".


When I was in college, I worked for American Eagle Outfitters for 2.5 years. The very smallest size we carried was a size 4, and that was for teeny weeny people. We usually only received one item in a size 4 in a given style. These days I see lots of size 0 & 2's on store shelves, which is nuts.

Susan

[tribogota]

I've tried to explain this sizing thing to people and they don't get it, glad to hear it from others, I am sometimes a O, yep, zero, as in NO SIZE??? and I am not that small, I am what I consider a totally healthy weight of 135, for 5" 6, so I don't know WHO they are dressing

[Crankin]

Yep, I once asked the manager at the Loft how could it be that I have gone from a size 4/6 to a 0 or 00 :eek: in the last five years when I am the same size. She got kind of mad and didn't know how to answer me. When I was in high school, I weighed about the same as I do now and I wore a size 7 for years after that and in college.
I can't believe American women are that vain. I mean, our population is getting heavier and they think their size is going down?

[OakLeaf]

I guess the bright side is that now that they're down to zero, it'll have to stop. Right??? Right??? Or will we have negative sizes next year? :rolleyes:

It's not like it's new, though. I've read that "misses" sizes got their name because they used to be what "juniors" are now. An average 12 year old girl would wear a misses size 12, etc. Adult women would wear (duh) "womens."

I guess I've answered my own question about what happens next...

[Veronica]

We’ve been looking through some of our older photos. I thought it would be interesting to do a similar photo shoot.

http://tandemhearts.com/coppermine/albums/training/vm-01.jpg

May 12, 2002

http://tandemhearts.com/coppermine/albums/training/vm-02.jpg

June, 7, 2009


In 2002 we were just getting back into cycling after an eight year hiatus. We did our first organized century in early June that year on our mountain bikes with slick tires. It was America’s Most Beautiful Ride - around Lake Tahoe.

Here I am seven years and several thousand miles later, training for a Half Ironman Triathlon.

Speaking of training, I’m a liitle freaked. My race is in eight weeks. This is the last week of school. Yippee!! But oodles to do as I am changing rooms again. Next week I’ll spend Monday - Thursday taking the first class for my Masters. I think it’s going to be a little intense - 8 hours a day as a student. Early Friday morning we fly to San Diego to hook up with our RAAM team. I KNOW that week is going to be intense. So, I’m a little concerned about how much training I’ll get in the next three weeks. In July we’re spending ten days in Maine and Vermont. While we’re in Vermont we will be riding the Six Gaps . I plan on doing some running those days after riding. But vacation plans don’t always go the way I think they will.

Yet, I’m really looking forward to my various adventures. Sometimes, it’s the journey, not the destination that matters.

[Veronica]

This week' s report is here (http://www.tandemhearts.com/wordpress/week-13-headstands-jumps-and-fishtails/).


Veronica

[Veronica]

I was in class week 14, so all I did was my trainer sessions.

I was crewing RAAM week 15. All I did was a few headstands in Indiana and one in Annapolis.

http://www.tandemhearts.com/coppermine/albums/raam-2009/raam-2009-69.jpg

It looks like week 16 isn't going to amount to much. I've got a serious cold with lots of chest congestion.

July 12 is my Olympic distance tri. I'm just going to do it and hope for the best.

Veronica

[crazycanuck]

V..you're one hard mama & you'll probably kick a## anyways :cool:

[Selkie]

You'll do great, V. Just take care of that cold.

I think Urlea just did a tri as she was recovering from a cold and she did very well. Maybe the enforced taper, rest, and chicken soup are the secret to success.

Can't wait to read your race report.

[Veronica]

Week 17 write up is here. (http://www.tandemhearts.com/wordpress/on-the-mend-week-17/)

Veronica

[Veronica]

I weigh 154 right now. The Vineman people cut off Athena at 145. While i can certainly picture where I could take off ten pounds, I don't see THAT happening.


This cracked me up as I rereading what I've written the last few months to try to get myself inspired.

I'm at 144 now. :D Miracles do happen.

Veronica

[fatbottomedgurl]

Yay Veronica. 10 pounds- that's a big bag of potatoes!

[colby]

This cracked me up as I rereading what I've written the last few months to try to get myself inspired.

I'm at 144 now. :D Miracles do happen.

