Training: Week 1
My training is going pretty well so far. Unfortunately all last week the pool was closed for maintenance, so instead of doing the first week routine that was laid out, I basically just ran every other day. I'm glad I'm following a training regimen, though, because normally my runs consist of "go here, then here, then go home", all at whatever pace I can do comfortably. Sometimes I'll throw in a sprint near the end, but that's it. The routine I'm working with has me set different paces based on how much effort I'm putting forth. They have three "zones" laid out. Zone 1 is when you can basically carry on a complete conversation while working out. Zone 2 is when you can get a few words in-between breaths. Zone 3 is where you're largely unable to talk, you just breathe. So far my runs have only consisted of Zones 1 & 2, which I've worked out as 4-step breaths and 3-step breaths. At let me tell you, even running my usual two miles using these varied paces is quite the workout for me. I don't know if it was a fluke or not, but when I weighed myself Friday morning, I had apparently dropped 5 lbs. I'm guessing it's a fluke, but I've already changed my diet to some extent, so who knows?
I finally managed to get a swim in this morning. Let me just say that I'm REALLY glad that I bought a wetsuit, 'cause it was fucking cooooold! I don't know what the temperature was (outside OR in the water), but I could see my breath when I'd pop up. The wetsuit definitely did its job, though. The parts of my body which were covered were significantly warmer than my extremities. So much so that it took a good 5 minutes in a warm shower until the water stopped making my fingers burn. The suit is VERY tight, though, which I suppose is how it's supposed to be? I'm just not used to wearing anything that's quite so form-fitting, and it really doesn't leave much to the imagination... It also reinforces the fact that I have NO butt to speak of. It definitely provides a little extra incentive to get into shape before this thing takes place. Gotta look good in my wetsuit! Actually, the wetsuit doesn't make me quite as self-conscious as the running/biking gear does. The wetsuit at least has the common decency to help me suck everything in. My running/biking gear is snug without putting forth the extra effort to make it LOOK like I fit properly in them. Theoretically I COULD run/bike in normal workout clothes, but I would imagine that anything I'm wearing during the swim portion would have to be skin-tight to wear under my wetsuit, not to mention be at least somewhat water-resistant. I have 10 more weeks of training to get into shape, so I'm not TOO worried. Just gotta keep up with my diet.
This weekend we went shopping for the last piece of equipment that I needed, which of course is a bike. Not having owned a bike in well over 15 years, and not having regularly ridden one in more than 5, I went into the local bike shop not knowing a damn thing, other than what I wanted. Based on my initial declaration (I need a bike for an upcoming triathlon), the bike-guy recommended me a road bike, which started in the $1200 range. Since I wanted to be able to use my bike for trail riding (so I can finally take Paco up on his offer), I poo-pooed that idea (as well as the price tag). He then steered me towards a style of bike with extra-large wheels (I believe he said 21" in diameter?), which would roll over things easily on the trail, as well as require less pedaling on the streets. I took it out for a spin, and when I gave it an initial kick-off, the bike nearly took off from under me. I never thought that it would take such little effort to get going on a bike, but this was pretty amazing. It's priced a little outside what I was hoping to pay (it would have been nice had it been within the "stimulus-package" price range), but I feel that it will be worth it, as this bike should last me 20 years if I treat it right. They had to put one on order for me, 'cause they didn't have a frame that fit my size, but next week I should have my very own, brand-new bike! Huzzah!
I finally managed to get a swim in this morning. Let me just say that I'm REALLY glad that I bought a wetsuit, 'cause it was fucking cooooold! I don't know what the temperature was (outside OR in the water), but I could see my breath when I'd pop up. The wetsuit definitely did its job, though. The parts of my body which were covered were significantly warmer than my extremities. So much so that it took a good 5 minutes in a warm shower until the water stopped making my fingers burn. The suit is VERY tight, though, which I suppose is how it's supposed to be? I'm just not used to wearing anything that's quite so form-fitting, and it really doesn't leave much to the imagination... It also reinforces the fact that I have NO butt to speak of. It definitely provides a little extra incentive to get into shape before this thing takes place. Gotta look good in my wetsuit! Actually, the wetsuit doesn't make me quite as self-conscious as the running/biking gear does. The wetsuit at least has the common decency to help me suck everything in. My running/biking gear is snug without putting forth the extra effort to make it LOOK like I fit properly in them. Theoretically I COULD run/bike in normal workout clothes, but I would imagine that anything I'm wearing during the swim portion would have to be skin-tight to wear under my wetsuit, not to mention be at least somewhat water-resistant. I have 10 more weeks of training to get into shape, so I'm not TOO worried. Just gotta keep up with my diet.
This weekend we went shopping for the last piece of equipment that I needed, which of course is a bike. Not having owned a bike in well over 15 years, and not having regularly ridden one in more than 5, I went into the local bike shop not knowing a damn thing, other than what I wanted. Based on my initial declaration (I need a bike for an upcoming triathlon), the bike-guy recommended me a road bike, which started in the $1200 range. Since I wanted to be able to use my bike for trail riding (so I can finally take Paco up on his offer), I poo-pooed that idea (as well as the price tag). He then steered me towards a style of bike with extra-large wheels (I believe he said 21" in diameter?), which would roll over things easily on the trail, as well as require less pedaling on the streets. I took it out for a spin, and when I gave it an initial kick-off, the bike nearly took off from under me. I never thought that it would take such little effort to get going on a bike, but this was pretty amazing. It's priced a little outside what I was hoping to pay (it would have been nice had it been within the "stimulus-package" price range), but I feel that it will be worth it, as this bike should last me 20 years if I treat it right. They had to put one on order for me, 'cause they didn't have a frame that fit my size, but next week I should have my very own, brand-new bike! Huzzah!