This weekend I finally got kind of sort of back on track with my training. Sunday included both a run and a bike ride and Monday had a 2 hour bike ride in store for me.
I also ate like a pig (and ate a lot of pig) this weekend, so I don't know how good it actually did for me.
I felt pretty on target though, only to have a busy week with few workout prospects ahead of me. Drat! Then next week I leave for my vacation (FINALLY) so who knows when I'll actually be able to train? I determined that I have 21 weeks before my marathon, so that poses little risk. I think I peaked in my training too early last time, so who knows? Maybe I'll be able to improve my time. The triathlon will be tricky of course, but I'm feeling more like my cocky old self now that I actually got on the bike and went somewhere. Hopefully I'll be able to get in a swim this week.
And now, a product review.
I'm not sure if I'm willing to give the fit flop my unpaid endorsement yet. After all, I've only had them for about a week and they *were* $60 flipflops. Yes they have sequins on them and they are supposed to trim my bum (quote, unquote), but they are still $60 flipflops in the end.
They are the revolutionary flipflops designed to trim you and tone you WHILE YOU WALK! UNbelieveable, right? Well that's the part that I'm trying to get past. I'm already in pretty decent shape, so I highly doubt that I'm going to see inches melt off my body. But they provide way better stability than regular flipflops and they are actually really comfortable. So why not wear them on my 30 minute walk to work in the morning? And then on the way home? If I can sneak in an extra workout, why not give it a shot?
(also, I have to admit that I've been intrigued by these shoes for a REALLY LONG TIME and I reeeeeeally wanted them. I know. It's so tacky and I fall for gimmicks so easily. Darn marketing!! Also, I am a shoe aficionado. Aficionada?)
I always take remarkably to placebos (hypochondriac, anyone?), so I'm not really the best person to use in a study for shoes like this. I thought that I could feel some glute work on the first day I wore them, now I don't really know. But like I said, they're super comfortable AND they have sequins!
I guess if you have an extra $60 lying around, it's worth it. But if not, I say just get off the bus and walk the 30 mins in the morning and you're doing yourself a good enough favor anyway.
They put sequins on regular flipflops anyway.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The Luckiest Girl
I think if someone were to examine my life, they might come to the conclusion that I am very brave indeed.
I run marathons for kicks and I sign up for triathlons when I get bored. I’m going to swim in the Potomac. I live in my own apartment when under the age of 25 and it’s not in a building with a doorman and a security guard. I go on vacation to places like Zimbabwe and Israel (to be fair, Zimbabwe was like 9 years ago, haha). I’ve studied abroad and traveled alone. I’ve gone on safaris and gone snorkeling. I can hear you all now. What a brave and exciting individual. Oh yes, and I ride my bike around the streets of a city.
Well, kind of.
To be honest, I’m not brave at all, which my poor boyfriend got to see last night. After my previous bad experience on the bike, he rode up to meet me to go for a ride with me. First, I whined about the seat (I am still sore). Then I refused to leave the park near my house. I was perfectly content to ride around in circles for an hour or two, but he was convinced that I should go out on the road and get a little bit more experience. Did I whine? Oh yes, I whined and I cried a little and I moped and I said over and over again, “I don’t like this!!!!” very mature, very brave. I was absolutely terrified to go out next to the cars, despite his assurances that the idea was worse than the actual act. I saw images of my head bashed open in the streets of DC and homeless men coming to eat my brains (ok I just added that part now).
But I think the worst part is that my confidence has worn a little thin lately. I’m no longer the cocky girl who said, oh yeah sure, I can do a triathlon. Now I’m seriously doubting my ability to finish this race without crying or breaking down. I’m scared to fail. I really don’t want to fail, but I’m scared that race day will come and I’ll roll over in my bed and say, meh, whatever.
So I was very lucky to have someone with me who a) didn’t yell at me when I cried. B) didn’t pressure me into doing it c) waited until I was ready and d) acted the whole time like he knew I could do it. Here’s the thing – everyone is different. Maybe you need someone who can yell at you. Maybe you need to figure this stuff out alone. I don’t know. But if you can find someone who can figure out how to help you and then just do it because they care…well. I feel pretty lucky right now.
I run marathons for kicks and I sign up for triathlons when I get bored. I’m going to swim in the Potomac. I live in my own apartment when under the age of 25 and it’s not in a building with a doorman and a security guard. I go on vacation to places like Zimbabwe and Israel (to be fair, Zimbabwe was like 9 years ago, haha). I’ve studied abroad and traveled alone. I’ve gone on safaris and gone snorkeling. I can hear you all now. What a brave and exciting individual. Oh yes, and I ride my bike around the streets of a city.
Well, kind of.
