The Countdown Has Begun

I never pretended to be good at this regular blogging thing...but here is an update for all of you who haven't given up hope that I would write again eventually. 

This Saturday, Jessica and I are running a 5k.  It's going to be cold.  I can feel it.  I'm actually really nervous about it.  I used to do this in high school.  I'd get nervous like a week before the actual race, and be miserable until it actually started.  I'm not miserable yet, but that old knot in the stomach is definitely there.  I just don't know if I'm ready for this.  Yesterday, I biked 7 miles, then ran on the elliptical for 3 miles.  I hope that means I can run 3.1 without killing myself.  

Until then, I'm going to do the elliptical again today (my apt doesn't have working treadmills and it's really really miserable outside) and I've started carbing up.  I don't have any breathing treatments, and am still fighting with the insurance company to get some so I'll be doing this sans medication.  This should be interesting...

Update: It's been a few days

It's been a while since I've written.  Not to worry though, I'm still around, and still training.  Jessica was in town last weekend so we went on a run on Sunday.  It was a little windy, and a little cold, but overall, not too bad.  I really enjoyed getting to run with a partner.  I've missed working out with someone. 

On another note, THANKSGIVING IS THIS WEEK!!!  I love Thanksgiving (it's hard to tell I know).  I'm going to my parents house tomorrow and will probably stay until Saturday or Sunday. Unfortunately, I have a paper and a test next Monday so I do have to be a little productive.  =(  

I also want to start looking for a club, or some type of group of people to train with.  I really don't like doing it alone all the time.  I came across the Okc triathlon club's website today.  I'm going to do more research before getting into that though.  Not only am I shy and would kind of want someone to join with me, I'm looking for a specific thing.  I don't want to join a group and then decide I don't like it (and waste my time and money). 

Anyway, sorry this post is a bit scatter brained, but I suppose it mirrors my state of mind right now, so it can't be helped. More to come soon!

Off day

Today was an off day.  It was amazing. Tim came over last night and we watched "The Blues Brothers".  We woke up, went out to lunch, and saw "Quantum Solace".  It was a good movie, but I liked the last Bond movie better.  I also did 7 minute abs again today.  They hate me now.  

I'm supposed to run tomorrow, but it looks like I'm going to go visit Jessica instead and she's swimming.  I might just swim instead.  Swimming's harder anyway.  

Against the wind

I woke up this morning to a beautiful fall day in Oklahoma. The temperature was around 60 degrees, no wind and sunny.  It was great!  I went to the store and bought a bike helmet and pump so that I could go biking after I taught my class at noon.

Well.

If there's one thing I should've learned about Oklahoma by now it's that the weather never stays the same.  Around noon today a cold front came in and with it a strong north wind.  Norman isn't exactly known for it's hills, but I can tell you from experience that the north/south winds here are incredible. 

So what did I do? I went biking on a north/south route.  Genius. The wind was so strong that I could hardly peddle against it.  I would have gone another way, but at that point, I would've had to ride against the wind almost as long just to find another route going east/west. So I toughed it out.  If I had to put a distance on the workout, I'd say about 6 miles (?) or so most of it against the wind.  It took me about 40 mins.  It's not far, and I wish I could've gone farther, but my legs are jello, so hopefully it did some good. 

When I got home I decided to try and look up the 7 minute abs video that my friend Melissa has been talking about lately.  I couldn't find it so I had to ask her.  This video is AMAZING. My abs have never hurt so bad during a workout before.

Here is the link in case anyone is interested:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVmjhNmvEwo

There are several different positions that they do for 30 seconds each 2 times. So you start out doing the ones that work your lower abs then work up to your upper abs and repeat the process.  I loved it so much I think I'm going to make it part of my daily routine.  

On a different note, I think I'm going to try and revamp my diet. I'm not sure what this means yet other than I'm a poor graduate student with extraordinary dietary needs (no really...it's incredible how much food I need) who eats crap, and I want to change that.  At this point, I'm eating spaghetti o's  at least 4 times a week.  I don't even know what's in those things!   I'm going to the grocery store today as soon as I get the motivation to get up.  I'll probably just buy some frozen fruit, yogurt, and some meat to cook with this week.   Anybody have any healthy recipes or suggestions? I'm really groping around in the dark on this one.  

Ok, I think that's about it for now.  Hope everyone has a great day!