Veronica

Awesome. :D

145 seems light for Athena, considering the discussions we've had about 150. I saw an ad in Triathlete for Team Clydesdale and the guy in the picture is absolutely ripped. That seems unfair, just like the Athena equivalent. They also call the female version "Lady Clydesdales".... personally I prefer Athena thank you very much ;)

Great work, V - the impossible is apparently possible :)

[Veronica]

I was finally well enough Week 18 to start running again. I started off pretty easy with just a two mile run on Monday and three miles on Wednesday. Thursday night that week we flew to Boston to spend ten days in New England, visiting family in Maine and riding the Gaps in Vermont. I got in another run during Week 18 on Saturday - 4.6 miles. I also met twice with my trainer for legs on Monday and upper body on Wednesday.

Week 19 was spent mainly in Vermont. I got in a hilly run on Tuesday and a flat run on Thursday in between cycling. On Saturday I did an interval run. My race is this upcoming Saturday - just 4 days away and I have not built up to a long run. Of course I will do my best on race day. It’s a race; I always do the best that I can. That doesn’t mean I won’t be disappointed if my best is not what I had hoped for in this race. I’ve felt great on the 4 mile runs I’ve done. But I’ll be tripling that distance on Saturday.

I am pretty pleased with the cycling we did in Vermont. We rode 108 miles over the three days with about 7600 feet total climb. We were tourists and I did not ride it hard and that’s actually what I’m so pleased about. The last day we climbed Appalachian Gap which has a 20% grade for the last 1000 Meters. That’s pretty steep! Yeah, I was grinding up it with a really slow cadence, but my heart rate peaked at only 167 beats per minute. For comparison before I started working with my trainer, a similar grade, but shorter distance would have pushed my HR to above 180, which puts me solidly into the feeling super crummy zone.

This week is taper week. That means still working out, but not hard. I have to put my bike back together and I’ll do a short ride to make sure everything is right. I’ll meet with my trainer twice. I also plan on doing a short run in the heat of the day to at least have an idea of what running when it’s hot is like. During last year’s race it got up to 97 degrees during the run. Today they are predicting a high of 82 for Saturday. It sure would be nice if that came true.

[katluvr]

4 days away....GOOD LUCK!:)
Have a great race! I'll be watching for the race report.

[Veronica]

There will be athlete tracking for my race on Saturday.

http://www.vineman.com/latestnews/Full_Vineman_and_Barb_s_Race_Athlete_Tracking_and_Updates.htm

It's been awhile since I've swum so I'm hoping for a time of 40 minutes or less. Last year's time was 34:34. I'd like to best my bike and run times from last year of 3:37 and 3:07 respectively. Ideally, I'd like a finishing time of less than 7 hours this year. Considering my summer, just finishing will be good. Last year was 7:28

Took my bike out today for about 19 miles. Everything seems to be okay after I reassembled it from our trip. Except I can't get my stupid Polar to pick up speed when it is attached to the bike. It works fine on my wrist, but it's hard to see it on my wrist. :mad:

Weather forecast still looks good for Saturday. I hope that didn't just jinx it.

Veronica

[maillotpois]

good luck and (more important) have fun!

[Veronica]

Thanks! I'm sitting in bed in the hotel room, hoping I sleep well.

I'm bib 1511.

Veronica

[divingbiker]

good luck and (more important) have fun!

What she said!:D:D

[crazycanuck]

Good luck V! Race hard & have fun!

[Selkie]

If you log in before you go, GOOD LUCK!!! I was sending you karma this morning, during my long swim! :)

Can't wait to read your race report.

[divingbiker]

Wish I knew how to look Veronica up in the athlete tracker...

[Blueberry]

No results up yet...

CA

[jobob]

Considering my summer, just finishing will be good.


woo-hoo!

Results are up, and Veronica finished at precisely 200th place overall, and she did 20 minutes better than her time last year! :cool:

Kudos, V!

[Blueberry]

Yipee!!!! That's fabulous!!

CA

[kacie tri-ing]

GREAT JOB!
I can't wait to hear all about it!

[colby]

Woohoo! Go V!!! Can't wait to hear the report. :D

[Red Rock]

Good job V! Congrats too. You are an awsome woman to be doing these things and working too! Keep it up.

Red Rock