Nervous Enough to Puke: Techniques for Reducing Race Day Anxiety

July 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

 

 

 

 

 


This is what I have been thinking about fixated on obsessing over all week:

Sunday’s Sprint Triathlon.

First, when I began this training a few months ago, I worried about training. Could I create a workable schedule; could I get to the pool when needed; would my bike do okay for this first race; would I be able to bike ten and then run three right after; were there enough hours in a week to fit it all in?

Once I knew I could do the distances, I worried about the race day technicalities. What if I put my bike on the rack wrong; what if I forget something; what if I put sunscreen on and my number wipes off; what if I bump into someone and knock them over, rendering them unable to complete the tri; what if I draft; what if I draft too close, knocking someone over, rendering them unable to complete the tri; what if I have to go to the bathroom during the race, particularly on the bike; what if I can’t do the swim like I think I can and there I am, first sport, unable to finish; what if I get attacked by a shark (okay, this last one is a long shot since I’m in the river, but I’m sure, on some level, it could happen)

Then I worried about the elements: what if the tropical depression comes through and creates waves so high I panic; what if it is so hot I wind up with heat stroke; what if it thunders and lightnings; what if I get the strep my daughter had; what if I pull a hamstring/break a rib/sprain an ankle prior to race day

Last night, as I contemplated what might happen if I swam off course and wound up halfway up the river before realizing I was, in fact, off course, I realized this:

I am nervous enough to puke.

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Filed Under: Sprint Triathlons, Triathlon Training Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Purchasing a Road Bike: Decisions, Decisions

July 16, 2011 By 2 Comments

So, I wanna buy a road bike. (Not this one, though it sure is nice looking!)

Cha-ching.

I was hoping to get off with $300 or so on a used road bike; how gullible am I?!

The one I really like, the Felt, is about $500 used. I found an F80, but it is located quite far from me (remember, I’m in the boonies now), and I’m not sure I can swing a meeting with the girl.

I haven’t been fitted yet, so that’s my next step.

I’m going blind by the research I’ve done on the different brands (Cannondale, Trek, Felt), places to purchase (local bike store, or LBS; craigslist for used; bikesdirect.com), types of frames, accessories needed, and so on and so forth. It’s almost as much research as I did when trying to have my first baby. And about as damn expensive!

I am a good researcher (thanks to the masters program at University of South Florida), but I think the way to best learn is to talk with those who do the thing or have the thing you want.

So I’m tossing my questions out to you, biking/cycling friends!

What type of bike do you ride? What’s your weekly mileage? Are you happy with the bike? Can I find a decent used bike for $500? And on and on and on . . . All comments welcome!

Happy Cycling!

P.S. Today’s workout consisted of an 8.5 mile run. 8.1 on the mill, luckily on one that had a built in tv so I could watch my trash shows, which always makes the time go by faster for me on a ‘mill. Then .4 or so around the indoor track at the gym. I worked on incline to 5.5 and speed to 7.0, but not all at the same time for fear of falling off backwards!

My daughter wanted to do a splash and dash race at club med the day before my tri, but her heel hurts from taking a fall on it, so we stopped running together after 2 laps and I completed six more for 1/2 a mile.

Then I stopped and purchased a handheld tire pump and levers for my bike. I’m ready for the flats that may come – well, at least I have the tools necessary to fix the flat. I’m not so sure I can actually change the tire, though!

Oh, and I still need a road bike. (See how I say need, not want. Funny how that happens!)

8 days until my first tri.

Filed Under: Biking/Cycling, July 2011, Triathlon Training Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Changing a Bike Tire Flat: One Task This Runner Girl Must Master Before My First Tri

July 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have always loved biking.

By that, I mean I have enjoyed hopping on my cruiser and heading to the beach, or, when I graduated college and lived on a small island in southern Florida, cruising to the bar, watching my friend’s band (back in the 90s, when songs like Low by Cracker were popular), and then riding home with a buzz, dodging real estate signs and potholes.

As I got older and lost my desire for late night partying (well, most nights, anyway!), I turned to cycling for exercise. This was before I ran. I didn’t upgrade bikes, but rode my cruiser mile after mile each day.

Then my husband – my then boyfriend – turned me on to running, and cycling fell to the wayside for a while.

