Training contnues and Whole 30 ends.

I'm not the best at updating blogs. I always start out with the best of intentions and then life quickly gets in the way.  I really want to write about this journey though, because I want to remember the ups and downs.  I like being able to review how I felt on the good and the bad days.  It motivates me to keep going. 

I've been doing pretty good at consistently training for the IronGirl.  I cobbled myself together a plan that incorporates a beginner triathlon plan while starting to increase my running mileage in anticipation of the Hartford Marathon Foundation Surf-town Half Marathon on September 14.  The only cheat I've been making is occasionally trading a run for an extra spinning class because I've been having so much fun at spinning I want to go more often.  I know I need to get my running miles in though, I'm a pretty pokey BOP runner.

I'm really excited about this summer and all the events on my calendar.  So far I'm signed up for four 5ks, the Irongirl Tri, a Warrior Dash, and the Half Marathon.  I'll probably add the Hartford Marathon Foundation's Women's Triathlon to that list.

This weekend was spent on Cape Cod.  But I didn't let the getaway stop me from getting my activity in.  I spent a ton of time in the pool with the munchkin, so not really a swim workout but plenty of pool time.  We also did a lot of walking; All afternoon in Provincetown on Friday and a glorious hike through the Cape Cod National Seashore on Sunday.  I also ran 3 miles on Sunday morning, finishing on the beach by our hotel.  It was beautiful. 

Today it was back to the pool for a 45 min swim workout.  Tomorrow is spinning and maybe a run. 

Friday was also the last day of my Whole 30.  I feel pretty great and plan to mostly continue eating this way.  I dropped about 10 pounds and am easily back into my pre-Bean jeans.  I am below the weight I was when I got pregnant with the Bean and closing in on the weight I was before the Munchkin.  But aside from the weight benefits, I just feel better.  My joints aren't achy, I dont feel constantly bloated, and (much to my surprise) my spring seasonal allergies are milder than they have ever been. 

I indulged a little while on the Cape, some fried clams and french fries, and some ice cream.  The stomachache I had about 20 minutes after the ice cream was enough to remind me that dairy and I are not friends. yuck.  I don't feel guilty about the treats, but it was a good reminder that my body much prefers when I avoid the grains and dairy and focus on plants.

48 days until the race!

Feeling Good

Good weather really helps my mood.  We had quite a miserable winter, not super snowy but just so damn cold and grey.  By March (and even into April) I was feeling pretty down.  I was a slug. No activity and just feeling kinda miserable.  Hooray for spring.  Getting outside and getting exercise has done wonders for my mental health. 

Got up early this morning and took a cycling class while Grandma watched the kiddos.  I'm really starting to love my Tuesday morning class.  The instructor is really motivating.  By the end of the class I was drenched in sweat and my legs were threatening to give out.  I'll take that as a good thing.  I spent a few hours at the office until the siren call of this beautiful day lured me home to the kiddos (I really enjoy being my own boss).  I got the kiddos into the stroller and walked over to the park and playground where I let the munchkin loose.  He needs plenty of exercise too.  After maybe 20 mins he slipped on a ladder to the slides and landed a bit hard so he wanted to leave.  We headed to the farmer's market, also in the park, to pick up some lettuce to plant in the garden and the first of the local strawberries. yum.

The kiddos are napping so I did a quick yoga video (DDP Energy), my legs desperately needed to stretch out.   Tonight is the kiddos swimming lessons, I'm in the pool with the bean while the munchkin is in the big kid class- so more activity to come.  Tomorrow I rest!

61 days until the race!

Everything is Awesome.

My long run didn't happen yesterday, too much family stuff got in the way.  Took the kiddos to a town festival, then spent two hours cooking a delicious (and Whole30 compliant) birthday dinner for Grandma.  Took a nice walk after dinner so I was at least a little active.

So I got up and did my long run this morning.  Dropped the kiddos off with Grandma and set out for a run outside in the most beautiful weather.  It was so nice that I didn't really pay enough attention to where I was and when I needed to turn around.  I ran into the next town over which has gorgeous wide streets and lots of beautiful trees.  So when I hit my 4 miles I was still 1.5 miles from home.  oops. So I ended up with a 5.5 mile run (though to be fair most of the last 1.5 miles was walking.) It felt awesome. The sun, the breeze, the trees! By the time I got home I was feeling very Hooray for Everything!  Tonight I have a 30 min swim on the schedule and I would like to squeeze in a quick yoga video (DDP energy) because my legs are feeling pretty tight.  

I learned on this run that I can maintain a faster pace outside than I can on the treadmill.  While I was running I was consistently around a 10:30 mile pace.  That speed feels like torture on the treadmill and I usually stay closer to 12:00.  Interesting.  I think I get caught up in the excitement of being outside, whereas on the treadmill I get stuck staring at the screen.

62 Days until the race!

Continued Progress

Its been about three weeks since I started training and I am happy to say it is going pretty well.  I'm not perfectly consistent with my plan, but with two kids rigid consistency is never going to be something I strive for.  What I do strive for is making sure I get in the right number of workout, even if they are not exactly when I planned to do them.   The trick is not to let one missed workout stop me from not going out again the next day. I am modifying but I keep going.  For example, thursday I had planned on getting up and heading for a morning spinning class, but the munchkin crawled into bed with me and was deep asleep- on my chest, about 15 minute before I needed to leave.  I didn't have the heart to wake him up and bring him to grandma.  He'd be upset and grouchy and it really wasn't worth the potential grumpy start to the day.  So instead when he finally work up about a half hour later the kiddos went to grandma and I went to the basement for a 7 mile cycle and 3 mile run.  It wasn't  what I planned but it was still good.

