To Blog or Not to Blog?

Well I haven't written much because I realized that no one, not even my mom, is reading this so hear is my final entry until someone shows me they are reading it.

The excitement of the Boilermaker carried me through Monday and Tuesday last week, but then I had several doctors' check-ups, had to stop swimming for the week, and took a couple of days off. I recovered for a run and run/walk on the weekend, but ended the week a 10 mile bike ride short. I let myself get distracted by the appointments and buying a new car so I didn't complete the schedule.

This week my goal has been to complete every workout on the day that it is written on the schedule. That plan was foiled beginning Monday when I reached the pool and found that a summer camp was using the swim time. Thankfully I've been on schedule otherwise completing a 20 minute run at 9 minute miles and a fast 8 or 9 mile bike ride. I also took my bike for a tune-up last week and find that it is changing gears fluidly now. Still moving forward, but this weeks goal is to do it without any misses. Anyway, I lack motivation for writing this but if you show me you're reading it I will want to continue.

Back on Track

Just a quick post because happily I will have completed every workout on my schedule this week once I run the Boilermaker 5K on Sunday! Woohoo! Only 9 more weeks to go...

A Lesson from ABA

As you may know, I just finished a year as an Autism Support teacher in an ABA (Applied Behavioral Analyis) based school. One thing I learned in ABA is that if you start to see negative behaviors increase then increase the reinforcement schedule and use different reinforcers. Also, food is the most basic reinforcer.

In my case, my negative behavior is skipping workouts, and I have decided to reinforce myself with lunch. In general I try to eat breakfast and lunch at home and not buy these foods during the week to save money. Today I had a good day of working out though. I completed my slow 20 minute jog even though the "Real Feel" temperature was above 90, and then I swam. I did 700 total including the 200 freestyle without stopping from my original workout schedule. How did I reward myself for this workout?

Sushi!!

There is a to go sushi place on the way home from the pool, so I stopped for a salmon roll with avocado and cucumber. Delicious!! It was a refreshing treat, and I think perhaps more sushi lunch rewards will be in my future. What rewards do you enjoy?

Running for Beer

I grew up in a family that celebrates the Boilermaker 15K road race. For anyone who doesn't know, it is a 9.3 mile road race that ends at a giant party. There is a ton of free beer, a fly over, and lots of fun. It is one thing that I have looked forward to every year since I was about 10 or 11. I've jogged the full run 6 times, and now I prefer their shorter 5K alternative.

I think of the Boilermaker first because it is this weekend. I once again look forward to the family, fun, and 5K, but I also think of it now because during this Fourth of July weekend I have foregone my running for the party. Saturday I was supposed to run 15 minutes, but instead I went to a concert and had some fun dancing to the music. Today I was supposed to run, but instead I went to a swimming hole and had dinner and beer on a restaurant patio.

Fun but, failure from a training point of view.

Time to recall the lessons of the Boilermaker-run first and then have a beer.

One other lesson since my last poat:
Get up early and workout before it is 97 degrees during this heat wave, otherwise you never will.

Just don't stop. No, don't do it.

Well I've made it through the first few days, and let me tell you it hasn't been easy. Now it's not the workouts that are bad at this point, it is just working out. The guide from trinewbies emphasized...DO NOT skip a workout in the first couple of weeks. The author emphasized that it is as much about getting in the habit of working as actually working out, and oh that habit! In a week that my allergies have been wreaking havoc on my nose, and I've generally been feeling blah getting out there is the hardest part. It is Thursday though, and I've almost made it.

Here is the summary:
Monday-Off
Tuesday-Run 15 minutes and Swim 500 (with breaks and some breast stroke)
Wednesday-Bike 7.5 miles
Thursday-Bike 5.6 miles

I know the distances seem low, but I did everything on the sheet so far except for one 15 minute run. I will complete that this weekend. I had to bike two days in a row because I will be away from home and will not be bringing my bike.

Top two lessons I've learned so far besides Don't Stop!:
1. Even for a 5 mile ride it is worth the extra effort to put on bike shorts.
2. If I'm going to be more active, then I will need to keep more food at home.

I hope everyone has a great weekend, and I'll update you again once I clear the weekend hump.

Tomorrow is here.

To catch you up, for five years I have been saying that I want to do a triathlon. No, I don't have crazy ambitions to complete an Ironman or even an Olympic distance race, I only want to do a sprint triathlon. Still I have been unable to remain committed to a training regimen for any physical activity since in high school-I graduated in 2001. Back then it was easy! Practices right after school, a dedicated group of athletes and friends to practice with, and consistent competition to feed my personal hunger to get better and to win.

Now here I am 27 years old, and for the first time I have the summer off and should easily be able to find the time. Sure, I know one can always find the time, but I have chosen not to. Perhaps for the first time I feel ready to choose to make the time? Perhaps I just worry that if I don't do it now I never will? Maybe I just want to set a goal and try to achieve it? Whatever the reasons here it is:

THE GOAL: Complete a sprint distance triathlon in September and feel good physically and mentally after the race (note that at this point I have zero goals for time or speed).

THE STRATEGY: I am beginning with an 11 week training program from Trinewbies.com. I know I will modify this along the way, but it is a starting point.

So here is goes...the training begins tomorrow. For years I have said maybe next year or I'll start tomorrow, but now is the time. Tomorrow is here!