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Filed Under: Biking/Cycling, Triathlon Training Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Working Out While on Vacation : Do You or Don’t You?

July 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

We recently took a family vacation to one of the happiest places on earth.

This happy place involved miles and miles of walking and standing in lines.

My workout schedule?

I threw it in the trash that week, missing three scheduled workouts while away.

A friend recently went on a family vacation. Her workout schedule? She didn’t miss a day of biking, swimming, and cycling. Every single morning while on vacation she got up – once she even scouted out the local Y so she could follow her swim plan.

We are both training for our first tri. Mine is a week earlier than hers.

I missed three workouts that week.

She missed none.

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Filed Under: July 2011, Long Distance Running, Sprint Triathlons, Swimming, Training for a Marathon, Triathlon Training, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , ,

Signing Up for My First Triathlon, Butterflies and All!

June 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

 
 

 

Today I spent an hour in the bookstore.

I wasn’t looking at cookbooks, which I love, or magazines about writing.

I wasn’t drinking coffee and working on my American novel, though I only have two chapters, or 40 pages, left before completion.

I was, in fact, looking up information about triathlons.

Three years ago, while living in Los Angeles, I got it in my head to do a tri. I joined the local gym since we were pool-less and I began to train. Swimming, running, and biking took up my workout schedule several times each week. I was ready to go, and only one month away.

Then we found out my husband was being transferred.

So I switched gears, literally.

That fall I ran my second marathon, and I gave up my idea of competing in a tri.

Until several months ago.

I began training again, and I’m doing fairly well. I can run 10 miles right now, swim about 1250 comfortably, and bike around 9. I have a tri in my sights, on July 24th, but I am, in fact, scared as crap.

Why?

I suppose it’s the unknown. I have a variety of obsessive questions: where do I put my stuff, what stuff do I put there, will I knock into someone else while I’m biking and ruin their experience, what if I wear the wrong thing, will I look ridiculous, what if I get lost in the swim, or I can’t breathe, or I have a heart attack?

As you can see, I can stress with the best of them!

In fact, I am more stressed about this than I am about running another 26.2 miles, even though the last time I ran a marathon I messed up my hamstring for six months.

I’ve obsessively googled numerous things, such as drafting on the bike, drowning during the swim, and cramping during the run.

What do I eat, what do I pack, what do I put next to my bike? What if I forget something? What if I commit an error and I don’t even know it, but the error pisses off a lot of other triathletes?

This doesn’t happen in running. You lace up, you go when the gun cracks, and you run.

But I’ve decided to swallow my fear.

Training has been done. I can do the mileage. I have:

  • picked the race
  • found someone to watch my children, and
  • bribed my best friend to accompany me (okay, she doesn’t know this yet but she will as soon as I finish writing this post)

I’m going to do this.

Really, I am.

I’m committing so much I’m purchasing tri shorts tonight and using them for my practice tri next Saturday, when I do a swim, bike, and run in preparation for the race, which is only four weeks away or so.

So here I go, I’m buying those shorts, and now I will stop obsessing.

Well, okay, I’ll stop obsessing after I google what to do in the middle of my tri if my bike scores a flat.

Wish me luck . . .

Filed Under: Biking/Cycling, June 2011, Sprint Triathlons, Swimming, Triathlon Training Tagged With: , , , , , ,

When Training Takes a Hit: Or, Running in the Life of a Mother

June 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

So, as you probably know from the title of my blog, I am a mother. I have two adorable, loud, happy, funny, creative girls, one of whom is heading to second grade next year and one that still has another year left of pre-k.

Prior to kids, I ran when I wanted: in the early morning dawn, before anyone else had woken; in the late evening, as the sun dipped behind the Atlantic; or midday when the mood struck, after a nap and before a nice fat glass of wine.

Now, it’s a little tougher. For not taking up much space and for weighing in less than 100 pounds total, those two little girls sure can do some serious damage to my training schedule.

This week, it’s a virus.

Started with a little puking and a slight fever, and ended last night when the fever broke.

Three days, inside.

Two days of missed running.

