35 Pounds Lighter

Back in April and May I wanted to do more than just "run".  I entered the triathlon world.  I remember going to the pool for the first time and only swimming 1-1/2 laps.  I also remember running with all this extra weight.  I started swimming and riding my bike 2-3 times a week (along with running 2 times a week).  I started dropping the extra weight I had accumulated from eating too many tacos while in New Mexico.  I set a weight loss goal by the end of this year, which I haven't hit yet, but I have lost 35 lbs. since since April.

My diet is definitely stricter now, but it's still the hardest part for me.  (I like to eat...the good stuff: fried food, chocolate, french fries, pizza.)  I still haven't had a soda or energy drink since August 1, 2011 and my headaches have nearly vanished (I used to have a headache everyday).

I'm still waking up at 3:30am everyday (minus Sunday) and going to the gym, getting on my bike, swimming in the pool, lifting weights or running on the treadmill.

I'm looking forward to entering 2013 as I continue my road to becoming an Ironman.

 
On a side note, my coach sent me a great "motivational" Christmas Gift this week including my favorite salsa from Albuquerque.  Thanks Scott!

Registration Complete

I finally registered for my 2 largest races of my...well, career so far.  The Half Ironman in Haines City, FL on Sunday, May 19, 2013.  Then, today as I kept hitting refresh on my computer waiting for registration to open (it sells out in less than 10 minutes) I registered and got in for Ironman Arizona scheduled for Sunday, November 17, 2013.  I'm pumped and ready to make this next big 12 month journey (and then hopefully there will be more Ironman races in my future).  Now I need to hit the gym...

My Swimming Continues...

I swam this morning and I'm making progress.  I remember going back in April (2012) for the first time and only being able to swim 1-1/2 laps in the 25 yard pool.  This was definitely going to be a killer for me in the triathlon world.  Today, 5 months later, I swam 40 laps continual in 28 minutes.  I normally try to swim an average of 2 times a week.  I've been keeping my head down more and bringing my hands to my waist/hip in the hand 'rotation'.  I seem to swim better in the 85 degree pool then the 78 degree pool.  I'm not sure if it's cold/heat on the muscles or just a mental thing.  It was a good morning workout.

Sandia Crest Bike Ride

This morning I left the house at 5:15am and arrived at the Tijeras, NM Post Office parking lot at 6:00am.  This is where I began my journey to ride to the top of the Sandia Crest (10,500+ Feet Elevation).  It was a pretty easy 2.5 mile ride to the bottom of Sandia Crest Road.  I began my trek...it was very difficult all the way up.  I was right at 15 miles all the up the hill.   Not many cars past me so it was a very safe ride up the hill.  It took my about 2.5 hours to make it to the top.  On the way, I saw plenty of wild turkey and many mule deer.  Of course the view was amazing!  I tried to hydrate myself all the way up.  At the top, I took a minute break to have a power bar and gel pak.  I started my way back down when I hit a small pot hole and my back tire pretty much blew out.  Fortunately I didn't wreck and I had a spare tube.  This was my first experience of changing a tire.  I sat on the side of the road and changed it pretty quickly.  Going down I rode the breaks because I scared of my spare tube.  I think it took me 25-30 minutes to make it all the way back down.  This was a goal I wanted to accomplish and I did...I'm a little sore, but it was a great great morning.

Almost there...10,400 feet

Mule Deer

My First Mini Triathlon

Today was my first Mini Triathlon.  It took place in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  I had to leave the house this morning at 5:00am.  I ate a Clif Bar and a Banana on the way.  I arrived at 6:15am where I picked up my race packet, grab bag, number, got "marked up", etc.  After that I placed my bike close to the exit of the transition area and put my racing shoes, running shoes, towel, helmet, etc. into place.  I then rode the stationary bike for about 5 minutes, and took a nice little jog around the parking lot.  The race began at 8am.

THE SWIM (4:30)
They lined us up in the order of our swim time we put on the application.  I think I might have guessed wrong because I was #9 out of 130 racers.  The #1 person was a guy that actually made the time trial for the 2004 Olympics (I think he swam his 200 yards in 1:56).  The swimming was definitely the hardest section for me.  I started out way too fast thinking I might get "swam" over if I didn't as we did a traditional serpentine swim down the lanes.  When I finished the 2nd lap I found out real quick that I was in a salt water pool because I took in about a gallon of water.  I was only half way finished when I was totally spent.  I haven't seen the video my coach recorded yet, but I know it wasn't pretty.  I felt like I was doggy paddling the last 2 laps.  I was just wanting to get out of the pool.  I did make it through the 'swim' and then made my way to the transition area where I put my socks, shoes, and helmet on.