The start of a long swim

I swam today.  It wasn't nearly as horrbile and painful as I remember.  =)  I got up, went to work, ran some errands then went to the pool.  Here is what I did:

4 sets of 200 yards: 25 yards of backstroke at least 50 of freestyle and at least 50 yards of breath stroke; the rest was either breath stroke or freestyle depending on how I felt. 

I did 50 yards of kickboard between each set. 

Like I said, it went alright.  I managed to only inhale water 2 or 3 times, and although I don't have the ability to see my own face, I can say with at least some degree of certainty that my face didn't turn blue.  Of course, that may very well be due to the fact that I did my medicine this morning. 

I tried to swim more laps using freestyle as I went along, but I got tired towards the end and the last set was mostly breath stroke (no backstroke though).  The good news is that (although it wasn't all at once) I swam half a mile, which I think is the distance I need to swim for a sprint tri.  So I should be able to work my way up to triathlon standards.  

Tomorrow I'm going to bike.  I went to check my bike yesterday and saw that my tires are really low, so I'm going to go buy a bike pump and helmet (finally) either today or tomorrow.  Until then...

Tentative schedule

Ok, so I feel like I have to get outside opinions on this.   Here's what I'm thinking: on Mondays and Wednesdays I have class from 8-2:15 in Okc which means I have to wake up at 5:20am.  So if I'm going to work out, it has to be after class (no earlier than 3).  The thing is, I'm completely and totally EXHAUSTED when I get home on those days.  Tuesdays are easier because I just have work from 9-10:15am and then from 6:30-9 pm.  Thursdays are the worst.  I've got work from 9-10:15 then class from 2-4:30 then work again from 6:30-9.  So if I want to get anything done on Thursdays, I'll have to do it before work in the morning, or go straight from work to workout.  Fridays are completely free with the exception of the one hour class I have to teach in Okc at noon.  Saturdays are off limits until football is over (sooner born and sooner bred baby!), and as far as Sundays are concerned, I'd really like to start going to church again, but even if I don't make it, chances are I'll be working anyways so mornings are off limits. 

As far as workouts go, I know I need to work out at least 5 days a week.  There are 3 events I'm training for so each of those needs to be done twice a week (one day will double just like it was with Jessica).  The only huge change I might be considering at this point would be doubling up on Fridays instead of Tuesdays.  On one hand, I have less to do on Fridays, and potentially more daylight to work with.  On the other hand though, I kind of like having Friday as my lazy day, and only having one activity on that day leaves the weekend more open for trips (that I never end up taking).

Well, I may have just wasted my time writing all of this out because I don't think I'm going to change anything just yet.  I'll change the times for sure though.  There isn't enough daylight to work out in the evenings, and I don't have to wait for Jessica to get off work so there's no reason for me to wait anyway.  I think I'll do my doubling up on Tuesday's after my first "class".  I'm out of the house and I usually haven't showered for the day yet. Wednesdays and Saturdays I'll keep as off days.   The rest I think I'm going to keep identical to Jess and my schedule, just earlier.  

 I might also try to make swimming a more constant activity.  I'm a horrible swimmer. Anyone who knows me, or reads this blog, knows that.  But I feel like if I don't start swimming more than once or twice a week, it won't get better.  I really want to make running like that.  I can run forever. I love it, and I'd love running to be something that I just do every day...like showering or eating.  However, my running doesn't need as much work.  Don't get me wrong.  I'm out of shape.  My lungs can't handle running right now any better than my great grandmother's lungs can.  Swimming is harder.  If I can make my lungs handle swimming, running will come because it's so natural for me.  I don't know though.  I mean, do I hate swimming because I suck at it or do I hate it because I hate it?  If it's the latter, then I don't want to spend more of my time doing something that I don't enjoy.  Thoughts?

Well, as you might have guessed from my incessant rambling, I'm sitting at work, bored. But I think it's time that I stop subjecting everyone to this and just call it quits and attempt to pay attention.   

OK

I'm getting back on the horse. I'm going to start working out again today. I'm not fully recovered from being sick, but I haven't done my breathing treatments either so I don't care.  I want to work out.  

Since I don't have Jessica around to push me in the pool any more (and because my knowledge of swimming workouts is awful), I've been looking at beginner swimming workouts online.  I still have no idea though.  I'll probably just end up thrashing around the pool for an hour and go home. 