I did substitute swimming, and when all is said and done I will have only missed one run this week. So I’ll do two longer ones Friday and Saturday and be short only four miles or so, which will probably be good for my legs – a forced rest, if you will – though I certainly do miss going out and hitting the pavement when I’m supposed to.

It’s like crack, running. And I’m its biggest addict.

So what’s a mother to do when her schedule gets interrupted? Here, some things I have found in my seven years of combining the best job in the world, mothering, with the best sport in the world, running.

  1. Cross train. If you can’t get out there and run because you’re bedded down with a sick child, you may be able to do some other type of cardio by cross training. For me, we have a pool and, if the weather is right (as it is now), I can jump in for some laps while my sick one watches a movie. I’m not far away and she’s able to get me when she needs me. Others might plan to do some type of cardio video, such as kickboxing, during this time. Still others may have help around (husband, family, friends) who can drop in and watch the kids for half an hour while you bike, swim, or, gasp, go for a run.
  2. Strength train. I love strength training because I have everything I need right at home: weights, bands, balls, and my own body. I do strength three days each week as it is, and this week I have done more than normal since I can’t run. You can do push ups, biceps, triceps, planks (front, left, ride), and all kinds of leg exercises in the comfort of your own home. I’ve spent years subscribing to magazines like Runner’s World, Fitness, and Shape, and from them I’ve clipped the best exercises I found to add into my routine. When I need to mix things up, I pull out my very large, overstuffed binder, pick a few new exercises, and get to work.
  3. Relax. It’s hard to get the schedule messed up – I know, as I’ve trained for and run two marathons since giving birth the first time. It’s possible to miss a few days and still keep the mojo flowing, though, and I am a testament to that fact. I’ve found if I miss a few days I can increase my distance when I do get back out and only lose out on a few miles, as will happen this week. Also, the days of rest are good for us, remember? Even when they are forced and, sigh, unwanted. Try not to stress about losing a day or two on the pavement and rather spend this time contemplating how much you love running and why you continue to do so, even though it can often be difficult to lace up and get out when you have young children at home.

So, how do you fit running into your life, and what do you do when your schedule hits a bump?

In other news . . .

My swimming has gotten very strong these past three months. I’m happy to say today I did my best time yet: 1700 yards in 40 minutes. I’d like to get up to one mile and possibly more.

I enjoy swimming a lot, and find that it works me out the same as running does but without any pressure on my leg muscles, joints, and bones. Great workout, less stress, so it is the perfect cross training companion. Plus I can see my core, arms, and shoulders paying off with the effort. If I had another day in the week, I’d add in another day of swimming! I’m going to see if I can accomplish this without that extra day, though, since I’m enjoying it so much.

Plus, in another few months there will be a swim across the river in Jacksonville (more on this soon). I’d like to participate if possible, but I have to be able to swim at least a mile and a half. I’m almost there, and I can see the victory flag in the distance, but I still have some work to do.

 

Filed Under: June 2011, Long Distance Running, Racing, Rest Day, Training for a Marathon, Triathlon Training Tagged With: , , , , ,

Training for the Tri

May 2, 2009 By Leave a Comment

I’ve taken a week or so off of writing. I did so not out of desire but necessity – I had two larger work projects and quite a few home projects that needed attending to, and in my quest to learn more to relax and unwind I had to let something go. Since I didn’t want that something to be my sanity (as I have difficulty holding on to it as it is!) I decided it had to be my blog.

I’m back! One project down, two clients yet to pay (what do I need to do, go up to their homes and beat down their doors?), a ladies night that involved karaoke and some hysterically funny ladies and a family night, where the adults hung out and chatted and the kids got to run around like rebels, eating ice cream and pushing chairs across the floor.

My training is going WELL this week. I put in almost 30 miles (by the time I do my 10-12 tomorrow morning). They were strong miles, too. No knee pain, felt like continuing. Great miles. Tomorrow is my long run and I hope to do 10-12 tomorrow, depending on how I feel when I wake up. What i have learned through this ‘slight break’ is to listen to my body, not my head. My head says keep on going; my body sometimes really, really needs to stop. This past week I listened to my body. It needed a break, and now I feel better.

So I’m signing up to do my first triathlon! I’m excited. Jacksonville, Florida has a sprint series that I’m going to try out. This is the calendar for the year, and I’m thinking July 18 because my mom will be here already for a performance my daughter will be doing through summer camp.

