Showing posts with label beginner training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beginner training. Show all posts

Dragonfly Eggs, OWS & Trail Running

Last week we went to my inlaws' "farm" -- FUN time including:
- An open water swim with my husband. Parts of the lake were weedy, creating a kelp-like forest to swim through or across. It reminded me of past vacations to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and to the Seattle Aquarium. Sea Otters are the cutest!

- While the kids splashed around in the pond/mud, I took dragonfly pictures. One dragonfly was pulsing/dipping her tail into the water and laying eggs. My camera has a delay, but it was fun to watch. In the second picture on the top row you can see her body is vertical and touching the pond. I think the dragonfly in the second picture on the bottom row looks like an x-wing starfighter.




- Then, while on a trail run I saw my favorite dragonfly--the big one (see picture bottom left). In April one year this dragonfly hung out by our dryer vent for a few days. I thought it was dead or frozen, but two days later it flew away! Two weeks ago my toddler and I saw another one at the park near our house. I saw one by the pond too, but couldn't catch it with my camera.
I saw the dragonfly near this area of the farm, though this photo was taken in the fall, it's one of my favorite sections to walk, run, jog through with a combination of pines and sand.




- Other dragonflies at the pond.



- Ken with our toddler riding the 4-wheeler (he was going slow, but it made me nervous.)









Questions for You:
- What insect do you like?
- How do you feel about swimming through, on and around weeds?
photos by me

New Socks & A New Salad! Thanks Dustin!

For the past six months I've spent the cool early mornings getting stronger via Dustin Maher's Fit Fun Bootcamp program. I'm lighter, stronger and more fit -- but I expected those things to happen!
Some surprises:
- How light I feel emotionally! A new friend called me ditsy this winter during class, totally cracking me up. Most people would NOT associate me with ditsy, but I can't help being happy when I'm working out with friends. And sometimes when I'm a little tired, and have sleepy mommy brain, funny mixed-up words tumble out!

- Awesome new socks! One of my new bootcamp friends named Trish brought me knee-high socks with cool dots on them! I ♥ getting presents - what a fun & supportive community! Trish has lost 68 pounds and eight inches off her waist! And she does amazing one-armed pushups even in formal wear! Learn more about Trish & Dustin in this news clip.

- I'm doing better with sugar! I stopped buying soda. I drink it occasionally at others' homes, but avoid it most of the week. I'm weaning myself slowly off intense sugar, though I think I'll always ♥ buttercream frosting on birthday cakes!

- I'm enjoying new food. I love trying new things! I've recently made my own Lara-like fruit bars, discovered what Quinoa is thanks to Jessi Stensland & today I made this great crunchy yummy salad after seeing Dustin Maher's blog post. *I used olive oil & vinegar. Check his post out for more great recipes!!

Thanks Dustin & fellow bootcampers! I love these surprises & positive changes. I can't wait to see what's next!





Questions for You:
- What's surprised you recently?
- Do you have cool socks?
- What recipe should I know about?

pictures by me

Chopper, sic'em, Boy! - Things I Wish I Knew

#4 Chopper, sic'em, Boy!
Series: Things I Wish I Knew as a New Triathlete.

In the 1986 movie Stand by Me, a kid named Gordie gets caught taking a shortcut through a junkyard. Milo, the junkyard owner, demands answers and Gordie runs. Milo calls to his dog, "Chopper, sic'em, Boy!" But Gordie hears, "Chopper, sic balls!"

The chase begins.







I'm a dog person. I grew up with dogs as pets. Our family has a Lab named Sherpa . But, as a triathlete, spending miles on the bike and run, I hate dogs. They stalk, chase and terrify me.

The Choppers I've met on the road aren't sweet-hearted Retrievers like in Stand by Me. Instead, my Choppers are nasty, aggressive biters and like Gordie, I run and scream.

I've tried:
- outrunning/outriding the dog(s),
- screaming like a crazy person,
- pretending I'm not actually scared (we know from Jerry McGuire that dogs and bees can smell fear), and
- sacrificing my husband (Ken), making him ride past first.

Ken's not scared. He barks back and thinks that's funny (though he did get bit by a Golden Retriever!). Other triathletes say squirt loose dogs with water.

Read these suggestions & then tell me how you handle a Chopper:
- Stay calm, don't smile & don't run.
If Chopper gets you, curl into a fetal position, stay still and don't scream. More tips here.
- No eye contact! What if the dog jumps? Tips here.
- Don't pet the dog.
- BeginnerTriathlete discusses dogs.
- Even Chihuahuas give a good chase.
- An old but good discussion thread from bikeforums.com.
- Dog vs Bike in the Tour de France here and here.

Tell me, what works for you? Anyone try Crocodile Dundee's custom move? (2nd half of the clip)

In Stand By Me four kids setoff on a journey hoping to find the dead body of a missing boy. The film's trailer says, "For some, it's the last real taste of innocence. And the first real taste of life. But for everyone it's the time that memories are made of."

Like Stand By Me, triathlon is an adventure, filled with memory-making moments. While my bike and run miles may not be Chopper-free, I hope to deny Chopper his first real taste of me.
Bite me Chopper.

