Girls in Skirts

Skirt Controversy

Why I do it

A quote from triathlonmom.blogspot.com (1.5.09):

This is not the first time that training and triathlons have helped me turn an important corner in my life. I try to remember why I swam across the Chesapeake Bay and why I've decided I will do an Ironman one day. It is because I can. I have the dream, the desire, and the drive to conquer my biggest fears. To be stronger than I ever thought I could be. And to always do the right thing no matter how much it hurts. Without triathlons, I'm not sure that I'd know how to bear this pain. But they have taught me to look to the finish, to see the big picture, to keep perspective and to keep my head up. They have taught me that my strength can be found in helping others and in confronting my biggest fears.

She says it all.

It all becomes clear

So I was swimming at Fanny Chapman tonight, remembering my swim coach Ken's instruction to me during our first lesson last week: you want to make yourself as streamlined and balanced as possible, so much so that you are flat on the water, and your strokes will become more efficient with less effort. And they were...in fact, the more I relaxed, let my head drop in the water, had my hands enter in about 5 inches down, and tried to grab the invisible stick in front of me (he had me practice with a real one), the better I swam and the less effort I had to exert. The same workout I normally do was easier tonight than it has been in a while. I still haven't mastered the breathing part of this new technique, but I did learn a lesson: I don't always need to work my hardest to get a good result. If I have the right technique, the right fuel, the right attitude, everything I do will get easier. Despite what I constantly tell myself, everything doesn't have to be a struggle.

Funny too, I finally decided to go forward and do an aquathon for the Ocean City tri...heeding the advice of my chiropractor...and then my friend Todd said he might as well do the sprint now too, and I ran/walked today for the first time in a week or so, and I did not feel pain...it felt good. Guess I was so stressed about the run next month that it was painful just thinking about it and that translated into more pain in my training. Letting go and deciding I could go easy on myself allowed me to release that stress, and perhaps made for a better workout today...Ill let you know what happens on Wed when I try to run again.

Zen and the art of triathlon. I love when all becomes clear.

What to do?

I got an email from my friend Todd a few days ago telling me he will not be able to do the Ocean City Tri with me. Now Im stumped...my chiropractor told me he would not recommend me doing any more events this season, and I was going to go against his advice and just do this last one...even if I only do it as a Aquathon (swim and bike), which I could do without issue, I believe. But my motivating factor (outside of the money I spent to do the event) was that I would be letting Todd down if I didnt do it, especially as I talked him into it, and its his first event. Not only that, but there are about 20 cool things happening in my neighborhood that weekend that I would love to be a part of (the arts fest, the univest bike race, etc, etc)...and now i have nowhere to stay down near the event unless I shell out for a hotel room by myself...and down the shore those can be pretty pricey. I dont know anyone else doing the event, or anyone else that will be in Ocean City that weekend, so for now, the cons are definitely outweighing the pros.

I could always get up super early the morning of the 13th (ie 3am), drive to OC, do the event, drive back and get home by 1pm, and then crash...but that sounds like a pain in the ass.

What would you do? So much for my certainty and visualization, huh?

$26 full of hot aka Happy Anniversary!

YAY, last night was Mark and I's 7th anniversary celebration (our anniversary is 8/31)...the in laws came over to watch Kieran and Connor, and Mark and I headed to Philly for our first overnight since Kieran was born.

We went to dinner at POD, where we actually celebrated our first anniversary, and had a great dinner. I wore this beautiful black satin dress and Mark bought a new shirt to wear (he was $48 full of hot...yes, that's how much he spent for the shirt, his most expensive shirt ever or so he says). Then we went back to the hotel to change into our hanging out clothes. Since I felt like I was more mom than not in my outfit-still wearing my maternity clothes since they were so comfy-I too went out and got a shirt to match my skirt ($26 full of hot, I was). Both of us then felt ready for our night on the town then, and off we went.

Our first stop was Mad Mex for a music festival that ended up being canceled before we ever got there due to the weather. They still had their margarita specials, though: 24 oz of tequila with a little fruit flavoring for $7.70. I had two martinis at dinner, and thus stuck to water, but Mark imbibed...and we had a great time catching up with each other and watching the Phillies game. We then headed over to World Cafe Live and caught the second set of the Velveteen Playboys, a great Loungy band that were more rock than Lounge.

It started pouring again during the set, and we thus were forced to catch a cab back to hotel after it was over. It was only 11:30pm when we got back to the room, but for someone who normally tries to get to bed by 10 in order to get enough sleep (yes, me), it was plenty late, and I was exhausted-and really, we had dinner at 5:30pm, so we were out for six hours-not too shabby for grandma and grandpa.