I'll probably end up changing my workout schedule too. When I was working with a partner, we each had to make little sacrifices to fit the other's schedule.  Now I don't have to do that.  I'm not sure what the schedule will be just yet, but I'll post it when I figure it out. 

Sometimes the best way to deal, is to put your head down, and just keep swimmin' (so to speak haha).  So until next time...

On the eve of all things different.

Jessica moves away tomorrow.  She's got a really awesome attitude about it. I think she's kind of excited to be in a new town with a new job.  And I know she's glad to be rid of the unemployed stress she's been dealing with over the past month.  I'm really going to miss her. She doesn't want to talk about it, and I shouldn't.  I'm happy for her.  I'm excited she got a job. She'll be great at it.  I have yet to read any story of hers that wasn't well written. 

As far as training goes, I know Jessica's planning on working out as much as her unknown schedule will allow.  I'm just hoping to survive. School and work are really crazy right now. My grades have actually suffered quite a bit in the last couple of weeks. It's alright though.  I'm sure I'll pull it off. Winter's always a physical challenge for me too. I'm thinking about asking for a Huff membership for Christmas so that I don't fry my lungs trying to run in the cold (oxymoron I know).  Jessica was teasing me today about my less-than-stellar swimming abilities.  I'd admit that she was right... except that I have this damn competitive streak in me.  Admitting that we're halfway through our training and I can't swim would be detrimental to my psyche.  Therefore I think the only logical response would be to start swimming more and kick my cocky partner's ass the next time we swim together.  ;)  Oh ya guapa, it's on. 

Ok, this is the part where I'm supposed to sum up the post in a deep and meaningful way.  Here it goes. So tomorrow, I help my best friend move away.  Then, hopefully, in the midst of all things tumultuous and painful I will have as an immovable constant, the burning desire to dispel any notion that my swimming is in any way sub-par by way of severe swim ass whoop-age.  =) 

I was never good at deep philosophical statements anyway.

I promise I'm not dead.

Well where do I start? 

It's been a long time since I've posted anything, and a ton has happened. I don't mean to say that I've been crazy training and now run marathons on a weekly basis.  I mean quite simply that my world is changing rather rapidly, and training has been no where near my top priority. 

In the last month or so, I've worked out on occasion, but nothing difficult, and my heart hasn't been in it in God knows how long.  It's true that I've been sick, and yes being sick makes it really hard to work out; it's not impossible though, and I haven't the motivation to do it. 

So what's up with me? Nothing really.  I'm a wuss.  There's a lot of turmoil in the lives of those closest to me.  My partner, Jessica, is moving to Stillwater to start a new job next week, and my boyfriend, Tim, is graduating (and moving) in December.  I personally have very little going on in the next couple of months. My schedule will be much of the same: work and school work and school.  The only difference is that I suppose I'll actually be studying out of pure boredom. 

I think I've talked about my incredible lack (or need) of motivation during training before.  Since Jessica still wants to do our tri next spring, I'll have to train alone.  I hope I won't disappoint.  

Solo Week: The Prelude

Today was a swim day.  As usual, Jessica and I went over to the pool after she got off work and swam.  It went alright.  I continue to feel more and more comfortable in the water (stroking) and I seem to be swallowing less (no tridelt jokes please) so that's good.  We had to get out early though because for some reason (which neither Jessica nor I understood) lightning outside and a few miles away is dangerous to people swimming in an indoor pool.  I think they just wanted an excuse to close early...especially since the soccer team was still practicing under the big metal lights when we drove home. 

Anyways...this coming week, from Tuesday to Sunday, I'm on my own.  I won't be able to work out with Jessica at all during that time.  I think I've mentioned before that my personal motivation is somewhat less than stellar.  Well...now I've got a week of nothing but personal motivation to keep me going. 

This should be interesting.

I mean, don't get me wrong, I love to work out.  I love pushing my limits and proving people wrong, but therein lies my problem: I have to be competing.  I can't "compete" against myself.  Trust me, I've tried.  It doesn't work.  I need someone, just a few steps ahead of me, taunting me (not literally), egging me on, daring me to go faster to pass them.  I (unfortunately) need some completely innocent bystander to be the target of my stubborn anger. I know this sounds overly dramatic, but it's true. I need to be able to convince myself that I have something to prove, and when I'm by myself, this is incredibly difficult.