I know I can do the run; it’s just three miles. THe bike is only 10 and I’m now doing 7 with no issues, around 5 minutes per mile and sometimes in the 4s. It’s the swim I have to prepare for, but I’m a strong swimmer (at least in a pool where there aren’t a million people swimming over me!) so I’ m hoping that it won’t be too tough for the first one.

The heat, though, will be a killer. Luckily the race begins early. I’m guessing the swim and bike will be okay heat wise, and the run is only three miles – less than 25 minutes – I can do it, right?

So, it’s going to be that one or one in August. I’d like to do a tri before the end of summer, since I want to do a November marathon. I’m looking forward to the cross training and the thinking of doing something that is not straight running for hours on end. I think the transitions will be nice and fun to look forward to.

Now, off to help paint the porch! Happy weekend runs, my friends!

Filed Under: May 2009, Triathlon Training Tagged With: , , , , ,

Cross Training: Why it Can Help Your Running

April 17, 2009 By 3 Comments

If you are like many runners you are obsessively possessed with the sport.

Yep, I said it. Maybe you don’t vomit green or you can’t turn your head 360 degrees, but if you are a runner, chances are you constantly think about running.

What’s my speed?

How far did I go?

When will I run again?

Sound familiar? Look, I know you: I am you!

So it’s no wonder that we sometimes burn out, whether our bodies tank because we are doing too much or mentally we are unable to sustain a ten mile-or ten minute-run!

When this happens, it means we need to do some change ups. I’ve talked about this in previous posts, some of the aftermath of overtraining. This might include:

  • being overly tired, despite a great amount of sleep
  • feeling as though exercise, and running, is a chore rather than something you want to do
  • getting injured
  • ignoring and injury to continue running

For me, this list would also include being dizzy, losing too much weight, and getting frustrated with everyday things that should not be frustrating.

To tackle that head on, I’ve begun my cross training routine again. I had given that up when we moved since I wasn’t training for a particular tri, but now I have my sites on a tri this fall and figure I might as well begin X-training – especially since I was suffering from some runner’s burnout.

This morning I did 5 on the bike, 3 on foot. It went well, and I felt pretty energized when I finished. I can’t wait to get into the pool, wish the water would hurry up and heat! Next year, I’m definitely joining the Y to get in my swim workouts when the pool lis cold. I miss swimming; I think I love it as much as I do running. The cardio is awesome and the workouts are powerful. The bike – not so much for me. I enjoy it, I guess, but I don’t feel like I’m working extra hard when I’m pedaling. Still, I do like the fact that I can go much further than running during the same amount of time.

Every athlete can benefit from cross training. It keeps the various muscle groups working, it reduces your chances for injury (over repetitively doing the same thing – like running 6 days a week), it frees you up mentally (I feel) because it allows you to concentrate your efforts on a variety of training routines rather than just one, and since each exercise works different muscle groups it really helps improve your overall athletic ability.

Are you burned out? Try something new tomorrow. Bike rather than run, or split it up: Bike for a few miles, run the rest. Try swimming, which rocks when it comes to cardio and calories burning (in comparison to other exercises). Do a mini-tri, which was one of my favorite workouts in LA: bike, run and swim each in a set period of time – say one hour – breaking it up into 20 minute increments for each sport. Fun! Challenging! And sure to get you out of the workout doldrums!

Til tomorrow (my running day off, now that I have switched my long runs to Sunday), happy running!

Filed Under: April 2009, Biking/Cycling, Swimming, Training for a Marathon, Triathlon Training Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

This Morning’s 5 Mile Naked Run!

March 18, 2009 By 8 Comments

Okay, I knew the title would get your attention! Can’t wait to see how many clicks I get on this post today!

So no, I did not join the Bear Naked Running Team or compete in a naked running marathon.

I simply left my Garmin at home.

Not by choice of course. This would be like giving up my morning cup of coffee because I didn’t want to get all jacked up on caffeine-and that just ain’t gonna happen!

The batteries were dead. Seems when I plugged it up to charge the watch was on, and when I left it plugged in it slipped out of the cradle – so, no batteries.