We both slept in til 9:45am (yes, it was heavenly), headed out for breakfast and a walk around UPenn's campus (where the hotel was located). The weather was gorgeous, sunny and 75 degrees, and we were really enjoying our status as a kid free (for the moment) couple. But we knew that Mark's parents would need us to get back, and soon after we headed home to relieve them. It was a great 21 hours! Thanks Mom and Dad (and Mark too).

And did I tell you that Mark got me a beautiful diamond and blue topaz dragonfly necklace...I love it! Happy Anniversary, Mark. I love you.

My first ever swim lesson

So I was talking to my chiropractor Dr D last week and he mentioned that the man he had just seen was a swim coach...and then he said, hey maybe you should get his number. He charges a ridiculous low amount for 3 one hour swim lessons. Guess what? I did call him, and I had my first lesson last night. It was great. I was able to improve my stroke (or should I say completely rework it) in less than an hour just by doing a few drills that I have done before but never knew what they were for. Ill let him summarize the lesson for you...this is the email follow-up he sent me.

"Kelly

Very glad to get you in the program last night - thank you for coming! The Endless Pool is THE BEST teaching/training aid available and I think I have a pretty good system now.... Sorry I lost track of the early start time and kept you for an hour and a half!!!!!

Going forward, I will relate everything to my 4 LAWS of swimming. Please learn them, as they are it !

1) BALANCE - with it, you are literally sunk! You are starting from struggle OR you are like my stick....resting gently on the surface of the water. We took great pains to find YOUR balance point last night. YOU balance perfectly when your hands are fully extended directly in front of each shoulder joint and about 5" deep. Right now, nothing else really matters. Find that spot. Swim slowly and easily into and through THAT SPOT. It is YOUR balance position and therefor, mission critical. It is law #1 for a reason!!!!!!

2) ACTIVE STREAMLINE - the ability to swim through the smallest hole in the water. As I said, if I could levitate you and draw a nice oval around you, you need to be swimming through that hole - nothing sticking out... My current will make you painfully aware when anything breaks this streamline... Learn to love streamline - you will do FAR LESS work.

3) WEIGHT SHIFT - your ability to control gravity as you rotate around a central core...more later (don't worry).

4) TRACTION - the ability to HOLD the water so you can manipulate it. We discussed an open and relaxed hand.... That is it - open and relaxed!!

Going forward, please keep track of your SPL (strokes per length) 3 times in every practice (beginning, middle, and end). Your number should stay constant and not vary by more than 1 (2 max) strokes from start to finish. If you are deteriorating, refer to LAWS #1-4 !

You presented to me as a good and fluid swimmer, but we can help.... Initially, you reach very high out of the water and your hands travel in unrestricted places ! We will be reaching DIRECTLY from the rear of the stroke to the front - 5" deep and off the shoulder joint. Your legs split due to your subconscious feeling some instability - that will resolve as we fix the front. ***This is why you are faster with a pool buoy....your legs stay tucked behind you in streamline !!! The head rises and moves around too much on your breath and the left arm dives across your mid line over to the right side.... It does not track well at all ( yet !!).

We discussed and practiced "catch-up" drill where you are learning to swim OVER YOUR ANCHORED HAND. This is core (powerful) swimming, as opposed to arm cycling... You did this well and need to practice a drill / swim set each time you get in the water. Always be a notch slower while warming up and while learning. Keep your legs tighter in the back ----- Big Boat. Big Motor. small propeller !!!!

I gave you a -20% FINIS coaches discount card that is good forever.... Here is a list of things I like - you do not need any of them yet, but it is for reference:

1) Freestyle Snorkel - allows you to take breathing out of the equation so you can fully concentrate on stroke mechanics. This is the #1 device in the Olympic Training Village !!!

2) Alignment kickboard - makes kick = stroke

3) Zoomer IIs - the best fin for a triathlete... makes your legs long and the right degree of kick power

4) FINGER paddles - allows you to develop a feel for the "catch" phase or traction in the stroke - **MY personal favorite !!!

5) SWIMMITTS - designed by me and available at my house and at The Training Zone

Please watch and save the video below. This will be your best guide going forward and can answer just about every question you will ever have. Watch. Learn. Repeat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJpFVvho0o4
**Best swimming demo video ever !!!

Always feel the water. Allow IT to teach you. If it feels good - it is !!! If it feels bad - it is bad !!!

SwimStrong. SwimSilent."

ps, I ordered everything he said, since I definitely plan to keep swimming for a long time no matter how injured I am and I want to improve as much as possible...it feels so good and definitely zens me out. I also ordered a waterproof mp3 player to make my swim time a little more exciting so Ill let you know what I think when I get it. Im definitely a gadget whore...

Certainty and Visualization

Just watched this amazing Tony Robbins video. He was interviewing Frank Kern and John Reese about how to reach goals and what holds most people back. And I started to link my injuries and lack of motivation and all this other bs that is holding me back from doing more events, to losing weight, and more, to FEAR. Fear that I did not acknowledge I am holding on to before this moment. Fear of what you ask?...well, the basics: Failure, injury, flat tires, cars hitting me, big hills, SUCCESS, my own magnifigence. Pretty powerful stuff.

