Gettin' into the Groove

I'm now in week 3 of training and I'm starting to get into my groove again. Now this doesn't mean that I'm still NOT tired nor does it mean that I'm any better at any of the three sports. What it means is that I've accepted training as being part of my daily/weekly routine. I have no problems getting up in the morning and going to swim at the Aquatics Center, no matter how late I get up and I have no problems with Saturday morning trainings. All in all, training is moving right along and I just hope to get faster and in better shape as the months continue and not get sucked into all of the Holiday feasts that will be looming over my head or better yet, my tummy!

The Swim
It's getting a lot better. I no longer have to stop and breath at the end of the 25m length, I can continue on. I have yet to dive into the 50m pool though. It's just so cold and is always full. I am also a little intimidated by the seemingly "faster" swimmers that swim there. Last Tuesday we did a drill that helped rotate your body, I think this drill will help me breath on my left side. Currently I can only take breaths on my right side resulting in a breath only taken at every second or fourth stroke. Ideally I could take a breath at every 3rd stroke alternating sides. I'm still the slowest person in my lane during our team swims but I'm okay with that. I'm just a girl trying to get to the other side of the pool =)

The Bike
I did a short ride with Bernie and Gabe last weekend after practice. It was just down our usual route, the LA River Trail. I think we did 7-8 miles? We casually cruised on our bikes just to get back into the swing of things. I luckily didn't fall as I am getting more confident with my bike clips. I also made it through the gate without getting off of my bike, a big accomplishment for me.... hahah Next test will be if I can get up that DAMN hill by myself when need be. I will be channeling the power of Coach Ludo the first time I attempt it this season =p

The Run
Well... I still HATE it =) Last week we ran for 40 minutes. Not far for those of us that walk a big part of it. I had to use the bathroom before I started my run so I was exhausted just trying to catch up to the last group that took off. Once I finally reached them, they were doing 2/2's 2 min walk/2 min run. I was keeping up but cursing at the same time. We eventually slowed it down to 1/1 and with a small sprint to the finish at the end.

All in all, I'm happy with how things are going. I'm taking my training seriously and hope to be confident before I leave for Hawaii. I'm really excited about this race so I intend to keep up with my training. Sorry no funny stories yet, we have our first team bike practice this Saturday (if the weather permits) so there my be some funny stories next time =)

Fundraising update
I currently have a check for $1500 that has yet to be deposited. I will be turning that in this weekend so I hope it will be in my account this week. I will be participating in a group fundraiser at 55 Degree Wine on Friday, Dec. 3rd. It'll be $30 for a tasting of 4 wines with 50% going to my fundraising! If you don't have plans, come out and join me and support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. There's going to be a great Silent Auction as well! Hope to see you there!

Friday, December 3 · 7:00pm - 10:00pm
55 Degree Wine & Lounge
111 Glendale Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA

http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/lavatri11/jalbaa

Training with new goals

Ok so here's the plan. Raise $3675 (got $1500 already), go to Hawaii and do Lavaman, continue to train after the season is done, maybe do a few half marathons and maybe the Malibu tri again and then Sign up with TNT for the Half Ironteam 2012 and raise about $4000+.

Seems like a far fetched "dream" at the moment but I think I can do it.

Step one, start running. HA! As most of you know, I HATE running and have convinced myself and others that I'm a faster, more efficient walker than runner. Even though I still believe this is true, I must start running. I can tell you though, that I do at least run a little, very little. But it's better than nothing! So last Sunday, I met up with my pal Mary at Santa Monica for a short run. we ran about 45 minutes or so, of course not together, I can't keep up with the ironwoman in training! But it's always nice to know that you have someone out there with you, even though they aren't running next to you. So I tried to do 2 minutes walk and then 2 minutes run. I did pretty well a majority of the time for about 30 minutes, I was able to keep that up but then my mind started playing tricks on me. So i ended up falling back to 2.5 walk and 1.5 run. Which was very comfortable. I'm hoping to get to 3/1 by the end of the month but that might be asking for too much.

Step two: get back on my bike! My bike has been sitting on my trainer in my living room all summer. I've gotten on it about.... hmmmm.... ONCE! I know, I'm bad. I need to get it tuned up and fitted perfectly. I will take it in soon. I'm doing better with the clips, not 100% comfortable but about 85-90% good. Just don't make me come to a halting stop, and I'll be fine =) Bernie and I will be going for ride on Saturday after practice just to get back into the swing of things.

Step three: start swimming regularly! I've renewed my membership at the Rose Bowl, a wooping $60/month! But it's the only place I feel comfortable swimming at and it's just so darn convenient! I've gone a few times and am loving my waterproof ipod! I'm still slow but I know I just need to get back into shape which will take some time.

So that's the update on my status with the three sports. Basically, I need to get my arse in gear and start training seriously! Did I mention that I can't wear a wetsuit at lavaman!!!! Ugh, maybe I should add a "step four: learn how to tread water" ... hahah!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/lavatri11/jalbaa

New Team, New Season, New Distance, New Possiblities!

I will begin to blog about my training once again. In the meantime, why don't you check out our team's website.

http://eastsidetrispring.blogspot.com/

Also, I'll be training and fundraising for Lavaman, if you want to make a donation online please visit: http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/lavatri11/jalbaa

Thanks! I'll be back soon!

My new team