Triathlon is a rewarding sport for people of all ages and abilities. 2009 is your year to taste triathlon. As a triathlete, you'll surprise yourself as you face fears and set personal bests. You'll be more confident, have more energy and smile more often. People will be drawn to that difference. Triathlon is a rewarding sport for people of all ages and abilities, wearing underwear is optional. Sleestak sightings rare. Dogs, many.

Check out Why You Can series:Common excuses:
1-I have no time. 2-I can't afford it. 3-I'm too old. 4-I'm afraid. 5-I'm not an athlete.

Also see Series: Things I Wish I Knew As a New Triathlete:
#1 My swimsuit was see-through.
#2 Go Commando: Things I Wish I Knew
#3 Land of the Lost Training

And visit me in active.com's triathlon community. Come say hello, I'm a volunteer moderator!

Yes, You Can - Become a Triathlete in 2009

Tick. Tock. Time's up.

  • No more sitting on the sideline.

  • No more wondering.

  • No more thinking, "I could do that."

It's time. Your time to try a triathlon.

Crossing your first finish line and becoming a triathlete is something you'll never forget. Each triathlon is an experience that lasts beyond race day. The memories will carry you well past the finish line.

Believe me, you want to cross that finish line.

Why not? Triathlon is an experience. It's a great sport for all ages and abilities. The sport of triathlon offers something fulfilling for anyone, elite athletes to couch potato-turned-athletes. Triathlon is for you!

Get up and start moving. Nervous? Good news, there are many great resources out there including:

Active.com's Newbie Triathlete section
10 Tips for First-time Triathletes
Your First Triathlon

Beginner Triathlete.com
10 Most Common Multisport Mistakes

If you are new to exercise, start off easy, be safe. But start! You can do this!

Already a triathlete? Challenge time. Who can you encourage? As you think ahead to 2009, ask a friend to join you as you swim, bike and run. Your encouragement could make the difference!

Photo by Ken Landolt: I trained with my friend Stephanie for her first triathlon last summer. So much fun! Say Yes! to triathlon in 2009!



Your First Triathlon - The Run

Our youngest son will soon take his first steps. Once he learns how to walk, his feet will take him many places. When he's old enough, he may choose to line up with his older brothers and compete in his first youth triathlon.

Triathlon is a great sport for all ages! Our son finished his first youth triathlon when he was five. My friend Mary recently retired from her triathlon career at age 90 (she started in her seventies!)

If you can:

  • swim (15-20 minutes)
  • bike (60 minutes) and
  • walk (45 minutes), you can finish your first triathlon.

A sprint distance triathlon usually includes a .25-mile swim, 15-mile bike and 3.2-mile run. Depending on your goals, and your current fitness level, you can train for a sprint-distance race in 4-6 hours a week, for 6 weeks, as long as you train correctly. Since fitness is specific, you must swim, bike and run. And, you must add time, distance and intensity gradually to avoid injury.

Some things to know about the run segment of your first triathlon:

  1. Love your feet. Wear proper shoes. Running stores can help match you up with the best shoe for your foot. Don't race in brand-new shoes or clothing, try all gear and nutrition out first while training.

  2. Each step counts. Your pace is your business. Great news, each step gets you closer to that finish line! You will get there!

  3. Your legs will feel really heavy. After you get off the bike your legs may feel heavy or a little clumsy. Stay with it and just keep going, it'll get better. And, if you need to, take time to stretch out a little.
  4. Smile and encourage someone. Triathlon is known for its camaraderie. Help other first-time racers get to their first finish lines. Make it a memorable race!

Other pointers:

  • What if I get a cramp? Active Expert Gale Bernhardt discusses race-cramps and workout plans.
  • What if I get a side stitch? Click here for advice.
  • What are three common running mistakes? Check out this Runner's World advice.

Other beginning triathlon links:
Your First Triathlon
Your First Triathlon - The Swim
Your First Triathlon - The Bike
What the Finish Feels Like
Why Triathlon?
Triathlon is an Experience
What I Love about Triathlon
Active.com's Triathlon Community

Don't worry, don't fret, just get outside and give it a try. Take a walk, jog or run down the block. Surprise yourself! Remember my friend Mary, it's never too late to get started doing something new. Please tell me how those first steps go!

Your First Triathlon - The Swim

If the swim leg of a triathlon makes you nervous, you're not alone. Most people thinking about trying triathlon have some issues with the swim.

Good news: the swim is the shortest leg of triathlon's swim-bike-run format. Don't let the swim stop you from trying your first triathlon.
If you can:
- swim (15-20 minutes)
- bike (60 minutes) and
- walk (45 minutes), you can finish your first triathlon.

Some things to know:
1. Any swim stroke is OK. You can use freestyle, breaststroke, back crawl, side stroke or doggy paddle. If you have a panic moment, switch to something that makes you more comfortable.

2. You will get bumped. You may get kicked, scratched, or even run over. Knowing this ahead of time, will make any contact with other swimmers less of a shock. If you are new, or a slow swimmer, start in the back and to the outside. Take a wider path and you'll run into fewer people.

3. Don't forget to breathe. I tend to start off too fast. Everything starts to burn. Then I slow down, focus on breathing and try to swim well vs. fast.

Find more beginner triathlon tips here:
Your First Triathlon
What I Love About Triathlon
Why Triathlon?
Where Does Fear Come From?
7 Steps to Successful Swimming

Enjoy!