To be honest, I’m not brave at all, which my poor boyfriend got to see last night. After my previous bad experience on the bike, he rode up to meet me to go for a ride with me. First, I whined about the seat (I am still sore). Then I refused to leave the park near my house. I was perfectly content to ride around in circles for an hour or two, but he was convinced that I should go out on the road and get a little bit more experience. Did I whine? Oh yes, I whined and I cried a little and I moped and I said over and over again, “I don’t like this!!!!” very mature, very brave. I was absolutely terrified to go out next to the cars, despite his assurances that the idea was worse than the actual act. I saw images of my head bashed open in the streets of DC and homeless men coming to eat my brains (ok I just added that part now).
But I think the worst part is that my confidence has worn a little thin lately. I’m no longer the cocky girl who said, oh yeah sure, I can do a triathlon. Now I’m seriously doubting my ability to finish this race without crying or breaking down. I’m scared to fail. I really don’t want to fail, but I’m scared that race day will come and I’ll roll over in my bed and say, meh, whatever.
So I was very lucky to have someone with me who a) didn’t yell at me when I cried. B) didn’t pressure me into doing it c) waited until I was ready and d) acted the whole time like he knew I could do it. Here’s the thing – everyone is different. Maybe you need someone who can yell at you. Maybe you need to figure this stuff out alone. I don’t know. But if you can find someone who can figure out how to help you and then just do it because they care…well. I feel pretty lucky right now.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Social Networking
In my job, I read a lot of advertising and marketing journals (who would've guessed that I'd ever be reading those?). The big thing right now is social networking. Social networking is huge! It's everywhere!
FACEBOOK
MYSPACE
LINKEDIN
TWITTER
BLOGS
cough.
Yep, everyone it seems is doing it. All the cool kids. All the dorky kids. All the nerds. We love it. It's a way to connect with others without ever having to speak a word out loud or look someone in the eye. Fantastic!
Obviously, I'm slightly skeptical. When facebook came out, I used it fanatically as a procrastination tool (you could always tell when someone was working on a term paper by the number of changes they made to their profile). Now, I'm more apathetic towards it. I like it, but I don't really care about it. It's a nice way to stay in touch with people so that I can, say, decline invitations to my 5 year high school reunion, but other than that I haven't really gotten into it.
But last night I was feeling pretty bad about myself, as I tried to ride my new bike and was unsuccessful. (I need to get new pedals). I moped a little bit, cried a little bit, ate an ice cream sandwich or two for dinner and then felt fat and completely unable to do anything. My newly framed marathon photos adorn my wall, making me feel so far away from the girl who ran 26.2 miles. So I pulled up the DC Tri Club website and started to peruse. I joined the Dc Tri Club a couple months ago, sending in my $30 and receiving a t-shirt, water bottle, and sticker for it. But I didn't do anything with the actual club. Now I've learned, Surprise!, that joining the dc tri club doesn't make me a triathlete. That requires actual energy and action.
One of the first threads I read in the "forum" (obviously, this is some sort of social networking tool, otherwise I wouldn't be bringing this up) was from some people who live very close to my new apartment. And all the threads were about staying motivated and finding training buddies! So now I'm in touch with some people about biking, swimming together (still on the fence for running since I'm known to be an anti-social runner).
Conclusions? It's important to utilize the resources out there. If it's social networking, so be it. I'm all for the internet. Yay internet! They also have lists of free group workouts that you can go to. How awesome is that? Maybe I don't need to invest as much money into this as I thought...just time.
(Also, it's important to note that I do not endorse eating ice cream sandwiches for dinner. They are a delightful snack, but not a sufficient meal.)
MYSPACE
BLOGS
cough.
Yep, everyone it seems is doing it. All the cool kids. All the dorky kids. All the nerds. We love it. It's a way to connect with others without ever having to speak a word out loud or look someone in the eye. Fantastic!
Obviously, I'm slightly skeptical. When facebook came out, I used it fanatically as a procrastination tool (you could always tell when someone was working on a term paper by the number of changes they made to their profile). Now, I'm more apathetic towards it. I like it, but I don't really care about it. It's a nice way to stay in touch with people so that I can, say, decline invitations to my 5 year high school reunion, but other than that I haven't really gotten into it.
But last night I was feeling pretty bad about myself, as I tried to ride my new bike and was unsuccessful. (I need to get new pedals). I moped a little bit, cried a little bit, ate an ice cream sandwich or two for dinner and then felt fat and completely unable to do anything. My newly framed marathon photos adorn my wall, making me feel so far away from the girl who ran 26.2 miles. So I pulled up the DC Tri Club website and started to peruse. I joined the Dc Tri Club a couple months ago, sending in my $30 and receiving a t-shirt, water bottle, and sticker for it. But I didn't do anything with the actual club. Now I've learned, Surprise!, that joining the dc tri club doesn't make me a triathlete. That requires actual energy and action.
One of the first threads I read in the "forum" (obviously, this is some sort of social networking tool, otherwise I wouldn't be bringing this up) was from some people who live very close to my new apartment. And all the threads were about staying motivated and finding training buddies! So now I'm in touch with some people about biking, swimming together (still on the fence for running since I'm known to be an anti-social runner).
