Schedule for this week

Tuesday- Bike 1:00; Run 30 min 21.46 miles; 2.80 miles
Wednesday- Swim
Thursday- Swim 1:00; Run
Friday- Recovery/ Strength training
Saturday- Long Bike 2:00 hours
Sunday- Long Run 9 miles
Monday- Swim 45 min pm; Run 30 min am

Lake Murray Triathlon

What an amazing rush. My first triathlon this season. Nothing like crossing the finish line.

I drove to South Carolina on Saturday, May 17th with my friend, Sharon and her mom. We checked in to the hotel and then scoped out the course, picked up my packet and went out to dinner. I didn't want to eat anything heavy, so while everyone else was eating chips and salsa, I was thinking, "If I eat that I am going to have trouble". Sometimes I have stomach problems and I didn't want any trouble for the race.
Went to bed about 10:30 pm. I think I finally drifted off at 11:30 pm. The alarm woke me up at about 5:o0 am and I ate a bagel with peanut butter, got dressed and waited for my ride. Darron (Sharon's brother) picked us up at 5:30 am.
I felt more confident this time knowing what to do in setting up the transition and preparing myself mentally for what was about to happen.
Out of the three events, the swim was the one I was worried about--750 meters!!! I was used to doing 400 meters.
The bike I thought I would have a decent time--new bike and all!!!
and the run, what can I say? I wanted to run it in under 35 min.

As we neared the water ready for the start, I tried to calm myself down.
Breathe deeply I said to myself. The buzzer went off and there I went. I told myself that I wanted to make it to the finish and I didn't care what the time was I just didn't want to be last.
As I came out of the water (not last). I was so thankful that the swim portion was over. 24 min.
T1
On to the bike. Got a great start. My chain came off 2 times in a matter of 20 min. I wasn't really prepared, good thing it was just the chain. 1:01
T2
Coming off the bike my legs were pretty strong. I finished in 35 min.

Overall, I was very happy with the results. I am looking forward to the next tri

I took the plunge

I bought a bike!
Allez Specialized
My bike time is the weakest part of my triathlon, so I really need to work on this area. I wanted to buy an entry bike so I can later upgrade the components. Since this is my 2nd triathlon on Sunday and I have always borrowed a bike to train and race, I didn't have anything to go with the bike. I purchased a spare tube and co2 kit. I know that I need a seat bag, bottle holder and pump. Anything else essential that I need before the race?

Work-out
Monday- Run 45 min
Swim- 1hour
Tuesday- Brick-Bike 1 hour
Run 30 min
Wednesday- Rest
Thursday-Bike 45 min
Swim-1 hour
Friday- Run easy
Saturday- Easy Bike
Sunday- Lake Murray Triathlon

Race for the Cure post race report

Woke up this morning at 5:00am and got ready for a great day and a great race. The Susan G. Komen-Race for the Cure.

Hubby stumbled in the bathroom at about 5:30. We both were ready to go at 6:00am. You see because it is Mother's Day Weekend (I get what I want, right?)



I asked him to hang out with me
and pamper me today. He said he would.
We headed to Marta and made our way to the starting line. I was really nervous (I don't really know why) but I ended up using the bathroom 3x's before the race. At the starting line the runners/walkers let balloons go in honor of the survivors and in memory of losing someone fighting breast cancer. With so many racers and many of them were walkers it was so difficult to break away for the crowd and start running. Next time I know to get close to the starting line. Overall, it was an awesome race. Hubby was there to take pictures and cheer for me at the finish.

After the race we picked up the boys and went to a couple of bike shops in search of my Mother's Day present. I think I found the bike.
http://www.trekbikes.com/women/wsd_products/bikes/2008/road/12wsd/
Let me know what you think

Don't feel sorry for yourself

I receive a daily email about a 90 day renewal that I am on. After reading today's I had to post it. It spoke volumes to me. Have a read and tell me what you think

Never Feel Sorry For Yourself
copyright@2006 by Donna Partow


One of the greatest hindrances I've faced in my journey toward becoming the woman I want to be is self-pity. Self-pity is far more destructive than we realize, not only spiritually and emotionally, but physically, as well. Self-pity isolates and research on longevity conducted at Harvard University found that isolation is a strong predictor of poor mental and physical health, and premature death.

One thing that struck me as I interviewed The Chief (my husband's 104 yr-old great grandfather) is that self-pity had no place in his thinking. I thought you might enjoy a few more excerpts from the book I am currently writing, 104 Tips from the Chief, based on his wisdom and extensive research on longevity.

"When I was 3 years old, living in a small village in Northern Italy, my father became very ill, even though he was only in his 40s. I vividly remember the doctor being called to our home. I remember creeping up the stairs and spying on him as he performed surgery on the goiter on my father's neck--without anesthesia. Mostly, though, I remember the blood...and how my father died that day.

After my father died, our life became very difficult. When we had absolutely nothing left, my mother decided to take us to America. We traveled by horse-and-buggy for two days and nights until we reached Naples. I was around eight years old at the time and I can recall how we prayed and prayed before going through the health inspection line to gain passage on the ship. If any one of us failed, we would all have to turn back. Thankfully, we passed. We sailed for16 days through turbulent waters, under deck and surrounded by animals. We never saw the light of day nor had a breath of fresh air. Everyone was throwing up and the stench was unbelievable.
But we were together and we made it to America. Three years later, my mother died of pneumonia at the age of 44. Shortly before her death, she told my two older sisters to divide the boys (myself and my brother) between them and, no matter what else happened, to remain a family.

It never occurred to me that I should feel sorry for myself or that I might be entitled to sympathy or preferential treatment because of the difficulties I had faced. This was simply my life story. I could not change any of it, so there was no point dwelling on it. Besides, I was too busy living each day, preparing for the future, to keep looking backwards. That's why I am always surprised--and saddened--when I hear people (especially on television) turning their life experience into an excuse for bad behavior.

No possible benefit can come from feeling sorry for yourself. Trust me as someone who has a whole lot of past in my past: what's past is best left in the past. Don't use it as a crutch. Don't use it as a weapon against a cruel world. Don't use it to get what you want from people. You can't move forward when you're looking backward. Saint Paul put it this way: "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on." If you want to live a long, happy, healthy life, let it go and move on.

Your simple step for today: Refuse to feel sorry for yourself

Here's to Your Transformation

Monday-Run 45 min Elliptical 15 min and swim 1 hour
Tuesday- rest
Wednesday-Run 35 min Elliptical 15 min
Thursday-Bike 1 hour
Friday- Run
Saturday-Race for the Cure
Sunday-Long Bike


T

A new bike

I am going to buy a bike. I need input. I don't know much about what bike would be the best for me. I am going to my local bike shop tomorrow to look around.

On a side note, I signed up for the Lake Murray Triathlon
on May 18th I am nervous, but very excited about this event.
I have a friend that lives in South Carolina, so lodging will be cheap (free).