But its ok to have the fear. Acknowledge it. Bask in it. Know that it makes us alive. And that it doe not need to hold you back. You can instead visualize the results you want and not the steps that will get you there and could potentially trip you up when that self doubt starts creeping in. I need to visualize the goal I want to achieve every day and my success with it, surrounding myself with the feeling of achieving it (my peak state). That feeling will translate into my being certain of it happening, on a subconscious level, even, and I will believe in it. And a better result will happen organically. If you watch the video there is an exercise he has you do that will show this happen immediately...its pretty cool, so try it!

So I still need to train for my events, but instead of being down about my injuries, and worried that I CANT do it, I will train myself to know I can, to feel the feeling of finishing strong, of meeting a PR, etc, and I will have a great result.

I definitely needed that video. As you can tell from my lack of posting, I have been feeling down about not being able to walk or run, and that has spiraled into my sitting on my ass and doing nothing. Not a good place to be. I know what I need to do now...and I will work on it. And of course, keep you posted about how I am doing. Yippee!

Frustrated and Unmotivated in PA

Life seems to be getting in the way of my training. Last night I did not go to the gym despite my plan because I had a pretty intense session with the chiropractor-I was there over an hour!, and he said I have perineal tendonitis in my right foot.

I also stayed home because I was feeling lazy and I wanted to spend time with my boys. I helped Connor clean his playroom, read on the couch while everyone was watching tv and playing (just started the book that I am supposed to read for book club tomorrow night), and basically, just relaxed.

Today I brought my shoes and workout clothes to work, hoping that the thunderstorms that are called for today don’t occur til after my walk, but I am upset (make that pissed off!) …I found out that my boss didn’t tell me that I wasn’t going to go forward for a second interview for the manager job I interviewed two weeks ago (its at my current company). I found out through a friend who had her second interview already. Not that I mind that I’m not getting the position, but to not even be told is just plain rude!, and very upsetting. I’ve worked at this DAMN company for 8 years, you think they would show a little respect. And what’s funny is that I had to think long and hard about what makes a good manager due to the interview. Guess who didn’t make the list? It makes me not want to work here anymore…but then where would I go? Ill take my anger and frustration out on my jogging shoes at lunchtime. Maybe punch a few keyboard wrist gel pads if I really want to go crazy. UGH!

Hubby's back

He got in last night at 10:30pm. Safe and sound, though hung over (he calls it jet lag). I really missed him. So much so that I made him lunch this week and got all the kids morning stuff done(normally things he does every week), as well as getting out of bed this morning at 6am (Kieran woke up then) so Mark wouldn't have to. Yes, I am a good wife...at least sometimes.

Since we are in Day 3 of a heat wave, and I can't force myself to leave the comfort of air conditioning to work out, I am headed back to the gym today. I had to take two days off since I couldn't take Connor and Kieran to Kiddie Care yesterday or Sunday, and now I'm feeling unmotivated and slovenly...and my right foot is really bothering me. When I walk there are shooting pains on the outside part of it underneath my pinkie toe all the way to my ankle. Funny thing is that I fell two days ago on the other ankle and that's not hurting...what the hell is wrong with this big ole body of mine?

Hopefully my chiropractor can fix it this afternoon during my appt. If not, guess that means I will have more than 2 days off from working out. I wonder why I am so injury prone this season? I have been stretching and taking it easy...no crazy workouts. I wonder if its all in my mind...

Got my pic proofs from Steelman from Sports in Motion yesterday...lets just say that I look like a beached whale in my wetsuit. I have a completely different picture of myself and the way my body looks in my head than what I see in pictures...I am so shocked every time I see myself. I cringe, and feel awful, and instead of that motivating me to work harder on losing weight, I tend to comfort myself with food, and the endless cycle of poundage continues.

Sometimes I wish I was big enough to qualify for gastric bypass, and then I remember that I love food (its taste, texture, the feel of it in my mouth, the smell, yum!) and I don't want to be confined to taking all my food in with a straw for the rest of my life. And what kind of health and nutrition coach would I be not practicing what I preach and taking the easy way out. I know if I put my mind to this I can do it. But as Anthony Robbins says, I need to make this weight loss a MUST and not a should. So whats gonna get me to MUST?

What a weekend!

Nonstop excitement, thrills, spills, and heat!

