One of our children is having trouble in school.  Actually, he is having trouble getting it together at all.  This is alarming for our immediate family, because it takes time and humor away from the rest of the family.  Lectures are becoming more frequent and grounding is keeping the family tied down.  This is alarming to our family at large, because this seems to be a pattern with males in the family.  We are talking about children with extreme intellect, extreme creativity and mechanical/relational abilities that lack any drive to put it to use.  You cannot punish him, because he doesn’t care about anything.  He is happy to live in his own little world in his mind.  ADD?  Yes, he’s got that.  He takes medication and it helps some.  But, it seems to hurt in the area that he needs help the most – drive.  The medication makes him even more laid back and without a desire to get things done.

So, during the latest round, I laid down the law.  Isn’t that what moms do best?  I lectured, beseeched, threatened, punished and grounded.  Today, I am left feeling defeated.  Let me first make clear that all of the above was necessary and I would not be doing my job if I did not do those things.  I am not having a moment of motherly guilt. 

The thought that has been rolling through my mind all morning goes like this:  “How would I feel if someone sat me down and enumerated every single thing I have done wrong over the past several weeks?”  Then, on top of having to listen to that list, they would then hand me my punishment.

Wow!  I would not like that at all.  What if God looked on me as I am?

• lazy
• disobedient
• hateful
• complaining
• unappreciative
• unfocused

Instead, Jesus just marked me as a Child of God and told me what I can be.  What if I sat this child down and told him that I understand what he is and what he is doing, but I also know what he can be.  What if I spoke his potential onto him instead of drowning him in his failures?  I think that what this child wants more than activities, tv time and toys is peace. He wants peace in his own mind.  He wants peace at school.  And, more than anything, he wants peace at home. 

I don’t really know how to give him that, but his grandfather gave me a great idea.  We were discussing his troubles and his grandfather said, “you need to take him running with you – maybe that’ll knock the edge off of him, calm him down”.  What a great idea!  What gives me the most peace? – running!  What in the world could it hurt?  Also, it would be great to have a conversation about something besides his homework, tests or the state of his room.  So, the Great Experiment begins.  Can you run desire to excel into a boy?  I will let you know!

• my jeans are getting loose – again.
• I do not struggle to do anything (everything used to be a struggle-everything)
• I feel really strong
• I have shoulders (I really am getting some definition in my shoulders)
• This cycle I have been able to complete my runs without using the last little bit of effort.  I am able to do it faster and in better form.
• I am getting some core strength.

All that I could think was, “well, duh!”

That’s what happens when you follow the plan.  I am happily oblivious of changeable training ideas.  I feel that one of my strengths is being able to look at what I need.  I am happy with the balance I have found:

• Swimming increases my endurance and breath control
• Biking increases my leg strength (especially quads and hamstrings) and endurance
• Core exercises increase my strength where I need it for running (when I run, I feel my strength coming from my abs and shoulders – driving me)
• Running slims me – making all of the muscle building above show up

I feel that I have found a good mix.  If you know me at all, you know I love change.  Changes, they are coming.  When I complete this triathlon, it is my goal to concentrate on improving my running (distance running, in particular).

This has been my schedule up until now:

Beginning the week of the triathlon, the plan will shift to focus on running.  I will be swimming and biking as cross-training:

I am unsure if I will complete any more triathlons during 2010 – my focus is on the Houston Chevron Marathon in January, 2011.  If there is one close, I will probably do it to keep in practice.  After the marathon next January, I will be shifting back to triathlon training towards an Ironman 70.3 and onto a full Ironman.

Wardrobe Issues

I wrote:  Right now, my biggest issue is what to wear. Do you wear a bathing suit – and bike shorts – and a sports bra? Is it OK for all of that to get wet? The swim is in a heated pool and the bike and run should be warm enough for shorts and a t-shirt. If it required a wetsuit I would have a better idea, but I am confused. I am thinking about a black sports bra and a pair of black spandex shorts (not bike shorts) under my black Speedo. When I come out of the water, I am thinking of slipping a shirt and shorts over that.

