Just keep swimming

I was sure I used this title for a previous blog post but I didn't see it anywhere....while looking though I a few past blogs caught my eye. I am amazed at how far I have come and the change in me both physically, emotionally and spiritually. To think of where I was in all those areas of life when this all started to where I am now! I also don't know what would have happened to me had I not got off the couch and started! Especially when my brother passed...I read how I ran 7 miles on his birthday WOW! I remember that day, I also remember the day of his memorial I ran 5 miles. There is something about that time I spend alone training that brings me a great peace. As a EXTREMELY busy single mom I think it's the only me time and time with God I really get. My days are so full and not regrettably, it just it what it is.

So running seems to be my go to place BUT that needs to change AND FAST! In just 4 short months (or regular months actually-the length of days is not different...just seems that way) I have to swim one mile in the ocean in Hawaii!!!! The pool needs to be my new happy place! I am not a strong swimmer...I suck at swimming!!! I have yet to do much but back stroke and doggie paddle through my races. I need and want that to change. I'm not sure how I assume that will happen when I avoid the pool as much as possible!!!

I know better, I know I need to swim to get better. There was a time when 3 miles was torture for me to run, but as I said before I found a 7 mile and 5 mile run soothing after I stuck with it! I need to just get in and start where I am at and just keep swimming!

It is a lot easier to just run then it is to just swim. With swimming you have to have a suit, goggles, cap, towel, flip flops and you have to SHAVE haha Not to mention you have to go out in the cold and jump in the cold pool (ok that is not always the case but it is right now). Ideally I would like to swim during the day BUT as a homeschooler I have to put school as the priority each day and it takes FOREVER...there is never any gym time left before work in my day. SO that means I have to get in the pool during my normal gym time 5:30 am BRRRRRRR also means I have to give up some of the other workouts I enjoy like boot camp.

I came up with a plan though! I could no longer put off getting in the pool it was time to swim! So when time changed last week I decided this was an opportunity for me to trick my body into more time to work out. If I got up an hour early my body wouldn't know any better and I could swim prior to my 530 work out. Well Monday came and I packed all my stuff to swim and to change and do boot camp. I got to the pool and to be honest realized the 70 degree water was probably going to feel better then the 45 degree cold air outside the pool.

I jumped in and swam. My stamina SUCKED but I did it. I just swam a 100 yards at a time and rested. I'm just glad I did it. You what ended up being the hardest part was getting out!! It was FREEZING, I'm sure as we get into winter this will only be worse. Luckily the jacuzzi is open and give me a chance to defrost before I go work out.

I tried this routine Tuesday too BUT I had worked out too much Monday and my body was TIRED. Today was awesome though and I did it! I know I can keep this up and even some days swim instead of boot camp as my workouts get longer in the pool. I am very confident now that I can keep this up and eventually I will rock that Lavaman swim....

NOW I need to figure out how to get on my bike and not fall and not be scared of that!!!

Team in Training

I had to switch blog apps...very frustrating that I typed this blog out & it was lost, my second attempt at it I only re-wrote a portion & it was lost :(
I know I have talked about the Lavaman race since my blog started almost...so much happened to get me to this moment where I find myself on the team!
Now everything is happening FAST! Training has begun, donations are coming in (thank you!), letters are going out, my 1st fundraiser is coming up!
Our training season began last week with the kick off event. There was a TnT rally where we were introduced to our honorary teammate Bianca a young cancer survivor in remission. A rep from LLS talked with us about how the fundraising we do impacts blood cancer patients & research. We also were shown the TnT swag we earn for reaching fundraising milestones. Some of it doesn't motivate me BUT there is a sweatshirt I would like ;)
After the rally we went to the triathlon meeting & went over with coach the basic training schedule & bike rental/purchase options. This was followed by a fundraising workshop.
It is a lot to take in all at once & hard to believe that in just 4 months the race will be here.
One thing that is looming over me and definitely making we nervous is my schedule prevents me from doing a lot of training with the team. Swim workouts are Mon and Wed nights starting Dec 28th i will be able to attend every other Wed. I feel like I will be so behind! I will never make the track workouts on Tues evenings. The open water swims on Sundays I will make it to every other weekend swim. What I will be able to do it go to ALL but one Saturday morning workout. The bike & brick trainings! I have been told these are the most important!

