1k !

I know what you’re thinking… 1k… one messily kilometer.  That doesn’t warrant an entire blog entry unto itself.  But alas I am not referring to my running escapades this time… On Sunday I swam one kilometer.  40 laps in the 25 meter pool in Beaconsfield.  Of course I still need to improve on my endurance and my speed but since this was only my third time in the pool so I will celebrate this little victory.  What is that old saying? “It’s about the journey, not the destination”.  I still have seven months to prepare for the triathlon so I’m feeling great about my early start on the training. Here’s hoping the journey makes the destination a little less daunting.

In other news, my big race weekend is just a few days away.  Saturday I am running the 5k Santa Shuffle with Valerie and Alana.  Normally a 5k race isn’t any cause for concern, I usually push myself to try and break a personal best time however Saturday’s race is on “the mountain.”  The race is taking place on Mount Royal so will most certainly be a little “hilly” to say the least. A challenge that I am looking forward to taking on with my two favorite running partners.

Sunday Alana and I are venturing past the Canadian boarders through to Burlington Vermont to participate in a race that we just couldn’t refuse.  The Ri Ra Santa 5k.  The catch… everyone has to wear Santa suits!

Off to the gym again tomorrow.  Setting the treadmill to incline level “crazy ass mountain” and will run like hell.

Melanie's Arc

It was another gym day today and I had big plans to try the intriguing machine that I stared at for 45 minutes while I did the stationary bike on Tuesday.  I had seen the Arc Trainer on The Biggest Loser before, but never in person.  It looks like an elliptical and a treadmill had a baby:



Nope, that's not me



The gym I go to is by no means fancy so this by far one of the most impressive machines in there, and they only have two.  I loved it! It provided a great workout and I can imagine that my legs will be impressively sore tomorrow… there really isn’t a feeling quite like those of sore muscles from a good workout session.

Off to do laps at the pool tonight…  The only way to improve is to practice.

Thirty-four

Thirty four laps.  My first time in the pool doing laps in years and I did thirty four.  I am pleased with myself although I wasn't able to do all thirty four laps non-stop.  I would do a few, then grab the wall, breath for a minute and get going again.  During the triathlon there will be no walls to hold onto, or time to stop and take some breaths.  I obviously still have training to do, but that's the beauty in knowing the race is still eight months away.  Sigh of relief.

July 2013… I’ll tri

In August 2012 I sprained my ankle and was forced to take a break from running for several weeks.  When I consulted my physiotherapist he advised me to start running in the pool and even swim as a means to strengthen my ankle.  As a bonus it would also serve as a great cross training option while I was temporarily off my feet. 

Perhaps I allowed myself to get swept up in the euphoria of successfully completing three laps in my backyard pool, or perhaps it was the oxygen deprivation.  No matter the reason I decided that next year I would agree to try a triathlon with Alana. 

I’ve agree to register for the Sprint Triathlon which involves a 500 meter swim followed by 20km’s on the bike and finally a 5k run.

Just a few key concerns about this commitment that I have made:

1)      I have not participated in any kind of swimming other than recreational splish splashing about since doing the mandatory gym class pool laps in high school

2)      I only own a mountain bike... an old, heavy, rusty mountain bike

The first step is to continue with my running.  Obviously improving upon my running is still my number one priority and my continued training will only better prepare me for this triathlon that is looming.

The second step is to re-introduce swimming into my work out routine.  Running I can do, riding a bike I can do it - maybe not super fast but I can do it.  Swimming is the big fear here because technically I can drown. Eeek.  My first swimming session is on Sunday and that will eye opening I’m sure.  I’ll be able to see how  long it takes me to complete 500 meters and it will be a great way to measure any improvement over the next few months.

The cold weather is upon us again so I have started back at the gym.  The goal is to clock some time in on the stationary bike to prepare my legs for the 20km distance in July.  The stationary bike is going to have to me my best friend since I doubt I’ll have much practice time on the open road in the spring.

 I have committed to this triathlon so I want to make sure that I do what I can to prepare and to be pleased with my overall performance when the time comes.  And when it’s done, I’m getting myself a new mug!