Have to say this – I almost cried. I’m addicted to my Garmin like chocoholics are addicted to that yummy tasty sugary treat. In the first few minutes of my run I can’t tell you how many times I glanced down to ‘check’ my watch – only to find a bare wrist. At the end of my run I went to slap STOP when I ceased running – much to the bad luck of my bare wrist.

Then, somewhere around mile 2 (but I wouldn’t know because, well, I didn’t have my Garmin on!) I felt almost, shall I dare say, liberated!

Running naked may not be for everyone, but this morning it truly worked for me!

I could only guess at my pace, but I think it was fast. Yea, really fast. I think today I broke some records for myself. Uh huh. 7 minute miles. The entire way.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

I didn’t have to stress over how fast I was going. I didn’t hear the shrill CLICK! each mile lap to tell me how quickly my pace was (or, in better terms, how slowly). I knew how far I went because I’ve mapped out that path before, but how fast? This remains a mystery.

If you are used to wearing the Garmin on your runs, maybe it’s time to leave it behind. Come on, just once! I’m telling  you, running without it on the wrist may seem scary, but it might just be one of the best runs you’ve had!

In other news . . . Husband has returned to normal working hours and I got up early today for my run – first in five days – and was glad to have the routine back.  I do much better when I get up early to run. I can’t figure out how people can run in the middle of the day *unless they are being chased by something big*.

Don’t you have to shower in the morning before work? Then what, shower again, post-run?

I have two young kids – I’m good to get one 5 minute quick rinse off done a day; there’s no way they would allow me time to take two!  Just the thought sends my heart in a panic.

Giveaway!

Don’t forget to take part in our Core Exercise Book Giveaway!

Finally:

I’m starting training again for a triathlon. I’ve looked at a few, and am mapping out my next few months of racing. I’ll post my schedule later. For now I have one 5K coming up on Saturday, March 28, and I think I will run the course twice to do my 6 miles I generally reserve for Sundays, then run a long run on Sunday, swapping the two. I’m hoping to do the 3miles in about 23 minutes and change, BUT that is a dream goal since I’m currently running no faster than 8:30s.

Good running today! Go naked!

Filed Under: Ab Exercises, March 2009, Training for a Marathon, Triathlon Training Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Mini-Tri, Stretching and Why Can’t I Master that Flip?!

October 2, 2008 By Leave a Comment

This morning’s workout went well. I did a two mile run, but spent the second mile doing sprint training. I have to start sprinting and then continuing to run at a slower pace in order to keep my body used to going faster.

I did a bike ride next, going for six miles. I tackled the hill I ran yesterday and it was a heckuva lot easier to run up than bike up!

Came home, had coffee and breakfast, then headed to the gym with the girls. I did a thirty minute swim and then sprinted for about five minutes or so, resting in between 25 and 50 meters. I worked on form, and I think I am doing better with the continuous motion even when breathing that I realized I was having trouble with the other day (Thanks again Shirley!)

Today’s Stretch: Legs

As a runner I often get tight muscles, particularly in my hamstrings, as well as some knee pain when I do too many squats (which I probably shouldn’t be doing at all but simply can’t give up!) So, I do this stretch after my runs and also when I do my yoga routine at night to help stretch out my legs.

Place hands flat against a wall. Extend arms so that they are straight (don’t lock elbows). Place legs behind your body, so that you are pushing against the wall. Your legs will be about four feet from wall or so. Stretch! Do both legs together and then work one leg at a time. Remember, though, don’t stretch until your muscles are WARM. So, if you are going to stretch BEFORE a run, then do a three to five minute warm up job before you begin stretching. I generally stretch after a run and then in the evening with my yoga routine.

Swim Flip:
What the heck? I practiced today. I’m too afraid to get so close to the wall. I got it partially down. No longer do I get water up my nose and sputter and come up flailing like a dying fish, but I just can’t get close enough to the wall to push off, and then when I did at last, I couldn’t remember if I was supposed to immediately turn over or swim upside down for a bit!

I guess I’ve got a ways to go on this!

Filed Under: Biking/Cycling, exercises, October 2008, Swimming, Thursday's Stretch, Training for a Marathon, Triathlon Training Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
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