Swingset responded:  I had all the same questions going into my first tri – and I still struggle with what to wear. Plus I tend towards wanting to cover every inch of my body. You’re plan for clothing sounds perfect. Lots of women wear sports bras under their suits. Almost everyone just keeps on whatever they’ve swum (is ‘swum’ a word?) in and put something on overtop (although I’ve seen many women just keep going in whatever they’ve swum in). I’ve never seen anyone wear those padded cycling shorts in the pool – but I have seen the padded cycling shorts worn by both men and women under wetsuits for a lake swim.
I wear a compression tank top and swimming capri in the pool. The tightness of the tank top helps with the support for me. I really like the capri bathing suit bottoms because they cover most of my legs. As soon as I’m out of the water I put on over the capri either running tights or a pair of shorts– it depends on how cold/warm it is that day – and a t-shirt. I’ve never worn those padded cycling shorts – but the running tights do have a thin layer of chamois cloth as padding.
One thing I’m going to do different this year is to get a loose tank top to pin my bib number on. I deal with varying temperatures – even in the summer it can get cool – and I always need to think about layering clothing for warmth. I discovered that if it’s windy, raining, or just cooler temperatures I will be cold when I hit the bike right after the swim – so I’ll need one more layer on top. My outer-most layer will be a long sleeve jacket or shirt that I will put on over top of the short sleeved t-shirt. However, when I then do the run I can get too warm and will need to take off the top layer (I do this while running and just tie it around my waist). Since you’re supposed to have your bib showing I decided this year I’m going to wear a loose tank top on top of everything with the bib attached to it. Then if I need to remove a layer underneath I’ll just put back on the tank top so the bib still shows.
Other things I learned through trial and error. I don’t spend a lot of money on equipment, gadgets, or clothing. However, there are a few things I’ve discovered that are worth the money spent. The first is the tank top (made by Danskin) and capri (from Coolibar) I wear for the swim. They are chlorine resistant and each will last me an entire year of training in a pool before becoming transparent from the chlorine exposure – plus I wear them for every race.
Bring two pairs of goggles to the swim. Have the second pair setting right where you start your laps in case your first pair breaks or something. Make sure you’ve tried out both pairs of goggles before race day. You don’t want to waste time adjusting them or – worse yet – finding out something is wrong with the fit. There are usually counters who count your laps in the pool. Ask if you can have your husband or a friend be your counter. The first year I had a friend count. Last year I let a volunteer do it and she miscounted – I ended up doing 9 laps!
It’s worth it to have one of those water bottle holders on your bike. Make sure you practice reaching down to get the water bottle, drinking out of it, and putting it back – all while riding. Do not get a water bottle where you have to unscrew the top to drink out of it. You want to be able to use your teeth to pull up on “squirt spout” (don’t know what else to call it) and to push it back down all while riding. Make sure your water bottle fits the holder. I’ve lost bottles that were too loose for the holder.
I found that I need sunglasses for the bike ride because of the wind or rain (it stings your eyes) as much as for when it was sunny – plus I wear contacts and need the protection. However, sunglasses with a frame that surrounds the entire lense will interfere with your view when glancing back while riding the bike. Do you have a Dick’s Sporting Goods store near you? They sell these inexpensive sunglasses ($10 – $15) that do not have a frame around the bottom part of the lenses. They’ve held up just fine for over a year now. If you’re not used to wearing sunglasses while bike riding then you’ll want to practice that as well.
Everyone has their own preference for getting nutrition during a race. I have a neighbor who is a sports dietician who has given me great advice. I’m not a granola type person – I love bacon, cake, and potato chips and chocolate. But I do follow her advice for race days. She recommends that you “re-fuel” after every hour of exercise. She also says you need to make sure you start getting enough water a few days before the race. I think you already drink a lot of water so you should be fine. She then recommends the following:
The night before the race eat a high-carb meal – but only what you are already used to – nothing new or different. So I usually eat a spaghetti dinner.
The morning of the race eat what you would normally eat for breakfast – but not a lot of protein because it takes longer to digest. For me, I either eat a bowl of oatmeal or a Luna bar (which is a nutrition bar). Have sips of water and/or a recovery drink (like Gatorade or whatever works for you) up to the swim time. If you have a later swim time then you might want to include another nutrition bar.
Drink a recovery drink throughout the bike portion and have another nutrition bar. Then for the run drink water as needed when you pass the water stations. Drink another recovery drink after the triathlon is over so your muscles won’t be too sore the next day.
Invest in a tire repair kit with a small can of compressed air. Get one of those small packs you can Velcro to the back of your bicycle seat to carry the repair kit and compressed air in. Even if you don’t know how to change a flat tire (I don’t) there will be someone around who does and is willing to help.

Race, transition and preparation issues:

1. If you picked up your race packet before race day then make sure you pack it!
2. Bring a small laundry basket or one of those plastic milk crates to throw things in when you discard them.  Duffle bags are okay – but a basket is much easier to work with.  Plus you can turn a plastic laundry basket upside down over your stuff to try to keep it dry if it rains.  Some people use plastic milk crates so they can turn it upside down to sit on. 
3. 2 Towels.
4. Sneakers & Socks.  NOTE:  I don’t have any special biking shoes that clip in to the pedals – I’m not that high tech.  So I’m just wearing sneakers and socks. 
5. Clothing you will be wearing for the bike and run.
6. 2 pair goggles.
7. Bike Helmet.
8. Sunglasses.
9. 2 Gatorades (or whatever drink you prefer).
10. 2 Energy bars.
11. Bike repair kit. 
12. NOTE:  If you wear contacts then I recommend you put some solution in the kit in case you get something in your contact while biking.
13. Plastic bags.  Just in case it rains.  Also to bring home wet stuff in.