Conclusions? It's important to utilize the resources out there. If it's social networking, so be it. I'm all for the internet. Yay internet! They also have lists of free group workouts that you can go to. How awesome is that? Maybe I don't need to invest as much money into this as I thought...just time.
(Also, it's important to note that I do not endorse eating ice cream sandwiches for dinner. They are a delightful snack, but not a sufficient meal.)
Friday, May 8, 2009
Trying to give it my all
I think I need to step it up guys. I've let training take a backseat to moving, working, playing, eating, sleeping, showering...there's really no excuse for that. Here I am, trying to help other people train and I'm not even setting a good example.
End Goal: Triathlon is quickly approaching and add-on Marathon is close behind. I think my lack of training has really got me down and I'm starting to doubt my ability to do this. It's one of those things where you absolutely have to invest some time and money into it if you want to finish and finish strong. For me, there is no other option than finishing.
So I think I might have to look into personal training or a triathlon training course. I'm ok with getting help and working with other people and it might be time for me to invest a little more cash into this project.
I'm feeling pretty run down and I think it's time to revamp my training. Any ideas?
End Goal: Triathlon is quickly approaching and add-on Marathon is close behind. I think my lack of training has really got me down and I'm starting to doubt my ability to do this. It's one of those things where you absolutely have to invest some time and money into it if you want to finish and finish strong. For me, there is no other option than finishing.
So I think I might have to look into personal training or a triathlon training course. I'm ok with getting help and working with other people and it might be time for me to invest a little more cash into this project.
I'm feeling pretty run down and I think it's time to revamp my training. Any ideas?
Monday, May 4, 2009
Courage
You know how when you ride a horse, they tell you to remain calm no matter what because if a horse can sense that you're nervous, they will become nervous? I'm very much like a horse. I pick up on people's emotional discharges and even if I can hide it, it gets to me in most situations and makes me uncomfortable.
For example, I moved this weekend. I went from one questionable neighborhood in DC, Southeast, to another, U St/Columbia Heights. I didn't realize that the area where my new house is was considered so...urban. It's right next door to the Embassy of Ecuador, so it has to be safe...right?
But I've had a few people tell me that I still have to be careful. I'm not sure if this means that it's actually a dangerous neighborhood or if it means that everyone still sees me as a 12 year old who looks like she just walked out of a bubble. I've been sheltered, sure, but I've learned to fend for myself. In my opinion, I do pretty well. I play it safe and smart. But hearing everyone tell me scary stories doesn't do much to make me feel good. I love my apartment but now I'm leaning towards "terrified of sticking my nose out the door." Which I don't want to do. Once again, I find myself searching for inspiration in my training.
When I first said that I would run a marathon, people told me to be careful. They told me horror stories of how people die in them and I read scary stories about overhydration, dehydration, wronghydration, etc. There were days when I ran and then threw up in my mouth and it was scary. But I made it through and I ran the marathon. So I guess it really is just doing everything one day at a time and trying not to see it as 26 miles but just one mile at a time. One day at a time and I will be ok. I'm not alone, ever. The people who cheer me on when I run are the same people who will hold my hand in the middle of the night when I'm scared, both physically and figuratively. Being afraid because people tell you to be won't help, because ultimately, you'll just end up flying over a cliff like a crazy horse. If people tell me to be scared, then I better be the one who calls it out and says, no. I will not be afraid and I will not live my life on the nervous energy of others.
thank you, that was very therapeutic.
For example, I moved this weekend. I went from one questionable neighborhood in DC, Southeast, to another, U St/Columbia Heights. I didn't realize that the area where my new house is was considered so...urban. It's right next door to the Embassy of Ecuador, so it has to be safe...right?
But I've had a few people tell me that I still have to be careful. I'm not sure if this means that it's actually a dangerous neighborhood or if it means that everyone still sees me as a 12 year old who looks like she just walked out of a bubble. I've been sheltered, sure, but I've learned to fend for myself. In my opinion, I do pretty well. I play it safe and smart. But hearing everyone tell me scary stories doesn't do much to make me feel good. I love my apartment but now I'm leaning towards "terrified of sticking my nose out the door." Which I don't want to do. Once again, I find myself searching for inspiration in my training.
When I first said that I would run a marathon, people told me to be careful. They told me horror stories of how people die in them and I read scary stories about overhydration, dehydration, wronghydration, etc. There were days when I ran and then threw up in my mouth and it was scary. But I made it through and I ran the marathon. So I guess it really is just doing everything one day at a time and trying not to see it as 26 miles but just one mile at a time. One day at a time and I will be ok. I'm not alone, ever. The people who cheer me on when I run are the same people who will hold my hand in the middle of the night when I'm scared, both physically and figuratively. Being afraid because people tell you to be won't help, because ultimately, you'll just end up flying over a cliff like a crazy horse. If people tell me to be scared, then I better be the one who calls it out and says, no. I will not be afraid and I will not live my life on the nervous energy of others.
thank you, that was very therapeutic.
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