Spring is here!

This week has been a great week of training and enjoying the outdoors. I did intervals on Tuesday, ran 2 miles on Wednesday followed by swimming and then yesterday I rode my bike. The bike ride was the best... I tried out my bike with my new tires and I felt like I was blowing in the wind.

I am so happy for the warm weather!

Happy Spring!
Eling
Speedy Turtle..

Nutrition for the Speedy Turtle...

WHICH DO I CHOOSE????!!!!

So, over the last few weeks, I have been training for the Germantown Half Marathon. During my long runs, Coach Lesley has stated Remember Nutrition... On one of those runs, I forgot nutrition, went for a 2 hour run and bonked at 1.5 hours.. I forgot nutrition.. I guess it didn't help that I had only breakfast, skipped lunch and then went for a the run. This was not very smart...

Why do we need nutrition for endurance? Per an article I read on  Beginning triathlete website " .....energy gels are utilized by endurance athletes to provide a quick boost of energy. They are small and portable. Most gel packs are easily tucked in small pockets or other nooks where a little bit of space is available. Endurance athletes can perform well on the body’s stored up energy supply for only so long. After these stores are depleted, this extra energy requirement has got to be made up somehow. Eating solid foods in the middle of strenuous exercise can be a recipe for a disaster for some athletes – can you say “gutbomb”? Energy and blood tied up in digestion cannot be used for more essential activities like providing energy to the muscles and cooling the body. Energy gels attempt to solve this problem. All energy gels contain a large portion of energy producing complex and simple carbs. Proteins and fats are slow to absorb and can sit in the stomach, so you won’t find a whole lot of them in gels. Their sole function is to get into your blood stream and do it as quickly as possible." 

So, the next run, I tried GU ROCTANE. My husband and Coach Billy use them all of the time. I think their favorite is Cherry Lime, especially when you mix it with a coke/diet coke. So, I had a long 2 hour run and I took some Orange Vanilla GU ROCTANE.. I wasn't ready to try the Cherry lime just yet and there was only 2 left.. I had to save if for the hubby.. At mile 7, I tried a little bit... and it felt like  it was stuck on my tongue.. I thought I looked like the dog trying to swallow peanut butter... hmm.. not good.. I took in some water.. and tried again 5 minutes later... it didn't get better....I was going to try to get this down.. so, I took in more water and I got it down...I was determined and I took One last Swallow... and the thick, gooey texture... just didn't work.. I finished run.. It was a good run, but my trial of GELS.. failed again... see a few years ago.. I tried the earlier versions of gels and they were too sweet and gooey, so I stopped trying until now.

I didn't want to give up. I needed to find a better solution than cutting up oranges and watermelon and stuffing them in a pouch.. So, I talked to Coach Lesley and she suggested Powerbar Energy Gels...She said it was more fluid like and the flavor is not soo sweet.. She gave me two gels to try, Strawberry Banana and Tangerine... The Strawberry banana tasted like a strawberry banana shake. Then the Tangerine tasted like the real thing... Also, the energy I felt was WOW... I have never finished a gel before because of the consistency and the taste, but now I think it will be different. I will take a gel before I start the half marathon and then again at mile 4, 7 and 10. I want to finish strong this weekend. Also, I don't have to worry about gooey mushy watermelon and orange slices. I can get those at the end of the race.

Happy training,
Eling

Speedy Turtle Triathlete!

Staying on Track...

Yesterday, I set a new goal for myself... I decided to follow and complete all of my workouts...I confessed to Lesley and then I asked for her help!.. That was the best decision ever. I asked her to help me stay accountable and she did.

Today was day 1 of my new goal and I was encouraged by Lesley to go run. I am  so glad I went for  a run. It felt awesome. I ran for 30 minutes and did my hill set. I am starting to get a little faster and I am not dreading my run anymore. My workout was warm-up for 5 min, 4x2 min at a 3% incline and then finish the run the last 10 minutes.

I am so glad I went for the run, I know I will be ready for next week's half marathon. Thank you Lesley for helping me get back on track!

Happy Training,

Eling
Here is Lesley's website.. She is an awesome coach!

http://www.trinitytricoach.com

Past Month.. I was a Swim Mom and Swim Taxi...

So the last month, I have been really busy... training??? I tried to get in a workout as much as possible.. I had to because I am training for the Germantown Half marathon.. so what have I been doing?? Well, I have been supporting my son, Donnie! Actually, he was the one that convinced me to get back into the swing of exercising again and to do my first triathlon.

Here is my son! He has kept me busy. For the first week, we had county championships and he did great! Then the week after, I drove him to Nashville, TN to take him to the TN state High School championships! My son is a freshman and made state.. I am such a proud mom!  We had one week break and last weekend we were in Knoxville, TN for USA Swimming Southeastern Championships. That was a great weekend for my son. He dropped in all of his strokes except for his breast stroke. He finally realized he should be swimming the fly... So he will now start training as a butter-flyer.

So, I know this is suppose to be about me, but my life really involves a lot with my son and husband, so today's post is for my son. He has been my biggest cheerleader in my training and keeps pushing me to continue to do my workout. He has even given me swimming advice.. see, I don't swim very fast...

So, here's to my son! Thank you Donnie for being my biggest fan!

Happy Training!

Eling
Speedy Turtle Triathlete