Before you leave house:

1. Wear whatever you will be swimming in underneath of whatever you wear to leave the house.
2. Put your Gatorade (or whatever your energy drink is) in your water bottle that will be in the cup holder of your bike.
3. Tape an energy bar with the package already opened (but keep the bar still in the wrapper) on your bike in an easy to reach location – so you can eat it during your bike ride.  (Wait until you feel comfortable on the route and with your pace before eating it.)  You can also have it in a pocket of a shirt or shorts that you will be wearing for the bike ride – but since I don’t always wear something with pockets I started taping it to my bike.  Also – it’s sometimes difficult to fumble with a pocket while on the bike.  It doesn’t hurt to also have a back-up energy bar.  NOTE:  Make sure to practice eating the energy bar while riding during your training.
4. If you already have your bib then pin it to your outer layer of clothing. 
5. Pack your basket.

Getting your transition spot ready:

1. NOTE:  If it’s raining don’t worry about anything getting wet.  You are already wet from your swim.  It’s one of those things you just have to deal with.  You made it this far – to the day of the race.  A little rain will not matter.
2. Have your Gatorade already in your water bottle and already in the cup holder on your bike.
3. Have another water bottle setting at your station ready for you to sip from between swim/bike and between bike/run.  Use only if needed – but it’s there just in case.  Open it so you don’t have to struggle with that during transitions.
4. Lay out one of your towels flat on the ground next to your bike.  Placement of stuff on towel is really a matter of personal preference – and is an ongoing process that you get better at with each race.
5. Place your sneakers upside down on one end of the towel. 
6. Place your bike helmet on the towel.  One quick tap of your helmet against any hard surface (even the ground) will shake off excess water if it’s raining.
7. Lay your socks and anything else you are going to wear for the bike ride on the towel.
8. If it’s raining you can put these in a plastic bag if you want. 
9. Lay your sunglasses on the towel.  You can put them under your helmet if it’s raining.
10. Leave room at one end of this towel to stand on.
11. Place your second towel over everything to cover it. 

Transitions – Keep it as simple as possible.   Make note of what didn’t work for you during a transition so you can keep improving.

1. Swim to Bike.   This is the longest transition.  Some triathletes will run in whatever they swam in (or under their wetsuit if they wore one).  However, they usually have some sort of vest or t-shirt (with the bib already pinned on) that they will slip on.   Ignore references to wetsuits if your triathlon uses a pool instead of a lake.
2. If you are wearing a wet suit then start peeling it off as soon as you get out of the water. 
3. Peel it down to your waist as you run to your bike.
4. Get your goggles and cap off as you run.
5. Toss goggles and cap in basket as soon as you hit your transition station.
6. Get the wetsuit off the rest of the way when you hit your transition station.  This will take the most time.  Some triathletes use this body glide stuff (looks like roll on deodorant) ahead of time to help the wet suit peel off quicker.  I never have – but might consider it this year.  Toss the suit in your basket or drape it over the railing your bike is in (if there are railings) or just let it drop on the ground.  Don’t worry about it.
7. Take the top towel off and immediately stand on the towel on the ground at the end you left empty.  The idea is to start getting the bottom of your feet dry while you quickly dry off your body.  Now – here is where I’ve learned that it’s faster to ignore the fact that I’m wet – so I don’t bother to dry anything off other than my feet.
8. Put whatever clothing you are going to wear for the bike on.
9. Finish getting your feet dry as quickly as you can (socks are hard to put on wet feet). 
10. Put your socks and sneaks on.  Some people use those elastic laces so you don’t have to tie your sneaks.  I never have – I don’t know how good they work.
11. Put your helmet on.
12. Put your sunglasses on.
13. Throw anything else in your basket – except the extra bottle of Gatorade you have set aside.
14. Get on your bike and go.

Bike to Run.  This should be really quick.

1. Put your bike back in its block (or whatever set up they have). 
2. Take off helmet and toss in basket.
3. Adjust any clothing (take off or add a layer).
4. Run!

She became a great resource for me concerning the real nuts and bolts of how to train for and complete a triathlon.  I have read the books, I have searched the articles; but those can sometimes be way too deep or not right for a southerner.  I need real info and I need it to be specific.  So, I wrote her this week about wardrobe issues.  She replied with a lot of good, useful information – that probably anyone attempting a triathlon needs to know. 