Our first Sat training was this week. It was not a physical training it was a clinic. Coaches had a different station set up for each sport & transition& a fundraising info table. I had done my long mileage run right before this (10miles) & the first thing when I arrived they snapped a picture if me for the team website! :-/ Then I got my official team card & swim cap!
The card proves we are current member of TNT & allows us discounts some places & lists all the coach/mentors contact info.
The stations were to help us know which gear we MUST have, what is nice to have & what is pointless! I did actually learn quite bit!

After the clinic there was an abs session, led by my mentor Kristen. She said "& I'm going to have Katie come help me demonstrate" ?!?!!!!! Wow nothing like being put on the spot in front of 60+ strangers. Luckily for the most part I didn't make a fool o myself. They did a small run after that but I had to go somewhere by noon. It is pretty exciting finally getting started & scary too!!!

San Diego Biggest Loser

Well I am at it again! Another weight loss competition has begun! I wish that I was kicking this challenge off where I left off last time...sadly I'm up 15lbs from lowest weight.
This challenge is an individual competition via Facebook. I'm approaching this with the same determination I have in the past, what I am doing different this time is approaching this as a lifelong commitment!
Last time I said I can do anything for 6 weeks which proved to be true...sadly after 6 weeks I slowly returned to my old habits & the weight slowly came back on :(
This time I'm doing this as the catapult to permanently change my relationship with food,FINALLY get to my goal weight AND STAT THERE!!!
Here is my weight in before picture



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Lavagirl

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sd/lavatri12/kmasonjccd#My-Fundraising-Page