This weekend was definitely a blast and tiring...me and the kiddies did so much together, it felt like a weekend instead of a weekend. Satursday started with time at the Y where I dropped the kids at Kiddie Care and then enjoyed a yoga class and my last swim at the Y before they close the pool. Then from there we were off to Solebury Orchards for some raspberry picking, blueberry eating, and apple cider buying (though it was only apple juice since the cider isnt around til next month, but dont tell Connor that...), followed by a picnic lunch from Dillys at the place Mark and I were married and some stone throwing into the Delaware River. Then, since Kieran is now crawling, we headed over to Babies R Us for some babyproofing. I got tot loks, a table bumper, and some cushions to attach to the fireplace stone so Kieran would be a little more protected. Once we got home, Connor and I played a little outside while Kieran watched and Connor proceeded to fall and bump his head on the driveway (he is doing fine now). Danielle came over at 7 to babysit for two hours and I headed out for a bite to eat. Then I crashed hard.

The next morning (after only getting up once with Kieran) we got up early to head over to the Y kids tri to volunteer. We got assigned the finish line, so Connor and I handed out medal and water to finishers while Kieran stayed in a his stroller or on my back in his pack. It was SO hot. We finished around 11 and were grateful to hear from my friend Melanie, inviting us over to her mom's to swim. Owen and Connor splashed and played for the next few hours...so much so that Connor took a little nap on his way over to Grandma and Grandpa's house for dinner. We headed back home after eating our meal at Teds (our favorite family restaurant), and played outside again when this time Kieran took a spill on the driveway (when he was crawling). He got a knot on his forehead the same place Connor's is. What a pair those two....but they and I definitely had a good time.

Now Im off to take them to school. Maybe Ill have time for a workout later...and I hope all is well with Mark's travel back home this afternoon...

Look who's crawling

Kieran beat his brother by 3 months...way to go! If only Mark was here to see it and not in Vegas.

Rough Night

Last night my husband left for his annual 'Party in Vegas' trip...he'll be gone til late Monday night, so I'm in charge of the kiddies for the next four days. Kieran has been sleeping in 5-6 hour blocks, so I was hopeful that meant I would only need to get up once with him in the night, but he must have known that Daddy was gone, and woke up screaming 4 times. Granted, I only got up one of those times, thinking that he needs to comfort himself and go back to sleep, but irregardless, I was up everytime he was, and basically got about 4 hours total sleep last night. I'm pretty tired right now...yawn. And I get to do this for four more nights, fun!

But I did make it to Masters last night for the last session of the Summer. The pool will be closed starting Monday the 17th for the next 3 weeks, so I have made arrangements with some fellow Masters lane 1ers (yes, the slow lane) to meet at the local outdoor pool once a week until it reopens. Hopefully the weather will cooperate with that schedule!

On Sunday, me and the boys will be volunteering at the Y's Kids Triathlon. Kieran will be helping by staying on my back in his pack and not crying too much (!) and Connor and I will passing out with refreshments, water, you know the drill. Connor helped me at an event two years ago passing out water to runners doing a 5k. You should have seen him, he loved it...he kept screaming WATER at the top of his lungs every time someone ran by. People were lining up to get water from him, jeopardizing their times because he was so cute. Let's hope he cooperates as well on Sunday, otherwise it will be a long, painful morning.

Family Pics-July 2009

KIERAN

Podrunner is SO cool

I walked/ran for 45 minutes in the heat at our local park yesterday, loving my new High Roads Sweatvac hat and my podrunner mixes (couch to 5k) that I downloaded from iTunes. The music kept me motivated, and instructed me when to walk and run to keep on pace with the training program. I also wasn't as winded as I normally am, because the music's BPM are set to make sure you don't overdo it.

I brought my dog Sammy with me and by the time we were done, she was more tired than I was. She jumped in the back of the van and layed on the floor panting the whole way home, which is very uncharacteristic of her. She normally jumps up and scratches the inside of the car trying to see out the window. All in all, it was a great workout for both of us.

My plan is to do this 4-5 times a week instead of the recommended 3 days, since I have a little more of a running base, and then I can decrease the 9 week cool running timeline to 4 weeks, since thats all I have before my next event.

I will also swim laps at least once a week for 45 minutes-1 hr at the local pool, and ride for 1-2hrs once a week. Since I trained harder on those sports for my last event, that should balance me out for the September race.

Steelman Split and Final Times

Just got the results: I finished the 1/2 mile swim (800 yards) in 22:34 (48:01 mile pace), the 12.8 mile bike in 57:11 (13.4 mile/hr pace) and the 5K run in 37:03 (11:58 mile pace). With my long T1 and T2 times (3:52 and 2:43), my total time was 2:03:23. Thats 3:23 over my goal, but still pretty respectable. For my age range, if Im reading the results correctly, I was 20th in the swim, 34th in the bike, and 42nd in the run (not sure how many were in my range). Since I wore my wetsuit, I was not included in the total numbers, so I do not have my rank overall. Compete to complete, I did it!

I wonder how much faster I would have been if it hadn't been raining?