Try Tri Again

There are a few things I'm terrible at, and saying no to a fun opportunity tops that list.  Particularly when that opportunity is a challenge.  So when Equinox emailed out this week about an indoor tri competition next weekend, I signed up right away.  I run and spin all the time, and I used to swim, so I figured I could handle it.  No problem.

I was pumped.  I'm totally tri-curious, but somewhat hesitant, in part because I never learned how to ride a bike.  I tried, but I never could get it.  Honestly, I have no idea what that's about.  I figure skated as a kid, so it wasn't a coordination or balance problem.  I just had some kind of hang-up, I guess.  Anyway, the indoor tri seemed too good to pass up because I wouldn't have to worry about the biking.

Reality started to set in about 24 hours later as I tried to figure out how to throw swimming into the mix when I'm training a half-marathon that is three weeks away, running the Haiti race next Saturday, and have two more nights of Elements at Crossfit this week. 

Yesterday, I hopped in the pool to see if I could really manage 500 yards next weekend.  I started swimming a few years ago when my knees were really bad.  My doc had tried to tell me not do any exercise that involved bending my knees.  You can imagine how I took that news.  Suddenly, my cardio options were the arm-bike and swimming.  The arm bike is a torture device, so swimming became my thing.  Sort of.

I have a love/hate relationship with swimming.  I love: actually swimming.  I hate: the bathing suits, the shaving, the swim caps, what the chlorine does to my hair, what the chlorine does my nail polish, getting water up my nose, splashy men, old men with baggy swimsuits, the who swims in what lane politics, etc.  The second my knees started to improve, I stopped swimming.  It's cool, but it was such a hassle.

My swim yesterday was great.  It felt really nice to be back in the water.  I kept it short because I'd already run, and I knew I had a big run coming up today.  As I sat in the whirlpool afterwards, I figured that I could get through the 500 yard swim for the tri.  But I'd be "getting through."  It wouldn't be pretty.  Perhaps doing this two weeks before the half-marathon wouldn't be the best idea.

I had a lot of time to think about it on my 11ish mile run this morning.  When I got home, I cancelled.  It kills me to back out of something, but there will be plenty of time for tris in the future.  If I hadn't signed up to begin with, I wouldn't have swam this weekend and remembered how much I like it.  So, it all worked out well.  And who knows, maybe I'll even learn how to ride a bike this spring.  I'll keep you posted.

-Gym Belle-

Ice, Ice, Baby

My  heart leapt with joy when the "feels like" temperature jumped from four degrees to five just before I left for the Gridiron Race this morning.  Every little bit helps.  I have to say, though, the sun made a huge difference.  Compared to the Fred Lebow race a few weeks ago, it felt like August.

The race felt great at the beginning.  My Gu Chomp sugar-high fueled a speedy first mile, and I didn't feel my blisters at all until after the second.  I lost steam during the third when I got a cramp, and the fourth was over before I knew it.  I nearly tripped over the finish line because I didn't see it coming.  (I probably should have worn my contacts.)

I seem to have mastered the art of snacking while running, but drinking from those paper cups along the way is impossible.  I managed to splash my face a bit, but that's it.

I finished in 36:02, so 9 minute miles on average.  Woohoo!

The chill really set in as I walked home.  Still determined to drink, I carried a paper cup of water the whole way.  I was too thirsty to set it down, and too cold to drink it.  By the time I walked through my door, it had partially turned to ice! 

See you at the race to raise money for Haiti on the 20th?

-Gym Belle-

Foiled Again

I was all set to do my 11 mile run today. 

I meant to do it last Saturday, but I got a late start and the sun set and I could hear my mother's voice in my head berating me for being in the park after dark.  So I quit after 6. 

And then Sunday was the Cycle for Survival event at Equinox to raise money for Sloan-Kettering.

I thought about doing it during the week, but work was hectic.  Then I decided that I probably should replace my sneakers because my old ones were, well, old.  So, I bought new ones.  I worked out in them on Thursday and loved them.  They felt like fluffy little clouds on my feet compared to my old ones.

After mile 4 or so today, though, they didn't feel like anything like clouds.  They felt like sandpaper.  With each step, I could feel my arches being ripped to shreds.  So, today was a 6 mile day.  Again.

As it turns, my feet are fine.  I have the teeniest, tiniest little blisters.  Man, they hurt though.  Apparently, you need to break sneakers in before a long run.  Duh.  The woman who sold me 2nd Skin at Super Runners Shop tonight was not impressed with me.  Hopefully this won't totally ruin tomorrow's Gridiron Race in Central Park.

I'll keep you posted.

-Gym Belle-