Please check out my Team in Training page! I'm really happy with how it turned out. I hope to find the time to update it during training.
So about this whole TNT & Lavaman race...
Let me back up awhile.. maybe after my first triathlon, the mini super sprint. I met Jeanie from work, she did the ironman. She began to share with me her passion for triathlons. She patiently took me on my first open water swim & first ride on my bike. She has raced with TNT & been a mentor for a few years. She suggested I look into the group. At the time I had no interest in fundraising for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). She also told me I HAD to do the Lavaman. That it is such an awesome race! (she also wants me to do an ironman someday as well).
All these ideas/suggestions were pushed to the back of my mind as I had which ever upcoming race & you know my life as a single, working, home schooling, training mom forefront.
Then my brother got sick & I did the Rock n Roll marathon. That races raises funds for LLS. it is the biggest TNT race event each year. There were TNT members from all over the continent in the race! I believe somewhere around $300,000 dollars was raised for LLS (don't quote me!)
What was really cool that I saw on the race was the support TNT members had. There were coaches all along the route encouraging & helping their team members. They had their own cheering squads. They barely went half a mile with out someone there for them in some capacity.
I knew I was going to at some point join TNT. my good friend Deana did the Rock n Roll marathon twice with TNT & all along had described to me what I saw first hand.
Then Jeanie told me coach Gurujan the TNT tri coach was retiring after this years Lavaman season & now was the time to do it. Not only that but because Coach is leaving everyone is trying to get on the team & there is limited spots.
It came down to a few days where I needed to decide if I was in or out. & even if I was IN I may not get IN the race!
I woke one of those mornings & didn't wanna go but went to the gym. I trained with my friends Kathy & Nancy. I was going to Kathy's for coffee after but first I had to get a run in. Well I didn't have to...that is the thing with working out & training you never HAVE to do anything. It's a choice to put get out of bed & put one foot in front of the other. So I went on my run & as usual once I got going & pushed through the blahs it was a good run. As I ran I thought about my brother & how it must of been to wake up every morning not wanting to be sick, not wanting to fight for his life. I realized I HAD to get on the TNT team, I had to do everything I could to honor his memory.
I emailed & called TNT. I told my story & desire to get on the team. I was given the details: there was 65 spots for Lavaman team & unlimited spots on the local Superseal race. The team registration opens 10/4 & bibs will be assigned first come first serve. Anyone not on Lavaman team will be wait listed & put on Superseal team. Everyone will train together & if spots open for Lavaman people will be added to team.
I stayed up past midnight on 10/3 & sent in my registration! Within a day or two I found out I got the spot!
What I think i was really worried about is the commitment. I am basically consuming my life for 20 weeks with training & fundraising for this race! It is also the longest triathlon I will ever do! Olympic distance .9 mile swim, 24.8 mile bike, 6.2 mile run.
Once on the team we got our websites & join the team yahoo email group. This is where we get all the info for trainings, group meet ups, other team members Fundraisers. We are assigned a mentor to help get us through the whole process!
Our first team meeting was at Rock Bottom Brewery (practicing what they call the 4th event) it was very festive! I got there not knowing anyone & figured out who coach G was. I went up & introduced myself. He was VERY nice & asked how I came to TNT. I told him about my brother & brief race history & my commitment to honor Noel.
The formal part of the evening started with Julie the triathlete manager getting up & giving a few details & then she introduced coach. He got up & started with his thank you's first he thanked his long time girlfriend. Next he thank Katie (yes ME) he said I actually just met Katie & we spoke only a few minutes. But she is here representing all of you. She lost her brother to leukemia in December. This is her first season with TNT. All of us are here because like her our lives have been impacted by blood cancers. It was an emotional moment for me but also how I want this experience to be.
I was able to meet my mentor Kristen & her husband. I can tell this is a fun group & I've been assured I will be more than ready for my race.
I got the training schedules & must admit looking ahead to the final 40 mile bike ride, the 2 mile ocean swim & the practice tri at moonlight beach (where tri-Kate panicked & got out of water) seem impossible! I have the added challenge of not being able to make A LOT of the workouts! They are in the evenings when I work. I will be able to attend every Saturday am workout (I've been told the most crucial). Track workouts are Tues nights I will miss all those :( Swim workouts are Monday & Wednesday nights. I will be able to go twice a month on Wednesdays. Open water swims start in January on Sunday afternoons & I will make a few of those.
I know the 20 weeks is gonna fly by. I'm praying for God to guide me through this & help me keep balanced. The fundraising is daunting but I have some good ideas & events planned. I'm confident in the end everything will come together in God's timing.

Time Out

I got put in time out...I was completely down for the count for a week. Started with a fever and head cold symptoms on Monday, then Tuesday I realized I couldn't work cause my cough and voice wouldn't work 6 hours. Wednesday I went to the Dr and was taken off work through Friday got put on antibiotics for sinus infection and ear infection. By Friday I was still now well so the Dr extended the work leave through Sunday. That is 7 whole days off work!!!
This also meant 7 days of no gym!!!
That is by the longest break I have ever taken off from any excercise of any kind. Add to that I really slacked off the week before, I felt like I was losing my drive!
What bad timing I felt like! I JUST signed up for the biggest race yet! I've blogged about it and talked about it for years now-LAVAMAN 2012. I have thought about joining Team in Training and raising money for the Leukemia Society in memory of my brother.
I was a good girl and rested rested rested AND it turned out that it gave me lots of time to take care of some stuff that I probably would have not been able to do for awhile.
I set up my fundraising website, sent out some emails, got started on my fundraiser planning.
I also used the time to mentally regroup myself. I had totally fallen off the good eating train! I have gained 13 pounds back from what I lost. It is so frustrating and disappointing to allow myself to backslide so far. I decided that I was gonna hit the ground running once I was well.
I thought about my success in the past and the will power and determination I had. I also know what worked to keep me on track was my food journal! I also never missed a work out! Yet just a week ago I skipped a few!
I am not kicking myself for my relapse at all...I understand it happens. BUT I also know I need to get back in "the zone". I want to do this next triathlon lean and fitter then ever.
I got a food journal because the iPhone apps I tried to use just arent time effective for me. I commited to starting Monday. It went well for the whole week (well better then I have been) I made more workouts AND I have donations coming in from my website.
I reflected on my time out and there was so much good that came from it. The first thing was the amount of time I got to be with my kids so much! I definitely enjoyed not having to go to work, too bad I couldn't do much else then lay on couch. I spent a lot of time thinking about my brother and why I am doing all this. I am of course doing it for me to be healthier and happier but also to honor my brother.

