Weekend of Triathlons!

 What a busy weekend! This weekend, Start 2 Finish hosted a weekend of triathlons. People who completed the super sprint and longer triathlon.. The total was 1280 meters swim, 33 miles of biking and 6 miles of running. Last year I completed the Annie Oakley and I didn't really train. This year I dropped 10 minutes. The Annie Oakley was 400 meter swim, 11 mile bike and 2.4 mile. I didn't really train last year, I would run a little (once) bike (once) swim (once).. So training does really help. I haven't said this yet, but the pictures from last year's triathlon was what inspired me to start training. Here are couple of pictures from this year and last year.. I called myself the Chinese dumpling last year and this year I am the speedy turtle!

 Before

Chinese Dumpling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After

Speedy Turtle

This was a great weekend! I placed 7th in the Annie Oakley and 4 in the Showman Shooter. I am going to continue with my training and do a lot better next year! Austin Ironman .... Here I come!

Happy Training!

Eling 

I Did It!

 I just signed up! Ok.. I know when I first started this, I was going to complete the Bridge to Battleship half iron distance but plans have changed. The logistics and cost of racing in Wilmington was causing me a lot of anxiety. The Austin race is happening the week before and my teenage son will be on fall break so I made the switch.. Wow.. now I am committed.
This is a big deal for me, I have a goal to work towards. So when you see me out training, look for the  waddling turtle running, biking or swimming.

 Happy Training!

Eling 

Long Hot Run!!!

Ok.. so last night I went for a 3 mile run and I had a few people say.. try running in OKC.. which is hotter. I don't know how hot it was yesterday but today, it was REALLY HOT for my long run.. here is a picture of how hot it was..

 I guess you can say I am trying to get ready for my long run after the long bike ride.. or you can say that I am that I just like pain.. either way..I am trying to make sure I get my workouts done whether it is hot or cold..

Happy Training!
Eling

Excuses!

Keeping up with my blog has made me accountable for my triathlon training! So, I am making a confession.. this past week, I came up with so many excuses to not train and I didn't.. Last Thursday, I ran 6 miles and it was slow but it felt great. I had big plans to run in Knoxville that weekend... I should have realized it after that run. Last weekend, I was the supportive Mom sitting in the stands watching my son swim in the USA Swimming Southeastern Swim Championships.. So.. the excuses started each day after the meet..."It's raining outside... I am soo tired.. I want to take a nap...Let's go see Harry Potter..." Great excuses and we had a great time as a family.. but I only have 14 weeks left to train for the half..Oh my goodness... I really need to get back on track!

As Billy, my triathlon coach, stated: "..we really need to step everything up...All of the workouts are going to be tough but I know everyone can do them.." 

So.. I am going to give it my all, I know I may slip, but I will just get back on track.. so here I go.. 

Happy Training!

Eling

Hot Weather....

So yesterday, my workout entailed running intervals... the routine included 10-15 min run as a warm-up and 3 x 1 mile run at tempo pace rest 10 min between each mile.. I made the morning excuse and slept in.. oh and sleep  felt soo good..I regretted it that afternoon.. I decided to run at 6:30 pm.. the weather was 97 with a heat index of 105.. but I did it anyways because there was shade.. Was I wrong!! It felt like this:

T

I was drenched after the first mile!.. The good thing about the run was that I was running  on my bike route..yes, i took a picture:

 See... I had shade..LOL.. I finished the workout, almost... I ran the two miles at tempo and the last mile, I walked and did a tempo run for .5 mile.

This morning I trained with our tri-group and we rode for almost 30 miles ( actually my speedometer stated 27.5 miles). It was the first time I hit a true double digit on a hill! I went 12 mile/hour up a hill.. remember, I am really slow. I was keeping up.. I wonder if the run the night before helped me out.. I don't know but the ride was great. .. training is going well.. I am still fighting with my personal excuses and staying on track, but my hubby and the tri-group is helping me a lot to stay on track.. Thank you everyone!

Happy Training!
Eling

Sleeping in....what's that?

Yes.. that is right... I was up this morning at 4:30 am... ok.. ok.. . I have my hubby hit the snooze button a least once maybe twice... it states 4:35 am..We (hubby and I) have been getting up early to get in our workouts.. because it has been sooo Hot... Also, our group meets at 5:30 am and we live at least 30-35 minutes away... On the weekends, we get to sleep in till 6:30 am..whoo hoo!

Why, I have been doing this?....

Actually, working out in the morning has been the best thing for me. I don't have the chance to say..."oh, I have to finish this project now at work and work until 7 pm..so I can't go for that run or go for my bike ride..." Now, I don't feel guilty working later because I did my workout in the morning..The other excuse I use is "Oh... it is too late to workout, I need to get dinner made.." As you can see,  I know how to make the most excuses when it comes to exercise. I guess that is why I have started to set these goals of triathlons.. I am starting to get back into shape again and not get injured.....I love the fact that I am working out with a group and my hubby....

For now.. sleeping in will be 6:30 am,  bed time10 pm.. and wake-up is 4:30 am..No more excuses... It is almost time for bed for another 4:30 am wake up..

Happy Training!
Eling

Enjoying Mother Nature!!

So, yesterday I had one of the best training rides ever! I went 25 miles and average 14.7 miles/hour.. with hills going about 9 miles/hour ( this is a big deal because I usually go 3 miles/hour...yes, I should just get off the bike and walk...) Even though the weather was about 90 degrees with 100% humidity, I still had a great ride..

Going with the theme of the title.. I enjoyed this ride because of the beauty of my surroundings.. There were parts of my ride where the road was covered in a canopy of trees.. The hot wind was blowing and I was riding..The scenery around me makes one appreciate the beauty of the earth.. The best part of the ride was seeing two deer running across the road...Being a girl that grew up in San Diego, I am still always amaze at seeing critters on the road.. I couldn't get out my phone fast enough to take a picture, so I downloaded a picture.. When I came in from my ride (hot and sweaty), I was the silly girl talking forever to my husband about the deer and the trees and my ride.... He looked at me and smile.. All in all, it was a good ride.

Eling

Procrastinating....

So, last week was a difficult week to make sure I got all of my training done. Every day, after a long day of work, I came up with an excuse to not go.. actually... I did have a good excuse... I was getting fitted for a new  triathlon bike.. my wonderful hubby bought me a Cannondale Slice.. so, last week after work, I was getting fitted for my bike.. I LOVE my new bike!

So..I made up the training over the weekend!.. On Saturday, I rode my bike for 47 miles... It took me 4 hours with some great SAGs ( rest area with water, PBJ, fruit.. and everything else).. yum!.. I then rode for another 30 miles on Sunday.. It was a bike weekend!.. On the 4th July, I went for a 4 mile run.. It felt great...

Now, I am starting a new week and I have been on track so far..

Happy Training!