She has agreed to guest post here on Monday.  If you are thinking about a sprint triathlon or are just interested in what it takes, please come back by on Monday to check it out.

Thanks, Swingset!

It began with a warm, strong cup of coffee (not from McD’s) and a chewy granola.  I think I should own stock in Quaker by now.

Went to work and worked hard read a lot of blogs.

Went home for lunch (love working 3.2 miles from home) of peanut butter and honey on warm wheat toast.  It’s just like a sandwich, except you feel like you are getting twice as much!

The next picture demonstrates three important things:

1. Cancer sucks!  I wear my Livestrong bracelet to remind me to pray for those that I know with cancer and to remember those that won their battle in Heaven.
2. Blow Pops rock – I eat at least one per day.
3. My wedding ring replacement no longer fits.  I believe in wearing my ring, but need to find time to get it resized – again.

Stay tuned – I am working on a meatloaf recipe with ground turkey tonight.  I told Richard we may have to eat out!

Let’s summarize:

• 108 pounds down – check
• Couch to 5k completed – check
• Some 5k’s run (well, I might add) – check
• Training plan plotted out into eternity – check
• Ability to watch calories and fat documented – check
• A plan for eating that does not include “diet” – what?

What do I do now?  I am within 15 pounds of my goal.  I never thought I would be here, so I am clueless as to how real people eat.  After I got over that thought, I realized that I don’t want to eat like real people (that’s how I got where I was – 275 pounds).  So, I have been doing some research.  I want to eat well, without turning into a vegan, vegetarian or granola lover.  Ha – I am kidding!  Please don’t send a comment.

I have been looking at a book called Racing Weight: How to Get Lean for Peak Performance

My local UPS guy is supposed to deliver it to me tomorrow – be expecting a review.  I really liked the idea that I could finally determine my ideal weight.  That is a lot harder than you would expect.  If you type “ideal weight” in your favorite search engine you will get a lot of confusing and contradictory information, along with a lot of diet ads.  I want to know my “best” weight.  The book also covers how to get to that weight.  When I see my doctor for the last time (3/19/10!) I want a plan to go by.  I do not want to drift off into M&M land.

If the book says that I have to turn away from all meat and refined sugar, I will be having my first give-away!

Note:  I read tons of running/triathlon/fitness related sites.  I am really attached to a few.  Skinny Runner is a very interesting person, with a very interesting life and job.  She answered a question from me on her site today.  You should go read a couple of her entries – you will enjoy it.

I am a complete Excel nerd.  I know you feel so lucky to be a part of my new copy/paste talent!

We have been having trouble with our son about schoolwork and organization /responsibility.  This weekend was a great time to get a handle on that plus clean up my own room/closet.  I began by taking everything out of my closet, then riggin up a holder for my bike so that it could hang in the corner.  I would like a permanent hanger that I could just hook the tire over.  Richard and I brainstormed and had trials, but the bungee thing with a knob on the end was the best and most useful gadget we have found.

As you can see, there is still a lot of room for my junk.  This is the right side of the closet.  That white metal thingy is a drawer set that now has all of my training junk (goggles, bike helmet, swim gloves, backpack, etc..)

On the other side, there is still a lot of space for my clothes.

So, the closet project gets a big “SUCCESS”!  I did not add much more to the closet, so it still looks as neat as this.  My room is also just as clean – except for the huge Goodwill and trash pile.  Also, I found all of the spare parts that I needed to fix my laptop.  I now have an extra computer to browse on while going to bed.

Here is a breakdown of my training last week:

I went to the doctor – lost 4.5 more pounds since 12/23/09.  I was not very impressed with this total, but it is better than nothing.  I know the reason that I am not losing very fast is because of my bad eating habits over the holidays and January birthdays.  I rededicated myself this morning to counting calories closely and getting this finished by race day – 3/20/10.

My bike came in last Thursday.  I love it, absolutely love it.  I have been able to ride it to work twice this week, and I love that.  My project this weekend is to clean out my (big and almost empty) closet and hang a hook in order to keep my bike in there.  I know that seems kind of weird, but it is the best solution.

I have eaten this sandwich 3 times this week – yum.  Roasted chicken on white with spinach, tomatoes, onions, pickles and honey mustard.  It is delicious.

Do you see what I am up against?  This is the kitchen in my office.  One drawer full of chips, one drawer full of bite-size chocolate candy and a whole jar of more candy.  The fridge is full of Cokes.  It is not hard anymore, but this used to call out to me every afternoon.

Have you met my dog?  Her name is Kipper and she loves warm laundry.  My daughter calls her Tide, because she always smells like Tide.

I took this picture coming home from the gym on Thursday morning.  It reminds me that this week is behind me – thank goodness.  This week has been very difficult.