Trying something different

This week I took a friends offer & joined her at Crossfit. I guess you could say it's the new thing in fitness. These gyms are popping up all over. I can't exactly explain it all that great. It's a cross between a personal trainer, boot camp, circuit work out place???? I was excited to try it AND see how I measured up! They have 2 levels of work outs and the goal is to improve the time it takes to do specific exercises. They post on the walls the top achievers of each exercise AND even have crossfit competitions (I've been told it is shown on espn).
You arrive at crossfit and the warm up along with the level 1 and level 2 workouts are posted on a white board. After you finish the warm up that consists of cardio, plyometrics and stretching the trainer goes over the work out and starts the timer. I ended up going 3 times this past week. It was the most intense workouts I have ever done. The first day we did rowing machine 500 yards, dead lifts 12 times and 21 box jumps, 3 rounds!!! It took an hour total but the workout which is timed was 25 minutes or so. I could not believe the work out I got in such a small amount of time. I like someone else making the plan and just following it and the ide
of improving each time & competition (top acheivers in each excercise are posted on the wall). I headed back for more the next day. This work out was a 1 mile run, then 10 burpees, 20 sit ups 5 rounds!!! followed by another 1 mile run. We had chose the level 2 work out. I was sweating like mad! So much the owners wife showed concern and told me dont worry about doing it all just do as much as you can. I was fine I told her. I should come with a sweat disclaimer.
Saturday I did my long run and was done with crossfit but that day I had hooked up my friend Becky to go to the free class with my girl. Becky loved it and wanted to go back for the class on Sunday (every Sunday 10am is a free session). It was a partner work out so I agreed to go along. Becky is one of the most fit people from Jason's B Cubed. She and I were both feeling way out of shape in this class. As partners you had to complete one at time together 100 kettle bell swing, 100meter fireman carry, 150 pushups, 100 m fire man carry, 100 push presses, 100 m fire man carry and then 150 split lunge jumps (hate this the most of anything in the whole world). It was BRUTAL. As I type this 2 days later I am still barely able to move.
The crazy thing is I love the way this feels! It is definitely the next level in fitness and something I wish I could get into. There is no way I could afford the fees $150 per month. While the value is there I just dont have the $ and I would be concerned about getting my money's worth when I also have to tri-train.
I am just so busy with my life, work , mommy, homeschool etc. Working out has to fill in to my little bit of free time.
I am so glad that I tried it and will definitely take many more free classes. I just dont plan to pay for it anytime soon.



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Details details

In my haste to get another completed blog on my page I missed some details...
Wave #5
The first wave in the race was military & public service. 2nd was the fundraising team for the colitis foundation (the race charity). Not sure what 3 & 4 were but our wave was the first all female group.
As we were waiting there was so many chicks in my group that were first timers. I found myself telling THEM you will be fine, once you get through the swim it's easy, by the time you get to the run you won't even remember swimming. I suggested getting a swim buddy to them.
Everyone has friends with the or significant others waiting with them until go time & here I was alone & pumping up complete strangers!!! It was very surreal :)
Swim buddy
I also got myself a swim buddy. & since I told everyone to get one I made sure to grab one before they ran out! Turns out the swim buddy I had either wasn't experienced or was not good :( We introduced ourselves & hopped in the water & he was just sort of there. When we started he just swam along not even right next to me but like 6 feet away. He didn't say anything while all the other swim buddies were talking their racers through each stroke. I just kept plugging along realizing he was kinda a lost cause. Then as we got around the last buoy another swim buddy asked him to keep an eye on another racer as he was going to help the laggers. So at that point I was still a ways from the finish but didn't even want that buddy anymore. It was shortly after that I saw my cheering squad & made my final dog paddle to the end of the swim


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