Week 1; Day 5: Friday

Daily learning / random notes: There is so much to learn about training for a triathlete that I don't know where to start. I mean, how do I keep from turning into a dried prune after swimming? Will my hair get all weird if I don't do special things to it? How do I stay motivated? How do I put on a swim cap and what is it really for? How do I keep my ears dry and healthy (and what does that even mean)?
I got my body fat tested today. I don't think I will share it but now I have a baseline. I promise to share the delta after I get it re-tested after the race.

Total training cost: Today I purchased a punch card at the super nice pool. It cost $65.00 for 10 visits. This brings my total up to: $24.50 + $65.00 = $89.50

Swim:

• Warm up
• Freestyle 50 yards
• Cool down 50 yards

Swim Results:

14 laps of 25 yards = 350 yards. It seemed a tiny bit easier today. I am so surprised that I get sweaty from swimming - don't ask me why. I used my goggles today (which were awesome) and my swim cap (which I don't know how to use).

Bike - 2 miles

Bike Results: Oh, how I did not want to do this. I thought that today was a run / walk day and realized late that it was a bike day. I had a hard time getting motivated to go. But you know what? I love riding my bike. Once I actually got on my bike (with my 2 lights in front and flashing light on my seat stem and my very bright biking jacket with reflectors) tonight, it was wonderful.

Run - off

Week 1; Day 3: Wednesday

Week 1; Day 3: Wednesday

Swim

• Warm up
• Freestyle 50 yards
• Cool down 50 yards

Swim Results

Swam either 16 or 18 laps (over 300 yards). I lost count! I swam at a pool where my kids used to take swim lessons and saw the teacher. She gave me a few pointers which I practiced while I was there. She also let me borrow some goggles since mine won't be here till tomorrow. I realized that I am going to have to get used to goggles. Also, it looks like I will need to wear a wet suit in the actual race and some information I read says to practice in it ahead of time. This seems like a good idea.

Bike - off

Run

Walk for 20 minutes

Run Results

I walked to the grocery store and walked to the soaking pool and I figure that added up to 20 minutes. It was not 20 minutes of brisk walking which is what I would like to start doing.

Daily learning / random notes:
I feel like people want me to succeed. When I contacted the person who runs the gym at my work and told him about what I am doing, he was very encouraging. He is going to check my body fat on Friday (gulp).

I had assumed I would swim freestyle but the swim teacher said she thought you just had to get to the finish line. I will need to check into this.

My friend, N, might do this with me and she was wondering about transitions from one race to the next. I am curious too. Since tomorrow is my day off, maybe I will spend a few minutes trying to find something on You Tube.

Total training cost:
This pool costs $4.00 per visit so my total is now up to $24.50. If I buy a punch card, I will be able to swim for $3.00 per visit but I am not sure if this will be my primary pool or not so I am going to wait to make that decision.

Where am I now?

Everyone has to start somewhere, right? So where am I starting on this journey to a triathlon? I am a 41 year old woman who has three small children and a super smart, funny DH. I work almost full time and am at least 20 pounds overweight. I live in Portland, OR. Because I have three small children and a cool job, I have not made it a priority to work out. I also love to eat. Subsequently, the weight has snuck on. I am conscious of it and I know it is not healthy. I am drawn to the idea of a triathlon because I believe cross-training will be good for my body.

My goals:
* Reduce my percentage of body fat. (It would be easier to say that I wanted to lose 20 pounds but I don't think that is the best assessment).
* Create long term work out habits. (Ones I can carry with me after the race.)
* Compete in a triathlon. (Date is set for August 1, 2009).

Have you ever done a triathlon?