Lisa G is not only running, she is biking and swimming and will be doing her first tri September 25th in Tempe. I have been MIA and have not worked out since June 13, but hey I have to start somewhere again...
Lets start this off on why am I doing this? and the answer is I am not sure. Perhaps because I want to get in shape? I want to be a super model or simply because I am crazy. Actually Heather, my friend at work had breast cancer and is now cancer free, is a huge inspiration to me and has asked me many of Tris to join her and this time I agreed.
I just finished up my busy season at work with a weekend long convention, followed by a 3 day business plan writing to pass my Certificate Meeting Management (some people get their masters, doctorate, I'm getting my CMM which in the meeting world is pretty prestigious only 500 people in the world have it- passing it involved a week long trip to Cancun to "prep," a test and a complete business plan pertaining to the meeting planning industry- much better than added years of school) ANYWAY- my point- I have a lot of time on my hands....and have decided to get back in shape and do my first Triathlon ever.
To start this kick again, Andy encouraged me to go to an open water swim/tri clinic at Bartlett Lake last Saturday through Red Rock Sports and ONE multi-sports to get educated on Triathlons and to get a workout in - we take our boat to Bartlett Lake and love it, however I never swam for exercise in it, just for dear life to get back on the boat or to get my next beer. I tried to get Heather and a few others to join me, but had no success and went all by myself (be proud) to this very scary group swim in which I had no clue on what to wear, what to expect, how I would do or who I would meet.
Surprisingly enough and thanks to my shopaholic husband I had a tri top and shorts laying around in my "workout drawer" (who would of thunk) to make me look and play the part. I showed up a little after 6am (its an hour and 10 min drive from the house to the lake) and immediately felt intimidated. There were about 35 out of the 85 of us registered and everyone seemed to be at the same skill set/first time Tri which made it a little less scary. I also instantly became friends with a group of girls that took me in and we are going to meet up to train together- Yay!
The clinic was great. Frank from Sole swimming coached us on how to swim inside the group and then how to relax and be calm on race day. We then all jumped in the lake and swam 1500 meters, I think I did more, because I lost track of the buoys, got caught in the current and swam in place for a while before realizing I wasnt getting any closer to the shore. At that moment, I wanted to tap my head 3 times (international code for help when drowning) for someone to come pick me up, but my competitive side came out and I would be damned if anyone saved me on an open water swim. I finished this in about 40 minutes, next time I will bring my Garmin for exact timing.
Once we finished swimming, we got to eat bananas while Dan from ONE Multisport, an Ironman and an elite Tri guy gave us tips on how to transition from swimming to biking and biking to running- he showed us how to set up our gear for the best timing on everything. After that talk and break we all "transitioned" into our bike gear and headed up the 8% grade hill for a 10 mile bike ride. The ride out and first 5 miles were up hill and I think my forearms are the most sore from holding the brakes on the 5 miles back down the hill. This ride took about 35 minutes (again, did not have the Garmin).
We all scattered and spread out during the ride but I met up with the 3 girls back at the lake for a hamburger, chips and phone number exchanges. They also told me about Dailymile.com, which is basically Facebook for athletes. I joined that and now have 5 friends to motivate me and compete with (opps did I just say compete? I thought I was just doing this for fun)- Please join and find me if you want encouragement, competition or a good laugh at my miles.
I felt so good after this clinic AND the best part of that day was my phone call to my sister Karyn on my way back home to find out she had just ran, run ??? (again not an academic) 18 miles that day and how happy we were for each other that we are both doing things to push us mentally and athletically. We are both so proud of each other and I am happy to have her to keep me motivated!
Needless to say, I pushed myself too hard, got completely dehydrated and now today am feeling semi-normal and will be swimming (hopefully) tonight.
I will keep you posted! Happy exercising!!!