Tomorrow is a double day, so I have to run and bike all on my own.  Sigh...wish me luck.

Technicalities

Yesterday we went biking.  It went fine as far as how I felt, but there were still some issues.  Jessica doesn't get off work until 6, so we can't normally start working out (whichever activity we're doing) until around 7.  That was fine over the summer, but summer is over now.  It's getting darker earlier.  Yesterday, we could only ride for about 30 mins and that was kind of pushing it.  This is going to be a problem.  Not only is the getting dark thing going to get worse, we have to start bumping up our mileage (and therefore time) on all three activities.  Both of our apartment complexes have gyms, but they aren't exactly stellar, and call me a whiny baby, but I'd rather not ride a stationary bike 15 miles.  I have a friend that does triathlons professionally.  I thought about asking him what he normally does to combat these issues...but then I realized that although I love Daniel dearly,  he's a pyscho. (he's got the shattered hip to prove it)  =) He probably just rides his bike at night through the wind, rain, snow, and ice. 

So, any ideas from the normal people out there of how to combat work schedules and mother nature?

Tales of the Cement Pond

We went swimming this morning.  I swam farther in one circuit than I have ever swam before (250 yards) but after that, my legs were shot.  I'm not exactly sure why they were so tired this morning.  It could be because adequate sleep hasn't exactly been my forte this week.  I swam a little more after the long swim, but not very fast and usually not freestyle.  On one hand, I'm glad I was able to swim farther, but on the other, I'm disappointed that I couldn't continue to swim very well after that.  Baby steps I guess.

Beautiful Day

I had an awesome day today.  I mean, I don't normally like to be overly cheesy, but I'm seriously kind of sad that this day is ending. Seriously, anyone who decides to read this might be thoroughly disgusted with me afterward. 

What could make Kayle be cheesy you ask?  Bueno.... I stayed up really late last night just talking with my best friend, then I woke up this morning and went to work.  After that, Jessica and I did our doubling up thing again.  

We decided to bike and swim.  Biking was first, and we went a completely different way than we normally do.  Norman has these "designated bike trails" around town.  We found one and just kept following it.  I have no idea how far we went, and we almost died going over a rickety bridge, but it was a ton of fun.  After we found our way back to a main cross street, we went to the pool and swam.  I swam the same workout I always do, but this time I had already biked so I guess that makes it better...?  I was really tired after the workout, but riding back to my apartment was pleasant. 

After showering and eating lunch, Jessica and I drove to the city to see the Roman Art exhibit at the Okc Museum of Art.  That was cool.  Walking around a city and exploring a museum reminded me a lot of Spain.  And, I got yelled at in the museum...just like in Spain! haha.  Around 5 or so we left the closing museum and decided to randomly tour these really nice apartments that we could never afford we had seen earlier.   These apartments were ridiculously amazing...and expensive.  It was fun looking at them though.  I think Jessica was actually interested.

We caught rush hour traffic coming home, but it wasn't too bad.  On our way, we went to Ted's to have their frozen sangria (amazing!!!) and chips.  Eventually we made it back to Jessica's apartment where we watched a bit of Rent (we're both obsessed, and I'm seeking therapy don't worry) before I had to go to work. 

So here I sit, at work, not really working, blogging about my day that went 3000 miles per hour.  Tim is coming over later (didn't see him yesterday) to hang out and make a perfect end to an awesome day.  See? Aren't I disgusting?

Oh the Joys of Doubling Up

Yesterday, Jessica and I doubled up.  I knew it was going to be a challenge because neither one of us got the best night's sleep.  We biked first.  Biking has been a bit of a weak link (intensity wise) for both of us, so I decided to push harder. 

 Oh boy.  

I think we ended up biking around 3 miles hard, but I'm not sure.  Either way, when that part was done, my legs were NOT in any way, shape, or form interested in running.  My lungs weren't exactly over zealous either. 

The plan was to run/walk about a two mile distance. I didn't make it that far.  After running about a mile (maybe) I just couldn't do any more.  My chest was tighter than it has been in a work out in a long time, but that's never been an excuse for me.  Honestly, I was kind of disappointed in myself. 

Tomorrow we have to get up at the butt crack of dawn to go swimming (my favorite!).  Hopefully I'll be able to push harder.  I'm not going to lie though, tomorrow's going to be a really hectic day for me.  I'm not really looking forward to it. 

