Strong Journey

The drama of the swim continues! This week has been an up and down as far as my swim sessions have gone.  One day was ended by what is supposed as an asthma attack, two days later was a success in the beautiful waters of Lake Merwin only to be followed two days later by a shortened session because I just couldn't do it without the support of a kayak - What the heck?!   I have concluded that my physical issues are possibly brought on by my mental issues.  Though I don't like for my face to be in the water for the amount of time it takes to swim over a mile, it does seem doable when I know there is help close by.  The constant battle of pushing myself past the point of being so incredibly uncomfortable brings a whole heap of ups and downs in my emotions and confidence.  At this point, as crazy as it may seem, I am not willing to give up.   Having only two weeks until the day of the race it is my plan to be in the water as many days as possible betw...

Happy Mother's Day! My Mom, my inspiration.  For as long as I can remember my Mom has exercised everyday!  As a little kid I would see her first thing in the morning completing her routine of keeping herself in shape.    She would kill me for saying this, but she will be 80 in September.  I don't know if you can see from this picture, but she doesn't look anywhere close to her age!  The posture she has had forever is still that of being very straight.  Her strength is impressive and something she continues to work on.  I have always been impressed with her fitness, but as I get older it becomes that much more of a testament to how exercise adds to the quality of life as the years roll on.   Today as you begin your routine I challenge you to think of how you are preparing for the rest of your life.   Keep moving and enjoy the day! Monday: 10 minute warm-up 5 rounds: 50 Mountain climbers 10 push ups 25 sit - ups 3...

Today I had a big day workout which turned out to be huge accomplishment for me!  It started with a one mile swim in the lake at 7:00am.  Followed by an hour and a half rest and then a 3 hour bike!  Another hour and a half rest before the finishing touch of an hour run!  Pretty much a triathlon day! The swim, of course, was the portion that kept me awake most of last night.  I have yet to complete the mile in open water without stopping or experiencing some weird breathing attack.  Today, however, with a couple of puffs on a pre-race inhaler, a whole lot of determination, and Charlie with me on his paddle board - I did it!  This might not seem like much to someone who is comfortable in the open water, but this is a HUGE personal accomplishment for me.  As of last week, due to a horrible time in the water, I had pretty much pulled myself out of the upcoming Ironman 70.3  I am registered for.  Convinced I was in way over my head, bo...

Take a break! Refresh, Reset, and Regroup ;-)

Training for the impossible Swimming in the open water has been a fear and something I have failed at in my attempts.  So why in the world would I ever think that a triathlon is a good idea, much less a half ironman?!  Over the past 9 weeks the focus of my workouts has been that which seems impossible.  Swimming 1.2 miles and then riding my bike for a 55 miles followed by a half marathon is beginning to seem like a bad idea. The lack of time I have to commit to the training causes me to think that maybe "I can't" do that which seems impossible.   But you know what?  I have found another life lesson in this process.  So much in life can seem beyond us, yet if we continue on we find that what has kept us from success most has been what is in our head.  Thinking of all the perceived impossible dreams I have, and have had, throughout my life I see more than once where it all worked out so much greater than I could have even imagined and was an opp...

Monday: 10 minute warm-up - full body mobility 40 minute bike - pedal at a moderate pace and then every 10 minutes go fast for 30 seconds 40 push-ups 100 sit-ups Tuesday: 10 minute warm-up 40 minute run - Every 10 minutes run fast for 30 seconds 50 walking lunges 100 scissor kicks Wednesday: 30 - 60 minutes of yoga Thursday: 10 minute warm-up 5 mile run - Stop and complete 25 squats at every mile - Try to keep a faster then slow pace ;-) 50 hollow arch holds Friday: 10 minute warm-up 40 minute bike, row, or elliptical - Choose one to stay with the entire time and try and hold a steady pace 50 bench dips 100 sit-ups Saturday: 10 minute warm-up 5 - 10 mile run at a comfortable pace

Eagerly look for what's ahead! Monday:  10 minute warm-up     Upper body, core, and cardio, stretch  5 rounds:            5 push ups.            5 dips            4 minute row or bike - 1 minute easy, 1 minute fast, 1 minute easy, 1 minute fast            25 sit-ups            25' Bear Crawl - Forward and Back            4 minute row or bike - 1 minute easy, 1 minute fast, 1 minute easy, 1 minute fast                           Cool down on bike, elipticle, or walk *7 stretches for runners Tuesday:     Run, legs, stretch         10 minute fast walk to warm up, full body mobility          2 rounds:   ...