THE BIKE (41:20)

I wasn't sure if I should wear gloves, but I did.  Mounted the bike and off I went on the 11.22 mile bike ride.  I was totally out of breath (trying to recover from the swim) but I kept on pushing.  The ride was up and down and had to shift gears often.  The last couple of miles was down hill which was very nice.  The one thing I noticed on the bike ride was the change of altitude (we were at 6700 feet).  As I came in to the transition area I had a problem trying to get my right foot out of my pedal but after that I walked into the area to put my bike away and put my running shoes on.

The Bike Elevation

THE RUN (26:53)
I was nervous about this transition but it actually felt pretty good.  I ran the 5k in about 28 minutes which wasn't too bad.  The run was pretty easy, it was up hill and then turned around and ran back down the hill for the second half of the race.

The 5k Run

 














I ended up finishing 2nd in my age and took home some hardware from my first triathlon. 
My total time was 1:16:14 minutes (200 yard swim, 11.4 Mile bike, 5k Run).  I felt great after the race and ready to do more!

Great Bike Ride

This morning I had a great morning bike ride.  This was my longest distance yet.  I rode 42 miles with an average of 3:50/mile.  It was very "hilly" going out and coming back was obviously a lot easier (more downhills).  I can tell a huge difference in using my bike shoes, it's a different motion/set of muscles especially going uphill.  I was used to having stirrups, now I'm locked in.  I'm still trying to figure out the right nutrition/hydration while riding longer rides.  I've got a great coach now who will be teaching me those particular things.  Overall, I feel great after this ride.  I'm going to take it easy this weekend as I will be participating/competing in my first triathlon on Monday morning in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  This is a "mini" triathlon...more to come on Monday afternoon.

Swimming Day

Today was a tough day.  Have you ever woken up and just felt like not working out.  That was this morning.  I've been suffering a sinus infection and I'm just tired.  I went ahead to the pool this morning and I haven't swam in over a week.  I did however swim 1/2 mile this morning in about 15 minutes.  My total weight loss this summer has been 32 pounds.  I'm hoping to lose a total of 50 by the end of this year.  Like I said before swimming is probably my weakest area. 

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" - Philippians 4:13.

New Shoes/Bike Ride

I have been riding my bike for a month now.  I love bike riding!  I have now converted from stirrups to Cleats/Pedals.  This seems to have made a huge difference in my riding.  The only thing I'm trying to get use to is un-clipping my shoe from the pedal in enough time at the red lights so I don't fall over with my shoes still in my pedals at a complete stop....yes that almost happened tonight!  My easy rides now are 20-25 miles.  I normally ride 15-16 miles per hour.  I am working on riding more hills...which seems to be my weak area.  This is a picture of what most of my rides look like here in the wild wild west. 

Swimming

I started swimming 4 months ago.  I remember going to the pool for the first time and swimming 1-1/2 laps...that's it.  I was exhausted. My goal was to swim at least 30 minutes by the end of my little punch card for the Aquatic Center.  At the end of my punch card, I finally made it 30 minutes in the pool.  I was up to a one mile swim.  This is probably my weakest area in the 3 sports.  I try to swim at least 3 times a week. 

My Journey Begins

I started running a few years ago with the training most people have done "Couch to 5k".  I remember my first race...I was so nervous and just hoping I would be able to finish my first 5k race.  I trained and finished the race.  After that I was hooked.  I continued doing more 5k races which lead to 10k races.  I then decided to go for the BIG one...a Marathon.  I did some research on which one to run and decided to run the Rock n Roll San Diego Marathon in June 2010.
 

It wasn't by best race, but I finally ran and completed my first Marathon!  I remember crossing the finish line and saying to myself, "I will never do that again".  I then went back to San Diego in 2012, ran the half-marathon and did much better.

After finishing that race and other half marathons, I needed something more...I wanted to complete a half ironman (70.3).  I then talked with a Triathlon coach and I've decided to train and complete a Full Ironman (140.6) next year, 2013.  And so the ironman journey begins...