Congrats Rob, for all your improvement! Keep up the good work!

Slowly But Surely?

I'm not a good swimmer. I've never been a good swimmer.  And now I'm doing a triathlon? Ha!  Don't get me wrong, I'm getting better (I think), but as it is, I can only swim about 200 yards before I get tired.  That's a quarter of the distance I need to be able to swim quickly.  Jessica, on the other hand, loves swimming. We swam yesterday, and I watched (probably with my mouth hanging open gasping for air) as she swam lap after lap as if she were taking a leisurely stroll around the park.  Gah! I'd give almost anything to be able to swim like that. 

I know we all have our "strengths".  I'm good at running, Jessica's good at swimming.  But I feel like she's improving on running faster than I'm improving on swimming. Call me childish, but I'm competitive.  I don't like having my butt kicked in the pool twice a week. =) 

We're supposed to run and bike today.  I hope we get to.  We had a girls wine and titanic night last night so we'll see.  Last night Jessica mentioned wanting to raise money for a cause (I think through a race and pledges? Not sure).  She wants to do the CF Foundation.  I don't know why I have no desire to help that particular organization.  Logically, I should be the first person to want to raise money for a cure to cystic fibrosis, but for whatever reason, anything to do with that foundation makes me want to run as fast as I can in the other direction.  Maybe I'm just a lot more immature than I thought. 

On a completely different note, Jessica told me about some of the blogs she's been reading, so I think I'll check them out.  Gives me something to do other than what I should be doing!  

High School Was a Long Time Ago

High school, was a very long time ago.  

I came to this seemingly obvious conclusion today after my first 5k attempt.  In high school, the 3 mile day was the "easy day".  I can remember being so excited for the day before a meet because I knew all I had to do was run 3 miles. So, today, when I was preparing for my experimental run to find out if I am fit enough to run in the Race for the Cure 5k in two weeks, I wasn't all that worried.  Three miles just wasn't all that daunting. 

Well.

I come to you now, as an enlightened, red-faced, post-puking individual, to say:  High School WAS a LONG time ago.  Don't get me wrong, I finished the "race".  I ran 3.1 miles without stopping or slowing down, but I hurt.  I managed a slow but steady pace of about 10mins per mile (30:37 for those of you counting at home), which would have been punishable by extra 400 repeats in high school for lack of effort. 

 On the contrary, today's run was the result of quite a bit of determination and pain on my part.  I finished my run with my usual kick and proceeded to hack up a lung and loose my lunch.  It was extremely attractive let me assure you. 

As of now, I'm going to go ahead and do the 5k.  I'm just going to have to train quite a bit harder from now on.

Bored At Work

Well, as I'm sitting here at work, taking notes in a Spanish 2 class, I'm bored. My friend Jessica has been telling me that I should start a blog to talk about training for a triathlon.  Originally, I said no because I would have no idea what to say, but then it occurred to me that no one is actually going to read this, so I can just use it as something to deter me from doing my job or my homework. So, here we go.

Jessica and I are training for a triathlon.  It is something I've wanted to do for a long time, but unfortunately, without someone to train with me, I have little motivation.  We've been training for a little over a month now (I think) and things are going well.  I'd forgotten how much I truly love running on a cool fall day.  I ran cross country in high school and hated competing.  But now, to my surprise, I have this incredible urge to do a road race.  It's weird how things work out.  I think I have decided to run in the Race for the Cure 5k.  It is in about 2.5 weeks.  I hope I'm in good enough shape for it.  If I know myself though, chances are that if I manage to get myself to the starting line on race day, my competitive nature will take over and I'll run the thing as hard as I possibly can.   That'll feel lovely the next day. 

Other than running, my life is fairly exciting/hectic/terrifying all at the same time.  I'm working on my Master's degree right now, but I've found a program that would be more beneficial to me professionally (some day!) so I'm trying to coordinate applying for schools I'm not sure I'm qualified for with my boyfriend's (and hopefully fiancee soon) job search. I hope it works out.  I'm also teaching medical spanish from a curriculum that I made (That was interesting!), tutoring spanish students in my free time, and trying not to lose what spanish I have.  I love it though.  Honestly, I'd rather have a life full of action, goals, dreams, and excitement than anything else. 

I think I've talked about myself enough now.  I have two tests tomorrow anyway.  Until next time, Jessica, don't ever say I never do anything you tell me I should do.  =)