Food-wise I'm feeling really proud.  I've stuck with the Whole30 for the last 17 days.  I did have a couple not quite on plan bites but nothing that completely derailed me.  I forgot to tell a restaurant to leave pesto off an omelet, so I ate maybe a tablespoon of that, and I didn't ask another restaurant if their bacon had added sugar.  I'm not going to lose sleep over it.  Other than that I have been compliant and feel awesome.  There is definitely a change to my taste buds.  I'm not craving super sweet foods.  I am totally satisfied with a piece of fruit. Apples taste amazing!

It is a lazy sunday morning, the bean is asleep on me and the munchkin is watching Curious George.   It is beautiful out so pretty soon we will need to get outside!  I'm hoping for a 4 mile run today.

63 Days until the race!

Whole30- Day 1

As part of my get healthy goal, I decided that I would do the Whole30 for the month of May.  It's essential paleo without "cheating"or as they would say "sex with your pants on" meaning no paleo-ified desserts, breads, muffins, etc.  It is meant to challenge and break your normal eating habits to encourage a better relationship with food.  I don't think I eat terribly on a regular basis- but I am significantly overweight- especially after having two kids.  Baked goods are my nemesis.  I love sweets.  We do eat mostly organic produce, organic grass-fed meats, local pastured eggs, etc but I do have some not so healthy habits I'd like to break.  I know if I want to complete a triathlon I'm going to have to give my body the best fuel possible. 

May is the perfect time to start a program like this that relies so heavily on fresh produce.  Next week is the start of the local farmer's market.  Delicious tasty and local veggies will start appearing at the co-op.  Hooray for Spring.  Oh yeah... Happy Beltane!

Todays food:
Breakfast: Scrambled "green" eggs- eggs blended with spinach and kale, topped with red peppers and avocado
Snack: A handful of hazelnuts, almonds, and cashews.  Peach and some pineapple chunks. Black Coffee
Lunch: A large salad with avocado, olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Snack: Plum
Dinner: A grassfed local burger over lettuce with avocado and onions sauteed in ghee. Coconut Water.

I know that was a lot of avocado- we had a couple that were threatening to go bad so I ate them. 

Training:  Today I ran 3 miles on the treadmill.  Then took a mile walk while wearing the bean and pushing the munchkin.  I also took an Aqua Zumba class- which is just a blast.  Good, silly, fun.  I'm pretty beat after that much activity.  Tomorrow was supposed to be my rest day, but I'm switching things around because I am just too busy Saturday to do what I had planned.  Tomorrow I am getting up at o'dark thirty for a cycling class again- this time armed with padded bike shorts and cycling shoes!

Enough Excuses

I've had this crazy dream of doing a triathlon for years.  I think I saw a documentary on the Ironman over a decade ago and the thought has been rattling around in my head since. There has always been an excuse.  Too busy with school, then work, then a baby. Bikes are expensive.  I don't have access to a pool. etc, etc, etc.

I'm done making excuses.  Is this the best time for me to attempt a tri?  Probably not.  I am the mom of a three year old (the munchkin) and a six month old (the bean).  I'm a solo-practicing lawyer.  I'm at least 40 pounds overweight. 

Is it ever going to be the right time?  No.  So here I go!

The munchkin will be ready for preschool in the fall, so we enrolled him at the local JCC.  Which meant becoming members... and therefore access to an awesome swimming pool.  This weekend I bought a speedo bathing suit, cycling shorts, and a cycling shirt.   I found a race- The IronGirl sprint in Webster MA on July 20.  That gives me just about 3 months. 

I'm not a complete stranger to endurance  events.  I've run 3 half marathons.  I'm also an avid hiker and county highpointer.  The thought of physical exertion for 2+ hours doesn't scare me.  I know with proper training I can do it.

This is my first week of training.   I had intended on a 20 min swim and 3 mile run on monday, but when I got home from the office the munchkin had been throwing up- so comforting a sick kiddo derailed my plans.  Instead I got up and went for a swim before I went to the office yesterday.  I ended up swimming for a half hour, but had to take frequent breaks.  I can do two laps of the 25 yard pool and then need to catch my breath.  My skills are a bit rusty.  I am much more comfortable with breaststroke than I am with freestyle.  I know I should do freestyle in the race since it is more efficient and takes up less space so I hopefully won't kick anyone.  So I know I need to work on it.   In the evening I did 3 miles on the treadmill.  It was slow with many walk breaks- but I did it.  Gotta start somewhere.

This morning I got up a o'dark thirty to make it to a spinning class at the JCC.  This was my first attempt at spinning in like 4 years, and even back then I think I went to maybe 3 classes.   Wow that was hard! But lots of fun.  I learned two things-  First- I have got to get cycling shoes.  I'm a big fan of minimalist running footwear- I'm a vibram five-finger runner.  I have five fingers and SoftStar RunAmocs and no other athletic shoes.  Minimalist shoes don't really work well on the bikes.  I was slipping a lot and could feel the ridges in the pedals, which got pretty uncomfortable by the end of class.  Second- I need a gel pad for the seat. oww!

The goal for tomorrow is a 3 mile run. Then Aqua Zumba, just because it is fun.

81 days until the race!